2010-2011 NBA Power Rankings - 12-6-10

Rk (LW)
Team
Record
Comments
1 (2)
San Antonio
17-3
The Spurs have the best record in the NBA and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a 25 point victory over the New Orleans Hornets. Five of their players are averaging double digits. If Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson stay healthy, watch out for the Spurs.

2 (4)
Boston
16-4
Boston is also coming off a 25 point victory although it was against the New Jersey Nets. Like the Spurs they are 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Celtics one up the Spurs because they have 6 players averaging double digit points per game. Even when star Point Guard Rajon Rando is injured, the Celtics have been getting great bench play.
3 (6)
Dallas
16-4
Dallas is one of the hottest teams in the league right now winning 9 out of their last 10 games. Dirk Nowitzki is leading the way scoring, Jason Kidd is running the team leading them in assists and Tyson Chandler has been a monster on the boards all season long. With veterans Terry, Butler and Marion, this team has all of the tools to continue their dominance.
4 (7)
Orlando
15-5
Orlando won 6 of their last 7 with their loss coming in their last game. Orlando was dominated by Bucks Big man Andrew Bogut who scored 31 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson both missed the game due to sickness. If the Magic were not missing 4 players and two starters due to sickness, there is no reason they would have beaten Milwaukee.
5 (8)
Utah
15-6
The Utah Jazz have been beating up on opponents during their latest 7 game winning streak before they ran into the Spurs. Utah has been beating all of the teams they are supposed to and lost their last game to Dallas. The Jazz will continue to beat the team beneath them and struggle to compete with the top teams in the league.

6 (1)
L.A. Lakers
14-6
The Lakers are only 6-4 during their last 10 games. The part that concerns the Lakers most is that they lost their last 4 before beating up on a very bad Sacramento team. Expect the L.A. to shake off the cob webs because they are about to play two teams that they should beat (Wizards, Clippers).
7 (12)
Denver
13-6
Denver is on a 7 game winning streak and are 10-1 at home this season. While they have not been dominant through their 7 game winning streak, they have come away with 7 victories. The Nuggets have one of the deepest teams in the league with 7 players averaging 9 points or more a game. Melo leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Will Denver's run be enough to keep Melo with Denver through the trade deadline?
8 (5)
Oklahoma City
14-7
The Thunder are third in their conference but have been on a tear as of late. Oklahoma City is 7-3 over their last 10 games even while their team continues to struggle with the injury bug. Superstar Kevin Durant is battling injuries and Westbrook and the rest of the team have been playing tough. The thunder need Durant to get healthy if they want to sustain this hot streak.
9 (16)
New York
12-9
Some may argue that there is no hotter team in the league right now than the New York Knicks. The Knicks are winners of 9 out of their last 10. Amare Stoudemire and Ray Felton lead the high powered offense with their pick n' roll game. It is the play of Chandler, Gallinari and Fields that has propelled the Knicks and their high scoring offense.
10 (10)
Miami
13-8
Miami are winners of their last 4 games including LeBron James' debut back in Cleveland where they abused the Cavs. They have won all four games by at least 11 points and are looking like the "Big 3" are starting to gel. James, Wade and Bosh have all stepped up their games and are the reason why their team is a force to be reckon with.
11 (3)
New Orleans

13-7
The Hornets looked like a top 5 team to start the season before their last 10 game stretch. They are 4-6 over that span losing 4 out of their last 5 games. There are two ways to look at the Hornets; they beat the bad teams or lose to the good teams. Regardless of how you look at the team, they must pick up their play, especially against top tier opponents.
12 (15)
Atlanta
13-8
Atlanta has been a very streaky team this entire season. The Hawks were on a 5 game winning streak when they rolled into Miami and were embarrassed by 12 points. Even know Atlanta was dominated by the "Big 3" There team is going to struggle vs. good teams while their start Joe Johnson watched from the bench while dealing with his injury.
13 (9)
Chicago
10-8
The Bulls welcomed Carlos Boozer for his debut and lost 2 out of the first 3 games with Boozer in the lineup. Boozer really struggled during his first 2 games with the team but during his last game he began to look like the player Chicago expected when the signed him in the off-season. Boozer poured in 25 and 9 and seemed to mesh well with Point Guard Derrick Rose. With Boozer back in the line-up, Deng will get some much needed rest.
14 (13)
Phoenix
11-9
The Suns are in the middle of a 3 game winning streak and there is no reason they can't win the next 4 games. Steve Nash has had to carry the entire load on his shoulder with the departure of Amare Stoudemire. Nash is the main reason the suns are in the middle of their 3 game winning streak as he leads the team in assists night after night setting up players like Jason Richardson and Channing Frye and Grant Hill for easy baskets and wide open jumpers.
15 (18)
Toronto
8-12
After early season struggles, The Raptors have seemed to settle into a little grove. Andrea Bargnani has continued to emerge as the star player on the Raptors after Chirs Bosh left them for Miami. This month Jose Calderson has started all 3 games and is averaging nearly a double-double with points and assists. Toronto has been getting great okay from their Guard and Amir Johnson has finally found his role averaging 13.7 points and almost 10 rebounds a game. Toronto also welcomes first round pick Ed Davis to the team after missing the start of the season with an injury.
16 (14)
Indiana
9-9
Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert lead the Pacers on the court. Brandon Rush has been scorching hot in December averaging over 18 points a game. Even with the addition of Darren Collison at the Point, they are really struggling with the teams Assist to Turnover ratio. The Pacers are on a two game losing skid and were just dominated by Utah, but in their last game, they let the game slip out of their hands in a loss against Steve Nash and the Suns.
17 (23)
Charlotte
7-13
Charlotte has been pretty bad as of late with the rest of the bottom half of the pack. Stephen Jackson, one of the leaders on the team was suspended one game for verbally abusing the Refs. and only played 4 minutes in the game before that. Without Jackson, this Charlotte team becomes even worse. They have not won two games in a row since November 10th & 12th.
18 (11)
Portland
9-11
Portland has lost 6 out of his last 7 games. This is the major reason for their drop in the rankings. Although some of these games they suffered close losses, not even Brandon Roy has been playing up to his standards. The lone bright spot is the emergence of Wesley Mathews. Mathews has been inserted into the starting lineup in hope that this will result in Portland winning some more of these games.
19 (28)
Philadelphia
6-14
The 76ers have won3 out of their last 4 games and lost a close one to Atlanta. Jodie Meeks had the best game of his career scoring 26 points and shooting 7-10 from down town. Elton Brand has been averaging a double-double in the month of December. Of course without notice Andre Iguodala has been putting together a solid season contributing in all of the major stat categories, (Points, Rebounds, Assists) even though he is scoring less than expected.
20 (20)
Milwaukee
7-12
Milwaukee remains in the #20 spot. The bucks have only won 2 out of their last 7 games. The last game they beat Orlando was pure luck because the Magic were without Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and two others due to sickness. But the Bucks do welcome back Andrew Bugut after missing 5 games before he played against Orlando.
21 (21)
Detroit
7-14
Detroit has lost 4 out of their last 5 with their lone win coming against a dreadful Cavs' team. The Pistons do not have anyone that can score the ball. They Have Ben Gordon who can shoot the lights out but he is only scoring over 12 points a game. They have 5 players who average between 12 and 16 points per game, but no one to take charge. They do not score many points and they do not rebound the ball well.
22 (24)
Memphis
8-13
After winning 3 games in a row, the Grizzlies went on to lose 4 out of the next 5 games. Memphis has not lived up to its pre-season hype with O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol continuing to have down years. Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay need some Gasol or Mayo to step up in order them Memphis to start winning more ball games.
23 (17)
Golden State
8-12
Golden State has not one back to back games since November 10th & 12th. Yet again, Monta Ellis leads the league in minutes played per game. Monta Ellis is a one man show, he does it all. He scores over 25 points a game, 3.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.4 steals per game. David Lee just came back from injury and is finally starting to play like he is capable. With Curry and Bierdrins scoring and rebounding, there is still nobody to play any defense.
24 (29)
Houston
7-13
Houston is having a very disappointing year but that can be expected when your team is decimated with injuries. Houston has won 2 of its last 3 games and lost its last game in OT. The team will improve greatly if Yao Ming comes back and can contribute. The Rockets are still missing Aaron Brooks. Luis Scola and Kevin Martin are doing all they can to stall until they can at least get one of the two back.
25 (19)
Washington
6-13
Washington was one of the worst teams last year and won the Prize John Wall. However, they have lost 4 out of their last 5 games and John Wall is starting over Gilbert Arenas. It turns out that their most productive player is Forward Andray Blatche. Wall is filling the stat sheet scoring 17 points, 8.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Wall seems like he will become a star in this league but right now his production is not leading to Wizard wins.
26 (27)
Minnesota
5-15
The Timberwolves strong point is rebounding, with Kevin Love down low. Michael Beasley went from a reject with the Miami heat to a scoring machine with Minnesota like he was in college. Minnesota will soon get Jonny Flynn back which will help tremendously. He should allow the offense to run smoother and win some more games.
27 (22)
Cleveland
7-13
After losing LeBron James, the Cavs' went from being title contenders to one of the worst teams in the NBA. Cleveland is coming off of 4 straight losses and none of them were even close. This team needs to make some trades to rebuild. Do not be surprise to see Jamison traded at the deadline.
28 (25)
New Jersey
6-15
Just when we thought the Nets were starting to turn their franchise around, they go on to lose 6 out of the next 7 games and their one win was by 2 points. And when you think things cannot possibly get worse for the Nets, they do. Devin Harris goes down with an injury. Without Harris, the entire burden falls on the shoulders of Brook Lopez.
29 (26)
Sacramento
4-14
The Kings have reining rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans and that is not enough to make this team better. This year they drafted DeMarcus Cousins but he is causing problems and not being as productive as the kings would have hoped. Sacramento added Carl Landry in the off-season which on paper improves this team. Somehow this team has taken a step in the wrong direction.
30 (30)
L.A. Clippers
4-17
The Clippers remain in last place for yet another week. Blake Griffin is certainly running away for rookie of the year. It is really just a two man race with Griffin and Wall. Neither of these Rookies are making their teams better now. The Clipper will improve now that Baron Davis and Chris Kaman are starting to play after being injured for a good part of the season.