The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 22 - Spurs' furious rise takes them to No. 2
It's the third-last edition of The 140. Pour some out, but not in sadness. The playoffs are only three weeks away.
And enjoy Tuesday night: Golden State Warriors in L.A. to face the Clippers. Yes.
1. Golden State Warriors (60-13)
(Last Week: 1; Playoffs: Clinched)
This is what dominance looks like:
2. San Antonio Spurs (47-26)
(Last Week: 3; Playoffs: 100%)
The Spurs are 11-3 In March, with a 13.5 Net Rating (tied with the Warriors for first). They're back. But were they ever gone?
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-27)
(Last Week: 4; Playoffs: Clinched)
Only the Raptors play worse defense than the Cavaliers among playoff teams. Also, great read about Kevin Love. Also, Timofey frigging Mozgov.
4. Atlanta Hawks (56-18)
(Last Week: 5; Playoffs: Clinched)
Kyle Korver forever:
5. Los Angeles Clippers (49-25)
(Last Week: 7; Playoffs: Clinched)
Oh, Tuesday night is going to be good:
One more:
Also, Clippers versus Knicks, never forget:
6. Houston Rockets (50-24)
(Last Week: 6; Playoffs: Clinched)
This team can probably win a title without Patrick Beverley. That's how good James Harden is.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (51-24)
(Last Week: 2; Playoffs: Clinched)
They beat the Kings, yeah, but lost three straight to Cleveland, Golden State, and San Antonio, which gave us this:
8. Portland Trail Blazers (48-25)
(Last Week: 8; Playoffs: Clinched)
"Rip Cityyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"
And, holy shit:
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (42-32)
(Last Week: 9; Playoffs: 91%)
I live my life believing this was about Kevin Durant, who I will miss deeply this spring:
10. Chicago Bulls (45-29)
(Last Week: 11; Playoffs: Clinched)
No. Never. Fools.
11. Dallas Mavericks (45-29)
(Last Week: 10; Playoffs: 99.9%)
Required reading, with crazy numbers, about Nowitzki's incredible career in Dallas. "I'm really happy we turned this franchise around."
12. Toronto Raptors (44-30)
(Last Week: 13; Playoffs: Clinched)
The Raptors beat a winning team. It happened. I only hope someone told Karter Lowry.
And shout out to DeMar DeRozan:
13. New Orleans Pelicans (39-34)
(Last Week: 12; Playoffs: 9.1%)
I trust Anthony Davis' judgement, even though he's only 22, and a therefore a child.
14. Miami Heat (34-39)
(Last Week: 16; Playoffs: 77.8%)
The Heat are playing their best ball in March (1.9 Net Rating) and are 1.5 games out of sixth. Respect, Spoelstra and D-Wade.
More reading: "There are times during certain games when Heat coach Erik Spoelstra just walks away from the team huddle and lets Udonis Haslem have the floor."
15. Washington Wizards (41-33)
(Last Week: 15; Playoffs: Clinched)
Big, if true:
Blame the media for the Wizards' struggles:
16. Boston Celtics (33-41)
(Last Week: 17; Playoffs: 21%)
"The Celtics have made the leap to mediocrity so fast that they may have no easy way out." (Zach Lowe at Grantland)
17. Phoenix Suns (38-37)
(Last Week: 14; Lottery: 0.5%)
How to not make the playoffs:
18. Utah Jazz (33-41)
(Last Week: 18; Lottery: 0.8%)
Life needs villains, but I'm damn proud of you, Jazz fans:
19. Milwaukee Bucks (36-38)
(Last Week: 19; Playoffs: 98.1%)
Milwaukee has the 26th-best - or fourth-worst - Net Rating since the All-Star break. But at least their spirits are up:
20. Brooklyn Nets (32-40)
(Last Week: 21; Playoffs: 38.8%)
21. Indiana Pacers (32-41)
(Last Week: 20; Playoffs: 44.2%)
I want to see Paul George in one of these.
22. Charlotte Hornets (31-42)
(Last Week: 23; Playoffs: 19.7%)
For the female Hornets supporter in your life (you can thank me later):
23. Denver Nuggets (28-46)
(Last Week: 22; Lottery: 4.9%)
I see you, Ty Lawson:
24. Sacramento Kings (26-47)
(Last Week: 25; Lottery: 5.1%)
"Sauce Castillo" is definitely one of the greatest things to happen this NBA season.
(Courtesy: Deadspin)
"Air Castillo!"
25. Detroit Pistons (28-45)
(Last Week: 24; Playoffs: 0.5%)
Reggie Jackson averaged 28.3 points, 9.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds on 57.4 percent shooting last week. Life can be beautiful.
26. Los Angeles Lakers (20-53)
(Last Week: 29; Lottery: 12.1%)
The Lakers really needed to lose against the 76ers. They won, of course. Good one, Jordan Clarkson:
27. Philadelphia 76ers (18-57)
(Last Week: 26; Lottery: 15.4%)
The Sixers have the league's eighth-best defense post All-Star break (100.4). Brett Brown is a god.
28. Orlando Magic (22-52)
(Last Week: 27; Lottery: 9.4%)
Shaq, like the rest of us, has regrets. But not this:
(Courtesy: @NBAHistory)
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-58)
(Last Week: 28; Lottery: 19.9%)
Andrew Wiggins, oh my god. "This is all we could ever want from March NBA." (Grantland)
30. New York Knicks (14-60)
(Last Week: 30; Lottery: 24.7%)
The Knicks have a -14.9 Net Rating since the All-Star break. "Worst" doesn't do this team justice.