Thursday, 5 January 2012

NBA Power Rankings: 5 Early Surprises That Will Eventually Implode

The NBA season is just over a week old, and there are some big surprises early on.

The Memphis Grizzles were expected to take the next step after their shocking playoff run a year ago. Instead, they are already dealing with multiple injuries and the worst record in the Western Conference. Lob City has yet to take off with the Clippers, and the Lakers look to be in for a very long season.

But there have been plenty of surprises as well. Here are five teams to jump out of the gate hot, but will be falling back into the crowd within the next month.

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6. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks were the first team of the year to beat the Miami Heat, and it featured a resurgent Tracy McGrady, who lit Miami up for 16 points on Monday.

Too bad T-Mac hasn?t been an effective player consistently for three years now because of his damaged knees. The 32-year-old is the best player on what is quite possibly the worst bench in the league.

As the season rolls on and fatigue starts to be a huge factor on a nightly basis, the Hawks are going to fade as fast as T-Mac?s career.

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12. Orlando Magic

This team is a surprise because of the toxic situation they currently have with Dwight Howard. All of his teammates know he wants out, and I thought chemistry was going to be a colossal issue right away.

A 4-2 record out of the gate suggests it?s not, but as the trade questions continue to engulf the locker room, it?s only a matter of time until the team succumbs to the constant rumors and the losses pile up.

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13. Houston Rockets

The Rockets are off to a surprising 2-2 start that features wins over the Spurs and the Hawks. Problem is, they don?t have enough talent to stay competitive for 20 games, let alone 66.

I?d venture to say this is one of the five worst teams in the entire league.

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14. Minnesota Timberwolves

The T-Wolves have rode a red-hot Kevin Love to back-to-back wins over the Mavericks and Spurs, but don?t expect them to keep up.

The team will be forced to ride the inconsistencies of rookies Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams.

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18. Utah Jazz

The Jazz quietly have won two of their first five games, but you have to remember they were against the 76ers and the Hornets. They have been promptly blown out already by the Lakers, Nuggets and Spurs. The team is far too young to handle the grueling road ahead.

I love the long-term outlook in Utah?but don?t expect much this year. ?

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Eric Ball?s NBA Power Rankings Week 2

1.Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Miami Heat

3. Chicago Bulls

4. Portland Trail Blazers

5. Denver Nuggets

6. Atlanta Hawks

7. Indiana Pacers

8. LA Clippers

9. San Antonio Spurs

10. Boston Celtics

11. LA Lakers

12. Orlando Magic

13. Houston Rockets

14. Minnesota Timberwolves

15. Philadelphia 76ers

16. Milwaukee Bucks

17. New York Knicks

18. Utah Jazz

19. Toronto Raptors

20. Golden State Warriors

21. Dallas Mavericks

22. Cleveland Cavaliers

23. New Orleans Hornets

24. Sacramento Kings

25. Phoenix Suns

26. Memphis Grizzles

27. Detroit Pistons

28. Charlotte Bobcats

29. New Jersey Nets

30. Washington Wizards

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Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1009344-nba-power-rankings-5-early-surprises-that-will-eventually-implode

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