The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 17 - Thunder rising
Why? Why does everyone have to get hurt? Why Derrick Rose? Why again? Why Chris Bosh? Life: still not fair.
1. Golden State Warriors (44-10)
(Last Week: 1)
Thank your God for making sure Steph Curry missed only a game.
2. Memphis Grizzlies (41-14)
(Last Week: 3)
The Grizzlies are 15-3 since acquiring Jeff Green, and 12-2 when he starts. That's good.
3. Atlanta Hawks (44-12)
(Last Week: 2)
Why can't they beat the Raptors?
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22)
(Last Week: 5)
Forget about LeBron, this team's been different since J.R. and Iman arrived. The gasp from the New York crowd is what makes this:
5. Houston Rockets (38-18)
(Last Week: 4)
Oof:
6. Dallas Mavericks (39-20)
(Last Week: 8)
"While you were watching the Oscars, Richard Jefferson was killing fools." It counted in our hearts.
7. Toronto Raptors (37-20)
(Last Week: 7)
No disrespect to Kyle Lowry, but DeMar DeRozan deserves the basketball late in the fourth quarter, game on the line. At least once.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (37-20)
(Last Week: 12)
Moving up three spots sans Blake Griffin (they're 4-2 without him) thanks to DeAndre "Max Contract" Jordan.
9. Chicago Bulls (36-21)
(Last Week: 10)
Again. All you can do is what you did the first and second time: hope Rose can get back, and get it back.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
(36-19)
(Last Week: 9)
Incredible:
(Courtesy: @KrisKoivisto)
11. Oklahoma City Thunder
(32-25)
(Last Week: 14)
The Thunder's highest ranking all season, and KD's hurt. Is it possible we don't appreciate Westbrook as much as we should? Yes, it is.
12. San Antonio Spurs (34-22)
(Last Week: 6)
A massive six-spot drop. I asked myself Monday night: Could the Spurs miss the playoffs? No, but the fact I asked ...
13. Milwaukee Bucks (31-25)
(Last Week: 13)
A game-and-a-half behind the Wiz. Unbelievable.
14. Washington Wizards (33-23)
(Last Week: 11)
Fifth-worst record in the East in the new year. What happened?
15. New Orleans Pelicans (29-27)
(Last Week: 16)
I miss Anthony Davis when he is gone.
16. Miami Heat (24-31)
(Last Week: 18)
Enters the Dragic, and down goes Bosh. Very 2014-15 Heat. And very unfortunate. Noah speaks for us all:
17. Phoenix Suns (29-28)
(Last Week: 15)
The dream is dead.
18. Brooklyn Nets (23-31)
(Last Week: 22)
Kevin Garnett would rather play for the Timberwolves than try to get to the playoffs one last time. To each his own.
19. Indiana Pacers (23-34)
(Last Week: 21)
The NBA needs Paul George to return - and lead the Pacers to the playoffs - more than ever.
20. Detroit Pistons (23-34)
(Last Week: 19)
Anything is possible:
21. Charlotte Hornets (22-32)
(Last Week: 17)
Lance Stephenson's hit 12 of his last 43 shots, if you were wondering.
22. Boston Celtics (21-33)
(Last Week: 20)
They took Jared Sullinger, too. Mercy.
23. Sacramento Kings (19-35)
(Last Week: 23)
Boogie coast-to-coast in six seconds. I needed this last week. I needed it bad.
24. Utah Jazz (21-34)
(Last Week: 25)
That's against the Spurs and Trail Blazers. Before that, they held the Mavericks to 87, the Pellies to 96, and the Kings to 90.
25. Philadelphia 76ers (12-44)
(Last Week: 24)
JaVale McGee:
Isaiah Canaan:
26. Orlando Magic (19-39)
(Last Week: 27)
Let's watch it again:
27. Denver Nuggets (20-36)
(Last Week: 26)
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
(12-43)
(Last Week: 28)
Here, watch numerous Andrew Wiggins highlights: One. Two. Three.
29. Los Angeles Lakers (14-41)
(Last Week: 30)
I'm with Kobe on this one: act like you've won a bloody game before.
30. New York Knicks (10-45)
(Last Week: 29)
The Knicks have Phil Jackson tweeting "SMH." You can't make that up.