For my major revision, I have decided to change and work on my power rankings now that it is playoff time. Power rankings are something that many major NBA blogs revise every week. The last time I wrote about power rankings was about a month ago. In order from 1-5, I had my power rankings as such: OKC Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, things have surely changed. Let's take a look:
http://semiprosports.blogspot.com/2012/04/power-rankings-20.html (link to original blog post)
Teams left out:
6. Miami Heat
7. Los Angeles Clippers
8. Indiana Pacers
1. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have shown that they are quite possibly one of the favorites to win the championship this year. They have been amazing the entire season, while still finding a way to rest their aging core. Much of the credit is due to probable coach of the year, Gregg Popovich, but the team all together has been great. Tony Parker is an MVP candidate this season with his amazing offensive skill set. Tim Duncan is playing against Mother Time and beating her handily. Manu Ginobili has recovered from his broken hand at the perfect time. The Spurs' depth on the bench is what will push them through the playoffs.
2. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are my favorite to win the eastern conference, even without Derrick Rose. If they do have a healthy Derrick Rose, I think this team could and will win the championship. Their defense is suffocating and they rebound better than nearly any team in the league. On the offensive end, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Richard Hamilton, and (if healthy) Derrick Rose, whom is the most explosive penetrator in the league. This team is the best in the east and I believe they will show it in the finals this year.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
In my opinion, the western conference finals will be between San Antonio and OKC. This is going to be one hell of a series. I could just as easily see OKC in the final instead of San Antonio. Either way, the Thunder have played great all season. They are young and athletic, mature and ready. This team will be a contender for many years to come with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook leading the way.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Even without Kobe recently, the Lakers have shown that they can still play. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are easily the most effective big man duo in the game. Andrew Bynum has developed in to a center that is just as good as Dwight Howard, in my opinion. Steve Blake, Ramon Session, Matt Barnes, Josh McRoberts, Ron Artest, and Troy Murphy will all be vital to a Lakers playoff run. I don't see this team making it past OKC in the second round, though.
5. Boston Celtics
Boston is hitting their stride at the perfect time. They have been playing some pretty inspiring basketball lately with Kevin Garnett now playing at the center position and Ray Allen coming off the bench in exchange for the emerged Avery Bradley. Rajon Rondo has been dealing assists better than ever (leading the league in assists) and Paul Pierce has been efficient as ever, only missing the first three games of the season due to injury. I think the Celtics will beat the Hawks in the first round, but will have a hard time playing Chicago in the second round. Even if they don't have Derrick Rose, I still think the Bulls will take the series in 6 games.
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