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?
Raptors are responsible for 25% of the Hawks' losses (3 of 12), 50% of their losses at home (2 of 4)
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 21, 2015
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.
Russell Westbrook: 26.1 pts, 8.0 ast, 6.4 reb. 3 NBA players have averaged 26-8-6: Oscar Robertson (8 times), LeBron James, Michael Jordan
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 24, 2015
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:
Joakim Noah ended his postgame media session thusly: "Shout out to Chris Bosh."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 22, 2015
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)
Utah Jazz defensive rating (pts allowed per 100 possessions) over last 2 games is 82.7
— David Locke (@Lockedonsports) February 25, 2015
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)
Brian Shaw calls Lawson: "Hey, homey homes. What is up? Yo, hey, I know that the club was probably going up on a tuesday, but practice--"
— netw3rk (@netw3rk) February 18, 2015
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.