| | Rankings as of Tuesday, Feb. 15
|  | | Lamar's hope for the rest of the season: End it, now. |
You won't see too much movement in these Power Rankings. Most teams played only one game last week, and amazingly, other than Minnesota, no team in the top 13 even lost a game! Of course, the bottom six teams went 1-9, so it always evens out somehow. And for those who complain we only dropped those Wolves two spots, remember they lost to the Lakers and Suns.
By the way, has Vince hit the ground yet?
Anyway, to be brief for once, here are the latest Power Rankings as we recover from All-Star Weekend. Our skinny for the week is what is the best teams can hope for in the second half. Meanwhile, click here to share your thoughts about our Power Rankings or anything NBA and we'll post the best e-mails later in the week.
|
Team (Record)
|
Last week
|
Last rank
|
ESPN.com skinny:
Best team can hope for this season
|
|
1. Blazers (38-11)
|
1-0
|
1
|
With this bunch, anything short of an NBA title would be disappointing; Pippen is here for one reason only
|
|
2. Lakers (37-11)
|
1-0
|
2
|
Same as Portland; Phil isn't here to be the next Pat Riley and win only during season, L.A. is good enough to win
|
|
3. Spurs (32-17)
|
2-0
|
4
|
Every team since 1987-88 has repeated as champs, so Spurs figure they can, too. We agree, with or without Sean
|
|
4. Pacers (32-16)
|
1-0
|
5
|
Best is probably a Finals appearance, which may be enough since this group has never gone; This is last chance
|
|
5. Wolves (27-20)
|
0-2
|
3
|
That VIP KG wins MVP; Team may not make West finals, or semis, but this is first year of bright future
|
|
6. Knicks (29-18)
|
1-0
|
6
|
Return trip to Finals; That Patrick makes it through the season, and Camby and LJ as well
|
|
7. Heat (30-17)
|
1-0
|
7
|
Riley really has to get this team to the Finals; Another first-round loss and he -- believe it or not -- may be gone
|
|
8. Sonics (31-20)
|
1-0
|
8
|
That Payton stays happy all season, Ho Grant makes it through alive and the bubble doesn't burst
|
|
9. Kings (30-18)
|
2-0
|
9
|
That team starts to play defense; Best can hope for is likely conference semis, which might be a stretch
|
|
10. Jazz (29-18)
|
1-0
|
10
|
Mailman knows window of opportunity is running out; If Jazz get hot, trip to Finals could happen
|
|
11. Suns (29-19)
|
2-0
|
11
|
Tough spot; No. 11 team in NBA is West's No. 8 (by us), so best might be getting out of first round
|
|
12. Hornets (27-20)
|
1-0
|
12
|
That the Phills tragedy spurs the team to overachieve and get past East's top three to Finals
|
|
13. 76ers (27-22)
|
1-0
|
13
|
Iverson will win the scoring title again, but will Philly win a playoff round? How about two? And what's up with Hughes?
|
|
14. Raptors (26-21)
|
1-1
|
14
|
Best hope is that a point guard is acquired, and Carter-McGrady duo get team to second round
|
|
15. Bucks (26-24)
|
0-1
|
15
|
That someone steps in to post up and score consistently; Will Scott Williams keep going, will Sammy stay healthy?
|
|
16. Pistons (25-23)
|
1-0
|
17
|
Same as Bucks; Interior paint player needed; Playoffs are likely, but advancement is not
|
|
17. Magic (24-26)
|
1-0
|
18
|
Who woulda believed playoffs were best hope; Most figured that was impossible, but it's not
|
|
18. Mavs (20-28)
|
0-1
|
16
|
Playoffs would be a real accomplishment; Keeping Worm out of trouble might be even tougher
|
|
19. Nugs (21-27)
|
0-2
|
19
|
Since playoffs look like more than a hope, then clear ownership situation and clear fan support needed
|
|
20. Celtics (21-28)
|
0-2
|
20
|
That Pitino and Walker make nice; Wining 40 games at this point would be huge for Pitino's failing rep
|
|
21. Hawks (19-28)
|
1-1
|
22
|
Since Rider won't be back, hope is he's either dealt or doesn't take other youngsters down with him
|
|
22. Rockets (20-30)
|
1-1
|
21
|
That Hakeem isn't done, that Francis wins Rookie of the Year, and that Barkley finds satisfaction
|
|
23. Nets (19-30)
|
1-1
|
23
|
Will team play hard when playoffs are officially not an option? Hope for strong finish, strong future
|
|
24. Cavs (19-30)
|
0-2
|
24
|
That Andre Miller continues to develop, and that Zydrunas Ilgauskas' feet finally heal for next year
|
|
25. Wiz (15-34)
|
0-1
|
25
|
Baby steps: Can Jordan begin to not only mold team, but convince veterans to play hard and win a few?
|
|
26. Grizz (14-34)
|
1-1
|
26
|
Hope for a run of wins and much-needed momentum, since core of team and coach is set
|
|
27. Warriors (12-35)
|
0-1
|
27
|
Best hope is that fans who turned out for All-Star weekend don't lose all interest now that it's over
|
|
28. Bulls (10-37)
|
0-2
|
28
|
That Duncan, Hill or some other impending free agent decides to move to Chicago in offseason
|
|
29. Clips (11-38)
|
0-2
|
29
|
That it ends. Fast.
|
| |
ALSO SEE
NBA Power Rankings, Feb. 8
NBA Power Rankings, Feb. 1
NBA Power Rankings, Jan. 25
NBA Power Rankings, Jan. 18
NBA Power Rankings, Jan. 11
NBA Power Rankings, Jan. 4
NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 28
NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 21
NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 14
NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 7
NBA Power Rankings, Nov. 30
|
