Everyone is focused on the NCAA basketball tournament this week, but don't forget about the NBA. The Boston Celtics have officially cemented themselves as the best team in the league. Monday they beat the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. Last night they dismantled Houston, ending their 22 game win streak. They own the best record in the NBA and you can't say that Garnett is "tanking it" this season as he has played his way into MVP discussions. Are you surprised? Boston ranks first in this weeks version of "CheChe23's Power Rankings".
BIGGEST RISE: Philadelphia 76ers from 16th to 13th.
BIGGEST FALL: San Antonio from 3rd to 8th.
(Editor's note: "LW" indicates each team's ranking from CheChe23's previous week. —DC)
| CheChe23's Power Rankings: March 19, 2008 | |||
| TEAM | RK (LW) | W-L | COMMENT |
 | 1 (1) | 54-13 | It didn't take long for Sam Cassell to get a chance to show he still has big... confidence. Sam "I Am" had 17 points Monday helping the Celtics get past the Spurs when he splashed a long ball to put Boston ahead 89-87 with just 46 seconds left. It appears that Cassell is just as motivated as the rest of the Celtics -- what a perfect storm for a title run. |
 | 2 (5) | 48-18 | Detroit has won 10 of their last 13 games and move from fifth to second this week. After the beat down they handed to New Orleans on Sunday which was following a win over San Antonio, Detroit looked great crushing Denver last night. If you are looking for some basketball to tide you over before the NCAA's -- a re-match of last year's Eastern Conference Finals is tonight at 8:00 ET on ESPN. |
 | 3 (4) | 46-21 | Houston wins by having role players who can star on different nights. They win because they play great defense, shoot high percentages and protect the basketball on a nightly basis. On paper the Rockets are looking great, but now that the streak is over -- will they continue to have the same swagger? Houston is 31-5 since the first of the year. |
 | 4 (8) | 45-24 | If Utah wants to be seen as a serious threat to remain at the top in the Western Conference they can't lose to Eastern Conference wimps like Chicago and New Jersey. Other than a few hiccups, the Jazz have played fearless this month. And you aren't going to hear about it either, they are rated by their peers as the least-talkative team in the NBA. Utah has won 19 in a row at home. |
 | 5 (2) | 45-21 | Even though the Lakers snuck past the Mavericks last night, a loss to the Rockets and Hornets this past week has them moving down in the power rankings. Plus, L.A. won't have Andy Bynum until the post-season which leads me to believe that chemistry issues will hold back the Lakers this year. But that doesn't mean Kobe won't be the MVP. |
 | 6 (6) | 44-22 | The Suns have started to find their stride with The Big Aristotle. Shaq had one of his best games as a member of the Suns on Saturday when he went 6/6 from the floor, scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds. As much desire as Garnett and Company have in Boston to win a title, don't underestimate Steve Nash's passion to capture a championship ring. |
 | 7 (7) | 45-21 | Chris Paul has played well enough to win the MVP, but even though he won't get the honor since Kobe is next in line, he's ready to contend for the league's most valuable for years to come. Some of the plays that Paul makes have me comparing him to a combination of Isiah Thomas and Jason Kidd. A good sign for the Hornet bench, Bonzi Wells had his best game since becoming a Hornet when he put up 19 points and four rebounds on Monday. |
 | 8 (3) | 43-23 | Tuesday and Wednesday this week are the only days in March that the Spurs go consecutive days without having at least one game. After losing their last four and six of seven, maybe the day off will get the Spurs back on track. As we all know, a losing streak can be devestating in the tight Western Conference race. |
 | 9 (11) | 45-24 | Orlando has won 11 of their last 13 including the last five straight. With three winnable games in a row before facing San Antonio next Tuesday -- Orlando could keep moving on up and moving on in to the minds of Boston and Detroit. |
 | 10 (9) | 44-24 | The Mavericks/Lakers game epitomizes the NBA for many reasons. First because of the fact that Los Angeles was killing Dallas in the first half. Second because the Mavericks tore back in the second half, but still fell short by two. Third because if the Mavs had won they might be ranked as high as fifth overall, but because they lost -- it's 10th this week. Another reason you have to drop Dallas is because they have yet to beat a team with a winning record since Jason Kidd arrived. |
OUTSIDE THE TOP 10:
11. Golden State (41-25): The Warriors face a brutal end of the schedule this month. They will have a chance to really put themselves in the driver seat for the last playoff spot in the West if they can come away a winner against Denver a week from Saturday. I don't trust their style, too much reliance on guard play and the three point shot and not enough focus on defense. In other words, this eight seed shouldn't expect to make another magical run past round one again this year.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (37-27): The Cavs might need James to score 29 of the team's final 30 points in order to beat Detroit tonight like he did in game five of the Eastern conference finals last year.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (33-34): This baffles me. The Sixers beat the Pistons, Bulls and Spurs this week. Much respect.
14. Denver Nuggets (40-27): It's starting to hit me. The Nuggets won't be a playoff team this year. I'm sorry for boldly predicting them to win the title, but they (and I) have excuses. This could be a realization for AI that he might need to become a pass-first point guard in this offense.
15. Portland Trail Blazers (35-33): Portland practiced with Greg Oden this past week. It's nice to hear the name Greg Oden again. The Buckeyes were so fun to watch last year -- remember that block Oden made against Tennessee in the sweet 16? Or how about that Xaiver game!?
16. Toronto Raptors (34-29): Toronto has now lost 11 of their last 13 games. Injury issues and chemistry concerns are weighing heavily on what could be a great team. Sam Mitchell will have them ready come playoff time, but its been rough this month -- maybe getting Chris Bosh back will help.
17. Sacramento Kings (31-36): Kevin Martin took apart the Warriors last night and the Kings keep playing spoiler. Ron Artest had another good game and continues to play HOT.
18. Washington Wizards (33-33): What's up with Gilbert Arenas? Who cares, his Wildcats need to pull some serious upsets if they want to even make it out of the first round. Caron Butler's Huskies have a better shot at getting past the sweet 16. But Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison's Tar Heels might be the best bet to make it to the Final Four out of the alma-mater's on the Wizard roster. I wonder if Nick Young wishes he had stay another year at USC? Doubt it.
19. Atlanta Hawks (29-38): Atlanta hasn't played great going 4-6 in the last 10 games, but they remain a half game ahead of the Nets for the final spot in the playoffs.
20. Chicago Bulls (27-40): The Bulls blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead to Philly on Friday and fell apart against New Orleans on Monday down the stretch. If Chicago is serious about saving face this season they have to play with intensity for all 48 minutes every game.
21. New Jersey Nets (28-39): New Jersey lost to Chicago last night after Devin Harris looked like he salvaging the season and making a playoff push by beating Cleveland and Utah. Harris is finding is groove and might be the key to success for New Jersey.
22. Indiana Pacers (26-41): Indiana could actually attempt to make a playoff run if they can win against Charlotte, Minnesota, Chicago, New Jersey, New Jersey again and Miami the rest of this month. Six wins is enough to put the Pacers on pace for playoffs heading into the NBA's final month.
23. Charlotte Bobcats (24-43): March: Five wins, four losses. I'm sick of trying to figure out the Bobcats.
24. Milwaukee Bucks (23-44): Milwaukee is putting together a nice run at the lottery by winning just one game in the month of March (1-7).
25. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-50): You have to put the Wolves ahead of the Clippers and Sonics. Minnesota beat Los Angeles on Monday (and the previous Saturday) and Seattle on Friday.
26. Los Angeles Clippers (21-45): Four losses in a row and the next win on the schedule doesn't come until the 29th against Memphis.
27. Seattle Sonics (16-51): Since a win on the first of the month, Seattle has dropped eight straight.
28. New York Knicks (19-48): New York has one win this month, but with Memphis, Minnesota, New Jersey and Miami coming up -- they might just get another win.
29. Memphis Grizzlies (15-50): Another win on Monday is another surprise to me. Minnesota vs Memphis tonight is one of those games that the NBA will monitor closely to make sure that neither side tries to "tank" it to add to their lottery odds.
30. Miami Heat (12-54): The Heat won their first game of the month last night, I wonder how many people were at the Bradley Center to witness?
HOT HOT HOT
1. Devin Harris -- Harris really didn't help make a case for the HOT list last night scoring just four points and equaling the number of assists he had with turnovers (3). But on Saturday, Harris pulled his best Jason Kidd impression missing a triple-double by two rebounds (19 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds) and it is clear that as goes Harris, so goes the Nets.
2. Ron Artest -- Artest has quietly gone about his business these past six weeks, maybe making a case that he's worth the risk for a title contender shopping this summer. Artest has helped the Kings on both ends of the floor and has been especially effective on the offensive side of the ball ever since Bibby left. Artest has scored over 20 in three of his last four including 26 points in last night's win.
3. Erick Dampier -- You might not think six points and nine rebounds could be good enough for the HOT list, but Dampier makes the list for the small things. Like efficent shot selection, Dampier has shot incredibly well this month (70.6%). The Mavs have other problems though.
NOT NOT NOT
2. T. J. Ford -- Ford is a point guard who I expect can average 10 assists a game. His games of scoring 23, 28 this month are also what are expected. His last three games, Ford has put up 5, 7 and 7 -- under expectations. Also, did anyone catch the tirade Ford displayed on his way to getting ejected on Monday?
3. Andres Nocioni -- After averaging nearly 14 points per game on the season, Nocioni has been cut back this past month averaging just 7.6 ppg. His rebounds are also suffering with Drew Gooden cleaning up the glass. Nocioni was averaging nearly six rebounds a game in November and he is averaging just 2.4 rpg this month.
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