| 16 March 2009
Week 21 Power Rankings
1. Los Angeles Lakers | Record: 53-13 | Previous Rank: 1st | Last Week: 3-0
Upcoming Schedule: PHI, GS, at CHI
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Andrew Bynum is running on a treadmill and Trevor Ariza just dropped 26 points in a starting role. If these guys can keep up this kind of progress and be hitting on all cylinders for the Lakers when the playoffs start, I find it hard to believe that they won't be in the Finals for the 29th time in franchise history. -- Zach Harper
2. Cleveland Cavaliers | Record: 53-13 | Previous Rank: 2nd | Last Week: 4-0
Upcoming Schedule: ORL, POR, ATL, at NJ
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Even though the Cavs were down 14 heading into the 4th quarter against the Kings on Friday, I was still convinced that the Cavs were going to pull it out. Many would say it was just another illustration of how bad the Kings are, but it actually had more to do with how fantastic LeBron is. I'm not his biggest fan, but he is phenomenal. -- Brandon Gallawa
3. Boston Celtics | Record: 50-17 | Previous Rank: 3rd | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: at CHI, MIA, at SA, at MEM, LAC
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: The Celtics have six losses that appear to be inexcusable. The loss in Indiana, at Golden State, at Madison Square Garden, in Charlotte, at the Staples Center against the Clippers, and in Milwaukee are all games that you look back and can honestly say that the Celtics should have won those games. And instead of being 56-11 and in the drivers seat for home court advantage throughout the playoffs, they're looking like they'll have to accept playing a potential seventh game on the road against the Lakers AND Celtics. -- Zach Harper
4. San Antonio Spurs | Record: 44-22 | Previous Rank: 4th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: MIN, BOS, HOU
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Check out these splits for the Spurs: 23-9 at home and 21-13 on the road. Winning record in every month except 0-2 in October. 28-12 against the Western Conference. They seem to be incredibly balanced, so why am I not printing out my bootleg Spurs Championship t-shirts? They are 10-10 against Western Conference playoff teams and 1-2 against the Lakers. -- Brandon Gallawa
5. Orlando Magic | Record: 49-17 | Previous Rank: 5th | Last Week: 3-0
Upcoming Schedule: at CLE, at MIL, NY, at NY
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: The Magic should probably be in the fourth spot right now with their solid wins this week and the fact that the Spurs lost to the Thunder on the road. But I just can't bring myself to put them into that title contending zone without Jameer Nelson 100% healthy. He simply means too much to the entire team and Rafer Alston as a band-aid helps stop the bleeding but doesn't close up the wound. -- Zach Harper
6. Utah Jazz | Record: 41-26 | Previous Rank: 6th | Last Week: 1-3
Upcoming Schedule: WAS, at OKC
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: For all the recent winning the Jazz have done, they still haven't solved their Achilles' heal: winning on the road. They have won 15 of their last 20 games, but every one of those five loses came on the road with an average margin of defeat of 12 points per game. They better hope they can push for one of the top 4 seeds to get home-court in the first round. -- Brandon Gallawa
7. New Orleans Hornets | Record: 41-25 | Previous Rank: 10th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: MIN, MEM, GS
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: The internets, mainly Hornets' blogs, are beginning to clamor for some Chris Paul for MVP recognition. They're sighting things like Steve Nash's MVP seasons as evidence that Paul deserves to be in the running. Paul deserves to be mentioned, but let's not take stats out of context and make an argument like that. Nash truly impacted every player around him and gave over a dozen guys career years while playing with him. Paul has yet to turn guys like Rasual Butler, Hilton Armstrong, and Devin Brown into significant players. -- Zach Harper
8. Houston Rockets | Record: 44-25 | Previous Rank: 8th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: DET, MIN, at SA
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Having Shane Battier and Ron Artest on the court at the same time has worked out great defensively for the Rockets. It also serves as a case study to prove that two people that couldn't be on further ends of the sanity spectrum can both contribute to the success of a basketball team. -- Brandon Gallawa
9. Denver Nuggets | Record: 43-25 | Previous Rank: 7th | Last Week: 3-0
Upcoming Schedule: at MEM, WAS, at PHX
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: After three straight losses, including an embarrassing one in Sacramento, the Nuggets bounce back with three blowout wins against teams (Thunder, Clippers, Nets) they're supposed to handle with ease. If it weren't for George Karl's history of coaching like he has money on the other team during the playoffs, I'd consider this team primed for a first round upset. -- Zach Harper
10. Portland Trailblazers | Record: 42-25 | Previous Rank: 9th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: at IND, at CLE, at MIL, PHI
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: It amazes me how offensively effective this team is. If they actually got out and ran sometimes instead of walking the ball up every possession, I'm convinced Brandon Roy would average 32 points and 9 assists. I can't be convinced otherwise. -- Brandon Gallawa
11. Atlanta Hawks | Record: 39-28 | Previous Rank: 11th | Last Week: 3-0
Upcoming Schedule: SAC, DAL, at CLE, MIN
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: I'm not sold on the Hawks being able to shut down Dwyane Wade in a playoff series and advance to the second round. But I'm definitely sold on watching Joe Johnson and Dwyane Wade match-up for 44 minutes per game during a seven-game series. Any basketball fan will not be able to pass that up. -- Zach Harper
12. Miami Heat | Record: 36-30 | Previous Rank: 14th | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: at BOS, at NJ, at DET, MEM
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Does anyone else feel like Wade and LeBron have a bet on who can make the lead story on SportsCenter the most this season? I'm not big on PER (mostly because I hate long-winded equations), but only 12 players have ever topped 30 for a season. LeBron and Wade are both over 30 so far and show no signs of slowing down. -- Brandon Gallawa
13. Dallas Mavericks | Record: 40-27 | Previous Rank: 13th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: DET, at ATL, at IND
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Who's at fault when there's a team that has 40 wins with a legit chance to win 50 games in a season and I don't take them seriously at all? Can I really be blamed for not thinking much of a team with Josh Howard as the third option and one that relies on Jason Kidd to knock down shots on occasion? At what point can everybody else realize that this Mavs team is all smoke and mirrors? -- Zach Harper
14. Philadelphia 76ers | Record: 33-31 | Previous Rank: 16th | Last Week: 3-0
Upcoming Schedule: at LAL, at PHX, at GS, at SAC, at POR
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: At this point why do the Mavericks even care if they make the playoffs? They'll be rewarded with a first-round match-up against the Lakers. Just let the Suns have it. Apparently the Mavs are just gluttons for punishment. -- Brandon Gallawa
15. Phoenix Suns | Record: 36-31 | Previous Rank: 12th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: PHI, WAS, DEN
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: You've got to give it to Suns fans (especially Ben York). They're damn near dominating the internet and this latest campaign to get them into the playoffs proves it. Mavericks Fail Campaign. -- Zach Harper
16. Detroit Pistons | Record: 33-32 | Previous Rank: 15th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: at DAL, at HOU, LAC, MIA
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Many people think I hate this team and part of me does, but I don't hate everything about them. Rasheed Wallace is extremely entertaining, and I would pay whatever DirecTV charged for a Sheed channel. They are a much better team with Rip Hamilton off the bench. They're also about to be dismantled in the first round of the playoffs right before they dismantle their roster. -- Brandon Gallawa
17. Chicago Bulls | Record: 30-37 | Previous Rank: 17th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: BOS, at OKC, LAL, at WAS
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: I realize we keep completely overlooking and disrespecting this injured Bucks team that has been fighting with the Bulls for the eighth seed in the East. But it's merely predicated on the fact that we're assuming the Bulls are going to remember how to play good basketball for consecutive games before the season is over and take their rightful place in the playoffs. C'mon, Bulls! You're making us look like asses here! -- Zach Harper
18. Milwaukee Bucks | Record: 31-38 | Previous Rank: 20th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: ORL, POR
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: No offense to the Bucks, but how have they managed to hold on to a playoff spot? I think it just speaks to how bad the East is when a team that has gone 5-9 since the All-Star break hasn't been passed in the standings. Maybe the four teams that are 1.5 games behind the Bucks realize that selling tickets to 2 more games just isn't worth it. -- Brandon Gallawa
19. New York Knicks | Record: 28-38 | Previous Rank: 22nd | Last Week: 3-1
Upcoming Schedule: NJ, SAC, at ORL, ORL
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: The Knicks went 3-2 on their five-game road trip and are sitting just 1.5 games out of the eighth seed in the East. The reason? Nate Robinson is averaging 26 points and 6.7 assists over his last four games while running the team and being a play-maker. Perhaps Mike D'Antoni finishing in the top five in Coach of the Year voting isn't out of the question yet. -- Zach Harper
20. Charlotte Bobcats | Record: 29-38 | Previous Rank: 19th | Last Week: 1-3
Upcoming Schedule: SAC, at TOR, IND
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: That six-game winning streak that the Cats had going seems less impressive when it is sandwiched between 2 three-game losing streaks. Who cares? I still am openly rooting for this team to make the playoffs. How can you not? -- Brandon Gallawa
21. New Jersey Nets | Record: 28-39 | Previous Rank: 18th | Last Week: 0-4
Upcoming Schedule: at NY, MIA, CLE
Potentially Inflammatory Comments:
All Keyon Dooling and no Devin Harris makes Zach a sad panda.
All Keyon Dooling and no Devin Harris makes Zach a sad panda.
All Keyon Dooling and no Devin Harris makes Zach a sad panda.
All Keyon Dooling and no Devin Harris makes Zach a sad panda.
All Keyon Dooling and no Devin Harris makes Zach a sad panda.
All Keyon Dooling and no Devin Harris makes Zach a sad panda. -- Zach Harper
22. Golden State Warriors | Record: 23-43 | Previous Rank: 23rd | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: LAC, at LAL, PHI, at NOH
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: After allowing 154 points to the Suns in regulation while allowing 4 different players to score 20 or more points in the same game, I'm convinced that I could crack double digits against the Warriors. I'm also pretty sure that I could get Stephen Jackson ejected, but I'm worried he might cut me after the game. -- Brandon Gallawa
23. Indiana Pacers | Record: 28-40 | Previous Rank: 21st | Last Week: 0-3
Upcoming Schedule: POR, DAL, at CHA
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Seven games into the month of March and Troy Murphy has already made 24 threes and done it in just 42 attempts (57%). Throw in his 13.3 rebounds per game this month and what do you have? The only reason that the Pacers fans don't cut themselves on a nightly basis. Danny Granger couldn't come back from his foot injury soon enough. Well, maybe it was one game too soon. -- Zach Harper
24. Toronto Raptors | Record: 24-44 | Previous Rank: 24th | Last Week: 1-3
Upcoming Schedule: CHA, LAC
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Jose Calderon became the all-time franchise leader in assists this past Friday. He passed Alvin Williams on the franchise leader board. I don't know what the bigger accomplishment is: Calderon setting the record in only his fourth season or that Alvin Williams stayed in the league on one team for so long. -- Brandon Gallawa
25. Oklahoma City Thunder | Record: 19-48 | Previous Rank: 26th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: CHI, UTA, at MIN
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: The Thunder need to go 3-4 for the rest of the month of March to give themselves their highest monthly win total for the season. It would give them eight wins. It's not exactly hanging up a banner in the rafters but progress is progress and the people in OKC have something to legitimately get excited about. -- Zach Harper
26. Minnesota Timberwolves | Record: 20-46 | Previous Rank: 25th | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: at SA, at NOH, at HOU, OKC, at ATL
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: I'm still baffled how the T-Wolves managed 10 wins in the month of January. They haven't topped 3 wins in a month before or since. It is so odd to look back on a season and see a team get half of its wins in one month. -- Brandon Gallawa
27. Memphis Grizzlies | Record: 17-49 | Previous Rank: 29th | Last Week: 1-3
Upcoming Schedule: DEN, at NOH, BOS, at MIA
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: I'm still not sold by any means but the month of March for Mike Conley is becoming a problem for the rest of the league. Not only is he putting up great numbers on the court but he's been extremely efficient. His month of March looks like 15.4 points, 5.7 assists, 49.3% field goal shooting, 44% three-point shooting, and 94.4% from the free throw line. He's not exactly Tiny Archibald but he's not Smush Parker either right now. -- Zach Harper
28. Los Angeles Clippers | Record: 16-50 | Previous Rank: 28th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: at GS, WAS, at DET, at TOR, at BOS
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: Every Eastern philosophy that deals with karma can be proven wrong just by looking at the Clippers. Mike Dunleavy has done everything in his power to screw over this team and has never been in danger of losing his job. Even the Dalai Lama can't explain this one. -- Brandon Gallawa
29. Washington Wizards | Record: 16-51 | Previous Rank: 27th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: at UTA, at LAC, at DEN, at PHX, CHI
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: I've gotten to the point where I'm past confusion, past understanding, and past anything related acceptance. I'm flat out mad. Why in the hell is Mike James still not only in the NBA but how is he a starter in this league? Is he really THAT much better than giving Javaris Crittenton a shot at running a team for the last month of the season? The only acceptable answer for Mike James being a starter is the Wizards are tanking. -- Zach Harper
30. Sacramento Kings | Record: 14-52 | Previous Rank: 30th | Last Week: 0-3
Upcoming Schedule: at ATL, at CHA, at NY, PHI
Potentially Inflammatory Comments: The two biggest questions for the Kings heading into these finals weeks are: 1. Where will they draft? 2. Will they lose every game against the East? They dodged a big bullet by actually losing to the Wiz, so we'll see if they can pull off an 0-30. -- Brandon Gallawa
Every Tuesday during the regular season, Talkhoops.net will update the power rankings based on team production, record, record from the previous week, injuries to the team, and overall talent on the team. If your team has dropped siginificantly from week to week then you probably are rooting for a pretty bad team. If your team is shooting up the power rankings towards the top spot, then you are probably either rooting for a pretty good team or jumping on the bandwagon of one.
The rankings are based solely on the opinions of Zach Harper and Brandon Gallawa. If you happen to disagree, you can email Zach and Brandon and let them know how dumb they are by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you think that Zach and Brandon are geniuses with their rankings and want to stroke their egos, email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Remember to check back for updated rankings every Tuesday morning when the regular season begins.
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