NBA Power Rankings

 1. New York Knicks (9-3): The Knicks are rolling on all cylinders to start the season. The Knicks earned the top spot with an impressive win at San Antonio, where Carmelo Anthony was not at his best but the supporting cast rallied around their leader to pick up the W.

2. Memphis Grizzlies (9-2): Rudy Gay is playing like he wants to make his first All-Star Game. Wins against both NBA finalist in the same week make Memphis a strong contender early on.

3. Los Angeles Clippers (8-5): Has Clipperland ever looked this good? DeAndre Jordan has improved tremendously, Jamal Crawford is making opponents look silly on the court and most importantly, the Clippers are winning.

4. Miami Heat (10-3): Ironically, Miami’s three losses were against the teams that sit above them in this week’s power rankings. Other then that, Miami’s is smooth sailing. D-Wade needs to get his foot right first.

5. San Antonio Spurs (11-3): If a couple breaks go San Antonio’s way they would be atop the power rankings this week. Instead they round out the top five. That doesn’t take away how spectacular Tim Duncan has played early on.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder (10-4): Kevin Durant achieved his first career triple double against the Golden State Warriors and followed that up with 35 points in a overtime win against the Clippers. The moral of the story OKC will go as far as KD can take them.


7. Los Angeles Lakers (7-7): New coach. New attitude. The Lakers look inspired and motivated. Heck, they could have kept Bernie Bickerstaff as the interim head coach. Mike Brown had to go but with that 113-97 loss to the Kings, D’Antoni is officially on the clock.


8. Brooklyn Nets (7-4): Five straight wins followed by back-to-back losses. West Coast trips are real momentum killers, huh? Can’t get back to Brooklyn soon enough.


9. Milwaukee Bucks (6-5): Milwaukee is defying the critics early on. The backcourt that nobody expected to work is working out. Brandon Jennings is finally playing at a normal pace.

10. Boston Celtics (7-6): Okay we can blame the 20-point loss to the Detroit Pistons on fatigue. At least Rajon Rondo’s assist streak didn’t suffer. So far this season, the Celtics have not played with that trademark passion we are so accustomed to seeing from the Green Team.

11. Dallas Mavericks (7-7): OJ Mayo is helping fans in Big D forget about Jason Terry. Mayo’s looked good early on. More good news for Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki hopes to return by mid-December. Can the Mavs continue to hold down the fort?

12. Philadelphia 76ers (7-6): Keep Andrew Bynum away from bowling alleys. Meanwhile without Bynum, the Sixers looked strong in impressive wins against Utah and Toronto.

13. Atlanta Hawks (8-4): If Martell Webster’s tip-in happens just a moment sooner, Atlanta would of dropped lower then 13. I don’t know what to make of this Atlanta Hawks team just yet.

14.  Utah Jazz (7-7): Utah is one of those teams I assume will make a deal any day now. Now the question is, who goes – Paul Millsap or free agent-to-be Al Jefferson?

15. Chicago Bulls (6-6): How much longer can you have Nate Robinson lead your team? D-Rose is still a ways away. Maybe it’s time to give the rookie Marquis Teague a shot.

16. Charlotte Bobcats (7-5): This can’t be real. The Charlotte have tied their win total from last previous season. Looks like first year coach Mike Dunlap’s influence has made a big difference early on.

17. Golden State Warriors (8-6): Still without big man Andrew Bogut, the Warriors are winning due to the early emergence of rookie Harrison Barnes who had an impressive 19 points and 13 rebound night in a win against the Hawks last week.

18. Denver Nuggets (7-6): Denver is off to a rocky start but I expect the Mile High club to get rolling soon. This team has too much talent to be a mediocre regular season team.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-7): Kevin Love gave Minnesota fans something to be thankful for early on with his surprise return. Love’s 34 points and 14 rebounds were impressive for a guy coming off a hand injury.

20. Portland Trail Blazers (6-6): Portland’s new look team has not forged an identity just yet. For a guy that has been apart of the Blazers’ growing pains, LaMarcus Aldridge needs to raise his game to another level to ensure that Portland’s season does not turn for the worst.

21. Indiana Pacers (6-8): The Indiana Pacers have the honor of being the most disappointing team at the three-week point of the season. Why can’t Roy Hibbert dominate night in and night out?

22. Houston Rockets (6-7): Toney Douglas has replaced Jeremy Lin during crunch time. The Royce White situation is as baffling as ever, and my condolences are sent to Kevin McHale and his family.

23. Phoenix Suns (6-7): The Suns are hanging in games they have no business of winning. That’s a good sign for a team that was projected to lose 60-plus games.

24. Orlando Magic (5-7): 11 games into the post Dwight era and you can’t be mad at this start, and not trading for Bynum looks smarter and smarter everyday.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-10): Bad news for Cavs fans, Kyrie Irving will miss the next month with a broken index finger. More bad news for Cavs fans, your season is officially over.

26. Toronto Raptors (3-11): If I can compliment the Raptors on one thing it would be that they compete every night. Too bad they play in the toughest division in the league and injury woes have hampered them so far.

27. New Orleans Hornets (3-8): New Orleans is in the midst of a five game losing streak. Anthony Davis didn’t lose five games all of last season with the Kentucky Wildcats.

28. Detroit Pistons (3-11): A 20-point win and a road win will bring you up from 29 to 28 in power rankings for sure.

29. Sacramento Kings (4-9): I find this team very riveting. If DeMarcus Cousins gets his act together and stays away from announcers, Sacramento could find themselves in the playoff hunt.

30. Washington Wizards (0-11): Bradley Beal has yet to know what the satisfaction of a hard earned NBA win feels like. Beal and the Wizards came close against the Hawks but win number one was not in the cards. Nené is back and John Wall is on track to return soon. A Wizards fan can dream.          

My New Favorite YouTube Clip

Ron Mercer didn't stand a chance

The year was 1997 Halloween night to be exact. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the rest of the Chicago Bulls coming off there 5th NBA Championship in 7 years opened the 1997-98 season against the Boston Celtics at the FleetCenter. The Celtics were a disaster that past season winning only 15 games they expected to draft Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest but they dropped to the 3rd pick and selected Chauncey Billups (C's traded Billups to Toronto for Kenny Anderson during the season.)

Okay so the reason why I am now declaring this clip my new favorite YouTube sensation is because of all of the nostalgia that comes with it. You have MJ entering his final campaign with the Chicago Bulls (As we all know the Bulls won the Championship in '98 with MJ's shot heard 'round the world) getting interviewed by a younger rather dapper Craig Sager. You have the Celtics featuring new coach Rick Pittino. (Not gonna get into how that ended.) A young Antoine Walker, Billups, and surprise surprise Bruce Bowen. (Hubie Brown's prediction of Bowen becoming a premier defender proved true.)

So in '97 I was only seven so if I said I remember this night I would be lying but looking back its so much fun. This was the last year of the Bulls Dynasty and that season began in my hometown. I only wish who whoever posted this clip posted the entire game because if you were unaware my Boston Celtics won the game 92-85, but like the saying goes its not how you start its how you finish... Well at least I have 2008 to hang my hat on.  

Checkout the clip below:

  

Houston Rockets Guard James Harden Scores Career High 45 Points

Looks like James Harden is on a mission and wants to put the entire league on alert. A week ago today Oklahoma City traded Harden to Houston Rockets because they were unable to provide him with the contract he was seeking. Harden signed a 5-year 80 million deal with the Rockets then went out to score 37 points in his debut against the Detroit Pistons. Harden followed that performance by one upping himself scoring a career high 45 points against the Atlanta Hawks Friday night.

No one is expecting the Rockets to make much noise in the West this season but with the addition of Harden. Head Coach Kevin McHale has a team that can make noise in the league. As long as Jeremy Lin continues to develop, and the rest of the supporting cast steps up to the plate I expect the Rockets to hang around the lower tier of the top 8 out West.

I didn't even mention Omer Asik, Asik is a formidable big man that can hold his own in the paint. With the emergence of Harden as a superstar player expect free agents to take notice and consider Houston as a destination spot in the upcoming years.

But for now check out 9 minutes and 35 seconds worth of James Harden career high performace against the Atlanta Hawks below.              

2012-13 NBA Predictions

Divisional Champions:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division:

Boston Celtics

Brooklyn Nets

Philadelphia 76ers

New York Knicks

Toronto Raptors

Winner: Boston Celtics

Boston won’t dominate the division like they have in the past. Every team in the Atlantic improved during the off-season. The Celtics get the edge because of their veteran leadership and experience.

Central Division:

Chicago Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers

Detroit Pistons

Indiana Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks

Winner: Indiana Pacers

Indiana proved they’re a top four team in the East last season. The Bulls will be without Derrick Rose for the majority of the season. Expect the Pacers to seize the opportunity and come out on top in the Central.

Southeast Division:

Atlanta Hawks

Charlotte Bobcats

Orlando Magic

Miami Heat

Washington Wizards

Winner: Miami Heat

The defending Champs have the honor to play in arguably the weakest division in the league. No team in the division holds a threat to the Heat.

Western Conference

Northwest Division:

Denver Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves

Oklahoma City Thunder

Portland Trail Blazers 

Utah Jazz

Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder

It won’t be easy for the defending Western Conference Champs the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Jazz are rising, but OKC still holds the advantage in the rugged northwest.

Pacific Division:

Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix Suns

Sacramento Kings

Winner: Los Angeles Clippers

When it’s all said and done I say the Clippers will overtake the Lakers to win there first ever division crown. The Clips are younger, faster and deeper. Expect them to also be the better team at the Staples Center as well during the regular season.

Southwest Division:

Dallas Mavericks

Houston Rockets

Memphis Grizzlies

New Orleans Hornets

San Antonio Spurs

Winner: San Antonio Spurs

It’s the same old story every season; expect the Spurs to win 50+ games while Coach Pop preservers his stars for the postseason. The Mavericks and Grizzlies will challenge the Spurs throughout the season but neither is a serious contender to overtake the Spurs in the division.

2012-13 Predicted Conference Final Standings

Eastern Conference

1.     Miami Heat

2.     Boston Celtics

3.     Indiana Pacers

4.     Philadelphia 76ers

5.     New York Knicks

6.     Brooklyn Nets

7.     Chicago Bulls

8.     Atlanta Hawks

Western Conference

1.     Oklahoma City Thunder

2.     San Antonio Spurs

3.     Los Angeles Clippers

4.     Los Angeles Lakers

5.     Denver Nuggets

6.     Dallas Mavericks

7.     Memphis Grizzlies

8.     Minnesota Timberwolves

2012-13 Preseason Award Winners

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James- Miami Heat

He’s the best player in the world today. Until we “witness” someone else take over the basketball world like Derrick Rose did in 2011 this is LeBron’s award to win or lose.

Coach of the Year:  Vinny Del Negro- Los Angeles Clippers

I am very high on the Clippers they own the deepest team in the league. If Coach Del Negro can navigate the ship successfully and if the Lob City crew avoids any serious injuries to there superstar duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin expect the Clippers to be a top three team out West. Yes expect it.

Rookie of the Year: Damien Lilliard- Portland Trail Blazers

I’m taking Lilard over Anthony Davis because I feel Lilard will have a better overall season than Davis. It takes longer for big men to adjust to the pro game. On the other hand Portland is throwing Lilard into the fire and expect big numbers out of him. Unless Davis has an out of this world Blake Griffin like debut I like Lilard’s chances.

Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Ibaka- Oklahoma City Thunder

It’s time for the anchor of OKC’s defense to take home the award. I don’t expect Dwight Howard to be at 100% this season and we will wait and see if Tyson Chandler can duplicate his DPY season. Air Congo is the safe bet.

6^th Man of the Year: Jason Terry- Boston Celtics

You never see a player win 6^th man of the year two years in a row and you never know maybe this is the season Coach Scotty Brooks inserts James Harden into the starting line up for OKC. Well Jason Terry was brought into Boston to be that scoring punch off the bench they didn’t have last season.

Most Improved Player of the Year: Michael Beasley- Phoenix Suns

Quickly who won most improved player of the year last season? See doesn’t quite roll of the tongue. I’m giving it to Beasley because he is kind of like the forgotten man. Remember he was drafted number two overall in ’08 and is already on his third team in five seasons. Beasley has been a solid pro but has not been able to find a home. Now he’s the man in Phoenix hopefully he produces.

Eastern Conference Finals:

Miami Heat over Boston Celtics in seven games

Home court advantage plays a huge role in this one; you have to give it to the Heat their stars are in the there primes and on a mission. The Celtics are on a mission as well but how far can KG and The Truth take this team. The Eastern Conference Finals is pretty far in its own right.

Western Conference Finals:

Los Angeles Lakers over Oklahoma City Thunder in six games

I know I put the Lake Show down as the 4^th seed; (*Look at Boston Celtics 2010) they’re not even going to win the Pacific Division. Its all about match ups, the Lakers will cruise through the regular season and once the playoffs begin you can’t bet against Mr. Kobe Bean Bryant. The Lakers have the talent and veteran leadership to make it to the Finals without home court advantage. I expect them to take out OKC because the Thunder will now have a cocky swagger it is expected of them to get back to the Finals. If the Lakers make it to the Conference Finals Kobe will not lose.      

NBA Finals:

Miami Heat over Los Angeles Lakers in seven games

This star-studded NBA Finals will live up to expectations. LeBron, Kobe, D-Wade, Nash, Bosh, Dwight a man can dream right? Come June expect it to become reality. The Heat will be pushed to limit but expect the Miami to come out on top because LeBron will take control and seize the moment. This is LeBron’s league. It started last season when Dwyane Wade willing handed LeBron control of the reigns. Kobe and company will battle the Heat to the bitter end, but Miami will come out on top successfully defending the Championship and begin the stages of building the NBA’s new age dynasty.