NBA Power Rankings

Alright hoops fans, gather round the computer. It is time for another edition of my NBA Power Rankings.



1. Los Angeles Lakers (11-3)/Previous Rank: 2



I can't stand the Lakers, but I'm not stupid. The defending champs have looked frighteningly good in recent weeks. Now that Pau Gasol is back, Phil Jackson's team is without a weakness. Kobe continues to do his thing, and Ron Artest has finally established himself as a key contributor in Phil Jackson's triangle offense.



2. Orlando Magic (12-4)/PR: 9



That's a big jump for Stan Van Gundy's team, who have come up with two impressive road victories at the Celtics and Hawks. A home loss to the Heat notwithstanding, the Magic are playing the best basketball of any Eastern Conference team right now. The outstanding play of veteran Anthony Johnson in the win over Atlanta is a good sign for a team that is once again without Jameer Nelson.



3. Phoenix Suns (13-3)/PR: 3



After a one-year hiatus, the Suns have returned to their tremendously exciting brand of fast-paced basketball. Steve Nash belongs in the early MVP discussion, and he isn't the only player who has been rejuvenated this season. Amare Stoudamire and Grant Hill also look more healthy and motivated than they have in years. It remains to be seen if the Suns will be able to finally achieve success in the playoffs with this run-and-gun style. But for now, let's just sit back and enjoy the show.



4. Atlanta Hawks (12-4)/PR: 5



That was a putrid second-half performance by the Hawks on Thanksgiving night against Orlando, but I still believe that this is one of the league's best teams. No team has had a louder statement win than the Hawks had last Friday night in Boston. I continue to be amazed by the offensive efficiency of Jamal Crawford, who continues to make me pine for the days when he was a Golden State Warrior.

5. Denver Nuggets (12-4)/PR: 6

As long as Carmelo Anthony continues to play insanely good basketball, the Nuggets will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. Melo put up 50 points in yesterday's win over the Knicks. The one cause for concern? Despite Melo's brilliant 50-point performance, the Nuggets had to scratch and claw their way to victory at home against the lowly Knicks.

6. Dallas Mavericks (12-4)/PR: 7

Rick Carlisle's team suffered a tough home loss to the Warriors last week, but rebounded nicely with consecutive road thrashings of Houston and Indiana. And while all of the MVP talk is centered around LeBron, Kobe, Carmelo, and D-Wade, Dirk Nowitzki continues to make a strong case that he belongs in the conversation.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (12-6)/PR: 10

The Blazers had a horrendous home loss to the Grizzlies last night at the Rose Garden, but prior to last night's debacle they had been playing terrific basketball. The Brandon Roy-Rudy Fernandez duo has been thriving, and Greg Oden continues to play very well. That's surely a sign of the apocalypse.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (11-5)/PR: 4

I love the Big Diesel, but let's face the facts. Without Shaq, the Cavs played beautifully, and their offense moved in a more free-flowing fashion. When Shaq returned from injury last night in Charlotte, the Cavs looked thoroughly flustered on the offensive end, as LeBron and company made awkward attempts to involve Shaq. The result was an embarrassing loss to the Bobcats. LeBron James continues to show why he is the best player on the planet, and J.J. Hickson has been a nice surprise off the bench. But 16 games into the season, the Shaquille O'Neal experiment has not worked out as planned.

9. Boston Celtics (12-4)/PR: 1

An eight-point drop for the Celtics? Look, I still think Boston has a great shot at winning the championship, but they have to be penalized for their lazy play as of late. The Celtics were beaten soundly at home against the Hawks and Magic, struggled in an eventual home win against the Sixers, and needed overtime to defeat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The C's have won three straight, but for a team as good as Boston, style points count. Things are looking up for Doc Rivers' team, however, thanks to an impressive second half performance against Toronto last night, a game that featured a spectacular dunk by Paul Pierce over Chris Bosh, a dunk that wins the title of posterization of the year so far.

10. Miami Heat (9-6)/PR: 8

This Heat team is a total enigma to me. Erik Spoelstra's team showed tremendous grit and spirit in a road win at Orlando on Wednesday, only to look lethargic in a home loss to the Wizards last night. Thus, I remain unconvinced that Miami is a legitimate contender in the East. Jermaine O'Neal has had some nice games recently, but for the most part the great Dwayne Wade remains stranded without much help.

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (9-7)/PR: 18

I love watching this team play. We all know about the outstanding young trio of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook, but the Thunder have another superb young player in James Harden. The rookie from Arizona State is having a terrific season, and Scott Brooks' team looks like they have what it takes to make the playoffs. Last week's road win at Utah, one of the toughest places to play in the NBA, was particularly impressive.

12. San Antonio Spurs (8-6)/PR: 12

That's four straight wins for the Spurs. Does this mean that they have finally become the championship-caliber team that we all expect them to be? Perhaps. I still need to see more before I say that the Spurs have arrived, but I don't think Spurs fans should be too worried. By January, San Antonio should be firmly back on the championship path.

13. Utah Jazz (8-7)/PR: 21

On Thanksgiving night against the Bulls, the Jazz demonstrated why they are still an immensely dangerous team. When Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and company are firing on all cylinders, they are awfully tough to beat.

14. Milwaukee Bucks (8-6)/PR: 13

Rookie sensation Brandon Jennings has cooled off recently, but he is simply experiencing some growing pains. Jennings will be just fine. The bigger worry for Scott Skiles' team is the play of Michael Redd, who has been plagued with injuries this season. Redd looks completely out of sync on the court. Once an elite player in this league, Redd is no longer a factor on the Bucks.

15. Houston Rockets (8-8)/PR: 11

The fairy tale may be coming to an end for the injury-depleted Rockets. After all, it was only a matter of time before this team started to feel the effects of being without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Ron Artest. Still, it's foolish to count a Rick Adelman-coached team out. This team still may have some more gas left in the tank.

16. Sacramento Kings (7-8)/PR: 16

When the Kings lost Kevin Martin to injury,I declared them officially dead. I couldn't have been more wrong. Tyreke Evans is playing beautiful basketball in his rookie year, as is Donte Greene, the supremely athletic second-year player out of Syracuse. It's too early to start thinking about playoffs for the Kings, but Paul Westphal's team deserves a great deal of credit for their surprising start to the season.

17. Toronto Raptors (7-10)/PR: 14

Jay Triano's team is slowly sliding down the path toward irrelevance. They have talent (Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani), but lack chemistry. You might as well start the Chris Bosh free agency countdown.

18. Indiana Pacers (6-8)/PR: 20

Danny Granger is a star, and Dahntay Jones continues to surprise me with his productive play on both ends of the floor. However, I'd like to see Jim O'Brien give Tyler Hansbrough more playing time. Hansbrough is considered by many to be a laughingstock in the NBA, but I haven't given up on him just yet. He has more talent than people realize, and he plays with a tenacity that might translate to success in the pros. The Pacers aren't going anywhere, so they have nothing to lose by playing Hansbrough more minutes.

19. New Orleans Hornets (7-9)/PR: 22

The Hornets have stayed above water in the absence of Chris Paul thanks to the inspired play of Darren Collison. The rookie out of UCLA has done a nice job filling in for CP3. However, I expect New Orleans to eventually fade from relevance this season. There is simply too much dysfunction.

20. Chicago Bulls (6-8)/PR: 17

The long circus road trip has been a total disaster for the Bulls, who have looked especially lifeless in losses to the Lakers and Jazz. Making matters worse, Derrick Rose has yet to blossom into the dominant star that we all expect him to be. Right now, there isn't much to be happy about in Chicago.

21. Charlotte Bobcats (6-9)/PR: 24

The Bobcats have finally started to show some progress on offense, thanks in large part to the spectacular play of Gerald Wallace. Wallace led the Bobcats to a stunning, dominating win over the Cavaliers last night. In an otherwise dismal season, Gerald Wallace provides a glimmer of hope for a struggling franchise.

22. Washington Wizards (5-9)/PR: 25

The return of Antawn Jamison and the addition of Earl Boykins have rejuvenated Flip Saunders' team, who just convincingly defeated the Heat in Miami. However, the loss of Mike Miller to injury is a big blow for the Wizards. Miller was playing great basketball before he suffered a strained calf injury.

23. Golden State Warriors (5-9)/PR: 26

My beloved Warriors showed signs of progress this past week. With assistant coach Keth Smart at the helm, the Warriors beat the Mavs in Dallas and hung with the Spurs for three quarters in San Antonio. Monta Ellis has been amazing, and the return of Ronny Turiaf from injury should give the W's some much-needed energy.

24. Los Angeles Clippers (7-10)/PR: 23

7-10 isn't awful, but let's get real here: Does anybody expect the Clips to be competitive this season. At this point I think we would all understand if Blake Griffin decides to stay injured.

25. Philadelphia 76ers (5-11)/PR: 15

With talented guys like Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, and Thaddeus Young, the Sixers should be better than 5-11. They have been one of the biggest disappointments in the league this season.

26. Detroit Pistons (5-11)/PR: 19

With all of the Allen Iverson talk this past week, Joe Dumars had to be reminded of that ill-advised Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups trade last year. If Dumars could take a mulligan, and if Detroit still had Billups, they would be in much greater shape than they are now.

27. Memphis Grizzlies (6-10)/PR: 29

Now that Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo have been given larger roles in the absence of Iverson, the Grizzlies have been improving. I'm most fascinated to see the development of Hashhem Thabeet. The jury is still out on how Thabeet will fare in the NBA.

28. New York Knicks (3-13)/PR: 28

Mike D'Antoni's team put up strong efforts against the Celtics and Nuggets, but let's face it: This is one seriously bad basketball team. The good news? At least they beat the Nets.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-15)/PR: 27

All of the focus has been on the futility of the Nets, but the T'Wolves have been just as bad, losing fourteen straight games. I feel horrible for first-year head coach Kurt Rambis. After spending years as an assistant to Phil Jackson, losing on such a consistent basis has to be mightily difficult for Rambis.

30. New Jersey Nets (0-16)/PR: 30

Wow. That's all that needs to be said.

The Nellie Dilemma, and a Tired Thanksgiving Tradition

In today's San Francisco Chronicle, the great Bruce Jenkins wrote a superb column urging the Golden State Warriors to replace Don Nelson with current assistant coach Keith Smart. This comes after the Warriors stunned the Mavericks in Dallas last night with only six players under the guidance of Smart, who is assuming head coaching duties on the two-game road swing through Texas as Don Nelson recovers from pneumonia. In last night's 111-103 victory, the shorthanded Warriors looked about as rejuvenated and energetic as they have looked in quite some time, even conjuring memories of the "We Believe" team in 2007 that upset the Mavs in the playoffs. Monta Ellis was brilliant, and Stephen Curry and Anthony Randolph both had their most complete games of the season. Even Vladimir Radmonovic was a key contributor. Simply put, it was the most satisfying win of the year.



As great as the win was, however, it puts the Warriors in a difficult position. I completely agree with Jenkins-----it is time to reward Keith Smart with the head coaching position. Nellie has looked tired all season. He doesn't appear to be motivated, and he has lost the respect and admiration of his players, as evidenced by a recent quarrel with Monta Ellis. Keith Smart, meanwhile, has the potential to be an excellent head coach in the NBA. He has been learning under the tutelage of Nelson for many years now, and the time has come for him to take that next step. However, the W's do not want to simply shove Don Nelson out the door. Nellie has done so many wonderful things for the franchise that Golden State owes him a respectful exit. Making matters worse, Nellie now has pneumonia. With the holidays approaching, wouldn't it seem a little bit cruel to give Nellie the ax as he is horribly sick? The best case scenario would be for Nellie to gracefully resign and turn over coaching duties to Smart. This would be best for the team, and Nellie would be able to exit on his own terms. But due to Nellie's trademark stubbornness, something tells me that such a development is unlikely.



As a diehard Warriors fan, I am ready for Keith Smart to usher in a new era of Warriors basketball. I'm just not sure if we can have that happen without alienating one of our all-time great coaches.



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Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, which means a healthy serving of turkey, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and the Lions and Cowboys. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys have become an annual tradition on Turkey Day, and tomorrow will be no different, as the Lions suit up against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers while the Cowboys meet the Raiders. Many people would argue that Thanksgiving just would not be the same without the Lions and Cowboys playing on our television sets. I beg to differ.

I love watching football on Thanksgiving, and I will be watching tomorrow. But this is a tradition that needs to be changed. The NFL has a golden opportunity on Thanksgiving Day to showcase its product, but year after year, we are forced to endure the awfulness of the Lions and the predictability of the Cowboys. Granted, the Giants and Broncos play tomorrow night, and that should be an interesting game. Sadly, though, that game airs on NFL Network, so a significant portion of the country won't be able to watch the game. But during the daytime, when families gather round the television to watch some football, all that we will be able to see is Dante Culpepper throwing incomplete passes to Calvin Johnson, and Tony Romo destroying the lousy Raiders secondary. A football-loving nation deserves better than that.

Musings on the World of Football

Here are my thoughts after a big football weekend:

---The Colts and Saints remain perfect after road victories yesterday over the Ravens and Bucs, respectively. So, which team is better? I say the Colts. For my money, Indy is the best team in the NFL. Peyton Manning may have been a little shaky yesterday, but he is still one of the best QB's ever. The Colts also have a stellar defense, led by Dwight Freeney, to match that prolific offense. The Saints, on the other hand, may not even be the best team in the NFC. New Orleans has looked a little too sluggish against mediocre teams this season, something that may come back to haunt them in the playoffs.

---What a terrible week for the Bengals and Steelers. The two AFC North powers struggled mightily against two AFC West laughingstocks. Cincinnati followed last week's big win at Pittsburgh with an inexplicable loss to the Oakland Raiders, and the Steelers were stunned in overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs. Yikes!

---I think the Bengals need not worry. The Steelers, meanwhile, have some cause for concern. Not only did they lose a crucial game to a lesser opponent, but they also lost Ben Roethlisberger in the process. The prognosis of Roethlisberger's injury is unknown, but Mike Tomlin and company better be hoping and praying that it is not serious. Making matters worse, backup QB Charlie Batch is also injured and will be sidelined for the next six weeks. If Roethlisberger can't go on Sunday, third-string QB Dennis Dixon will take the snaps, and that will not bode well for Pittsburgh.

---Huge win for the New York Giants yesterday against the Falcons. The G-Men won for the first time in well over a month, and it was a win that keeps their playoff hopes alive. However, Tom Coughlin has to be slightly worried about the way in which the Giants blew yet another 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. There are simply too many savvy veterans (Eli Manning, Osi Umenyiora, Brandon Jacobs) on this team to continuously allow teams to come back late in games.

---The rookie of the year award is all but locked up by the Vikings' Percy Harvin. Harvin is an electrifying playmaker on offense and special teams, and he is a big reason why the Minnesota Vikings are Super Bowl contenders.

---So you're telling me that these Dallas Cowboys, a team that had one of the ugliest wins in recent memory yesterday against the lowly Washington Redskins, have a shot at going to the Super Bowl? I don't think so.

---Yesterday was a painful day to be a Niners fan. Most importantly, the 49ers lost at Lambeau Field against the Packers, falling to 4-6 and essentially destroying any realistic hopes at making the playoffs. But there was another reason why yesterday's loss was especially hard to swallow, and that was the quarterback battle between Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. San Francisco selected Smith with the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, passing on Rodgers even though Rodgers was a Bay Area guy who had a terrific collegiate career at Cal. Four years later, Smith is mired in mediocrity, while Rodgers is thriving on a winning team.

---Yesterday's 32-3 shellacking of the floundering Denver Broncos was big for the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are the clear favorite to win the AFC West, and I expect them to do some damage in the playoffs. Phillip Rivers may be a whiny diva, but there is no denying that he is a first-rate quarterback. And LaDanian Tomlinson is quietly having a nice season while accepting a lesser role in the Chargers offense. All eyes are on Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and New England in the AFC, but it would be foolish to discount Norv Turner's Chargers.

---On to college football now, where Charlie Weis' job at Notre Dame is very much in jeopardy. I believe Weis has poured his heart and soul into his job as head coach of the Fighting Irish, but I also believe it is time to make a change. Notre Dame is a program rich in football tradition, and Weis' 35-26 record at Notre Dame is undoubtedly disappointing.

---The big names that are likely to surface for the Notre Dame coaching vacancy if Weis does indeed get fired are likely to be Florida's Urban Meyer, Alabama's Nick Saban, and Cincinnati's Brian Kelly. Those are all formidable candidates, but if I were the A.D., I would strongly consider Fresno State's Pat Hill. Hill is a splendid coach with great football instinct, and I don't think he would be at all flummoxed by the high pressure and expectations of Notre Dame football.

---What a great Big Game between Cal and Stanford, as Shane Vereen carried the Golden Bears to victory. As a Cal fan and Bay Area native, I am of coursed biased, but I honestly feel that this is the most underrated rivalry in college football. Cal-Stanford is every bit as intense, every bit as entertaining as Ohio State-Michigan and USC-Notre Dame.

---Oregon and Oregon State will meet one week from Thanksgiving for a Civil War for the ages, a game that will determine who is going to the Rose Bowl. My gut call: Oregon State pulls off the slight upset.

---And finally, the holiday season is a time for joy, so why does the horrible BCS have to come and dampen the mood?

Around the Association

My NBA power rankings are taking a week off, and will return next week. Right now, though, lets go around the association:

---What more do the Atlanta Hawks need to do to be considered an elite team? Last Friday's convincing defeat of the Boston Celtics in Boston served as proof that the Hawks have emerged as a legitimate power in the East. Josh Smith is having far and away the best season of his career, Joe Johnson is proving himself to be one of the most underrated players in the league, and Jamal Crawford continues to dazzle with his scoring ability. And I haven't even mentioned Marvin Williams, Al Horford, Mike Bibby, or Zaza Pechulia, all of whom are key contributors. Mike Woodson's team is the most athletic in the league, and they will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

---That was an ugly loss for LeBron and the Cavs in Washington on Wednesday night. Granted, it came on the back end of a back-to-back, but Cleveland looked disturbingly lifeless in the second half, getting run out of the building by Flip Saunder's Wizards. If the Cavs want to be taken seriously as a championship contender, then they must show more energy and consistency on a nightly basis.

---On the flipside, it was a big win for the struggling Wizards. Gilbert Arenas played well, and Antawn Jamison looked sharp in his first game back from injury. However, the MVP of that game was Earl Boykins. Boykins is proof that small guys can indeed thrive in the NBA. He has so much talent, and he plays with so much heart. To this day, Boykins remains one of my all-time favorite Golden State Warriors. I'm happy to see him thriving in Washington.

---I hate the Lakers, but there is no denying it: They looked scary-good last night against the Bulls. Pau Gasol looked spectacular in his season debut, Kobe Bryant was lights-out, and Ron Artest had perhaps his best game as a member of the Purple and Gold.

---The Spurs, meanwhile, are floundering. I know they always get off to slow starts, and I realize that they have been bombarded with injuries to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. Still, their 4-6 start has been extremely disappointing. I picked Gregg Popovich's team to win the West, but I become less confident in that prediction with each passing game. Get it together, San Antonio!

---The Jazz benefited from the Spurs' woes last night in San Antonio, making history in the process. Last night's victory in San Antonio was the first time in ten years that the Jazz have beaten the Spurs in the Alamo City. The Jazz were buoyed by the superb play of Deron Williams and Paul Millsap, and perhaps last night's win will be the win that will finally get Utah out of its' road funk.

---Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith both gave a fascinating dissection of Bulls G Derrick Rose's game last night on "Inside the NBA". Barkley and Smith noted Rose's obvious talent and athleticism, but they remarked on his below-average shooting skills. If Rose wants to permanently establish himself as an elite point guard in the NBA, he needs to become a better jump-shooter.

---Nice to see J.R. Smith back with the Nuggets. In his return last Friday against the Lakers, a game Denver dominated, Smith showed his outstanding scoring ability, but he also showed his maturation at the defensive end. While Smith should not yet be classified as a lockdown defender, George Karl has to be thrilled with the progress that Smith has made on defense.

---Okay New Jersey Nets, the time is now. If you don't beat the lowly Knicks on Saturday to capture your first win of the season, you may not win a game this season.

---Encouraging win for my Warriors last night. We are severely shorthanded, but we still found a way to dismantle a very good Portland Blazers team. Monta Ellis had his best game of the year, Stephen Curry showed why he deserves more playing time, and Anthony Morrow delivered another lights-out, brilliant shooting performance.

---Coach Doc Rivers has expressed disappointment in the recent play of his Boston Celtics, and I don't blame him. For my money, the C's still remain the favorite in the East, but they suffered their second sluggish home loss in the span of one week last night against the Orlando Magic.

---LeBron James says that he plans on changing his number from 23 to 6 next season as a nod of respect to Michael Jordan. King James says that M.J.'s number 23 should be retired by the NBA out of deference to the greatest player of all-time. This is an admirable, genuine gesture by LeBron, but it is not a good idea. While Michael Jordan is indeed the best player to have ever stepped on the basketball court, he is not the player who had the most culturally significant impact on the game. If David Stern were to retire Jordan's number, he would also have to retire the numbers of Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, players who arguably left an even bigger mark on the game of basketball than His Airness.

---There is also something fundamentally misguided about LeBron's idea. If LeBron really wants to honor M.J., shouldn't he play the rest of his career with the number 23? That way he would be honoring Jordan with his greatness on the court. As Larry Bird recently said on "The Dan Patrick Show", he loves to see today's players wearing his number and has no interest in seeing it be retired.

---I was saddened by the news of Kareem Abdul-Jabaar's leukemia diagnosis, but I am also hopeful. Kareem is a champion in all aspects of life, and here's hoping he will be able to overcome this latest battle.

Iverson to the Knicks? L.J. to the Bengals? It's time to play Smart or Dumb.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Smart or Dumb, a game in which I measure the intelligence of several recent sports developments. With no further ado, let's get started.

1. The New York Knicks' rumored pursuit of Allen Iverson: DUMB

Yes, the Knicks are absolutely awful. Yes, they are in dire need of some offense. However, it is dumb of Donnie Walsh to express interest in the petulant Allen Iverson. The fact that A.I. is a Hall-of-Fame-caliber player is beyond dispute. The fact that he is poison to a team's morale and chemistry is also beyond dispute. It took The Answer only one game to whine his way out of Memphis, complaining about how he will never be willing to come off the bench. This came immediately after Iverson left the Detroit Pistons in ruins. Mike D'Antoni's team is already a distracted bunch, thanks in large part to the incessant LeBron James rumors. If the Knicks end up signing Iverson, they will be an even bigger trainwreck than they are now, and Iverson would surely end up voicing his discontent to a hungry New York media.

2. The Bengals signing of controversial running back Larry Johnson: SMART

Larry Johnson, like Iverson, has a tendency to tear a team apart, and he talked his way out of Kansas City. However, unlike Iverson, Johnson seems willing to start anew with Cincinnati. L.J. should finally be happy and motivated playing on a winning team, and the Bengals wisely added more depth at the running back position. Cedric Benson has been stellar for Marvin Lewis' team, but now the Bengals have a player in Larry Johnson who will be able to give Benson some much-needed rest when he needs it.

3. Baseball writers reward Tim Lincecum and Zack Greinke with the Cy Young: SMART

Baseball columnists got it right. With all due respect to Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, CC Sabathia, and Justin Verlander, Lincecum and Greinke are deserving champs. As a diehard Giants fan, I am biased when it comes to Tim "The Freak" Lincecum, but I truly believe that he was the best candidate in the National League. With the exception of Pablo Sandoval and Juan Uribe, the Giants had no offense last season, yet Lincecum dominated in the face of such frustrating adversity. He followed up his 2008 Cy Young campaign with an even greater 2009. Greinke, meanwhile, was lights out for the otherwise dismal Kansas City Royals. Because pitchers take the mound only once every five games, Greinke should not be penalized for the Royals' ineptitude. CC Sabathia has A-Rod, Jeter, and Teixeira, Justin Verlander has Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. Zack Greinke, on the other hand, has Mark Teahen and not much else, yet he was every bit as dominant as Sabathia and Verlander.

4. Steve Kerr saying he would trade careers with Steve Nash in a heartbeat: DUMB

Has Steve Kerr lost his mind? The Suns GM won three championships with the great Bulls dynasty of the 1990's, and he got to play alongside the greatest player ever in Michael Jordan. Kerr added two more championships as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, where he got to play with Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Kerr is the only player in the last thirty years to have won four consecutive championships, and he is known as one of the most prolific three-point shooters in league history. And he wants to trade places with Nash, a player who has not once won a championship? I love Nash, one of the best point guards ever, but I think Kerr is nuts for wanting to trade away an illustrious career full of championship glory.

5. Jim Harbaugh going for two in the fourth quarter of a blowout win over USC: DUMB

For the record, I am a big fan of Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh has brought some much-needed energy and swagger to a long-suffering Stanford football program, and his players are responding with win after win, as Stanford has a shot at reaching the Rose Bowl this season. But he stepped over the line on Saturday against USC, when he went for a two-point conversion as his Cardinal were destroying the Trojans. This was a relatively classless move, and Pete Carroll had every right to be annoyed after the game.

Belichick, Gerhart, Jennings, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:


---Right now, Bill Belichick should be hiding inside his ugly gray hoodie. Sorry to be so harsh, but that was an awful call by Belichick to go for it on fourth down in the final minutes of last night's thrilling game between the Patriots and Colts.


---If Belichick were a classy guy, I would be a little less judgmental. But the fact of the matter is that he is a pompous jerk, and I'm happy to see him get bombarded with criticism.


---Still, as bad as that call was, the Colts deserve all the credit in the world for orchestrating yet another incredible comeback. Down by 17 in the fourth quarter, Peyton Manning worked his magic once more, and Reggie Wayne's game-winning touchdown reception is far and away the catch of the year so far.


---When all was said and done, it was another instant classic from the Pats and the Colts.


---In other NFL news, how about those Cincinnati Bengals. With their 18-12 win at Pittsburgh yesterday, Marvin Lewis' team completed a season sweep of the archrival Steelers. The Bengals remain undefeated against the AFC North, and have now established themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.


---The difference between Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco and Bills WR Terrell Owens? Ochocinco's outrageous antics are fun and translate into wins on the football field, while T.O's selfish behavior tears a team apart, as evidenced by his whining on the sideline during yesterday's Buffalo loss to the Titans.


---Rumor has it that President Obama is thinking about bailing out the Jets. After a 3-0 start, Rex Ryan's Jets have fallen back to earth.


---On to the NBA now, where Brandon Jennings continues to amaze. The Bucks rookie guard torched my Warriors for 55 points in Saturday's 129-125 win over Golden State. Jennings fell just three points short of Wilt Chamberlain's rookie record. Jennings is going to run away with the rookie of the year award this season, and his brilliant play may buoy the Bucks into the playoffs.

---Could it get any more heartbreaking for the winless New Jersey Nets? The Nets were a few seconds away from getting their first victory of the year in Miami on Saturday night, only to see Dwayne Wade work some more of his magic with a game-winning buzzer-beater to give the Heat the win. Now, the Nets are 0-10. There is hope, however, in the form of rookie Terrence Williams. Williams is an amazing athlete who holds the keys to New Jersey's future.

---The Pistons have been doing a good job of delaying their inevitable downslide this season thanks to the inspired play of Will Bynum. In a lineup that includes the likes of Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon, and Rodney Stuckey, Bynum does not seem like a likely contributor, but he has carried the Pistons in recent games.

---Big trade today in the NBA, as the Stephen Jackson era has ended in Oakland. As a diehard Warriors fan, I am relieved that we finally shipped Jackson away. He was a great Warrior, but in recent months he became a major distraction with his incessant trade demands. Jackson heads to Charlotte in exchange for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmonovic, and I'm thrilled with the Raja Bell acquisition. Bell is a spectacular defender and a solid all-around player who is more than capable of filling the void left by Jackson.

---Stanford in the Rose Bowl? At the start of the college football season that very thought would be utterly preposterous and laughable. Eleven weeks later and Stanford has a chance to play in Pasadena. This is due in large part to star running back Toby Gerhart, who rushed for 178 yards in Saturday's 55-21 thrashing of USC. Gerhart belongs in the Heisman conversation along with Florida QB Tim Tebow and Alabama RB Mark Ingram.

---Was Ohio State's overtime win over Iowa on Saturday impressive? Yes, and it was a win that will likely put the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. However, I still think that Ohio State is an overrated football team. Until Jim "Sweater Vest" Tressel leads his team to a big victory over a non-Big Ten opponent, I will remain unconvinced that Ohio State is a legitimate national power in college football.

---College basketball is back and better than ever, and I can already hear the passionate chants of "It's awesome baby!!!" from the great Dick Vitale. My national championship pick? Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans. A year removed from an appearance in the national championship game, the Spartans will build from that experience and go on to cut down the nets in Indianapolis.

NBA Power Rankings

Hoops fans gather round the computer. It's time for the second edition of my NBA Power Rankings:

1. Boston Celtics (Last Week's Rank: 1)/Record: 8-1

Despite a lackluster home performance against the Suns, Boston remains dominant. I don't think this team will live up to 'Sheed's 72-win prediction, but there is no doubt that the Celtics are the best team in the league right now.


2. Los Angeles Lakers (LWR: 5)/Record: 7-1

Yup, that's a big jump for the defending champs. Much to my dismay, the Lakers have picked up their energy in recent weeks, and the fact that they are playing so well without Pau Gasol is scary. Last night's blowout victory over the hot Suns was particularly impressive.


3. Phoenix Suns (LWR: 4)/Record: 8-2

Last night's clunker against the Lakers notwithstanding, the Suns are off to a stellar, thoroughly unexpected start. Steve Nash is completely rejuvenated, and the Suns have a chance to be a top five team in the West this season. Last week's road win over the then-undefeated Boston Celtics showed that the Suns, pardon the overused cliche, have still not set.


4. Cleveland Cavaliers (LWR: 10)/Record: 6-3

That is a huge jump for the Cavs, who are finally starting to flex their championship-caliber muscles. No team made a louder statement this week, as the Cavs convincingly completed the Florida sweep on the road at Orlando and Miami. King James continues to play at a superhuman level, but as evidenced by the strong contributions of Mo Williams and J.J. Hickson in yesterday's win over the Heat, he is finally starting to get some help.


5. Atlanta Hawks (LWR: 6)/Record: 6-2

Last week's 25-point dismantling over the Nuggets served as a statement to the rest of the league: Stop dismissing the Hawks. Everyone agrees that the Hawks are not quite at the level of the Big 3 in the East, but this is a fantastic basketball team with some of the best athletes the league has to offer. The addition of Jamal Crawford off the bench has made the Hawks one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Continue to dismiss them if you like, but Atlanta is for real.


6. Denver Nuggets (LWR: 2)/Record: 6-3

That's a four-point drop in the power rankings for George Karl's Nuggets, who looked sloppy in losses to the Heat, Hawks, and Bucks. After a 5-0 start, the Nuggets are 1-3. Still, Carmelo Anthony continues to establish himself as a serious MVP candidate, and the return of J.R. Smith should help the Nuggets right the ship. They have a chance to make a statement tonight at home against the Lakers in the national television spotlight.


7. Dallas Mavericks (LWR: 8)/Record: 5-3

While this team remains somewhat of a mystery, Tuesday's home blowout over the Rockets showed that they are starting to hit their stride. Their recent success is due to Dirk Nowitzki. I've been hard on Dirk in the past, but he is a man on a mission this season.


8. Miami Heat (LWR: 7)/Record: 6-2

Sorry Heat fans, but I am just not sold on this team. Dwayne Wade is, for my money, the second best player in the world, but he can't lead the Heat to the promise land all by his lonesome. Miami's win over the Nuggets was indeed impressive, but watching the Heat lose to the Cavs last night it became evident that this Miami team is a ways away from competing with the elite teams in the East. Still, they are 6-2, so they retain a top ten slot in my power rankings.


9. Orlando Magic (LWR: 3)/Record: 6-3

Okay, maybe I'm being a little harsh. In fact, I'm definitely being too harsh. Are there eight teams in the NBA better than the Magic? Of course not. When all is said and done, Stan Van Gundy's team will be in the championship hunt. But I just want to prove a point. The Magic are coming off a completely lethargic week. Even in their 83-71 win at Charlotte, a game that marked the return of Vince Carter, the Magic played uninspired basketball. This is one of the league's best teams, but here in TJB's Sports Universe, lethargy is not tolerated.


10. Portland Trail Blazers (LWR: 15)/Record: 6-3

Big jump for the Blazers, who have won five of their last six. Right now, everything is going right for Nate McMillan's bunch. Heck, even Greg Oden is playing well, and that is surely a sign of the apocalypse. Okay I'm sorry, I should be focusing on the superb play of the Blazers, but I just couldn't resist taking a Greg Oden cheap shot.


11. Houston Rockets (LWR: 9)/Record: 5-3

They were blown out by the Mavs, perhaps an indication that reality is starting to set in for the depleted Rockets. But Houston is still giving great effort every night, and their game on Sunday against the Lakers will serve as a telling test. Who would have thought that a Rockets team without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Ron Artest would get off to a 5-3 start?


12. San Antonio Spurs (LWR: 12)/Record: 4-3

I still believe that this is a championship-level team, and Wednesday's convincing win over the Mavericks will hopefully get these Spurs going. But I'm still not satisfied with the energy of the Spurs. San Antonio is far better than 4-3. Perhaps Manu Ginobli is still suffering the side effects from swiping that bat on Halloween night. In all seriousness, I am still waiting for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and company to hit their stride.


13. Milwaukee Bucks (LWR: 22)/Record: 4-2

That's a nine-point leap in the rankings for the Bucks, who continue to be buoyed by the stellar play of rookie sensation Brandon Jennings. Can Jennings and Michael Redd lead the Bucks to the playoffs? One week ago, I would have said hell no, but a playoff birth in the Eastern Conference is now a fathomable possisbility for Scott Skiles' team.


14. Toronto Raptors (LWR: 17)/Record: 4-4

In wins against the Hornets and Bulls, the Raptors showed signs of progress. Andrea Bargnani is finally starting to live up to the hype, and Jay Triano's team is starting to play inspired basketball. Still, a tough week lies ahead for the Raptors, as they have road games against the Suns, Nuggets, and Jazz.


15. Philadelphia 76ers (LWR: 13)/Record: 4-4

The Sixers have talent, but they aren't looking too golden. Their only two wins in the last week have come against the winless Nets, and rumor has it that the Sixers are looking to trade Samuel Dalembert. The Dalembert talks are likely to cause a major distraction, and I expect the Sixers to fade from relevance in the coming weeks.


16. Sacramento Kings (LWR: 28)/Record: 4-4

A 12-spot leap in the rankings for Sacramento? Absolutely. Last week at this time Paul Westphal's Kings were 1-4, looking very much like the cellar-dwelling bunch we all expected them to be. Three wins later, the Kings are playing fantastic basketball. The fact that they are thriving in the absence of their best player (Kevin Martin) is especially surprising, a testament to the leadership that rookie point guard Tyreke Evans is bringing to the table.


17. Chicago Bulls (LWR: 11)/Record: 4-4

The Bulls' 6-spot drop in the rankings is simply a result of the strong streaks of the competition rather than any sort of collapse on the part of Chicago. Still, Vinny Del Negro's team is reeling from the aftermath of Tuesday's heartbreaking loss to the Nuggets. Brad Miller's incredible shot with four-tenths of a second seemed to be a game-winning buzzer-beater, a shot that would have given the Bulls a nice jolt of momentum. But after further review, it was ruled no good, as the ball was still at the tip of Miller's fingers when the buzzer sounded. The Bulls should be fine, but right now the nasty taste of that loss lingers.


18. Oklahoma City Thunder (LWR: 14)/Record: 4-4

Man, is this team fun to watch. The excitement that the Thunder bring to the table has not and probably will not translate into winning consistency this season, but as I said last week, the young nucleus of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green will eventually bring winning basketball to Oklahoma City. It's just a matter of time.


19. Detroit Pistons (LWR: 23)/Record: 4-4

Without the injured Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, John Kuester's Pistons have won three of their last five games. Ben Gordon is a reliable contributor off the bench, and it was a nice week for Detroit. But it's only a matter of time before this team's lack of chemistry comes back to haunt them. I would be shocked if the Pistons fare well on their upcoming road trip, a trip that includes stops in Los Angeles, Portland, Utah, and Phoenix.


20. Indiana Pacers (LWR: 24)/Record: 3-3

I must give credit where credit is due. I have been a frequent critic of Dahntay Jones, a player whom I believe has always been overrated as a defensive stopper. With this being said, however, Jones has been a surprising offensive contributor for the Pacers thus far. Add that to the continued brilliance of Danny Granger, and the Pacers have rebounded nicley after a rocky beginning.


21. Utah Jazz (LWR: 16)/Record: 3-5

The road incompetence of the Jazz continues. Even in a 95-93 win the Jazz looked bad at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, nearly blowing a twenty-point lead en route to what would have been another embarassing collapse away from home for Jerry Sloan's team. But the performance against the Knicks wasn't nearly as bad as the home loss to the Kings, a game in which the Jazz looked utterly defenseless. If I'm Deron Williams right now, I am not a happy camper.


22. New Orleans Hornets (LWR: 18)/Record: 3-6

As I wrote yesterday, this team's struggles will not be cured by the unfair firing of Byron Scott. The Hornets have major problems that are not likely to be resolved this season. Thus, right now, Chris Paul is in the same boat as Deron Williams. It's unfortunate that the league's two best point guards, and two of the league's best players period, are currently in floundering situations.


23. Los Angeles Clipers (LWR: 26)/Record: 3-6

The Blake Griffin injury has cast a pall over the Clippers 2009 NBA campaign, but there is one positive: the stunning productivity of Chris Kaman. I plead guilty to being a Chris Kaman critic, but their is no denying Kaman's brilliant start to the season. Now if the rest of the Clippers could follow Kaman's lead, maybe they would have something. Maybe.


24. Charlotte Bobcats (LWR: 20)/Record: 3-5

The Bobcats have perhaps one of the worst offenses in NBA history. Four times this year they have scored less than eighty points. Right now, Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown has to be wondering how the hell he landed this job.


25. Washington Wizards (LWR: 21)/Record: 2-6

I thought the Wizards were going to be a very good team this year. I thought the return of Gilbert Arenas was going to make the Wizards a top five team in the East. It is still very early, but these Wizards have made all of my predictions look entirely foolish. I know Antawn Jamison is injured, but my goodness, this team looks a lot like the 19-win team from a year ago. Get it together, Washington!


26. Golden State Warriors (LWR: 19)/Record: 2-5

I am a diehard Warriors fan who lives and dies with every dribble, so you can imagine my dismay at the disturbing amount of dysfunction surrouding this team. As if the Stephen Jackson trade rumors weren't enough of a distraction, Monta Ellis and Don Nelson got into a verbal spat yesterday after practice. More fun in Warriorland.


27. Minnesota Timberwolves (LWR: 25)/Record: 1-8

The one bright spot in the Warriors week? Their 41-point shellacking of the T'Wolves. Kurt Rambis' T'Wolves are high on talent, but woefully short on savvy and experience. Expect this team to go through immense growing pains this season.


28. New York Knicks (LWR: 27)/Record: 1-8

Wow. That's all I have to say. I know the idea of playing in New York is incredibly tempting, but you're telling me that LeBron is going to want to play on a team like this? I really do hope the Knicks start playing better. But right now, there is no denying it: This team is god-awful.


29. Memphis Grizzlies (LWR: 29)/Record: 1-8

The Grizzlies are just the latest team to be scarred by the selfish antics of Allen Iverson. In my opinion, Lionel Hollins' team would be better off if A.I. does not return. It's time to let Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo continue to learn the ropes.


30. New Jersey Nets (LWR: 30)/Record: 0-8

Actually, the Nets are playing with inspired effort, as evidenced by their admirable effort against the Celtics last week. But 0-8 is 0-8. Until they win a game, the Nets will reside in last place in these power rankings.