Frank Zicarelli’s weekly NBA power rankings:
1. Chicago Bulls (34-9)
Rare home loss to Magic aside, Bulls remain tops.
2. Miami Heat (31-9)
Missed Chris Bosh as CB1 took care of family matters.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (32-9)
Vehemently deny James Harden could be had in a trade.
4. Memphis Grizzlies (24-16)
A team that’s loaded for bear and on the upswing.
5. San Antonio Spurs (26-13)
Tony Parker (wrist) misses a game and Spurs miss a beat.
6. Orlando Magic (27-15)
The Dwight Howard saga picks up this week.
7. LA Lakers (25-16)
Said to be in market for point guard and/or athletic wing.
8. LA Clippers (23-16)
Need a shooting guard to complement CP3.
9. Philadelphia 76ers (25-17)
Fun team to watch when allowed to play in open floor.
10. Atlanta Hawks (24-17)
Josh Smith trade watch continues in Dixie.
11. Indiana Pacers (23-16)
Have hit a recent road block, but team still dangerous.
12. Phoenix Suns (19-21)
Pay attention to these surging Suns.
13. Denver Nuggets (23-19)
Bird Man Chris Andersen among those thrown in rumour mill.
14. Dallas Mavericks (23-20)
Jason (Jet) Terry wondered aloud why he sat on bench in close game.
15. Boston Celtics (21-19)
Tough loss to Lakers showed Boston’s resolve.
16. Houston Rockets (22-20)
One of many teams feeling grind of too many games in too little time.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (21-21)
Have felt and will continue to feel pain of Ricky Rubio’s loss.
18. Portland Trail Blazers (20-21)
Team worth following as deadline Thursday draws closer.
19. Utah Jazz (19-21)
All is quiet on trade front, which means a move is likely.
20. Golden State Warriors (17-21)
As explosive and vulnerable as any team on any given night.
21. New York Knicks (18-23)
A lot will be revealed in how they handle current losing streak.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (17-24)
Andrew Bogut could be had if price is right.
23. Detroit Pistons (15-26)
Cannot be taken lightly, especially on home floor
24. New Jersey Nets (14-28)
Kris Humphries capable of putting together a monster game.
25. Sacramento Kings (14-27)
Need to take advantage of club-record nine-game homestand.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (16-23)
Surprise, surprise, Antawn Jamison may get traded.
27. Toronto Raptors (13-28)
So irrelevant is this team that Anthony Carter’s status makes news.
28. New Orleans Hornets (10-31)
Let’s hope Chris Kaman does get traded.
29. Washington Wizards (9-30)
Trade winds blowing hard.
30. Charlotte Bobcats (5-34)
Misery continues with no end in sight.
(*records do not include Monday’s results)
