SportingNews: NBA Power Poll: Lakers bump Celtics from top..

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NBA Power Poll: Lakers bump Celtics from top spot
Posted: December 30, 2008

Warriors coach Don Nelson was a darned good player once upon a time,
and he did most of his sixth-manning (he was one of the best ever off
the bench) for Boston, where his No. 19 is retired. Little-known fact,
though: Before latching on with the Celtics for 11 years, Nelson was
waived by the Lakers after two years of averaging just 4.3 points. So,
if Nellie has a bias, it's towards Boston and against the Lakers. to
find out more ! But here's what Nelson said, according to the Los
Angeles Times, when his Warriors played the Lakers on Sunday: "(The
Lakers have) got the whole package. They've got a chance to win the
whole thing this year. I know what Boston is doing and what they did
and everything else, but they still have two players missing from their
last team (James Posey, who signed with New Orleans; P.J. Brown, who
retired) who were really important to them. They have to get those
guys back or replace them with somebody.

"I just think the Lakers, after going to the Finals, they know what it
takes. They're so well-coached and disciplined."

Sounds like Nellie would put the Lakers on top of the power poll, does
it not ? OK, then ...

1. Los Angeles Lakers (last week: 4). They're playing like they did in
November, and five of their next six are at home.

2. Boston Celtics (1). At this time last week, we thought they'd never
lose again. The Warriors ?

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (2). Last six foes have averaged but 85.7 points
per game.

4. San Antonio Spurs (7). In two-week stretch with only one opponent
over .500.

5. Orlando Magic (3). Mickael Pietrus has had a tough time finding
minutes since returning from thumb injury.

6. New Orleans Hornets (5). Two tough road trips during first half of
January should measure this team's status as a contender.

7. Atlanta Hawks (9). Said Mike Woodson of the Hawks' eight-game
homestand: "It can either help you or hurt you, and in our case it
helped." Yes, 7-1 helps.

8. Dallas Mavericks (13). Rick Carlisle says, "I'm going to keep
talking about defense until the cows come home." Moo.

9. Denver Nuggets (8). Last year, Nugs opponents shot 45.7 percent.
This year ? 43.5 percent.

10. Detroit Pistons (14). They were going to start Kwame Brown against
Orlando on Monday. Instead, he got a DNP.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (10). Brandon Roy needs revenge for that
3-for-11 performance against Boston on Dec. 5.

12. Houston Rockets (6). Just when they start looking good, they lose
three of four.

13. Phoenix Suns (12). Steve Nash's bad back is their latest concern.

14. Miami Heat (16). Sixth in the league in opponent's field-goal
percentage (43.9 percent).

15. Utah Jazz (11). On the mend, with a four-game homestand ahead.

16. Milwaukee Bucks (17). Will finish at least .500 for December,
which was a tough month.

17. Chicago Bulls (15). Time to make the over-.500 push: 10 of next 13
are at home.

18. New Jersey Nets (18). They scored just one point in the last 4:35
in loss to the Bulls.

19. Charlotte Bobcats (26). Said Gerald Wallace to The Charlotte
Observer: "Some teams are still trying to figure out what style we
play." Does that include the Bobcats ?

20. Toronto Raptors (24). Finally, Jay Triano gets a homestand.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (20). More shooting woes: They were 1-for-9 on
3s in the loss to Utah on Monday.

22. New York Knicks (19). Al Harrington has been demoted to the
bench. Is he still excited about playing for Mike D'Antoni ?

23. Golden State Warriors (25). Have to wonder what Jamal Crawford
thinks about Stephen Jackson pining for Baron Davis.

24. Memphis Grizzlies (22). Last two games: three overtimes, two
losses.

25. Indiana Pacers (23). Might Danny Granger's All-Star season get
lost in the losing ?

26. Washington Wizards (28). Impressive shorthanded road win over
Houston.

27. Los Angeles Clippers (21). Baron Davis allegedly wants out, Zach
Randolph is injured and Ricky Davis is a knucklehead. Sigh.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (29). Nice that Kevin Love put up his best
game in three weeks against the team that traded him.

29. Sacramento Kings (27). With Reggie Theus: 6-18. With Reggie Theus
fired: 1-6.

30. Oklahoma City Thunder (30). With P.J. Carlesimo: 1-12. With P.J.
Carlesimo fired: 2-17.

Sean Deveney is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at
sdeveney RemoveThis @sportingnews.com.