POWER RANKINGS
WEEK 1 - NUGGETS CLIMBING EARLY

Team Archives:
by: Eric Pincus  - 5006 times read

10/26/09 - The 2009/10 NBA Season is a week in and already the rankings are shifting.  The Denver Nuggets climb into the top five, dispelling any early notions that last year was a fluke.  The Lakers stay on top despite their loss the Dallas Mavericks but if Pau Gasol remains out for a protracted period, expect a slide.  The Miami HEAT are playing well.  The New York Knicks are not.  The Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns both look better in the first week than the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers.  The NBA one week in . . .


RANK(LAST WK) TEAM REC. COMMENT
Los Angeles Lakers Logo 1 (1) Los Angeles Lakers 2 - 1 If Pau Gasol's MRI comes back Tuesday with bad news, the Lakers may struggle for wins. Fortunately for LA, their schedule is very home heavy early. Without Gasol in the starting lineup and Lamar Odom as their top reserve, the LA bench is razor thin.
Boston Celtics Logo 2 (2) Boston Celtics 4 - 0 Rajon Rondo inks a lucrative five-year extension. He'll be running the point long after the 30+ core of this Celtic squad disperses.
Orlando Magic Logo 3 (3) Orlando Magic 3 - 0 No Rashard Lewis - no problem. The Magic are deep.
Denver Nuggets Logo 4 (6) Denver Nuggets 3 - 0 Carmelo Anthony asks, "Why LeBron?" Not a verbal quote - his play is doing the talking.
Cleveland Cavaliers Logo 5 (4) Cleveland Cavaliers 2 - 2 The Cavs got off to a slow start but have looked stronger the past couple of games. The next two (Wizards and Bulls) will be good tests for a team expected to win over 60 games.
San Antonio Spurs Logo 6 (5) San Antonio Spurs 2 - 1 They'll be tested over the next eight games with visits to Utah, Portland and Dallas - and at home against the Raptors, Mavericks, Thunder, Jazz and Wizards.
Dallas Mavericks Logo 7 (7) Dallas Mavericks 2 - 1 The Mavs look strong early. Shawn Marion is a natural fit with 16.7 points, eight boards and two blocks a game.
Utah Jazz Logo 8 (8) Utah Jazz 1 - 1 The Jazz had a light first week with just two games - a tough losing battle in Denver and home against the Clippers (LAC never wins in Utah). The next three will be an interesting test with Houston, a visit to Dallas and then the Spurs in Salt Lake.
Portland Trail Blazers Logo 9 (9) Portland Trail Blazers 2 - 2 Brandon Roy drops 42 points on the Rockets and 30 on the Nuggets but is shooting just 39.4% from the field. LaMarcus Aldridge is battling through a minor knee injury (contusion).
Atlanta Hawks Logo 10 (10) Atlanta Hawks 2 - 1 Joe Johnson was giving it to Kobe Bryant on Sunday night before Ron Artest took over the assignment. The Hawks have historically struggled when teams take Johnson out of the game.
Washington Wizards Logo 11 (14) Washington Wizards 2 - 1 Gilbert Arenas looks really, really good.
Miami Heat Logo 12 (22) Miami Heat 3 - 0 The HEAT looked weak all preseason but suddenly turn it on once it counts - one of three unbeaten teams in the East.
Philadelphia 76ers Logo 13 (15) Philadelphia 76ers 2 - 1 If the Sixers knew what they had in Marresse Speights, would they have signed Elton Brand?
Phoenix Suns Logo 14 (18) Phoenix Suns 3 - 0 The Suns still have Steve Nash to close out games. By attrition they may be a top eight team in the West.
Houston Rockets Logo 15 (17) Houston Rockets 2 - 1 Trevor Ariza busts out 33 points on the Blazers. Who knew?
New Orleans Hornets Logo 16 (13) New Orleans Hornets 1 - 2 New Orleans couldn't close against the Celtics but for a moment when Peja Stojakovic was bombing threes - they looked like world beaters. That's a squad that desperately needs a steady third scorer alongside Chris Paul and David West.
Chicago Bulls Logo 17 (11) Chicago Bulls 1 - 2 The Bulls have opened against tough competition (Spurs, Celtics and HEAT) with one win to show for it - but they're a strong unit. Thursday in Cleveland would be a huge win for Chicago.
Toronto Raptors Logo 18 (16) Toronto Raptors 1 - 2 Through three games Andrea Bargnani is shooting 61.5% . . . from three-point range (8-13).
Oklahoma City Thunder Logo 19 (24) Oklahoma City Thunder 2 - 1 Slower start than expected for star Kevin Durant (22 points on 32.8% shooting) but the Thunder pull through 2-1.
Los Angeles Clippers Logo 20 (12) Los Angeles Clippers 0 - 4 The Clippers have been competitive in each of their four losses - fading away each time in the fourth. They can't win if they can't close.
Golden State Warriors Logo 21 (20) Golden State Warriors 0 - 2 After a huge preseason, Anthony Morrow starts slowly and the Warriors drop their first two. Stephen Curry starts strong with 13 points on 57.1% shooting with a team high 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals a game.
Detroit Pistons Logo 22 (19) Detroit Pistons 1 - 2 The Pistons get Orlando twice this week plus a visit to Toronto on the second night of a back-to-back. A slow start may be inevitable.
Charlotte Bobcats Logo 23 (23) Charlotte Bobcats 1 - 2 Raja Bell decides to play with a torn ligament in his wrist. The Bobcats have not looked sharp without him.
Memphis Grizzlies Logo 24 (25) Memphis Grizzlies 1 - 2 The Grizzlies may be ranked too low - Allen Iverson's expected debut may give them a quick boost.
New York Knicks Logo 25 (21) New York Knicks 0 - 3 No wins yet but Danilo Gallinari suddenly looks like a real building block after a quiet rookie season.
Milwaukee Bucks Logo 26 (27) Milwaukee Bucks 1 - 1 One week in and Brandon Jennings looks like the favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Indiana Pacers Logo 27 (26) Indiana Pacers 0 - 2 Last year the Pacers needed to toughen up defensively. So far they've given up 108 points a game while scoring 96. That's worse than 08/09 when they allowed 106 and scored 105 - but the sample size of just two games is small.
Minnesota Timberwolves Logo 28 (28) Minnesota Timberwolves 1 - 2 Al Jefferson hasn't been Al Jefferson yet - through three games averaging 14 points, 6.7 boards on 34.8% shooting.
Sacramento Kings Logo 29 (29) Sacramento Kings 0 - 3 The Kings have not shot well as a team through three games at just 40.6%. Meanwhile defensively their opponents hit 51.6% from the field. Kevin Martin's 25.3 points a game have come on 35.5% shooting.
New Jersey Nets Logo 30 (30) New Jersey Nets 0 - 3 Last week's 30th ranking was based on health questions for Devin Harris (groin) - but the Nets aren't going to climb out with a winless 0-3 record. They may have seven players averaging double figures but they've been outscored by 10.3 points a night.



Comments ( posted) Post your comment
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posted by nick, 11/2/2009 6:40:53 PM
they said gasol out another 2 weeks
posted by Dany, 11/2/2009 7:17:06 PM
What do U guys base Ur rankings by? for the week played or Opinionated?
posted by I am Hip, 11/2/2009 7:35:18 PM
I still can not believe you put the Rockets so low in your preseason rankings. (Below the Knicks.)
posted by Ken, 11/2/2009 7:45:33 PM
Stop being a homer and put Boston and Orlando at the top of the rankings as of today.
posted by Captain Awesome, 11/2/2009 8:08:37 PM
I'm a die hard Laker fan and even I would rank Boston and Orlando ahead of the Lakers right now. It took the Lakers 1/2 a game to lose their championship aura to a Clippers team who had a hobbling Baron Davis and a missing #1 draft pick. P.S. The Kardashians s u ck! And stop staring at those ginormous backsides when you create your rankings Pincus. You're a big booty freak and it's corrupting the rankings.
posted by will, 11/2/2009 8:10:02 PM
the lakers were dominated by dallas at home, and theyre still no. 1? let me guess. somebody must love the lakers to still have them there.
posted by datruth23, 11/2/2009 8:14:39 PM
wow hoopsworld has to hop of the lakers dick fureal...
posted by Alex, 11/2/2009 8:48:59 PM
I thought these rankings are as of right now because right now the Lakers are not playing as good as Orlando or Boston. When Gasol gets back that might change but right now I don't see it.
posted by Eric Pincus, 11/2/2009 9:15:11 PM
I use the same formula I've always used - I don't let one loss shake up the elite portion of the ranks. The Lakers have lost their grip on #1 - if they lose another they drop - assuming the other teams keep winning.
posted by thetruth23, 11/2/2009 9:20:57 PM
wow wat a coincidence eric pincus a laker lover and a laker homer made this rankings... stop your lies eric tell the truth you love the laker and cant even use paul gasol as an excuse because orlando has no reshard lewis or vince carter and boston is missing big baby
posted by wowski, 11/2/2009 10:03:37 PM
it's retarted to shake up the lower ranked teams based on performance but not shake up the top 3 for te same reason.
posted by Eric Pincus, 11/2/2009 10:51:41 PM
I follow the same forumla for years - I get the same complaints regardless from whoever didn't feel they got ranking high enough. Last year I got ripped by Laker fans for not putting LA high enough late in the season. Same difference. I write the rankings honestly and can't worry about it either way. Lower teams that lack consistency bounce around more than consistent elite teams.
posted by comeonman, 11/2/2009 11:07:44 PM
oh so you worried on how your little laker buddies look at you... dude your such a homer you are not a good sports writer because you have a bias opinion
posted by Tim, 11/3/2009 12:00:40 AM
Your first 2 in the list are based off of what ifs. Rondo will be at the point when the big 3 are aged...The power rankings should based on the current time in the season. Lets see what Gasol's MRI says...again base your rankings off the current situation. Also the Lakers bench is razor thin. You are definatly a Laker homer.
posted by Bill Ingram, 11/3/2009 12:23:24 AM
Ummm . . .EP? I'm not Celtics fan, but the 4-0 team has to be ranked higher than the 2-1 team, right? I mean . . .right???
posted by BBallFan, 11/3/2009 12:25:46 AM
I agree with Eric. The Lakers should be #1. The Lakers are 2-1 after 3 games. The Lakers are defending champs and should get the benefit of the doubt in week 1 Rankings.
posted by Eric Pincus, 11/3/2009 12:43:22 AM
Celtics #2 ranking has nothing to do with the Rondo comment. With such a small sample size - no, 4-0 doesn't guarantee higher than 2-1. And it shouldn't. If you want a straight numerical ranking - go look at the standings. I'm not going to go Celtics, Magic, HEAT and Suns
posted by Mike, 11/3/2009 1:20:48 AM
i mean seriously after tonights win against the Jazz, do you REALLY think the Rockets are just a #15 team! i mean come on! and as far as the Lakers thing goes, I hate them, but right now I have to agree with them being #1.
posted by Eric Pincus, 11/3/2009 2:01:12 AM
The Rockets will continue to climb - I had them ranked way too low a few weeks back - as long as they keep it up.
posted by Nate, 11/3/2009 8:45:22 AM
Boston, Orlando, and Denver are ahead of the Lakers. Just because you like the Lakers doesn't give you the excuse to be unrealistic about it. Sure they probably deserve to be there at 100% health for the team but they aren't playing that great at the moment.
posted by vasco, 11/3/2009 11:42:41 AM
I am glad to see the Rockets finally getting some respect. Ariza is playing better than i expected but i knew this team wasn't just going to lay down like some people seemed to think.
posted by Chris, 11/3/2009 12:08:54 PM
I think it was rude of you to put lakers ahead of Boston and Orlando...2 undefeated who are beating opponents fairly easily...AT this moment i dont think cleveland shud be in the top 5 simply because the only 2 legit teams they played they lost 2 boston and got spanked by toronto, so now they barely beat 2 cellar dwellars and u still feel they are up there...they shud be in the 6 - 10 range RIGHT NOW...later in the season no doubt they will be top 5 but not now
posted by MFP147890, 11/3/2009 1:11:39 PM
The boston celtics beat my bulls pretty soundly and they held the bobcats to only 59 points. I understand the lakers are defending champs but its only fair for them to take a backseat to the celtics for now. Boston has looked flawless this opening week. As a bulls fan i think they should be ranked even lower because of the pothetic showing at boston. No offence but you defently did homer this one EP no matter how much you claim it was based of something else. No way Boston shouldnt be number one for atleast this week.
posted by WillieT, 11/3/2009 1:31:13 PM
Eric, I am a big fan and enjoy your articles and chats. That being said there is no way that the current incarnation of the Lakers (sans Gasol) should be higher in the POWER RANKINGS than Boston and Orlando. If it is where you think they will end up at the end of the year you have some argument, but my understanding is that it was who is better TODAY. If they Lakers had Gasol on the floor they probably wouldn't have lost to the Mavs and should have the top spot. If, when Gasol comes back, the Lakers run off an undefeated week, then they should move back up. However, without Gasol they are not the top team in the league, as their record demonstrates.
posted by BobbyJ, 11/3/2009 2:31:20 PM
Lakers should be ranked #1. They are the defending champs and only have one loss. Just because a team has a good week doesn't automatically move them past the Lakers.
posted by Koko, 11/3/2009 6:02:39 PM
Who cares? Power ranking are USELESS!!!
posted by Dany, 11/3/2009 11:52:17 PM
Alright I still dont get this? what is Ur ranking system based on? caus the Celtics played decent(at the least) competition. Cavs, Bulls, Charlotte, New Orleans. thats 2 playoff teams, 1 Championship Contender, and a playoff contender.
posted by Teddy, 11/5/2009 1:37:50 PM
I honestly think it should be the undefeated teams on top, the lakers are looking sloppy without Gasol. It should be Boston, Orlando and Denver on top! Eric Pincus we all know you love the lakers and thats your team so stop putting them on top unless they should be there! Hopefully you watch some of the games this next week and fix your ranking!
posted by colincb, 11/5/2009 1:45:50 PM
Only ranking I've seen with the LAL on top at this point. They scored 1 more point than they gave up in 3 games at home.

 

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