NBA Power Poll: Hornets move to No. 1

Stan McNeal, January 18, 2008


A drum roll please -- wait, make that a jazz saxophone riff -- for the new leader of the Power Poll ... the New Orleans Hornets.

Relax, Celtics fans. You, too, Pistons followers. The Poll doesn't believe the Hornets are going to the Finals or anything. But they are the only elite team to avoid a mid-season case of the blahs in the past week.

The Celtics lost back to back to the Wizards. The Pistons were blown out by the Knicks. The Spurs are struggling so much the Poll is beginning to wonder if they're as good as previously thought. The Lakers have lost Andrew Bynum. Rumors about team chemistry continue to dog the Suns. The Mavericks have taken a hiatus this week, thanks to their schedule. The Blazers have lost two of their first three on a road trip to the East.

So why not Byron Scott and his guys?

They have won three in row and 11 of 13 and are tied for first in the Southwest Division and they enter the weekend trailing the Suns for best record in the West by a mere half-game.

If the Hornets have the conference lead on Feb. 3, Scott will coach the West All-Stars in the game that will be played in his team's home gym, New Orleans Arena. Scott would be joined by at least one of his players, PG Chris Paul, with C Tyson Chandler and F David West also possibilities.

Such representation would give New Orleans a nice midseason boost. The Power Poll, meanwhile, certainly doesn't mind a nice midseason shakeup.

Onto the rankings.

1. Hornets (6). David West is making an All-Star push by averaging 22 points on 55 percent shooting with seven double-doubles over a nine-game stretch.

2. Celtics (1). Rondo's ailing but at least Ray Allen shows he can have a big night.

3. Mavericks (2). Having this week's five-day break before next month's All-Star break should keep them from complaining about the schedule.

4. Suns (7). With all these "chemistry problems," please explain how they have the best record in the West?

5. Blazers (5). Have not embarrassed themselves at all in first half of seven-game road trip. OT loss to Raptors, played tough against Celtics and blew out the Nets.

6. Lakers (4). Yes, they're going to miss Andrew Bynum. Kwame Brown has more turnovers (7) than rebounds (6) against Suns.

7. Pistons (3). When you manage only 65 points against the Knicks and lose by 24, the Poll automatically drops you four spots.

8. Nuggets (8). 41 points (not a typo) by Linas Kleiza (neither is that but I am so unused to typing his name that I had to double-check the spelling).

9. Warriors (10). Already have matched last season's victory total on the road (12, to go with 9 losses).

10. Spurs (9). Popovich isn't just singing the blues: Their offense has hit the skids. In past 20 games, their field-goal percentage is down 5 points and scoring 7 points compared to their first 17 games.

11. Cavaliers (15). LeBron was caught for going 101 mph in his Ferrari. His game has been pretty fast, too, with 51-8-9 and 27-9-7 in two games since the ticket became public.

12. Jazz (11). Has Korver finally found his groove in Utah? Hits 4-of-8 three-pointers against Nuggets after missing 18 of 25 in his first seven games with Jazz.

13. Wizards (16). Caron Butler, one of four players averaging at least 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals (Kobe, LeBron and Gerald Wallace), is on his way to New Orleans.

14. Magic (12). Rashard Lewis admits he needs to step it up and become more than a spot-up shooter for the Magic. Poll doesn't disagree.

15. Hawks (17). A quality starting point guard could push them right into the playoffs.

16. Rockets (13). Loss at home to Sixers shows they are starting to miss Tracy McGrady, but he's still not sure when he wants to return.

17. Raptors (18). Chris Bosh's video was good stuff, but his on-the-court performance has been even better. Has scored at least 30 in three of past four games.

18. Nets (14). Jason Kidd admits the Nets are nothing more than a .500 team. Actually, they're two games under as the Poll goes to bed.

19. Bobcats (19). Gerald Wallace must want what Chris Bosh wants: He's averaging 32.5 over his past four.

20. Bucks (20). If Andrew Bogut and Yi Jianlian are the future, why don't the Bucks look to them for more on offense?

21. Kings (21). Mike Bibby and Ron Artest return, but Bibby likely won't be around too long.

22. Pacers (22). Just admit it, coach: Tinsley was suspended for a game. The fans can handle the truth.

23. Bulls (23). For his sake, let's hope Noah has learned he's not at Florida anymore. This is a real job now and he should show up on time.

24. Knicks (27). Two predictions: Their first three-game winning streak of the season won't get to four, and Stephon Marbury has played his last game for this team.

25. Sixers (25). They sure know how to end a losing streak impressively: Rally from 16 down to win at Houston.

26. Clippers (26). Sam Cassell still has plenty of game, just not every game.

27. Grizzlies (24). Just can't seem to win any close games.

28. Sonics (28). Kevin Durant pulls off a tough feat: He misses 20 shots in a game. Most rookies rarely get 20 shots in a game.

29. Timberwolves (29). Still looking for first two-game winning streak. Still looking to stop a losing streak before it reaches five.

30. Heat (30). Shaq's return can't stop the losing.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com

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