MVN: Most Valuable Network

This week, I had Brandon Gallawa rank the teams and I split the comments with him.  Usually, we average out our rankings, come to an agreement on the ties and then comment but with being sick, I put the responsibility on him.  Here are the Week 11 Power Rankings:

Week 11 Power Rankings

1. Los Angeles Lakers | Record: 27-5 | Previous Rank: 2nd | Last Week: 2-0
Upcoming Schedule: NOH, at GS, IND, MIA
Comments: Lakers fans will disagree but it almost feels like they took back the top spot in the power rankings by default.  A 4-0 week will change that feeling.  -- Zach Harper

2. Cleveland Cavaliers | Record: 27-6 | Previous Rank: 3rd | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: CHA, BOS
Comments: LeBron is the MVP front-runner. Their defense is allowing less than 90 PPG and their point differential is the best in the league. Throw out 77 points against the Wiz all you want, this team is legit. -- Brandon Gallawa

3. Boston Celtics | Record: 29-6 | Previous Rank: 1st | Last Week:  1-2
Upcoming Schedule: at CHA, HOU, at CLE, at TOR, TOR
Comments: The sky is falling!!!!  The sky is falling!!!!! Everybody panic!!!! -- Zach Harper

4. Orlando Magic | Record: 26-8 | Previous Rank: 7th | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: WSH, at ATL, ATL, at SA
Comments: The Magic could be the most under the radar "team that wins 76% of their games" ever. They can send a big statement with a strong showing against Atlanta and San Antonio this week. -- Brandon Gallawa

5. San Antonio Spurs | Record: 23-11 | Previous Rank: 4th | Last Week: 3-1
Upcoming Schedule: LAC, ORL
Comments: It's about time we seriously start discussing Tim Duncan for MVP.  The fact that his team was left for dead early on and is still winning two-thirds of their games at this point in the season is damn impressive, Timmy. -- Zach Harper

6. Atlanta Hawks | Record: 22-11 | Previous Rank: 10th | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: ORL, at ORL, PHI
Comments: The Hawks have done nothing but win since the return of Josh Smith. They were a missed free throw and Vince Carter heroics from a twelve-game winning streak. -- Brandon Gallawa

7. New Orleans Hornets | Record: 20-10 | Previous Rank: 6th | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: at LAL, at UTA, LAC, NY
Comments: When you watch this team play every game, it feels like they should only be a .500 ball club. But the fact that the standings have them at 20-10 is really surprising. A win over the Lakers could solidify their legitimacy as a top team right now. -- Zach Harper 

8. Denver Nuggets | Record: 24-12 | Previous Rank: 5th | Last Week: 4-0
Upcoming Schedule: MIA, DET
Comments: Can the Nuggets win on the road when it matters? We won't find out this month because they only will play 3 road games in January. -- Brandon Gallawa

9. Portland Trailblazers | Record: 20-14 | Previous Rank: 12th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: DET, GS, at CHI
Comments: Hey Brandon Roy?  I was wondering if you could hit a hyperbolic chamber or something? The Blazers really need you back. Like now. --  Zach Harper

10. Phoenix Suns | Record: 19-12 | Previous Rank: 14th | Last Week: 2-0
Upcoming Schedule: IND, DAL, at LAC
Comments: The Suns are 12-3 when Shaq scores 16+.  The Suns are 6-7 when Stoudemire takes 15 shots or more. I say Terry Porter has picked the right horse. -- Brandon Gallawa

11. Detroit Pistons | Record: 21-11 | Previous Rank: 11th | Last Week: 3-0
Upcoming Schedule: at POR, at DEN, at UTA
Comments: Rodney Stuckey is making a significant push for the Most Improved Player award with Devin Harris dropping off a little bit. His play has improved at an impressive rate from month to month. -- Zach Harper

12. Miami Heat | Record: 18-15 | Previous Rank: 15th | Last Week:  2-2
Upcoming Schedule: at DEN, at SAC, at LAL
Comments: The Heat are getting quality win after quality win. Dwayne Wade is playing better than anyone in the league (including LeBron). If this team had any front court, they would be a top team in the league. -- Brandon Gallawa

13. Dallas Mavericks | Record: 20-13 | Previous Rank: 13th | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: LAC, NY, at PHX, at SAC
Comments: I defy you to find me a better Sixth Man right now than Jason Terry.  In 26 games off the bench so far, he's averaging 21.9 points per game on 48% shooting. -- Zach Harper

14. Utah Jazz | Record: 20-15 | Previous Rank: 9th | Last Week: 1-1
Upcoming Schedule: NOH, DET, IND
Comments: The Jazz are currently the ninth seed in the West. They can't be too upset with that considering that C.J. Miles is the only starter that has played in every game. -- Brandon Gallawa

15. Houston Rockets | Record: 21-14 | Previous Rank: 8th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: at PHI, at BOS, at OKC, NY
Comments: I'm seriously done taking this team as a serious contender.  They're too inconsistent, their stars aren't good enough, and the play of McGrady and Artest hinder the production of the role players. -- Zach Harper

16. New Jersey Nets | Record: 17-18 | Previous Rank: 16th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: MEM, at MIL, OKC
Comments: Expectations can be your best friend. The Nets were expected to be awful this season. 16-18 has exceeded all expectations and possibly saved Lawrence Frank's job. -- Brandon Gallawa

17. Toronto Raptors | Record: 14-21 | Previous Rank: 17th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: at WSH, MEM, BOS, at BOS
Comments: If Jose Calderon doesn't come back soon, I worry for the sanity of J.E. Skeets and the rest of Raptors' Nation. -- Zach Harper

18. Milwaukee Bucks | Record: 17-19 | Previous Rank: 23rd | Last Week: 3-2
Upcoming Schedule: PHI, NJ, at MIN, at WSH
Comments: The Bucks currently holding the eighth seed in the East makes anyone that argued the East has "caught up" with the West lose all credibility. This is a bad team. -- Brandon Gallawa

19. Chicago Bulls | Record: 14-20 | Previous Rank: 18th | Last Week: 0-3
Upcoming Schedule: SAC, WSH, OKC, POR
Comments: This team is young but they aren't THAT young. They should be better than their 4-15 road record. -- Zach Harper

20. Philadelphia 76ers | Record: 13-20 | Previous Rank: 21st | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: HOU, at MIL, CHA, at ATL
Comments: The Sixers are the biggest disappointment in the league this year, but it is actually good to see them struggle to show Mo Cheeks wasn't to blame. -- Brandon Gallawa

21. Indiana Pacers | Record: 12-22 | Previous Rank: 20th | Last Week: 2-2
Upcoming Schedule: at PHX, at LAL, at GS, at UTA
Comments: Danny Granger has been holding the fort down until Mike Dunleavy Jr comes back. MDJ is getting better and could return soon. Then maybe the Pacers could make their push for .500. This week's schedule won't help that. -- Zach Harper

22. Memphis Grizzlies | Record: 11-23 | Previous Rank: 22nd | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: MIN, at NJ, at TOR
Comments: The Grizzlies may be the toughest losing team to beat on their home court. I guess playing in an empty arena has a psychological affect on the opposing teams. -- Brandon Gallawa

23. New York Knicks | Record: 13-19 | Previous Rank: 19th | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: at OKC, at DAL, at HOU, at NOH
Comments: The win over the Celtics was impressive but it was more about how Boston didn't play than how New York played them. A tough road stretch will determine if they're still playoff contenders come next week. -- Zach Harper

24. Charlotte Bobcats | Record: 12-22 | Previous Rank: 27th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: BOS, at CLE, at PHI, at WSH
Comments: I guess trading away your best scorer for a one-season wonder seems to work. The Bobcats are 5-6 since trading away Jason Richardson. -- Brandon Gallawa

25. Golden State Warriors | Record: 10-26 | Previous Rank: 24th | Last Week: 0-3
Upcoming Schedule: LAL, at POR, IND
Comments: This Warriors team has played a brutal schedule with 10 more road games than home contests so far. With Monta about a month a way, they're just trying to keep it respectable.  And failing... -- Zach Harper

26. Minnesota Timberwolves | Record: 8-25 | Previous Rank: 28th | Last Week: 2-1
Upcoming Schedule: at MEM, OKC, MIL
Comments: They've won four of their last six. Apparently Kevin McHale's last "F-you" to T-Wolves' fans is winning games to hurt their lottery chances. Well played, Kevin. -- Brandon Gallawa

27. Sacramento Kings | Record: 8-27 | Previous Rank: 26th | Last Week: 1-3
Upcoming Schedule: at CHI, MIA, DAL
Comments: Kevin Martin is back and showing that he's the most underrated scorer in this league. Since returning from injury, he's averaged 30.3 points in four games. -- Zach Harper

28. Washington Wizards | Record: 7-25 | Previous Rank: 29th | Last Week: 1-2
Upcoming Schedule: at ORL, TOR, at CHI, CHA, MIL
Comments: I'd be a lot more impressed with their win against the Cavs if it wasn't preceded by losses in 10 of their previous 12 games. -- Brandon Gallawa

29. Los Angeles Clippers | Record: 8-25 | Previous Rank: 25th | Last Week: 0-4
Upcoming Schedule: at DAL, at SA, at NOH, PHX
Comments: Rumors that they are going to trade Marcus Camby have to frustrate Clippers fans. His 84 rebounds in the past four games was something that the Clips fans were getting used to. All 13 of them. -- Zach Harper

30. Oklahoma City Thunder | Record: 4-30 | Previous Rank: 30th | Last Week: 1-1
Upcoming Schedule: NY, at MIN, HOU, at CHI, at NJ
Comments: If the Thunder keep up their pace of 2 wins per month, they will just barely avoid the worst record of all time. Good for them. -- Brandon Gallawa

Every Tuesday during the regular season, Talkhoops.net will update the power rankings based on team production, record, record from the previous week, injuries to the team, and overall talent on the team. If your team has dropped siginificantly from week to week then you probably are rooting for a pretty bad team. If your team is shooting up the power rankings towards the top spot, then you are probably either rooting for a pretty good team or jumping on the bandwagon of one.

The rankings are based solely on the opinions of Zach Harper and Brandon Gallawa. If you happen to disagree, you can email Zach and Brandon and let them know how dumb they are by sending an email to theweeklyfix@talkhoops.net. If you think that Zach and Brandon are geniuses with their rankings and want to stroke their egos, email them at theweeklyfix@talkhoops.net.

Remember to check back for updated rankings every Tuesday morning when the regular season begins.