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NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

By Joe Boikess | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Dwight Howard - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

It's been two weeks since the last edition of my power rankings, where the East's mighty trio of Boston, Cleveland and Orlando took the top three spots. But that was last year, and now that 2008 has come and gone, it's time for a new leader: the Lakers. There was plenty of repositioning elsewhere as well, including the Detroit Pistons re-entering the top-10 for the first time since mid-November.1. Los Angeles Lakers (27-5) - Technically the Lakers are still a half-game behind the Celtics for the NBA's best record, but after L.A. beat Boston pretty convincingly on Christmas Day, then downed both Utah and Portland by double digits, there's no question who should be #1.2. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6) - LeBron couldn't rally the Cavs past the Heat last week on his birthday despite dropping 24 of his 38 in the second half, and I can forgive him for that. But...

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Week 11 Power Rankings

By Zach Harper | January 6, 2009 | Talk Hoops

This week, I had Brandon Gallawa rank the teams and I split the comments with him. Usually, we average out our rankings, come to an agreement on the ties and then comment but with being sick, I put the responsibility on him. Here are the Week 11 Power Rankings:Week 11 Power Rankings1. Los Angeles Lakers | Record: 27-5 | Previous Rank: 2nd | Last Week: 2-0 Upcoming Schedule: NOH, at GS, IND, MIAComments: Lakers fans will disagree but it almost feels like they took back the top spot in the power rankings by default. A 4-0 week will change that feeling. -- Zach Harper2. Cleveland Cavaliers | Record: 27-6 | Previous Rank: 3rd | Last Week: 1-2 Upcoming Schedule: CHA, BOS Comments: LeBron is the MVP front-runner. Their defense is allowing less than 90 PPG and their point differential is the best in the league. Throw out 77 points against...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs

Who Will Top The East This Season?

By Eric Sandi | January 5, 2009 | Cavalier Attitude

The race is on for the best record in the Eastern Conference, and subsequent home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference Finals. Right now it is a three team race between the Boston Celtics (29-6), the Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6), and the Orlando Magic (26-8). I would like to take a moment to mention to the fans of these teams that losing is inevitable in the NBA. Even the finest teams in NBA history lost occasionally. I make this obvious overstatement because every fan of the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Orlando Magic will be taking each loss for the remainder of this season as if they just belly-caught a cannonball shot at close range and were blown into a vat of used razor blades. Yesterday, all three of these powerhouse teams lost to teams that, on paper at least, they should have beaten; as Boston lost to the...

Read more | 11 Comments | Tags: Anderson Varejao, Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Daniel Gibson, Danny Ferry, Darnell Jackson, Delonte West, Doc Rivers, Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Hickson, Jameer Nelson, James Posey, Joe Smith, John Hollinger, Keith Bogans, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Brown, Mo Williams, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Paul Pierce, Portland Trail Blazers, Rajon Rondo, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Sasha Pavlovic, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Allen, Utah Jazz, Wally Szczerbiak, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

CavsCast, Game #33: Cavs vs. Wizards

By Smooth | January 4, 2009 | Cavalier Attitude

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (27-5) VS. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (6-25) WHEN: 1:00 PM ET, JANUARY 4TH, 2009WHERE: VERIZON CENTER [WASHINGTON D.C.]TV/RADIO: FSOHIO / WTAM 1100COACHESMike Brown -HC- Ed TapscottPROBABLE LINEUPSMo Williams -PG- Mike JamesDelonte West - SG- Dominic McGuireLeBron James - SF- Caron ButlerBen Wallace -PF- Antawn JamisonAnderson Varejao -CT- Andray Blatche CAVS RESERVES Lorenzen Wright Boobie GibsonSasha PavlovicWally SzczerbiakJ.J. HicksonTarence KinseyDarnell JacksonWIZARDS RESERVES Darius SongailaNick YoungJaVale McGeeEtan ThomasJavaris CrittentonJuan DixonOleksiy PecherovINACTIVES/INJURY LISTGilbert Arenas (WAS) [Knee]Brendan Haywood (WAS) [Wrist]DeShawn Stevenson (WAS) [Back]Eric Snow (CLE) [Knees]Zydrunas Ilgauskas (CLE) [Ankle]Jawad Williams (CLE)SMOOTH'S KEYS TO THE GAME Keep it going - the Bulls game was a good start to getting back on the right path. Hopefully they can keep it rolling against the Wizards.Don't sleep on the Wiz - last time the Cavs played the Wiz, they underestimated them and almost got beat. That can't happen again today.Low-post scoring - with Z now out for a...

Read more | 17 Comments | Tags: CavsCast, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards

Ilgauskas Out For a Month; Cavs Cruise Past Bulls, 117-92

By Amar Panchmatia | January 3, 2009 | Cavalier Attitude

Highlights ll BoxIf the Cavs thought that ending 2008 with a 104-95 loss at Miami was a setback, then they had to brace themselves for the news that awaited them on Friday.No, it wasn't the Chicago Bulls, all 14-18 of them. It was the news that center Zydrunas Ilgauskas -- who is already on pace for an All-Star season -- will miss up to a month of action with a fractured bone in his left ankle. It's the recurrence of the same injury that Z suffered on December 10th at Philadelphia when he accidentally stepped on Cream Puff's foot in a 101-93 Cavs win.An MRI and x-ray confirmed the injury on Friday, and the Cavs have purposely not set a definite timetable for his return (as per Brian Windhorst of the CPD).And now it's time for Anderson Varejao to become unplugged. Varejao stepped in for Z at center, as he...

Read more | 11 Comments | Tags: Anderson Varejao, Ben Wallace, Boston Celtics, Brian Windhorst, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Plain Dealer, J.J. Hickson, Larry Hughes, LeBron James, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

CavsCast, Game #32: Cavs vs. Bulls

By Smooth | January 2, 2009 | Cavalier Attitude

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (26-5) VS. CHICAGO BULLS (14-18) WHEN: 7:30 PM ET, JANUARY 2ND, 2009WHERE: QUICKEN LOANS ARENA [CLEVELAND, OHIO]TV/RADIO: FSOHIO / WTAM 1100COACHESMike Brown -HC- Vinny Del NegroPROBABLE LINEUPSMo Williams -PG- Derrick RoseDelonte West - SG- Ben GordonLeBron James - SF- Luol DengBen Wallace -PF- Tyrus ThomasZydrunas Ilgauskas -CT- Aaron Gray CAVS RESERVES Anderson Varejao Boobie GibsonSasha PavlovicWally SzczerbiakJ.J. HicksonTarence KinseyDarnell JacksonBULLS RESERVES Andres NocioniThabo SefoloshaJoakim NoahLarry HughesLindsey HunterCedric SimmonsDrew GoodenINACTIVES/INJURY LISTMichael Ruffin (CHI)Kirk Hinrich (CHI) [Thumb]Eric Snow (CLE) [Knees]Lorenzen Wright (CLE)Jawad Williams (CLE)SMOOTH'S KEYS TO THE GAME Effort and Intensity - yes, these are keys yet again. Until the Cavs play with some urgency, these have to be the #1 priority.Get Z going - as Z goes, so does the offense. Z's production has been down, which has been part of the problem for the Cavs offensively.Offensive movement - the other part of the problem has been lack of...

Read more | 9 Comments | Tags: CavsCast, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavaliers Lose to Miami: Edge to the Celtics...For Now

By Celticsfanatic | December 30, 2008 | Celtics 17

When the Celtics lose, its always nice to have the Cavs lose too. Tonight was another one of those nights. The Cavs, who are the Celtics rivals in the East, have been spectacular this season, giving the Celtics a run for their money on the long windy path that leads to the Finals. One of the reasons they are predicted to match-up with Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals is Mo Williams. Williams, who will have his second shot at the Celtics when they play each other on January 9th at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, will try to help the Cavs win a big statement game for them after losing 90-85 on opening night. Mo, who is averaging 16.2 assists and 4.1 assists, also has a big role on the Cavaliers, in which he averages 32.6 minutes per game. Coming to the Cavs in a three-team deal involving...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Andrei Kirilenko, Antawn Jamison, Boston Celtics, Brad Miller, Cleveland Cavaliers, Gerald Wallace, LeBron James, Michael Redd, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, NBA, Shawn Marion, Vince Carter

CavsCast, Game #31: Cavs vs. Heat

By Smooth | December 30, 2008 | Cavalier Attitude

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (26-4) VS. MIAMI HEAT (16-13) WHEN: 7:30 PM ET, DECEMBER 30TH, 2008WHERE: AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA [MIAMI, FLORIDA]TV/RADIO: FSOHIO / NBATV / WTAM 1100COACHESMike Brown -HC- Erik SpoelstraPROBABLE LINEUPSMo Williams -PG- Mario ChalmersDelonte West - SG- Dwyane WadeLeBron James - SF- Shawn MarionBen Wallace -PF- Udonis HaslemZydrunas Ilgauskas -CT- Joel Anthony CAVS RESERVES Anderson Varejao Boobie GibsonSasha PavlovicLorenzen WrightJ.J. HicksonTarence KinseyDarnell JacksonHEAT RESERVES Marcus BanksYakhouba DiawaraChris QuinnDaequan CookMichael BeasleyJamaal MagloireMark BlountINACTIVES/INJURY LISTJames Jones (MIA)Dorell Wright (MIA)Shaun Livingston (MIA) [Knees]Eric Snow (CLE) [Knees]Wally Szczerbiak (CLE) [Knee Contusion]Jawad Williams (CLE)SMOOTH'S KEYS TO THE GAME Effort and Intensity - these intangibles came out in the 4th quarter versus the Heat and the Wizards but not the rest of the game. The Cavs need to be giving their full effort or else they could be in for trouble.Offensive output - aside from LeBron and Mo giving the Cavs production, no on else is...

Read more | 36 Comments | Tags: CavsCast, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat

NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

By Joe Boikess | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Dwight Howard - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

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NBA Power Rankings: East on Top

By Joe Boikess | December 23, 2008 | MVN Outsider

So much for the 1 vs. 2 matchup of Celtics-Lakers on Christmas Day. The Lakers' two losses dropped them below the Cavs and Magic to their lowest spot in these rankings all season, but that could change if the Lakers manage to end the Celtics' incredible streak when they visit L.A. on Thursday. The Hornets and Rockets both moved up after last week, while the Nuggets and Mavericks dropped. There's also a new team occupying the dreaded #30 position in MVN Outsider's last power rankings of 2008.1. Boston Celtics (26-2) - A win tonight at home against the Sixers would mean that the Celtics would be heading to L.A. on a 19-game winning streak. Has there ever been a more anticipated NBA game during the month of December?2. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4) - Q: What's scarier than the fact that LeBron is only averaging 36 minutes per game? A: How he'll...Read more

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NBA Stock Market: Rondo Keeping Celtics on Record Pace

By Joe Boikess | December 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Rajon Rondo surveying the floor (Photo via culhanen/flickr.com)

Note: We at MVN Outsider have re-organized our posting schedule in an effort to make our sports coverage more well rounded and timely. For those of you expecting to see the NBA Power Rankings today, that post has been moved to Tuesdays. With these changes, get ready to see more fresh content every day on every major sport. Thanks, and enjoy!Rising:Boston Celtics - Honestly, this team has been on the rise this entire season, piling up wins at a rate that we haven't seen since the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. They now have won 18 in a row and have tied the league mark for the best start (26-2) for a team with two losses. Their recent success has been due in large part to the play of point guard Rajon Rondo. When the team needs him to score, he does it (as we saw on Sunday in the C's win...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Outsider, New York Knicks

Chances Are That Brandon Roy Has Made a Fool Out Of You, Too

By Amar Panchmatia | December 19, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Most of America slept while Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy was busy dropping a career-high 52 points on the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night as chants of "M-V-P" rained down from a packed house at the Rose Garden. Of those who were either sleeping or simply not paying attention, at least 105,345 believe that Dallas' Jason Terry, who doesn't even start for his own team, is more deserving of an All-Star starting spot than Roy. Just ask them: They casted a vote to prove it. Another 332,222 will tell you that Tracy McGrady deserves it more despite the fact that T-Mac has been in and out of the lineup and is averaging 16.5 points and 4.6 assists to Roy's 22.3 and 5.2, respectively. Still another 162,286 will tell you that Jason Kidd and his 9.3 points for a terribly underachieving Dallas team deserve it more than the leading scorer...Read more

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Boston Celtics, Brandon Roy, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Manu Ginobili, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Tracy McGrady

Why Paul Millsap Should Make the Utah Jazz Forget About Carlos Boozer

By Amar Panchmatia | December 16, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The Utah Jazz have a problem. Oh, it's a good problem, to be true. The Jazz are 15-11, playing great basketball under a coach who has been with them since before a lot of this year's rookies around the league were born, and are fighting for their third consecutive Northwest Division crown.Not only that, but Jerry Sloan's group is remaining amongst the league's elite despite being banged up more than any other team in the league. The Jazz started the season without point guard Deron Williams, who was fresh off of winning a gold medal with Team USA in the summer. They went a stretch of games without Williams and former All-Stars Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur. By the time those guys returned to the lineup, Sloan's crew was missing two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer from its starting lineup. That Boozer injury, however, may have been a blessing in disguise...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Cleveland Cavaliers, Deron Williams, Jerry Sloan, Mehmet Okur, NBA Outsider, Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz

NBA Week 7 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | December 15, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The Celtics were perfect last week once again, cementing them at number one for the second straight week, while the Lakers slipped up in Sacramento, opening up the door for Cleveland to move up to number two. But Atlanta ended the Cavs' hopes for jumping L.A., and thus our top three remain unchanged from last week. Portland dropped out of the top 10 after losing three in a row, while the Spurs, winners of six straight, moved up to number six.1. Boston Celtics (22-2) - With the way that the Celtics are easily dispatching every foe (the latest victims being a tough Hornets team), you have to wonder if they will start to become complacent. It's on Doc and KG to make sure that doesn't happen.2. Los Angeles Lakers (20-3) - The Lakers end their four-game homestand against the Knicks on Tuesday before beginning the four-game road trip that precedes...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Orlando Magic

Is the NBA Season Over Already?

By Nicolas A. Lewis | December 14, 2008 | MVN Outsider

I understand that it is a rather bold assertion to make at the quarter point of the season, but it seems that the NBA regular season is already, as the phrase goes, all over but the shouting. At least it certainly appears that way in the once-again weak Eastern Conference, as both the Celtics and the Cavaliers are already far outpacing the rest of the conference. Cleveland's loss to Atlanta tonight was the first in three and a half weeks for either team, a stretch during which Boston and Cleveland have posted a combined 23-1 record. It hasn't been close very often, either, as 19 of the wins have been by 10 or more points, and eight by 20 or more. To take it a step further, three games into the season these two squads were a combined 2-2 (excluding their game against each other in the opener), and since...Read more

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA

NBA Week 6 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | December 8, 2008 | MVN Outsider

We have a new #1 this week, as the green and white has risen back to the top. L.A.'s loss at Indiana dropped them down a spot below Boston, which got wins against two other top-five teams in addition to a pair of wins over the Pacers. The Mavericks and Spurs also made their season debuts in my top 10, while the Suns, Jazz and Pistons took a fall from last week's rankings.1. Boston Celtics (20-2) - Let's see. Boston has won 12 in a row, they have the league's best record, the most efficient defense (according to John Hollinger), and wins over almost every relevant team. But can they keep it going against the Wizards, a team that Boston went 1-3 against last season, and the surging Hornets?2. Los Angeles Lakers (17-2) - Despite Kobe's down numbers across the board, Sunday's win over the Bucks meant L.A. has tied...Read more

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers

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