Backdoor Cut: NBA Power Rankings

Time for my latest NBA Power Rankings

Music to listen to:  Push it to the Limit by Paul Engemann

1- Los Angeles Lakers: Since losing at Cleveland on Feb. 16, the Lakers have won 12 of their last 13 contests.  The only lose coming in a close contest at Miami.  The key has been the emergence of Andrew Bynum who has not only played like the second-best center in the NBA, but has increased his defense and rebounding, getting at least 12 rebounds in his last seven contests played.

2- Chicago Bulls:  They will need home court advantage much more than Boston and maybe even Miami.  If you’re a Bulls fan, you have to be concerned with Carlos Boozer missing some action due to various injuries.

3- San Antonio Spurs:  They’ve almost guaranteed getting home court throughout the playoffs so its important to get rest for the aging core.  After losing by 30 points at Miami on Mar. 14, the Spurs rebounded with an important win at Dallas last Friday.

4- Miami Heat:  Looked great at home against San Antonio, but reverted to its same flaws in a loss to Oklahoma City in its next contest.  If the Heat have to play Mike Bibby major minutes in the playoffs, it will be in major trouble.  It doesn’t help that emerging point guard Mario Chalmers will be out two weeks with a bad ankle when the Heat are seeing better playoff positioning.

5- Dallas Mavericks:  Its really a toss-up between the next three teams in the rankings.  However, last week was an indicator of how the past two months have been going for Dallas.  Lost on the road to Portland, won at Golden State, lost at home to San Antonio and on at home against the Warriors.  The Mavs are beating teams that they’re going to supposed to but struggling against equal or better competition.  Take a guess of what category of teams Dallas will be facing in the playoffs and now you know why there are concerns.

6- Boston Celtics:  They’re 3-4 in the last seven contests which also is the same period since the Kendrick Perkins trade…

7- Oklahoma City Thunder:  Looked like a major contender in the West in its victory at Miami.  Looked like a first-round playoff loser in loss at Toronto.

8- Orlando Magic: The Magic are the championship contender that no one seems to talk about.  Maybe its because for a squad with so many shooters, scoring seems to be an issue.  The problem is that when your best player can’t make free throws and/or can’t create his own shot late in contests, it makes things more difficult in the playoffs.

9- Denver Nuggets: The Ewing Theory is in full-effect.

10- Portland Trail Blazers:  I like Nicholas Batum getting 25 points against the Lakers on Sunday in the loss.  LaMarcus Aldridge can’t do it by himself and with Brandon Roy working his way back to form and Gerald Wallace becoming acclimated to the Blazers, someone else has to increase his production .

11- Memphis Grizzlies:  Continuing to make a push for the playoffs despite missing the services of Rudy Gay.  Longtime NBA fans may be surprised with this statement…Zach Randolph has not only been a stabilizing force for Memphis but a case can be made for him to be in the top-10 in MVP voting.

12- New Orleans Hornets: Its hard to read the Hornets and they’re currently in the playoffs but with Memphis and Houston surging, New Orleans must be careful.  The next five games will arguably make or break the Hornets’ season.  They’re at Utah, at Phoenix, at the Lakers and than host Portland and Memphis.

13- Philadelphia 76ers:  The two teams that will round out my top-15 have more talent but the 76ers defend better.  They’re also giving the Knicks a major run for the sixth seed in the East.

14- Atlanta Hawks: Similar to Dallas, the Hawks are predictable.  This past week, they won at home against Milwaukee, lost at home to Denver, lost at home to Miami and let LeBron James score 43 points in three quarters and than beat Detroit at home on Sunday.  The next two contests, at home against Chicago on national TV and at Philadelphia will tell many of us what to make of Atlanta.

15- New York Knicks:  The Knicks are second in the NBA in points per game (106.4) and 28th in points allowed per game (105.7).  That’s how you are only one game above .500 and lose five of our last six contests.  Those defeats include two losses to Indiana, one to Detroit and one to Milwaukee.  There’s no excuse for a team with Carmelo Anthony and A’mare Stoudemire to have that happen.  Its imperative that the Knicks win their next two contests, which are home games against Boston and Miami.

Other thoughts:

-I think many of us were quick to dismiss Tyler Hansbrough as a bust, including myself.  However, when you’re averaging nearly 20 points and eight rebounds in the month of March and leading a playoff push for your squad, you deserve some respect.

-I no longer Fear the Deer, at least for the rest of this season.  Scoring only 56 points in an NBA contest will do that to you…

-Was bummed to see Golden State blow a 20+ point lead to Dallas on Friday.  It looked like the Warriors were starting to turn a corner with having Monta Ellis, Steph Curry and David Lee at full strength as well as the improving Dorell Wright but it wasn’t meant to be.

-Blake Griffin will be fine, he’s just showing that even at his high skill level, he still a rookie that working through the grind that is the “rookie wall.”

-Shame on the ownership of the Sacramento Kings for “leaking” out merchandise to purchase online for the Anaheim Kings.  If you’re going to make the move, just announce it, let the loyal fans of Sacramento know and move out.  Don’t leave the fans of the city in limbo.

Those are my thoughts, what are yours?