Season Power Rankings (Day 60)

[Oregon Ownage]

East

1. Celtics (Previous Rank: 2)
Back to the top of the East rankings for the preseason favorite. In a recent slump due to injuries which will be their potential downfall come playoffs.

2. Nets (Previous Rank: 1)
Another team in a slump find the Nets drop to # in the power rankings. Highest scoring team in the league (by 1.5 points over the Celtics) but 5th worst in defense points against. They will need to shore that up come playoffs.

3. Pacers (Previous Rank: 10)
Biggest jump in placement from last rankings are the Pacers. Their preseason placement is starting to show form with the offense and now defense showing up. It will be a tight battle between Pacers/ Bucks and Bulls to claim the 2 seed.

4. Bucks (Previous Rank: 9)
Right behind the Pacers are the Bucks who are streaking off the back of Gill's shooting. The recent acquisition of Stipanovich will provide more presence in the paint than Malone did. If they can figure out how to play Smith & Gill together, watch out.

5. Bulls (Previous Rank: 4)
Quietly hanging around the top of the East, the Bulls are playing cool with their veteran team just waiting for the playoffs to arrive.

6. 76ers (Previous Rank: 5)
Completely reworked their offensive identity so lets see how they play together over the next 30 days but they are hanging around the picture in the East. I dont trust their PG's though and could use an upgrade.

7. Pistons (Previous Rank: 3)
Their GM has mentioned they plan to sell this leading up to the deadline which is odd considering their placement in the East. Even after moving on from Worthy, they are still winning more than losing.

8. Bullets (Previous Rank: 7)
Playing much better lately but still look light in numbers to truly compete in the East esp. with the other teams improving.

9. Magic (Previous Rank: 8)
The switch to Elmer Bennett has not worked for the Magic as they are free falling down the standings. With no 1st rounder this draft, they need to figure out what to do

10. Cavaliers (Previous Rank: 6)
The steady Cavaliers are starting to show their age and Stockton has proven to be worse than Harper which has seen their status as title contenders slowly fade away.

11. Hawks (Previous Rank: 14)
Played much better than the first 30 days but still have no idea of their direction. Allan Houston has been inserted into the starting lineup during this upturn of performance is a strong indicator.

12. Hornets (Previous Rank: 11)
Recently switched their offense focus to outside and it has produced good results with wins over the Nets and Celtics but they have also fallen flat against similarly skilled teams.

13. Knicks (Previous Rank: 13)
By trading Stip and acquiring Karl Malone, The Knicks are looking to get that top pick in the upcoming draft. If they can work magic on Malone, they deserve it.

14. Raptors (Previous Rank: 12)
Not much to be seen here. Webber is producing but not leading which is perfect for a tanking team.

15. Heat (Previous Rank: 15)
[Copy][Paste]We knew the Heat were planning to tank for this season so their record is no surprise. Penny needs to control his turnovers to become elite and Horry looks like a complimentary piece. They just need time to round out the roster around those two.

West

1. Suns (Previous Rank: 2)
We have a new leader in the West. 3rd best points for and 2nd best points against find the Suns leading the pack. Will they find a better PG before the deadline?

2. Mavericks (Previous Rank: 3)
1st team to 30 wins and just behind Suns in metrics. Will be a battle with the Suns until the end of the season.

3. Grizzlies (Previous Rank: 1)
Currently in a slump compared to their high standards and with no teams standing out in the Pacific, the Grizzlies have time to find their best lineup before the playoffs.

4. Jazz (Previous Rank: 9)
Slowly the Jazz have been creeping up the standings and find themselves in position for home court in the 1st round. If they can get Brunamonti cooking, they can be a tough out.

5. Trailblazers (Previous Rank: 4)
Holding steady in the middle of the pack. Will be interesting what they decide to do when the trade deadline arrives.

6. Spurs (Previous Rank: 6)
Another team just hanging around and in the need of a shakeup to get the team running right.

7. SuperSonics (Previous Rank: 11)
Recent acquisition of Haywoode Workman has proven to a difference maker with a win over the Suns. Lets see how it plays out though.

8. Rockets (Previous Rank: 7)
Is this team bound to be .500? It seems crazy but the longer into the season we are, the more it seems like it.

9. Clippers (Previous Rank: 10)
Same as the Rockets, they need to make a move to get more out of this team or risk stay at .500 and miss the playoffs.

10. Warriors (Previous Rank: 8)
After a surge, they have fallen back down to earth as their defense is holding them back. The SF position is currently a black hole.

11. Timberwolves (Previous Rank: 5)
Injuries have been their downfall with both Coleman and Divac out. They are not the 11th team in the West so getting them back looks like their plan.

12. Kings (Previous Rank: 12)
I like what they building but they need more dudes.

13. Lakers (Previous Rank: 13)
Never count them out when it comes to trades and with the deadline approaching, who will the Lakers look to deal?

14. Nuggets(Previous Rank: 14)
Wont break the Magic's record for worst regular season record so maximizing their assets will be top priority before the deadline.

[The Bean Regime]

And Scheffler! Was 5-0 in his 2nd option sim before he went down!

Can't believe Rockets are still fringe-playoff. Way too much talent for that.

Cavs in the East are a big surprise as well. Still have the awesome Olajuwon-Ewing duo but it's not looking like enough anymore. Not helpful for Ransey to be playing any minutes either. Geez that statline is terrible, and he's not making up for it with his C+ defense and D- rebounding.

[FlDuckFan]

I gave Elmer a good opportunity and it didn't work. Not sure i can wiggle into a decent PG right now either, so back to Pooh.

[jibbajabba614]

13-4 since day 40. I think I found the right lineup

[Craig]

Feels like we could use PG upgrade but Sundvold is 17-2 (2 losses by 3pts combined) when he plays so i dunno lol. aren't many on the market either

[dd10snoop28]

west is overrated

[800wins]

Smh. I wanted nothing to do with the Cavs 1st thinking they were clearly a contender