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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

Eight-Second Violation: Monday, January 5, 2009

By Zach Harper | January 5, 2009 | Talk Hoops

By Zach HarperCeltics Free FallNearly two weeks ago, the Boston Celtics were 27-2 and threatening to tear down the doors to the exclusive 70-win Club that was founded by the '95-'96 Chicago Bulls. Now, thirteen days later and the Celtics would be ecstatic to just put together two straight wins. The Celtics have faltered from their Christmas time road trip that has featured four losses in six games and now has the Celtics barely hanging on for the second best record in the league. 70 wins is nearly a mathematical impossibility and home court advantage throughout the playoffs is something they'll have to work for. The Christmas Day loss to the Lakers in the Staples Center was excusable because the Lakers are a good team with a deadly superstar. And the following loss to the Golden State Warriors in Oakland seemed to be the product of a back to...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Both Teams Played Hard, Denver Nuggets, Dwight Howard, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Portland Trailblazers, The Basketball Jones

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

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

Tonight's Magic-Heat Preview

By Joe Lombardi | January 2, 2009 | Believing in Magic

Sorry everyone for the lack of posts this week, It has been a busy week with the holidays. I hope all of you had a happy holiday and have a great new year.The Orlando Magic will be taking on the Miami Heat tonight at the Amway arena where the Magic will be looking to extend their home winning streak to ten games as well as win their tenth straight game against their in-state rival. Orlando has dominated the Heat in recent match-ups due to the absence of their all-star Dwayne Wade, who missed five out of the nine previous match-ups.Dwayne Wade, the NBA leading scorer is coming into Orlando tonight fresh off a big win against the Cleveland Cavaliers with 21 points and 12 assists. Last time Wade played against Orlando he had 36 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. He will be looking to have another big night against...

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Curry To Go Back To Big Lineup

By Chris Thompson | December 30, 2008 | Behind the Name

Chris McCosky wrote a great article about Micheal Curry and how he may be rethinking his small line-up strategy. The only advantage that can be seen from reverting back to the bigger starting line-up is that there will be that defensive aspect that the Pistons have been desiring for so long during this season. "The big lineup makes us better defensively and at the end of the day we have to make sure we are good enough defensively," he said. But who would they have to sit down onto the bench to allow the bigger men to start. It would have to be either Rip Hamilton or Allen Iverson. Rip is able to play Allen Iversons spot as SG and Rodney Stuckey is doing well at the PG spot so really that would be the only spot for him to go. The only problem with that though is that Allen Iverson has been known as a top scorer in the league averaging more than 20 ppg throughout his carrer. One positive that points towards his maybe willingness to come off the bench is that he was happy with his 15 point performance against the Magic. "I feel good right now," Iverson said. "I look at the bigger picture right now. I have won scoring titles. I have scored more than 23,000 points. I've had 50 and 60-point games. I have done a lot of things scoring the basketball. I've got bigger goals now." Michael Curry has a few decisions ahead of him as Rip Hamiltons groin has still put him day-to-day and whatever the outcome the Pistons will still continue to win games....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons, Michael Curry, Orlando Magic, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey

Pistons 88, Magic 82 - Pistons win another with solid defense

By Jason Miller | December 30, 2008 | Pistons Palace

The Detroit Pistons won another game by smothering the Orlando Magic with blanket like defense. Pistons won with a strong perfomance from Rodney Stuckey. More and more, the Iverson for Billups trade is making sense. It looks like Stuckey was ready to become the starter at the beginning of the year. Hats off to Antonia McDyess with a gutsy performance. After getting knocked around in a mid air collision, he came back to finish the ball game. A looking at the Pistons record, where would they be if they had McDyess the whole time? Good question there....

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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

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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

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

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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

NBA Stock Market: Smith returns to surging Hawks

By Joe Boikess | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Rajon Rondo dunks as Bill Belichick looks on (flickr.com/Eric Kilby)

Wednesday night was a busy one in the NBA, and here's some teams and players that are on the move...Rising:Atlanta Hawks - Without Josh Smith, the Hawks' most complete player and best defender, the Hawks floundered after starting the season 6-0. He made his return last night against Memphis, and his presence opened up the floor for Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby, who combined to shoot over 65 percent from the field. Smith was active defensively from the start, finishing with a couple steals and a block in addition to 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes. The Hawks are a much better team with Smith in the lineup, and they'll need him as they prepare to tackle the Texas triangle beginning on Saturday in Dallas.Rajon Rondo - In guiding the Celtics to their league-best 18th win of the year on Wednesday, the wiry point guard got...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Rajon Rondo, Utah Jazz

NBA Week 5 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

As seems to be the ongoing trend a month into the season, the Lakers, Celtics and Cavaliers have established themselves as the NBA's teams to beat. The Magic, Blazers and Nuggets are also playing well and look to be in that second tier below them. Elsewhere in the West, the Northwest Division is shaping up to be as competitive as the Southwest, which is also looking stronger with the Spurs and Mavs on the rise. In the East, the Nets are playing well and might demand playoff consideration, while the 76ers can't seem to get it together like many people predicted they would this year. With the end of November comes new hope for many other teams, but here's how I'd rank the league entering the month of December. 1. Los Angeles Lakers (14-1) - I expected this team to be relatively high-powered on offense, but I don't think anyone...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers

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