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.

Over the last week, the sports world has continued to be active, from the ongoing excitement of the NBA and NHL playoffs, to Major League Baseball hitting its second month, to the 2011 NFL Draft and more.

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

Throwing Tomatoes: May 4, 2011

Rashard Mendenhall

KP thinks Rashard Mendenhall recently took one too many stupid pills

By now, most of you are familiar with Mendenhall’s comments regarding Osama bin Laden (via his Twitter account) – and like many of you – I’m speechless.  I’m all for a guy exercising his right to freedom of speech, but plain and simple, when you’re in a spotlight such as the one Mendenhall is in – your soap box is larger.  A guy simply needs to be smarter, and not drop such words about an incident that has affected so many people.  I can think of no other excuse other than the fact that the Steelers RB took one too many stupid pills that day.

Washington Capitals

It’s becoming a hand-in-hand marriage – the Stanley Cup Playoffs arrive, and the Washington Capitals are a highly-rated, underachieving bunch.  Trailing 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Semis to Tampa Bay, Washington still has a chance, albeit a small one.  After all, the Flyers did it to the Bruins last year, and the Blackhawks forced a Game 7 against the Canucks this year.  But with the Caps, this has become the norm, and a comeback seems about as likely as Alexander Ovechkin doing a commercial for Crest.  Heck, four out of five dentists likely agree, too.

Come 2012, a change may need to happen, and let’s face the painful facts D.C.; you can’t spell Ovechkin without the letters C-H-O-K-E.

KP thinks that four out of five dentists would agree that Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals are choking yet again (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Frank McCourt

Frank McCourt thinks Bud Selig is un-American. What do you think?

The troubled owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers remains a target in this edition.  Recently, McCourt referred to Bud Selig as “un-American”.  Let’s think about this for a second, shall we?  McCourt has racked up millions of dollars in debt, he can’t afford the team’s payroll and he’s asked to borrow money from various outlets, including a $30 million loan from Fox.  That sounds familiar to millions of Americans out there – so maybe McCourt is right, after all.

Ryan Mallett

Like the aforementioned McCourt, Ryan Mallett is a repeat offender.  By now, everyone knows that Mallett was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.  His draft free fall was likely due to numerous, rumored off-the-field concerns – and recently, it was reported that Mallett was almost an hour late to a pre-draft meeting with the Tennessee Titans.  With the stories continuing to emerge post-draft, I have a hard time believing this is a smear campaign, and if Mallett wants to succeed in the NFL, he’ll need to get his act together, especially playing under Bill Belichick.

Derek Lowe

Atlanta Braves SP Derek Lowe is the latest in a long line of athletes to get busted with a DUI.  Seriously, would it kill these MILLIONAIRE sports stars to just suck it up and pay for a cab?

Shin-Soo Choo

Busted! (See Derek Lowe)

Maybe Choo and Lowe saw Seinfeld’s bit on cab drivers…

Odd Critique of Andy Dalton

Get this: Andy Dalton, former TCU QB and now second round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, was actually catching criticism for having red hair.  Give me a break, like hair color really affects a player’s performance.

Hmm, maybe more people saw Mike McQueary play than I would have originally thought (only true football fans or Penn Staters will understand that zing).

Greg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs

Spurs head coach Greg Popovich said that injuries slowed the team.  No, age did.  The Spurs are old, and it’s clear that after being outplayed by a young and quick Memphis team, San Antonio should make significant changes in the offseason.  Inject some youth into the franchise.

Overstock.com Coliseum

The home of the Raiders and A’s is being renamed to the Overstock.com Coliseum.  We won’t see an overstocking of wins on the football field.  The jokes just write themselves, don’t they?

Mark Ingram’s New Statue

To add to his growing trophy case, Mark Ingram has a new statue that was dedicated to him – a statue of…chicken salad?  One word: Ridiculous.  On second thought, anybody got any bread?

THIS WEEK’S BEEFSTEAK TRIO

Albert Haynesworth

Add a misdemeanor sexual abuse charge to Haynesworth’s resume – and a lifetime membership to the Throwing Tomatoes Target Practice Club, too.

Janoris Jenkins

For those counting, that’s three arrests for Jenkins.  All that talent, wasted – but it was the right move for new Gators head coach Will Muschamp to cut ties with him.  Would Urban Meyer have done the same?  All signs point to: NO.

Roger McDowell

Usually, when the individual apologizes, I let the tomato slide.  But McDowell – and his rants, slurs and gestures – were simply too hard to ignore this time.  Punishment well deserved…

NEW! The “YOU DECIDE” Tomato Concept

Let’s pretend this guy is propped up on a dunk tank filled with tomatoes.  It’s your call:

TIKI BARBER – Regarding his NFL comeback: “It has nothing to do about the money”

Do you believe him?  If yes, then he escapes.  If not, TOMATO.  I don’t know about you, but my vote is juicy and hanging from a vine.

And finally…

…a quick-strike of red to the following teams…

Chicago White Sox – Worst record in the American League (11-20)

Texas Rangers – 7-13 since a red-hot 9-1 start to the season

San Francisco Giants – Offense is struggling, defending champs now below .500

San Diego Padres – A .217 team batting average is just brutal

Minnesota Twins – It’s May 4^th and the Twins have just 13 HR as a team

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs’ pitching staff has walked 119 batters – most in the majors

This has been Throwing Tomatoes, where the stupid pills are overstocked.

Throwing Tomatoes is a feature that Kevin Paul started five years ago when blogging in the Fox Sports community.  It has been featured numerous times, including on the Fox Sports home page on several occasions.

The concept of a man hogging the remote is an old wive’s tale – literally.  Face it, the women get their hot little hands on the TV’s main life force just as much as we do – and that can result in a mean-spirited battle for couch potato domination… or maybe something not quite that dramatic.

Either way, every man could use a leg up on the wife when it comes to the TV – and if I can do my part to help the men of the world survive, then gosh darnit, well… I don’t know what.

Take these recent TV nuggets of advice – featuring the hockey and hoops playoffs (from Thursday May 6^th through the weekend) – and TAKE BACK the TV!!

Note: All times based off Eastern Time schedule – Check local listings for channel info

Disclaimer: To those women that love sports – I know you’re also out there.  We want to build statues for you – OK, maybe not – but hey, you’re pretty neat anyway.

Remote Controlling: May 6 – 9, 2010

Thursday May 6

7:00 PM – NHL Playoffs – Pittsburgh at Montreal (Game 4)

Penguins lead series 2-1

7:30 PM – NHL Playoffs – San Jose at Detroit (Game 4)

Sharks lead series 3-0 – and can clinch berth in Western Conference Finals with a win

8:00 PM – NBA Playoffs – Atlanta at Orlando (Game 2)

Magic lead series 1-0

SECURE THE REMOTE!

It’s going to be a tough night to get control of the TV, what with new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice during this window… plus My Big Fat Greek Wedding airs on ABC Family as well.

Better call for backup – that’s a triple threat.

Friday May 7

7:00 PM – NHL Playoffs – Boston at Philadelphia (Game 4)

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Bruins lead series 3-0 – and can clinch berth in Eastern Conference Finals with a win

7:00 PM – NBA Playoffs – Cleveland at Boston (Game 3)

Series tied 1-1

7:10 PM – MLB – N.Y. Yankees at Boston

Phil Hughes is slated to face off against Josh Beckett

9:30 PM – NHL Playoffs – Chicago at Vancouver (Game 4)

Blackhawks lead series 2-1

9:30 PM – NBA Playoffs – Phoenix at San Antonio (Game 3)

Suns lead series 2-0

WARNING:

If the wife isn’t into any of the above, you have some competition – as ABC Family is at it again, this time airing The Notebook.  Master the parental lock if you can – because perhaps the wife hasn’t yet.  Oh, and buy some tissues – I hear that one’s extra sappy.

Saturday May 8

3:10 PM – MLB – N.Y. Yankees at Boston

Boston has youngster Buchholz facing off against New York’s ace C.C. Sabathia

5:00 PM – NBA Playoffs – Orlando at Atlanta (Game 3)

The Magic head on the road to Atlanta

7:00 PM – NHL Playoffs – Montreal at Pittsburgh (Game 5)

Penguins at home and could have a chance to clinch series, depending on Game 4

8:00 PM – NBA Playoffs – L.A. Lakers at Utah (Game 3)

Lakers lead series 2-0

10:00 PM – NHL Playoffs – Detroit at San Jose (Game 5 – if necessary)

This game is off the map if Detroit can’t take Game 4

ESTROGEN COMPETITION:

How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days is on USA during the afternoon and during the evening games, you may get a fight from either The Bridges of Madison County or The Holiday – which could suit the wife’s fancy.

Sunday May 9

3:30 PM – NBA Playoffs – Cleveland at Boston (Game 4)

Boston will be going crazy with LeBron in town

8:00 PM – NHL Playoffs – Vancouver at Chicago (Game 5)

The Windy City is desperate for another title

8:00 PM – NBA Playoffs – Phoenix at San Antonio (Game 4)

The Spurs could be in a must-win situation depending on Game 3

8:05 PM – MLB – N.Y. Yankees at Boston

Two hot pitchers take the mound, as Boston’s Jon Lester faces off against New York’s A.J. Burnett at Fenway Park

RED ALERT:

50 First Dates is on during the day, and the wife may try and drag you in by mentioning Adam Sandler as a co-star.

For the nightcap, if you want to catch the playoff matchups, you should be on red alert, with tons of problem flicks and shows – such as Little Women (FLIX), 27 Dresses (FX) and an all-new Desperate Housewives (ABC).

If anything, catch yourself a good long-lasting glimpse of Eva Longoria Parker, and be on your merry playoff way.

That’s all for now… until next time – stay tuned – and happy watching.

Originally posted to KP’s Blog (via Fox Sports) on April 7, 2009

There’s plenty of news to go around the world of sports, and Fox Sports has got you covered. Take the following stories (linked below) across the sports world today, where KP provides you with the link and a few thoughts of his own.

Let’s call it “The Foxtrot”, shall we? Do you want to lead or shall I? No worries, I got it…

The FOXTROT: April 7, 2009

Griffin Chooses the NBA

Honestly, should we really call this news? Personally, I would see it as news if Blake Griffin did NOT choose to enter the NBA draft. We all knew this was coming, and let’s drop the Rubio talk, this kid should go #1… and WILL go #1.

Boo Hoo Tex, Boo Hoo New York

It’s one game Yankees fans, calm down. Yes, the Orioles knocked out the Yanks on Opening Day, but the story shouldn’t be the poor start by CC Sabathia. It’s instead about Teixeira being booed all game. To the critics who say the O’s fans were classless… first you blame Baltimore for allowing New York and Boston fans to take over Camden Yards. Now, you blame them for booing a hometown kid who was quoted on numerous past occasions to be interested in signing with the O’s, only to shun them for a hated rival? Leave the O’s fans alone prognosticators. There were no Barry Bonds needles or any objects thrown. This was a vocal point that got across the plate at 96mph, and that’s that.

L.A.’s Bynum Puts the Man in Mansion

Reports out of Los Angeles say that Andrew Bynum could return to the Lakers later this week, adding more depth to the Western Conference’s top seeded team. Wow, I guess that rehab at the Playboy Mansion really paid off, didn’t it?

No More Football for Elway?

Reports out of Tempe state that Jack Elway (yes, John’s son) has decided to leave the football program at Arizona State. Yes, leave football… and NO, not to play somewhere else. He’s staying at ASU. Hey, I’m all for a young man making his own decisions on where he wants to go and what he wants to do in life, but seriously, can we run a paternal test on this kid? C’mon now, the next thing you’re going to tell me is that one of Jordan’s kids is going to play hoops at Central Florida.

Agent-less Meeks Flirts with NBA

Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks has decided to declare for the NBA draft, but has not hired an agent, which means he could still return to the Wildcats – and plain and simple, he should return. With Calipari on board, some new talented recruits, and maybe even Patrick Patterson coming back, it would be wise for Meeks to stick around and see if UK can generate some new NCAA magic, plus gain some more experience.

Miller Time in Arizona, Or Not, No Wait…

Former Xavier coach Sean Miller accepted the head coaching position at Arizona, one day after turning down the original offer. It’s a great opportunity for Miller, who will take over the historical Wildcats program. My only advice for him is to maybe avoid any future career talks with Billy Donovan. I kid because I care, my friends.

Manu Unhappy Returns for San Antonio

Manu Ginobili is out for the rest of the season – including the playoffs. And with that, should also go San Antonio’s season. Sorry to say, but I don’t see the Spurs getting it done without him. In fact, a lower seed like New Orleans, Utah, or Dallas could easily knock the Spurs out in the first round. The West is just too talented for a team to have a key piece missing.

Player’s Last Masters

The Masters is just around the corner and the talk of the town is Tiger, as always. There’s little mention of Phil, and little mention of Paddy Harrington, who has won back-to-back majors. And even more sad, is that there’s little talk about Gary Player, another golf legend who will be playing in his final Masters. It’s been a great career Mr. Player, and a pleasure to see you play for all these years.

This dance has ended… and speaking of dances, congrats to North Carolina, this year’s National Champions of March Madness.