The strike shortened NBA season is already twenty games in for most teams, and the Chicago Bulls currently have the best record in the Eastern conference, while the Oklahoma City Thunder currently are perched on top of the Western Conference.

The upcoming week features a number of key matchups, headlined by the Sunday evening star studded game between the Bulls and the Heat.

In KP’s inaugural NBA Power Rankings, the aforementioned Bulls and Thunder have earned the top two spots.  The surprising 76ers and Nuggets are also featured in the top ten.

Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls headline this week's NBA Power Rankings

KP’s NBA Power Rankings: January 29, 2012

* Statistics and rankings include results up to January 28, 2012

1. Chicago Bulls – 17-4 (101 points)

Chicago’s 87.0 points per game allowed is tied for the lowest in the NBA this season.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 16-3 (97 points)

Kevin Durant and the Thunder have the best record in the Western conference

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each are in the top ten in points per game average, combining for over 47 points per game.

3. Philadelphia 76ers – 14-6 (90 points)

The Sixers are outscoring opponents by nearly 12 points per game and the team’s 11.7 differential is the best in the NBA this season.

4. Atlanta Hawks – 14-6 (73 points)

In his first season seeing significant playing time, point guard Jeff Teague is averaging 12.4 points per game, 2.1 steals per game and shooting nearly 48% from the floor.

5. Miami Heat – 14-5 (71 points)

Despite an injury to Dwyane Wade, the “Big 3” each is still averaging more than twenty points per game, with LeBron James headlining the trio, scoring 29.2 per game.

6. Denver Nuggets – 14-5 (71 points)

The Nuggets have six players averaging in double digits, headlined by Danilo Gallinari, who leads the team averaging 17.9 points per game.

7. Houston Rockets – 12-8 (61 points)

Shooting guard Kevin Martin is averaging 20.1 points per game this season, and over his last three games played, he totaled 85 points in that span.

8. Dallas Mavericks – 12-8 (57 points)

With 16 games under his belt this season, it’s important to note that Dirk Nowitzki (17.5 ppg) is currently more than five points below his career average.

9. Indiana Pacers – 12-6 (56 points)

Danny Granger leads the team in points per game (16.8) and steals per game (1.5).

10. Orlando Magic – 12-7 (56 points)

Dwight Howard continues to put up gaudy numbers with the Magic.  His 15.6 rebounds per game are nearly two boards more per game than any other player in the NBA.

11. Portland Trail Blazers – 12-8 (52 points)

Of qualified players, Jamal Crawford currently leads the league in free throw percentage, missing just three on the year and posting a 94.9 percentage from the charity stripe.

12. San Antonio Spurs – 12-8 (49 points)

Kawhi Leonard has been a youthful compliment to the team, starting ten games on the year, and averaging 7.2 points per game.

13. Los Angeles Clippers – 10-6 (48 points)

Chris Paul leads the league in the steals to date, posting 2.55 per contest.

14. Memphis Grizzlies – 10-9 (42 points)

The Grizzlies have been very balanced offensively.  Just how balanced?  Tony Allen (9.9 ppg) is sixth on the team in scoring.

15. Utah Jazz – 11-7 (41 points)

Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and C.J. Miles are the only three Jazz team members to currently average in double figures on the season.

16. Boston Celtics – 9-9 (39 points)

Even with all the injuries and trade rumors, the Celtics have found a way to win four straight, including a huge comeback against the Magic a few days ago.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves – 9-10 (39 points)

Kevin Love’s 18 double-doubles (in 19 games) are currently four more than any other player in the NBA this season.

18. Los Angeles Lakers – 11-9 (29 points)

Kobe Bryant can't be pleased by the Lakers' 11-9 start this season

Kobe Bryant, averaging 30.0 points per game, leads the league in scoring and is the only current NBA player to average thirty-plus on the season.

19. Milwaukee Bucks – 8-11 (22 points)

Andrew Bogut, the team leader in rebounds and blocks, recently suffered another major injury and will be out for significant time.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – 7-11 (6 points)

Kyrie Irving (17.6 points per game) and Antawn Jamison (15.3 points per game) are the only two players to average in double figures.

21. Golden State Warriors – 6-12 (5 points)

Of qualified players, Brandon Rush leads the league in three-point field goal percentage, posting a 57.1% percentage from behind the arc.

22. Phoenix Suns – 7-12 (4 points)

Marcin Gortat leads the team in points per game (14.8), rebounds per game (10.1) and blocks per game (1.6).

23. New York Knicks – 7-13 (1 point)

The Knicks have four players that average in double figures, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler.

24. New Jersey Nets – 7-13 (-1 point)

Deron Williams (19.4 ppg and 8.6 apg) has played well, but the team has struggled to perform.

25. New Orleans Hornets – 4-15 (-9 points)

Eric Gordon leads the team in points per game (21.0), steals per game (2.0) and even blocks per game (1.5).

26. Toronto Raptors – 6-14 (-11 points)

He’s only appeared in 13 of the team’s 20 games, but Andrea Bargnani is averaging 23.5 points per game, nearly ten more than any of his teammates.

27. Sacramento Kings – 6-14 (-26 points)

Defensive minded DeMarcus Cousins leads the team in rebounds (10.9 per game) and blocks (1.4 per game).

28. Washington Wizards – 4-16 (-27 points)

JaVale McGee leads the league in blocks per game, with an average of 3.15 per contest and 63 total blocks in Washington’s 20 games.

29. Detroit Pistons – 4-17 (-31 points)

Greg Monroe leads the team in points per game (15.8), rebounds per game (9.5) and steals per game (1.3).

30. Charlotte Bobcats – 3-18 (-45 points)

The Bobcats are 1-10 on the road and 0-8 versus the Southeast division so far this season.

* All stats per NBA.com

The Wife Hates Sports’ NBA Power Rankings system has a method to its madness, attempting to be different and not just rank by popularity and record.  It mixes a secret formula of six completely different categories, meshed into a points system.  The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed recently, as well as incorporating some statistics on both a team’s offense and defense, too.

Back by popular demand, or perhaps by blatant indifference, it’s Throwing Tomatoes.

It’s been a busy stretch in the world of sports lately, leaving plenty of opportunities to show displeasure at people in the world of sports, whether it be directed at baseball’s offseason, the NBA or NHL seasons, College Football, or the NFL as it nears its finale.

So as the sports world turns, the stories pile up and more sports frustration emerges.  Don’t sweat it, The Wife Hates Sports has them all covered – in lycopene, that is.

Throwing Tomatoes: January 19, 2012

Target: The New York Jets

It feels like the negative Jets headlines are coming out faster than Rob Lowe can break sports news.  First, it was New York’s subpar season, followed by Santonio Holmes.  But that was only the beginning…

Sub-Target: Mark Sanchez

The artist formerly known as “Sanchise” has taken the brunt of it, first being referred to as “lazy” by some unnamed teammates, who also endorsed the acqusition of Peyton Manning.

Then again, it’s hard to argue the history, what with GQ and other pretty boy ads coming out of the woodwork, plus an open video on the sidelines featuring Sanchez eating a hot dog.  Those stories never had legs when the team was winning games.

Sub-Target: Rex Ryan

The New York head coach chimed in, stating that “the majority of our football team” had confidence in Sanchez.  Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but…

Sub-Target: LaDainian Tomlinson

LT opened up on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” show, tossing shots at nearly everyone.  But while Tomlinson could have found a way to take the heat off the Jets, he instead threw gas in the fire.  The better move would have been to keep everything behind closed doors.

Sub-Target: Woody Johnson

That’s not all on Sanchez.  Jets owner Woody Johnson said that “we think he’s our guy”, but also wouldn’t dismiss the idea of Peyton Manning wearing green.  For those that are counting, that’s another ringing endorsement for Sanchez.

Sub-Target: The Final Word on the Jets – “The D”

In the end, the majority of the criticism has been against offensive players like Sanchez, LT, Holmes, plus the departed Brian Schottenheimer.  Somehow avoiding the heat is the Jets defense, who deserves its fair share.  A clear strength in past seasons, the Jets did manage to finish 5^th in yards per game and 5^th in pass yards allowed.  However, the run D was in the middle of the pack, and the team defense also allowed 22.7 points per game, good for 20^th in the NFL.

Target: Rob Lowe

For those that hadn’t heard, Rob Lowe recently tweeted that Peyton Manning would retire.

Keep in mind, a guy that played a character known as “#2” can easily be full of crap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_A8bFsBKTs

Joe Biden

In front of a San Francisco crowd, Biden said that the Giants are “on their way to the Super Bowl”.

Don’t worry… he didn’t follow that by predicting that Tim Lincecum would be the Super Bowl MVP.  Still, ouch.  Poor guy.

Target: Aaron Rodgers

Recently crowned Miss America Laura Kaeppeler gave a recent shout-out to Rodgers, asking him to call her.  Rodgers saw the broadcast, and has yet to drop her a line.

While the rest of the world is doing a “discount double take” on Kaeppeler, the Green Bay quarterback is clearly still fuming over the team’s recent loss to the Giants.

(h/t Shutdown Corner)

Innocent Bystander: Laura Kaeppeler

A woman this beautiful (below) is likely not used to rejection.  Eh, she’ll get over it.

While many men are giving Kaeppeler "discount double takes", Aaron Rodgers is not biting.

Target: Matt Antonelli

Signing with the Baltimore Orioles during the offseason, Matt Antonelli is basically an unknown in baseball, but he does tweet a whole heck of a lot – including this recent nugget:

MattAntonelli9 Matt Antonelli

“Day one in the books and still haven’t been beat up for wearing my Brady jersey around Baltimore”

Now, it’s my turn.  Hi, I’m Matt Antonelli.  I’m new to Baltimore.  This new fanbase is very disgruntled, and before I came here, no one had ever heard of me.  I know how passionate this city is about its football team, yet I’m going to wear a Tom Brady jersey during AFC Championship week.  Oh, and if you didn’t see me wearing it, I’m also going to tweet about it.  Bravo, Matt… BRAVO.

Target: Glen Davis

“Big Baby” Davis was called for a technical foul after dropping his drawers after a call that frustrated him.  Fortunately, there was no resulting visual where we’d have to call him for traveling, too.  If you didn’t catch that joke, then don’t ask me to explain it.

(h/t Game On!)

And finally, the current faces of team frustration in sports:

Boston Celtics – A slow 5-8 start is stirring up trade rumors in Beantown

Buffalo Sabres – Four straight losses and a 2-6-2 record over its last ten games

Columbus Blue Jackets – The team’s 31 points is seven fewer than any other NHL team.

This has been Throwing Tomatoes, where we practice the “discount double chuck”.

It’s no secret that Charles Barkley has a strong opinion about almost everything that exists on Earth.

That’s why when “Sir Charles” makes an appearance on Saturday Night Live, entertainment ensues, especially when Barkley is given the opportunity to toss out a few zings at members of the sports world.

Such as what happened in the most recent episode of SNL, specifically during the skit where Barkley presented the world with his “Charles Barkley Postgame Translator App”.

As during most postgame press conferences, coaches or sports stars throw out cliches more than Drew Brees slings touchdowns, ranging from “take it one game at a time”, to “we tip our hats to our opponent”, and so on.

But with the “Charles Barkley Postgame Translator App”, you the sports fan gets presented with the real story behind every postgame line.

"Sir Charles" zinged sports stars during the SNL skit featuring the "Charles Barkley Postgame Translator App"

The skit itself featured some comical jabs pointed at the likes of Bill Belichick, Rex Ryan, Kobe Bryant, Mike Shanahan, Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat and the New York Mets.

Personally, I felt that Barkley’s best shots were at Rex Ryan and the Miami Heat, but see for yourself, and perhaps you will feel differently.

Anyone can make a decision, but few will take a year-plus long fall for one, such as what has happened to NBA star LeBron James.

While LeBron’s “Decision” continues to get met with jeers, a Cleveland fan’s recent anti-James decision is being greeted with a plethora of cheers.

Most Cleveland sports fans were happy to see a sad LeBron fall short during the NBA Finals

It all started on Twitter (where else?), when Cleveland radio host Cherise Navidad was tweeting during the NBA Finals.  Navidad, like the rest of the city of Cleveland, was rooting hard for the Dallas Mavericks to win the title, and knock King James and the Miami Heat off their high horse.

On the night of the title-clinching Game 6, she sent the following message out on Twitter:

cheriseonair Cherise Navidad

Dear Mavs: win tonight and we will name our lil’ boy Dirk. He’ll be here June 22nd. @cavsformavs #cavsformavs

At the time, it was clearly a message sent in a playful manner during a nerve-racking and competitive basketball game.  Days later, she finds herself in the news headlines, being the subject of a story by Nina Mandell of the New York Daily News.

But the best part of the entire story is this: Navidad is sticking to her Twitter promise, and will go through with naming her second-born child after Dirk Nowitzki.

A Cleveland radio host will name her second-born child after Dirk Nowitzki

We can only hope that either Mark Cuban or Dan Gilbert loves the gesture so much, that one chimes in and offers to pay for the kid’s college education, too.

Either way, kudos to Cherise Navidad, this week’s WIFE OF THE WEEK here at The Wife Hates Sports. Best wishes to her, her family and a happy and healthy baby Dirk.

Remember the good ol’ days when a sports legend played his butt off for one franchise, retired twenty years later, then down the road was humbled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony as his own statue gets unveiled outside the stadium he played at for his entire career?

Since, we’ve gone from being humbled to gorging on nothing but humble pie.

Our star athletes make a “decision” to bolt home states for the company of two other superstars and boatloads of cash, not to mention balmy weather, oodles of hot chicks and endless parties.

In a speech, our President questions the fact that a legend in hoops doesn’t have a statue erected in Boston.  A few months later, the city obliges.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar feels "slighted" by not having a statue, and maybe he should, KP says.

And most recently, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has gone as far as to complain about not having a statue erected in his honor, stating that he feels “slighted”.

But then again, these things are getting handed out like candy on Halloween, so maybe legendary sports stars like Kareem have a legitimate gripe.

These days, everyone seems to be getting a statue.

Nick Saban coaches Alabama for a few years, wins a national championship and he’s already got a statue outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

We are going overboard.

In fact, when it comes to statues, we fell off the deep end a while ago – and if we keep this frenetic pace, the American sports world will give off a feeling of Ancient Roman times, where statues of every Tom, Dick and Harry were littered throughout the land.

Statues and more statues: If we keep this frenetic pace, our sports cities will begin to look like Ancient Rome

This is not a knock on the talents of Bill Russell, LeBron James, or even the outspoken Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but more so the fact that our country has become soft when it comes to awards in sports.

Every individual that has accomplished something in sports is taking a direct flight to a life-like, lifesize frame in bronze, and every kid who participates in a sport gets a ribbon or a trophy, even for finishing in last place.

The beauty of competition is being lost, and if people keep winning something, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that much of our nation’s youth could lose the drive to finish first – when in the old days – that was the only place that got awarded.

That brings us back to the statues.

Statues should provide a significant reason to be marveled upon.  They are there so when a Dad takes his son or daughter to the big game, he can say, “That right there is a legend, he stayed loyal to our town, gave back to the community and won six titles, too” – and not, “That right there is a guy who won a title, left two years later for more money and we never saw him again”.

That’s what it’s coming to, my friends.

We need to once again embrace the fact that it takes a lot to earn a statue – and that a statue needs to be presented to us, and not something that we beg for, or come to expect.

That goes double for you, Kareem.

It needs to be a “million to one shot”, and not what it has instead become.

“MILLION TO ONE!”

Video (YouTube): Seinfeld clip where Kramer (the ASSMAN) gives Jerry a gift – a mini-statue, Fusilli Jerry