If I told you at the beginning of the year that Derrick Rose would play 34 of the 1st 51 games and at that point they'd have the best record in the league you'd probably think I was crazy, but that is the case. Despite Rose not being around the Bulls continue to win without him and are starting to make me think they can actually beat the Heat.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder - 38-12
The Thunder made a statement on Sunday by beating the Heat and Durant has now closed the gap on Lebron for MVP. I have my reservations about Westbrook but the team is winning and they have the best shot blocker and 6th man in the league. They are Legit.
3. San Antonio Spurs - 34-14
The Spurs just keep on winning and winning. And if they weren't good enough already they upgradedd by getting Stephen Jackson for Richard Jefferson and acquired Borris Diaw. The Spurs might now be the deepest team in the league being coached by the best team in the league. Sleep on them if you want.
4. Miami Heat - 35-13
The Heat have fallen into a bit of a funk and it's now being reported Lebron has a dislocated finger. He's been a bit nipped up lately and his play has fallen off of late and because his play has fallen off so has the play of the Heat. I expect the Heat to be fine and running teams off the floor again in no time once Lebron is fully healthy again.
5. Orlando Magic - 32-18
Dwight has agreed to give Orl at least 1 more season and now they can focus fully on winning games this year with no more distractions. Dwight continues to get overlooked as a true elite player by some people but can you deny the results. The Magic have the 5th best record in the league and are top 5 defensively yet another season. Dwight's impact on the game is undeniable and he affects the game in the way that matters most, the win column.
6. Los Angles Lakers - 31-19
The Lakers are somehow the 3 seed right now after getting off to a slow start and everybody writing them off. They have clearly found an answer at the PG position and on their recent run of success their finally getting Bynum the ball. Kobe's terrible FG% this year combined with his absurd amount of shot attempts still spells doom for this team in the playoffs in my opinion.
7. Indiana Pacers - 29-19
The Pacers have one of the deepest teams in the league and do a great job of spreading the ball around to all their weapons. Their good on both ends and Paul George looks like a future all star caliber player. They might be able to get into the 2nd round this year.
8. Atlanta Hawks - 30-21
Josh Smith is playing at an extremely high level this year and has been carrying the Atlanta Hawks. He's been an absolute stats stuffer all year and their not just empty stats as the numbers are also translating into wins. The Hawks have been terrific defensively and even Joe Johnson is playing hard this season and clearly playing alot better than the down year he had last year.
9. Dallas Mavericks - 29-22
People have already written the Mavs off but their still hanging around and showing glimpses of a team that can still make some noise in the playoffs. As they continue to get more comfortable playing with each other the more dangerous they become.
10. Philadelphia 76ers - 28-22
The Sixers are the best defensive team in the league and are loaded with athleticism on the wings that completely shuts down opposing offenses. Their play hasn't been as strong of late as it was earlier in the year but their still a solid team and I expect a strong finish from them.
11. Memphis Grizzlies - 27-21
The Grizzlies hit a bit of a funk before their win over the Lakers the other day but overall their level of play during the month of March was really good. And on top of that Zach Randolph is back which only means their gonna get better.
12. Utah Jazz - 27-23
The Jazz have been one of the hottest teams in the league of late winning 8 of their last 10. Al Jefferson is playing great (maybe he's upset about the all star snub) Everyone's play has picked up of late and their back in the playoff race.
13. Phoenix Suns - 25-25
I don't know how it happened but the Suns have crashed the playoff contenders party out west and found away to a 500 record after being a mediocre team throughout the 1st half of the year. Their 11-5 since the all star break and Steve Nash is having another all star season despite his age.
14. New York Knicks - 25-25
Ever since they fired Mike Dantoni, pardon me I meant since he "resigned" the Knicks have been playing alot better. Their even committing to basic key principals to winning basketball games like hustling, rebounding, and yes even defending.
15. Los Angles Clippers - 28-21
Remember when people were talking about the Clippers playing in the conference finals, it almost seems laughable now. The talk has gone from how far they can go in the playoffs to how much longer their coach is gonna have his job.
16. Boston Celtics - 27-22
The Celtics aren't dead yet. I think at this point its safe to assume their going to be in the postseason and if the standings hold up as is they'll be playing against the Heat.
17. Denver Nuggets - 27-23
Nuggets are sitting in that 8 spot in the west for the moment after a 500 10 game run. They traded away Nene to bring in Javele McGee and they've finally signed Wilson Chandler so they should be able to hold that last spot if they can come together.
18. Houston Rockets - 27-24
It seems like the Rockets are in this position every year. The 9th seed. They've been flirting with the idea of making the postseason this season being as high as a 6 seed at one point but ultimately I think their looking at another year on the outside looking in.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves - 24-27
This was my team to watch this year and they were making a push towards the postseason and then Rubio went down for the year and that was that. Love is their best player right now but Rubio ran the show and without him this team is a slightly improved version of last year's team that had the worst record.
20. Portland Trailblazers - 23-27
I'm honestly shocked by Portland this year. After getting off too a hot start and having people thinking of them as title contenders they completely fell off and thus the team has begun the process of rebuilding and one of the best coaches in the league was fired.
21. Milwaukee Bucks - 23-27
Whatever glimmer of hope the Bucks had to make the postseason officially went out the window when the Knicks let go of Dantoni. But hey it should be exciting rest of the season with Monta and Jennings in the same backcourt right?
22. Golden State Warriors - 20-28
The Warriors are going to flop the rest of the year most likely. Monta is gone, Bogut isn't fully healthy yet, and Curry might be done for the year.
23. Cleveland Cavilers - 17-30
Kyrie Irving is the rookie of the year and looks to be a future star but for now just not alot of other talent around him for this team to be good.
24. Detroit Pistons - 17-32
Detroit has been okay the past 10 games winning 4 of them and Stuckey and Monroe are having solid seasons and look to be solid building blocks moving forward for Det.
25. Sacramento Kings - 17-32
Demarcus Cousins is finally showing signs of becoming a all star caliber Center in the NBA but unfortunately Tyreke Evans just refuses to take the next step and become a better player and be the all star caliber player the Kings need to get out of the basement of the NBA.
26. Toronto Raptors - 16-34
With Bargnani back in the lineup the Raptors can maybe move up a couple spots in the standings, but at this point in the season is that really a good thing?
27. New Jersey Nets - 16-35
Now that Dwight will be in Orl next year I can't see D-Will resigning with the Nets so I hope having D-Will for a season and a half was worth losing Derrick Favors and Devin Harris.
28. New Orleans Hornets - 12-37
It's been a disastrous season for the Hornets without Eric Gordon but on the bright side their gonna get a top 5 pick.
29. Washington Wizards - 11-38
The Wizards got rid of some of their younger players that they probably weren't going to keep to get a solid veteran big man in Nene who should impact this team positively moving forward. However this season is still lost.
30. Charlotte Bobcats - 7-40
Their the worst team in the league, With the worst roster in the league, and the worst management in the league. What else is there to say.
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