(Best E Casino) - Following a flurry of notable trade activity, the All-Star break has arrived.
The Western Conference appears stacked as usual, while the East is dominated by two top dogs. More trade movement prior to the February 21st deadline could further alter the balance of both conferences, but for now, let's reset with our current power poll:
EAST
1. BOSTON CELTICS - The Celtics own the best record (41-9) in the NBA at the moment. Kevin Garnett, who missed Boston's last nine games prior to the break, is averaging 19.2 points and a team-best 9.9 rebounds, while Paul Pierce leads the team in scoring (20.6 ppg) and Ray Allen has posted 18.5 points per game. The big test will come in the postseason, and as long as the "Big Three" stay healthy, the Celtics are the favorite in the Eastern Conference.
2. DETROIT PISTONS - Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace are not going to allow the Celtics to intimidate them, as Detroit (39-13) owns both experience and team chemistry. Hamilton leads the team in scoring (18.3 ppg), while Billups has handed out a club-high 7.1 assists per game. The Pistons, who are running away with the Central Division, are waiting for the playoffs.
3. ORLANDO MAGIC - Dwight Howard has become a dominant big man, leading the Magic in both scoring (21.7 ppg) and rebounding (14.6 rpg). Howard's supporting cast of Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson has been a big help in keeping Orlando (33-21) at the top of the Southeast Division. Unfortunately, there is a huge gap between No. 2 and No. 3 in these rankings.
4. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - The defending Eastern Conference champions are missing something this season. Superstar LeBron James continues to do it all, but he needs more help if the Cavaliers hope to have a chance of beating Boston or Detroit in a seven-game playoff series. James is averaging 30.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists.
5. TORONTO RAPTORS - Chris Bosh, who leads Toronto in scoring (22.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.2 rpg), is having another excellent season for the defending Atlantic Division champions. Toronto is a fun team to watch, and a healthy T.J Ford makes the Raptors a dangerous opponent, but the team is just not in the same class as Boston or Detroit.
6. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - This is a huge surprise. Point guard Andre Miller, who is averaging 16.6 points and a team-best 6.6 assists, has been terrific for head coach Maurice Cheeks, while Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert and rookie Thaddeus Young have played well. Philadelphia (23-30) won five straight before the break, and if it can avoid a long losing streak, may end up qualifying for the playoffs in a soft Eastern Conference.
7. NEW JERSEY NETS - Trading Jason Kidd, who has posted 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game, is the right thing to do. The Nets thought they had a deal done with Dallas, but it fell through. With Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson still in the fold, New Jersey (23-30) will still battle for a playoff berth in the East. Don't be surprised if Kidd ends up with the Mavericks after all.
8. WASHINGTON WIZARDS - The Wizards would be higher on this list if they hadn't dropped eight of their final nine games before the break. Caron Butler, who won't participate in this year's All-Star Game because of a strained left hip flexor, is averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists this season, but missed the last five games for Washington. All-Star Antawn Jamison is having an excellent campaign, and if guard Gilbert Arenas returns from left knee surgery, the Wizards may shoot up the rankings.
9. ATLANTA HAWKS - The Hawks need to be more consistent. They have young, talented players in rookie Al Horford, All-Star Joe Johnson, high-flying Josh Smith and Marvin Williams, but are still learning how to win.
10. CHICAGO BULLS - Definitely one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season. Scott Skiles was relieved of his duties as head coach, and injuries have hampered Luol Deng and Ben Gordon, who leads the team in scoring (20.0 ppg). There is plenty of talent, but that hasn't spelled wins. Don't be surprised if some trades happen involving Chicago before the trade deadline.
11. INDIANA PACERS - Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy are having the best seasons of their respective careers for Indiana. However, forward Jermaine O'Neal, who is averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, has played in just 33 games and appears to have lost a big step. The Pacers will most likely fall further in the rankings after the All-Star break.
12. MILWAUKEE BUCKS - The Bucks should be better than their 19-34 record. Andrew Bogut is averaging 13.4 points and a team-best 8.9 rebounds, while sharp-shooting Michael Redd leads the team in scoring (22.8 ppg) and Maurice Williams has dished out a team-best 6.5 assists. If Milwaukee can put it all together, it may be able to make a run at one of the final playoff spots in the East.
13. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS - This team is not ready to win or compete in the postseason. The addition of Jason Richardson, who was acquired during the offseason from Golden State, has made the Bobcats (19-34) more exciting, but is not translating to victories. Gerald Wallace leads Charlotte in scoring (21.2 ppg), while Emeka Okafor has grabbed a team-best 11.1 rebounds, and Raymond Felton is Bobcats' assist leader at 6.8 per game.
14. NEW YORK KNICKS - Isiah Thomas is still the leader, and the team is an enigma. What more needs to be said? The offseason should be entertaining in New York.
15. MIAMI HEAT - Hard to believe the Heat won the NBA title in 2006. Shaquille O'Neal is now in Phoenix, after being traded for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. Dwyane Wade and Marion make up a solid one-two punch, but won't get much help from their teammates. A nightmare of a season for Pat Riley, Wade and the Miami organization.
WEST
1. PHOENIX SUNS - The Shaq experiment will start after the All-Star break, though the acquisition of O'Neal was really for the playoffs. Two-time MVP Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire are having incredible seasons. If Shaq can get healthy and fit into the Suns' style of play, Phoenix is the team to beat in the West.
2. LOS ANGELES LAKERS - Superstar Kobe Bryant got his wish when the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. Bryant, who leads the Lakers in scoring (28.0 ppg) and assists (5.0 apg), seems to be happy. When center Andrew Bynum comes back from his injury, the Lakers (35-17) will have an impressive frontcourt of Bynum, Gasol and Lamar Odom. Look out, the Lakers are back.
3. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Make no mistake about it, the defending world champion Spurs (34-17) will be ready to make a run at their fifth championship. The absence of point guard Tony Parker, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Jan 28th, has hurt, but Tim Duncan (19.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg) and Manu Ginobili (20.1 ppg) have kept the Spurs near the top of the Southwest Division.
4. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS - Guard Chris Paul and forward David West have arrived. They will represent the Hornets (36-15) at this year's All-Star Game, which will be played at New Orleans Arena. Paul leads the Hornets in scoring (20.5 ppg) and assists (10.9 apg), while West has registered 19.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. New Orleans is in first place in the Southwest at the break. Can they stay on top?
5. UTAH JAZZ - Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and company have the ability to get the Jazz (34-19) to the top of the Western Conference. Boozer leads the Jazz in scoring (21.7 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg), while Williams is averaging 19.1 points and a team-high 9.7 assists. If Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko can step up their games, the Jazz should win their second straight Northwest Division crown and make some serious noise in the West playoffs.
6. DALLAS MAVERICKS - If Dallas ends up acquiring Kidd, the Mavericks would catapult up the rankings. Reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki is the leader, and has to come up big when the game is on the line, while Josh Howard continues to get better. Adding Kidd would make a huge impact.
7. HOUSTON ROCKETS - All-Star center Yao Ming and the Rockets are playing their best basketball of the season. Houston has won eight straight heading into the break, and looks like it may have its act together. If Tracy McGrady can stay healthy, maybe the Rockets will earn a berth in the postseason and win their first playoff series since 1997.
8. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Golden State (32-20) won three straight thrilling games before the break, and looks like a team that could again be a factor if it gets into the postseason. Baron Davis (21.7 ppg, 8.2 apg) was snubbed for this year's All-Star Game and should be on a mission to prove to everyone that he is one of the NBA's best players. Look out for the Warriors.
9. DENVER NUGGETS - On paper, this looks like a great team, with All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson headlining a solid roster for the Nuggets (32-20). However, if Denver is not careful it will be going on an early vacation. The Nuggets lack consistency and quite frankly, they haven't found the formula for winning.
10. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS - Brandon Roy will play in his first All-Star Game, and is developing into one of the bright young stars in the league. When Greg Oden returns next season, Portland (28-24) will be one of the top dogs in the West. For now, the Trail Blazers will try to play the role of spoiler.
11. SACRAMENTO KINGS - Sacramento (23-28) will explore the possibility of trading point guard Mike Bibby and forward Ron Artest at the deadline. Kevin Martin is the team's leading scorer (23.3 ppg), and is probably the only untouchable on the roster. The Kings don't make anyone sweat anymore when they walk onto the court.
12. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS - Without Elton Brand, who has not played a game this season because of a ruptured left Achilles, the Clippers can't compete for a playoff berth. They are once again headed for an early summer vacation.
13. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - When Memphis traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers, it committed to rebuilding. Mike Miller could be next to change addresses. The promising Rudy Gay and rookie point guard Mike Conley Jr. are building blocks. The Grizzlies (14-38) will just try to compete in their final 30 games of the season.
14. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS - Rookies Kevin Durant (19.4 ppg) and Jeff Green (8.6 ppg) are the future of the SuperSonics (13-38), who have a lot of work to do. Seattle will try to develop their young talent during the rest of the season, the first in what amounts to a five-year plan
15. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES - Al Jefferson (21.2 ppg, 12.1 rpg), the cornerstone of the Garnett deal, has proven that he is developing into one of the top big men in the league. The future is the main concern for this franchise. Right now, it is the lottery or bust.
