Week 23 NBA Rankings

1. Boston Celtics (62-16) (1) The C's just better hope Cassell's back is healed up enough for one more playoff run, but the good news is Rondo has been so good, they may not need to worry about him until the inevitable matchup with Detroit.
2. New Orleans Hornets (55-23) (4) All they have to do is wrap up the conference and Paul's pretty much a lock for MVP.
3. Detroit Pistons (55-23) (2) That was so gracious of the Pistons to basically tank a game for Isiah.
4. Phoenix Suns (53-26) (6) If they have to start the playoffs on the road, they'll be kicking themselves over that one awful quarter against Dallas.
5. San Antonio Spurs (53-25) (3) The fact they've had such anemic offensive outputs in the last week has to be alarming to the Defending Champs.
6. Los Angeles Lakers (53-25) (5) Bynum is sure taking his sweet time, which can't be good news for the Lakers if they have to face Shaq and the Suns in the first round.
7. Houston Rockets (53-25) (8) If they can't get Yao back, at least get Landry back at full strength so TMac can finally get past the first round.
8. Utah Jazz (52-26) (7) With the division title in reach, the Jazz turned it up a couple notches defensively to stifle the Spurs and Hornets and solidify at least a #4 spot.
9. Orlando Magic (49-29) (9) Marcin Gortat will probably get cut on the grounds of playing too physical, even if Howard doesn't miss a game after getting elbowed in the mouth.
10. Dallas Mavericks (49-29) (10) Lets not get too excited, after all, they were expected to play like this all year and they finally put it together in the 4th quarter in Phoenix.
11. Denver Nuggets (47-31) (11) Losses to the Kings and Sonics have set the stage for a showdown with the Warriors that will likely determine who gets the 8th seed.
12. Golden State Warriors (47-31) (12) So get your popcorn ready, there will be an abundance of points in this game.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers (43-35) (13) LeBron's back better be ok, its the Cavs only shot at advancing a round in the postseason.
14. Washington Wizards (41-37) (16) A lot of pundits seem to like Washington to pull the upset in round 1, but I'm not convinced unless Gilbert fully embraces the 6th man role.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (40-38) (14) Igoudala has earned every penny of that $50 million dollar deal upcoming this offseason.
16. Toronto Raptors (39-39) (15) You want to stay away from the Pistons in round 1, but unfortunately, that's exactly where the Raptors are headed.
17. Portland Trail Blazers (39-39) (18) If they get a top 3 pick this year, the FBI will be in David Stern's office by tomorrow, and that's a promise.
18. Atlanta Hawks (36-42) (17) I mean, if you're going to be the #8 seed, at least rep it right, otherwise give it up!
19. Indiana Pacers (34-44) (20) JO got back just in time, but they still have some ground to make up.
20. Sacramento Kings (36-42) (19) I'd like to congratuate the Kings for allowing a 140-point game in regulation. The NBA needed it.
21. New Jersey Nets (32-46) (21) Throw a white flag on their season. When you lose to a Magic team with nothing to play for and a playoff seed on lock, you don't deserve to be in the playoffs even if you're "technically" alive.
22. Chicago Bulls (30-48) (22) What a way to finish such a massive disappointment, by dropping a game to the depleted Heat.
23. Charlotte Bobcats (30-49) (23) The Bobcats are naming thier new arena Time Warner Cable. Oh, good, there's another cable owner in New York who's being dragged through the mud right now...
24. Milwaukee Bucks (26-52) (24) They really haven't been significant in twenty years, save that one playoff run in 2002. I'd happily cast my vote for Simmons to run that team (no, not you Bobby, you owe the Bucks money anyways).
25. New York Knicks (23-56) (28) The minute Walsh takes the GM job, you win 4 in a row? Good job Isiah, at least you keep your post about a week longer.
26. Los Angeles Clippers (23-55) (25) Well, in a week, Elgin can start scouting at least, after all, he's a veteran at this by now.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (21-57) (26) 3.1 points and 3.7 rebounds. Yup, I'm sure that was what Wallace was looking for in return for Gasol.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-59) (27) Oh, poor Antoine. Look at it this way, at least you're getting a paycheck.
29. Seattle Supersonics (18-61) (29) So the Sonics are giving giveaways to the fans before moving the team. I have one, how about a pistol that shoots out Sonics merchandise as the fans point it to their heads.
30. Miami Heat (14-64) (30) Now that the tournaments over, what's Pat's next excuse for his leave of absence from the Heat?