Forget who's hot and who's not this particular week. As the NBA marks the midpoint of the 2000-01 season with this weekend's All-Star extravaganza, Sports Illustrated's Marty Burns ranks all 29 teams top to bottom on their performance over the first half of the season (with each team's preseason rank in parentheses). Check back every Tuesday to read Marty's latest Power Rankings.
CNNSI.com Power Rankings |
Rank | PS | Team |
1 | 5 |  | Philadelphia 76ers |
Better than even we thought - and we had 'em pretty high. |
2 | 14 |  | Sacramento Kings |
Who knew they would learn to play D? |
3 | 1 |  | Portland Trail Blazers |
Awesome when they're clicking, but can they stay healthy? |
4 | 3 |  | San Antonio Spurs |
After slow start, Tim Duncan starting to regain his form. |
5 | 2 |  | Los Angeles Lakers |
Still the team to beat if Shaq and Kobe can put aside differences. |
6 | 4 |  | New York Knicks |
No Patrick Ewing, but same old tough-as-nails defense. |
7 | 8 |  | Milwaukee Bucks |
Plenty of ups and downs for Mr. Karl's Wild Ride. |
8 | 9 |  | Utah Jazz |
Survived Mailman's slump, but how long can they hold up? |
9 | 17 |  | Dallas Mavericks |
Nowitzki and Nash have made them this year's Cinderella. |
10 | 15 |  | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Given all the adversity, a remarkable first half.
|
11 | 6 |  | Miami Heat |
Imagine how good they'd be if they had Alonzo Mourning. |
12 | 7 |  | Phoenix Suns |
Made more headlines off the court than on it. |
13 | 13 |  | Seattle SuperSonics |
Nate McMillan has restored some order to this volatile crew. |
14 | 24 |  | Denver Nuggets |
Mini-mutiny actually helped bring them together. |
15 | 12 |  | Toronto Raptors |
If Vince Carter's knee doesn't improve, it could get ugly. |
16 | 16 |  | Charlotte Hornets |
Lots of size, but apparently not a lot of heart. |
17 | 10 |  | Indiana Pacers |
Isiah Thomas hoping his young guns figure it out soon. |
18 | 19 |  | Houston Rockets |
Hakeem situation has cast cloud over season.
|
19 | 11 |  | Orlando Magic |
When Grant Hill went down, so did their title dreams.
|
20 | 20 |  | Boston Celtics |
Rick Pitino's departure has given them a fresh start. |
21 | 18 |  | Cleveland Cavaliers |
One of the surprise teams until Zydrunas Ilgauskas got hurt. |
22 | 29 |  | Los Angeles Clippers |
Kiddie Corps has brought back hope to Clipperland. |
23 | 23 |  | Golden State Warriors |
Marc Jackson only bright spot for this injury-ravaged crew.
|
24 | 25 |  | Detroit Pistons |
Other than Jerry Stackhouse, nobody else can score. |
25 | 21 |  | New Jersey Nets |
Looks like another disappointing season in the Swamp. |
26 | 28 |  | Atlanta Hawks |
Lon Kruger kept them afloat despite horrid start. |
27 | 22 |  | Washington Wizards |
Rod Strickland's troubles set the tone for the first half. |
28 | 26 |  | Vancouver Grizzlies |
New owner Michael Heisley already looking to bail out. |
29 | 27 |  | Chicago Bulls |
No veterans, no chance for these Baby Bulls. |
