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Dallas Mavericks Ranked Second

After starting the NBA season 0-4, Dallas has won 9 straight

© Mark Barnes

Nov 26, 2006

The Dallas Mavericks have gone from 0-4 to 9-4 in the blink of an eye. Now, Dallas is second in our NBA Power Rankings.

Two weeks ago, Dallas was no where to be found in Suite101's weekly NBA Power Rankings. Nine straight wins, and the NBA’s defending Western Conference champs once again look like the class of the west. Suddenly Dallas has surged to number 2 in our poll.

  1. Utah Jazz – A second loss showed that Utah is playing on the same planet with the rest of the NBA. The Jazz is still a lofty 12-2, and Carlos Boozer may not let them remain worldly for long.
  2. Dallas Mavericks – Dirk Nowitzki refuses to allow his very good team lose. Suddenly, the Mavericks are just a game out of first place in the NBA’s Southwest Division.
  3. San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan is having an MVP season at 23 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and he’s got plenty of help.
  4. Orlando Magic – The Magic is 8-2 in its last 10 games and getting great play from glass-eater Dwight Howard. If Grant Hill (17 points per game) continues his superb play, Orlando can contend for an Eastern Conference crown.
  5. Houston Rockets – Ten Rockets are playing 15 or more minutes per night, and no on is playing more than 37 minutes. This team has balance and a superstar in Yao Ming. Jeff Van Gundy bashers, eat your hearts out.
  6. Detroit Pistons – It took the Pistons a few weeks to get used to life without Ben Wallace. Six straight wins seems to indicate that they’ve figured it out.
  7. Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant is shooting less (believe it, or not), and LaMar Odom is having a super season. Meanwhile, the Lakers are 8-4 and leading the Pacific Division.
  8. Cleveland Cavaliers – Losses on consecutive nights to Toronto and Indiana drop the Cavs from second place in our Power Rankings. If Mike Brown can’t figure out how to rotate his players and how to get LeBron James more shots, Cleveland may not be the contender we thought it would be.
  9. Denver Nuggets – Carmelo Anthony looks like an NBA MVP candidate, leading the Nuggets to 4 straight wins and a 7-4 record.
  10. Sacramento Kings – If defensive specialist Ron Artest continues his stellar all-around play, the Kings, winners of two straight can contend out west.
  11. Indiana Pacers – Jermaine O’Neal is having a big year, but he needs a little more help, if Indiana is to contend in NBA’s tough Central Division.
  12. NO/Oklahoma City Hornets – One of the great stories of the early 2006-2007 NBA season, Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler and David West continue to pace a very solid looking Hornets team.
  13. Phoenix Suns – After a poor start, the Steve Nash and the Suns have surged to a 6-6 record – just two games out of first place.
  14. Golden State Warriors – A sound beating of Utah, an impressive 13-point win, brought the Warriors to 8-6.
  15. Minnesota Timberwolves – The Wolves have far too much talent to reside in the bottom of the standings. Great play from Kevin Garnett and three straight wins have them fighting their way into the thick of things in the NBA’s Northwest Division.

The copyright of the article Dallas Mavericks Ranked Second in NBA is owned by Mark Barnes. Permission to republish Dallas Mavericks Ranked Second in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.





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