Post by Alex English on May 29, 2012 3:50:13 GMT
Dynasty Five Power Rankings (May 28th)
1. San Antonio Spurs
[/color]Record: 9-1 | Last Five: 5-0
C-Al Harrington | PF-Tim Duncan | SF-Michael Beasley | SG-Manu Ginobli | PG-Tony Parker
The Spurs are currently riding a six game win streak and they only have one loss this season. GM JR Wiles has made it clear with the moves he's made that San Antonio is championship or bust this season so it is good news for Spurs fans that they have started off on the right foot.
2. Miami Heat
[/color]Record: 9-1 | Last Five: 4-1
C-Brendan Haywood | PF-Chris Bosh | SF-LeBron James | SG-Dwyane Wade | PG-Jason Kidd
The Heat join the Spurs as the only other one loss team in the league, embrassingly for them though, their loss was at the hands of the lowly Bobcats. However following a great trade to surround the big three with some savvy vets, namely Jason Kidd, this should still be a banner year for the Heat.
3. Los Angeles Lakers[/color]
Record: 8-2 | Last Five: 3-2
C-Andrew Bynum | PF-Andrea Bargnani | SF-Martell Webster | SG-Kobe Bryant | PG-Kyle Lowry
After winning their first eight games the Lakers have now lost their last two. There has been a lot of movement in the Lakers lockerroom too, so that might be causing the inconsistency we are seeing. The team is still packed with talent so you should expect them near the top of the league all year long.
4. Toronto Raptors
[/color]Record: 7-3 | Last Five: 3-2
C-Anderson Varejao | PF-Lamar Odom | SF-Metta World Peace | SG-Eric Gordon | PG-Steve Nash
The Raptors management have made some remarkable trades to turn this team into a contender. The headline deal would have to be bringing Steve Nash back to Canada and he has been absolutely on fire since setting foot in Toronto. Age and stamina may become a question as the playoffs approach but at this point RC Buford is a shoe-in for executive of the year.
5. Boston Celtics
[/color]Record: 7-3 | Last Five: 4-1
C-Enes Kanter | PF-Kevin Garnett | SF-Paul Pierce | SG Ray Allen | PG-Rajon Rondo
The Celtics are going for it all for maybe one last time. Age has begun to catch up with this team the last few seasons but they are still one of the best teams in the league. Following an average start they have won four of their last five with the only loss coming in overtime to the Toronto Raptors.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder[/color]
Record: 7-3 | Last Five: 4-1
C-Kendrick Perkins | PF-Serge Ibaka | SF-Kevin Durant | SG-DeMar DeRozan | PG-Deron Williams
The Thunder look like a dynasty in the making but they have shown some inconsistency this season. They have a good win over the Raptors but also a massive 38 point blowout loss to the Celtics. Once they hit their stride this team could be rather terrifying with the addition of Deron Williams but for now they sit just outside the top 5.
7. Dallas Mavericks
[/color]Record: 7-2 | Last Five: 4-1
C-Spencer Hawes | PF-Dirk Nowitzki | SF-Marshon Brooks | SG-Jason Terry | PG-Mario Chalmers
It looks like the Mavs have been trying to get younger while still remaining as competitive as possible and with additions like Hawes and Brooks it looks like Danny Longley has done a good job at that. Having won four of their last five games and currently sitting at 7-2 overall they still look like a team to be reckoned with.
8. Chicago Bulls
[/color]Record: 7-3 | Last Five: 3-2
C-Joakim Noah | PF-Zach Randolph | SF-Luol Deng | SG-Richard Hamilton | PG-Derrick Rose
With reigning MVP Derrick Rose leading the way this team is a real threat to win the championship. Their starting lineup is stacked and following an average last five games this may be the lowest we see them in the power rankings all season long.
9. Orlando Magic
[/color]Record: 6-3 | Last Five: 4-1
C-Tyson Chandler | PF-Amare Stoudemire | SF-Hedo Turkoglu | SG-JR Smith | PG-Jameer Nelson
With the Dwight Howard saga finally behind them the Magic might be able to focus on championship basketball again. Though Howard is gone the Magic still boast one of the best post lineups in the league with Amare and Chandler being backed up by Ryan Anderson and Glen Davis.
10. Phoenix Suns
[/color]Record: 5-4 | Last Five: 4-1
C-Marcin Gortat | PF-Antawn Jamison | SF-Josh Smith | SG-Michael Redd | PG-Jeremy Lin
The Suns round out the top 10 after having their five game win streak snapped by the Spurs. That streak probably wasn't a fluke though as GM JP Inawat has made some great changes to this team to give them a new direction gowing forward. Jeremy Lin and Josh Smith now make up the backbone of this team that looks to continue the success of the Nash era with these young stars.
11. Houston Rockets
[/color]Record: 6-4 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Marc Gasol | PF-Pau Gasol | SF-Chase Budinger | SG-Tony Allen | PG-Goran Dagic
Otis Smith has made one of the most intriguing lineup changes in the league as he has managed to pair up the Gasol brothers in Houston. In doing this he also cleared the way for Goran Dragic who is now primed for a breakout season as he will be the full time starter for the Rockets.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
[/color]Record: 4-5 | Last Five: 4-1
C-Drew Gooden | PF-Ersan Ilyasova | SF-Carlos Delfino | SG-Monta Ellis | PG-Brandon Jennings
Following a weak 0-4 start the Bucks have won four of their last five and they look to be rolling, for now. There ability to continue to win games though is in question as they are very light up front and in desperate need of a true post player.
13. Los Angeles Clippers[/color]
Record: 5-5 | Last Five: 2-3
C-DeAndre Jordan | PF-Blake Griffin | SF-Carmelo Anthony | SG-Jason Richardson | PG-Chauncey Billups
With this roster the Clippers should be well inside the top 10 but they have gotten out to a slow start. A blockbuster deal that swapped Anthony for Paul may be contributing to their slow start and once they figure out their chemistry this team should fly up the rankings.
14. New York Knicks
[/color]Record: 5-5 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Dwight Howard | PF-Markief Morris | SF-Caron Butler | SG-Iman Shumpert | PG-Chris Paul
The other team in the Paul-Anthony trade has also been rather lackluster to start the season. But unlike the Clippers, the Knicks are lacking in depth as apart from their two superstars there is not much else for them to offer in star power.
15. Indiana Pacers
[/color]Record: 4-5 | Last Five: 3-2
C-Roy Hibbert | PF-David West | SF-Danny Granger | SG-Paul George | PG-Darren Collison
The Pacers have one of the most promising rosters and they have the potential to be a top 10 team in the league. At 4-5 though they have had an average start but with three wins in their last five games they might be finding their groove.
16. Utah Jazz
[/color]Record: 5-6 | Last Five: 3-2
C-Al Jefferson | PF-Paul Millsap | SF-Gordon Hayward | SG-Ben Gordon | PG-Rodney Stuckey
The Jazz are a solid team with no stars but also no real weaknesses. Jefferson and Millsap are the one-two punch of this lineup and they should carry this team to the playoffs. Having won three of their last five they might be hitting their stride too.
17. Sacramento Kings
[/color]Record: 4-6 | Last Five: 3-2
C-DeMarcus Cousins | PF-Channing Frye | SF-Derrick Williams | SG-Marcus Thornton | PG-Aaron Brooks
The Kings seemed to have been figuring things out as they had won three of their last five games. However a number of changes have now been made. Aaron Brooks recently signed with them and Tyreke Evans has just been sent out the door. It should be interesting to see how the Kings respond to the changes.
18. Portland Trailblazers
[/color]Record: 4-4 | Last Five: 1-4
C-Joel Przybilla | PF-LaMarcus Aldridge | SF-Kawhi Leonard | SG-Jamal Crawford | PG-Raymond Felton
The Blazers have lost four of their last five games and the win was only by five points over the Pistons. They haven't been playing solid basketball but they are still a .500 club thanks to a 3-0 start. With Aldridge leading the way they have the talent to make the playoffs but are at a disadvantage due to being in the tough western conference.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers
[/color]Record: 4-6 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Robin Lopez | PF-Hakim Warrick | SF-Wilson Chandler | SG-Grant Hill | PG-Kyrie Irving
At 4-6 the Cavs actually might be over-achieving since Kyrie Irving is the only quality player in Cleveland right now. Chandler and Lopez are some nice pieces too but that is about it. The good news is that the Cavs only have $34 million dollars committed next season and the 2012 draft is full of talent.
20. Memphis Grizzlies
[/color]Record: 4-7 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Samuel Dalembert | PF-Carlos Boozer | SF-Rudy Gay | SG-Kevin Martin | PG-Jose Calderon
It is still very early but the Grizzlies need to turn the ship around quick. Sam Jenkins has made a huge number of changes and the only important player that still remains from their young and promising team is Rudy Gay. Calderon, Martin and Boozer are no slouches though so this is still a very talented team, but until the results start coming the controversy won't end in Memphis.
21. Golden State Warriors[/color]
Record: 4-7 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Andrew Bogut | PF-David Lee | SF-Richard Jefferson | SG-Klay Thompson | PG-Stephen Curry
With Curry, Lee and Bogut the Warriors have a solid core to build around. Hopefully they can build on their two game win streak as this team should challenge for a playoff spot. After this year however they may have trouble continuing their growth due to some bad contracts in Jefferson and Biedrins.
22. Denver Nuggets
[/color]Record: 4-7 | Last Five: 3-2
C-JaVale McGee | PF-Kenneth Faried | SF-Andre Iguodala | SG-Arron Afflalo | PG-Ty Lawson
Andre Iguodala leads this Nuggets team that includes a number of promising young players such as Lawson, McGee, Faried and Splitter. This team isn't ready yet though as they have racked up more than a few blowout losses including a massive 44 point loss to the Mavericks.
23. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 3-6 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Al Horford | PF-Luis Scola | SF-Marvin Williams | SG-Joe Johnson | PG-Ramon Sessions
At 3-6 this team has had one of the slowest starts in the league. Much like the Memphis Grizzlies they have made some key changes to their lineup and there is some question as to whether they were good moves or not. This team should be expected to turn things around though as they have more than enough talent to make the playoffs in the weak east.
24. Brooklyn Nets
[/color]Record: 3-6 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Brook Lopez | PF-Shawn Marion | SF-Gerald Wallace | SG-Vince Carter | PG-Russell Westbrook
Another one of the season's under-achievers, the Nets have made a number of changes that makes it look like they are gunning for a championship right now. Westbrook, Lopez and Wallace are the key players for the future but the additions of Marion, Carter and Prince give this team the talent required to win now too.
25. Minnesota Timberwolves
[/color]Record: 3-6 | Last Five: 1-4
C-JJ Hickson | PF-Kevin Love | SF-Stephen Jackson | SG-Tyreke Evans | PG-Ricky Rubio
For the third team in a row we have a very talented team that is off to a bad start. With Love, Rubio and the recent addition of Evans this team should have one of the brightest futures in the league. Add in some fantastic additions such as Hickson, Thomas and Vesely and Walt Frazier is proving himself to be an excellent GM.
26. Charlotte Bobcats
[/color]Record: 3-8 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Byron Mullens | PF-Bismack Biyombo | SF-Travis Outlaw | SG-Kirk Hinrich | PG-Kemba Walker
The Bobcats are terrible. Let's not act like that's not true just because Rodman might flip out on us. They suck. But of their three wins two came against some of the best teams in the league. They beat the Miami Heat and no one is quite sure how, but they also beat the Chicago Bulls in an overtime bout that is almost as big a deal. If the Bobcats win more than 10-15 games then Dennis Rodman should be a coach of the year contender because that would be a monumental accomplishment.
27. New Orleans Hornets
[/color]Record: 2-7 | Last Five: 2-3
C-Emeka Okafor | PF-Carl Landry | SF-Trevor Ariza | SG-James Harden | PG-Mike Conley
After starting the year 0-7 the Hornets have now won two in a row. This team will still be hurting all season long as there have not been a lot of positive things to say of this franchise since Chris Paul left. One of the few good things that can be said is that Jackie Moon, while taunting the fans about the possibility of him fighting a bear, has also put together a solid backcourt of Harden and Conley.
28. Detroit Pistons
[/color]Record: 3-6 | Last Five: 0-5
C-Greg Monroe | PF-Derrick Favors | SF-Luc Mbah a Moute | SG-OJ Mayo | PG-Devin Harris
The Pistons have lost five in a row and are looking pretty bad right now. Lucky for them they started 3-1 so they can easily get back into the playoff hunt. Off of the court though the Pistons have made some great moves by dumping their bad contracts and maybe even getting better in the process. Harris, Mayo, Favors, Monroe and Knight form a core of good young players that can make some noise in a few seasons.
29. Washington Wizards
[/color]Record: 2-8 | Last Five: 1-4
C-Nene | PF-Andray Blatche | SF-Rashard Lewis | SG-Jordan Crawford | PG-John Wall
The Wizards are in a tough spot. They have John Wall and Nene to build around, but they also have an immovable contract in Rashard Lewis that will hold Steve Kerr hostage until it expires after next season. Until then the Wizards should hope to build through the draft because there won't be many options for them in free agency.
30. Philadelphia 76ers
[/color]Record: 3-8 | Last Five: 0-5
C-Elton Brand | PF-Tristan Thompson | SF-Danilo Gallinari | SG-Mike Miller | PG-Louis Williams
In the midst of a seven game losing streak the 76ers are in the worst stretch of any team this season. They seem absolutely lost without Iguodala even though they have a number of good young players. The good news for Sixers fans is that in the weak eastern conference they have enough talent to make the playoffs. So given enough time this team should be able to put this bad start behind them.