Week 4 Power Rankings

1. Boston Celtics [11-1]
They didn't lose after I put them in the top spot [although Ray Ray saved them from such fate against Charlotte], so there was no reason to drop them. For all you conspiracy theorists out there, do you think the NBA wanted the Celtics to dominate? Check out their next 7 games: Cleveland, New York, Miami, Cleveland, Philly, Toronto, Chicago. Favourable strength of schedule anyone?

2. Phoenix Suns [11-2]
Riding an 8 game winning streak, Phoenix has returned to their high scoring ways, and are doing it with balance. Nash leads the team in points and assists, Marion in rebounds and steals, and Amare in blocks. Games against Golden State, Houston, and Orlando will put their #2 ranking to the test.

3. Orlando Magic [12-3]
The second best team in the East, and the only team to beat the best team in the East, has lost only three games - to Detroit, San Antonio, and Phoenix. If Dwight Howard keeps playing like an MVP, the Magic look primed to go 4-1, or 5-0, on their upcoming west coast road swing.

4. San Antonio Spurs [12-2]
The Spurs could easily be #2, or even #1, but that would get boring. They have four winnable games coming up before tough home games against Dallas and Utah.

5. Utah Jazz [10-4]
The Jazz are playing like they did last year, which was very well, but fly lower on the radar than the Spurs. Four of their next five games come against sub .500 teams, followed by back-to-back road games against the Spurs and Mavs.


On the Rise:
- In a division with Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago, who would've thought that Milwaukee was leading the way? The Bucks are 7-4, have won 5 in a row, and just beat Cleveland, LA, and Dallas.
- Cleveland has won 3 in a row, and LeBron put up back to back triple doubles. Scary to imagine what his stat line will be like at the end of the season.

Stumbling:
- Chicago has lost 4 in a row, they're 2-10 on the season, and they just dont look good right now... little energy, little excitement.
- Seattle and Minnesota are a combined 3-22, including 9 losses in a row. Enough Said.

The Raptors:
- A 7-7 record to start the year is okay when comparing it to last year. The fact that Bosh is playing better is definitely a positive, and the emergence of Moon will help even more if the rumours are true about Garbo. A .500 record puts the Raptors tied for 6th in the East, and tied for 13 in the league. They'd be right about there in the rankings, somewhere betwen 13 and 15.