We spend a lot of time in this space focusing on the exploits of
individuals. But lost in our scrutiny of Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian
are the ultimately more important performances of their respective
teams. After all, teams win championships, and while individuals
are part of what makes the NBA irresistible, the teams are what
matter most.
One of the most surprising developments of this young NBA
season, in terms Yi and Yao, is the fact that, on paper, the
once-lowly Bucks appear to be a better team than the mighty
Rockets, at least according to some of the latest power rankings.
Power ranking looks beyond simple standings to gauge how teams
compare with the rest of the league week-to-week. It is a highly
subjective exercise and hardly matters at all in the grand scheme.
Still, power rankings are a fun way to see how teams are doing.
Any schmuck with a whiff of basketball knowledge can throw
together a power ranking, but obviously some analysts' rankings
command more respect than others. One of the more respected
power-rankers is John Schuhmann of nba.com. His rankings are
conducted quasi-scientifically, taking into account teams' overall
records, the strength of schedules and other factors.
The first thing Bucks' fans might notice in Schuhmann's rankings
this week is Milwaukee's rapid ascent into the top 10, up eight
spots to No 7 from last week's No 15 and leapfrogging the Rockets,
who dropped from No 11 to No 12. The two teams faced opposite fates
the past couple of weeks: Milwaukee won five in a row, including
big wins over tough teams like the Cavs and Mavs, while Houston was
mired in a six-game losing streak, which it finally snapped against
Denver. If someone had suggested during the preseason that the
Bucks would be leading their division (as they were until
yesterday) or that Houston would be struggling for a playoff spot,
he'd have been mocked.
Of course, just as quickly as a team can ascend the power
rankings, it can come crashing back to reality, as the Bucks did in
a listless loss at home yesterday to pitiful Philadelphia, ranked
No 27 out of 30. Some may say the Bucks are playing out of their
league this year, but anchored by Yi's strong defense, they clearly
have a shot at making the playoffs.
The Rockets hit a rough stretch without Tracy McGrady. But now
he's healthy and Yao and friends seem to be back on track. But
unlike the Bucks out East, where any team with a pulse can make the
playoffs, nothing is guaranteed for the Rockets in the West. With
little use for power rankings in such a stacked conference,
Houston's eyes need to be fixed on the real standings to stand any
chance at all.
By Luke T. Johnson
(China Daily November 29, 2007)