We close out the month of April here with another week of Thursday top tens. Unfortunately, I have not had enough time to work on year-end tournament qualifying procedures, so that will have to wait for later. For now though, here are the top tens.
Week 26 NBA Power Rankings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (1) 4-1
Cleveland remains number one after a pretty easy series with the Chicago Bulls. Now they get to face a red hot Celtics team and see their first true test of the season.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (2) 3-2
The Lakers have had a tough time with the Thunder, especially playing in Oklahoma City. However, this is more of a testament to the Thunder’s talent than the Lakers not playing well. Unless they blow the series, they remain at two.
3. Orlando Magic (3) 4-0
It was easy as pie for the Magic as they swept passed the inexperienced Charlotte Bobcats. Now they await the Bucks-Hawks winner.
4. Phoenix Suns (4) 3-2
The Suns are, as expected, just simply wearing down the Portland Trailblazers. The series isn’t over, but Phoenix is firmly in control
5. Utah Jazz (7) 3-2 Big Jumper of the Week
The Jazz have done what other teams can’t, and that’s play hard every night five games into the postseason. Utah is a game away from polishing off rival Denver.
6. Denver Nuggets (5) 2-3
Likewise, despite being down 3-2 in a series with Utah, the Nuggets would probably be beating many other teams in the postseason. Nevertheless, the Nuggets could fall if they can’t come back in this series.
7. Boston Celtics (9) 4-1
The Celtics had little difficulty beating Dwayne Wade and company. Cleveland could present a much bigger challenge, but right now Boston is playing great basketball.
8. San Antonio Spurs (10) 3-2
The Spurs are doing what I expected of them, outhustling a better on paper Dallas team. One more win will propel the Spurs way up this list.
9. Dallas Mavericks (6) 2-3 Big Faller of the week
And with that, the Mavericks are the big faller and on the brink of playoff extinction. The team is being outplayed by San Antonio and could disappear soon.
10. Atlanta Hawks (8) 2-3
Likewise, the Hawks have been pushed to the edge of the cliff by the Bucks and take a hard hit on the list. Losing this series could mean goodbye from this list for the rest of the year.
Week 29 NHL Power Rankings
1. Chicago Blackhawks (4) 4-2
The Blackhawks recovered from a slow start to finally hit their stride against Nashville. The Canucks now await them, but Chicago should be fine. They are now top dog in the league in my opinion.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (2) 4-2
And with the fiasco in the East, the Penguins are officially top dog in the conference, seeding and this ranking-wise. As long as they don’t pull a Capital, they’re easily Eastern Finals bound.
3. San Jose Sharks (5) 4-2
The Sharks recovered from a slow start ala Chicago to dispatch the Avalanche. Now with the Red Wings on tap, the Sharks will prove what they’re made of.
4. Detroit Red Wings (7) 4-3
Big jump for the Red Wings, and proved to be gritty and persistent against a very pesky Coyote team. Can their solid play carry over to San Jose.
5. Vancouver Canucks (8) 4-2
The Canucks proved a lot by beating the Kings, especially in the final, clinching game. They will need a step up in defensive play against the Blackhawks, though, to survive in the top five here.
6. Boston Bruins (10) 4-2 Big Jumper of the Week
All of a sudden, the Bruins are beginning to look like contenders and will have a tough series ahead with the Flyers. Boston proved its toughness against Buffalo and looks to hang around here.
7. Washington Capitals (1) 3-4
What a difference a week makes. Last Thursday, Washington was a game away from the next round of the playoffs. Now, they’re done. What a collapse and though they should be embarrassed, I can’t drop them lower. They played too well in the regular season.
8. Philadelphia Flyers (NR) 4-1
And the Flyers FINALLY make their debut on here. They very easily breezed past the Devils and now are heading to Boston for a Winter Classic rematch. Can they reverse last January’s result?
9. Montreal Canadiens (NR) 4-3
Major league props to the Canadiens for upsetting the Capitals and recovering from a 3-1 deficit. Major props,. But let’s face it, they can’t do it again in Pittsburgh, right? Right?
10. Phoenix Coyotes (3) 3-4 Big Faller of the Week
The Coyotes were upset in round one, but unlike the Capitals, they exceeded expectation this season and played a tough team in Detroit. Hats off to a fantastic season by Phoenix.
Off This Week: Los Angeles Kings (6), Nashville Predators (9)
Week 10 NASCAR Power Rankings
1. Jimmie Johnson (1)
Do I really need to explain this? Jimmie DOES have to watch his back now though. Jeff Gordon isn’t too happy.
2. Greg Biffle (3)
A flip flop here as Greg Biffle beats out Matt Kenseth for runner-up behind Johnson. Biffle isn’t quietly but consistently up front every week and does his job.
3. Matt Kenseth (2)
A sloppy last few races by Kenseth causes a small drop to number three. No real big deal here, Kenseth is still Mr. consistency, he’s just been consistently mediocre the last couple races.
4. Kyle Busch (5)
Watch out for this guy. I jumped him from no ranking to five last week and he’s now up to four. Little Busch could cause noise sooner rather than later.
5. Kevin Harvick (6)
Harvick’s win at Talladega moves him back to the top five this week. But let’s face it, Talladega was a crapshoot. Let’s see a repeat from Harvick this week.
6. Jeff Gordon (4)
Gordon’s bad luck continues to run amuck. Though I feel for him, I can’t ignore the drop through the standings he’s taking. Gordon drops two spots.
7. Kurt Busch (9) Big Jumper of the Week
Kurt hasn’t gotten back to his winning ways from early this year, but’ he’s still driving consistently well. Back up to seven for Big Brother Busch.
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8)
Junior wasn’t able to steal a superspeedway win this week, but he was up front for most of the race. That’s more than we could say for Earnhardt last year.
9. Mark Martin (NR)
Martin has been running better after a slow start to 2010. Now he needs to prove his abilities with a few wins.
10. Denny Hamlin (10)
Hamlin holds at ten based on his past wins. No drivers below him have run as well lately or have the talent of Hamlin’s so he hangs in.
Off This Week: Jeff Burton (7) Big Faller of the Week
Week 5 MLB Power Rankings
1. New York Yankees (1) 13-7
I almost put them below the Rays, but the Yankees have had Tampa Bay’s number in three games. This is a battle worth watching.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (3) 16-5
The Rays are on fire so far this season and steamrolling through everyone in the American League. Beating the elite of the league must be oh so sweet.
3. Minnesota Twins (5) 14-7
The Twins, likewise, are playing excellent baseball this season and are the crown jewel of an otherwise blah AL Central.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (4) 14-7
The Cardinals hold this week at four as they continue to do what they do best, hit the ball and continue to win.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (2) 12-9
A once red hot Phillie team is starting to come down to earth, and likewise drops from its number two pedestal this week. Could they be falling to pieces?
6. San Francisco Giants (9) 12-9
A week after the I dropped the baseball Giants in the rankings, I bring them back up as they have played well against the Phillies this week. Can they now overtake San Diego.
7. New York Mets (NR) 13-9 Big Jumper of the Week
We’re at the end of April and I can’t ignore these first place teams anymore. The Mets have had a solid last two weeks and find themselves atop the NL East. Welcome to the party Mets.
8. Detroit Tigers (10) 12-10
Detroit is continuing to play borderline top ten baseball and gets a boost simply for not being the Braves, who went 0-7 this week after I put them at number six.
9. San Diego Padres (NR) 13-8
Again, can’t ignore first place teams. San Diego is getting big numbers from Adrian Gonzalez and finds themselves on top of a tough NL West. Will it remain that way?
10. Oakland Athletics (NR) 12-10
Oakland’s in first place of what is so far a disappointing AL West. The A’s have been far from disappointing, but overachieving may be a way to describe them.
Off This Week: Atlanta Braves (6) Big Faller of the Week, Seattle Mariners (7), Toronto Blue Jays (8)
The Weekly ARC Top Ten Songs
1. Rude Boy - Rihanna (2)
It was only a matter of time. Rude Boy is finally number on this week and I’d expect it to stay there for a little while. Not many other songs have staying power like Rihanna’s newest number one does.
2. In My Head - Jason Derulo (1)
Derulo’s In My Head is down to two after a two week stay atop the chart. In My Head isn’t done just yet, but seems to cement its spot as a short term hit song.
3. Hey, Soul Sister - Train (3)
Train continues to exceed my expectations at least and hold at number three. The hit band from last decade, Train is continuing a successful rebirth.
4. Nothin On You - B.O.B. ft. Bruno Mars (5)
B.o.B. is continuing to head upwards, up to number four this week. I thought Nothin on You wouldn’t go higher than five, but I was wrong. When will this song stop?
5. Break Your Heart - Taio Cruz ft. Ludacris (7) Big Jumper of the Week
Good week for Taio Cruz, as he makes his top five debut with the help of Ludacris. With Nothin on You sitting right ahead of it, it will be hard for Break Your Heart to break much further up.
6. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum (4) Big Faller of the Week
Lady Antebellum is down two spots this week as it continues to drop through the field. Still, the lone country song in the top ten, Need You Now is out of gas.
7. Telephone - Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce (6)
I am now officially sick of hearing ring ring on this telephone. Time for this former number one hit to die. Which it is beginning to do.
8. Breakeven - The Script (8)
Eight must be great for The Script, as Breakeven is eight yet again this week, for three, four weeks now? Good song, but nothing more than a low end chart hit.
9. Your Love Is My Drug - Kesha (NR)
The lone new song this week, Kesha is back with single number three. Let’s hope this is more like Tik Tok and less like Blah Blah Blah.
10. Imma Be - Black Eyed Peas (9)
Really? Can’t this song PLEASE just go away for good now? Apparently not. One more week should knock this annoying tune into oblivion.
Off This Week: All The Right Moves - One Republic (10)
The Top Ten Movies for the Week of April 23-25
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2)
In a very strange happening, Dragons is number one again, FIVE weeks after its release. More a statement of how poor movies are now, Dragons should enjoy this before summer season starts in two weeks.
2. The Back-up Plan (NR) Big Jumper of the Week
Yeah, it may be the big jumper, but the Plan was not to lose to Dragons at the box office. Don’t expect much from this forgettable looking movie.
3. Date Night (3)
Date Night has had more staying power than I expected, with the help of a week movie month. It’s bringing in a decent amount of dough. I’d say give it a shot.
4. The Losers (NR)
The Losers are doing what they’re title says, losing at the box office. A bad opening weekend and we should be done with this in a few weeks.
5. Kick-Ass (1) Big Faller of the Week
Ouch. People are actually being smart here and staying away from a movie that surprisingly got good reviews. But good reviews don’t always equal mega moolah.
6. Clash of the Titans (5)
The Titans are gone from the top five, but they are still racking in the big bucks at number six this week.
7. Death at a Funeral (4)
The Funeral is falling fast, down to seven already after just two weeks. This movie is going to be seeing a quick death very soon.
8. Oceans (NR)
This documentary film about, well, the ocean, debuts at number eight this week. Documentaries can sometimes do very well in later weeks, so keep your eye out here.
9. The Last Song (6)
So, is Miley finally singing here last song for this movie this week? I’d say so, though once again, a Nicholas Sparks book to movie has touched the hearts of many.
10. Alice in Wonderland (8)
Alice survives one more week in the top ten as it prepares to depart for next week. Still, it has all but clinched a spot in the year-end tournament. See you in December Alice.
Off This Week: Why Did I Get Married Too (7), Hot Tub Time Machine (9), The Bounty Hunter (10)
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