NBA Power Rankings Part III

Now that football season is now over and we don’t have to hear any more about the Pat’s quest for 19-0 and perfection… I say welcome to basketball season.

It’s been a busy week in early February with two teams in the ultra competitive Western Conference pulling off blockbuster deals.

Both trades involve Laker big men… past and present… and should spice things up a bit come playoff time.

Of course I’ll address the Lakers’ deal first. How Mitch Kupchak pulled this one out of his you know what I’ll never know. He was able to trade one of the all time greatest busts for a legit All-Star… shipping Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton and a couple draft picks for Pao Gasol. Laker fans love this deal and teams around the league are scared shitless.

Now, unlike many NBA experts, I’m not ready to proclaim the Lakers as the favorites yet… they still haven’t advanced past the first rounds since Shaq left town… but our roster is looking better by the minute. Come playoff time, not many teams will be able to boast two seven footers and a 6’11 guy in their starting front court, not to mention the game’s best player in the backcourt. The trade for Gasol will keep the team afloat while Bynum continues to recovery from a knee injury and adds depth to the roster when Andrew returns.

A starting five of Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Kobe, and D-Fish is looking pretty promising right now. Our already talented bench gets even deeper with the likes of Farmar, Walton, Vlad-Rad, Ronny, Sasha, and Ariza when he gets healthy. When we get back to full strength, I don’t think any team in the league can match are starters or our depth. As good as its looks right now, there are still plenty of questions to be answered before we even begin thinking about making a serious run at the title in June.

First, will Bynum return to form in March? You never know how young players react to injury, especially when the injury occurs in the middle of their development.

Second, is 20 games enough to get everyone on the same page? This is why we pay Mr. Jackson $10 million a season. To put it all together. Plus having a big who can pass, shoot, go inside or out, and actually catch the ball won’t hurt.

The last question is what moves will other teams make? In acquiring Gasol the Lakers basically laid down the gauntlet. Just as much as the deal improved the team, it was also a statement. We are back and ready and willing to do the damn thing. Bring it.

The Phoenix Suns were the first to respond by dealing for an aging, falling apart, but always ready to stab the Lakers in the heart Shaquille O’neal. I agree with most people that Shaq is pretty much finished; he can’t score, run the floor, stay in shape, rebound, defend, or fit in with the Sun’s run and gun offense. But there is something inside me telling me that with another chance to get back at the Lakers, Shaq will all of a sudden drop 25 pounds and be ready to roll in the playoffs. I hope I’m wrong, but he’s done it before. That’s the thing about Shaq, he’s too lazy, unprofessional, and child-like to be in shape and try hard all the time, but when he finds a reason to get motivated, look out. Most people think he’s too old and worn down to turn it on now that he’s playing for a contender. But believe me, there’s a reason Phil Jackson declined to comment on Shaq’s conditioning. There is not very much that motivates Shaq, but anything Lakers certainly has in the past and we’ll find out soon enough it still does.

About a week or so away from the all star break, here’s a look at how the league stacks up.

30. Heat (9-38) Unloading Shaq and his monster contract and getting Marion in return is huge for the Heat. Out of it this year, but a good start towards rebuilding.

29. Timberwolves (10-37) Garnett deal not looking that bad after what Memphis got for Gasol.

28. Grizzlies (13-25) Hard to believe a deal involving Kwame Brown was the best one on the table.

27. Sonics (13-33) Durand and Co. can still be proud of recent wins against the undermanned Spurs and Cavs.

26. Clippers (15-31) Knew it would be a long year without Mr. Brand. Welcome back to the lottery Clips.

25. Knicks (14-35) Not as dysfunctional as earlier in the season. I still say trade everyone except for Nate Robinson and David Lee.

24. Sixers (19-30) Will likely take another step in rebuilding by dealing Andre Miller before the dealine.

23. Bobcats (18-31) Has too much talent to have this poor of record in a weak Eastern Conference.

22. Bucks (19-31) One of the bigger underachievers this year. At least they drew 200 million viewers in the second battle of Yi and Yao.

21. Bulls (19-29) Still haven’t recovered from Kobe trade rumors. Hard to believe they’re only a game and half out of the playoffs.

20. Pacers (20-30) Granger looking like one of the better up and coming talents.

19. Nets (20-29) Kidd wants out, but the real problem is the ridiculous contract they gave Vince Carter.

18.Hawks (21-24) Young teams finally improving. Looks like they are playoff bound, even with a below .500 record.

17.Kings (22-25) Hometown Kings getting healthy and getting better. Still won’t be good enough for the post season, so look for a flurry of deadline deals.

16. Wizards (24-24) Recent slide has them back to .500 mark. How will team adjust to return of Arenas and his 25 shots a game?

15. Raptors (26-21) Solid team, but not mean enough to get anywhere in the playoffs.

14. Trailblazers (28-20) Coming back down to Earth, but definitely still in the mix in the Western Conference.

13. Cavs (27-20) Probably should be higher because Lebron is that good. But they play in East so record should be better.

12. Rockets (28-20) Yao and T-Mac still trying to live up to the hype in Houston.

11. Magic (32-19) Never thought I’d say it, but Turgolou and Howard a solid 1-2 punch.

10. Warriors (29-19) Doubt C-Webb will take them to the next level, but the Baron of Davis is getting it done as always.

9. Nuggets (29-19) High octane offense but Camby the only guy on the team that even tries to play defense.

8. Jazz (32-18) Right when people started wondering about them, they rip off 10 straight W’s.

7. Lakers (31-17) At full strength could be higher, but can’t have bad losses like the one to the Hawks if they want a decent seed in the West.

6. Mavs (33-15) After the Lakers and Suns improve, you know Cuban will make something happen, Jason Kidd maybe?

5. Hornets (33-15) Chris Paul is a freak and as long as he is on their roster they’ve got a chance.

4. Suns (34-15) Banking on Shaq at this stage of his career may not be the smartest decision.

3. Pistons (35-13) Getting it done as usual. I expect to see them in the conference finals again.

2. Spurs (31-16) Record not as sexy as some others and health is an issue, but champs coasting through regular season knowing what lies ahead.

1. Celtics (37-9) Gets top ranking because of record, but injury to KG something for Bostonians to be worried about.