Saturday, the NBA reached an unofficial halfway point when the Bulls became the first of the league's 30 teams to play 33 games. The cream of the crop is clear cut and the middle of the pack is thick in both conferences. Of course, the #doody is clearly at the bottom of the league. And with that said, here are the second quarter MANDOM Power Rankings.
1. Miami Heat (25-7)
First Quarter rank: 4
Preseason rank: 2
This team is clicking on all cylinders. LeBron is the clear cut favorite to win the NBA MVP. Wade has battled injuries, but that's a given due to his style of play. He's still arguably the best shooting guard in the league. Bosh has played well this season. When they clamp down on defense, life gets incredibly difficult. They are the most terrifying sight when they get out in the open court. This team is a problem.
2. Chicago Bulls (25-8)
First Quarter rank: 2
Preseason rank: 3
Clap for the fact that this team was either the best or second best team in the league throughout the first half of the season. However, injuries will certainly mean that the post-season hopes for Chicago will be stunted. They haven't played a game with a completely healthy starting line-up since January 4th. They have zero hope of getting past Miami without a healthy line-up. But they're still darn good.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-7)
First Quarter rank: 1
Preseason rank: 3
Kudos to the Thunder as well for being incredibly stout this season. They are the class of the West this season. However, there are flaws as they have been prone to simply having to out-gun opponents. Fortunately, they have the second most explosive scoring tandem in Durant and Westbrook. There's no reason why they shouldn't make it to the conference finals. Making it to the NBA Finals, might be a little more challenging.
4. San Antonio Spurs (22-9)
First Quarter rank: 7
Preseason rank: 7
The old Spurs have done it again. They have seemingly perfected the art of flying under the radar are currently sit in second place out West. Manu is still a little gimpy, but this team is on fire. Pop has this team playing great basketball and they could definitely make life tough on OKC in the playoffs. Look out.
5. Dallas Mavericks (20-12)
First Quarter rank: 14
Preseason rank: 1
It took them a while, but they're starting to gel. Their defense is actually among the better squads in the NBA and Dirk continues to provide reminders that he was an NBA Finals MVP and a regular season NBA MVP. The West is still open but it's going to be a fight for that second spot. Young legs might be tough to overcome, but veteran savvy might be the thing to topple that youth.
6. Los Angeles Clippers (19-10)
First Quarter rank: 9
Preseason rank: 10
Lob City runs Los Angeles. Chris Paul has definitely impacted the culture of this team and it's led to them currently sitting in third in the conference. They lost a solid contributor when Chauncey Billups suffered a season ending Achilles injury. However, they picked up a tough player by signing Kenyon Martin. Their propensity to go for the highlight play over the smart play concerns me and I don't see Lob City having longevity in a post season run.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (20-12)
First Quarter rank: 12
Preseason rank: 15
The defense has been legit, but they've hit a slump as they reach the halfway point. The schedule has been relatively soft thus far, so they better win all the games they can to maintain the divisional lead they have over Boston and New York. Give 'em props for their play thus far though.
8. Orlando Magic (20-12)
First Quarter rank: 5
Preseason rank: 11
In spite of the fact that their best player would rather be else where, they have a strong record and would have home court advantage in the first round if the playoffs started today. I hope they studied the way Denver plundered the Knicks last season. Anything less an this team will be left in a shambles after Dwight departs.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (18-13)
First Quarter rank: 3
Preseason rank: 8
It's a crazy league when the Lakers aren't even the best team in their own city. Such is life for Kobe Bryant. Trade rumors have wrecked the psyche of this team and Kobe hasn't been shy in saying so. They need to make some kind of move and quickly so that they can salvage what has been a disappointing season thus far.
10. Atlanta Hawks (19-12)
First Quarter rank: 6
Preseason rank: 14
The kings of mediocrity have done it again. They should get a title for being the best middle of the road team. Not good enough to be a threat and not sorry enough to be #doody. And now T-Mac is complaining about his recent lack of playing time. Ha.
11. Memphis Grizzlies (18-14)
First Quarter rank: 15
Preseason rank: 5
This team is goin to be a problem whenever Z-Bo returns. They've managed to be decent in his absence and should only improve once he gets back on the court. Whenever that is. Oh, and Rudy Gay should have been an All-Star.
12. Indiana Pacers (19-12)
First Quarter rank: 13
Preseason rank: 13
They had a hot start, but they're not ready for primetime. Their best win of the season has been the only time they've beaten an elite team and they had to squeak by to do it. They're tougher than last season, but they're not ready to be a threat to the crown just yet.
13. Houston Rockets (18-14)
First Quarter rank: 16
Preseason rank: 19
Another year, another season of overachievement for the Rockets. Similar to the previously mentioned Pacers, they don't have enough to be a threat in their conference. Unlike the Pacers though, the Rockets are dangerously close from being a playoff team to one finding itself in the lottery. Darryl Morey needs to find a way to make some significant roster upgrades.
14. Denver Nuggets (17-15)
First Quarter rank: 11
Preseason rank: 16
They had a strong start but the condensed schedule plus the injury bug has taken a toll on this team. They'll be a tough out, but don't have enough to knock off the teams currently ahead of them. Unless they draw the Clippers then all bets are off, of course.
15. New York Knicks (16-16)
First Quarter rank: 18
Preseason rank: 9
#Linsanity. All five boroughs are saluting Jeremy Lin who has shown #SoMuchDetermination as he #PutDaTeamOnHisBack. Seriously, this kid has been playing out of his mind and is the reason has the Knicks have climbed out of the 8-15 hole they were in before he started balling out of control. The acquisition of J.R. Smith makes them a wild card since dude is the very definition of wild card. And to think Melo and Baron Davis have been in street clothes this whole time. They could be tough.
16. Boston Celtics (15-15)
First Quarter rank: 21
Preseason rank: 6
They just can't get right. Rondo is about to take an early vacation after he tossed a fast pitch at a ref last night. Danny Ainge doesn't have the best trade assets to turn things around quickly. They should make the playoffs but if they don't get up to the sixth seed it will be a short stay.
The Best of the Rest
17. Utah Jazz (15-15)
First Quarter rank: 8
Preseason rank: 21
There's not much to say here, but look for them to make some rosters moves. They probably won't be a playoff team but I think movement will be seen on this roster on or before the trade deadline.
18. Portland Trailblazers (17-15)
First Quarter rank: 10
Preseason rank: 12
This squad has this far proven to be a pretender. They can be a playoff team, but they have to shore up ther defense and just play better more consistently. Their point guard play has been underwhelming as they've battles injury and overall sub par play at that position.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-16)
First Quarter rank: 20
Preseason rank: 24
Rick Adelman continues the trend of getting a team to overachieve. While their record isn't impressive, they have fought hard every night. They do have flexibility to trade some players away and improve their squad, so we'll see what Kahn has up his sleeve. Probably a point guard.
20. Milwaukee Bucks (13-18)
First Quarter rank: 23
Preseason rank: 23
Team Disgruntled. Andrew Bogut can't stay healthy, Stephen Jackson is in the doghouse and Brandon Jennings is flirting with free agency during the season. I would imagine Scott Skiles won't be coaching there much longer.
21. Golden State Warriors (11-17)
First Quarter rank: 17
Preseason rank: 17
Another season beneath mediocrity for Golden State. I would have thought they would have moved Monta Ellis by now, but there's still time. Their ownership has stated that they will be aggressive in making the team a contender but at this point it's just lip service.
22. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-17)
First Quarter rank: 19
Preseason rank: 30
Kyrie Irving is the rookie of the year thus far and it would take something major to derail him from that path. They've played much better than expected but it will take a lot to get them into the playoffs and they probably don't want that since either Miami or Chicago would await them.
23. Phoenix Suns (13-19)
First Quarter rank: 22
Preseason rank: 18
#FreeSteveNash. They aren't trying to win a championship or even be a playoff caliber team. They're just treading water hoping not to drown but not trying to make it to dry land either.
24. Sacramento Kings (10-21)
First Quarter rank: 24
Preseason rank: 25
The roster has displayed flashes of talent as well as flashes of not being a very good team. I wonder if things would change when they relocate.
25. Detroit Pistons (11-22)
First Quarter rank: 26
Preseason rank: 26
Yet another team that is only playing games because they have to. At least Greg Monroe is playing well for them.
26. New Jersey Nets (9-24)
First Quarter rank: 28
Preseason rank: 22
The #NYETS are still holding out hope to acquire Dwight Howard. If they don't make a major move soon, their rental of Deron Williams will expire at the end of this season.
27. Toronto Raptors (9-23)
First Quarter rank: 25
Preseason rank: 28
Things could be worse for this squad. They could be the Bobcats. But that might be an upgrade since they lost to the Bobcats on Friday.
28. Washington Wizards (7-24)
First Quarter rank: 30
Preseason rank: 20
They're still a terrible team but at least they care a little bit more since the firing of Flip Saunders.
29. New Orleans Hornets (7-23)
First Quarter rank: 27
Preseason rank: 27
The highlight of the season for David Stern's team has been their taming of #Linsanity. Other than that this team is exactly what most thought they'd be with this roster.
30. Charlotte Bobcats (4-27)
First Quarter rank: 29
Preseason rank: 29
They won a game for MJ's birthday. Other than that this team has played nothing but #struggleball and has left their fans with a collective #doodyface. Ugh.
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