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3rd March, 2008 - 10:17 pm
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| Current Features |
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SCOOP DU JOUR: Marbury, Pietrus, Pie, Plaxico And Leafs!
Perhaps the last of the Stephon Marbury saga, the Magic lose Mickael Pietrus, the Orioles looking at Felix Pie, Plaxico Burress shoots himself and no additions for the Leafs?
TEAM RANKINGS: The RealGM NBA Team Rankings For The Week Of November 17th
The Cavaliers are leading the NBA in points per 100 possessions after finishing 19th in the category last season, which is a big reason why they are 2nd in our new rankings.
LOCKER TALK: Monta: I Was Racing Baron And Elton
Monta Ellis is still at least a full month away from his return to the court for the Warriors, but he recently called RealGM with the full story behind his ankle injury.
STANDING 10: Top-10 Careers Of Players Picked 3rd
Just three installments remain in the series, with this chapter housing names like Michael Jordan, Kevin McHale, and Carmelo Anthony. It was incredibly hard to leave off a number of players, and I’m sure after reading you’ll see exactly whom I decided skip over this time around.
MOCK DRAFT: 2008 NBA Mock Draft, Version 13.0 (Draft Day Edition)
Weeks and months of waiting has finally come to an end, and Draft day is officially here.
CLASSICS: Hakeem Vs. Ewing: Who Was The Better Center?
Born within six months of each other in opposite corners of the world, two seven footers who are finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame this fall are two of the best ever to play the center position.
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By Jason M. Williams
This week’s RealGM Team Rankings solidifies the fact that there are two clear-cut contenders for both the Eastern and Western crowns. These top four teams are starting to pull away from the pack as we enter the final quarter of the season. The biggest rise in the rankings this week goes to the streaking Philadelphia 76ers (up from No. 15 to No. 12) while the biggest drop in the big picture of the Team Rankings belongs to the Houston Rockets (No. 8 to No. 13), who dropped five spots this week after losing Yao Ming and all title hopes for the season.
The format is simple. The rankings reflect each team’s current ranking, along with their ranking from the last week (LW), and their current win-loss record.
Rank Rank (LW) Team Record Comment
1. (3) San Antonio Spurs 41-17
San Antonio is hotter than Brittany Spears circa 1998. They have won nine in a row and 13 of 14 to reclaim their place atop the RealGM Team Rankings.
2. (1) L.A. Lakers 42-18
The Lakers remain just on the heels of the Spurs, winning 14 of their last 16, still without the services of Andrew Bynum.
3. (2) Detroit Pistons 43-16
With little competition outside of Boston in the East, the Pistons might want to rethink the overabundance of minutes they have been giving to the bench.
4. (6) Boston Celtics 46-12
The addition of PJ Brown and potentially Sam Cassell tips the scales a little bit more toward Boston in the East. Two solid veterans who only care about winning are exactly the pieces Doc Rivers needed to fill out his squad.
5. (5) New Orleans Hornets 39-19
The Hornets looked shaky last week with three straight losses, but big wins over Phoenix and Utah allow them to maintain a spot in the top 5.
6. (4) Utah Jazz 38-22
Last year's top pick has been often overlooked this year, but sophomore shooting guard Ronnie Brewer is quietly having himself a breakout year with 11.8 points and a team-leading 1.83 steals per game.
7. (9) Dallas Mavericks 39-21
While Jason Kidd's missed free throw might have cost the Mavericks a huge road win over the Lakers, their ability to keep pace with the red-hot Lake Show was a huge positive this early into the J-Kidd Experiment.
8. (7) Phoenix Suns 39-20
A 1-3 week is making Phoenix brass uneasy, and that 2-4 record since the dawn of the Shaq Era is starting to become a worry after a home loss to the Sixers.
9. (10) Golden State Warriors 36-22
The Warriors just wrapped up a 4-1 homestand and now go on the road to play 4 games in their next 5 nights.
10. (12) Cleveland Cavaliers 34-26
LeBron James' numbers this season are just plain staggering: 30.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.96 steals, 1.00 blocks per game. He might be all the Cavs need to repeat in the East.
11. (13) Orlando Magic 38-23
It's comical that one year ago, Eddy Curry was being mentioned along with Dwight Howard - not exactly the case anymore after Howard shattered Curry on Saturday with 26 points and 22 rebounds compared to Eddy's 9 and 6.
12. (15) Philadelphia 76ers 27-33
The emergence of 19-year old Thaddeus Young (7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals per game over last five) is making Philly fans ask: why not dump Andre Igoudala and go after Elton Brand?
13. (8) Houston Rockets 39-20
Fifteen wins in a row is nice, but losing big Yao and leaving the paint in the playoffs to Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes, and Dikembe "The Zombie" Mutombo isn't.
14. (11) Denver Nuggets 35-24
Kenyon Martin doing the finger wag to Mutombo after a violent putback dunk over the ancient big man was the highlight of the Nuggets' trip to Houston.
15. (17) Portland Trail Blazers 31-29
Imagine if the Blazers were as good on the road (9-21) as they were at home (22-8). They must hate leaving the rainy climate in the Pacific Northwest.
16. (14) Toronto Raptors 32-26
Back-to-back double-digit losses to the Pacers and Bobcats… And Raptors' fans wonder why they never come close to sniffing the Top 10 of the RealGM Team Rankings.
17. (16) Washington Wizards 29-30
With seven of their next eight at home, the Wizards can make a statement and start to solidify a playoff spot in the East.
18. (19) Atlanta Hawks 24-33
While the wins haven't come just yet, Mike Bibby has been an upgrade at the point as he is averaging 13.8 points, 9.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds over his last five.
19. (18) Sacramento Kings 27-32
There's nothing like the good old Miami Heat to help end a 4-game losing streak. Beno Udrih continues to impress as he had 23 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in the win.
20. (21) Chicago Bulls 23-36
Larry Hughes 'wasn't happy' in Cleveland despite reaching the NBA Finals. Is he happier now that the Bulls are 1-4 since making the deal for him?
21. (22) Indiana Pacers 24-36
What's gotten into Mike Dunleavy? He's matched his career high with 36 points his past two games and is averaging nearly 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists over his last five.
22. (20) New Jersey Nets 26-33
How excited are the Nets about Wednesday's game at Memphis? They now embark on a string of slightly tough games: @ SA, @ MEM, @ NO, @ DAL, @ HOU, vs. CLE, vs. UTA.
23. (23) L.A. Clippers 19-38
What is the point of Shawn Livingston or Elton Brand trying to come back this year? To hurt their chances at the top pick?
24. (25) New York Knicks 18-41
When is Isiah Thomas going to start giving minutes to Wilson Chandler and Randolph Morris? What was the point of drafting Chandler after last year's selection of Balkman? And why play Malik Rose over Morris when the Knicks are playing for a lottery pick anyway?
25. (26) Milwaukee Bucks 22-38
Michael Redd's buzzer-beating game-winning three against the Cavs was amazing. Did it propel them to make a playoff push? No. They haven't won since.
26. (27) Seattle Supersonics 16-43
Rookie Jeff Green has been shining as of late, averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over his past five games.
27. (24) Charlotte Bobcats 20-39 No Gerald Wallace. An eye abrasion to Jason Richardson. A blowout loss to the Knicks. These Bobcats need to pray for Mike Beasley.
28. (28) Minnesota Timberwolves 12-46
Don't let those 34 more wins fool you (Boston 46 wins, Minnesota 12), devout Wolves' fans might actually believe they got the better end of the KG deal when they see Big Al Jefferson is averaging 21.5 points and 11.7 rebounds to Kevin Garnett's minuscule 18.5 and 9.9.
29. (30) Miami Heat 11-46
The Heat are on fire. Two wins in three games last week give them the bump up to the 29th spot in the Rankings this week. Playoffs?
30. (29) Memphis Grizzlies 14-45
Eight straight losses. One win in the past 15 games. This team is young and doesn't need a small forward (Rudy Gay) or point guard (Mike Conley, Javaris Crittenton). With Beasley and Derrick Rose sitting atop the Draft boards, would they trade away the top pick in the Draft?
Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments or questions. |
