| The Phoenix Suns came to the top of NBA | | | | the top 10, I understand Pop doesn't want to |
| Power Rankings this week by playing strong on | | | | wear his guys out but he's not giving his stars |
| road including handling the Celtics their first loss | | | | enough PT to win. |
| the season on Friday. | | | | 13. Toronto Raptors (15) - The Bosh-Bargnani |
| Five of Suns' seven games have been on the | | | | combo is a difficult guard for almost any team in |
| road in their remarkable 6-1 season opening, who | | | | the League, and that's before you have to worry |
| made Boston look like a bad defensive team. | | | | about the size of Turkoglu. |
| The Celtics were one place down to second with | | | | 14. Chicago Bulls (16) - A strong week has the Chi |
| a 7-1 record. Playing eight games in 12 days. Tired | | | | at the top of their division, Tyrus Thomas is out |
| legs affected the defense and the three-point | | | | for a while but Luol Deng is playing the best |
| shooting. | | | | basketball of his life. |
| The Lakers were one place up to third with Kobe | | | | 15. Oklahoma City Thunder (17) - Beating the |
| Bryant leading the league in scoring again. Lakers | | | | teams they should is a good start, beating the |
| are surviving without Pau Gasol, needing | | | | Magic at home goes a long way, Durant, |
| overtimes to win in Oklahoma and Houston this | | | | Westbrook, and Co. can go 3-1 over the next |
| week. | | | | week. |
| The heat also climbed one place up, joining the | | | | 16. Utah Jazz (14) - Sure they beat the Spurs but |
| Nuggets on the list of teams we didn't think could | | | | they lost to Dallas and now Sacramento, have fun |
| have a better season than they did last year. But | | | | on your road trip. |
| they've got a top-five defense and Dwyane | | | | 17. Detroit Pistons (21) - Beating Orlando and Philly |
| Wade hasn't had to carry as big of a load. | | | | in the same week earns them some respect, are |
| | | | the injuries to Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince |
| With half the league looking pretty good and half | | | | real? |
| the League looking pretty bad here’s your | | | | 18. Philadelphia 76ers (18) - They haven't beaten a |
| NBA Power Rankings: | | | | team who's better than them yet, in fact, they |
| 1. Los Angeles Lakers (4) - Kobe is giving me | | | | almost lost to the Nets. |
| flashbacks of 2005-06 but I snap out of it when | | | | 19. New Orleans Hornets (19) - Beating Dallas was |
| the 40 point game ends in a victory. | | | | a nice sign of life but their aren't many easy wins |
| 2. Boston Celtics (1) - If you want to stay in the | | | | on the horizon. |
| top spot you can't drop your only home game | | | | 20. Charlotte Bobcats (24) - Raja Bell's return |
| against your only legitimate opponent in the week. | | | | sparked a few needed wins, this team is twice as |
| 3. Orlando Magic (3) - Blowout in OKC is a | | | | good at home as they are on the road. |
| head-scratcher, if "the deepest team in the NBA" | | | | 21. Indiana Pacers (22) - After the next two |
| can't play better a few people short when the | | | | weeks this team should be sitting above .500, |
| Cavs visit on Wednesday they will be sure to | | | | they aren't ready for the playoffs but they are |
| drop--win over the Suns is keeping them afloat. | | | | better than people think. |
| 4. Phoenix Suns (12) - 3-1 with one game left on | | | | 22. Los Angeles Clippers (23) - Three-game |
| Eastern Conference road trip, team couldn't have | | | | streak has Chris Kaman looking like an All-Star, |
| asked for anything more and they couldn't be | | | | but don't be fooled they were playing Minnesota, |
| shooting any better from deep. | | | | Golden State, and Memphis. |
| 5. Miami Heat (9) - Quentin Richardson is in the | | | | 23. Milwaukee Bucks (20) - Brandon Jennings |
| best shape of his life and he is playing great D in | | | | showed New York the mistake they made when |
| addition to outstanding three point | | | | they drafted Jordan Hill over him. |
| shooting—when will be the first game Wade | | | | 24. Washington Wizards (11) - A four-loss week |
| doesn't lead the team in scoring? | | | | hurts, Gilbert is scoring but he isn't taking over like |
| 6. Denver Nuggets (2) - Back-to-back road losses | | | | he did before the injury. |
| hurt, this team is very happy to bring J.R. Smith | | | | 25. Sacramento Kings (27) - Down goes Kevin |
| back but they might be having fears about the | | | | Martin (surprise, surprise) and Tyreke Evans is |
| Friday the 13th meeting with the Lakers. | | | | ready to battle Jennings for the ROY, 55 points in |
| 7. Dallas Mavericks (7) - The team went 2-1 | | | | two games is a good start. |
| against three quality opponents, Dirk is in the top | | | | 26. Golden State Warriors (25) - How long till Don |
| five for MVP voting at this point in the season. | | | | Nelson starts going crazy with his roster? If |
| 8. Atlanta Hawks (8) - Small ball works, the | | | | Morrow isn't starting by the end of November I'm |
| Hawks have done a great job of integrating | | | | starting a petition. |
| Crawford in the lineup and Josh Smith realized | | | | 27. Memphis Grizzlies (28) - Saying goodbye to |
| how difficult he can be to guard in the post. | | | | A.I. could be best for the team, now if they could |
| 9. Cleveland Cavaliers (6) - After a four day | | | | only find a way to chase off Z-RO. |
| break, the Cavs will face Orlando and Miami | | | | 28. New York Knicks (26) - This team is sorry, |
| back-to-back, right now splitting would be | | | | sad, and ugly. I hope 2010 is worth it because |
| considered a victory. | | | | basketball is dying in New York. |
| 10. Houston Rockets (13) - Taking the Lakers to | | | | 29. Minnesota Timberwolves (29) - Is everyone |
| OT is very impressive, Houston is the junkyard | | | | aware that Olesksiy Pecherov is starting in |
| dog of the NBA and nobody is excited to face | | | | Minnesota? You know, the 7-footer born in |
| them. | | | | Donestsk, USSR? No? Anybody? |
| 11. Portland Trail Blazers (10) - Win over the Spurs | | | | 30. New Jersey Nets (30) - John Wall would be |
| was important for moral, Portland is in a great | | | | my pick, especially if Harris is going to get hurt |
| position to run-off four road wins before entering | | | | once a month. If not maybe Ed Davis or Derrick |
| Atlanta. | | | | Favors would be an attractive post to pair with |
| 12. San Antonio Spurs (5) - Will have to beat | | | | LeBron. |
| Houston this week if they want to get back in | | | | |