Power Rankings

The power rankings on this site will be made at five different points in the season – Preseason, First Quarter, Halfway, Third Quarter, prior to the Playoffs.

Teams under these Power Rankings are being judged when at full capacity (reasonably healthy + when in form). Teams do not slide down the standings due to poor recent form (say losing five straight despite being a 60 win team) or because their star player is out injured (Yao Ming). The idea behind that is to take a longer view on the capabilities of the roster in terms of current ability. Also, it’s the reason why they are only quarterly reports (smaller variance).

We’re nearing the final twenty or so games of the regular season. I thought it was time for a check up to see where teams stand.

Eastern Conference

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers had opened up a slight advantage over the rest of the field prior to the trade deadline.

The addition of Antawn Jamison has turned that small advantage into a large one.

The Cavs are the strong favourites to win the East.

Game Time: Cleveland vs Boston

Thoughts on game/matchup rather than a game log

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo is able to destroy the Cavaliers when they use some combination of the following three players:

Mo Williams or Daniel Gibson + Shaquille O’Neal or Zydrunas Ilgauskas + Antawn Jamison

That trio makes Cleveland overly vulnerable in pick and roll situations + transition defense + in man-to-man matchups.

Rajon Rondo will have an opportunity to put in a dominant performance whenever those combinations are in the game.

Thabeet To D-League

Scott Schroeder reports

The Memphis Grizzlies have assigned Hasheem Thabeet and Lester Hudson to the D-League’s Dakota Wizards, I’ve been told.

I don’t understand what Memphis is doing here. Hasheem Thabeet has been the Grizzlies best bench this season and has consistently been having a positive influence on games.

I don’t see any benefit for Thabeet in the D-League. The competition isn’t strong enough for him to develop there. He needs to be in the NBA playing against elite competition.

Buyouts

Completed Buyouts

• Zydrunas Ilgauskas — will rejoin Cavs + now a done deal
• Mark Blount
• Larry Hughes — joins Bobcats
• Michael Finley — signed with Boston
• Travis Diener — signed by Portland
• Kenny Thomas
• Mike James

A list of potential buyouts

• Bobby Simmons
• Raja Bell
• Kurt Thomas

Josh Howard Torn ACL

RealGM has the press release

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that guard/forward Josh Howard has a torn ACL in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2010-11 season. Howard suffered the injury in last night’s game vs. Chicago at the 4:23 mark of the first quarter.In four games (three starts) for Washington this season, Howard averaged 14.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. No timetable has been announced for Howard’s recovery.

Team-by-Team Trade Deadline Grades

Atlanta Hawks — N/A

The Hawks weren’t involved in any substantial trade rumours/discussions because they didn’t have much flexibility to make a major deal.

The Hawks are happy with their roster and are on track to have a 50+ win season. They are still improving and have a bright future.

The only large expiring contract is Joe Johnson, their best player, which made them an unsuitable trade partner in any salary dumps. They lacked large contracts outside of JJ (only Smith + Crawford) + Marvin Williams was a BYC + Horford was their only high ranked prospect on a small contract.

Trade Roundup

A list of all trades made around the trading deadline + links to analysis on each individual trade

Trade Roundup

#1 — January Trade — Humphries To New Jersey — click here

• Dallas received Eduardo Najera
• New Jersey received Kris Humphries + Shawne Williams

#2 — Caron Butler To Dallas — click here and here for more

• Washington received Josh Howard + Drew Gooden + James Singleton + Quinton Ross
• Dallas received Caron Butler + Brendan Haywood + DeShawn Stevenson

Small Bucks/Sixers Trade

From the Trade Deadline Rumours + Updates Post

Chad Ford is reporting

Latest: Bucks in serious talks with Sixers. Meeks, Elson and a 2nd to Philly for Brezec and Ivey

The Bucks basically swapping Meeks for another second round pick. A disappointing end to a decent second round pick.

Ivey gives the Bucks a good third string point guard while Brezec and Elson swap non-playing roles.

Update: That deal went through as reported.

Update: That second round pick is heading to Milwaukee. Not Philadelphia.

Bobcats Acquire Ty Thomas

RealGM reports

The Bobcats are close to landing Tyrus Thomas in a deal with the Bulls that would send expiring contracts and a future protected (according to Ric Bucher) first round pick to Chicago, a person with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com.A source told Yahoo! that a deal between the Bulls and Knicks for Thomas is now considered a longshot.

Update: Yahoo! reports that Acie Law and Flip Murray will be the two players sent to Chicago for Thomas if this deal is finalized.

Dominic McGuire To Sacramento

A report via twitter by Adrian Wojnaroswki (I think)

RT @sam_amick: Kings to acquire Washington’s Dominic McGuire for a future second round pick and cash, a source close to the Wizards tell

Excellent pickup by the Kings. They added a solid prospect for a second round pick and cash.

Meanwhile, decent trade by Washington, it’s disappointing that they gave up on McGuire but at least they cashed him in for an asset rather than just letting him walk away this summer.