NBA Power Rankings: Week 7 Christmas Edition
2012-13 NBA Power Rankings: WEEK 7-Christmas Edition
Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas. It's that time of the year where everybody should know where each NBA team stands at this point.
The defending NBA Champions, Miami Heat, and the defending Western Conference Champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, are right where they should be. These two meet Christmas day for a Finals rematch which could be a great test for both teams.
Other teams that looks like they will be on the radar are the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors out West. In the East there is just the New York Knicks who look like to be a threat to the Heat for the East title.
Each of those teams are championship contender worthy. Each of those have a chance to represent in the NBA Finals. Do no be surprise if the Warriors start upsetting people throughout the season.
One team that people need to be on a lookout for is the Houston Rockets. They have gone to a team that was under .500 to a 6th seed team. With James Harden they seem to have what they need. However, they still need one key piece to their team to make a long run. A trade that could come within a month or two could be the answer.
With all that said, the NBA enters the Christmas week and each team should now know where they are. The NBA World should know already who will compete for the title come post-season time. Unless injuries comes into play the 2012-13 season's foundation has been in place. Here is week 7 of the 2012-13 power rankings.
#30 Charlotte Bobcats 7-20
Looks like the Charlotte Bobcats are stuck in a rut. They have lost 15 straight and things do no look Merry with the Bobcats still stuck at seven wins. Who's to blame for Charlotte's failures?
LAST WEEK RANK #27
#29 Washington Wizards 3-22
There is a reason why the Washington Wizards are this bad. They rank last in points scored per game (88.8). Their leading scoring is Jordan Crawford with 15.5 points per game. With those stats the Wizards will be lucky to get to 10 wins this year.
LAST WEEK RANK #30
#28 Cleveland Cavaliers 6-23
Finally! The Cleveland Cavaliers win a game. They beat a talented Milwaukee Bucks team, Saturday night, which snapped their six game losing streak.
LAST WEEK RANK #29
#27 New Orleans Hornets 5-22
The New Orleans Hornets have lost 11 straight games. Maybe the new names they trademarked was to get people's mind off their horrible season. Look at it this way. Instead of rooting for the Pelicans next year, New Orleans fans could be cheering for the Misquotes.
LAST WEEK RANK #28
#26 Sacramento Kings 9-18
The Sacramento Kings suspended DeMarcus Cousins indefinitely for conduct reasons. After being suspended by the league for punching Dallas Mavericks', O.J. Mayo, this happens. This proves that Cousins immaturity could cost him to become a great star in the NBA.
#25 Detroit Pistons 9-21
Nice back-to-back wins. Those two wins looked very impressive, but then again they were against the Wizards.
LAST WEEK RANK #23
#24 Phoenix Suns 11-17
The Phoenix Suns were on a role winning four straight. However, that came to an end after losing, Saturday, to the Portland Trail Blazers. They lose two straight right before Christmas.
LAST WEEK RANK #23
#23 Toronto Raptors 9-19
The team up north have won five straight. That is the longest current streak in the East right now. Maybe a sign to come for the Toronto Raptors.
LAST WEEK RANK #25
#22 Dallas Mavericks 12-16
Dirk Nowitzki returned to the Mavericks' roster, Sunday night, against the San Antonio Spurs. Although, he was not a starter I doubt that it would have matter. The Mavs got destroyed 120-91. At least Mavs fans got to see Nowitzki for the first time this year. Hopefully it will be a different outcome Thursday night.
LAST WEEK RANK #20
#21 Orlando Magic 12-15
The Orlando Magic were so close getting to the .500 mark, but failed to do so after their four game winning streak came to an end. They have lost two straight since their streak. However, their next three games are teams who have a worse record than they do.
LAST WEEK RANK #22
#20 Utah Jazz 15-14
A struggling Utah Jazz team have been on a tough schedule. They have faced four teams who are playoff contenders. It does not get easy from here. They face the Warriors and the Clippers twice.
LAST WEEK RANK #18
#19 Portland Trail Blazers 13-13
A disappointing lose to a Kings team, Sunday night, ending their five game winning streak. They get another crack at them after Christmas, but this time they are home.
LAST WEEK RANK #21
#18 Philadelphia 76ers 13-15
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a bad December. They have only won three games this month and does not get easy. They end the month of December with a four game road trip, which they lost their first game to the Brooklyn Nets.
LAST WEEK RANK #12
#17 Denver Nuggets 15-13
The Denver Nuggets have won four of their last five games. A sign of good things to come? Maybe. Lets see how they do when they face both L.A. teams starting Christmas day.
LAST WEEK RANK #17
#16 Boston Celtics 13-13
The Boston Celtics are struggling right now and it's almost 2013. They end the month of December with a four game road trip. Depending on how it goes for them it could hurt them and their post-season chances.
LAST WEEK RANK #14
#15 Los Angeles Lakers 13-14
Is this four game win streak for the Los Angeles Lakers just a tease? Well, they have won four straight and they are close to an even .500 mark. Lets see how they do on National TV against the Knicks on Christmas.
LAST WEEK #16
#14 Minnesota Timberwolves 13-12
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been struggling lately only winning one of their last four. The only reason why they move up this week is because they were able to end the Thunder 12 game winning streak.
LAST WEEK RANK #15
#13 Houston Rockets 14-12
Look who is on a role right now. The Rockets have won five of their last six and they look to be on the right track. They have taken down The Knicks and the Grizzlies. They now face a three game road trip starting on Christmas. If that plays out in their favor, then the Rockets could be a serious team come April.
LAST WEEK RANK #19
#12 Brooklyn Nets 14-12
I am very interested to see how this Nets team does to end the year. They have been struggling this month and they look like a Nets team that everybody is familiar with. That is a average NBA team. Maybe a trade will come in the coming month or two.
LAST WEEK RANK #10
#11 Milwaukee Bucks 14-12
The Bucks have been on a seesaw ride, but are still above .500. They have a difficult week ahead of them. They face the Nets and the Heat to end the week. Their may be work to do for the Bucks, but maybe a win against either of these two will boost some confidence going forward.
LAST WEEK RANK #11
#10 Indiana Pacers 14-12
The Indiana Pacers have been very impressive lately. They have won six of their last seven games and they look to carry that into 2013. It seems like they will put up a fight for the Central Division.
LAST WEEK RANK #13
#9 Chicago Bulls 15-11
Speaking of the Central Division, the Chicago Bulls are a team that will be part of that fight. They have won four of their last six games and have a decent record. That is without Derrick Rose. If they can keep that up in 2013 then maybe Rose will have something to work with, going forward.
LAST WEEK RANK #9
#8 Atlanta Hawks 16-9
The Atlanta Hawks is the team that nobody really expect to be good. Well, they are. Although they have been struggling in the past few weeks. However, they can still be a team that can upset a higher seed.
LAST WEEK RANK #8
#7 Golden State Warriors 18-10
It's weird to see the Warriors high in any rankings, but that is the case here. The Warriors have become a big threat in the West and they could be part of the shift of power that happens out in the Western Conference.
LAST WEEK RANK #7
#6 Memphis Grizzlies 18-7
The Grizzlies are another team part of that shift of power. They are in fourth place in the West right now and it seems like it's going to be an interesting ride going into the 2013 part of the season. Great things seems to be coming for Memphis.
LAST WEEK RANK #6
#5 New York Knicks 20-7
The fans of New York can go into Christmas knowing that their Knicks are on a great ride this season. They are one of the best teams in the NBA and look to be the one team that challenges the Heat for a Finals appearance.
LAST WEEK RANK #3
#4 Miami Heat 18-6
A great Christmas match-up for the Heat which could test them. They face the Thunder in a NBA Finals rematch. The way these two teams are playing this also could be a preview for the 2013 Finals.
LAST WEEK RANK #5
#3 San Antonio Spurs 21-8
One reason for the Spurs success is their passing. They are #1 in the NBA in assist per game (25.6) and they are also third in scoring (104.2). They are going to be a very powerful team going forward.
LAST WEEK RANK #2
#2 Oklahoma City Thunder 21-5
A tough lost for this team that ended their 12 game win streak. They face Miami, Tuesday, and look to get back on the “W” side. Oklahoma City has not lost two straight games all year. In fact, they have not lost consecutive regular season games since April 2nd-April 6th of last season when they lost three straight.
LAST WEEK RANK #1
#1 Los Angeles Clippers 21-6
I picked the Clippers to win the West and I am sticking with my pick. The Clippers look unstoppable right now and a 13 game winning streak shows for it. This streak could continue with the next four games to end the year are against teams clinging around the .500 mark.
LAST WEEK RANK #4
