The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 21 - Warriors back on top, Spurs leap 5 spots to 3rd
Tons of movement in this week's edition of The 140, as the playoffs inch ever closer. The Atlanta Hawks drop four spots, the Portland Trail Blazers five, while the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns leap five spots. The regular season ends three weeks Wednesday. Can't wait.
Before we get into the rankings, allow me to pour out some Canadian for Steve Nash, because he was truly like no other. Read these pieces for a look back at one of the most incredible - and most unlikely - Hall of Fame careers.
- The overflowing legacy of Steve Nash [Sports Illustrated]
- Nash calls time on transcendent career [Toronto Star]
- In Pursuit of Technical Perfection: How Nash Changed the Coaching World [Grantland]
- The Courageous Brilliance of Steve Nash [The Atlantic]
- Nash Stands on His Own as an Ideal of Team Play [The New York Times]
1. Golden State Warriors (57-13)
(Last Week: T1; Playoffs: Clinched)
Golden State is now 36-0 when holding the opposition to under 100 points. No team has ever gone undefeated in 30+ such games in a season
— GSWStats (@gswstats) March 21, 2015
The Warriors are 37-0 after Monday's thrashing of the Wizards. And here's what Mr. Curry did this week:
- Why go for a layup when you can shoot - and hit - a three?
- Nash-like baseline layup against the Jazz.
- Obscene layup No. 2 against the Jazz, while falling down.
- Ridiculous layup No. 3 against the Jazz.
(I know, I went over the 140 limit for the Warriors. I regret nothing.)
2. Memphis Grizzlies (50-21)
(Last Week: 3; Playoffs: Clinched)
The @memgrizz have reached 50 wins before the end of March for the first time in franchise history.
— Ross Wooden (@RossWooden) March 24, 2015
And check out this dime from Marc Gasol to Z-Bo:
3. San Antonio Spurs (44-25)
(Last Week: 8; Playoffs: 99.9%)
The Spurs have the second-best net rating in March (11.8) and fourth-best overall (4.9). Dance (you want sound on this one).
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (46-26)
(Last Week: 5; Playoffs: Clinched)
Maybe Kevin Love hates winning. All he knows is losing.
5. Atlanta Hawks (53-17)
(Last Week: T1; Playoffs: Clinched)
Three straight losses against Golden State, OKC, and the Spurs. Truuuu.
(Courtesy: Hawks Shop)
6. Houston Rockets (47-23)
(Last Week: 6; Playoffs: 100%)
George Hill didn't deserve this, but James Harden doesn't pick his victims.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (46-25)
(Last Week: 9; Playoffs: 100%)
They're 4-1 since Blake Griffin returned, have an offense as good as Golden State's, and the NBA's second-best net rating (5.8).
8. Portland Trail Blazers (44-24)
(Last Week: 3; Playoffs: 100%)
Their road trip started off well, but ended with four straight losses. Some OKC-like injury issues, too. Makes me sad, really.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (40-30)
(Last Week: 10; Playoffs: 87.6%)
The Based God's timeline was far too real last week. Right after Durant was shut down:
Send a prayer to all the children who were injured and had to rehabilitate, with time we will find answers to the human body - Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) March 20, 2015
His retweets:
BRUH FOR THE SAKE OF RUSSELL WESTBROOK @LILBTHEBASEDGOD PLS LIFT THE CURSE OFF OF KEVIN DURANT ?
— ambient earth (@mvrvxl) March 21, 2015
@KDTrey5 idk if this curse is real but BRUH it's not worth waiting to find out. Just beat @LILBTHEBASEDGOD 1on1 please
— Quean Q (@BOOGiE_CB) March 21, 2015
I never thought of this way, and it blew my mind:
@LILBTHEBASEDGOD how kd supposed to play u if u won't heal him
— THVNDERCVLT (@gothTHVG) March 21, 2015
10. Dallas Mavericks (44-27)
(Last Week: 7; Playoffs; 99.1%)
Too much, Monta. Pass the goddamned ball.
(Courtesy: @kirkgoldsberry)
11. Chicago Bulls (43-29)
(Last Week: 14; Playoffs: Clinched)
Nikola Mirotic Tha God:
Most 4th quarter points in March:
123 - NIKOLA MIROTIC
94 - LeBron James
83 - Russell Westbrook
79 - Lou Williams
76 - Corey Brewer
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) March 24, 2015
Look at this. I mean, Jesus, look at it:
12. New Orleans Pelicans (37-33)
(Last Week: 11; Playoffs: 9%)
Life in the West: Three straight road games against the Suns, Warriors, and Clippers, two without Anthony Davis, all losses. It ain't fair.
(Courtesy: @SlaveMachineUSA)
13. Toronto Raptors (42-28)
(Last Week: 13; Playoffs: 100%)
Please, Dwane Casey, I'm begging you: Free James Johnson. He played 32 minutes in three games since last week's 140. Insane.
14. Phoenix Suns (38-33)
(Last Week: 19; Playoffs: 4.4%)
Three straight wins versus the Pellies, Rockets, and Mavs. No quit. Also, Zach Lowe on the Brandon Knight trade is required reading, duh.
15. Washington Wizards (40-31)
(Last Week: 12; Playoffs: 100%)
One of the more devastating tweets I've ever read:
The Wizards could have drafted Steph, Klay, Barnes, and Draymond. Also re-signed Randy WIttman the same year Kerr was available. Goodnight.
— Andrew Sharp (@andrewsharp) March 24, 2015
This one was a bit more uplifting:
@FanDuelRoyal ur mama was weak last night?
— Marcin Gortat (@MGortat) March 19, 2015
16. Miami Heat (32-37)
(Last Week: 20; Playoffs: 68.1%)
D-Wade in March: 25.4 points on 50.5 percent shooting, five assists, 3.2 rebounds, two steals. Life's better when he's healthy.
17. Boston Celtics (31-39)
(Last Week: 16; Playoffs: 48.6%)
Boston Celtics with multiple triple-doubles...
Larry Bird
Rajon Rondo
Antoine Walker
Paul Pierce
Evan Turner
Yep, that's the whole list.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) March 24, 2015
If you're rooting for the Nets to make the playoffs over the Celtics, we can never be friends.
18. Utah Jazz (31-39)
(Last Week: 17; Lottery: 0.4%)
The Jazz's average age: 23.3. They're 12-5 since the All-Star break with the league's third-best net rating (9.0).
GOBERT OR GO HOME.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) March 24, 2015
19. Milwaukee Bucks (34-36)
(Last Week: 18; Playoffs: 94.7%)
Amazing: The team with the second-best defense in the league is under .500. I miss you, Jabari Parker.
20. Indiana Pacers (30-40)
(Last Week: 15; Playoffs: 39.9%)
It's one thing to allow Harden's 44. It's another to let Josh Smith shoot 50 percent. Six straight losses, but only a game back.
21. Brooklyn Nets (29-40)
(Last Week: 22; Playoffs: 16.2%)
When coaches say we got behind and guys tried to do it all by themselves, the dictionary picture there is Alan Anderson. #Nets
— Brooklyn's Beat (@brooklynsbeat) March 24, 2015
22. Denver Nuggets (27-44)
(Last Week: 23; Lottery: 4.2%)
Danilo Gallinari dropped 40 points, and for one night, anything seemed possible for the Nuggets.
23. Charlotte Hornets (30-39)
(Last Week: 21; Playoffs: 30.9%)
Drink away the pain:
(Courtesy: @hornets)
24. Detroit Pistons (26-44)
(Last Week: 24; Playoffs: 1.6%)
The Pistons went 3-1 last week, losing to the 76ers while beating the Grizzlies, Bulls, and Celtics. OK.
25. Sacramento Kings (24-45)
(Last Week: 25; Lottery: 5.7%)
Boogie: 'I'm going through these hard days now, because when my times comes, there's no stopping me." I can't wait for Cousins' time.
26. Philadelphia 76ers (17-53)
(Last Week: 26; Lottery: 16.7%)
The 76ers were favored for the first time last week - and they won. Here's to small victories, even against the Knicks.
27. Orlando Magic (22-50)
(Last Week: 25; Lottery: 9.1%)
Beauty in the struggle.
— elfrid payton (@elfrid) March 18, 2015
Word.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-54)
(Last Week: 28; Lottery: 12.6%)
The future is bright:
29. Los Angeles Lakers (18-50)
(Last Week: 29; Lottery: 12.6%)
Kobe Bryant has only played in 35 games, but still leads the Lakers in shot attempts through 66 games.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 20, 2015
30. New York Knicks (15-57)
(Last Week: 30; Lottery: 23.4%)
It's almost over.