Week 7 NBA Rankings

1. Boston (20-2) (1) Never good news when you start to hear about Ray Allen and ankle problems.
2. San Antonio Spurs (18-6) (2) It was one thing to lose Duncan, but now without Parker, the Spurs will fall back into the pack.
3. Detroit Pistons (17-7) (3) It's a contract year, so you know Maxiell is playing every game like his life depends on it.
4. Phoenix Suns (18-7) (4) The win in San Antonio was nice, but keep in mind who wasn't playing in that game.
5. Dallas Mavericks (17-9) (7) If they can beat Phoenix and the Clippers, first place maybe right around the corner.
6. Orlando Magic (17-9) (5) With a tougher schedule ahead starting with the Texas Two Step, the Magic are picking a bad time to slump.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (15-9) (8) Kobe did wind up playing in Chicago this year, just not for the team the Bulls fans wanted him to play for.
8. New Orleans Hornets (15-10) (6) Paul keeps this team afloat as they continue to battle through injuries.
9. Toronto Raptors (15-11) (12) Matchup tonight with Portland features two of the most exciting young teams in the league.
10. Denver Nuggets (14-10) (10) Nene needs to come back soon, as this team is suffering defensively without him.
11. Golden State Warriors (14-11) (9) An inspired 4th quarter rally helps the Warriors to a rare win over the Lakers.
12. Washington Wizards (13-10) (14) Now with AD out, the Wizards need Haywood, Jamison and Butler to continue to step up their games, maybe even more so with depth at PG so lacking.
13. Portland Trail Blazers (13-12) (18) The more they win, the more their confidence grows and the last few drafts are really paying off with Webster, Roy, Outlaw and Aldrige spearheading this eight-game winning streak.
14. Utah Jazz (14-12) (11) The struggles continue as Harpring and Okur miss time with injuries.
15. Houston Rockets (12-12) (13) If the Rockets would start hitting their threes, the floor would open up again, but being 28th in the league in 3-point percentage isn't cutting it.
16. Indiana Pacers (13-12) (17) The good news is O'Neal posted back-to-back 20+ point efforts and maybe if his health is right, he can open up more space for Dunlevy and Granger.
17. Atlanta Hawks (12-12) (16) If someone deserves credit for the Hawks' surprising turnaround, it's Anthony Johnson, who's veteran leadership at the PG spot has allowed youngsters Stoudamire and Law to develop while he's led the team to a 10-6 record as a starter.
18. Sacramento Kings (10-14) (20) If they just had a front line, they'd be in playoff contention, but give Salmons and Udrih a lot of credit for filling in so well for Bibby.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (11-14) (15) They're 2-8 since the 9-6 start, but even with LeBron back, they must find their identity on the defensive end to get back in the playoff race.
20. Philadelphia 76ers (10-14) (19) You knew after the GM change the Andre Miller trade rumors would start.
21. Chicago Bulls (8-14) (21) When Nocioni plays well, the energy level of the team goes up, and lately, he's been a big spark off the bench.
22. New Jersey Nets (10-15) (23) As the listless efforts pile up, so do the trade rumors for Jason Kidd.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (10-14) (24) The Bucks need to start playing with the same fluidity away from home, where they have an 8-2 record.
24. Los Angeles Clippers (9-15) (22) Am I reading that right? Chris Kaman is averaging 14 rebounds per game???
25. Charlotte Bobcats (8-14) (26) MJ may have gotten the better of Dumars on the court, but Dumars has made up for it by ripping him off in the front office. How does Walter Hermann's name even come up in a Nazr Mohammed trade?
26. Miami Heat (7-17) (25) If they tank now, they'll get OJ Mayo or Derrick Rose to team up with Wade and Shaq next year.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (7-17) (27) They definitely have something going for them in the backcourt, now if only they could get Pau and Darko to rebound a lot more.
28. Seattle Supersonics (7-18) (29) Durant's first game in New York was a beauty as he torched the Knicks for 30.
29. New York Knicks (7-17) (28) Speaking of the Knicks, shouldn't those fans stop wasting all their energy on Isiah and go after the real culprit of the team's putridity, James Dolan?
30. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-20) (30) It hasn't looked this bad since the Doug West/JR Rider era.