NBA Power Rankings through February 18th
1. San Antonio Spurs(42-12) – The Spurs have always turned it on after the All-Star break. They head out on their rodeo road trip this month but don’t expect this team to miss a step as they are one of the most deep teams in the league. (CC)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder(39-14) – The Thunder have to find a way to beat the Heat. If they make it to the Finals again, the Heat will have the upper hand because they know they have the OKC’s number. (CC)
3. Miami Heat(36-14)- The Heat really turned it on before the All Star break, winning 7 in a row and further proving that they’re the team to beat in the East. (SC)
4. Los Angeles Clippers(39-17) – Rumors of an Eric Bledsoe for Paul Milsap swap have been swirling. It makes sense for both teams as the Clips are in win-now mode and need another big to fill out the rotation and the Jazz are in need of their franchise point. (CC)
5. New York Knicks(32-18) – The Knicks are one of the teams that will benefit the most from this All Star break. They were banged up heading in, but it should be beneficial for the league’s oldest team. (SC)
6. Chicago Bulls(30-22) – The Bulls are still playing good basketball but they are still anticipating the return of Derrick Rose, if he does return this year. (SC)
7. Indiana Pacers(32-21) – The Pacers were surprisingly good in the first half of the season and they look to continue that with Danny Granger, who is scheduled to return to the Pacers in the next few weeks. (SC)
8. Memphis Grizzlies(33-18) – The Grizzlies are still trying to find their way with the new-look roster. They are a deeper team now and if they can lock up home court for the first round, will be a tough out for whoever they match up with. (CC)
9. Brooklyn Nets(31-22) – The Nets were a streaky team for the first half of the NBA season but have survived in the weak East. If they want to be a true contender though, they have to become a more stable team. (SC)
10. Denver Nuggets(33-21) – The Nuggets cooled off a little before the break but this team still has a lot to look forward to in the second half. Kenneth Faried’s performance in the Rising Stars Challenge to name one. (CC)
11. Golden State Warriors(30-22) – After a hot start, the Warriors stumbled into the break. Defense needs to be a focus going forward and Head Coach Mark Jackson knows it. (CC)
12. Boston Celtics(28-24)- All eyes are on the Celtics until the trade deadline. They have some pieces and have been mentioned in trade talks with a good amount of teams. They have claimed they won’t make a move, but it’s hard to believe until we see it. (SC)
13. Utah Jazz(30-24) – The Jazz will be active this week as the deadline looms. Look for them to utilize their surplus of bigs to land an impact guard to help them going forward. (CC)
14. Atlanta Hawks(29-22) – The Hawks are currently the 6 seed in the NBA and have to decide whether or not to trade away Josh Smith, because it’s very unlikely that he’ll return to the Hawks this offseason. (SC)
15. Portland Trail Blazers(25-28) – The Blazers have got to find some consistency in the second half. Damien Lillard and Lamarcus Aldridge is going to be a lethal inside/outside combo going forward but without much depth behind them it may not matter. (CC)
16. Houston Rockets(29-26) – The Rockets are looking more and more like a playoff team every day. I wouldn’t want to see them in the first round if I was a one or two seed. James Harden and company taking on the Thunder in the first round would be fun to watch. (CC)
17. Milwaukee Bucks(26-25) – The Bucks are a borderline playoff team right now but they play in a tough division, with both the Pacers and Bulls ahead of them by a good amount. (SC)
18. Los Angeles Lakers(25-29) – The Lakers need a fresh start and the All-Star break is just what the doctor ordered. Expect this team to make a second half run and a playoff appearance. (CC)
19. Dallas Mavericks(23-29) – The Mavs are an enigma at this point. They have the talent to be a playoff team but can’t seem to put it all together. (CC)
20. Philadelphia 76′ers(22-29) – As bad as the 76′ers have been this year, the playoffs are still a possibility in the East. They are currently the 9 seed, sitting 4 games behind the Bucks for the last spot in the East. (SC)
21. Toronto Raptors(21-32) – The Raptors have played much better since Rudy Gay joined the team, winning 4 straight heading into the break. Considering the teams that are in front of them, the playoffs are a real possibility if they play well behind Gay. (SC)
22. Minnesota Timberwolves(19-31) – Injuries have derailed the T-Wolves season. Getting healthy and showing what they can be next season is the goal in the second half. (CC)
23. Washington Wizards(15-36) – The Wizards were one of the worst teams in the first two months but have since improved with the return of John Wall. They have also been one of the best defensive teams, which may come as a surprise considering how bad their record is. (SC)
24. Detroit Pistons(21-33) – The Pistons are a team destined for the lottery and they know it. They aren’t going to make the playoffs so they should be giving more playing time to young players like Andre Drummond, who has played great in limited playing time. (SC)
25. Cleveland Cavaliers(16-37) – Kyrie Irving continued his takeover of the NBA during the All Star Weekend but the task of getting the Cavs to the playoffs may be too great for even him to accomplish. (SC)
26. New Orleans Hornets(19-34) – The second half will be huge for the Hornets. They aren’t going to make the playoffs but continued development of the young players like Davis and Rivers down the stretch will be key in evaluating the season. (CC)
27. Sacramento Kings(19-35) – Trading Tyreke Evans should be priority number one before Thursday’s deadline. That and making a play to keep a/the team in Cali. (CC)
28. Orlando Magic(15-37) – The Magic knew coming into this year that it would be a rebuilding year and it has gone that way. They now have to decide if they’re going to rebuild with JJ Reddick, who has been asked about a lot by other teams in trade talks. (SC)
29. Phoenix Suns(17-36) – The Suns have been linked to a number of players in trade talks but nothing has materialized. Not that it will matter as the Suns’ problems are more organizational than they are about talent. (CC)
30. Charlotte Bobcats(12-40) - The NBA and ESPN have been spending plenty of time celebrating Michael Jordan, but you are most likely not to hear a word about the Bobcats. Once again, they are at the bottom of the league which has become familiar with MJ. (SC)
Stephen Chott
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