Week 4 Power Rankings

1. Cocaine Convict - His toughest test was in week 1 where he eeked out a 'victorious' 4-2 over Pippen Ain't Easy, but just as most Week 1s in the NBA - this Pyrrhic victory did not foreshadow the future.  Convict hasn't looked back since Week 1 totaling 19 points in just the last 3 weeks.  A heady victory over fantasy legend Pohn Wall has him kicking in doors and taking names; more like five-o, than a convict if you ask me.

2. Merlness - As I was writing out this power ranking, my little sister came up behind me and was reading silently until I typed 'Merlness' at which point she in stifled voice said, "Merlness?!" and then began laughing hysterically.  This team, however, is no laughing matter as Merlness is beginning to prove that he is here to stay.  A close Week 1 loss hasn't affected the consistency he is beginning to show.  Much of this ascension can no doubt be attributed to the parallel ascension of one Russell Westbrook.

3. DreamTeam - DreamTeam has not only displayed consistency, but a bone crushing consistency in the first 4 weeks.  Not a single loss and not a single win under 6 points.  This team is less of a dream and more of a nightmare to whoever they play on a given week. Hard to see them falling out of the top 3 any time in the near future.  He looks to finally be putting his money where his mouth usually is.

4. Cliphairs - The only team we could probably diagnose with ADHD.  Some weeks it seems this team doesn't want it, then other weeks it comes out swinging for the fences.  Hard to know where Cliphairs' intentions are, but if and when this team decides to pull it together it's opponents may be on the wrong end of 7-2.

5. Where's Leon - Now we enter the mid-level player.  Where's Leon had a brilliant victory over Dark Horse and his name is on the short list of teams that are a few good turns of fortune from becoming power players.  One problem for this team is Kobe Bryant or perhaps more specifically, The Lakers.  When LA is blowing teams out of the water by 30 before midway in the 3rd quarter expect Kobe's minutes to take a massive hit which in turn hits Leon's stats.  As the Lakers start playing tougher opponents in the 2nd half of the season, look for this team to come up.

6. Repeatabull - Repeatabull's first week snowman gave Power Ranking committees palpitations with the possibilities, but it was really just smoke and mirrors as Cocaine Convict turned the sun on and him into melted snow with a carrot and top hat.  Eeking out a meager victory against Pohn Wall followed by another shellacking at the hands of Merlness, Brings this past champion back to reality. 

7. Pohn Wall - Heady loss? Yes it really was.  Two three pointers could have given Pohn Wall an improbable comeback victory over Cocaine Convict, but as has been the case this season he was a day late and a dollar short.  Tough to say when this team will decide to flip the switch (granted, the switch still works).  Pohn Wall is on a 3 week losing streak and he's going to have to find a way to turn it around against one of the premiere teams in the league if he wants to keep his chances for playoffs from bottoming out.

8. Dark Horse - Dark Horse reminds me of Phil Mickelson this season.  You know, a guy with all the talent in the world, and all he has to do to take the #1 spot in the world is shoot even par in the 4th round, but instead shoots himself out of the entire tourney with a bad round.  Dark Horse isn't ready for the spotlight.  But he does manage to live up to that name of his just fine.  When is he going to up his game and go from dark horse to front runner.

9. Team Canada - Now we come to the lower tier.  Team Canada, who recently became a father as little as 3 weeks ago (Congrats!), has a good excuse for not coming tight with the fantasy game.  Understandably, his attentions are elsewhere, but my mercy only extends so far.  A team with Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard are in prime position to dominate the fantasy landscape, but when your depth chart begins and ends with those two, you are going to have problems.

10. Pippen Ain't Easy - It's been a rough start to the year for Pippen, other than a victory against Sitches, there hasn't been a whole lot to celebrate.  Of course, losing Dwayne Wade has a lot to do with this.  If Wade can get back into playing shape, which he still isn't in, and starts feeling the imperative to lift the so-so Heat, then Pippen may have something to smile about.  Some roster changes may also be an order, if anything, for some consistency.  I look at the roster as it is and have no idea who is going to produce what, when.

11. Stiches - Ah yes, the bottom dwellers.  It seemed like a battle for the bottom with Stiches played Big Country, whom he triumphed over in cellar fashion with a 5-4.  That victory is the main reason this team is here and not last. Here we have another former champion, trying to find even a shadow of his former glory.  This is definitely not the year for incumbents.

12. Tykes for Tyreke - Without a victory to his name and then a 1-8 thumping? Things aren't looking good for this kid.  May have to call child protective services and put this tyke in foster care after the treatment he's been receiving.  This week holds a spot at redemption, though - Dark Horse is trying to find his identity, per usual, and Tyreke could be the beneficiary if DH comes up empty.  On the other hand, DH has been known to turn on the jets unexpectedly and showcase that infamous potential.  Lots on the line for that match up.

13. Big Country - Insult to injury as Greg Oden goes out for the season.  Things aren't looking good for our defending champion, but fear not - many a fantasy miracle has been gifted in the holiday season and the standings are close enough that a couple of big victories could catapult even the weakest team into contention.