Some surpirsies in the NBA, NASCAR, and music rankings this week as we kick off another edition of Thursday Top Tens.
Week 28 NBA Power Rankings
1. Los Angeles Lakers (2) 8-2 Big Jumper of the Week
The Lakers cruised past the Jazz and are now West finals bound, as the heavy favorite to advance to the championship. With Cleveland falling apart, the Lakers are now #1.
2. Orlando Magic (3) 8-0
Yeah, the critics are still skeptical of Orlando, but 8-0 in the postseason and a trip to the East finals is pretty legit. Orlando is the best in the East right now.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (1) 6-4 Big Faller of the Week
Trouble is brewing in Cleveland. With LeBron playing at less than 100%, Cleveland is facing elimination as we speak in Boston. They're no longer number one and a loss tonight drops them further.
4. Phoenix Suns (4) 8-2
The Suns did a superb job sweeping out the Spurs, but let's face it, they're the weakest team entering the Conference Finals. Which isn't a totally bad thing, it's still good for four.
5. Boston Celtics (5) 7-3
The Celtics have no where to go but up from here. I think they're partially winning in spite of the Cavaliers, but still, they're very close to a trip to Orlando.
6. Utah Jazz (6) 4-6
That was fast and painful. The Jazz' ousting from the playoffs was very swift as the Lakers brushed them off like a pesky mosquito. Still, you can't forget they're hard earned series win over Denver.
7. San Antonio Spurs (7) 4-6
Let's face it, the Spurs were better than the Mavericks, but had no chance in Phoenix. Still, upsetting a number two seed is an accomplishment in its own right. Give them credit.
8. Denver Nuggets (8) 2-4
Oh, what could have been for the Nuggets. The golf course awaits, while the Northwest Division Champs banner begins to be made.
9. Dallas Mavericks (10) 2-4
Mark Cuban is yappign at his TV, cursing San Antonio for kncoking his Mavs out and then being a waste of space in round two.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (NR) 2-4
Why is the Thunder ten? Because, quite frankly, the Hawks slid through the first round and didn't show up in round two. They don't deserve this list one bit in my opinion.
Off This Week: Atlanta Hawks (9)
Week 31 NHL Power Rankings
1. San Jose Sharks (1) 8-3
San Jose is FINALLY heading back to the West finals after what seems like an eternity of waiting. Can they remain atop the chart now? The West Finals will determine who's really #1
2. Chicago Blackhawks (2) 8-4
See above, the Blackhawks and Sharks are one and two and dueling in the West Finals. Chicago is looking to win its first Stanley Cup in 49 years, but do they have the prowess to down San Jose?
3. Montreal Canadiens (7) 8-6 Big Jumper of the Week
They're just remarkable. We can look back in 20 years and say that the 2009-10 Canadiens kncoked out Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby in back-to-back rounds. Cinderella still plays on.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (3) 7-6
What happened? What was that? The Penguins expected to roll over Montreal and instead got decimated. And now, they're are gone. The Champs are dethroned. And yours truly is smiling as he types away.
5. Vancouver Canucks (4) 6-6
The Canucks put up a decent fight against the Hawks, but decent is far from enough qwhen you're playing Chicago. Now, the Canucks are done, with Canada's onyl hope resting with Montreal.
6. Detroit Red Wings (6) 5-4
The Red Wings really must have wore themselves out in Phoenix, because they go wallopped by the Sharks. Still, they put together a second half for the ages and made a hell of a run. Give them props.
7. Philadelphia Flyers (9) 7-4
The Flyers are on the verge of doing something only three teams in ALL PROFESSIONAL SPORTS have done. Recovering from an 0-3 deficit to tie the series at 3-3, the Flyers can shoot up the chart if they make history.
8. Boston Bruins (5) 7-5 Big Faller of the Week
Similarly, the Bruins can fall horribly if they're on the wrong side of history. Boston is suddenly with their backs to the wall and in danger of the biggest blow up since Gerald Ford was in office.
9. Washington Capitals (8) 3-4
I guess the Caps don't feel as bad about losing now that Crosby and company are also gone. Take pride, Washington fans, you lost to a suddenyl great team.
10. Phoenix Coyotes (10) 3-4
This entry might as well change to Winnipeg Jets, as the franchise is in danger of moving. So why not allow them to enjoy their final days in Phoenix on the chart.
Week 12 NASCAR Power Rankings
1. Kevin Harvick (2)
Harvick is continuing to drive consistently, and with a 100+ point lead, there's no reason to not put him at number one. Congrats for dethroning the #48 car Harvick.
2. Jeff Gordon (5) Big Jumper of the Week
He can't win, but he at least ALMOST wins every week at that will give you mucho points in the end. Gordon is driving very well right now, he jsut needs a little luck with closing races.
3. Jimmie Johnson (1)
Johnson had another bad week at Darlington and as I said last week, it will drop him in the rankings. No longer #1, it's time for Johnson to prove himself to me.
4. Kyle Busch (6)
I'm so sorry for dropping little Kyle down last week after he won, I msut have been on narcotics when I did that ranking. So, back to number four he goes.
5. Matt Kenseth (4)
Yeah, Kenseth isn't winning and yes, it's starting to cost him points wise, but Kenseth is a straight up points driver. And a pretty darn good one at that.
6. Denny Hamlin (8)
Hamlin won at Darlington and said as he took the checkered flag "We just win baby!" I'm not so sure about this, but in any case, Denny goes up two spots this week.
7. Kurt Busch (7)
Kurt is continuign to post solid finishes as he holds steady at seven. Still, he hasn't proved enough consistent excellence to be anything more than a Chase filler.
8. Greg Biffle (3) Big Faller of the Week
Biffle needs wins. Biffle needs more top fives. Biffle needs to stop being consistently decent. It worked for a while, but mroe drviers are proving to be better and Biffle is falling apart.
9. Jeff Burton (10)
A simply flip flop this week. Burton drove better than Martin on Saturday in my opinion, so he gets the nine spot.
10. Mark Martin (9)
Exactly what Burton's caption says. Martin didn't dominate like he has done at Darlington in the past and it cost him a spot in the ranking.
Week 7 MLB Power Rankings
1. New York Yankees (1) 22-11
To take a page out of Denny Hamlin's book, all the Yankees seem to do anymore is win. 22-11 translates to a lot of wins.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (2) 24-10
The Rays REALLY eant the number one spot, and a couple mroe weeks of first place could give it to them. Tampa Bay is dominating the competition, and their pitching is scary good, like 90's Braves good.
3. Minnesota Twins (3) 22-12
Forget the AL East and the Twins are in the limelight of baseball's best team. I guess the move to the outdoors worked, but in any case, a date in the Bronx awaits this weekend.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (5) 20-13
It's back on track for the Phillies this week, as a solid week gives them four spot back and top team in the National League. It's only matter of if they can stay there.
5. St. Louis Cardinals (4) 20-14
The Cardinals flip flop with the Phillies after a slow week. No big deal, the Cardinals are still #5 and first in the NL Central, with only pesky glimmers of the Reds to deal with.
6. San Diego Padres (8) 21-12 Big Jumper of the Week
I can't hold them back anymore. The Padres just don't want to go away and are looking moe legit with each passing day. I'm moving them up to six and giving them what credit is due.
7. Detroit Tigers (7) 19-15
Detroit continues to lurk behidn the Twins in the AL Central and at number seven here. Still, they need to take a big leap to go any higher.
8. San Francisco Giants (8) 18-14 Big Faller of the Week
The Giants are being dethroned by the Padres in the NL West to everyone's surprise. Still, their ptiching is good enough to be playoff caliber. They jsut have to shake off the Nationals for the wild card. (Wait, the Nationals???)
9. Texas Rangers (NR) 19-15
Again, I always have the division leaders in here and Texas, with their big bats, just so happens to lead the AL West right now. Big whoop.
10. Toronto Blue Jays (10) 20-16
Toronto is still impressing me as they hang tough in baseball's toughest division. As long as they hold off the pesky Red Sox, they'll most likely hang around.
Off This Week: Oakland Athletics (9)
The Weekly ARC Top Ten Songs
1. Nothin On You - B.o.B. ft. Bruno Mars (2)
A shocker, as B.o.B. makes an uinderdog move and dethrones Rihanna at number one. I wrote constantly on how this song couldn't be number one. Well, you proved me wrong.
2. Rude Boy - Rihanna (1)
And Rude Boy, after a ridiculously fast charge up, is now down to two this week. Not good as this song seemed destined for five or six weeks at number one, and so far has only two.
3. Break Your Heart - Taio Cruz ft. Ludacris (4)
One thing hasn't changed, and that is as B.o.B. goes up, Taio Cruz's similar Beak Your Heart goes up. Unfortunately for Cruz, it looks like the ceiling is here. I'll be shocked if this song goes higher.
4. Hey, Soul Sister - Train (3)
Train does a flip flop with Cruz as it drop to number four. The song that just wasn't good enough for number one has had one hell of a long run.
5. Your Love Is My Drug - Kesha (8)
Kesha is back in the top five already and with it comes a song capable of the number one spot. Kesha already ahd a number one hit this year with Tik Tok, why not another?
6. In My Head - Jason Derulo (5)
In My Head continues its fall, as it drops to number six this week. Derulo is simply being outclassed by better songs higher in the chart, In My HEad's lifespan is shortenign fast,
7. OMG - Usher ft. will.i.am (NR) Big Jumper of the Week
OMG!!!! What is this doing here? Usher really is making one hell of a run with OMG, which has taken the airwaves by storm the last couple of weeks. Debuting at sveen, it could hang around for a while.
8. Breakeven - The Script (7)
Eights are crazy again for Breakeven, which can't seem to break away from thsi area of the chart. It's a good song, but it has to die some day. That death day may be sooner rather than later.
9. Alejandro - Lady Gaga (10)
Surprisingly, Alejandro is only up one spot to nine this week. Could this be a Lady Gaga lite hit and not a #1 song. It's starting to look like it.
10. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum (6) Big Faller of the week
Sadly, a big drop by Lady Antebellum has all but sealed its faith and it hung on to number ten this week. Need You Now is all but gone.
Off This Week: Telephone - Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce (9)
The Top Ten Movies for the Weekend of May 7-9
1. Iron Man 2 (NR) Big Jumper of the Week
In case you've been sleeping under a rock, Iron Man 2 is number one this week. Now its challenge is to hang tough as uther usmmer hits are released. Easier said then done.
2. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1)
Not surprisingly, Elm Street is down to two this week. Freddy gets to continue killing as Nightmare should hang around for a bit.
3. How to Train Your Dragon (2)
I think Dragons will finalyl begin to fall fast, but what a run its had. This is a seven week old movies that's STILL at #3. That's remarkable.
4. Date Night (3)
Date Night is continuing to do pretty well, dropping just a spot to four. It's drop will speed up soon, but it's raking in a few good dollars.
5. The Back-up Plan (4)
The Back-up Plan is like a poor version of Date Night and hence, is always behind it in the charts. Which isn't bad if it translates into a number five finsih.
6. Furry Vengeance (5)
This stupid kids movie is bombing in contrast with Dragons, it drops to six this week. Not a great job done by the Furry guys.
7. Clash of the Titans (7)
Summer may have started, but Titans doesn't care, as it hangs in at number seven this week. Titnas will fall as the blockbusters mount, but this movie has made its mark.
8. Death at a Funeral (9)
Somehow, this Funeral doesn;t die, it actually went UP one spot this week after I thought I saw its end LAST week. No matter, it'll disappear real soon, I promise.
9. Babies (NR)
A new documentary was released this week, effectively displacing Oceans in the charts. And guess what, it's about Babies!!! who wouldn't want to watch that. In any case, it'll be interesting to see if it hangs around.
10. The Losers (6) Big Faller of the Week
In a week where every other movie dropped one spot, the Losers continue to lose, droppign four big spots to ten. Bust, anyone?
Off This Week: Kick-Ass (8), Oceans (10)
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