NBA Power Rankings: Cleveland Cavaliers In Trouble In Week 19?
Gerald Bourguet
Feb 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) yells out to a teammate from the court against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 99-97. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 19 of NBA Power Rankings, we gush over Stephen Curry and examine whether the Cleveland Cavaliers are in trouble.
Feb 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) yells out to a teammate from the court against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 99-97. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to HoopsHabit.com’s Week 19 NBA Power Rankings! We’ll be counting down from 30 to 1, as we break down the last week in the NBA and where each team stands as we move forward.
Over the last week, the NBA action has definitely heated up. There have been game-winners, monster performances, unbelievable displays of basketball brilliance — oh, and players other than Stephen Curry have done some pretty cool things too.
In all seriousness, Week 19 was a fantastic week of basketball that featured an unforgettable overtime matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder, a huge win for the Toronto Raptors behind Kyle Lowry‘s career night and much, much more.
However, the most pervasive storyline of the week quickly emerged from The Land, where the Cleveland Cavaliers are reeling from a week of drama, disappointing losses and an overarching theme of not having the chemistry it takes to win a title. In our latest edition of Power Rankings, the question needs to be asked and answered: Are the Cavs in trouble?
We will be updating every Tuesday, so scroll through all of the rankings to find out where your favorite team winds up in Week 19 as we take a look at the last week of action.
Next: No. 30
Feb 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) guards Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 111-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 29
Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) reacts against the Orlando Magic during second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 130-116. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 28
February 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 27
Feb 25, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nets won 116-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 26
Feb 28, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 25
Feb 28, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks interim head coach Kurt Rambis coaches against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 24
Feb 26, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) stays in the backcourt after being injured during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 23
Feb 29, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; NBA referee Marc Davis (8) has to separate Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and forward Kevin Durant (35) and forward Serge Ibaka (9) from Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) and guard James Anderson (5) and guard Ben McLemore (23) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 22
Feb 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) celebrates with teammates guard Jrue Holiday (11) and guard Eric Gordon (10) after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Pelicans 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 21
Feb 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) attempts a dunk in the fourth quarter during the game against the Houston Rockets at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Parker scored 36 points as the Bucks beat the Rockets 128-121. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 20
Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) celebrates with guard Elfrid Payton (4), guard Victor Oladipo (5) and guard Mario Hezonja (23) after he dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers during second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 130-116. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 19
Feb 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard E’Twaun Moore (55) dribbles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 18
Feb 29, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) celebrates on the court against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 17
Feb 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and guard James Harden (13) reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Rockets 128-121. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 16
Feb 29, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder (right) speaks to forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 15
Feb 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) waits for a rebound during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 14
Feb 26, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 13
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) shoots the ball around Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Hornets won 96-95. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 12
Feb 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 11
Feb 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Joerger talks with Memphis Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson (1) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 111-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 10
Feb 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Hornets 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 9
Feb 27, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts after getting for a foul during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 8
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Portland defeated Indiana 111-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 7
Feb 29, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) celebrates against the Utah Jazz during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 6
Feb 29, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer (left) introduces mascot Chuck during an NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 5
Feb 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) sits on the bench during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 113-99. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 4
Feb 29, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts to a play during the third quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Thunder defeated the Kings 131-116. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 3
Feb 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the ball around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert (4) at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 99-97. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 2
Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) and forward Kyle Anderson (1) celebrate after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Spurs defeated the Rockets 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 1
Feb 27, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after hitting the game winning shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
