Anyone who closely follows Major League Baseball fully understands the impact that first basemen Albert Pujols had on the St. Louis Cardinals, but with his departure via free agency to the Los Angeles Angels, we now have to try and estimate his impact on not being on this team.
The Cincinnati Reds followed-up their 2010 NL Central Division title with a disappointing 79-83 record and third-place finish in 2011.
Big East Player of the Year candidate Jae Crowder will lead his No. 10 Marquette Golden Eagles into battle against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Wednesday in Ohio.
After a nice comeback win in Philadelphia last night, the Oklahoma City Thunder own the best record in the NBA at 28-7.
This is a game that Tennessee absolutely has to have if they are to have any chance at getting into the field of 68. Even with a win here, they will have a lot of work left in the SEC tournament, but this would give them yet another quality win if they are able to pull it out.
Each week during the heart of the NBA season, and once or twice during the NBA Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NBA Power rankings.
Let’s take a look with an eye to the playoffs this week.
1. Miami Heat (27-7) – It is hard not to put the Heat at the top of this list. They have the talent and the experience to go all the way. The key is staying healthy. Without Wade they don’t have a chance. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-7) – Talent wise they are there with Durant and Westbrook, maybe the best duo in the league. The NBA is one of those leagues where you usually have get there first before you can win it.
3. Chicago Bulls (27-8) – Probably still the most complete team in the league led by the most complete player in Derrick Rose. Should be a good battle with Miami for homecourt in the second half.
4. San Antonio Spurs (24-10) – They are playing great but it is hard to forget their second half swoon and playoff exit last year. Still there is no team with more experience.
5. Dallas Mavericks (21-13) – It took them a while to find their stride but they are still defending champs. The defense is still there even with the loss of Tyson Chandler and I have a hunch they will trade for reinforcements.
6. Orlando Magic (22-13) – Trade talk still swirling but this team is a legit contender with Dwight Howard. If they deal him for Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol their chances actually go up in my books.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (20-11) – They could definitely win the title – for most entertaining team. Throwing lobs in the playoffs is not as easy but they could at least win one round.
8. Atlanta Hawks (20-14) – They should maybe blow this team up because it is good but not good enough. Second round is the ceiling I think.
9. Indiana Pacers (21-12) – If you are overlooking them they will beat you. This is a feisty team that operates as just that – a team.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (19-15) – If Zach Randolph comes back healthy they could be off to the races. Don’t forget this team upset the Spurs without Rudy Gay last year.
Houston Rockets (20-14)
Los Angeles Lakers (20-14)
Philadelphia 76ers (20-14)
New York Knicks (17-18)
Denver Nuggets (18-17) – The potential is their but they have lost their way.
Portland Trailblazers (18-16)
Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Boston Celtics (15-17) – If they can just make it in all bets are off.
Utah Jazz (15-17)
Golden State Warriors (13-17)
Phoenix Suns (14-20
Cleveland Cavaliers(13-18)
Milwaukee Bucks (13-20)
Detroit Pistons (11-24) – More than half their wins came in the last 10 games.
Sacramento Kings (11-22) – Jimmer is not an NBA phenomenon.
New Jersey Nets (10-25)
Toronto Raptors (10-23)
New Orleans Hornets (8-25)
Washington Wizards (7-26)
Charlotte Bobcats (4-28)
The 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates got a fast start out of the gate last season and actually stayed in the Central Division race past the All-Star break, but the end result was a 72-90 record and another losing season.
It is the dawn of a new era in Chicago with the arrival of new team president Theo Epstein, who was brought in to do for the Cubs what he did for Boston; win a World Series.
UNC (25-4) is on track to play for the ACC title and possible snag a #1 seed in the Big Dance in Saturday’s HUGE match up with Duke, but the Tar Heels cannot overlook a Maryland (16-12) team that has won 2 of their last 4 games.
The Spurs (24-10) are a NBA best 13-1 at home this season and even though they have been dealing some injuries they simply keep winning.
The PGA TOUR moves to Florida this week after a thrilling Match Play tournament in the desert. The PGA National’s Champion Course hosts a very impressive field this week – the top players in the world including Tiger Woods will tee it up on Thursday in hopes of dethroning Rory Sabbatini as champion.
Big East Player of the Year candidate Jae Crowder will lead his No. 10 Marquette Golden Eagles into battle against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Wednesday in Ohio.
They may not have the better overall record but the South Florida Bulls are ahead of Louisville in the Big East standings this season. They are finally standing up for themselves in the conference and this game has a lot at stake, especially as their seems to be something brewing basketball wise in the state of Florida.
Both UNLV and Colorado State have some pretty drastic home/away splits this year. The Runnin’ Rebels are 16-0 at home and 5-6 on the road.
Duke (25-4) has won 6 straight and they are getting closer to snagging a #1 seed in the Big Dance.
The Big Ten’s top dog Michigan State will look to continue their conference dominance on Tuesday, by notching its seventh straight victory with a win over the resurgent Indiana Hoosiers who have slide back into the top 25 by winning five of their last six.
