Larry’s NBA Power Ratings
Is anyone who follows the NBA not rooting for Greg Oden?
Oden’s bad knee has been cut up more times that Eastern Europe after World War II, and now at just 24 years old and less than five years after being the overall No. 1 pick in the draft, he’s hoping for one last shot at being a productive NBA player.
Cleveland and Miami are both interested in seeing if Oden has anything left in his knee, and Boston’s Danny Ainge met with Oden over the weekend. All three teams could use a big next season, even if Oden comes off the bench and even if he can give only 15 to 20 minutes a game.
Good guy who has had more than his share of bad luck.
To the rankings:
1. SPURS (38-11) – If you thought Gregg Popovich was cranky before, I wonder how he’s now dealing with the press since Tim Duncan went down on Saturday night. SA has 10 straight wins but starts a 9-game road swing on Wednesday.
2. THUNDER (35-12) – In that loss to the Cavaliers, sub Reggie Jackson played only 11 minutes, and during that time Cleveland outscored OKC by 15 points.
3. KNICKS (30-15) – New York should head into the All-Star break with a nice tailwind – four straight wins, and the next five are against four losing teams, plus the struggling Clippers.
4. HEAT (30-14) – Ray Allen has a total of seven points in his last three games – not exactly what he had in mind when skulked Boston in the middle of the night last summer.
5. CLIPPERS (34-15) – Garnett for Bledsoe and Butler? Makes sense for LA, but the Bledsoe would only back up Rondo next season and the Celtics already have too many wing players like Butler.
6. WARRIORS (30-17) – Five of six on road in leadup to the All-Star Game. If GS can split, they’d be in good position for the stretch run, when they have a ton of home games as they battle for playoff position and home-court advantage in the first round.
7. GRIZZLIES (30-16) – Looks like newcomer Tayshaun Price is going to get serious PT for the Grizzlies. He had 14 points (and no turnovers) in 31-plus minutes in his first game with Memphis.
8. NUGGETS (30-18) – Six straight wins and five covers. Bettors need to keep a close eye on these guys. They are capable of causing havoc in the regular season and beyond.
9. BULLS (29-18) – Management isn’t talking much about Derrick Rose, but media speculation out of Chicago is that his return will be later rather than sooner.
10. PACERS (28-19) – In case you missed it, here is David West’s line in the Pacers’ win over Miami: 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting from the floor, 6 for 6 from the line, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and zero turnovers.
11. NETS (28-19) – Interesting matchup tomorrow when Lakers come to the city. Brook Lopez, who is playing out of his mind, against the player Brooklyn has long coveted – Dwight Howard, who most of the time is merely out of his mind. [ad-6571516]
12. HAWKS (26-20) – Atlanta is Atlanta, which should go a long way toward explaining how the Hawks lost to Chicago even though the Bulls were missing Noah, Hinrich and Boozer (and, of course, Rose).
13. ROCKETS (26-23) – Turbulent waters ahead for the Rockets. Seven of the next eight games are against quality teams.
14. JAZZ (26-22) – So Utah loses to the Rockets by 45 points. At home. Then wins the next two games. And we thought the Hawks were schizophrenic.
15. CELTICS (24-23) – It could be fool’s gold, but Boston is 4-0 since Rondo went down. Doc Rivers has embraced small ball with everyone getting touches, and the Celts are getting up and down the court a lot faster.
16. BUCKS (25-21)
17. TRAIL BLAZERS (24-23)
18. LAKERS (22-26)
19. MAVERICKS (20-27)
20. 76ERS (20-26)
21. TIMBERWOLVES (18-26)
22. PISTONS (18-30)
23. RAPTORS (17-31)
24. KINGS/SONICS (17-32)
25. SUNS (16-32)
26. HORNETS/PELICANS (15-33)
27. CAVALIERS (14-34)
28. MAGIC (14-33)
29. WIZARDS (11-35)
30. BOBCATS (11-35)
