NBA Power Poll #20

1. Los Angeles Lakers (53-20): Still just one loss since the All Star break, that is unreal.  Catching the Spurs for the one seed was once a pipe dream; now it’s a moderate possibility.  San Antonio has lost three straight, and LA is just four games back.  Kobe Bryant’s making a late MVP push, leading the best team in the league and putting up huge scoring numbers (42, 37, and 30 points in his last three games).

2. Chicago Bulls (53-19): Only slightly less hot than the Lakers, the Bulls are steamrolling towards the top seed in the East.  Chicago has a two game lead over Boston, their nearest competitor, with just ten games to play.

3. Miami Heat (51-22): The Heat have been streaking all year.  Either they’re red hot, winning ten games in a row, or they’re on a five game slide.  That kind of inconsistency is indicative of a team still finding its identity.  If they find it in the playoffs, they can beat anybody.  Last night against the Rockets, Chris Bosh had 31 points and 12 rebounds, LeBron James had 33 points and 10 rebounds, and Wade had 30 points and 11 rebounds.  I’m not sure three teammates have ever had that big of a game together.  This team has an enormous ceiling; they have just as deep a basement as well.

4. San Antonio Spurs (57-16): It’s hard to pin this team down right now.  Tim Duncan is out, probably until the playoffs, resting a bum ankle.  Still, they shouldn’t lose three straight games, especially with the Lakers on their heels.  Despite their great record, I don’t know if this team can truly win a championship this year because of their age.  The playoffs are a grind, and if they sustain one key injury, I don’t think they’ll overcome it.

5. Boston Celtics (51-21): Caught and passed by the Bulls, the Celtics are playing really flat lately.  They’re just 5-5 in their last ten games, and Rajon Rondo hasn’t been the same since Kendrick Perkins was traded.  Those two were very close, so I wonder if Rondo hasn’t been able to refocus since the deal went down.  For the month of March, Rondo is averaging just 8 points and 9 assists, down from 10 and 12 on the year.  Keep in mind though, that last year Boston went 27-27 in their last 54 games before making it all the way to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder (48-24): Winners of three straight and nine of their last ten, the Thunder look to be perhaps the Lakers' biggest competition in the West.  Perkins is doing exactly what the Thunder want: scoring 6 points, snatching 8 rebounds, and defending the paint.  This team was served well by facing the Lakers last year in the playoffs and should enter this year’s tournament fearing absolutely no one.

7. Dallas Mavericks (52-21): Look, this team is good, but that’s it.  They don’t have a complete player anywhere on their roster.  Jason Kidd is a passer and spot up shooter that can’t defend anybody, nor can he get in the lane effectively.  Dirk Nowitzki is a great scorer, but as a 7-footer you have to impact the game on more than just jump shots.  Nowitzki can’t guard opposing big men, and he’s too slow to check smaller forwards on the perimeter.  Tyson Chandler has been great for the Mavs, but he’s a rebounder and shot blocker; that’s the extent of his game.  Jason Terry is long in the tooth, and is really only a scorer that doesn’t impact the game elsewhere.  This team is old, slow, and with the exception of Chandler, not athletic at all.  Mavs fans drink the cool-aid every year, thinking that an outstanding regular season will translate into playoff success, but this group just isn’t built to beat the elite teams in the league.

8. Orlando Magic (47-26): Like I told you, the eighth spot is all theirs.  Don’t you dare try taking them out of it.

9. Denver Nuggets (44-29): They’re like a younger version of the Mavericks: lots of nice role players, shooters, and a high scoring outfit, but going nowhere in the playoffs.  Still, they’ve been great without Carmelo Anthony, and George Karl deserves Coach of the Year consideration just for that.

+1. Marcus Thornton: Thornton averaged just 11 points per game when he was with the Hornets, but with increased playing time coming to Sacramento, he’s exploded, averaging 23 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game in March.  Sometimes guys just need an opportunity to shine, and that’s what Thornton is getting.

--from Adam