Here are my NBA power rankings for December 19, 2014. Enjoy!
#1. Golden State Warriors (22-3): The loss in Memphis was expected, at least by me. They're still playing the best basketball of any team in the NBA right now, but I wouldn't say they are heads and shoulders above everybody else. Hence, they're going to lose a game every now and then. Especially in the vicious Western Conference.
#2. Memphis Grizzlies (21-4): They are nipping at the heels of the Warriors and after beating them and the Spurs in back-to-back nights, I would say they sent a strong message that there will be no easy wins against them in the "Grind House" or in any building. Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley look like a championship caliber big three and they also seem to have a championship caliber supporting cast.
#3. Houston Rockets (19-6): James Harden is averaging 26.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. The man is absolutely worthy of being in the MVP conversation. As for the rest of the team, the addition of Corey Brewer could make a difference. It'll be interesting to see how he fits in.
#4. Portland Trail Blazers (20-6): The loss of Robin Lopez is potentially huge. The depth of this team will be tested over the coming weeks that he is out.
#5. Toronto Raptors (20-6): Even though they are playing Eastern Conference teams, going on a 4 game winning streak with DeMar DeRozan out speaks highly of this team.
#6. Washington Wizards (18-6): They are on a five game winning streak with games upcoming @Miami, vs. Phoenix, vs. Chicago, and @New York on Christmas. I bet they win all of those games. They are playing that good.
#7. Atlanta Hawks (18-7): Back in July, I wrote the Hawks would be a contender. I'm glad to see my prediction getting backed up by their fantastic play. The Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver, and Al Horford quartet is for real. Note: If you want to read that blog post from July, click here.
#8. Dallas Mavericks (19-8): The addition of Rajon Rondo could be huge enough to vault them into championship contending status. We'll have to wait and see.
#9. San Antonio Spurs (17-9): Injuries to Kawhi Leonard have to concern this team. They need him healthy to repeat as NBA champs.
#10. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-10): They have slowed down a bit, losing three out of their last four games. They need to pick it back up and I'm confident that they will.
#11. Los Angeles Clippers (18-7): What makes these guys scary is that Blake Griffin is starting to develop his range as a shooter. He is even knocking down threes on occasion. Look out.
#12. Chicago Bulls (16-9): Glad to see that Derrick Rose's body is holding up. As for Taj Gibson, he is having ankle issues. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Injuries is the only thing holding this team back.
#13. New Orleans Pelicans (13-12): So long as Anthony Davis plays like a monster, they will remain a threat. And by threat I mean they could win a first round series given the right match up.
#14. Oklahoma City Thunder (12-14): We can stop asking if these guys will make the playoffs. They will. The only thing that has to worry them is that they really have to make up for lost time and do better than the 6-8 range in the West. Any injury they get, even if it's Durant or Westbrook missing just one game, is a huge deal.
#15. Milwaukee Bucks (14-13): They could still make the playoffs, but the soul of this team has been sucked out of them thanks to the loss of Jabari Parker for the season. Best wishes to him on a speedy recovery.
#16. Miami Heat (12-14): The loss of Josh McRoberts is huge. Wade and Bosh don't have much support now that he is gone. Even with him, I think it was becoming apparent that this team isn't going anywhere.
#17. Phoenix Suns (13-14): I have a feeling these guys are going to be on the outside looking in come playoff time. With the Mavericks making a move for Rondo and the Thunder getting healthy, it just looks like these guys are gonna get squeezed out.
#18. Brooklyn Nets (10-14): So long as this team doesn't have a permanent centerpiece for the future (and yes, Brook Lopez is reportedly on the trade block or at least potentially), they will flounder.
#19. Denver Nuggets (10-15): This team is once again skidding, but I expect them to wake up and push back towards that .500 mark. Maybe they can get some wins against the Hornets, Nets, and Timberwolves. It could happen.
#20. Sacramento Kings (11-15): They are a laughing stock right now with all that has happened over the last week. Their coach Mike Malone got fired to everybody's surprise and their owner Vivek Ranadive is telling Tyrone Corbin to use "Cherry Pickers" on defense. The sad thing is that the front office is making this team look bad when in reality, the on court improvement has been enormous.
#21. Boston Celtics (9-14): I said they needed to trade Rajon Rondo and they did. They dealt him and Dwight Powell to the Mavericks for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, and Jameer Nelson. My only concern is that I think they could have perhaps gotten more for him, but all the same, the starting point guard job now belongs to Marcus Smart, which for them is a good thing.
#22. Utah Jazz (7-19): Everybody is worried about their point guard situation, but I honestly think both Trey Burke and Dante Exum have the potential to be fantastic point guards. It's just not likely they keep them both for the long haul.
#23. Los Angeles Lakers (8-17): The Lakers are starting to look like an ok team thanks to Kobe Bryant and Nick Young. With them on the floor they are not a free win, but there are enough good teams out West to keep them bogged down right around the level they are at.
#24. Orlando Magic (10-18): It would be great if they could get Aaron Gordon back soon, but that doesn't look likely.
#25. Indiana Pacers (8-18): They are lottery bound, which is actually ok. But whatever they do, they should not bring back Lance Stephenson.
#26. Charlotte Hornets (6-19): It is officially a lost season in Charlotte. I'm saying it now. The only good part about this season for them is that "Buzz City" is back. Beyond that, this season has been a disaster.
#27. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-19): They may be bad, but they gotta feel good knowing they got the best rookie in the 2014 draft class and possibly the best two. Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins both look legit.
#28. Detroit Pistons (5-21): Greg Monroe isn't coming back. They need to trade him and I think they will.
#29. New York Knicks (5-23): Maybe they should trade Carmelo Anthony and just blow the whole thing up. Why not?
#30. Philadelphia 76ers (2-22): They are back at the bottom where they belong. Here is what I can tell you about the 76ers beyond the fact that they stink: They actually have a bright future with all the young talent and assets they are acquiring. E.g. Dario Saric playing for Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Turkey is looking good and has won a Euroleague player of the month award.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord
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