We'll have passed the halfway point of the NBA season by this time next week. Where does the time go?
Anyway, let's rank. Power is influence.
1. Golden State Warriors (29-5)
(Last Week: 1)
The Warriors are atop The 140 for the fifth week in a row because the Warriors are the best team in basketball.
2. Portland Trail Blazers (30-8)
(Last Week: 2)
Good read on the Blazers trusting the process - and now playing elite defense. And shout out to Nicolas Batum:
3. Atlanta Hawks (29-8)
(Last Week: 2)
The Zach Lowe wrote about Al Horford - "The Godfather" and his desire to win - and Spurs East, and it's very much worth your time.
4. Houston Rockets (27-11)
(Last Week: 6)
Josh Smith's PER with the Rockets: 10.6. That's down, somehow, from 14.2 with the Pistons.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (25-13)
(Last Week: 7)
Steve Ballmer's moves during a Fergie performance have the Clippers moving up two spots:
6. Dallas Mavericks (26-12)
(Last Week: 5)
Dirk Nowitzki is shooting 53.2 percent on long twos. Dirk Nowitzki is 36 years old. Dirk Nowitzki is forever.
(H/T: @uuords)
7. Chicago Bulls (26-13)
(Last Week: 4)
Bulls have only a 1.4 net rating with Gasol/Noah on the floor. It's not working.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) January 13, 2015
8. Memphis Grizzlies (26-11)
(Last Week: 9)
I like this t-shirt:
9. Toronto Raptors (25-12)
(Last Week: 8)
The Raps have gone from ninth on defense with DeMar DeRozan to 22nd without him. He means so much - more than I thought - to this team.
10. Washington Wizards (25-12)
(Last Week: 10)
Sometimes, when I'm alone, I doodle John Wall's name.
11. San Antonio Spurs (23-15)
(Last Week: 10)
The Spurs are 15-7 with Kawhi Leonard and 8-8 without him. Their defense is elite with him, and below average without him.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (20-19)
(Last Week: 15)
The Bucks are moving up in the world thanks to their now fifth-ranked defense. How can you not be impressed?
13. Oklahoma City Thunder
(18-19)
(Last Week: 12)
Kevin Durant asked one of the most important questions of our time Tuesday:
Why do you post on Twitter?
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) January 13, 2015
14. Phoenix Suns (22-18)
(Last Week: 14)
15. New Orleans Pelicans
(18-19)
(Last Week: 16)
If Anthony Davis' Pellies miss the playoffs and the Heat and Nets don't, I'm writing a harshly-worded letter to Adam Silver. Enough.
16. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-19)
(Last Week: 13)
Words to live by from the inimitable J.R. Smith: "When in doubt, shoot the ball."
17. Sacramento Kings (16-21)
(Last Week: 18)
I asked DeMarcus Cousins if losing Michael Malone hurt more than anyone realized: "It’s clear. We’re not the same team."
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) January 5, 2015
18. Indiana Pacers (15-24)
(Last Week: 19)
Excellent piece on how the Pacers are taking and making more threes yet have a bottom-three offense. Spoiler: It's Roy Hibbert's fault.
19. Denver Nuggets (17-20)
(Last Week: 21)
The Nuggets may do away with morning shootaround because they're a young team, and young guys party, and young guys need sleep. Radical.
20. Detroit Pistons (14-24)
(Last Week: 26)
The Pistons are this week's biggest movers. I don't believe in much, but I believe in Stan Van Gundy.
21. Charlotte Hornets (15-24)
(Last Week: 25)
Kemba Walker is that dude:
22. Miami Heat (16-21)
(Last Week: 20)
Never mess with a man who has the Heat logo tattooed to his face.
(Courtesy: local10.com)
23. Brooklyn Nets (16-22)
(Last Week: 17)
I can't wait for Kevin Garnett to retire.
24. Utah Jazz (13-25)
(Last Week: 23)
Gordon Hayward's 37-of-70 on isolation plays, according to Mr. Lowe. So, there's that, Jazz fans. Enjoy it.
25. Boston Celtics (13-23)
(Last Week: 22)
Nate Robinson, traded back to Boston, had his finest moment in Celtics green:
26. Orlando Magic (14-27)
(Last Week: 24)
I will remember Pau Gasol fondly.
27. Philadelphia 76ers (7-29)
(Last Week: 28)
The 76ers have been better than the Pacers, Kings, Heat, Magic, Timberwolves, and Knicks since Dec. 1.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (12-26)
(Last Week: 27)
Brian Phillips, the best writer on the Internet, wrote about Kobe, his suffering, and his inevitable end. You should read it.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-31)
(Last Week: 29)
The Wolves may never win again, but the Canadian in me loves Andrew Wiggins' "Maple Jordan" nickname.
30. New York Knicks (5-35)
(Last Week: 30)
