Power Rankings: Blazers jump to #1

[B-Roy]

http://www.nba.com/2013/news/powerrankings/12/09/week6/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6b

1. Portland (17-4) Pace: 96.5 (14), OffRtg: 109.4 (1), DefRtg: 103.5 (20), NetRtg: +5.9 (6)
It was a good week to be watching hoops at the Moda Center. The Blazers' defense has fallen off, but the No. 1 offense in the league has made up for it. Similarly, the highs of wins over the Pacers and Thunder more than outweigh the low of getting beat at the buzzer by the Mavs. LaMarcus Aldridge looks like Player of the Week material, having averaged 26.3 points and 12.8 boards in four games.
This week: @ UTA, vs. HOU, @ PHI, @ DET

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/powerrankings

2. Unbelievable homestand by Portland against elite teams. They have the résumé to be considered a Western contender.

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerrankings

4. 106.233 17-4 +6.05 .509 8-2 +6.80 .513 Lost 1 11/10 1st 1st 4 106.287

http://www.sbnation.com/2013/12/9/5190090/2013-nba-power-rankings-pacers

2. Portland Trail Blazers (17-4, Last week: 2)

The Blazers beat the Pacers last Monday and could have taken over the top slot if not for a heartbreaking loss to the Mavericks on Saturday. In addition to beating Indiana last week, Portland also took care of business against Oklahoma City, with LaMarcus Aldridge scoring 38 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the win.

More as I find them.

 

[sedare]

http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings
2 Portland
17-4
^ 1 from Last Week: 3

Portland's favorite part of the season's first quarter: Nosy outsiders have stopped asking LaMarcus Aldridge if he wants to relocate. Dallas inflicted a bummer end to an otherwise glorious week, but the chance to avenge their only other home L comes Thursday when Houston returns to town.

 

[Nate4Prez]

http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings
2 Portland
17-4
^ 1 from Last Week: 3

Portland's favorite part of the season's first quarter: Nosy outsiders have stopped asking LaMarcus Aldridge if he wants to relocate. Dallas inflicted a bummer end to an otherwise glorious week, but the chance to avenge their only other home L comes Thursday when Houston returns to town.

From Marc Stien's power rankings about the Pacers: "At what point do we start saying that Indy has a shot at 70 wins? The Pacers' 18-2 record before Sunday's crash in OKC will be recorded as the second-best start ever for a team after losing in the conference finals."

Anyone here think the Pacers have a legitimate shot at winning 70 games? At their current winning percentage of .857 they would have a 70 win season. I don't foresee it happening, but the East is so bad I can't rule it as impossible.

 

[Natebishop3]

From Marc Stien's power rankings about the Pacers: "At what point do we start saying that Indy has a shot at 70 wins? The Pacers' 18-2 record before Sunday's crash in OKC will be recorded as the second-best start ever for a team after losing in the conference finals."

Anyone here think the Pacers have a legitimate shot at winning 70 games? At their current winning percentage of .857 they would have a 70 win season. I don't foresee it happening, but the East is so bad I can't rule it as impossible.

They play in the east so anything is possible. So many factors though. Players have to stay healthy, the team has to stay motivated, and you even have to have a few lucky bounces along the way.

 

[Strenuus]

From Marc Stien's power rankings about the Pacers: "At what point do we start saying that Indy has a shot at 70 wins? The Pacers' 18-2 record before Sunday's crash in OKC will be recorded as the second-best start ever for a team after losing in the conference finals."

Anyone here think the Pacers have a legitimate shot at winning 70 games? At their current winning percentage of .857 they would have a 70 win season. I don't foresee it happening, but the East is so bad I can't rule it as impossible.

If they weren't playing in the east, I'd say no, they don't have that 2nd consistent scorer. But, they are in the east, so that means nothing.

I say 63 wins.

 

[Draco]

Anyone here think the Pacers have a legitimate shot at winning 70 games? At their current winning percentage of .857 they would have a 70 win season. I don't foresee it happening, but the East is so bad I can't rule it as impossible.

Yeah I think they have a slight chance of doing it. If there ever was a year to do it this is it, a terrible conference, a champion that will probably coast through the regular season. But its just so hard to play at that level all year, especially when the season winds down and they have basically wrapped up home court. If the Spurs or OKC or some team has 60+ wins it could keep them motivated to play their starters to the end.