This week, we forge ahead without the input of Ron Chow, who sent his regrets on not being able to send in his rankings. Week 17 consists of a six day week, as the NBA gives itself a long weekend during the all-star break. Happy Chinese New Year!

Teams and Number of Games for the Week:

Atlanta Hawks - 4; Boston Celtics - 4; Charlotte Bobcats - 4; Chicago Bulls - 4; Cleveland Cavaliers - 3; Dallas Mavericks - 2; Denver Nuggets - 3; Detroit Pistons - 4; Golden State Warriors - 3; Houston Rockets - 3; Indiana Pacers - 3; Los Angeles Clippers - 2; Los Angeles Lakers - 3; Memphis Grizzlies - 3; Miami Heat - 3; Milwaukee Bucks - 4; Minnesota Timberwolves - 4; New Jersey Nets - 3; New Orleans Hornets - 3; New York Knicks - 4; Orlando Magic - 4; Philadelphia 76ers - 3; Phoenix Suns - 4; Portland Trail Blazers - 3; Sacramento Kings - 4; San Antonio Spurs - 4; Seattle Supersonics - 3; Toronto Raptors - 3; Utah Jazz - 3; Washington Wizards – 4

It seems that Nash, Kidd and Iverson were ranked based on the assumption that they will be back on the court after the all-star break, despite them skipping the all-star game itself.
1. Gilbert Arenas (1.00)
2. Steve Nash (2.00)
3. Chauncey Billups (3.00)
4. Ray Allen (5.67)
5. Jason Kidd (6.33)
6. Chris Paul (7.33)
7. Allen Iverson (7.67)
8. Kirk Hinrich (8.00)
9. Deron Williams (8.33)...seems strangely low, but it’s a tough top five to crack.
10. Mike Bibby (10.33)
11. Maurice Williams (11.33)
12. Stephon Marbury (12.00)
13. Andre Miller (14.00)
14. Jason Terry (16.33)...two game week limits totals, but not efficiency
15. Jameer Nelson (16.67)...had the flu just before the break.

SHOOTING GUARDS

1. Joe Johnson (1.00)...some love for JJ this week.
2. Kobe Bryant (2.33)
3. Vince Carter (4.00)
4. Dwyane Wade (4.33)...another injury and a 3 game week have him out of the top 3.
5. Tracy McGrady (5.33)...T-Mac’s been on fire.
6. Ray Allen (5.67)
7. Michael Redd (6.67)...ranked here based on hope for a comeback after the break.
8. Andre Iguodala (7.33)
9. Richard Hamilton (9.00)
10. Ben Gordon (10.33)
11. Brandon Roy (11.67)
11. Kevin Martin (11.67)
13. Ricky Davis (14.33)
13. Raja Bell (14.33)
15. Monta Ellis (14.67)

1. Shawn Marion (1.00)...consensus #1
2. Lebron James (2.00)...consensus silver medalist
3. Paul Pierce (3.00)...consensus bronze tiger
4. Josh Smith (4.00)...Oddball is back!
5. Caron Butler (5.33)
6. Gerald Wallace (7.33)
7. Carmelo Anthony (7.67)
8. Rashard Lewis (8.00)
9. Ron Artest (8.33)
10. Luol Deng (10.67)
11. Mike Miller (11.33)
12. Andrei Kirilenko (13.33)...still hanging around the top 15 on potential alone.
13. Ruben Patterson (13.67)
14. Danny Granger (14.33)
15. Tayshaun Prince (14.67)

Listing KG as the #1 power forward is the easiest part of this chore.

1. Kevin Garnett (1.00)
2. Dwight Howard (2.00)
3. Lamar Odom (3.67)
4. Al Harrington (4.67)
5. Zach Randolph (5.00)
5. Al Jefferson (5.00)
7. Rasheed Wallace (7.00)
8. David West (9.67)
9. Dirk Nowitzki (10.00)...before you post that hateful comment, Dirk has only 2 games!
10. David Lee (10.33)
11. Chris Webber (11.00)
12. Elton Brand (11.33)...Elton’s been hurt and has a two-game week.
13. Chris Wilcox (13.67)...Center-eligible
14. Ryan Gomes (14.33)
15.Drew Gooden (14.67)

Aw shucks, ain’t it great when everyone agrees? The top four were the same on all three ballots, and Marcus Camby was the sixth man across the board. Sarge and I prefer Pau and Dennis went with the Big Fundamental in the five spot. Viable fantasy centers prove to be valuable commodities, so when possible, center-eligible power forwards are listed as centers.

1. Amare Stoudemire (1.00)
2. Emeka Okafor (2.00)
3. Chris Bosh (3.00)
4. Jermaine O’Neal (4.00)
5. Pau Gasol (5.67)
6. Marcus Camby (6.00)
7. Tim Duncan (7.00)
8. Mehmet Okur (7.67)
9. Ben Wallace (9.67)
10. Andrew Bogut (11.67)
11. Samuel Dalembert (12.00)
12. Tyson Chandler (12.33)
13. Eddie Curry (13.33)
14. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (14.67)
14. Boris Diaw (14.67)