Powerless Rankings 3/3: Six weeks until summer

The Nuggets are plummeting, while the Pacers are pushing hard for the playoffs.

Record aren’t always indicative of how good, or bad, a team is currently playing. The Denver Nuggets, tied for the fifth worst record in the league (which yes, isn’t good either) have been arguably the worst team in the NBA since the All-Star breaking, having gone 1-9 in their last ten games. The Indiana Pacers on the other hand, only have five more wins than Denver, yet are 1/2 a game out of the Eastern Conference playoffs thanks to an 8-2 record. Their recent surge has vaulted them out of this week’s rankings, and solidified them in the six team race for the seven and eight seeds in the East.

1. | Denver Nuggets | (20-39) Previous Ranking: 8 (-7)

The Nuggets stink, and they know it. They team is counting down the weeks until the season’s end, and it’s likely many of the key players won’t be back next season as the team looks to continue to deconstruct itself after dealing Arron Afflalo and JaVale McGee on the trade deadline.

2. | Philadelphia 76ers | (13-47) Previous Ranking: 3 (-1)

Give some credit to the Sixers for continuing to play hard, but they simply aren’t in a position to string wins together yet. I will be interested to see how Thomas Robinson plays the rest of the season for them.

3. | New York Knicks | (12-46) Previous Ranking: 1 (+2)

Alexey Shved did this  the other night, but the Knicks have quietly won two straight games, including a win over the struggling Raptors on Saturday.

4. | Minnesota Timberwolves | (13-46) Previous Ranking: 2 (+2)

The return of Kevin Garnett has been such a boost to the team from a publicity standpoint, and seems to have healed most of the wounds of those who never forgave the team for trading him. Unfortunately, the team still isn’t winning games.

5. | Los Angeles Lakers | (16-42) Previous Ranking: 4 (+1)

I might be the only one who enjoyed the team’s celebration after beating the Celtics last week, but I understand the anger from Kobe Bryant and Byron Scott. Still, can’t the guys have a little fun?

6. | Orlando Magic | (19-42) Previous Ranking: 5 (+1)

If there is any solace for Magic fans, its that Maurice Harkless and Andrew Nicholson are seeing more playing time after being largely out of the rotation while Jacque Vaughn was still head coach. Both will get a chance to prove if they are worth keeping around long-term.

7. | Sacramento Kings | (20-37) Previous Rankings: 6 (+1)

The Kings aren’t suddenly winning more games with George Karl, but Karl has managed to improve one of the worst benches in the league by adding Andre Miller and tightening the rotation.

8. | Detroit Pistons | (23-36) Previous Ranking: 9 (-1)

Losing to the Knicks hurts, particularly when these team is one of six set on making the playoffs. While Reggie Jackson is averaging 16 points a game in the four he has played for Detroit, he’s only shooting 33.3 percent, well down from the 44 percent he was shooting with Oklahoma City.

9. | Utah Jazz | (23-35) Previous Ranking: 9 (+2)

They are 6-4 in their last ten, and sport a 5-4 record in the division. They will likely finish 11th in the West, but this team is on the up, and is one to watch moving forward into next season.

10. | Boston Celtics | (23-34) Previous Ranking: 10 (-)

Trading away Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green suggested the Celtics were packing away the season, but they remain right in the playoff hunt, and acquiring Isaiah Thomas on the trade deadline has proved to be a solid move.

11. | Charlotte Hornets | (24-33) Previous Ranking: 14 (-3)

Mo Williams has been on fire since joining the Hornets, averaging 23.4 points a game, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three. If they can survive this week, which features games against Brooklyn, Toronto, and Detroit, they could have Kemba Walker back as early as next week.

12. | Brooklyn Nets | (25-33) Previous Ranking: 12 (-)

Beating Golden State last night alludes to just how confident the Nets are, and for good reason — the trade deadline has passed, so the players can focus solely on playing basketball instead of worrying about whether they will get traded or not.

13. | Miami Heat | (26-33) Previous Ranking: 13 (-)

The Heat continue to hold the seventh spot in the East, despite losing Chris Bosh for the season. Michael Beasley is back on a 10-day contract, doing Michael Beasley things, and I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.

14. | Phoenix Suns | (31-30) Previous Ranking: NR

They managed to hold off Oklahoma City until February, but then Goran Dragic wanted out and the team was forced to make a deal. Brandon Knight is a nice replacement for Dragic, but the team is not playing well enough (3-7 in their last ten) to keep pace with OKC.