It's time to drop the ball in New York City. But this time, the stat keepers don't have to chalk up another turnover for the Knicks. This time New Yorkers can actually cheer as they watch the giant orb fall in Times Square.
Will 2008 bring better times to Knicks fans and other downtrodden types around the NBA? There is hope. After all, the Celtics began 2007 with an 18-game losing streak. By the end of the year they were 26-3 and the toast of the NBA.
Here's a look at how the NBA stands right now as we say farewell to 2007 -- and usher in 2008.
| NBA Power Rankings |
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They downed the Lakers in L.A. on Sunday to finish 4-0 on their West Coast road trip as they continue to meet all challenges. Lately it's been Paul Pierce who has done the heavy lifting. If he keeps it up, he might start taking some of that MVP spotlight from Kevin Garnett. |
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They not only have been winning (eight straight at week's end), but they've been doing so by comfortable margins (12.5 points). It means their veteran core is continuing to get plenty of rest. But with six of their next seven on the road, and one at home against the Celtics, they will be tested early in '08. |
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Injuries to Manu Ginobili (finger) and Brent Barry (calf) have depleted their bench, which was leading the NBA with 39.8 points per game. The Spurs are hoping Matt Bonner, Ime Udoka and newly-signed DerMarr Johnson can pick up the slack and keep them going until their big guns return. |
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Sunday's loss to the Celtics snapped their four-game winning streak. Still, they had won 10 of 13 overall and center Kwame Brown had returned to the lineup to give them another big body. The trick now will be to work Brown back in without disrupting Andrew Bynum's development. |
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They shut down LeBron James and the Cavs on Saturday night to make it five straight and tie the franchise record for best start through 30 games (20-10). Even more amazing, they got their first sellout of the season. Maybe some of those 17,623 fans will see they've got a pretty good team. |
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Despite some uneven play of late, their success on the road (13-6, best in the West) is a good sign for the future. Meanwhile, they currently have five players averaging 16 points or more (Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, Grant Hill). |
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Monta Ellis continues to show his breakout season of a year ago was no fluke. The third-year guard is averaging 16.9 points (on 49.0 percent shooting) to go with 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He had a career-high 35 points in last week's win over the T'Wolves. |
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They smoked the Sixers on Sunday to run their win streak to 13, second-longest in team history ('01-'02). More important, they moved into a tie with the Nuggets for first place in the Northwest Division. But can they keep it going on the road, starting Monday in Utah? |
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After losing just 15 games during last year's entire regular season, they already had dropped 11 through Sunday. Still, they have been able to turn it up a notch when they need to most of the time this season. Wednesday's visit from Don Nelson's Warriors might be such an occasion. |
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Dwight Howard had 15 points, 21 rebounds and four blocks in Saturday's win over the Bobcats as he once again won his battle with fellow '04 top draft pick Emeka Okafor. It also helped the Magic to their third straight victory, getting them back on track a bit after their recent slump. |
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