Power Rankings (14 games into the season)

I enjoyed watching Antwan Walker while he played in Boston, but ever since he has moved my liking for him has diminished. It seems like Antwan believes every shot he takes is a great shot. Plus, his defense is horrible and does not appear like much of a leader.<br>
<br>
I thought the Nets would struggle a bit out of the gates, but would eventually get themselves out of the gutter. I was very wrong. No one knows exactly when Kidd is coming back and he's not exactly all that happy in NJ. Alonzo is still seeking a buyout from his contract because he knows the Nets are going in the wrong direction. If the Nets can not select good draft picks this coming summer (Denvers and their own) then the Nets might be down and out for quite a while.<br>
<br>
New Orleans was doomed from the moment they moved out West. Sure, Mashburn is out for the season, but Baron Davis began complaining about a trade before the season kicked off. It's never good to have a disgruntled superstar because it only trickles down to the team. Indeed, injuries have hampered the Hornets, but I'm not too sure they could of made it to the playoffs anyways out West.<br>
<br>
The Baby Bulls will probably end up with the worst record again this year. When the Bulls traded away a proven 20 and 10 guy in Elton Brand for a highschool kid in Tyson Chandler it was all about over for the Bulls. Eddy Curry and his agent asked the Bulls for a max extension this summer and the Bulls just laughed in their faces. Curry supposedly is on his way out and should be out before the trade deadline. The Bulls have a good core of guys with Nocioni, Hinrich, Deng, and Gordon; however, they need some veteran leadership and some defense as well. Scott Skiles must be yanking out his hair with these young kids.<br>
<br>
I'm not too surprised the Kings are doing great because they have always been a good regular season team and usually end up with one the leagues best records. However, they tend to cave in during the playoffs and that was during a time when their window was wide open with a deep bench. Now, with a weaker bench their window will definitely be nice and shut by the time they make the playoffs.<br>
<br>
Indeed, the Rockets don't have much athleticism. However, I think the bigger issue is Van Gundy's half court system. McGrady is having trouble transitioning himself to Van Gundy's half court system from the much more up tempo system he played in Orlando and when teams apply the zone defense he struggles as well. I mean, just take a look at how Steve Francis is doing now in Orlando. Francis was shackled in Houston and now that he's allowed to work in a more flexible system in Orlando he's putting up great numbers and the Magic are winning. Plus, Yao has yet to show any flashes of actually breaking out into a Super Star player this year. He's only averaging 8 boards a game and he's 7-5! In my mind, Yao is soft for a guy who is 7-5 and has the physique to be a monster in this league.<br>
<br>
I believe Allen is on a contract year, so expect him to play out of his mind all year long. Plus, last year the Sonics lost Allen, Daniels, and Collison for a good portion of the year. Radmanovic is shooting well and Luke Ridnour has been playing decent as well. I think they are for real (playoff bound), but are still a few pieces away from being a title contender. <p></p><i></i>

Whom here is the Power Ranker? Is this a Spurs Central rating system?<br>
<br>
Anyway....THE CLIPPERS @ 12 <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :deal --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/deal.gif ALT=":deal"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
We at Clippertalk are in shock.....This squad is beyond anything we could have imagined. Yes Elton Brand is an All Star who won't get credit till his franchise helps him out. Yes Maggette is a super stud. Yes Shaun Livingston WILL be the best PG in the NBA in 3 years. BUT.....<br>
<br>
Who woulda thought Bobby Simmons would be playing the best hoop in the league. This guy is a sick defender and his "O" game has exploded. He is leading the league in FT% too.<br>
<br>
Who woulda thought Marco Jaric would be playing the game like he was sold to do. As some of you Spur Fans may know while in Europe Marco was considered the choice as best PG in Europe over TPark. <br>
<br>
Who woulda thought Chris Wilcox woulda turned into the monster that won the NCAA Championship while at Maryland. <br>
<br>
Who woulda thought journeyman Mikki Moore would become team leader.<br>
<br>
Who woulda thought a plane flight to Europe would convince Rick Brunson to return to the NBA to play for his old coach in Dunleavy.<br>
<br>
Who woulda thought Donald Sterling would actually pay a real coach like Dunleavy.<br>
<br>
Yes.....THESE CLIPPERS ARE BETTER THAN THE LAKERS. These guys play like a team, something you guys all know <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :grouphug --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/grouphug.gif ALT=":grouphug"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Tonight we just kick the butt of KID JAMES whom I see up there at #9. The Clippers are at 9-6. The best start since 1992. Keep your eyes peeled...coming up this week #4 Pacers and #10 Timberwolves.<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :red --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/red.gif ALT=":red"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Just speaking about the West, Phoenix and Seattle are the biggest surprises. Although I'm not sure why with Phoenix. Nash is solid on offense and he looks all-world so far. You have to think this probably means the Spurs will get the Suns 1st round pick in the next draft since it doesn't figure to be a high one. The Spurs don't want 2 late 1st rounders so that will be interesting to watch. Give Nate McMillan and the Sonics credit since they were picked in the bottom 5 pre-season. Seattle is a Redemption Night game for season ticket holders by the way. As for the Lakers demise, let's wait and see. Their entire front line was out early and with Vlade, Luke Walton, Medvedenko and possibly the hall-of-fame dirtbag Malone, they could transform their chances dramatically. They do have a respectable non-egocentric coach now so anything is possible. The Spurs seem to have what it takes to rule them all but whats with these nights off against beatable teams?<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :argh --><img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/argh.gif ALT=":argh"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

JCrush, I write the Power Rankings for SpursCentral.<br>
<br>
The Los Angeles Clippers have improved drastically. Indeed, the Clips finally appear to be a real team. Year after year the Clippers are full of talented young basketball players but they never seem to put it together. However, Dunleavy has gone into Clipper Land and has the players believing in themselves. In my opinion the Clippers will give the Lakers a run for their money when it comes to being LA's elite team. <p></p><i></i>

Nice to see a Clips fan who hasn't lost hope 15 games into the season. Good luck and keep praying for new owner and GM. <p></p><i></i>

Mutinous, welcome to the board. I personally have not see many of your postings, but feel free to continue posting. Are you a Spurs fan? <p></p><i></i>

Does bleeding silver and black count? Since the 1970's when my parents took me to games. I came aboard as a season ticket holder the year before the Admiral's rookie season. I've been through just a few tough seasons to watch but I have to admit we Spurs fans are spoiled with one of the best franchises in the league. It must be tough. I am a Larry Brown fan so the closest I ever came to rooting for the Clippers was when he coached them into the playoffs. Oh, and also any time they play the Lakers! <p></p><i></i>

M_Dog.<br>
<br>
That's just Crush. He comes over every year and pushes the Clipps on us. I like the Clipps, but they are still the Clipps. <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://supergino.com" target="top"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.supergino.com/images/links/sglink3.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>