NBA Power Rankings: Mavericks, Nets move in opposite directions; Bucks stay No. 1, but Celtics, Cavs close
Whoever said "the more things change, the more they stay the same" clearly doesn't watch NBA basketball. The changes brought on by a frenzied period leading up to Thursday's trade deadline have drastically altered the league's landscape, with the Phoenix Suns catapulting to the top of the championship odds by acquiring two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. We need to pump the brakes, however, when it comes to the Power Rankings, and try not to get suckered into assuming how teams are going to perform once their new players are in the fold. But, even looking at what teams have done on the court, trade deadline moves have already shown their effects. The Dallas Mavericks, for instance, jumped five spots after a couple of wins following the acquisition of point guard Kyrie Irving. The Nets, by contrast, dropped seven spots after parting ways with both Irving and Durant. ...