The All-Star break has come and gone. It is now time to step up or shut up for teams around the league. We are halfway through and the stretch run is coming. There is no time left for sloppy play and bad losses. Watch for the buy-out market and the trade deadline coming up on March 25th. Here we go!

#16 Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are one of the most exciting teams in the NBA this year. Gordon Hayward has played really well in his first year in Charlotte. Rozier is shooting a career high from deep and LaMelo Ball is the front runner for the ROY. The Hornets went big for the playoffs this year and it is looking good so far.

#15 Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have climbed back into the eastern conference standings, but they seem to be at crossroads. Their longest, tenured player, Kyle Lowry, is a free agent after the year. Fred Van Fleet is ready to take over as the face of the franchise, and as well as Pascal Siakam, they can take over for Lowry, if he departs. Toronto will be a really interesting team to watch as the trade deadline approaches.

#14 Miami Heat

My boy James was down on the Heat during the pod this week. But they are 7-1 in their last eight games and are finally getting healthy. Jimmy Butler has been leading the way averaging 24, 9, and 7 during the stretch. The team is finally getting healthy, they are starting to look more like the team that made the finals run.

#13 Boston Celtics

Well what James said about the Heat is what I said about the Celtics. I was big on them at the beginning of the year, with a slight issue, their depth. A bright spot is Kemba Walker, he has finally started to play more like his old self. The Celtics will need his play to continue if they want to get back into the top echelon of the eastern conference.

#12 Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs have started to really get their footing after an up and down start to the season, and guess who it all starts with, Luka Doncic. They have won 8 of 10 and Luka is averaging 30, 7, and 7 during that stretch. Kristaps is playing like his old self as well and because he doesn’t have to be the dude in Dallas he can continue. The Mavericks will need to keep their foot on the pedal in the deep western conference.

#11 New York Knicks

I know I keep talking about James but he says some smart shit. Tom Thibodeau has turned this team into a great defensive team. They have the second best defensive rating in the NBA and give up the fewest points per game. While Julius Randle has played himself into the all star game, a surprise is RJ Barrett has stepped up his play during his sophomore season. Let’s hope they can keep it going, the NBA is more fun when the Knicks are good.

#10 Portland Trailblazers

Oh the Trailblazers... They really have been up and down all year. The problem is the defense. They are ranked in the bottom third of the league in defense and can’t outscore everyone. Once they get everyone healthy they should be able to play more consistent basketball.

#9 San Antonio Spurs

Well here we go, I said it. The Spurs will make the playoffs. They just feel like a team that is going to surprise everyone. DeMar Derozan has been playing well after a slow start to his Spurs career. He was an all star snub this year and his playmaking has been a major reason the Spurs have a great chance at the playoffs this year.

#8 Denver Nuggets

The same problem has been plaguing the Nuggets all year. Their third scoring option has yet to show up. Michael Porter Jr should have been the guy but he hasn’t figured it out yet. Jokic is an MVP candidate and Jamal Murray is finally starting to play at his level. If Michael Porter Jr can start playing at the level he is capable of, the Nuggets can be a force again.

#7 Los Angeles Clippers

Okay Clippers fans, I have been trying to stay positive for you. I am really starting to doubt the validity of this team. You can’t close out games, you just can’t. The defense has fallen off the cliff compared to last year. If the Clippers don’t get it together Tradon’s prediction will come to fruition, LA will lose to the Warriors.

#6 Milwaukee Bucks

People are sleeping on the Bucks this season. Giannis isn’t an MVP candidate, Khris Middleton has fallen off slightly, and they are still working Jrue Holiday back into the rotation. But the Bucks are second in offensive rating and third best in point differential. They could be a dark horse candidate this year and I think that helps them.

#5 Los Angeles Lakers

Okay, I am probably being biased here. The Bucks have been playing better, the Lakers are 3-7 over their last ten games. Anthony Davis has been out for nine of them and Dennis Schroder for four. Without Davis the Lakers probably won’t rise in these rankings, but as long as they get healthy they will be fine.

#4 Phoenix Suns

Our man Eric is down on the Suns and don’t think they can hold onto the number 2 spot in the western conference. Well I disagree, the Lakers are hurt and the Clippers are playing like crap. The Suns have something to prove, Lebron and Kawhi not so much. Chris Paul might get to his 2nd conference finals this year.

#3 Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons missed the All Star Game due to health and safety protocols. But they finished the 1st half strong with a big win over the Jazz and MVP front runner Embiid put on a show. Dropping 40 points and grabbing 19 boards in the statement win. Look for them to buy at the deadline for more reinforcements to compete with the Bucks and the Nets.

#2 Utah Jazz

Utah has been so dominant in the first half that I couldn’t drop them more than 1 spot after a 1-3 week. They still hold a 2.5 games lead in the western conference and had 3 (ish) all-stars. They are the only team in the league in the top 5 of the offensive and defensive rating. Let’s see if they can make a deep playoff run for the first time since Stockton and Malone.

#1 Brooklyn Nets

The rich get richer as they say. The Brooklyn Nets have signed Blake Griffin after he was bought-out. They are 9-1 over their last 10 games, and still haven’t really had the entire team healthy all at once. James Harden cares again and that has helped since both KD and Kyrie have missed games. Right now the Nets are the front runners in the East, unless we see growth from two or three teams.

NBA Power Rankings: Week 12