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« Magic Morning Buzz: Monday, November 23 | Main | Mid-morning buzz: Tuesday, November 24 » NBA power poll: The Atlanta Hawks move into the top spot, while the ascend to No. 4 posted by Josh Robbins on Nov 23, 2009 11:00:00 AM

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This was the toughest week yet to sort out the top of the weekly NBA power poll.

Each of previous week's top three teams -- Cleveland, Atlanta and Phoenix -- lost one game since Nov. 16. The About Washington Wizards routed the Cavaliers in Washington 108-91. The Hawks and the Suns both lost on the road to Sentinel reporters bring you the latest Orlando Magic new s and insider information, both at home and on the the New Orleans Hornets. road.

The Denver Nuggets lost their chance to reach the No. 1 spot because they fell to the . Follow Magic BasketBlog So, what to do? Ultimately, I decided to move Atlanta up into the top spot because the Hawks had the most impressive wins among the top teams last week, beating Portland, Miami and Houston.

The Orlando Magic were candidates to move into the top three, but I couldn't justify them moving ahead of the Cavaliers given the Cavs' convincing victory at Amway Arena on Nov. 11. Still, the Magic are trending upward, no doubt about it.

Current rank Team RecordThe buzz (last week) guard Mike Bibby sprained his left ankle in Saturday's loss at New Orleans. Atlanta 1. (2) 11-3 He has time to rest, though: The Hawks don't play again till they host Orlando on Hawks Thanksgiving night.

The Suns are much better team with Channing Frye as their starting rather 2. (3) Phoenix Suns 11-3 than Shaquille O'Neal.

Cleveland The Cavs have won seven of their last eight games. But Shaquille O'Neal has 3. (1) 10-4 About the bloggers | Send e-mail Cavaliers missed five games in a row with a strained shoulder.

The Magic, who have gotten a boost defensively from Rashard Lewis' return, have Orlando 4. (6) 11-3 won five straight. Jason Williams has been solid filling in for injured starting point Subscribe to this blog's feed Magic guard Jameer Nelson. Subscribe to our blog via email Denver Enter your email address 5. (4) 9-4 Chris "Birdman" Andersen is playing through a bout of tendinitis in his right knee. Nuggets

Pau Gasol's return Thursday gave the Lakers an immediate boost. , Subscribe Los Angeles 6. (9) 10-3 however, is expected to miss about six weeks after surgury to treat a pinched Delivered by FeedBurner Lakers nerve in his back. Magic Photos The Mavericks have survived the absences of Shawn Marion, and

…orlandosentinel.com/…/nba-power-po… 1/5 11/25/2009 Orlando Sentinel - NBA power poll: The… The Mavericks have survived the absences of Shawn Marion, Josh Howard and Dallas 7. (8) 10-3 Erick Dampier because to Dirk Nowitzki, of course, and free-agent signee Drew Mavericks Gooden.

The Celtics have lost three of their last five games. Rasheed Wallace is shooting Boston 8. (5) 10-4 just 27.2 percent from beyond the arc, while Rajon Rondo has made just 8-of-24 Celtics free throws. The NBA Finals The Blazers lost some frontcourt depth when Travis Outlaw suffered a stress Portland Trail 9. (10) 10-5 fracture in his left foot. Outlaw had surgery Wednesday and will miss three to five Blazers months.

Milwaukee's start is its best since it went 9-1 to begin the 2001-02 season. And Milwaukee Magic Dancers 10. (13) 8-3 Bucks have done it even though Michael Redd has played in just two games so Bucks far.

Dwyane Wade can't do it all by himself over an entire season, and maybe he'd 11. (7) Miami Heat 8-5 benefit from having Allen Iverson as a teammate. The Heat have lost four of their Latest from OrlandoSentinel.com blogs last six. SPORTS You w ant a playoff? That's a problem, BCS says [On Campus w ith Sentinel Sports] PF Carlos Boozer has nine double-doubles so far this season. He's also scored 12. (20) Utah Jazz 7-6 Holiday Hundred (or 25, or 65) [The Chain Gang] at least 20 points in four of Utah's last five games. Artist makes Magic C Dw ight How ard come alive w ith a pencil, paper and YouTube [Brian Schmitz's Magic BasketBlog] Check out the transcript of our w eekly UCF live chat ... [Knights Notepad] Houston Tracy McGrady says he's ready to play after microfracture surgery last February. 13. (12) 8-6 Adonal Foyle is progressing in his rehabilitation from knee surgery [Brian Schmitz's Magic BasketBlog] Rockets The team disagrees. Prediction: This will get messier.

San Antonio This is the first season the Spurs have had a losing record after 10 games since 14. (11) 5-6 Read other Orlando Sentinel blogs Spurs the 1996-97 season. was drafted in 1997. Animal Crazy Knights Notepad - UCF Arts & Letters Last Call New Orleans Just when the Hornets looked like their season was going down the drain, they 15. (23) 6-9 Attention Must Be Paid Lauren on Lake Hornets defeated the Suns and the Hawks last week. Beach Beat Magic BasketBlog The Big O Mike Thomas Blog Oklahoma Blog-o-nomics Moms at Work 16. (19) 7-7 The Thunder didn't win their seventh game last season until Jan. 14. City Thunder The Bottom Line Mr. Lucky Central Florida Varsity NASCAR Nuts & Bolts Change the World Open Mike The Chicago Bulls are out West because the United Center is hosting the The Chain Gang Orlando Homicide Report Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. So far, the Bulls are 1-2 and have Chopping - FSU Orlando Opinionators 17. (16) Chicago Bulls 6-6 games at Portland and Utah before returning to the Midwest to play at Milwaukee College Gridiron 365 The Other Football Consumer File Political Pulse on Nov. 30. Control Freak Sentinel School Zone The Dish - Food Soundboard Toronto The Raptors just don't play defense, simple as that. They've lost four of their last 18. (14) 6-8 En Fuego Swamp Things - UF Raptors five games and have given up 110.4 points per game during that span. Etan on Tech Taking Names Fashion Focus Theme Park Rangers Has anyone ever been as happy to return to Detroit in late November as the The Fifth Turn Tom's Digs Detroit Fighting Words Tourism Central Florida 19. (15) 5-9 Pistons must be? The team lost all four games on its West Coast road trip, which Pistons Fitness Center The TV Guy ended with Sunday's 117-91 loss in Phoenix. The Flying Elbow Virtual Cheap Seats Frugal Force What the Blog?! Coach Mike Dunleavy wants his players healthy before any judgments are made Frankly My Dear Word Count - Books Los Angeles about the Clippers. "Give a coach a chance to coach Eric Gordon and Blake Hispanosphere The Write Stuff 20. (24) 5-9 Holiday Wrap Up Clippers Griffin," he told the Los Angeles Times. "After that, fine. Let the chips fall where they may."

This team sounds like it's in total disarray. Gilbert Arenas recently said that, with Washington 21. (25) 3-9 eight players set to become free agents after the season, the Wizards have too Wizards many "hidden agendas."

Philadelphia This team just hasn't gotten the hang of Eddie Jordan's Princeton offense yet. The 22. (21) 5-8 76ers 76ers have scored 91 points or less in five of their last six games.

Sacramento Back to reality for the Kings. They've followed up a four-game winning streak with

…orlandosentinel.com/…/nba-power-po… 2/5 11/25/2009 Orlando Sentinel - NBA power poll: The… Sacramento Back to reality for the Kings. They've followed up a four-game winning streak with 23. (18) 5-7 Kings a three-game losing streak.

With last week's trade for , the offensively challenged Bobcats Charlotte 24. (22) 4-9 finally have someone who can create his own shot. But how long until Captain Bobcats Jack decides he wants out of Charlotte?

Indiana SG has been a bright spot for the Pacers, who have lost three 25. (17) 5-6 Pacers straight. Jones is averaging 17.5 points per game.

The Grizzlies drew an announced crowd of 11,209 in their 103-98 loss at home Memphis 26. (27) 4-9 Saturday night. They saw the Bucks snap the Grizzlies' three-game winning Grizzlies streak.

Golden State Monta Ellis had 34 points, eight assists and six steals in the Warriors' 108-94 win 27. (26) 4-8 Warriors over the Trail Blazers on Friday.

New York The Knicks have decided not to sign Allen Iverson, presumably to preserve their 28. (28) 3-10 Knicks young guards' playing time.

Minnesota Kevin Love might be three weeks away from playing his first game this season for 29. (29) 1-12 Timberwolves the Timberwolves, who have lost 12 straight games.

The Nets are four more defeats away from tying the NBA record of 17 straight New Jersey losses to start a season, held by the Heat and the Clippers. The Nets' upcoming 30. (30) 0-13 Nets four-game road trip consists of games against the Nuggets, Blazers, Kings and the Lakers.

Filed under: Analysis , Atlanta Haw ks , Clev eland Cav aliers , Phoenix Suns

COMMENTS

Your poll is a JOKE!! Posted by: MainManMagicFan | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 01:22 PM

I know those of us in O-town have a thing about Shaq, but can anyone else see a clear connection between #2 & #3? Shaq leaves PHX---team improves. Shaq hurt in CLE---team improves. Hmmmm. Coincidence? Maybe. Posted by: magicfaninTN | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 01:22 PM

yup, magicfaninTN, i agree... shaq is a liability. hopefully, he will make a full recovery and be healthy the rest of the season. dwight will eat him up when it counts anyway. oh, and about denver... did you see the game against the bulls last week? they played absolutely terible against a bad chicago team. number five in the league???? cant see it Links Posted by: shane | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 01:37 PM Orlando Magic Web site Sentinel Magic Coverage Does the Magic seem to be playing in a good flow with JWILL at point guard or is it just me?Nelson is a good player but right now we dont seem to be missing him like I thought we would,If Williams keeps playing like he has Archives and we are still winning,would Jameer come off the bench for the good of the team?Jameer would be a great November 2009 boost to the 2nd team instead of AJ. October 2009 Posted by: for3 | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 01:40 PM September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 funny how the Cavs are playing better w/o Shaq. same with the Suns. I hope to see Orlando at the top of this list June 2009 after they beat Miami and ATL this week May 2009 April 2009 Posted by: irishmafia | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 01:52 PM March 2009 February 2009 This poll is as laughable as the so called "experts" having the Magic behind Boston, Cleveland, and the Lakers. I will say it again....the Magic will go as far as their health will carry them! There is NO TEAM in the NBA that can Complete archive mess with them when they are healthy. 4 and 0 since stretch 4's returned. No team benefited more from the Category Archives stretch 4's being out more than Cleveland (Rashard or Ryan would have pulled a big away from the lane to keep 3-pointers the Cavs from double teaming D12). The stretch 4 is essential for the Magic to be deadly....without it...they are a Adonal Foyle normal team. Funny how the Magic are still rated below the teams that they roasted already, pre-season or not.... If All-Star Game they can remain healthy and move Dwight around more, they will be completely unstoppable. Best wishes to Allen Iverson Analysis Jameer also....although we are winning right now, Jameer makes the team unstoppable because you have to be Anfernee Hardaw ay mindful of him as an offensive threat as well. I love J-Will's passing but he is still not a deadly scoring threat like Anthony Johnson Jameer can be. Please, Magic players....work on shooting (especially you Matt Barnes...you're really good, but you Arena need to be able to shoot). Brandon Bass, you won't play much until you show how well you can play defense, not Atlanta Haw ks Audio offense (work on being a Ben Wallace that can shoot). Billy Donovan Can you believe it? With all of the injuries, suspensions and sicknesses that the Magic have endured...we are tied Boston Celtics for the best record in the league (REMINDER....THIS IS THE MAGIC AT THEIR WORST! WTF IS GOING TO Brandon Bass Breaking new s HAPPEN TO THE REST OF THE LEAGUE WHEN WE ARE HEALTHY AND GELLING AND SHARING THE C.J. Watson BALL....UNSTOPPABLE LIKE THE PRE-SEASON) I still think we go 73 - 9 or better.....if we can stop getting Celebrities messed over by stupid stuff happening to the players. ovo Watch for it! Charlotte Bobcats Chicago Bulls Posted by: Keith J. | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 04:13 PM Cleveland Cavaliers Dallas Mavericks …orlandosentinel.com/…/nba-power-po… 3/5 11/25/2009 Orlando Sentinel - NBA power poll: The… After Orlando wins the 4 games in the two back to backs this week maybe he'll finally put them on top. Denver Nuggets Detroit Pistons Posted by: Jay | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 04:39 PM Dunk Competition Dw ight How ard To simply call this poll a joke is an understatement! The Magic swept the floor with Phoenix a couple weeks ago, Dw yane Wade have completely obliterated the Hawks the last several times they have played eachother and were without 3 Etan Horow itz Fans starters when they lost to the Cavs. Give me a break!! Free Agency Posted by: magicact07 | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 04:43 PM Games Hedo Turkoglu This poll is a hypothetical waste of time. I'm not sure why I looked at it. Go Magic! Houston Rockets Posted by: Bill | Nov ember 23, 2009 at 08:03 PM Indiana Pacers Injuries Josh, NBA.com's power ranking has the Magic #2. Face it, you didn't want to look like a homer so you stuck them J.J. Redick Jameer Nelson in the 4 slot. Okay I understand. But the Magic are 11-3 and 9-2 in the Eastern Conference compared to Jason Williams Cleveland's 10-4 and 7-4 in conf. Sure the loss to the Cavs is something but the Magic beat Phoenix and you didn't Kobe Bryant take that into account. But at least Marge Simpson can't call you Homey! LeBron James Los Angeles Clippers Posted by: DJG | Nov ember 24, 2009 at 10:12 AM Los Angeles Lakers Magic in the community You can't really count the loss to the Cavs. As magicact07 stated, we were down 3 starters for that game. Magic Video Marcin Gortat Posted by: Jay | Nov ember 24, 2009 at 01:01 PM Matt Barnes #4 for the Magic? To copy the words of ESPN's 1080am Jerry O'Neill, "Are you high?" Miami Heat I guess the Magic beating the Celtics doesn't mean a thing to you. Neither does the fact that the three teams that Mickael Pietrus Milw aukee Bucks the Hawks beat (according to your own power poll) barely even crack into the top ten. Minnesota Timberw olves I have a feeling that even if the Magic still beat the Hawks on Thanksgiving you will probably have them higher than NBA draft the Magic next week, and will still find ways to justify that. NBA Finals NBA Playoffs By the way, the Magic whooped your #2 Suns. Just sayin'... New Jersey Nets Posted by: Emanuel | Nov ember 24, 2009 at 04:18 PM New Orleans Hornets Oklahoma City Thunder This poll is laughable! I almost got upset with the lack of respect that you have shown the Magic, but then I looked Otis Smith at how you have ranked the rest of the NBA. I then realized that you have absolutely no concept about professional Patrick Ew ing basketball, and how each of the teams match up. Try middle school volleyball. Phoenix Suns Posted by: Charles | Nov ember 25, 2009 at 07:36 AM Player Moves Playoffs This early in the season polls really don't matter. With the way last season ended the Lakers by default are the polls best team until we prove to them and all the talking heads in the media otherwise. But as fans we can take heart Rashard Lew is from the facts that we have so far done extremely well in spite of having five new players, 9 different starting Ryan Anderson lineups, 10 games suspension for a key starter, injury to our starting PG, then replacing him a PG who hasn't played significant minutes in over two years and at all for a year, Dwight struggling with ref and foul shooting Salary Cap problems, and beating some quality teams including Celts, (with Garnett playing silencing the excuse making San Antonio Spurs Shaquille O'Neal pundits)! The Magic are obviously very deep with great potential who are still learning to play together as a team. Shootaround Notes GO MAGIC Stan Van Gundy Posted by: studentogame | Nov ember 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM Television Toronto Raptors Tracy McGrady trade deadline trade rumors VERIFY YOUR COMMENT Utah Jazz PREVIEWING YOUR COMMENT Vince Carter Washington Wizards Posted by: |

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