2014 NBA Power Rankings, Playoff Edition (Volume 2): FUBAR

Don't know what that last word means? Look it up! Because that's what this year's NBA Playoffs are for what was thought to be some of the league's top teams. Holy hell...let's dive right into it, shall we?

1. Miami Heat (PR=2)...They got brownie points 12 days ago just for being the 2 time defending champ, but now it looks like ranking them that high was the way to go. They didn't exactly look like world-beaters in any of their games against Charlotte, but the Heat are the only - I repeat, only - team to take care of business and sweep into Round 2.

2. San Antonio Spurs (PR=1)...They are only this high because of a similar brownie point philosophy used for Miami, and they got home court advantage back against the Mavs with last night's win, but Dallas is making them work.

3. Portland Trailblazers (PR=9)...They jump this high basically by default, as every other Western Conference series is tied 2-2. Still, LaMarcus Aldridge is a beast.

A beast!

4. [Tie] Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors (PR=what?)...In their 2 respective series, these 4 teams all have 2 wins apiece, and it's probably a coin flip either way for all of them. OKC is still figuring out how to reintegrate Russell Westbrook, Memphis is a bad matchup for the Thunder, no one knows where the Clippers' heads are at the moment, and the Warriors can shoot their way past anyone. So, you get this: a 4 way Western Conference cuddle-puddle.

Pretty much your Western Conference Playoffs in a nutshell.

8. Washington Wizards (PR=14)...With Indy crumbling, Brooklyn and Toronto capturing the hearts of no one, and Washington beating up on the Bulls, the Wizards officially look like the East's 2nd best team today. If Nene didn't temporarily lose his mind and try out some Greco-Roman wrestling holds on Jimmy Butler, this thing might already have been over.

9. [Tie] Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors (PR=8 and 11, respectively)...Let's be honest here; if Raps GM Masai Ujiri didn't go all Samuel L. Jackson at a Toronto pep rally, no one would even know this series was going on.

11. Houston Rockets (PR=6)...Daryl Morey is kind of right. With 3 OT games in the 1st 4, this series has sort of been a coin flip so far. Except it hasn't, because Houston's 2 best players are the not-so-clutch Dwight Howard and James Harden. Now, down 3-1? See ya. If you have 10 minutes to kill though, this lowlight video of Harden's, umm, defensive prowess is worth it.

12. Indiana Pacers (PR=4)...I mean, I can't say that I saw this coming. I thought Indy would at least get it together to the point that they could scrap their way to the Round 2. But damn...

Oh my...

13. Atlanta Hawks (PR=16)...Hawks fans would probably be p***ed if they saw Atlanta ranked lower than the team they are ahead of in their own series...if Hawks' fans actually read this...if anyone actually read this!

14. Chicago Bulls (PR=12)...I think they will take Game 5 at home, but at this point it's clear that the Wizards are just better. If I had to bet on either the Bulls or Rockets coming back from 3-1 though, I'd take my chances with Chicago.

15. Dallas Mavericks (PR=13)...Have played the Spurs much tougher than anyone thought, but I think they had to have last night's Game 4 in Dallas. Now, I think the Spurs will finish this in 6.

Doneski
Charlotte Bobcats