Red, White, and Blue Power Rankings: 4/1-4/7

I’ll tell you right now the Sixers fan in me does not want to write about them right now. Those dudes…geez. But hey, the show must go on, right? And Sixers, in all their collapsible glory, are still in a great spot to win the Atlantic division. Do I care anymore? Good question. I might as well tell you that the power rankings might be the only thing I post until the off-season. I’ll be spending my time just watching the players.

Alright, let’s move on from this. Let’s get to the rankings ok?

Week Review

Clippers: 1 (1)

Week Record: 3-1 (I predicted 2-2)

I said 2-2 because I figured they would split their two meetings with the Kings. Saw the loss to Lakers and win over Mavericks. Clippers also are showing some serious signs of winning their Pacific division. Beat the Mavs by 19 and of course beat the Kings twice by a combined 21 points. Their loss to the current Pacific leader Lakers was by only 5. So while the Sixers may not win their division, it looks like someone else will win. Somewhere.

Hawks: 2 (3)

Week Record: 3-0 (I predicted 3-0)

I didn’t do anything special. Anybody that follows the NBA probably would have called for a Hawks sweep. Bobcats twice and Pistons? Yeah ok. I did say that Hawks could slip up and lose one. If you don’t always take your opponent seriously because of their record, you might let your guard down and then end up having an actual game on your hands. We’ve seen it all the time. The risk is always there but I didn’t think Hawks would allow themselves to be upset. In between the two Bobcats games, they faced the Pistons. They only beat them by 5. But the poor Bobcats A.K.A. the sacrificial lamb of the NBA lost by a combined 47 points. I mean…dang. 27 in the first game and then they improved to just a 20 point loss. Whew!

Pistons: 3 (4)

Week Record: 2-1 (I predicted 1-2)

Pistons had a solid week. Beat the Magic and Wizards while losing a close one to Hawks. For some reason, I thought it was possible that they could lose to Wizards. I thought it was very possible that Pistons would get swept. Shame on me. Pistons have been the team in this rankings that has been all over the place. They have been in 6th, they’ve been up to 3rd place (maybe 2nd place but don’t feel like looking it it). I’d say they have moved around the most out of everybody.

Nets: 4 (5)

Week Record: 1-2 (I predicted 2-1)

Ok well I guess it wasn’t that bad, right? I saw the Lakers loss and Wizard win. Didn’t think they would lose to Blazers but not really surprised. This week was understandable for Nets. While their loss to Lakers was close and they dominated the Wizards, their loss to Blazers was a bit worse than I expected.

Sixers: 5 (2)

Week Record: 0-3 (I predicted 2-1)

My quote about the Magic game in last week’s rankings: “But the Magic game? Sixers won first meeting and then the Magic found themselves (see what I did there!?) from beyond the arc in the second meeting. Not sure what to expect for round 3. My gut says loss but I’m going for the win.” Not sure what to say about this team. This season has become the ultimate waste of time. They lost to the Raptors, and Heat along with the Magic. The Heat and Magic game was lost by 6 points each while, for some reason, they lost by 21 vs the Raptors. Whatever.

Wizards: 6 (6)

Week Record: 0-5 (I predicted 3-2)

Stop laughing at me. I don’t know what I was thinking. They lost to the Raptors, Bucks, Pacers, Pistons, and Nets. I guess that back-back-back got to them. They also had a back-back before then too. Still, I would think at least one win would show up. Too bad. Looking ahead to the lottery…

Week Preview: 4/8-4/14

Clippers continue their quest for Pacific divisional championship. I’m still shaking my head how the Clippers are in a serious battle to the Lakers for the first time. I mean, Clippers have finished ahead of the Lakers during their Elton Brand days but it wasn’t going to last. This time, Lakers are a bit older and Clippers have room to grow. Anyway, Clips won’t have it easy. Grizzlies, Thunder, Wolves, and Warriors. I can see the win over the Wolves. Perhaps Warriors too. Grizzlies game could go either way and probably loss to Thunder. Clippers are 5-7 vs their opponents of the week though. And their only winning record is vs Grizzlies. I’ll still say 2-2 for the week.

Hawks had an easy week for sure. It’s another easy week in terms of schedule. They have the Magic and Celtics. Now look, the Celtics have been reborn. They are serious about at least winning the Atlantic division. So I’m not too sure Hawks beat them. The Magic are obviously having internal problems and the Hawks have beaten them twice already but by a combined 7 points. I’ll go with 1-1 this week.

I have never been able to consistently and successfully predict the Pistons. This week will be no different. 4 games this week. Heat, Magic, Bobcats and Bucks. You could say an easy 2-2. Beat the Bobcats and Bucks while losing to Florida. But wait, Pistons have won twice before vs Magic while have been beaten by Bucks. So we’ll stick with 2-2.

Nets have 4 games too. Cavaliers, Sixers twice, and Celtics. Welp I’d almost call them being swept but the Sixers are in line. Sixers will probably drop one game to the Nets. Perhaps they can beat the Cavaliers. Doubt the Celtics though. For me, Nets go 1-3. I’ll be so upset if Sixers drop both games though and again, Cavs can be beat. But, 1-3.

Sixers…face only teams in the Atlantic division. Celtics, Nets twice, and Raptors in between the two Nets games. I have said it before, I don’t care about the record anymore. Player evaluation. But, let’s say I actually care. I said Nets would win at least one. Call me crazy but I don’t think Sixers are going out the same way they did vs the Raptors last time. I’m not even going to mention Celtics. Celtics have already won. 2-2.

And our Wizards. Bobcats, Magic, Knicks, and Cavs. There was a time when both Bobcats and Wizards were what I called “A basketball fail” Wizards have somewhat improved to actual basketball so I’ll give them the win over the Cats. Meanwhile, I see a loss for the rest of the week. 1-3.

So there you have it. I do have a request. Can you let me know what you think about these rankings? Do you like it? Funny? Out of the box? Otherwise, maybe I’ll start up some other weekly feature. I love constructive criticism so if you think I can improve these rankings in any way, let me know. Trying to figure out if these rankings were worth it.

And, as I’ve said a few times before, thanks for reading my posts and for reading here at The Sixer Sense. I say this because the power rankings are probably the only thing you hear from me for the rest of the season. I already have some things I want to post during the off-season! I have checked out of the season for the most part. This is the first time this has ever happen to me as a Sixer fan. While I may have checked out of the season, I’m nowhere close to checking out as a fan. Go Sixers!!!!!