I'm starting to accept that the Rockets will make the playoffs and I've moved them up accordingly. The product is producing outstanding numbers as a team and they have role players doing whatever it takes to get the win. But without Yao Ming?! I mean, Tracy McGrady is quickly putting his name back in the same breath as Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. But Duncan has Ginobili/Parker and Kobe has Gasol/Odom while McGrady has Shane Battier/Rafer Alston. So, even with the third longest win streak in NBA history (and counting...), I'm not betting the Rockets will be the NBA champion. I'm still sold on Boston, Los Angeles and San Antonio. Check out my power rankings for this week and as always feel free to leave a comment.
BIGGEST RISE: Houston Rockets from 11th to 4th.
BIGGEST FALL: Orlando Magic from 6th to 11th.
(Editor's note: "LW" indicates each team's ranking from CheChe23's previous week. —DC)
| CheChe23's Power Rankings: March 12, 2008 | |||
| TEAM | RK (LW) | W-L | COMMENT |
 | 1 (3) | 50-12 | Boston gets my nod over the Spurs and Lakers as the No. 1 team because they are outscoring opponents by a league best 10.4 per game. Does that mean the Celtics might not know how to win in tight games? Maybe. Boston is 7-6 in games decided by five points or less. |
 | 2 (1) | 44-19 | Kobe couldn't convert on an 18-foot jumper Sunday afternoon and the Lakers lost to the Kings 114-113. The Lakers might run into a defensive problem in the post season (LA gives up 100.7 ppg), but what's good about the Lakers is that they are third in the NBA in point differential (LA outscores opponents by 7.5 ppg). Los Angeles is 15-3 with Pau Gasol. |
 | 3 (2) | 44-19 | I'm looking forward to the NBA championship preview we get to see next Monday. Both San Antonio and Boston have the best odds of getting to the title game and Monday's showdown will provide a glimpse of what KG will need to overcome in order to capture his first ring and what Duncan will need to do to prevent that from happening. |
 | 4 (11) | 43-20 | Houston this, Houston that. I'm not sure if anyone really thinks Houston is as good as they have played, I certainly don't. And I'm especially sick of talking about Houston's season stats defining the team that is on the floor right now (Yao Ming was the reason this team ranks second in the league in rebounding per game). I'll be waiting for next week when the Rockets play some real teams (LAL on Sunday, BOS on Tuesday, NO Wednesday, GS Friday and PHO Saturday). |
 | 5 (4) | 46-17 | Detroit is statistically solid (second in the NBA in point differential) and is getting solid contribution from its bench -- Jarvis Hayes, Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell and even Amir Johnson. Johnson was a second round pick in '05 out of High School (the very last HS player ever selected and ever will be selected) and played just 11 games in his first two season. His first basket came on a windmill dunk. Johnson has played 44 games this season and has already played 20+ minutes in three games this month (He's appear all but one game since Jan. 23). |
 | 6 (7) | 42-22 | The Suns scorched the Grizzlies last night and looked close to a team for the first time. Granted the blow-out win was against the NBA's basement dweller Memphis, but seeing them gel is a good sign for Phoenix fans. Shaq is starting to get comfortable with his role and Nash is appreciating the pace (he's not young, either). |
 | 7 (9) | 43-20 | New Orleans has San Antonio tonight, Los Angeles Friday and Detroit on Sunday. I'd like to see how the Hornets come out of this stretch of games because it will define their grit and heart and show what we should expect when they are playing in June. |
 | 8 (5) | 42-22 | If Utah can just get through this week (three games on the road) they finish the rest of the month playing at home. Utah has won the last 18 games in Energy Solutions Arena. |
 | 9 (7) | 40-20 | Dallas should get back on track this week with games against Charlotte, Indiana and Miami. After losing three in a row against playoff foes, it isn't long before the Mavericks have to face three playoff teams in a row again (Mar. 18 vs LAL, Mar. 20 vs BOS, Mar. 23 vs SA). |
 | 10 (12) | 39-23 | This spot (10th) has turned out to be the spot for the "best of the lousiest, the lousiest of the best" and this week's honor goes to Golden State. The Warriors beat Orlando on Saturday which gives them the edge in the rankings this week. A tough back-to-back home vs Toronto and at Phoenix will test Golden State who is lining up for the eighth playoff seed for the second year in a row. The next two weeks are huge and will determine their playoff fate. |
OUTSIDE THE TOP 10:
11. Orlando Magic (41-21): Orlando has won seven of the past nine and would be the third seed in the playoffs if they started today. The Magic Big Three could argue they aren't getting the respect they deserve. Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis average 59.9 ppg, 25.8 rpg and 8.6 apg, shooting 50.1% combined. I can't decide who could be the bigger giant killer in the playoffs, Cleveland or Orlando?
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (37-27): The Cavs match up against the Magic on Monday in the battle for which team will make the best giant killer. In what could be a good thing for Delonte West, Eric Snow is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a knee injury.
13. Denver Nuggets (35-24): Allen Iverson has a small fracture in his finger. Maybe that's why the Nuggets won't make the playoffs. The entire team can't wait for the offseason so they can add more ink. Denver has to be the most tattooed team in the NBA.
14. Toronto Raptors (34-29): A Raptor/Nugget showdown in Denver on Friday will settle the East/West ranking discrepancy. The Raptors schedule doesn't get any easier coming up and they've lost five of their last seven. But as far as this team could drop, they'll still be the fifth seed come playoff time.
15. Portland Trail Blazers (34-31): Portland's record would put them one game back of the fifth spot if they were in the East.
16. Philadelphia 76ers (30-34): This playoff wannabe team has a roster with five players averaging double digits in scoring per game. There is no chance the Sixers get out of the first round if they end up getting into the playoffs, but a recent push has them comfortably in seventh.
17. Sacramento Kings (28-35): This past week the Kings lost to the Clippers and Timberwolves but beat the Lakers. A classic case of playing unmotivated basketball.
18. Atlanta Hawks (26-37): The Hawks have lost five out of six this month but believe it or not still remain a playoff team if the post season started today -- crazy East.
19. Washington Wizards (31-32): The latest injury in Washington could put Antawn Jamison on the pine with the other two Wizard stars. Luckily for the Washington they are getting great production for bench studs Andray Blatche and rookie Nick Young.
20. Chicago Bulls (26-38): By beating the Jazz last night the Bulls have officially made their push into the playoff picture. A few more wins and they'll lock up the eighth spot and end that discussion. Drew Gooden is playing out of his mind, he looks like Rodman.
21. New Jersey Nets (26-38): The next three games could make or break the Nets playoff hopes. With the Bulls and Hawks making a solid push for that eighth and final spot, the Nets have made a move in the wrong direction losing six in a row.
22. Indiana Pacers (25-39): After dropping three in a row, Indiana got the best of Seattle last night. If the Pacers want to make a playoff push, it's now or never. One problem is that they need to get Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley to think it's worth going to the playoffs.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (23-41): Even with 41 losses, the Bucks playoff hopes are still alive. Michael Redd could up his points per game to over 25.0 if he could connect on a couple more from long range. With just six wins on the road, the Bucks enjoy 10 of their last 14 games this season at the Bradley Center.
24. Charlotte Bobcats (24-39): In a race for the eighth spot and a chance to meet Boston in round one of the playoffs, Charlotte might have a full head of steam. After dropping five in a row the Bobcats have won five in a row.
25. Los Angeles Clippers (21-41): Al Thornton has been a pleasant surprise as the 14th overall pick. The forward from Florida State has averaged 11.8 points per game and 4.2 rebounds this season. Thornton has scored 20+ in three games this month, scoring 18 in one other game.
26. Seattle Sonics (16-48): Since opening the month with a win over Minnesota, Seattle has managed to lose five in a row and faces Boston tonight.
27. New York Knicks (18-46): New York is terrible. It doesn't even matter what they do the rest of the year.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-48): Wow, two wins in a row? I was getting nervous that "we" are trying to give away ping pong balls. Or should I say giving up "Beasley Balls". No, I shouldn't say that.
29. Memphis Grizzlies (15-47): A win against New Jersey allowed Memphis to get their first win in nine games. Another losing streak has begun with losses to Boston and Phoenix and an upcoming trip to Denver and Golden State could add on.
30. Miami Heat (11-51): Wade's season has come to an end last week, although Miami's season ended in November.
HOT HOT HOT
1. LeBron James -- James pushed his points per game average to over 30.0 with a 50 point game last week and 30+ in five of his last six. On Monday, James recorded his 17th career triple-double, seventh of the season. James is averaging 36.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.5 assists in his last six games.
2. Mehmet Okur -- The Jazz big man with the Dirk-style touch from deep recorded 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds last night. Okur is going off this month, he's been on fire. In March, Okur is averaging 20.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, shooting 58% from the field and 55% from three.
3. Craig Smith -- Last night, Craig Smith was 7/9 had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Smith has been coming up large for the Wolves lately. Smith's numbers in March are 14.0 ppg and 4.0 rebounds but what's outstanding is he's shooting 71.1% from the floor.
NOT NOT NOT
2. Jason Terry -- If Jason Terry would play more like Jason Kidd, the Mavericks would win more games. Last season, Terry was unselfish and embraced the role as sixth man with more pride. This season, Terry has yet to eclipse double digits in assists and not only that he doesn't get to the rim like Devin Harris. If the Mavs can find a way to get Terry more involved as a sixth man, they'll find a better rhythm for the offense.
3. Juan Carlos Navarro -- Memphis recently demoted Navarro from the starting role because he hasn't taken advantage of his playing time. After a 17 point, 5 assist output on the first of the month, Navarro has been cold ever since. Last night, Navarro scored five points and had only two assists and the game before he had just three points and two assists.
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