With the NBA on hold until Thursday, here are the latest rankings for the bottom 14 of the NBA.
1. | New York Knicks | (10-43) Previous Ranking: 3 (-2)
Remind me to never give the Knicks credit ever again. After last week’s tad bit of love, the Knicks went on a five game losing streak going into the All-Star break.
2. | Minnesota Timberwolves | (11-42) Previous Ranking: 1 (+1)
The Timberwolves haven’t been winners this season, but Zach LaVine was during Saturday’s dunk contest. LaVine is still a work in progress as a basketball player, but Saturday’s display will undoubtedly bring a lot of positive attention to the Timberwolves, and to him.
3. | Philadelphia 76ers | (12-41) Previous Ranking: 2 (+1)
Speaking of getting recognition, Philadelphia’s Robert Covington was a late addition to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, and was well earned given his season with the Sixers (13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds per game). However, Covington, along with teammate Nerlens Noel, were quiet during the game, combining for just six points.
4. | Los Angeles Lakers | (13-40) Previous Ranking: 4 (+1)
The most interesting story out of Los Angeles right now is the “near death” encounter Nick Young had with a dolphin, which I might add, is actually really interesting, whether made up or not. I mean, of course a dolphin tried to kill Nick Young.
5. | Orlando Magic | (17-39) Previous Ranking: 6 (-1)
The Magic finally fired Jacque Vaughn, and will likely wait to hire a new permanent head coach until the offseason. Development of young talent will be a focus, and Grantland’s Zach Lowe thinks Orlando should at least accept phone calls regarding Channing Fyre, who signed a 4-year, $32 million contract last summer.
6. |Sacramento Kings | (18-34) Previous Ranking: 10 (-4)
The Kings fired another head coach, this time Ty Corbin, who started as an assistant for Mike Malone, then became interim head coach, then permanent head coach, and now out of a job. George Karl, who had been linked with the job since Malone was let go, will take over, which begs the question, why wasn’t he hired in the first place?
7. | Utah Jazz | (19-34) Previous Ranking: 11 (-4)
The Jazz had a number of young players participate in All-Star Weekend, but none had his stock rise higher than Rudy Gobert, who got to display his defensive dominance on a national stage during the Rising Stars Challenge. With Enes Kanter apparently asking for a trade, Gobert is looking like the man in the middle for the future, alongside Derrick Favors.
8. | Denver Nuggets | (20-33) Previous Ranking: 7 (+1)
Brian Shaw has been reportedly reading up on millennials in hopes he will better understand his players, in case you wondering how the Nuggets season is going. Lowe is also reporting that of all the teams in the league, Denver could be the most active on the trade deadline.
9. | Detroit Pistons | (21-33) Previous Ranking: 12 (-3)
Detroit remain just two games outside the final playoff spots, but have a tough schedule coming up against Eastern Conference opponents, taking on Chicago, Cleveland, and Washington twice in a span of eight days.
10. | Boston Celtics | (20-31) Previous Ranking: 6 (+4)
Believe it or not, Boston is just a game and a half out of the playoffs, and looks like a team that might be okay making the playoffs. Citing Lowe’s article again, Boston and Denver have made exploratory talks over Ty Lawson, suggesting Boston would be willing to get better if they can find the right deal.
11. | Indiana Pacers | (21-33) Previous Ranking: 8 (+1)
Of the Eastern Conference teams in places 7-15, Indiana has the best record over the past ten games, going 6-4. George Hill has helped since returning from injury, and there’s a chance Paul George comes back in mid-March. In other words, the Pacers cannot be counted out yet.
12. | Brooklyn Nets | (21-31) Previous Ranking: 9 (+3)
It’s hard to gauge where this team will be in two weeks. Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez will remain in a lot of trade deadline chatter, but its unclear how much interest there is for either. Once the deadline passes on February 19th, we can determine just where Brooklyn will be headed the rest of the season.
13. | Miami Heat | (22-30) Previous Ranking: 14 (-1)
The revelation of Hassan Whiteside has been an amazing story, yet the Heat can’t capitalize, losing four of five before the All-Star break.
14. | Charlotte Hornets | (22-30) Previous Ranking: 13 (+1)
They skidded into the break losing losing three straight. They traded Gary Neal for Mo Williams and Troy Daniels, which should help with their point guard depth while Kemba Walker is out, and provide better (but still not great) outside shooting.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
