Enjoy the second installment of the official NBA Shankster Rankings. Comments welcome, let me know where I am wrong!
1. Los Angeles Lakers - Pistons opened the door for doubters but they are still at the top.
2. Boston - Not quite as focused as last year when it took them 13 games to lose their second game.
3. Cleveland - Hottest team in the league right now. Are they showing what they can do or peaking too early?
4. Phoenix - Shaq's on a minutes roller coaster and it looks like it's working.
5. Detroit - Maybe the Iverson trade wasn't a wash.
6. Orlando - Howard continues to impress as the Magic are finding their rhythm.
7. Portland - Oden is back and spending some time on the floor!
8. New Orleans - Still have Chris Paul, I think they'll figure it out.
Ian Shankster's Indiana Pacers fan blog
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November 17, 2008
November 09, 2008
Ian Shankster
The first installment of the official NBA Shankster Rankings. Enjoy.
1. Los Angeles Lakers -Won their first five games by an average of 22 points.
2. Atlanta Hawks - Gotta put them up here because they are only other undefeated team.
3. Boston Celtics - Looks like their loss to Indiana was a fluke.
4. Cleveland - Heating up after a 1-2 start.
5. Utah - Winning without D-Will is good.
6. New Orleans - Impressive 20-10 streak for CP3.
7. Phoenix - Look stronger than expected so far under Porter.
8. Detroit - 0-2 since bringing in AI.
9. Toronto - Bosh is realizing he still has to be the man even with Jermaine there.
10. Houston - Blowout loss to Lakers proves they aren't quite there.
11. Orlando - Looking like a playoff team.
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November 06, 2008
Ian Shankster
Two teams coming off important primetime wins face off this Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Steelers coming off a dominating win over the Washington Redskins and the Indianapolis Colts who defeated a rival and playoff contender in the New England Patriots. This upcoming game seems much more important to the Indianapolis Colts who don't want to drop below .500 again and need to build on the momentum they gained from beating the Patriots. However, the Steelers have to see this as a big game as well. With a 6-2 record the Steelers are in first place in their division and second only to Tennessee in the AFC. A win would give them a good grip on second place in the AFC as the second half of the season gets underway.
A loss to the Colts could potentially put them in a tie with Baltimore who is second in the AFC North and also with the Jets if they beat St. Louis, as well as the winner of the Buffalo vs. New England matchup. While a loss to the Colts wouldn't end their season or even ruin their chances of making the playoffs it would muddle things up in the AFC and potentially affect their chances at home field advantage for the first and second round. Not only that but they could severely damage the Colts hopes for a Wild Card spot and eventually a playoff matchup! No one wants to play the Colts in the playoffs no matter how poorly their regular season went. The Colts are one of the streakiest teams as illustrated by their season so far. If the Colts find a rhythm in January they are a scary team, and a win Sunday would give them confidence against one of their possible playoff opponents and give them more momentum as they try to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2001 season.
A loss to the Colts could potentially put them in a tie with Baltimore who is second in the AFC North and also with the Jets if they beat St. Louis, as well as the winner of the Buffalo vs. New England matchup. While a loss to the Colts wouldn't end their season or even ruin their chances of making the playoffs it would muddle things up in the AFC and potentially affect their chances at home field advantage for the first and second round. Not only that but they could severely damage the Colts hopes for a Wild Card spot and eventually a playoff matchup! No one wants to play the Colts in the playoffs no matter how poorly their regular season went. The Colts are one of the streakiest teams as illustrated by their season so far. If the Colts find a rhythm in January they are a scary team, and a win Sunday would give them confidence against one of their possible playoff opponents and give them more momentum as they try to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2001 season.
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Ian Shankster
I never thought I'd say it or that it would even cross my mind but after Wednesday's game vs. the Phoenix Suns I couldn't help but wonder, "Are the Pacers missing Jermaine O'Neal?" With Amare Stoudemire devouring the Pacers front line time and time again, ending with 49 points and 11 rebounds, and seeing Jeff Foster and Roy Hibbert combine for a stat line that read 7 points, 6 rebounds, 0 blocks, I couldn't help but wonder if it would have been different with Jermaine playing. For the most part Jermaine could be counted on to produce on the offensive end even if he wasn't shutting down players defensively he was able to neutralize them in some manner with his own scoring. Now don't get me wrong, it was time for Jermaine to move on; when you want franchise money but don't want to carry the franchise anymore it's time to go. However, all I had to do to remember that we made the right decision was look at Jermaine's stat line Wednesday night for Toronto against Detroit, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, and I was reminded that we didn't exactly give up a player in his prime. And with T.J. Ford contributing 23 points on 50% shooting what is there to complain about? And we had Rasho out with his sprained ankle for tonight's game. Besides, a less than formidable front line isn't the only thing the Pacers have to worry about. We have a young team with new players jumping in the rotation at all different places. It will take time to find a rhythm and get in sync.
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