NBA Power Rankings: Kings Crowned

NBA Power Rankings: Ours is much more of an emotional look than most. Recent events matter, and long-term projections are (mostly) ignored. After all, no one wants to simply read the Vegas odds for winning the title each week, right?

Now that the Magic have lost Jameer Nelson for the season, the top of the rankings are likely to be some combination of the Celtics, Lakers, and Cavaliers for the rest of the year. So let's mix it up a bit, and make the case for the Sacramento Kings: as the worst team in all of basketball. Our own Tom Ziller would like to do so formally this week, so we'll jump the Kings to the top ... at the 30 spot.

30. Kings (11-39) | Prev.: 28
"Why the Kings Are Just the Worst"
By Thomas Ziller

Did you see that score Monday?! The reeling Suns, a team that had 13 meetings over the weekend, a collection of players and a coach that spent a half-dozen shooting stars on wishes for basketball armageddon -- they destroyed the Kings to the tune of a 48-point beatdown. The margin was 50 for a while. It probably wasn't that close. Amare Stoudemire played 27 minutes. During that time, the Suns outscored the Kings by 49 points. 49 points in 27 minutes! The worst thing about all of this nonsense is that it came across the necks of the Kings we actually like and hope to watch post-deadline. Brad Miller sat out, Mikki Moore barely played, Beno Udrih got yanked early. The Suns did this to our future core, which is like going back to the day after the 2007 draft and forcing Kevin Durant and Jeff Green to stand under the rim and get dunked on time after time after time. They can't do anything about it, so just wait. But then that's Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson on the floor right now. So we'll go on just waiting ... waiting ... waiting ...

I hate the NBA,
Th. Ziller
1. Celtics (41-9) | Prev.: 1
Thanks to Ray Allen Tuesday in Philly, they've done it: Boston has a 12-game winning streak, and they'll put it on the line Thursday at home against the Lakers. Both teams have built-in excuses if things don't go their way -- the Lakers are without Bynum, and KG has been out with the flu. But since this isn't Game 6 of the Finals, it should be competitive nonetheless. (BP)
2. Lakers (38-9) | Prev.: 4
Ah, memories. The last time the Lakers played in Boston, they lost by 39 points and watched the Celtics win the title. The last time the teams played each other, the Lakers beat the Celtics on Christmas Day. Something's gotta give on Thursday, and if I had to make a prediction, it's this: Kobe isn't going for 61 in Boston. (BP)
3. Cavaliers (38-9) | Prev.: 2
Mo Williams may get his All-Star wish now that Jameer Nelson is out for the season, but does he deserve it? Just because the Cavs have one of the league's best records doesn't make it so. (BP)
4. Magic (36-11) | Prev.: 3
Anybody check to make sure Mo Williams wasn't fussing with Jameer Nelson's shoulder ointment lately? Anybody? (Matt Moore)
5. Spurs (33-15) | Prev.: 6
They don't feel like a title contender, but then, how many times have we said that in February only to find them with champagne in hand come June? Ginobili is (almost) back to full health, and they haven't ruled out a trade. (MM)
6. Blazers (30-17) | Prev.: 9
Winners of five straight, including a huge comeback win in New Orleans once Chris Paul left with an injury. It's those types of victories that will pay huge dividends for this young team come playoff time. (BP)
7. Nuggets (32-16) | Prev.: 5
I'm thinking that Nene's improvement (along with the addition of Chauncey) could make the difference this season, and the Nuggets may finally make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Oh, and the entire team should go by first names only. (BP)
8. Rockets (30-19) | Prev.: 8
Tracy McGrady proclaims "I'm back." Subsequently sprains ankle in practice. Hilarity ensues. (MM)
9. Mavericks (28-19) | Prev.: 16
Can't trade the pieces they want to trade, and won't trade the pieces they need to trade. Apparently an extra two and a half weeks worth of work seems like enough this season. (MM)
10. Hornets (28-17) | Prev.: 7
This is like some sort of deranged science experiment. "Let's take the shallowest team in the league and then remove their All-Star, MVP-candidate, do-it-all point guard with a groin injury! Now let's watch!" (MM)

11. Suns (26-20) | Prev.: 10
Shaq said he wanted his team to "man-up" and they did: by thrashing the Kings by almost 50 points the next game. The next two -- a delayed home and home with Golden State -- will likely be a better gauge of whether or not the team has truly righted itself. (BP)
12. Hawks (27-20) | Prev.: 14
Horford gets back, Joe Johnson starting to wake up, and still seven games over .500. That bad stretch could have gone much, much worse (jinx). (MM)
13. Heat (26-21) | Prev.: 13
Kobe may be the Black Mamba, but right now the Heat is the team hidden in the weeds, slithering up to some team's playoff ankle. (MM)
14. Pistons (25-21) | Prev.: 18 Consecutive games against the Celtics and Cavaliers mean consecutive losses for most teams, so there's no shame in that. Dropping a home contest Wednesday to a plucky Heat team however, might be cause for concern. (BP)
15. Jazz (27-22) | Prev.: 15
Beat the Bobcats without Deron Williams and (still) Carlos Boozer. That's not as likely of a scenario for the Jazz if they're without those guys Thursday against the Mavericks. (BP)
16. Bulls (21-28) | Prev.: 24
After they were called out for being terrible by Jerry Reinsdorf, went on a nice little three-game winning streak, and almost singlehandedly destroyed the Suns. Came back down to earth a bit with a loss in Houston, but with Luol Deng starting to pick it up, improvement should continue. (BP)
17. Sixers (23-24) | Prev.: 12
With it looking like Elton Brand might shut it down for the season, it's going to be a struggle to stay in the playoff hunt. Then again, they've been doing it without him all season. (BP)
18. Knicks (21-26) | Prev.: 20
Nice enough to let Kobe go bonkers on Monday night, and nice guys might finish last this season -- in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With the Bucks likely out of it with Redd's injury, New York has to like its chances. (BP)
19. Nets (22-27) | Prev.: 21
Always good to find out God hates you in the middle of a Milwaukee winter. Fun. (MM)
20. Bucks (24-28) | Prev.: 19
Surprised Toronto and Atlanta with victories after losing Michael Redd, but everyone will likely be ready for the Charlie Villanueva show from now on, much like the Nets were on Tuesday. (BP)

21. Bobcats (19-29) | Prev.: 17
Is it safe to say that the Lakers win was their biggest in franchise history? Not just a fluke but a fundamentally sound team rising to the occasion to beat a juggernaut on an off night? Hope they enjoyed it, without Crash they're back to Disaster. (MM)
22. Pacers (19-30) | Prev.: 22
Best thing they've got going for them right now (besides Danny Granger's All-Star selection) is Mike Dunleavy's 'stache. (BP)
23. Raptors (19-31) | Prev.: 23
CHRIS BOSH WILL NOT BE A RAP-TOR IN 2010! (Dead horse, beaten.) (BP)
24. Timberwolves (17-30) | Prev.: 11
After losing three straight to the Pistons, Lakers, and Celtics, put up a 38-point fourth quarter in Indiana to come back and get the win. That was encouraging. (BP)
25. Warriors (15-34) | Prev.: 25
Golden State of Mind, summing up their thoughts on Monta Ellis' late game injury against the Spurs: "NOOOOOOOO!!!! It's a cramp. It's a cramp. It's a cramp. Please tell me it's a cramp. Please tell me it's a cramp. SOMEONE GET HIM A G-D DAMN BANANA!!!" (BP)
26. Thunder (17-37) | Prev.: 26
If the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge were the NBA All-Star game, the Thunder would be feeling pretty good about themselves having three players in. But since it isn't, they'll have to be satisfied that the whole "building for the future" thing seems to be working out. (BP)
27. Grizzlies (12-35) | Prev.: 30
Hollins finally gets a win and breaks the losing streak. Darko's coming back, and maybe, just maybe, the team is realizing that OJ needs the ball more than Gay. Things are looking up again in Memphis. Until the next 12 game losing streak. (MM)
28. Clippers (10-38) | Prev.: 29
Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, and Zach Randolph are all (mercifully) back on the court for the Clippers. Unfortunately, Randolph is the only one that looks like he's actually ready to be there. (BP)
29. Wizards (10-38) | Prev.: 27
What's the title of the theme to M*A*S*H* again? (MM)