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Week 4 Exclusive Power Rankings


1. Detroit Pistons – The Pistons are almost toying with the other teams. Flip keeps talking about more bench play, only to see the starters average a lot of minutes. At some point the bench will have to contribute more or this will be a tired team come June.


2. San Antonio Spurs – Spurs won a thriller at Dallas on Thursday with Tony Parker leading the way. The Spurs could very well be challenged by Dallas the whole season.


3. Dallas Mavericks – Team is actually improving on defense this year. While no Tayshaun Prince, Josh Howard has shown the ability to slow opposing scoring guards.


4. Cleveland Cavaliers – Hughes has made a huge difference in getting Lebron better shots. Teams can no longer afford to double Lebron and leave sharpshooters Jones, Marshall and Hughes open.


5. Memphis Grizzlies – Grizzlies are the best defensive team in the NBA so far this season. This allows them to be in every game even when their offense isn’t clicking.


6. LA Clippers – The Clippers fans have to be happy with how this team has started out. They’re winning close games and not losing composure in the fourth quarter.


7. Golden State Warriors – You get the sense that Diddy and crew are playing with a chip on their shoulder and confidence. This can only mean good news for Warriors fans and bad news for opponents.


8. Indiana Pacers – This has to be the most injury plagued team over the last few seasons. It will be interesting to see what will happen if they ever get all their starters on the floor at the same time.


9. Phoenix Suns – Suns are on a four game winning streak that has showcased the role players helping the all-stars. I doubt this trend lasts though.


10. Miami Heat – The Heat can’t wait for Shaq to come back; the question is whether or not Jason Williams will remember his role once he does.


11. Minnesota Timberwolves – Great team play has helped the Twolves secure first in the Northwest…..that and the weakest division in the Western Conference.


12. Chicago Bulls – The young Bulls goes up and down as much as their players go up and down the court. Can we finally call them the adolescent Bulls?


13. Milwaukee Bucks – Loaded front court, great back court, so what’s wrong with the Bucks? Simple, they couldn’t D up your grandmother that uses a wheel chair.


14. Philadelphia 76ers – Cheeks has the Sixers in first place in the Atlantic, which isn’t anything to be proud of when you consider the rest of the division.


15. New Orleans Hornets – David West is the front runner for most improved player. Chris Paul, JR Smith and Desmond Mason ensure that enough field goal attempts are taken every night.


16. Denver Nuggets – Team is very inconsistent. You don’t know which Nuggets team will take the floor.


17. Washington Wizards – Take the Nuggets inconsistency times 2.


18. Orlando Magic – Great defense helps this offensively challenged team beat mediocre and bad teams. Good offensive teams still dispatch the Magic with little trouble


19. Sacramento Kings – Mike Bibby’s sore foot has not affected his scoring touch.
Sac has turned an abysmal start into a mediocre season so far. Kings fans expect more.


20. New Jersey Nets – Nets need front court help in the worst way. Think they’d sign Reef if they had it to do over again?


21. Seattle Supersonics – The magic is definitely gone from last year. As is the hard nose style of play. Sonics may have needed a change…..of ownership.


22. Boston – You get the feeling that Boston isn’t sure if they want to play for the 8th playoff seed or a high pick in the draft.


23. Utah Jazz – Jazz finally got AK back from injury and should show some improvement defensively.


24. LA Lakers – Phil issues an ultimatum to Smush, play team ball or hit the bench. By that does he mean pass to Kobe more?


25. Portland Trailblazers – A free agent pick up or trade could actually make this Blazers team a threat for the 8th seed.


26. New York – Frye is the real deal. New York may finally have a front court with Curry, Frye and Davis.


27. Houston Rockets – McGrady’s injury has given players like Head and Anderson chance to shine. Too bad they don’t shine as brightly as T-mac when healthy. Rockets go as far as T-mac’s back takes them.


28. Charlotte Bobcats – Team is going to have to learn to play team ball. They take turns having great nights but can’t seem to gel as a unit.


29. Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks are licking their chops at the prospect of a game against Toronto on Friday.


30. Toronto Raptors – Uninspired, apathetic and ugly. Any more questions about what I think of Toronto?