NBA Power Rankings: All-Star Break

Ok, the NBA All-Star Break is here, and I am ready to tell you NBA fans out there my power rankings for the NBA right now. You ready? Here we go.


1.Dallas Mavericks (44-9): Listen, you gotta love the Mavs right now. They have won more games than anybody eles in the NBA right now, they are on a 9 game winning streak, and with a hungry Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and co., this Mavs team is poised for a scary good second half.

2.Utah Jazz (35-17): They've won six in a row without the help of all-star forward Carlos Boozer. This team has too much depth right now. Deron Williams at point guard is getting double doubles every night in points and assists, Mehmet Okur has been carrying the load better than anybody in the NBA, and overall, they seem very confident and strong. Once they get Boozer back healthy, this team is going to be tough to stop.

3. Phoenix Suns (39-12): They've lost 3 in a row with out Steve Nash, do you think that shows how valuable to this team he actually is? Listen, I'm not ready call him MVP (eventhough he's either one or two in my MVP power rankings), but I am ready to call him the Most Valuable Player to his own team. The guy makes more of an impact on his team than people think. He's very unselfish, he dishes the ball out to everybody and gets every body involved. Right now, this team is clearly an elite team with Steve Nash, and not to mention Amare Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion.


4. San Antonio Spurs (34-18): Despite being 9.5 games back of Dallas, and unlikely to take the division, the Spurs are still a lethal team with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili as their core. Plus, they have Micahel Finley, Robert Horry, Bruce "The Goose" Bowen, and even Brent "Not as good as his Dad" Barry. The bottow line, is this team is deep, and the playoffs is a whole different story from the regular season. The Utah Jazz are my favorite team in the NBA, and if there is one team I pray they don't have to face in the playoffs, it's San Antonio.

5. Detroit Pistons (32-19): I like this Piston team, and it will be very interesting to see how the Chris Webber experiment plays out. Listen, I like Billups and Hamilton, but I gotta say, that this team isn't the same without Ben Wallace.

6. Houston Rockets (33-19): I like Tracy McGrady right now, and if they are doing this well without Yao Ming, then they should be scary when he gets back.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (31-22): Right now, with a shaky Eastern Conference, Cleveland is a very solid pick to come outta the East this year. Lebron James is playing fabulous, and you know he's making his teamates better in the process.

8. Washington Wizards (29-21): Gilbert Arenas is taking this team on his shoulders right now, and if he keeps playing like "Agent 0", then the Wizards will go deep in the playoffs.

9. Los Angeles Lakers (30-24): As much as I hate Kobe, the Lakers are looking like a pretty solid team. The problem, is they are a Western Conference team, and so in the Western Conference Playoffs, they'll get eaten alive by whoever they face in the first round.

10. Toronto Raptors (29-24): Chris Bosh is playing well, the whole team looks confident, but this young team is gonna ultimately have a rough post-season because they are young. That being said, they should squeak out of the first round, before Cleveland or Detroit eats them for supper.

11. Miami Heat (26-26): Still a team to fear with Wade and Shaq. I know they aren't looking as good as last year's team, but if you can recall, last year's Miami Heat team did not possess the NBA's #1 record, they were not even seed first in the Eastern Conference. So, I guess what I'm saying, is this team is bulit for the playoffs, and not for the every day regular season pace. As long as they make the playoffs (which they will since they could make the playoffs in their sleep), then this team is dangerous.

12. Chicago Bulls (29-25): They look pretty good, but not real title contenders. Even with Ben Wallace. That being said, Ben Gordon, Kirck Hinrich, and co. look strong and confident right now.

13. Indiana Pacers (28-24): I have no idea why they made that four man swap with the warriors, but I can see why the Warriors liked it so much. Their problem is that two of their best players (Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest) have left the team because of criminal problems. They've lost their core outside of Jermain O'Neal who is playing fabulous for them right now.

14. Orlando Magic (27-26): Dwight Howard is a beast right now averaging a double-double and all. Plus, with a healthy Grant Hill, this team could make some noise in the post-season.

15. Denver Nuggets (26-25): The division is not quite out of reach, but if they can make the playoffs before a Carmello/ Iverson Brawl, they'll be lucky. I see this Allen Iverson/Carmello Anthony experiment blow right up in the face of George Karl and the Nuggets. Ultimately, they'll lose in the first round of the playoffs and every fan in Denver will wonder whether the experiment was a good idea. I agree that on paper it's a great idea getting those two stars to play together, but the reality, is they won't be able to, since they'll both argue over shots in critical moments. The NBA is a one-superstar player per team kind of league and when two superstars like Carmello and Iverson get on the same team, things can easily go wrong.

16. Los Angeles Clippers (25-28): A playoff team from last year that has gone wrong. I still like the depth they have, and a push for the playoffs is still possible. However, that justs seems hard to accomplish with this vicious Western Conference pack of teams that are all ripping at each others throats.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-27): Similar deal as the Clipps, only not as much depth. Listen, I love Kevin Garnett, but the harsh reality, is he has no help up their in Minnesota. I think that he should either get some help, or he should leave Minnesota and go to another team that can contend for an NBA title.

18. Golden State Warriors (25-29): They've look better this year, and by adding Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson to the squad, this Warriors team is better. That being said, with the West being so competitive, any playoff push is going to be hard, and if they get to the playoffs, whoever they face (either the #1 or #2 seed), will squash them like bug. The Warriors will have virtually no impact on this years playoffs. That being said, if they miraculously made the playoffs, it would be awesome for that debunked franchise.

19. New Jersey Nets (25-29): With trade talks concerning both Jason Kidd and Vince Carter, you can't help but worry as a Nets fan about a couple of bad years in the near future.

20. Sacramento Kings (22-29): A bad year for the Kings, considering they have Mike Bibby, Ron "Arrest" Artest, and Kevin Martin who has exploded on to the scene. That being said, there is a ray of hope for these guys because the potential is there.

21. New York Knicks (23-30): They still suck, but they've already topped last seasons wins, so they are playing a lot better. But still they have a long way to go before they return as an elite NBA team. Ultimately, you have to cheer for them. The Knicks historically are a great NBA franchise.

22. New Orleans Hornets (25-28): Chirs Paul is playing great, and if they can build a team around him in the future, this team will be pretty good. The problem is, like all these other lower teer West teams, is it take a hell of a lot to contend in the West, since the Western Conference is so deep.

23. Seattle Sonics (20-32): Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are both great, but other than that the rest of the team in Seattle is pretty quiet.

24. Portland Trail Blazers (22-32): They got Zach "The Red Nosed" Randolph inside wreeking havoc, but beyond that the Trail Blazers are shit.

25. Atlanta Hawks (21-31): Two words are positve about this team: Joe Johnson. 5 words descrinbe how bad they are: They stink, and much more.

26. Charlotte Bobcats (19-33): They suck, but Adam Morrison is playing pretty well.

27. Milwaukee Bucks (19-34): I like Andrew Bogut, but the team overall is a mess. The only two players who help at all are Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut.

28. Philadelphia 76ers (17-36): Without Iveson and Webber, they really stink.

29. Memphis Grizzlies (14-40): They stink.

30. Boston Celtics (13-38): Good thing Gerald Green won the dunk contest, because outside of that, Celtic fans have nothing to cheer for. As far as that whole "Celtic Pride" shit goes, I think cheering for Kobe in Boston sort of threw that motto out the window don't you?

Super Bowl XLI Predictions: Colts vs. Bears

Ok, America, Super Bowl XLI is upon us, and I am ready to make my picks. First of all, let me say that the NFC Champion Chicago Bears and AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts are both very good football teams who both deserve to be here. Both teams have got here for different reasons. The Bears have gotten to the Super Bowl with defense, but also with a suddenly strong offense. The Colts on the other hand have relied on offense the whole year, and yet as of late, seem to have been winning with defense. Both teams have their stars, their studs, and go to guys who they can rely on in crunch time, and so I find it to be fitting to start out right up front and adress who these guys got that are so deadly.
First off, let me start out with the Chicago Bears. On the offensive side of the ball, they have a great WR in Muhsin Muhammad and two great running backs in Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones. These three guys on every play make the Bears offense go, and if QB Rex Grossman isn't playing like a decapitated chicken, this team can put up points. Plus, they got a solid kicker in Robbie Gould who should be reckoned with. On the defensive side of the ball, they got Brian Urlacher and a killer defensive line lead by Tank Johnson who likes getting fire arms inside his house to piss off the police. Any way, this Bears defense is the heart and sould of this Bears team, and one of the greatest friends of this Bears defense is Kick Returner/Punt Returner Devin Hester who has set the single season record with 6 returns for Touchdowns over the year via Field Goal Returns, Punt Returns, and Kick Returns. Devin Hester is a beast, and he could play a huge factor in this game. On top of the offensive weapons and the scary defense, they have a great coach in Lovie Smith who has prepared his team every week to go out and kick ass every week. The coaching in Chicago is very good.

As for the Colts, their whole shindig relies on the offense, and especially on superstud QB Peyton Manning who is the rock of this teams salvation. He has to play well in order for the Colts to beat the Bears. He needs a big day, and I expect a big day out of Peyton Manning tommorow. As for who assists him on offense are fellow Wide Outs Reggie Wayne, and Marvin Harrison who are both studs and death. TE Dallas Clark is also a force to be recond with as he has demolished teams across the league. The running game with Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes is also pretty strong, but the real weapon in this Colt offense is the foot of all-star kicker Adam Vinatieri. This little italian can kick. He's got 3 superbowl rings, and his experience could prove to be key for this team. As for the defense, it has been crappy over the season, but as of late has looked pretty good. With Dwight Freeney at DE leading the charge, the Colts defense has been on some sort of resurgence. Beating the Chiefs with defense, and then the Baltimore Ravens (who are all defense) with defense in a 15-6 kicking fest. The defense has looked pretty good in the playoffs and I think it can cause problems for the Bears offense and their defenseless QB Rex Grossman. Grossman is inexperienced and has loooked shaky all year and I expect the Colts defense to kick him like a can. Plus, they have a great coach in Tony Dungy who I expect to have prepared his team very well.

All in all, I like the Colts in this game beacause they have a better QB in Peyton Manning, and an overall offensive squad. Plus, the DEFENSE in Indy has stepped up lately and I think if they can beat Tom Brady and his offense, they should have a hay day against the Bears and their squirmish offense. They got a great coach, an even better kicker, and an overall sense of purpose to get a monkey off their back that has been taking its tole on not just Peyton Manning but on the whole team. I expect them to shake all those demons and win this game. My official Prediction: Colts win 35-28.