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Sunday, January 26, 2014

CMan's Sunday NBA Top Ten - Jan. 27th

THE TOP TEN





#1. Indiana Pacers: 34-9
The Pacers continue their pace atop the East standings and one game in the win column behind the Thunder. They continue to lead the league in fewest losses. Indiana is impressive and should stay on top of a weak Eastern conference through the end of the season. Look for an Indiana - Miami conference final and, barring injuries, an Indiana crowned as conference champions.

#2. OKC Thunder: 35-10
The Thunder move from 4th to 2nd this week based on victories over 3 of 4 other top West foes last week. OKC is riding a 7 game win streak going in to Mondays game at home vs Atlanta. The streak includes a road victory at Boston with out Westbrook and Durant, a first for the franchise. The stout play of the Thunder, without Russ, should send a strong message to the rest of the NBA.


#3. Portland Trailblazers: 33-11
Despite back to back losses to Houston and OKC, Portland continues it's high level of league play. The Trailblazers are not going away and should contend for the Western conference crown. Portland was 2-0 vs OKC until last week and always play the Thunder tough. Is OKC's division crown in jeopardy? Stay tuned.

#4. Miami Heat: 32-12
Miami is playing uninspired basketball. They beat good teams and lose to bad ones. Perhaps playing in the East has that effect on a good team. They are in no danger of losing home court either. The Heat will make the playoffs and everyone knows that the Heat play well when the games mean more. The hot Thunder visit Wednesday, perhaps they can wake the sleepwalking Heat.

#5. LA Clippers: 31-15
The Clippers, like the Thunder,  have adjusted well to life without their All Star point guard. Chris Paul makes them better but they aren't bad without him. They should fare well for the second half of the season and having Doc Rivers roaming the sidelines will make them better come playoff time. The Clippers are Kings of Los Angeles for once, can the Lakers regain their crown? Doubtful.
#6. San Antonio Spurs: 33-11
Despite better record than LA, the Spurs sit at #6 in light of their 1-9 record against the top teams in the West. The Spurs are injury prone yes, but they are aging as well. Pop is magical and most believe the best coach in the NBA, but he's running out of juice with his big three. Too many starting lineups lead to inconsistent play. Injuries and sitting tired, old  players will lead to that.
#7. Houston Rockets: 29-17
Houston continues to play better except against the elite teams. The jury is still out on the addition of center Dwight Howard. The Rockets will be a 1st round irritation for someone in the playoffs but without home court, I don't see them advancing. They must get a lot better on the defensive end to join the top tier. You won't advance trying to outscore your opponent.

#8. Golden State Warriors: 26-18
The Warriors have slowed a bit in mid-season. However, they are still a high powered offensive team. They, like the Rockets, must learn to defend better. Currently 6 in the West standings, the Warriors should still make the playoffs. They will also be a probable first round exit unless they aren't taken seriously by their first round opponent.

#9. Atlanta Hawks: 23-20
The Hawks are finally 3 games above .500, pretty good for an East team not in Indiana or Miami. Although, .500 should get a few teams in the playoffs this season in the East. Atlanta plays well against the East (but, who doesn't) but they struggle against the West including a 105-79 loss to the Spurs on Friday. The Hawks visit OKC Monday with KD in search of 11 straight over 30.

#10. Phoenix Suns: 24-18
New to the rankings this week are the Suns. Head Coach Jeff Hornacek was a great player in his time and he has the Suns on track. The Suns finished December with a 10-3 record and started the new year with the same attitude. Phoenix is currently 7th in the West and looks to make a playoff bid this season.




Waiting in the wings: Dallas Mavericks:25-20, Memphis Grizzlies:22-20, Toronto Raptors: 22-21, Chicago Bulls:22-21, Denver Nuggets: 21-21




 

 

Monday, January 20, 2014

CMan's Sunday NBA Top Ten - Jan. 19th


THE TOP TEN



                          
#1. Indiana Pacers: 32-7
Someone in the East finally decided it was time to build a team to compete with Miami. Unfortunately, none of the other East teams had the same idea. This team was built by hall of fame legend Larry Bird, and they play like him. They are the real deal and should keep the Heat in the stands for the finals this year.



#2. San Antonio Spurs: 32-9          I don't know how Pop continues to do it but he does. The Spurs continue to be the cream of the West despite half the roster being senior citizens. The Spurs have been a great regular season team for a long time but they have faltered lately in the playoffs. Will 2014 be different? Probably not, age eventually catches up.
#3. Portland Trailblazers: 31-9
Portland came out of nowhere in the West. After finishing the last few seasons in the tank and still reeling from the decision to draft Greg Oden and not Kevin Durant, little was expected. The experts still believe they will collapse before the end of the season. I'm not so sure.


#4. OKC Thunder: 31-10
The loss of Westbrook for the second time this season took a little getting used to. The Thunder were second to the Pacers prior to the second injury. Despite this, the Thunder are learning to play with out their All Star and they're getting better. Watch out West, when Russ returns the Thunder will roll.

#5. L.A. Clippers: 29-14
Like the Thunder, the Clippers are playing without All Star Chris Paul. And, like OKC, are starting to play well without him. The Clippers have been in the hunt all season and are starting to look like the other LA team used to. Adding Doc Rivers didn't hurt.


 #6. Miami Heat: 29-12
Miami may have fewer losses than the Clippers but they are starting to look bored. The Clippers are hungry. Miami is sleepwalking through what could be their fourth consecutive finals appearance. They may not be hungry but they are still good. Watch out for them come playoff team. Don't count them out just yet.


#7. Houston Rockets: 27-15
Houston seems to play well with everyone except the Thunder. Could be the curse of the Beard. Despite adding the best center in the NBA, the Rockets can't seem to get to the next level. They are in a good position for a playoff run, but I'm not convinced that they believe they can win it all. They have the talent to go deep but the mentality for a first round exit.

#8. Golden State: 26-16
This team scares me. I'll openly admit that I never thought Steph Curry would do in the NBA what he did in college. I was wrong. This is a good basketball team that is only going to get better. Barring an injury they should see second round action in the playoffs again and, with the right match up, could contend for the West crown.

#9. Dallas Mavericks: 25-18
That's right, Dallas. I can't tell you the starting 5 without looking it up but here they are, sneaking up the rankings. Probably the way Mark Cuban likes it. The Mavs are three years removed from their Championship and are not likely to return this season but Rick Carlisle has got them poised for a playoff run again.
#10: Atlanta Hawks: 21-19
I could have gone with the upstart Phoenix Suns at #10 but I feel kinda bad for the East. The Hawks will probably not go anywhere this season but they are the third, and last, East team with a winning record. They will probably make the playoffs because the East needs 8 teams in. However, I doubt they make it to the second round and if they do, they won't go any further.


Waiting in the wings: Phoenix Suns: 23-17, Toronto Raptors: 20-20, Memphis Grizzlies: 20-20, Denver Nuggets: 20-20, Washington Wizards: 20-20

Saturday, January 18, 2014

NBA Standings: 1/17/14

Eastern Conference: (GB)= Games Back
*Weekly Notable: Indiana has the best record in the NBA, despite playing in perhaps the weakest Eastern Conference of all time.
Atlantic:
Toronto:20-18(0GB)

Brooklyn:16-22(4GB)
New York:15-25(6GB)
Boston:14-27(8GB)
Philadelphia:13-26(8GB)

Central:
Indiana:31-7(0GB)

Chicago:18-20(13GB)
Detroit:16-23(16GB)
Cleveland:15-25(17GB)
Milwaukee:7-31(24GB)

Southeast:
Miami:28-11(0GB)

Atlanta:20-19(8GB)
Washington:19-19(9GB)
Charlotte:17-24(12GB)
Orlando:10-30(19GB)

Western Conference:(GB)= Games Back
*Weekly Notable: After the Thunder lose two games in one week, Portland and San Antonio are tied for the best record in the West.
Northwest:
Portland:30-9(0GB)

Oklahoma City:30-10(1GB)
Denver:20-19(10GB)
Minnesota:18-21(12GB)
Utah:14-27(17GB)

Pacific:
LA Clippers:28-13(0GB)

Golden State:25-16(3GB)
Phoenix:22-17(5GB)
LA Lakers:15-25(13GB)
Sacramento:14-24(13GB)

Southwest:
San Antonio:31-9(OGB)

Houston:26-15(6GB)
Dallas:24-17(8GB)
Memphis:20-19(11GB)
New Orleans:15-23(15GB)

Friday, January 17, 2014

Buster & CMan's Final Top 25!

AP Top 25:


1. Florida State
2. Auburn
3. Michigan State
4. South Carolina
5. Missouri
6. Oklahoma
7. Alabama
8. Clemson
9. Oregon
10. UCF
11. Stanford
12. Ohio State
13. Baylor
14. LSU
15. Louisville
16. UCLA
17. Oklahoma State
18. Texas A&M
19. USC
20. Arizona State
21. Notre Dame
22. Wisconsin
23. Duke
24. Vanderbilt
25. Washington

CMan's Top 25:


1. Florida State
2. Auburn
3. Michigan State
4. Missouri
5. Oklahoma
6. Alabama
7. South Carolina
8. Clemson
9. UCF
10. Louisville
11. Oregon
12. Baylor
13. Ohio State
14. UCLA
15. Stanford
16. Oklahoma State
17. LSU
18. USC
19. Arizona State
20. Texas A&M
21. Notre Dame
22. Wisconsin
23. Duke
24. Vanderbilt
25. Washington

Buster's Top 25:

1.Florida State
2.Auburn
3.Michigan
4.Oklahoma
5.Missouri

6.Alabama
7.South Carolina
8.Clemson
9.UCF
10.Louisville
11.Oregon
12.Ohio St.
13.UCLA
14.Stanford
15.LSU
16.USC
17.Baylor
18.Oklahoma St.
19.Arizona St.
20.Notre Dame
21.Wisconsin
22.Texas A&m
23.Duke
24.Vanderbilt
25.Washington