Old School Power Rankings Weeks 21-22

If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything … right?

Let’s just say it was an uninspiring two-week period for just about everyone involved.

Don’t worry fellas, the long and grueling (regular) season is just about over. Some of you will have to take a deep breath and get rolling for the postseason.

Notes: Season statistics are through games of March 23

Any player who turns 33 during regular season can be added to rankings.

1. Dwyane Wade (35), Chicago Bulls

Last week’s rank: 1

Last week’s stats: NA

Season stats: 18.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.9 apg

He may be out for the rest of the regular season with a fracture in his elbow, but Wade may have built up a large enough lead to keep his grip on the top spot through the finish line. That said, if one of the guys right behind him ends the season with a monstrous kick, you never know.

2. Dirk Nowitzki (38), Dallas Mavericks

Last week’s rank: 5

Last week’s stats: 7 games, 17.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.6 apg

Season stats: 14.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 apg

He moved up three spots despite a rather pedestrian two-week period. That says something about the guys he climbed over. Despite that, Nowitzki still managed to score in double figures in all seven games while shooting 53.1 from the field and 42.3 from beyond the arc, connecting on three or more 3s in three games.

3. Pau Gasol (36), San Antonio Spurs

Last week’s rank: 3

Last week’s stats: 7 games, 12.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.6 apg

Season stats: 12.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.4 apg

The scoring wasn’t there (more than 13 points in just two of seven games), but the shooting was (49.2 FG% and 53.3 3PT%). Gasol also chipped in at least one block in five of seven, including four blocks March 13. To be honest, if not for Sunday’s 22-points, 9-rebound showing, the big man would’ve slipped at least one spot.

4. Zach Randolph (35), Memphis Grizzlies

Last week’s rank: 2

Last week’s stats: 7 games, 9.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 apg

Season stats: 13.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.6 apg

To say it was a tough two-week stint for Randolph would be putting it mildly. In addition to scoring in double figures in just two games, he shot 37.7 from the field, 16.7 (1-for-6) on 3-pointers and 62.5 from the free-throw line. It’s no wonder he slipped two notches.

5. Marcin Gortat (33), Washington Wizards

Last week’s rank: 9

Last week’s stats: 7 games, 7.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 0.9 apg

Season stats: 11.0 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 1.5 apg

This is an example of others not producing more than Gortat delivering. He moved up four spots, but the numbers don’t really warrant the climb. What was interesting were the splits between rest and no rest: In two games sans rest, Gortat averaged 10.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 53.3 FG%. In five games with one-day rest, he averaged 6.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 46.9 FG%.

6. Nene (34), Houston Rockets

Last week’s rank: 4

Last week’s stats: 5 games, 10.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.8 apg

Season stats: 8.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.8 apg

Maybe being in the top five was too much pressure for Nene, who despite solid shooting (55.8 FG%) managed to eclipse 12 points just once. He also went over seven rebounds in just one game. On the plus side, he did manage to average 1.4 steals, including three thefts against Cleveland on March 12.

7. Jameer Nelson (35), Denver Nuggets

Last week’s rank: 7

Last week’s stats: 7 games, 8.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.3 apg

Season stats: 9.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.1 apg

Nelson maintains his standing on the strength of last Saturday’s performance (15 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds) against the Rockets. But aside from that showing, it was a sub-par stint for Nelson, who was held under 10 points in five of seven games while shooting 37.3 from the field and 33.3 from deep.

8. Joe Johnson (35), Utah Jazz

Last week’s rank: NA

Last week’s stats: 7 games, 9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.9 apg

Season stats: 8.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.7 apg

In what has been an inconsistent season, we honestly didn’t think Johnson would reappear on this list this season. But that’s what happens when no one else steps up — and someone has to fill in the void. How else do you explain someone who shoots 36.2 FG% and 24.0 3PT% being added to the mix?

9. Tony Allen (35), Memphis Grizzlies

Last week’s rank: Just missed

Last week’s stats: 6 games, 9.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.7 apg

Season stats: 9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.3 apg

As has been the case all season long with Allen, no one statistical category will ever pop out at you. Allen, who shot just 42.6 from the field, 40.0 from deep and 55.6 from the free-throw line, scored in double figures in three of the six games and snatched six or more rebounds.

10. Tony Parker (34), San Antonio Spurs

Last week’s rank: NA

Last week’s stats: 4 games, 8.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 5.3 apg

Season stats: 10.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 4.8 apg

After missing four games with a stiff back, Parker returned and turned in two decent games, going for 13 or more points and seven assists in both. In two home games, Parker averaged 14.5 points 7.0 assists and 59.1 FG%. In two road games, he averaged 3.0 points, 3.5 assists and 14.3 FG%.

Just missed the cut: Matt Barnes, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford, Vince Carter

Will turn 33 this season: C.J. Watson (April 17)

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