The Blue Workhorse

1. Boston Celtics (21-2) – Best team in the league because of defense. Also, it helps the big 3 are putting up over 50 a game combined and Rondo is handling the offense very well. Look for the Celtics to play the Cavs in a great matchup for the Eastern Conference Finals.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-3) - Might be playing the best in the NBA right now because of one man, King James. The man is putting up tremendous numbers once again this year and has the supporting cast to make a run at the NBA finals. All they have to do is figure out how to beat the Celtics

3. Los Angeles Lakers (18-3) – The team to beat in the West right now. Kobe is doing a good job keeping everyone on the team involved, which shows in the 108 points per game they are putting up. I believe the key to their season lies on how Bynum plays in the late-post season.

4. Orlando Magic (17-5) – The Magic 17-5?? Well, Dwight Howard has decided to play like the man he is this season putting up unbelievable numbers. While Petrius and Nelson are playing exceptionally well this season. But, the key to this team lies with great defensive play and converting turnovers into offensive points. This is my sleeper pick to win the East.

5. New Orleans Hornets (12-6) – Paul being healthy is obviously the key to this teams success. However, West putting up 19 a game will help tremendously. The bulk of their losses have come when Chandler and Peja were out for a few games, so the Hornets need to keep them healthy to keep up this pace to be the two seed in the West.

6. Houston Rockets (14-8) - When Yao, McGrady, and Artest are all healthy this might be the best team in the West. Alston has been doing a tremendous job while McGrady has been gone. When McGrady gets back this team will be very tough to beat.

7. Denver Nuggets (15-7) – Obviously management knew what they were doing making the trade. Billups has been playing incredible for this team and they will make a deep run in the playoffs.

8. San Antonio Spurs (14-8) – With the players they have there is no reason they should not be a top team in the West. All they have to do is put a good run together late in the season and they will be a top 4 seed in the West. If Parker and Ginobli stay healthy this team looks great.

9. Utah Jazz (15-9) – If this team could stay out of the East they would have a dominant record. They are 12-2 in the West and 3-7 in the East. Carlos Boozer is playing like an all-star this year, and this teams bench is very helpful to their success.

10. Detroit Pistons (12-9) – Once the team figures out how to play with AI this team might be an elite team in the East. The trade of Billups set this team back a bit because he was a key part of the offense. The Pistons will be great very soon.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (15-9) – Along with the Bobcats this team is the youngest in the league. But, different from the Bobcats this team knows how to play. Roy, Oden, and Aldridge will be some of the premier players in the league after a few years of experience.

12. Dallas Mavericks (12-9) – Rough start to the year. During the last 10 games they are 8-2 and playing like the old Mavericks. If Cuban can stay out of the locker room this team will keep putting wins together. They just have to play good defense during the whole game.

13. Phoenix Suns (14-10) – With the coaching change it took the Suns a little bit of time to get into gear. Figuring out how to play two different games will be a challenge for this team. The two games are when Shaq is playing and when Shaq is not playing, but if any team could handle this task it’s the Suns.

14. Atlanta Hawks (13-9) – The surprise of last years playoffs started out red hot this year. However, they need to figure out how to play on the road, the team is 7-1 at home and 6-8 on the road. Joe Johnson is playing unbelievable again this year and needs to keep up his 24 ppg if this team wants a shot at the champs again.

15. Miami Heat (12-10) – D. Wade decided during the Olympics he would play like the championship caliber D. Wade. He is putting up 29.5 ppg and 7.5 assists per game. The man is insane and might be the 3^rd best player in the NBA (After King James and Kobe). Keys to success: Let D. Wade touch the ball every possession.

16. New York Knicks (10-12) – I believe that Mike D’Antoni will bring this team together in a couple of weeks and they will be turning heads. They already started out with a better record than anyone could have guessed. Some great trades will be the staple of the 2010 championship Knicks.

17. New Jersey Nets (11-10) – Where did Devon Harris come from? He is putting up 25 points per game this year and leading his team to victories. Look for the Nets to either capitalize on a trade for two quality players or build a franchise around this guy.

18. Chicago Bulls (10-12) – Wow… Derek Rose has shown how good he really is. Game after game he has been putting up electric numbers for a rookie. This rookie of the year might be the thing the Bulls need to be talked about as a championship caliber team again.

19. Toronto Raptors (10-12) – Bosh and O’Neal have been reported saying “be patient”. Stating that it is tough to adapt to a new coach with different defensive philosophies. With the caliber of player that the Raptors have… they might be a sleeper pick for the East.

20. Memphis Grizzlies (8-15) - O.J Mayo is someone this team can build their franchise around. Putting up almost 21 points per game was something I did not think would happen this early in his career. But they have one their last 4 out of 5 and are putting it together to make a run for the 7 or 8 seed.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (9-14) – Started out pretty hot but have dropped 8 out their last 10 games. With no one averaging over 17 points per game it will be tough to win many. They need to make a trade for a solid shooter to have a chance to make a run come playoff time.

22. Milwaukee Bucks (9-15) – Much of the same story as the 76ers dropping 7 of their last 10 games. With Redd healthy again maybe they will put it together and make a run. The problem with this team is finding a better point guard to feed Redd and Jefferson the ball.

23. Indiana Pacers (7-15) – After the big win against the Lakers the Pacers decided to drop 5 games. However, Danny Granger has been putting up great numbers this year. Look for the Pacers to win some games when Granger has a big night (maybe they will surprise some teams?).

24. Golden State Warriors (7-12) – 110 points per game? The league is over the days of playing no defense. The run and gun offense of the Warriors will work for teams that have played the night before, but a well rested team will have an easy time beating the Warriors.

25. Sacramento Kings (6-16) – Until the Kings can figure out how to play defense it will be tough to win. They are allowing opponents to score and average of 105 points per game. On the bright side they did beat the Lakers the other day… maybe that is some sign of light?

26. Charlotte Bobcats (7-16) – Very young team; however, once you get past to the bench they are not getting the production they want. Adam Morrison is the man. If they allow this incredible player to play he will this franchise the Gonzaga of the NBA.

27. Washington Wizards (4-16) – All this franchise has to look forward to is when Gilbert Arenas comes back. He will help this team tremendously. However, Butler and Jamison are putting up great numbers and might be all-stars

28. Los Angeles Clippers (4-17) – What happened to this team! They went from being a contender to a joke. Hopefully the Randolph trade will put them in the hunt for next year. Amazing draft pick with Al Thornton who is playing very well, Davis is picking it up as well. Next year they might turn heads with one good off-season pickup.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-17) - Somewhat young team, but they need to do work in the off-season and pick up a couple players to compliment Jefferson and Foye. The bright spot of this team is the new court (it looks glorious).

30. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-19) – All I can say is thankfully they have Durant or they would loose by 40 a night.