NBA Power Rankings
Here are my NBA Power Rankings for January 30, 2015. Enjoy!
#1. Atlanta Hawks (38-8): 17 straight wins is enough of a reason to justify their #1 ranking. Huge game next week against the Warriors.
#2. Golden State Warriors (36-7): The only flaw in this team is they sometimes take ill-advised jump shots late in games. That is why they lost to the Bulls this week.
#3. Memphis Grizzlies (34-14): They are riding a very nice five game winning streak. What's been impressive is they've been doing it without Mike Conley.
#4. Houston Rockets (32-14): Their upcoming schedule looks pretty chill: @Boston, @Detroit, vs. Chicago, and vs. Milwaukee.
#5. Los Angeles Clippers (32-14): For some reason people like to talk more about what's wrong with the Clippers than what's right with them. I'll tell you what's right with the Clippers: Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Doc Rivers. We can't be counting these guys out.
#6. Portland Trail Blazers (32-14): They are 4-6 during their last ten games. They need to get their act together quickly or else their seed is going to plummet.
#7. Toronto Raptors (31-15): Saturday's game against the Wizards will be huge. They've won four straight games, but those games have been against the 76ers, Pistons, Pacers, and Kings.
#8. Washington Wizards (31-16): Only Nene is injured, and it's a day-to-day thing. If they can stay healthy down the stretch, they'll be a serious threat to the Hawks.
#9. Dallas Mavericks (30-17): Monta Ellis should be an All-Star. #VoteEllis
#10. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-20): They're starting to find their groove, winning eight straight games.
#11. San Antonio Spurs (30-17): One has to wonder whether or not they have one more title run in them. It's looking dicey at the moment.
#12. Chicago Bulls (30-18): Can you say mystery team? I can't decide if I'm sold on their title chances or not.
#13. Phoenix Suns (27-20): At the moment, I think they'll make the playoffs. Read my article from Wednesday for more details.
#14. Milwaukee Bucks (24-22): These guys are no fluke. The future is bright in Milwaukee.
#15. New Orleans Pelicans (24-22): Thank heaven Anthony Davis didn't go down. That would have been a disaster.
#16. Oklahoma City Thunder (23-23): Playoffs look unlikely, but you cannot count out Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook
#17. Miami Heat (20-25): They probably still make the playoffs, but amazingly it's no slam dunk.
#18. Charlotte Hornets (19-27): The loss of Kemba Walker is huge, but I think they'll still make the playoffs.
#19. Denver Nuggets (19-28): And once again, the Nuggets are entering a swoon. I got faith that they'll climb back up close to the .500 mark as I predicted.
#20. Brooklyn Nets (18-27): This team is falling apart. There is talk of Lionel Hollis getting fired and Deron Williams getting moved, etc. It's a disaster.
#21. Boston Celtics (16-28): Let the tanking commence!
#22. Sacramento Kings (16-28): Glad that DeMarcus Cousins will be on the all-star team, but he should not have been a replacement. I.e. The coaches should have added him from the get go.
#23. Detroit Pistons (17-30): The loss of Brandon Jennings is obviously a crippling loss to this team's playoff chances.
#24. Indiana Pacers (17-31): It's amazing how quiet this team has become from a year ago. I really don't have much to say about them right now, which is amazing.
#25. Utah Jazz (16-30): Don't be surprised if Enes Kanter gets traded at the deadline. Rudy Gobert is looking like a keeper.
#26. Orlando Magic (15-34): Jacque Vaughn could be fired as head coach. Doing so would be the equivalent of punting away the season.
#27. Los Angeles Lakers (13-34): Without Kobe Bryant, this is officially another lost season for the Lakers. Their management should feel embarrassed.
#28. Philadelphia 76ers (9-37): There is genuinely not much talent on this team, but they are trying hard. I gotta give them that.
#29. New York Knicks (9-38): Kevin Durant to the Knicks? I don't see him going to this hell hole.
#30. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-37): The return of Kevin Martin should give them a nice boost up the rankings. Perhaps they crack the Top 25.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord
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