Just when you thought that the dog-days of the NBA season were upon us, the importance of each game has become huge. The standings in the Western Conference are so close that a single win or loss could change the outcome of the playoff seeding. Here are my rankings for the final week in February, let me know what you think.
BIGGEST RISE: Detroit Pistons from 8th to 3rd.
BIGGEST FALL: Utah Jazz from 3rd to 7th.
(Editor's note: "LW" indicates each team's ranking from CheChe23's previous week. —RTW)
| CheChe23's Power Rankings: February 27, 2008 | |||
| TEAM | RK (LW) | W-L | COMMENT |
 | 1 (4) | 40-17 | The Lakers have become the best team in the NBA, but do they have what it takes to win a title? It's hard to ignore what L.A. has done since the arrival of Pau Gasol. It's hard to ignore the conference-leading 40 wins and current nine game win streak. And it's also hard to ignore the MVP-caliber performance I watched Kobe compile last night against the Blazers. The Lakers are No. 1, with no mention of Andrew Bynum because Pau Gasol is averaging 22.0 ppg and 7.1 rpg as a Laker. |
 | 2 (5) | 38-17 | Other than a Feb. 10 loss to Boston, San Antonio has been perfect in the shortest month of the year. And before Monday, when Duncan had 23, Manu Ginobili led the Spurs in scoring for five straight (see: HOT HOT HOT). S.A. will get their first try at beating the new look Mavericks in a TNT broadcast match-up Thursday. |
 | 3 (8) | 42-15 | I can't get a handle on this team. Before losing last Tuesday to Orlando and Wednesday to Milwaukee, they go and run off wins against the same Milwauke team, Phoenix and Denver. Utah will be a good test tonight, but the "Spurs" of the Eastern Conference are playing like they belong in the top five of the NBA. |
 | 4 (2) | 38-19 | Dallas is getting adjusted to life with Kidd, he seems to be enjoying his new team (I saw him drop 17 dimes in a win against the Wolves on Sunday). The Mavs are obviously not worried about their regular season record -- they know from last year that the regular season doesn't matter. But Dallas would like to finish in the top four to get home-court in at least the first round of the playoffs, which is why they'll have to treat every game for the rest of the year as a must-win. Jason Kidd is averaging 8.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 11.3 apg as a Maverick. |
 | 5 (1) | 43-12 | So much for Boston going unbeaten against the West, they lost three in a row to Western foes last week. KG's postings of 11 points and six rebounds could mean the Celtics are coasting. However, they better perk up because they meet LeBron's new look Cavaliers tonight in what chould be a preview of future a playoff series. |
 | 6 (7) | 36-21 | Let's review the Suns see-saw-like last seven games: Win vs WASH, Loss at GS, Win vs DAL, Loss vs LAL, Win vs BOS, Loss vs DET, Win at MEM. Maybe they can get a win tonight against the Hornets and bust the trend. Shaq is averaging 8.7 ppg and 11.3 rpg as a member of the Suns. |
 | 7 (3) | 36-21 | Utah could have remained in the top five if they would have won games against the Clippers and Timberwolves, but with how fragile the standings are in the West, two losses against winnable opponents will move a team from third to seventh. The Jazz might have been looking ahead when they lost last night to Minnesota because they have Detroit tonight, New Orleans on Friday and Dallas on Monday. |
 | 8 (7) | 37-16 | After reeling off five in a row, New Orleans has lost three straight and faces tough match-ups tonight (vs PHO) and Friday (vs UTA). I think the Hornets have become impatient to get started on what is a very busy finish to the regular season. Not only does New Orleans have to play the most road games of any team in the NBA from here on out, but they are packing in 15 games (eight away) between the 31 days of March. |
 | 9 (9) | 37-22 | Orlando has won five of the last six with Philadelphia on the schedule this evening. Carlos Arroyo's absence from the line-up prevents me from moving this team higher than ninth in the rankings. You know what you get with Hedo Turkoglu and Dwight Howard, I'm nervous about what you get from Orlando's point guard play. Looking at the schedule, the Magic have a chance to win nine of their next ten games -- the one questionable match-up coming next Tuesday against Toronto or maybe it's the game against Golden State. |
 | 10 (15) | 32-25 | Cleveland welcomed Ben Wallace, Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak to the line-up this past week and despite last night's loss, I welcome Cleveland to the top 10. LeBron James is going to play on another level no matter who's on the floor with him, but the supporting cast of Wallace, West and Szczerbiak feels like an upgrade from Hughes and Gooden. But on this episode of "Flip That Team", Cleveland might not be able to sell their upgrades for a world championship profit. |
OUTSIDE THE TOP 10:
11. Golden State Warriors (32-21): Golden State fans became excited with the news that Yao Ming was out for the season. With one of the nine teams in a basket of eight soon to be out of the basket, it gives the Warriors a chance at playing in June.
12. Toronto Raptors (31-24): The Raptors are one of the deepest teams in the NBA -- they played 10 players in the first quarter on Monday. Toronto has won two in a row and four of their last five with Minnesota tonight and Indiana Friday.
13. Houston Rockets (37-20): Celebrating a perfect month of February is hard to do when your team's cornerstone was just declared done for the year. But will the Rockets team be done for the year? My thought is that Houston's season went down with Yao.
14. Denver Nuggets (33-20): Since Denver's big win last Tuesday against Boston, they have dropped three straight. The Nuggets can't afford to lose three in a row when they currently sit outside the playoff picture.
15. Portland Trail Blazers (28-25): The Blazers have Greg Oden on the bench, but LaMarcus Aldridge has played well enough to make you forget. Aldridge has maintained an increase in his statistical during from his freshman to his sophomore year averaging 16.9 ppg and 7.4 rpg in 34 minutes per game this season.
16. Chicago Bulls (22-34): Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes might add depth, but they don't add what it takes to win a title. Yes, the Bulls might make the playoffs, but that is far from what their goals were during the off-season.
17. Atlanta Hawks (22-32): I hope Mike Bibby's Arizona connection with struggling Hawk Salim Stoudamire helps to motivate the college three point artist into become an NBA three point artist. Bibby has averaged 11.8 ppg and 5.4 apg as a member of the Hawks.
18. Sacramento Kings (26-30): The Kings newcomers haven't been much of an impact. The biggest name from Atlanta to come over in the trade for Bibby, Shelden Williams, has averaged 4.8 points and 1.8 rebounds.
19. Washington Wizards (25-28): What an ugly month it has been for Washington, just three wins in 13 games and things don't seem to get any brighter soon. Gilbert Arenas, who had been targeting March 2 as his return from knee surgery, won't be back anytime soon and Caron Butler has missed 12 of the past 14 games.
20. Philadelphia 76ers (25-32): Philadelphia plays their next three games against playoff teams starting tonight with Orlando. The Sixers will have to win a few games that they aren't expected to win in order to sneak into a playoff spot.
21. Milwaukee Bucks (21-35): Milwaukee was able to squeak out a 'W' against the Cavs who are still getting the feel of playing together. Regardless, the Bucks need to go on a solid win streak to become playoff contenders (W vs DEN, W vs CLE is a good start).
22. Indiana Pacers (22-35): Just like the Wizards, the Pacers have had a pretty ugly Month. Larry Bird knows they can't compete when they are playing without their two pillars: Jamaal Tinsley and Jermaine O'Neal.
23. New Jersey Nets (25-32): Vince Carter has used the Kidd departure as a reason to start auditioning for his next team. Carter's recent game log has him playing good enough for the HOT list.
24. Los Angeles Clippers (19-35): Maybe the Clippers can take advantage of a tired Blazers team and steal a win tonight, but winning is unproductive for a team with no shot at the playoffs.
25. Charlotte Bobcats (19-37): One win in February has the Bobcats charging toward the lottery.
26. New York Knicks (17-39): New York will settle the debate of who is worse with a match-up against Charlotte tonight, that should be interesting.
27. Seattle Sonics (15-41): The recent 11-player trade involving the Sonics worked out well for Seattle. Earl Watson is loving the playing time he can get with Delonte West no longer around and Kevin Durant will be glad he doesn't have to hear pass, pass, pass from Wally Szczerbiak every time he posts up.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (12-43): Minnesota continues to play the role of spoiler, beating the Jazz last night by 11. With nothing to lose, the Wolves have used that attitude to amount 12 wins this season.
29. Miami Heat (10-44): Miami snapped an 11 game losing streak and got the first win since Shawn Marion arrived by beating the Kings last night thanks to Marion's 10-14 shooting, 24 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Marion is averaging 16.6 ppg, 11.0 rpg and 3.0 apg as a member of the Heat.
30. Memphis Grizzlies (14-43): Six losses in a row...
HOT HOT HOT
1. Manu Ginobili -- Manu took the night off Monday compared to what he had been doing. Ginobili's 44 point game against Minnesota last Thursday (thanks to 7/9 from three) was followed by a 30 point, 12 assist and 6 rebound night. Duncan and Parker have their individual hardware, it appears to be Manu's turn to shoulder the Spurs through this year's playoff run.
2. Chris Bosh -- I've missed many opportunities to throw Chris Bosh on the HOT list. So, with a Raptor on the NOT list, I thought I would even it out since Bosh has played well enough to carry the entire Toronto roster. Bosh has recently been hot scoring 40 points in the first game back from the All-Star break, but could always be considered hot for having another steady season averaging 22.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
3. Tyrus Thomas -- In all the trade clutter, Thomas has found confidence. Before scoring nine points on Monday, Thomas had a string of four double digit scoring games in a row including back-to-back games of 18. I'm not sure if his confidence will continue if his playing time drops back down to the teens.
NOT NOT NOT
2. John Salmons -- With just eight points last night, Salmons has been a bit cool with his last seven games. He's combined for a total just 19 points (2.7 ppg) during that stretch playing nearly 20 minutes per game.
3. Adonal Foyle -- Foyle has recorded minutes in every game so far this year, although his 1.9 ppg and 2.6 rpg aren't exactly stellar numbers for a former top 10 pick. Foyle has never put up really great numbers, but the Magic need to get more when they look to their bench if they want to do something in the post season.
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