Real ASG Power Rankings

The Pacers have run into the injury bug so far this season but they still hold the best record in the league right now. Led by MVP Candidate-Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan this squad is the oldest but easily the strongest in the league right now and they play in the strongest conference to boot. Injuries to both Derek Fisher and Richard Hamilton, who will both miss significant time may see them drop in the rankings but key wins this season against the Cavaliers, Nuggets, and Spurs have them holding the number one spot.

Outlook:With all the injuries I expect the Pacers to drop in the rankings. Hamilton and Fisher are key players to this team. The Magic have had the Pacers number this year leading the season series 2-1 so far. In the matchup against the Nuggets, Dirk was hounded and bothered by Zach Randolph all game long the Nuggets did end up losing that game but much like the Pacers they've been rattled by injuries all year.



Statistically, there is no one better than the Nuggets. The Nuggets rank top 5 in nearly every significant team category led by MVP Deron Williams who also leads the league in Assists with a phenomenal 12.3 APG this team if they can stay healthy, something they've been unable to do all year, will be impossible to beat. Zach Randolph has played phenomenally well for the team averaging nearly a double-double every game with 26ppg and 9.9 RPG.

Outlook: I fully expect the Nuggets to finish the season with the best record in the league, barring any significant injuries. They've had key wins against the Magic, Wizards, Jazz and Spurs and losses to the Pacers and Wizards had them have a key player out for those games.



The Washington Wizards have been the hottest team in the league in the past week with seven consecutive wins two of which came against the number one and number two ranked team in the Power Rankings. As well as another big time win against the San Antonio Spurs. The Wizards have had their offensive struggles as shown with their #17 ranking in PPG but both Dwayne Wade and Monta Ellis have stepped up their game significantly of late and it's showing with the phenomenal performances. Defensively they have been solid all year and showed it in the two big wins over the Nuggets and Pacers. The Wizards are the team no one is talking about right now and I fully expect them to cause an upset or two come playoff time.

Outlook: The Wizards need to keep hoping that their defense will continue to win games because offensively they've had their struggles. If they could somehow add a third option scorer to an otherwise very good defensive roster I think the Wizards could easily become the best team in the league.



The Bobcats, much like the number 5 team in the Rankings the Orlando Magic need to hope they can outscore the other team every game as neither are strong defensively. The Bobcats get the number four spot over the Magic because they have dominated the season series between the two teams 2-0 so far. Led by MVP-Candidate Chris Paul as long as they put up over 100ppg they will win their matchup. If they can ever find a way to shore up their defense they make some noise until then defensive teams like the Wizards, Nuggets and Spurs will have their number all season long.

Outlook: I don't like the Bobcats chances of advancing far into the playoffs. Outside of Chris Paul they do not have a legitimate number two star unlike the teams listed above them. Though on the positive side they have been winning games even with Key player Kevin Martin out injured.



The Magic are considered by many to be the best team in the league frankly their record, rankings and matchups speak a different tale. With losses against the Pacers, Bobcats, Jazz and Spurs they have struggled against the top-tier teams while dominating most games they should win. Their lack of a legitimate shot blocker and their inability to stop teams from scoring on them will eventually be their downfall. Their one hope is that Kobe Bryant can continue to carry this team on his shoulder but at his age I do not think that's possible.

Outlook: The Magic are easily a top five team but they do not have the depth nor the defensive presence to be able to matchup with any of the teams ranked in the top 4 and it shows as their record with the teams in the top 4 is 2-4. I can see them making the Eastern Conference Finals though just because of the sheer amount of points they put up but defensive teams with key DC moves will have no problem knocking them out.



The Philadelphia 76ers have been labeled by many as overrated, myself included, but they have shown of late to be no pretenders. The O'Neals Jermaine and Shaquille have been causing headaches for opposing teams froncourts all season long the question is can they keep up the pace for a full 82 games and come playoff time. Led by defensive monster Josh Smith and second-year superstar Tyreke Evans the 76ers have a nice nucleus of veterans and youth but they just do not excel at any one thing to be a legitimate threat to any of the top 5 teams. If they can add either an offensive or defensive specialist before the trade deadline, though, they can make some noise.

Outlook: The more and more I see the 76ers sim the more I like that team. I think Shaq and JO have been phenomenal for them despite their age, Josh Smith will win DPOY if not he will be robbed and Tyreke Evans has been amazing as well. I think they may cause a surprise or two come playoff time.



The best defensive team in the league could easily be the number one team in the league but their lack of any offense is what hurts them. Led by defensive monster Dwight Howard their defense is what keeps them in every game and that is what makes them dangerous. They have struggled against top-tier teams though and that is why they are number seven in the rankings

Outlook: The Spurs have struggled recently and have played bad against the top teams but I still fully expect them to be legit contenders just because they are so ridiculously good defensively.



Many people will be surprised to see the Cavaliers at the number 8 spot ahead of teams like the Knicks and Jazz but frankly the Cavaliers have been dealing with tons of injuries and yet are still finding ways to win. Kevin Garnett will be back in 3 days to help boost this squad. LeBron James has been phenomenal of late and has been carrying much of the load. Their lack of a legitimate Point Guard though will undoubtedly see this team fall short of a division championship let alone a Conference finals appearance.

Outlook: As stated above I just can't see the Cavaliers making any noise with such horrendous play from Jason Kidd and T.J. Ford. If they can find a solid PG to run this team this outlook will undoubtedly change until then they are a pretender in my eyes but still like them much more than the Jazz and the Knicks.



The surprise team of the year so far, the New York Knicks have bewildered people with their phenomenal start to the season many thought this team would be a contender for a number one draft pick not a number one seed. Phenomenal depth-charting with virtually every player on their roster playing a role has the Knicks performing above expectations led by Stephen Curry the Knicks are exceeding all expectations but the 3 ranked team in points is also among the worst in the league defensively.

Outlook: I don't necessarily think this is a fluke.. they are the #3 scoring team in the league for a reason but at the same time they are horrendous defensively. If no moves are made to get worse I can see the Knicks getting a #7 or #8 seed but I doubt they stick in the top 5 in the extremely tough East especially how poor they are defensively.



The Utah Jazz picked by many to win the Midwest Division and even the Western Conference championship have had an up and down season all year. Currently they are 0-3 against Division rivals the Denver Nuggets and have struggled defensively all year.

Outlook: The Jazz's lack of a legitimate front court have hurt them all year long. Though the duo of Kevin Durant and Paul Pierce will be extremely dangerous come playoff time and in the incredibly weak Western Conference they cna easily make the Conference finals or even the Finals. The weakness of the Western Conference is noted with only 3 of the 10 teams being from the West in the top 10.



Much like the New York Knicks the Boston Celtics have been surprisingly good to the start of the season. With no legitimate superstar phenomenal play from the trio of Vince Carter, Gerald Wallace and Carlos Boozer is what has this team rolling so far.

Outlook: If the Eastern Conference weren't so tough they wouldn't be in the top 15 but there is no denying what they have accomplished so far in such a tough conference. I don't see them making a finals appearance or much less winning a championship.

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The drop-off to number 11 is not reflected enough. The Los Angeles Lakers are atop arguably the worst division in the league with 22 wins and 20 losses. The Lakers made a move to acquire Jason Richardson to add to Andrew Bogut and Devin Harris which will all but undoubtedly lock them for a Pacific Division win but they still do not have enough to compete with Nuggets, Jazz and Spurs in the Conference nor any of the Eastern Conference teams.

Outlook: The addition of Jason richardson surely helps and it shows as they have gone 8-2 since acquiring him but with that being said they just don't have the firepower to matchup with any of the other teams.

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