The Lakers shook up the West friday, after trading
Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie,
2 first-rd draft picks, and the rights to Marc Gasol, for the face of the Memphis' franchise: Pau Gasol. From playoff contenders to championship contenders, Kobe won't be going anywhere right now.
Hero Team of the Week: Utah Jazz (8 straight wins)
Zero Team of the Week: Indiana Pacers (6 straight losses)
High Jumps of the Week: +8 Sonics, +5 T-Wolves, +5 Pistons, +4 Kings
Free Falls of the Week: -3 Hornets, Mavs, Cavs, Bulls, Pacers, Grizzlies
1) Boston Celtics (3) - Boston continues its stellar play since losing to the Magic and losing Kevin Garnett (abdominal strain), beating the Mavs and the win-less Heat.
2) Detroit Pistons (7) - Five straight wins by this Pistons team brought them up to the 2nd spot after bombarding the Mavs by their defense, 90-67.
3) Phoenix Suns (2) - After beating Atlanta by 33 points, they lost to the Parker-less Spurs 81-84. I should've dropped them down, but their stellar defense against the Spurs was awesome to me.
4) New Orleans Hornets (1) - After winning 9 straight, they lost 2 games in a row, a 13-points loss to the Warriors, and a 9-point scrub against the Kings. Two words: BACK to EARTH.
5) Los Angeles Lakers (6) - On his last three games, Kobe averaged 38.3 points and 60.9% from the field, and a one-point heart-braking loss against the Pistons was a blessing in disguise:
Pau Gasol was traded to the Lakers. Kobe+Gasol+Bynum+Odom+Fisher = rings. Watch out!
6) San Antonio Spurs (5) - The Spurs lost 3 straight, won the next game by 3 points with Ginobili making only 3 field goals. They are 3rd in the Southwest division standings, and they will sign Damon Stoudemire who wears jersey no.3. They'll fight 3 teams this week with 3 losing records. Enough of "3" factor, just hope that they'll get back Parker soon.
7) Dallas Mavericks (4) - The Mavs had their worst offensive performance this season. What's worst is that they lost 2 straight against playoff-caliber teams.
8) Orlando Magic - The Magic have won 4 straight, they'll play Dirk and Kobe this week, and the winning streak might be stopped sooner than later.
9) Denver Nuggets (10) - Carmelo Anthony is back, and the Bobcats got the worst of it, as Allen and Anthony combined for 49 points, 16 rebounds, and 17 assists. The schedule is no paradise though, as they fight Portland, Utah, and Washington this week.
10) Utah Jazz (13) - Winners of 8 straight, the Jazz are the hottest team on the league right now, New Orleans, Sacramento, and Denver would be their acid test this week.
11) Golden State Warriors (12) - With Webber back in action as a Warrior this week, expect this Golden State team to make another "noise" in the playoffs.
12) Cleveland Cavaliers (9) - Lebron came back in the lineup and the result: a 4-points win over the Clippers. That's not enough, as they fight Boston, Houston, and Atlanta this week.
13) Portland Trailblazers (11) - Portland is coming back to earth now, and they are getting out of the playoff picture.
14) Houston Rockets (15) - 200 million watched the game Saturday night, and were disappointed by their 2 countrymen as Yi and Yao combined for 6-21 from the field. But what' impressive is that they got their 3rd straight win, and will be looking to extend their winning streak this week.
15) Washington Wizards (14) - Kobe Bryant outscored the Wizards the entire first quarter, 19-15. They lost their third straight and this week might stretch their slump.
16) Sacramento Kings (20) - Winners of 4 straight, the Kings are getting serious contenders in the West, as they are looking to be the same team that went to the Conference Finals the last decade.
17) Toronto Raptors (16) -When they won against Boston, I was thinking that they are one of the Best in the East, but losing to the Lakers by 20 points in their homecourt made me wonder.
18) Charlotte Bobcats (17) - Inconsistency still plays a big role in this ballclub, and they need to get over it sooner than later.
19) Atlanta Hawks - This week, they'll fight 4 teams, and only one of them has a losing record. Smells like trouble.
20) New Jersey Nets - Believe it or not, Jason Kidd is showing that he is already tired of playing with the Nets, and before the trade deadline ends, there might be another franchise player to be traded.
21) Philadelphia 76ers (23) - Last week was a great week for the Sixers. They're getting stronger as a team, and that's a good sign: for next year.
22) Seattle Supersonics (30) - 3 straight wins? The Sonics are proving their worth now. But, who cares? They are still in pace for 58 losses now.
23) Minnesota Timberwolves (28) - Minnesota is playing like a team that will win 10 straight. Their finding their identity now. But that isn't enough for them to get into the playoffs, no, not for now.
24) Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks have lost 3 straight, and as if it was not enough, they'll be playing the Mavs this week.
25) Chicago Bulls (22) - Chicago has a newly-found scorer: Kirk Hinrich. Chicago must find a new coach: Fire Boylan.
26) New York Knicks (18) - Just when I thought the Knicks were getting into the playoffs, then came their 5-game losing streak. Forget it.
27) Los Angeles Clippers - Mike Dunleavy, Sr. is saying to the organization that he is the best suit for the job. He is lying , isn't he?
28) Indiana Pacers (25) - 6 straight losses, no O'Neal, poor coaching, and the Pacers are headed to their worst season in years.
29) Memphis Grizzlies (26) - Trading your franchise player for a crappy Kwame Brown and other players might not be the best trade. Do they need salary cap space that badly?
30) Miami Heat - Losers of 18 of their last 19 games, the Heat has a new NBA title : The Worst Team.
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