We are two weeks into the NBA season and there have already been huge blows dealt to two of last year’s playoff teams in the Western Conference.
The Spurs lost Manu Ginobili for 6-8 weeks after the guard broke his left hand against Minnesota on Monday night. Ginobili’s injury is a serious blow to San Antonio’s hopes of securing a high seed in the Western Conference. The Spurs have been able to manage without Ginobili, winning two straight, but will miss the two-time All-Star long-term.
The Grizzlies lost star forward Zach Randolph, who will miss two months after tearing his MCL in a loss to Chicago last Sunday. Marreese Speights, for whom Memphis traded following the injury, will replace Randolph, who averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds last season.
Things stayed the same at the top of our rankings, with Miami retaining its top spot despite losing its first game of the season, splitting two with the Atlanta Hawks.
Here’s how the league shapes up after the second week.
1. Heat (7-1) (Previous Rank: 1) – Miami kept up its hot start, although it did struggle with Atlanta twice, losing one game and needing overtime to win the other. Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers shouldered the load in the second game with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade injured.
2. Hawks (4-3) (3) – The Hawks gave the NBA’s best team their best effort twice this week and lost to last year’s Eastern Conference runners-up, the Bulls, by two points.
3. Trail Blazers (5-1) (4) – Portland knocked off the Thunder and the Lakers in the same week. The Trail Blazers’ loss this season came against the Clippers, who many people predict will contend for the Western Conference crown.
4. Bulls (6-1) (5) – The Bulls have the second best record in the NBA and are the top defensive team, allowing 86.6 points per game.
5. Thunder (5-2) (2) – The Thunder lost both of their games this week, against two good teams, Dallas and Portland. Three of the Thunder’s five wins have come against Minnesota, Memphis and Phoenix.
6. Magic (5-2) (6) – A loss to the Pistons is abysmal. I’m not sure if Orlando is ready to return to the elite level or are just pretenders. Opponents have a combined record of 15-29.
7. Spurs (5-2) (7) – Even though it lost its best player, San Antonio managed to win two out of three games this week. The Spurs somehow always find a way.
8. Lakers (4-4) (10) – Andrew Bynum has been back for four games and has led the team in rebounding in each. Kobe Bryant scored 30 points in two consecutive games.
9. Pacers (4-2) (8) – The Pacers went unchallenged over the season’s first five games, beating Detroit, Toronto, Cleveland and New Jersey. When Indiana played Miami, however, the result was a 35-point thrashing.
10. Nuggets (5-2) (13) – Denver has the West’s highest-scoring offense and largest point differential. They are a perfect example of how a team is greater than any individual player.
11. Clippers (3-2) (11) – In a mediocre Pacific Division, the Clippers will battle with their Staples Center partners for supremacy.
12. Celtics (4-3) (16) – Remember last week when I said Doc Rivers isn’t worried about an 0-3 start? Four wins later, no one remembers their struggles.
13. 76ers (3-2) (15) – Philadelphia’s first game against an Eastern Conference opponent comes Friday night against the Pistons. The 76ers’ lowest point output this season is 99.
14. Knicks (2-4) (12) – Watching the Knicks players try to run the point is just painful. Mike D’Antoni still praises his offense, even when his players allow 118 points to the Charlotte Bobcats.
15. Mavericks (3-5) (17) – Just when it seemed like the Mavericks had figured everything out, winning three of four, they put up a stinker against San Antonio.
16. Warriors (2-4) (9) – With Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, you would imagine that Golden State would average more than 90.3 points per game. Mark Jackson may still be figuring out the whole head coaching thing.
17. Raptors (3-3) (19) – Defensively the Raptors have been very good, allowing 91.5 points per game. Wins this week against the Knicks and Cavaliers are nice, but not all that impressive.
18. T’Wolves (2-4) (22) – I may be drinking the Kool Aid, but I’m more excited to see Minnesota develop this season than any other team. A starting five containing Ricky Rubio, Michael Beasley and Kevin Love is as young and talented as any other in the West.
19. Cavaliers (3-3) (24) – Cleveland hasn’t played any of the big powers in the league, but that is a good thing as Kyrie Irving learns the ropes.
20. Rockets (2-4) (18) – Brutal stretch saw two losses in LA (Lakers then Clippers) and now Houston stares down a home-and-home against the Thunder.
21. Bucks (2-4) (20) – Andrew Bogut’s absence hurts, a lot. No timetable when he will return, but the good news is that it is not injury-related.
22. Bobcats (2-4) (21) – The Bobcats illustrate how awful the Knicks defense is at this point. D.J. Augustin is developing into a top-tier point guard.
23. Grizzlies (3-3) (25) – Marreese Speights is no replacement for Zach Randolph, no matter how you look at it.
24. Jazz (3-3) (30) – Utah is still struggling offensively. Once Derrick Favors proves he can consistently perform, the Jazz will have a formidable front-court.
25. Kings (3-5) (26) – Can new coach Keith Smart control DeMarcus Cousins?
26. Hornets (2-4) (14) – Have lost four straight after opening the season 2-0. Defense has been solid, but there is no offense to be had (87.2 ppg).
27. Suns (2-4) (28) – To think, a few years ago the Suns were one of the most exciting teams to watch. Now Their leading scorer, Hakim Warrick, averages 12.8 ppg.
28. Pistons (2-4) (29) – Shocked Orlando with an 89-78 win earlier this week.
29. Nets (1-6) (23) – Wake me up when Barclays Center opens.
30. Wizards (0-6) (27) – There’s nothing magical about this team of misfits.