Total Pro Sports – Let me start off by say that I AM SO SORRY.  It has been a hectic couple of weeks and I was not able to post the Power Rankings for last week with work, exams and of course March Madness all in the same week.  What is also shocking is that so much has happened in these two short weeks.  They have been big risers and big droppers as well.

For starters, the Suns, who were though to be completely out of the playoff picture, have been showing signs of life winning five in a row.  Dallas better watch out.  Also the Bulls seem to have that final eighth spot in the East all sewn up as many of their competitors have fallen behind.  James is still king as the Cavs are still playing the best basketball right now with Kobe and his Lakers close behind.

Lets take a look at the rest of the league at this weeks NBA Power Rankings

Rank	Team	Record	Change	Comment
1		58-13	-	The Cavs have been steamrolling their competition winning ten in a row.  They have a relatively soft schedule with a three game home stand against MIN, DAL and DET and then one the road against WAS.  ORL might give them trouble though
2		56-14	-	Not only have the Lake Show clinched a playoff berth but also their division and possible home court advantage until the NBA Finals.
3		53-18	-	The Magic have won eight of ten including last night`s close contest against the Celts where Dwight Howard had a 20pt 20reb night.
4		54-19	-	BOS and ORL are tied for second place and with their whole team of the injured list, look for the Green Machine to make a run for second place.
5		47-24	-	An embarrassing loss against OKC on the road and two tough losses at home against BOS and HOU have hurt the Spurs, but they have a relatively easy schedule facing 4 team with under .500 records.
6		47-26	1	The Rockets are walking a thin tightrope. On one side, they are only a game behind the Spurs for second place and possibly home court advantage until the conference finals. On the other hand they are also only half a game ahead of the Denver Nuggets for third place.  It will be even tougher as they face a surging Suns team and the Lakers next week on the road.
7		46-25	3	Only 2 games separate the Nuggets from having home court for the first round of the playoff to being first round fodder for the Lakers and Spurs
8		42-30	4	Winning eight of their last ten has helped the Hawks clinch a playoff spot and possibly home court for the first round of the playoffs.  They`ll have a tough road ahead facing BOS twice along with LAL, Magic and a surging 76er team.
9		37-33	6	Philly is on of the hottest teams in the league right now winning 7 of 10 including three in a row.  They are only half a game behind from Miami for fifth place in the East.
10		34-38	6	The Bulls seem to have that 8th seed locked down as many of their rivals have fallen behind giving them at least a two game cushion.
11		44-25	2	They are one game behind the Nuggets for home court advantage in the first round yet only half a game ahead of UTA and POR for the unenviable task of facing either the Lakers, the Rockets or the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs
12		38-33	1	They are almost assured a playoff birth but also an early first round exit by either the Celtics or the Magic if they don`t watch out.  Philly is gaining ground behind them.
13		34-36	1	Losing 7 of ten has knocked the Pistons down to seventh in the East so instead of getting knocked out by BOS in the first round, they will be booted by ORL
14		44-27	6	POR, UTA and DAL are at the unenviable position of being first round fodder for the Lakers, Spurs or Rockets.
15		44-27	7	How the mighty have fallen!!!  After having a potential chance at home court for the first round of the playoffs to being first round fodder for the Spurs.
16		43-28	5	Oooh boy!!!! The Mavs must be worrying now with the Suns winning five in a row closing their gap to three games for the final playoff berth.
17		40-31	5	The Suns who were on the verge of collapsing into a black hole have found some life winning six in a row and coming within three games of Dallas for the last playoff spot.
18		31-40	1	They have lost 2 in a row, but the Cats still have a little scratch in them as they have moved to 9th place in the East and being 2 and a half games behind the Bulls for the final playoff spot.
19		31-41	1	The Bucks seemed to have lost the locking of horns against the Bulls as they are a full 3 games behind the Bulls for the final playoff spots and losers of eight of ten.
20		30-41	2	The Nets have also lost any chance of going to the playoffs as they are sliding down the standings.  They are now 4 games behind the Bulls for the last playoff spot.
21		30-42	1	The good news is that the Pacers have won two in a row.  The bad news is that they have little or no chance attaining a playoff spot trailing the Bulls 4 games for the final playoff spot.
22		28-43	1	Bag `em and tag `em, Doc.  The Knicks are dead in the playoff chase having lost six in a row.
23		26-45	-	If the Knicks keep losing, maybe the raps will have a chance to move up one in the rankings.
24		25-47	-	It is official: the Warriors are mathematically out of the playoff chase.  Now all of the pressure is off.
25		20-51	-	Must’ve been quite the morale booster beating the Spurs in such a close game, but they are still a team just waiting for the season to end and the lottery to begin.
26		20-52	-	Same for the Wolves
27		17-53	-	The Grizz have started to hibernate for the lottery
28		18-54	-	It looks like all the Clipper’s injured players are back.  Don’t make much difference though
29		15-55	-	The Maloofs may be frowning on the outside, but deep down they are all smiles.  If the Kings keep doing this badly interest in keeping the team will be so low that the Maloofs can bring their team closer to home in Vegas
30		17-56	-	Yah!!! Gilbert Arenas might be coming back!!! Boooo!!! It doesn’t make much of a difference, does it?

There you have it—a ranking of the best of the best and the worst of the worst in the NBA.  Hope you have enjoyed reading it as I have enjoyed writing it. Be sure to check back next week with our NBA Power Rankings for week 16. And you can also check out my other work on my site JT’s  Hoops Blog.

Total Pro Sports – What a Disaster!! Oh the Carnage!! Oh the Humanity!!!  I doubt that there has never been a case like this in the TPS NBA Power Rankings.  As a result of their five-game losing streak and their dwindling chances to attain a playoff berth all but gone, the Suns have dropped like a stone 11 spots in the rankings.  Their cataclysmic fall has led to a shake-up in the rankings as eight teams have been catapulted at least one spot in the rankings.

Some may ask, why did I drop them so far form the 11th spot to the 22nd?  They are still and have a better record than most of the teams above them.  The reason is that the Suns are no longer relevant in the playoff picture; hence have no bearing on the other teams this season.  Whatever they gain will be for naught because they are out of the playoff picture.  Their wins will mean nothing. On the other hand you still have other teams that have a shot of making a difference.  So why not focus on their gains and bury Phoenix right away.

Focusing back on the more relevant teams, King James still keeps his crown as the Cleveland Cavs still hold the number one spot.  The biggest gainer has been the Utah Jazz going up 3 spots and might have an opportunity to squeeze in the top five.  The Celtics have slipped yet again as they have been limping to the end having lost four players to injury which include their starting point guard, the star forward and his back up.   Watch out for the Bobcats as they have climbed up 2 spots and are breathing heavily behind the back of the Bull, Bucks and Nets for the last playoff spot in the East

Lets take a look at the rest of the league and this week’s NBA Power Rankings. 

Rank	Team	Record	Change	Comment
1		50-13	-	King James still reigns supreme even though his legacy is a tad tarnished by losing to the Celtics.  The Cavs are the first team in the East to reach 50 wins and have already clinched a playoff spots
2		50-13	-	The other 50 win team in the league would be number one, but that big loss at Portland held them back.  They also have a tough three game stretch against HOU, SA and DAL
3		46-17	1	Boston is walking wounded after losing not only Garnett, but also Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen and Big Baby Davis.  Perfect time for the Magic to strike at that number 2 playoff spot.
4		49-15	2	The Celts have four big time contributors down (KG, Rondo, Tony Allen and Glen Davis) and will have a tough stretch facing MIA, MIL and CHI on the road.
5		43-20	-	The Spurs are still hanging tight in the top five, but they better watch out for Utah and they have two tough ones coming up against the Lakers and the Rockets
6		41-23	3	They’re 12 win run has bumped them up knocking The Blazers down two spots
7		42-23	-	Big games against the Lakers and Spurs will determine whether the Rockets will keep the 7th spot.  Also they are desperately clinging at that 3rd place seeding with the Jazz nipping at their heels.
8		40-23	2	They did great beating the Lakers big-time at home, but they not strong enough to hold Utah back.  The sheer force has knocked them down a couple spots.
9		39-23	1	Portland better watch their backs.  The Hornets’ stingers are inching closer as they are only half a game behind 5th place in the West
10		40-25	2	They lost three in a row, one against the lowly Sacramento Kings, and holding their seventh place spot by a thread with only a half-game lead ahead of the Mavericks.
11		39-25	1	SThe Mavericks can rest easy now that the Suns have virtually given them the final playoff spot by dropping 5 in a row.
12		36-28	1	Thank Phoenix’s tanking for the Hawks’ rise to one spot in the rankings.  They have a three game home stand, but 2 of their opponents are the Jazz and the Blazers
13		34-29	1	The Heat should also thank the Suns for basically tanking their season.  They gain a spot and they may gain another facing a hobbling Celtic team and winnable game at Philly.
14		32-30	1	Everyone wins with Phoenix’s demise and the Pistons look to go even further with three winnable games against NY, TOR and MEM
15		30-31	3	The only reason Philly went up is because of Phoenix’s drop and the teams under them are far worse.
16		29-35	1	The Bulls have snatched the final playoff seed from the Bucks earning them a jump up one spot in the rankings
17		28-36	2	The Spurs ended their win streak at six, but the Bulls better watch out.  The Cats are still hungry and are only a game behind for the last playoff berth.  They also have two winnable games against the T-Wolves and Raptors.
18		28-35	4	They’re half a game behind the Bulls, but seem to be losing ground fast, and a bunch of wild bobcats following close by.
19		30-37	3	It’s hunting season for the Bobcats and it looks like the special for tonight is deer. The Bucks lost two big games against the Bulls and Knicks and have Charlotte gaining on them.
20		28-38	-	They have a 2 game gap from the last playoff spot, but their next three games are at home and the are winnable against ATL, TOR and POR
21		26-37	-	It doesn’t bode well for the Knicks playoff hopes as they go on the road facing Detroit, Minnesota and Cleveland
22		34-30	11	Stick a fork in them.  They’re done.  After losing five in a row, the Suns are 5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks and the last berth in the West.  There is nowhere to go but down.
23		23-41	-	They’re playoff hopes are shot after losing five in a row, but they stand pat at 23 since the rest suck worse than they do.
24		21-42	-	Don’t mind us, we’re just waiting for the lottery
25		18-46	2	The Thunder have shown signs of live winning two in a row without their star Kevin Durant
26		18-45	1	Losing Randy Foye to injury is bad, but it doesn’t really matter with where the Wolves stand. Does it?
27		16-46	1	Get ready for a major beat down as many team will be using you as fodder for their run to the playoffs.
28		15-49	-	I would say something, but it is not nice to speak ill of the dead.
29		14-50	2	Sactown got a morale booster by beating the Denver Nuggets and putting Nocioni in the starting lineup has woke them up a bit.
30		15-49	1	The Wizards are probably waiting for the lottery as well as Gilbert Arenas has decided to sit out the season.  But how are they going to pay the top pick.  They are already over the salary cap and that pick will put them over the luxury tax threshold.

There you have it—a ranking of the best of the best and the worst of the worst in the NBA.  Hope you have enjoyed reading it as I have enjoyed writing it. Be sure to check back next week with our NBA Power Rankings for week 16. And you can also check out my other work on my site JT’s  Hoops Blog.

Total Pro Sports – Hello everybody! Let me introduce myself.  My name is Jeffrey Thompson and I will be one of the new writers here at Total Pro Sports.  You can catch some of my work on my site JTsHoopsBlog.

I am very excited as this is my first my first article and I’ll be picking up where my predecessor left off with the latest NBA Power Rankings.  There has been quite a bit to catch up to.

Since the last posting, so much has happened in the league.  The trade deadline has come and gone and along with the changing of addresses of numerous players, the entire face of the league has changed as well.  Teams that have been up have been sinking like stones and teams that are once down have shot up like Rockets.  The biggest riser has been the Utah Jazz going up 5 spots thanks to their eight game win steak and finally having the whole roster back from injuries.  Numerous teams have also dropped—the biggest being from the New York Knicks who have lost three in a row, seven of their last ten, and have a tough schedule ahead.

There is also a new king at the number one spot and his name is James.  So without any further adieu, let’s get down to it and see where your favorite team is ranked this week

Lets take a look at the rest of the league and this weeks NBA Power Rankings.

Rank	Team	Record	Change	Comment
1		48-12	2	They already had a strong roster, but by adding Joe Smith, the Cavs look to give the reigning Celts a run for their money for representing the East in the NBA Finals.
2		49-12	-	Andrew Who?  So far the Lakers have not missed Bynum winning seven of their last ten.  The only thing keeping them form the top spot are their loses to PHX and DEN
3		48-14	2	Losing KG hurts the Celts big time if they want to clinch the top spot in the East.  However they upgraded greatly with the acquisitions of Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury. That should help them out.
4		44-16	-	Jameer Nelson’s season ending injury was a big blow for the Magic.  However, the deadline trade for veteran Rafer Alston has softened the blow as they have won 6 of the last 10 games.
5		40-20	-	Their upcoming games are winnable (DAL, WAS and PHX) and they have recently picked up Drew Gooden off waivers.  Things will get very interesting come playoff time
6		38-22	1	They have won seven of their last ten and they face two losing teams (IND and MIN) in their upcoming games.
7		39-23	2	Could this be? The Rockets are better without Tracy McGrady.  They have won 8 of their last ten and don’t seem to be missing the Mac-Man.  They have also bolstered the point by acquiring Kyle Lowry from Memphis.
8		39-22	2	They are only .500 in their last 10 games losing to the likes of the Pistons and the Bucks
9		38-23	6	The Jazz has been playing a sweet tune now that the team is at full strength.  The team has won nine in a row so far.
10		37-22	-	They should have been dropped lower for the boneheaded trade of Tyson Chandler.  Luckily that did not come to fruition.  They are also winners of 7 of their last ten and 5 in a row which keeps them in the top 10
11		34-27	-	Shaq’s inspired play and new coaching has pushed the Suns forward.  Too bad it might not be enough as they are 3 games behind the last playoff berth.
12		37-24	4	They won 6 of 10, but one of those loses came at the hands of OKC.  They also have a tough schedule ahead with San Antonio at home and the Hornets on the road
13		34-27	-	A soft schedule (NYK, CHA, DET) should help this team gain more ground for the playoff chase
14		32-28	2	Getting Jermaine O’Neal fills a big time need, but they have been .500 in their last 10 and the team faces PHX at home and the Raptors and the Cavs on the road.
15		30-29	1	The Pistons have been sinking like a rock since the All Star Break, but they have seemed to have woke up as they have won three in a row.
16		29-35	3	The Bucks are holding for dear life to that final playoff berth.  And it won’t help losing to the Cavs. They have a big game against the Bulls as it may determine who gets that last playoff spot.
17		28-34	1	There are now tied with the Bucks for the final playoff berth.  And surprisingly, their next game is against the Bucks
18		29-30	2	They hold the 7 spot, but losing two in a row does not help their cause.  They do have three winnable games at home though @ MEM, @OKC and TOR at home
19		26-35	3	Watch out for these guys!! They have won 6 of their last 10, including four in a row.  They are only a game and a half behind from the last playoff spot.
20		27-37	1	They don’t have Danny Granger or Mike Dunleavy, but the Pacers are still in the hunt for the last playoff berth in the East.  They have won 6 of their last 10 and are 2 games back of the final playoff berth.
21		25-35	4	The Knicks face an uphill climb as they battle for the final playoff spot.  They have lost 6 or their last 10 and face huge tests against the Bobcats, Nets and Bucks—three teams that are also vying for that final spot.
22		27-34	2	Playoff chances are getting slim as they face the Magic on the road, the Knicks at home and start a west coast swing against the Golden State Warriors.
23		23-39	-	Only in the Eastern Conference will you find a team with the second worst record and still have a slim chance of attaining a playoff berth. They are only five games behind the Bucks for the last spot.  However, they can kiss their hopes goodbye as they face the Heat, the Jazz and the Sixers in the coming days.
24		21-40	-	Watching the Warriors play is like watching a horse with a broken leg.  Why doesn’t someone just shoot them and put them out of their misery.
25		18-42	-	Kevin Love have stepped in big time while Al Jefferson remains out for the season.  He has certainly proved his doubters wrong that he can be an elite big man in the NBA.
26		16-44	-	You don’t see it yet, but the Grizz will be a team to look at in the future with a young core of OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol leading that team.  But not now because they suck.
27		16-45	-	For a team that stinks, the Thunder is still worth watching.  Give them a couple more years and I will guarantee you OKC will be vying for a playoff berth
28		15-47	-	This season has been an absolute disaster.  I’ll just leave it at that
29		14-47	-	GM Ernie Grunfeld had a chance during the trade deadline to let go of heavy contracts and start the rebuilding process, but he didn’t.  Now he is stuck with an overpaid and under-performing team for not only this year, but for years to come
30		13-49	-	They’re just waiting for next season.  Hopefully they will still be in Sacramento.

Be sure to check back next week with our NBA Power Rankings for week 15.