But none could have been busier other than the NBA.
Before I go to the rankings, let's just have a brief review of what happened in the past two weeks.
TRADES:
1) Shaquille O'Neal to the Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks:
This trade is no doubt greater than any sports analysts ever thought. The Big Cactus provided the Suns a great defensive presence. They showed it against the Boston Celtics. Shaq gives you a larger-than-life personality, which brought satisfaction to the locker room. Of course, they may need more time to gel. Although that time might not be enough.
2) Jason Kidd to the Mavs for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hasell, a first-round pick, and a Keith Van Horn (I won't be surprised if Kenny Smith enters again in the NBA).
This trade is a no-brainer. The Dallas wants to win now, and they've traded a three-year championship window for a one-year term. It's either this year or no ring at all. Well, they would have to fight through the already-stacked West to get into the Finals, that's Lakers, Spurs, Suns, Hornets, Warriors, Rockets, and Jazz for you.
3) Kurt Thomas to the Spurs for Brent Barry and a couple of first-rounders.
The Spurs have made a quiet but deadly move. Now, Tim Duncan might not be troubled to play interior defense all by him. You get a veteran, low-post defender who can hit mid-range j's and gives you size and experience. This move is probably the best the Spurs can do.
4) Ben Wallace and Joe Smith to the Cavs for Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden; Wally Sczerbiak for Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall, and a first-round pick.
The Cavs changed half of their roster for really no help at all. Sure, Wallace and Smith are good defensive presences, but you've got to take their case with Bulls this season.
All-Star:
How about that Superman dunk by Dwight Howard?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EO3c8EaxsxQ
The All-Star game!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9GldPuBKbP8
Ok. Let's get back to the Power Rankings.
Back at One
The Lakers are back to the Top of the Rankings as they pulled of a very pretty performance than any other team.
Hero Team of the Week: Houston Rockets (12 straight wins)
Zero Team of the Week: Miami Heat (11 straight losses)
High Jumps of the Week: +5 Rockets, +4 Lakers, +4 Spurs, +4 Sixers
Free Falls of the Week: -6 Bobcats, 5 Nuggets, -5 T'Wolves, -4 Hornets, Bulls,Sonics, -3 Suns
1) Los Angeles Lakers (5) - The Lakers are 11-1 this February. They have won 26 games by 10 or more. Here are their best stats during this month: Kobe Bryant is averaging 27ppg while shooting 51.6% from the field. Lamar Odom posts 15.6ppg, 11.6rpg while shooting 67.2%from the field. Pau Gasol 22ppg, 63.2% FG while playing only 10 games. Now, that's the Big Three, let's wait for Drew to come back, maybe we'll be naming the Lakers' starters : The Jackson Five.
2) San Antonio Spurs (6) - The Spurs are back into their groove, winning 5 straight, and the main reason is not Tim Duncan, it's the sixth man, Manu Ginobili. The Argentinian scored 34.4points during the streak, while shooting a eye-popping 64% from the field. With Tony Parker back, the Spurs are sure to make another run to the playoff race.
3) Boston Celtics (1) - KG and co. are looking pretty vulnerable after the 3-game losing streak they had against the tough West. They are slowly coming back to earth, and the race for the No. 1 spot in the East is reachable for Detroit.
4) Detroit Pistons (2) - I'm sick and tired of hearing this team saying that they're flying under the radar. Well, is flying under the radar includes losing to the third worst team in the East?
5) Dallas Mavericks (7) - The Mavs have now won 2 straight with Kidd, and they are looking far more dangerous than I thought. With Stackhouse back in the lineup, I can't imagine how many assists would Kidd get per game.
6) Phoenix Suns (3) - The Suns have shown 3 different sides of their team: A close offensive loss to the Lakers, a close defensive win over the Celtics , and a blowout loss to the Pistons. So much zig zag, but good to see Shaq averaging over 11 boards during the 3 games.
7) Orlando Magic (8) - The Magic had won 4 of their last 5 games, averaging a 16-point differential, the only negative note is that they lost to the Raptors by 17. 1 more than their point-differential in wins.
8) New Orleans Hornets (4) - The Hornets are 5-5 in their last 10 games. Including a 20-point loss against the Rockets and a poor offensive outing against the Spurs. Just got the news that they lost today against the Wizards. More of those and the Hornets might be on the outside looking in.
9) Houston Rockets (14) - The Rockets are undefeated this month, but what's more surprising is that they are holding their opponents to scoring 88.1 ppg during that stretch.
10) Utah Jazz - The Jazz have won 14 straight wins at home. But the main problem is they are losing to teams under .500. That's a big problem because they have to fight those teams 12 times this season.
11) Cleveland Cavaliers (12) -Lebron James had a more better supporting cast now, the media said. Well, let's wait.
12) Golden State Warriors (11) - The win against Boston was probably one of the best games so far this season. But that is only it for the Warriors, especially when you lose to the Atlanta Hawks.
13) Portland Trailblazers - They are getting out of the playoff picture faster than I thought. This week they will fight the Lakers twice. They will be getting out of the playoff picture faster than I thought.
14) Denver Nuggets (9) - The Nuggets defeated the team that has the best record in the East, then lost two straight against the teams that had the 3rd and 5th worst record in the East. Maybe, they really need Ron Artest.
15) Toronto Raptors (17) - Jose Calderon is posting sick numbers as a point guard: 12.9ppg, 8.9apg, 1.7TOpg, 54% from the field, 91% from the FT line, and 46.3% from the 3-pt line. He is having a phenomenal year, and I'm still not over it on why he was not in the All-Star.
16) Washington Wizards - The Wizards are not healthy this year but they have won 27 out of 56 games, with all of the Big Three not playing together. Next year, provided that they stay put in their roster, I can't imagine how good would they be.
17) Philadelphia 76ers (21) - The Sixers have won 7 of their last 10 games. Detroit is the only other team in the East to have won much(8-2) in their last 10 games. Coach Maurice Cheeks is talking about playoffs. No one is laughing.
18) Sacramento Kings (16) - The Kings are now 3-2 since Bibby left the Kings. I thought they can go for a run in the west's 8th playoff spot. But now, I highly doubt it.
19) New Jersey Nets (20) - The Nets have a see-saw week: an 8-point win over Chicago, a 10-point loss to Indiana, and a 11-point win against the Pacers again. No Jason Kidd, no problem. They have a Sean Williams anyway. They're pretty lucky they are in the East, where losing three straight doesn't ruin your chances to go the playoffs.
20) Atlanta Hawks (19) - The Hawks have a great vast of talent, the problem is not on themselves, it is on their coach. The only positive note is that they won against the Warriors.
21) Chicago Bulls (25) - The Bulls were energized by the trade, and it showed against the Nuggets. Well, at least they were on it for a day.
22) Milwaukee Bucks (24) - The Bucks have the talent, and they showed it when they won against Denver and Detroit. If only the management would notice........
23) Minnesota Timberwolves (28) - Al Jefferson and the T'Wolves have almost beaten the Spurs. ALMOST. Well, they are still young and they have nothing to lose right now. Except the players or the coaching staff.
24) Charlotte Bobcats (18) - 2 months ago, the Bobcats were in the playoff picture in the East, now they are looking like the same team with different faces a year ago.
25) New York Knicks (26) - If throwing water to a teammate would boost the team's energy, I might as well give them a daily dose of it.
26) Seattle Supersonics (22) - The Sonics may have already lost Sczerbiak and Thomas, but the sky is the limit for this team as they will be heading next year with great expectations, especially with 6 first-round picks.
27) Indiana Pacers (25) - I thought no O'Neal, no problem? They're kidding right?
28) Los Angeles Clippers (27) - The Clippers are excited about Elton Brand's comeback from surgery. So that means?
29) Memphis Grizzlies - Getting Kwame Brown as a starter and giving more minutes to the bench only means one thing: They are ready to pack early.
30) Miami Heat - The Heat might have the worst record now, but the fact that this team is getting more and more mature, next year would be a breakout season. If, and only if, coach Pat Riley steps out of the coaching position, and hire someone like Larry Brown.
