NBA Consensus Power Rankings, Week 7

Who needs Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire?

Without both of their "superstars," the Knicks have continued to win behind their new superstar Jeremy Lin. Nearly cut by the Knicks themselves, Lin has taken the NBA world by storm.

It has led to words like Linsanity, Lincredible, Linning, etc.

No player has scored more points in his first four starts than Lin, who has scored 20-plus points in five straight games including a career-high 38 points against Kobe and Lakers on Friday night.

From getting MVP chants at Madison Square Garden and "overrated" chants on the road in places like Minnesota, how could you not root for a guy that is sleeping on his brother's couch and was an unknown about a week ago? (And this is coming from a Sixers' fan, i.e., I hate the Knicks.)

The Knicks have moved up a couple of spots in our power rankings to No. 18 from No. 20 (tied with Milwaukee) in last week's rankings.

Like last week, the top three teams all have No. 1 ranks from at least one of our four rankers, but the Thunder and Bulls are tied for the No. 1 spot. On the other hand, the bottom three teams were unanimous choices with the Wizards, Hornets and Bobcats as the worst three teams in the league.

Here are some more stats about this week's NBA Consensus Power Rankings:

- Biggest jump from last week: New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs (+2.50)
- Biggest drop from last week: Denver Nuggets (-3.75)
- Team with widest difference between high and low ranker: Indiana Pacers (7)

[See our full NBA Consensus Power Rankings.]

Each week, we respond to one roundtable question and here's this week's question: Who will win the Southwest Division this season?

John (follow on Twitter): San Antonio Spurs

The Southwest Division is one of the toughest in the league, with four of the five teams above .500, and the top three teams within 2.5 games of one another. I like the Spurs to remain atop the division. While they have been left off most people's lists as being a legitimate contender, I think the Spurs have a real shot this year. They have fallen off from what they were a few years ago, and I think most people think they're just too old now. It's tough to argue, though, that the Spurs are playing great ball. They have a 13-1 home record and have experience over most other teams in the West come playoff time. If the Lakers fail to make a big splash before the trade deadline (i.e., get Dwight Howard), I think that Oklahoma City is the clear favorite in the West, with few other teams being able to challenge them. With the Clippers losing Billups and Dirk not playing like the MVP he played like last year, I think the Spurs are the closest real contender, and I expect them challenge to represent the West. Right now, I have them in the Western Conference Finals, with a sporting chance against the KD and the Thunder.

Sean (follow on Twitter): Dallas Mavericks

I think the defending champion Mavericks win the Southwest division this year. I think they are going to make some moves towards the trade deadline to improve their team. The short season is definitely hurting them thus far since they have the oldest starting five in the NBA, but I think they will overtake the Spurs at some point this season, and never let up.

Dan (follow on Twitter): San Antonio Spurs

In what has been the most competitve divison in the league this year, the Southwest Divison will most certainly come down to the wire. I have the San Antonio Spurs coming out on top, as even in this compressed schedule I love thier veteran poise. The Spurs have also been the hottest team lately as they have won seven in a row, and are an impressive 13-1 at home. I love the Spurs to take this divison down even over the defending champs.

Kevin (follow on Twitter): Dallas Mavericks

Going into the playoffs last season, the Dallas Mavericks were widely considered to be a team ripe for an early-round exit from the postseason. Instead they kept disproving their doubters along the way to winning the NBA title. The Mavs had some key losses in the offseason like Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea last year, but they added Lamar Odom, arguably the league's best sixth man. Although Dirk Nowitzki is averaging only 18.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, his lowest averages since the 1990's, I expect him and the Mavs to get on a roll and win the Southwest Division. That said, I expect half of the West's playoff teams to come from this division.

To see where all 30 teams fall in our power rankings going through Week 7, click here.

Follow HitTheBoards.com: Twitter | Facebook

Related: Our End-of-season NFL Consensus Power Rankings

Rajon Rondo has second triple-double of season

Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo had his second triple-double of the season in today's win over the Bulls, who were without point guard Derrick Rose.

Rondo finished the game with 32 points and 15 assists, both of which were season highs, and had 10 rebounds.

Before this afternoon's game, Rondo was only averaging 8.2 points, 9.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game in the month of February.

Since entering the league in 2006, Rondo has nine triple-doubles, which ties him for third during that span with Clippers point guard Chris Paul. Only Jason Kidd (32) and LeBron James (23) have more triple-doubles since the 2006-07 season.

Jared Dudley has his first double-double of season

Suns swingman Jared Dudley had his best game and first double-double of the season last night.

Dudley set a season high with 10 rebounds and tied his previous season high in points with 20. In addition to his double-double, Dudley added two steals and two blocks to his stat line and converted on three of six three-pointers.

In his past three games, Dudley has made eight of 13 three's. Plus, he has now scored in double-digits in eight consecutive games.

After averaging only 9.8 points in December and 10.6 points per game in January, Dudley is averaging 15.5 points this month.

MRI reveals Anderson Varejao has fractured wrist

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without center Anderson Varejao for at least a few weeks.

Per Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Varejao suffered a fractured wrist in last night's one-point loss to the Bucks.

While the initial X-ray did not show a break last night, the MRI did today.

Varejao is averaging 10.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game this season. Varejao ranks third on the team in scoring and first in rebounding.

Only 10 other NBA players are currently averaging a double-double in points and rebounds.

Cleveland (10-15) is currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, but they trail the Bucks, who are in eighth place, by only 1.5 games.

Jeremy Lin has career-high 38 points, outscores Kobe

Coming into tonight's game against the Lakers, Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin scored 20-plus points in three straight games and had his first career double-double.

When Kobe Bryant was asked about Lin yesterday, he said, "I don’t even know what he’s done. Like, I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I’ll take a look at [the tape] tonight though."

Not only did Lin, who was undrafted out of Harvard, outscore Bryant, 38-34, but Lin has now scored more in a game than any other Knick this season.

Although he may sleep on his brother's couch, he's turning into a superstar.

"We think he needs a better haircut," [Lakers forward Metta]World Peace said (via ESPN). "I don't like that style. You're in New York, fashion's capital. Change your haircut. You're a star now. Wear some shades. Put down the nerdy Harvard book glasses, put on some black shades with some leather pants. Change your style. ... He should wear leather pants. He's the type of guy that should wear leather pants and some nice shoes and change his fashion. You're Jeremy Lin, for God's sake."

In his past four games, Lin has 114 points, 32 assists, 15 rebounds and seven steals.

Jeremy Lin follows up career night (25 points) with another career high (28)

Before this weekend, Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin had yet to score in double-digits this season.

Over the weekend, the Harvard graduate created buzz by scoring a career-high 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting in their win over the Nets.

Last night against the Jazz, Lin set a new career high with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field including one three-pointer and converting on seven of his nine free throws.

In the past two games combined, Lin is 20 of 36 from the field, has scored 53 points with 15 assists and four steals.

Lin is owned in only 43 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Andrew Bynum has 20-20 in loss to Sixers

After 12 straight games with less than 20 points, Lakers center Andrew Bynum scored 20-plus points in his fifth consecutive game.

During that span, Bynum has made 41 of 65 field goal attempts (63.1 percent).

Not only did he score 20 points in tonight's loss to the Sixers, who were without Elton Brand, but Bynum added a season-high 20 rebounds.

Before tonight, a player has finished with 20-plus points and 20-plus rebounds only 10 times (and Orlando's Dwight Howard had five of them).

Amare Stoudemire to miss tonight's game due to brother's death

The brother of Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire was killed in a car accident this morning, per the Orlando Sentinel.

Our condolences go out to Stoudemire and his family.

As you might expect, Stoudemire is headed to Florida, where his brother lived, and won't play tonight against the Jazz.

"My thoughts and prayers and everything is with him," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said, per the NY Daily News. "Whatever time he needs to take, he'll take. And we'll get him back as soon as possible.

"I know he's very close to his brother so my heart goes out to him. He cherishes his family. He does a great job of maintaining all the relationships. It's just a trying moment for him."

On the season, Stoudemire is averaging 18.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

NBA Consensus Power Rankings, Week 6

For the first time this year, we have a tie at the top of our NBA Consensus Power Rankings.

Although the Miami Heat had one of our four first-place votes (and three third-place votes), the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder are tied for first. However, all three teams are within one game of each other in the NBA standings and are in a different tier from the rest of the NBA.

At the other end, the Bobcats are a consensus choice for last in our power rankings, but the Pistons, Hornets and Wizards are all bad, really bad, as well.

Fortunately for the teams at the bottom, the potential rookie class is stronger in 2012 than last year's rookie crop.

[In our NBA mock drafts, which we released over the weekend, both Brendan Donahue (see his mock) and I (see my mock) had Kentucky power forward Anthony Davis going first overall.]

Here are some more stats about this week's NBA Consensus Power Rankings:

- Biggest jump from last week: Los Angeles Clippers (+4.75)
- Biggest drop from last week: Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets (-2.75)
- Team with widest difference between high and low ranker: Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets (5)

[See our full NBA Consensus Power Rankings.]

Each week, we respond to one roundtable question and here's this week's question: Who is the NBA MVP so far this season?

John (follow on Twitter): There are a few solid candidates for MVP through this point in the season. It's mostly the usual suspects, with some of the favorites being Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, or even Kevin Love. However, in my opinion, the MVP through this point of the season is LeBron James. Although Miami is pretty stacked, Dwyane Wade has had a nagging injury that has kept him out for much of the season. Still, LeBron has the Heat just a game out of the No. 1 seed in the East behind on the Bulls. In their one meeting this season, the Heat were able to eek out the win behind a 35-point effort from LeBron. In addition to being the best player on what I feel is the best team in the league, Lebron's statistics are incredible. He's averaging over 29 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. He's not far off from averaging a triple-double, which is pretty amazing. There's still plenty of season left, but I have a feeling LeBron will continue playing at a high level and lock up the MVP at the end of the season. The bigger question is going to be if he can shrug off last season's Finals and lead the Heat to a title.

Sean (follow on Twitter): My No. 1 team has the league's MVP on it, and that is the Bulls Derrick Rose. In terms of value, Rose is the No. 1 player in the league. The Bulls would not be where they are without Rose.

Dan (follow on Twitter): So far the MVP of the season has to go to the old warhorse in Kobe Bryant. Byrant is maintaining an unbelievable pace right now, as he is averaging 38 minutes per game, and also leading the league with 29.4 points per game. Kobe is doing all of this after losing Lamar Odom, Phil Jackson, and playing with a pulled ligament in his wrist. It has been impressive to watch Kobe develop his game, and the return of the mamba as he is fueled by all the slights this year.

Kevin (follow on Twitter): In the history of the NBA, only three players have averaged at least 29 points, eight rebounds and seven assists: Oscar Robertson (four times during the '60's), Michael Jordan (1988-89 season) and LeBron James (so far this year). Plus, he's tied for 10th in the NBA in steals per game (1.7). With the Heat also one of the top three teams in the NBA, there is absolutely no doubt that LeBron is the clear frontrunner for the award so far this year.

To see where all 30 teams fall in our power rankings going through Week 6, click here.

Follow HitTheBoards.com: Twitter | Facebook

2012 NBA Mock Drafts and Mock Draft Database Updated

The 2012 NBA Draft will be held in New York City on June 28th, which is exactly two months after Day 3 of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Not only did we update our 2012 NBA Mock Draft Database this morning, but we also released our first two NBA Mock Drafts for 2012.

For draft order, we used the inverse of our NBA Consensus Power Rankings.

Brendan Donahue's top five picks are:

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
2. New Orleans Hornets: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
3. Washington Wizards: Michael Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
4. Detroit Pistons: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
5. Toronto Raptors: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

See all of his first-round mock here.

Kevin Hanson's top five picks are:

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
2. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
3. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
4. Detroit Pistons: Michael Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
5. Toronto Raptors: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

See all of my first-round mock here.