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Power Rankings: Suns have Mavs' number but not consistency
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
There was some contemplation given to changing things at the top this week. Phoenix has beaten the Mavericks twice in three weeks, including Sunday's 126-104 rout.
You can take solace in that, Suns fans, because that consideration is the most you'll get out of these Power Rankings, where Phoenix remains No. 2.
Shooting 65 percent against the Mavs' typically stingy defense, it would appear the Suns have their top rival's number, but to leap-frog them for first in the league, they have to show more consistency. In between conquering Dallas, Phoenix has been run off the floor by Detroit, Denver, Sacramento and Golden State. Mike D'Antoni has had to tinker with lineups, try new things, and be aware of the effects his style has had on his guys.
I credit D'Antoni's refusal to stick his starters back in to attempt a comeback at Golden State last Thursday as a major reason they rebounded with wins against Denver and Dallas in subsequent games. The coach has to protect the wheels of his veterans at this stage of the game if the Suns are going to have enough juice left for a playoff run.
Right now, while the victories against the Mavericks are a great sign for down the road, the Suns have a lot of work to do before they see them again. Of premium importance is everyone remaining fresh and healthy, particularly since the playing rotation is so short.
The next couple of weeks are going to be tough, starting with a four-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Memphis. There will be three sets of backs-to-backs to deal with, adding to the travel load. Expect D'Antoni to be smart in dealing with it, but it could cost his team some games as a result.
Thursday night's showdown in San Antonio will be of vital importance, because the Suns need that game to add breathing room. A Spurs win would slice the deficit by a game and earn the tie-breaker should the teams finish with the same records.
If Phoenix wins, then we can talk about No. 1.
POWER RANKINGS
Current Team Previous
1 Mavericks · Trends 1
Defensive breakdowns are worrying Avery Johnson, but these late losses will serve to get the attention of his basketball team entering the playoffs.
2 Suns · Trends 2
Shawn Marion looks like he's coming out of a slump that was being caused by a right hand injury he had trouble playing through over the past month. Getting him back to his normal self should help the Suns straighten themselves out.
3 Spurs · Trends 3
Gregg Popovich has claimed five Coach of the Month awards in March over his career,
4 Pistons · Trends 4
Flip Saunders' struggled to get much out of his bench in his first year, but has turned that area into one of his team's biggest strengths. Flip Murray and Lindsey Hunter are contributing when called upon, Antonio McDyess is still a force, and Carlos Delfino and Jason Maxiell have made great improvement. The Pistons now own the strongest reserve corps in the Eastern Conference.
5 Jazz · Trends 7
Wrapping up the home-court edge in a potential playoff series with Houston tops the Jazz's to-do list the rest of the way. The likely matchup will be the only first-round matchup contested between two 50-win teams, and being at home for one additional game might wind up the difference.
6 Rockets · Trends 5
Rockets should wind up with their best record since 1997, which is also the last time they got out of the first round in a playoff series.
7 Cavaliers · Trends 6
We'll get a good barometer of where the Cavaliers are over the next week provided LeBron James is healthy enough to play. Their next four opponents will be in the Eastern Conference playoffs, including potential first-round foe New Jersey, who is on tap April 12.
8 Bulls · Trends 9
With Andres Nocioni due to return, Scott Skiles has to juggle getting him back in the mix without hindering the development of rookie Tyrus Thomas, who has become a force over the last couple of weeks.
9 Heat · Trends 8
To demonstrate how different last season's Heat was, consider it went 4-7 in April en route to the championship. So much for the power of positive momentum. This season's final month is of far greater importance because of the uncertainty surrounding Dwyane Wade.
10 Raptors · Trends 14
Now that a playoff berth has been wrapped up, the Raptors next mission is to clinch their first division title in franchise history. That should come this week.
11 Lakers · Trends 10
Rather than travel to Atlanta to bask in his Hall of Fame nomination, Phil Jackson stayed behind in L.A. to help prepare for a difficult back-to-back against the Nuggets and Clippers -- the two teams directly behind his Lakers in the West playoff picture. Jackson will fail to win 50 games for the second consecutive year, and only the third time in his remarkable 16-year head coaching career.
12 Nuggets · Trends 11
How about Adrian Dantley getting a chance to coach the Nuggets for a game or two? The Nuggets assistant will fill in when George Karl can't be with the team. A six-time All-Star, Dantley knows a thing or two about scoring, dropping in over 23,000 points in 15 seasons.
13 Clippers · Trends 13
If Sam Cassell can return from back woes and be a factor, the Clips could be a tougher out than most anticipate. The veteran point guard's energy and experience are the variables, and his body doesn't look like it's going to cooperate.
14 Wizards · Trends 12
With Caron Butler done, the Wizards will rely more heavily on Antawn Jamison to give them the scoring, rebounding and toughness that now go missing. It seems like too much to bear, though Eddie Jordan has been impressed with how the quiet Jamison has embraced being his team's veteran leader.
15 Warriors · Trends 17
Chris Mullin should've been a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He'll get in down the road, but the distinction of making it in his first year of eligibility is now gone forever, and that's just wrong. The committee should be ashamed.
16 Nets · Trends 15
Josh Boone is opening eyes with his play of late, and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time. The Nets are solidifying their playoff standing by feeding off the rookie big man's energy.
17 Hornets · Trends 18
Oklahoma City has been great to the Hornets during its two-year run as team host, but there will have to be a perfect ending in place if a playoff appearance is to be made. Only four home games remain, and the team needs them all.
18 Magic · Trends 16
Tight overtime losses to Boston and Minnesota will haunt the Magic if they wind up getting caught from behind in the playoff race. Both games were lost for the same reason: an over-reliance on Jameer Nelson at the end of games.
19 Kings · Trends 19
You would be hard-pressed to find a team with a more difficult April schedule, which isn't good news for coach Eric Musselman. How his Kings finish could factor heavily in whether he's retained, and he's no doubt aware of the situation.
20 76ers · Trends 20
Andre Miller's reputation has grown significantly over the past few months, which could help him earn one last big pay day when his current deal comes up in 2009. As it is, the $19.4 million the Sixers will hand him over the next two years seems well worth it.
21 Pacers · Trends 22
The team's current defense is the worst that has been in place in Indiana since the early 1990s. That has everything to do with the new personnel, because it's amazing how wide the gap between Stephen Jackson and Mike Dunleavy is on that end of the floor.
22 Knicks · Trends 21
Nate Robinson's importance will be magnified the rest of the way now that Steve Francis has joined Jamal Crawford in street clothes. The Knicks' backup guard runs hot and cold, and a well-timed surge could really help matters.
23 Timberwolves · Trends 24
Randy Foye has an opportunity to pull a Deron Williams and become a major difference-maker in his sophomore season. It all starts now, though. He's got to take advantage of learning opportunities he's gaining late this season, and immediately get to work on improving his skills in the offseason. He's got what it takes.
24 Celtics · Trends 23
Paul Pierce told the Boston Globe, "I'm the classic case of a great player on a bad team, and it stinks." That might be too brash for some of you, but it's absolutely right. Hopefully Pierce's patience pays off with vast improvement next season, because if it doesn't, his days with the Celtics will be numbered.
25 Bucks · Trends 25
Michael Redd's revised goal for his Bucks: get to 30 wins. At least they're still shooting for something.
26 SuperSonics · Trends 28
Rashard Lewis will be auditioning for dollars over the season's final two weeks. With Ray Allen out, the free agent-to-be can prove he can carry a team offensively as the go-to-guy. Good news for him, but bad news for the Sonics, considering the price to keep him around will get steeper.
27 Trail Blazers · Trends 27
Congratulations to Kevin Pritchard for being rewarded for his strong work with a promotion to general manager. A lot of strong pieces are now in place, and another will drop this summer in the form of another lottery pick.
28 Bobcats · Trends 29
Walter Herrmann has had a very productive past few weeks and is becoming a piece the Bobcats are very excited about. He's scrappy and active in the same form countryman Andres Nocioni is, and has made the most of his playing time.
29 Hawks · Trends 26
Rookie big men Shelden Williams and Solomon Jones are in for extended work as the season wraps up. The Hawks were crazy about Williams last June, taking him higher than many expected he'd go, but haven't seen much return on their investment due to injuries and the expected growing pains.
30 Grizzlies · Trends 30
Undrafted out of South Carolina, Tarence Kinsey is showing he's worthy of a spot in this league. Proof that perseverance pays off, he's going to have a much easier time finding a job this summer.
Power Rankings: Suns have Mavs' number but not consistency
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
There was some contemplation given to changing things at the top this week. Phoenix has beaten the Mavericks twice in three weeks, including Sunday's 126-104 rout.
You can take solace in that, Suns fans, because that consideration is the most you'll get out of these Power Rankings, where Phoenix remains No. 2.
Shooting 65 percent against the Mavs' typically stingy defense, it would appear the Suns have their top rival's number, but to leap-frog them for first in the league, they have to show more consistency. In between conquering Dallas, Phoenix has been run off the floor by Detroit, Denver, Sacramento and Golden State. Mike D'Antoni has had to tinker with lineups, try new things, and be aware of the effects his style has had on his guys.
I credit D'Antoni's refusal to stick his starters back in to attempt a comeback at Golden State last Thursday as a major reason they rebounded with wins against Denver and Dallas in subsequent games. The coach has to protect the wheels of his veterans at this stage of the game if the Suns are going to have enough juice left for a playoff run.
Right now, while the victories against the Mavericks are a great sign for down the road, the Suns have a lot of work to do before they see them again. Of premium importance is everyone remaining fresh and healthy, particularly since the playing rotation is so short.
The next couple of weeks are going to be tough, starting with a four-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Memphis. There will be three sets of backs-to-backs to deal with, adding to the travel load. Expect D'Antoni to be smart in dealing with it, but it could cost his team some games as a result.
Thursday night's showdown in San Antonio will be of vital importance, because the Suns need that game to add breathing room. A Spurs win would slice the deficit by a game and earn the tie-breaker should the teams finish with the same records.
If Phoenix wins, then we can talk about No. 1.
POWER RANKINGS
Current Team Previous
1 Mavericks · Trends 1
Defensive breakdowns are worrying Avery Johnson, but these late losses will serve to get the attention of his basketball team entering the playoffs.
2 Suns · Trends 2
Shawn Marion looks like he's coming out of a slump that was being caused by a right hand injury he had trouble playing through over the past month. Getting him back to his normal self should help the Suns straighten themselves out.
3 Spurs · Trends 3
Gregg Popovich has claimed five Coach of the Month awards in March over his career,
4 Pistons · Trends 4
Flip Saunders' struggled to get much out of his bench in his first year, but has turned that area into one of his team's biggest strengths. Flip Murray and Lindsey Hunter are contributing when called upon, Antonio McDyess is still a force, and Carlos Delfino and Jason Maxiell have made great improvement. The Pistons now own the strongest reserve corps in the Eastern Conference.
5 Jazz · Trends 7
Wrapping up the home-court edge in a potential playoff series with Houston tops the Jazz's to-do list the rest of the way. The likely matchup will be the only first-round matchup contested between two 50-win teams, and being at home for one additional game might wind up the difference.
6 Rockets · Trends 5
Rockets should wind up with their best record since 1997, which is also the last time they got out of the first round in a playoff series.
7 Cavaliers · Trends 6
We'll get a good barometer of where the Cavaliers are over the next week provided LeBron James is healthy enough to play. Their next four opponents will be in the Eastern Conference playoffs, including potential first-round foe New Jersey, who is on tap April 12.
8 Bulls · Trends 9
With Andres Nocioni due to return, Scott Skiles has to juggle getting him back in the mix without hindering the development of rookie Tyrus Thomas, who has become a force over the last couple of weeks.
9 Heat · Trends 8
To demonstrate how different last season's Heat was, consider it went 4-7 in April en route to the championship. So much for the power of positive momentum. This season's final month is of far greater importance because of the uncertainty surrounding Dwyane Wade.
10 Raptors · Trends 14
Now that a playoff berth has been wrapped up, the Raptors next mission is to clinch their first division title in franchise history. That should come this week.
11 Lakers · Trends 10
Rather than travel to Atlanta to bask in his Hall of Fame nomination, Phil Jackson stayed behind in L.A. to help prepare for a difficult back-to-back against the Nuggets and Clippers -- the two teams directly behind his Lakers in the West playoff picture. Jackson will fail to win 50 games for the second consecutive year, and only the third time in his remarkable 16-year head coaching career.
12 Nuggets · Trends 11
How about Adrian Dantley getting a chance to coach the Nuggets for a game or two? The Nuggets assistant will fill in when George Karl can't be with the team. A six-time All-Star, Dantley knows a thing or two about scoring, dropping in over 23,000 points in 15 seasons.
13 Clippers · Trends 13
If Sam Cassell can return from back woes and be a factor, the Clips could be a tougher out than most anticipate. The veteran point guard's energy and experience are the variables, and his body doesn't look like it's going to cooperate.
14 Wizards · Trends 12
With Caron Butler done, the Wizards will rely more heavily on Antawn Jamison to give them the scoring, rebounding and toughness that now go missing. It seems like too much to bear, though Eddie Jordan has been impressed with how the quiet Jamison has embraced being his team's veteran leader.
15 Warriors · Trends 17
Chris Mullin should've been a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He'll get in down the road, but the distinction of making it in his first year of eligibility is now gone forever, and that's just wrong. The committee should be ashamed.
16 Nets · Trends 15
Josh Boone is opening eyes with his play of late, and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time. The Nets are solidifying their playoff standing by feeding off the rookie big man's energy.
17 Hornets · Trends 18
Oklahoma City has been great to the Hornets during its two-year run as team host, but there will have to be a perfect ending in place if a playoff appearance is to be made. Only four home games remain, and the team needs them all.
18 Magic · Trends 16
Tight overtime losses to Boston and Minnesota will haunt the Magic if they wind up getting caught from behind in the playoff race. Both games were lost for the same reason: an over-reliance on Jameer Nelson at the end of games.
19 Kings · Trends 19
You would be hard-pressed to find a team with a more difficult April schedule, which isn't good news for coach Eric Musselman. How his Kings finish could factor heavily in whether he's retained, and he's no doubt aware of the situation.
20 76ers · Trends 20
Andre Miller's reputation has grown significantly over the past few months, which could help him earn one last big pay day when his current deal comes up in 2009. As it is, the $19.4 million the Sixers will hand him over the next two years seems well worth it.
21 Pacers · Trends 22
The team's current defense is the worst that has been in place in Indiana since the early 1990s. That has everything to do with the new personnel, because it's amazing how wide the gap between Stephen Jackson and Mike Dunleavy is on that end of the floor.
22 Knicks · Trends 21
Nate Robinson's importance will be magnified the rest of the way now that Steve Francis has joined Jamal Crawford in street clothes. The Knicks' backup guard runs hot and cold, and a well-timed surge could really help matters.
23 Timberwolves · Trends 24
Randy Foye has an opportunity to pull a Deron Williams and become a major difference-maker in his sophomore season. It all starts now, though. He's got to take advantage of learning opportunities he's gaining late this season, and immediately get to work on improving his skills in the offseason. He's got what it takes.
24 Celtics · Trends 23
Paul Pierce told the Boston Globe, "I'm the classic case of a great player on a bad team, and it stinks." That might be too brash for some of you, but it's absolutely right. Hopefully Pierce's patience pays off with vast improvement next season, because if it doesn't, his days with the Celtics will be numbered.
25 Bucks · Trends 25
Michael Redd's revised goal for his Bucks: get to 30 wins. At least they're still shooting for something.
26 SuperSonics · Trends 28
Rashard Lewis will be auditioning for dollars over the season's final two weeks. With Ray Allen out, the free agent-to-be can prove he can carry a team offensively as the go-to-guy. Good news for him, but bad news for the Sonics, considering the price to keep him around will get steeper.
27 Trail Blazers · Trends 27
Congratulations to Kevin Pritchard for being rewarded for his strong work with a promotion to general manager. A lot of strong pieces are now in place, and another will drop this summer in the form of another lottery pick.
28 Bobcats · Trends 29
Walter Herrmann has had a very productive past few weeks and is becoming a piece the Bobcats are very excited about. He's scrappy and active in the same form countryman Andres Nocioni is, and has made the most of his playing time.
29 Hawks · Trends 26
Rookie big men Shelden Williams and Solomon Jones are in for extended work as the season wraps up. The Hawks were crazy about Williams last June, taking him higher than many expected he'd go, but haven't seen much return on their investment due to injuries and the expected growing pains.
30 Grizzlies · Trends 30
Undrafted out of South Carolina, Tarence Kinsey is showing he's worthy of a spot in this league. Proof that perseverance pays off, he's going to have a much easier time finding a job this summer.
This to shall pass.
