Larry’s NBA Power Ratings
Trade talks in the NBA are on the up and up.
The Lakers deny that they are considering moving Dwight Howard, which would mean that they are giving up.
Kevin Garnett says he won’t waive his no-trade clause and just wants everyone to shut up.
And the Clippers coach and front office don’t appear to be on the same page as they eye the playoffs and consider stocking up.
To the rankings:
1. SPURS (42-12) – Yet no one really thinks they will be able to hang with the Thunder or the Heat when the real games get under way in less than two months. Strange.
2. HEAT (36-14) – They take a seven-game winning streak into the final 32 games of the regular season and James is drawing Michael Jordan comparisons. Like trying to stop a roller coaster when the car is going full speed on the way down.
3. THUNDER (39-14) – That loss at home to Miami in the final game before the break has to occupy a significant part of OKC’s psyche. The teams won’t meet again unless they both reach The Finals.
4. CLIPPERS (39-17) – Four in a row in the bank and 8 of the next 12 at home, starting with a spine-stiffener Thursday night against the Spurs. Will Eric Bledsoe and/or DeAndre Jordan still be suiting up at Staples for that one?
5. NUGGETS (33-21) – That triple-OT loss in Boston had a carryover in Toronto and Brooklyn, but the schedule is not too rigorous as the final ascent to Everest starts. If you bet the over on the last 16 Denver games, you would have cashed 14 times.
6. GRIZZLIES (33-18) – Grizz are 21-16 since that 12-2 November to remember. Unless strange things start to happen, Memphis and Denver should hook up in what could be the best first-round playoff series.
7. KNICKS (32-18) – Maybe that loss to Toronto in the last game before the break was just Melo & the Boys not paying attention. But if that thing happens in the playoffs, they could be an early out against Brooklyn or Boston.
8. PACERS (32-21) – Danny Granger (out all season with a knee injury) should return Wednesday against the Knicks, giving the Pacers more firepower.
9. BULLS (30-22) – Carlos Boozer has had a few bright moments in the sun, but they have been too infrequent for Bulls fans and management, and now he might be flipped for Toronto softie Andrea Bargnani.
10. NETS (31-22) – Maybe that interminable divorce from Kim Kardashian is wearing on Kris Humphries, who plays less than 20 minutes a game and is on the trading block. Never good when you have the same first name as your soon-to-be ex-mother in law.
11. Hawks (29-22) – Lots of road games in the next three weeks, so the best the Hawks can do is hold off Boston and Milwaukee and cling to the No. 6 seed. [ad-6571516]
12. WARRIORS (30-22) – Pass the baling wire and duct tape. Golden State has decided that it no longer has an interest in playing anything resembling even average defense. Warriors have given up 118 a game in losing four straight.
13. JAZZ (30-24) – Four interesting games coming up for the Jazz – Golden State, Clippers, Boston and Atlanta.
14. CELTICS (28-24) – Lots of theories for Boston’s post-Rondo/Sullinger surge, ranging from pulling together to giving their figurative middle digit to their injured PITA point guard.
15. ROCKETS (29-26) – Rockets have been one of the NBA’s most reliable cover teams (6-1 ATS) in February.
16. BUCKS (26-25)
17. TRAIL BLAZERS (25-28)
18. LAKERS (25-29)
19. RAPTORS (21-32)
20. MAVERICKS (23-29)
21. 76ERS (22-29)
22. PISTONS (21-33)
23. TIMBERWOLVES (19-31)
24. HORNETS/PELICANS (19-34)
25. KINGS/SONICS(?) (19-35)
26. SUNS (27-36)
27. CAVALIERS (16-37)
28. WIZARDS (15-36)
29. MAGIC (15-37)
30. BOBCATS (12-40)
