NBA Power Rankings: New York Knicks slide again
By Seth Klein
21. Charlotte Bobcats (22, +1): Amazing as it may seem, the Bobcats now control the 8th seed in the East. They’ve done it with defense this year, allowing the 6th-fewest points per game (97.2). Eventually, though, the offense will need to catch up. With Kemba Walker sidelined, Al Jefferson has been doing everything he can to carry the team, averaging a gaudy 26 points and 12 rebounds over his last nine games.
Jan 27, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke (3) shoots during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
22. Cleveland Cavaliers (24, +2): Getting Luol Deng in a trade with the Bulls means the Cavs are serious about making the playoff. Deng is an impending free agent and it’s hard to believe Cleveland would give up three draft picks if they weren’t trying to make a run, nor thought they’d be able to re-sign the veteran. Deng gives them another scorer to go with Kyrie Irving and instantly makes their bench deeper. The Cavs now sit two games out of the final playoff spot, but could be a major force once they develop more chemistry.
23. Utah Jazz (26, +3): Once thought of as the doormat of the league, the Jazz have come out and made a statement over the last 22 games. Since Dec. 11, Utah is 12-10 and has thrown the whole “tanking” term to the curb. Sure, they’ll still likely garner a lottery pick in this summer’s draft, but unlike Philly or Milwaukee — who have openly expressed the idea of losing on purpose – the Jazz are staying the course and having fun while doing it. Their very young core of Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Trey Burke, Enes Kanter and Alec Burks could be a fixture in Salt Lake City for a long time.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (21, -3): No team has been befallen by the injury bug as much as the Pelicans. They lost Anthony Davis earlier in the year to a broken hand (which he has since returned from) and Tyreke Evans has nurse an ankle injury all year. Those are the players that still active though. Jrue Holiday (leg), Ryan Anderson (back) and Jason Smith (knee) are all out and have no timetables to return. With all those players hurt, the one guy who has yet to sustain an injury is the oft-injured Eric Gordon – which makes him a possible trade chip come next month. It’s funny how things work like that sometimes. The Pellies’ have hit rock-bottom in what was once supposed to be a promising season.
25. Sacramento Kings (23, -2): DeMarcus Cousins sprained his ankle in the same game that Rudy Gay strained his Achilles – so not a good night for the Kings. Without them, they are a very bad team. Of course, the Kings aren’t playing for this year, and their young talent gives them a lot of promise in the future.
26. Los Angeles Lakers (25, -1): The once-mighty Los Angeles Lakers have plummeted to the bottom of the NBA standings, with an assist from a lot of injuries. Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar and Steve Blake are all out now, and it’ll be too late to make a run once they return. The Lake Show has lost 16 of their last 19 games and are gunning for a lottery pick.
27. Boston Celtics (28, +1): The return of Rajon Rondo won’t likely help the Celtics’ playoff chances, but since his comeback, talks of contract extension negotiations have surfaced. It will be interesting to see what team Prez Danny Ainge decides what to do with his contract. Rondo will be a free agent after the 2014-15 season and it may serve the Celts better to retain their All-Star point guard.
28. Philadelphia 76ers (27, -1): The Sixers team we now see on the court may not be the one to don their blue and red next year. Thaddeus Young has publicly requested a trade — and it’s almost guaranteed that he’ll get his wish — and Spencer Hawes is an impending free agent, which the team will likely take advantage of. Recent rumblings about the team’s lack of desire to extend Evan Turner could also mean he is deemed expendable. It will be really interesting to see how this plays out, but Philly certainly has their eyes on next year, when they’ll be able to pair Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel on the court together.
29. Orlando Magic (29, NC): It’s not worth it to look at Orlando’s record — two wins in the entire month of January – but more important to focus the players themselves. Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris are a huge part of the franchise’s future and the youngsters have been playing very well over each of their last seven games. The 21-year-old Oladipo is averaging 17.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.4 steals and one block, while Harris – who is also 21 – is averaging 18.4 points and 10.7 boards during that stretch.
30. Milwaukee Bucks (30, NC): As per my decree from the last issue of my power rankings, I will no longer be blurbing about the Bucks.