SI's Marty Burns ranks the NBA teams for the week of Feb. 26 - Mar. 4. Check back every Tuesday to read Marty's latest Power Rankings.
CNNSI.com Power Rankings |
Rank | LW | Team |
1 | 3 |  | Dallas Mavericks |
Nick Van Exel and Raef LaFrentz make them the most dangerous team in the league right now.
|
2 | 2 |  | Los Angeles Lakers |
Kobe Bryant is throwing KO punches on the court as well as on the team bus. |
3 | 1 |  | Sacramento Kings |
Sad-Sac defense has yielded 115.4 points in its past five losses.
|
4 | 4 |  | New Jersey Nets |
Fearless Richard Jefferson has been the NBA's most underrated rookie.
|
5 | 6 |  | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Will Marc Jackson be the big man KG has been seeking? |
6 | 10 |  | Portland Trail Blazers |
With 19 wins in 25 games, Cheeks' squad has serious Mo-Mentum. |
7 | 7 |  | Utah Jazz |
Jerry Sloan says the Mailman is playing the "best defense of his career." |
8 | 5 |  | San Antonio Spurs |
The Spurs didn't lose their 20th game last season until March 17. |
9 | 11 |  | Milwaukee Bucks |
Three straight W's have Karl's roller-coaster riders back atop the Central.
|
10 | 9 |  | Detroit Pistons |
Ben Wallace nets a triple-double (10 points, 17 rebounds, 10 blocks) against the Bucks. |
11 | 8 |  | Boston Celtics |
Rodney Rogers could be their much-needed third scorer. |
12 | 14 |  | Seattle SuperSonics |
Seattle had won six straight on the road heading to Cleveland, Atlanta and New York. |
13 | 13 |  | Toronto Raptors |
Not even the return of Vince Carter could prevent their eighth straight loss.
|
14 | 16 |  | Orlando Magic |
Magic feets: Tracy McGrady joins Grant Hill as a foot sufferer. |
15 | 15 |  | Philadelphia 76ers |
This year it seems there's no Answer to their inconsistencies.
|
16 | 17 |  | Indiana Pacers |
Ex-Bulls Brad Miller, Ron Mercer, Ron Artest and Kevin Ollie are paying dividends so far. |
17 | 18 |  | Miami Heat |
Ex-Wizard Rod Strickland keys back-to-back wins over old club. |
18 | 19 |  | Los Angeles Clippers |
Their tough road schedule has them pining for home cooking. |
19 | 21 |  | Charlotte Hornets |
David Wesley (foot) could be back in uniform by the weekend. |
20 | 20 |  | Phoenix Suns |
Joe Johnson has been impressive in all phases of the game in his first three appearances. |
21 | 12 |  | Washington Wizards |
Five straight losses through Monday, and MJ's knee is hurting again. |
22 | 23 |  | Houston Rockets |
Power forward Kenny Thomas is quietly putting together a fine season. |
23 |
25 |
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Cleveland Cavaliers |
Tyrone Hill has helped shore up their thin frontcourt. |
24 | 24 |  | Atlanta Hawks |
Sunday's win at Denver gave them a split of their six-game Western trip. |
25 | 22 |  | New York Knicks |
They're playing for Ping-Pong balls now that Marcus Camby is out for the season. |
26 | 29 |  | Chicago Bulls |
With a 6-5 record in February, they could post their first winning month since 1998. |
27 | 26 |  | Denver Nuggets |
Is it 2003 yet? Is it 2003 yet? Is it 2003 yet? |
28 | 27 |  | Memphis Grizzlies |
Injuries to their point guards have left Eddie Gill running the show. |
29 | 28 |  | Golden State Warriors |
"Let the Kids Play" is their motto for the rest of the season. |
