Week 6 Power Rankings

Athletes We Have Heard on High

This Week's Game of the Week features a couple of unusual suspects with identical records, and should be a doozy: Top-ranked Rigby—second in the Wasatch—faces off against third-ranked Richmond—second in the World.

It's that time of year, when the world falls in love. When overeating and overspending are not only countenanced, they're encouraged. That magical time when our hope is renewed, if only for a season, that perhaps this year we CAN buy happiness. Yes, it's Christmastime in the city. And nobody knows how to celebrate Christmas, and market their celebration, like the WFBL. So just in time for the holidays, the WFBL proudly announces the release of its first Christmas album on the Power Rankings label: "Athletes We Have Heard on High," available now wherever fine music performed by basketball players is sold. Get yours today! But first, read this list of tracks, which have been arranged to correspond with this week's Power Rankings:


Team, Rank, (Previous), Record

1 (1) 29-24-1
"Good King WenceJames," performed by Redickulous. In this spirited setting of an old favorite, Good King WenceJames looks down on that bitter cold Feast of Stephen from his cozy castle and sees ... the rest of the league. And unlike Wenceslas in the traditional version, he feels no need to descend to bring flesh and wine for yonder peasants.

2 (2) 29-23-2
"Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?" arranged for glockenspiel by Manu Ginobili, who says the inspiration for this piece came from the new air freshener that teammate Tim Duncan bought for the Gators locker room.


3 (3) 29-22-3
"Himno Nacional de Venezeula," performed by the Hugo Chavez Chorale; Hugo Chavez, director. Some would argue that this is not a Christmas hymn, but doing so would be unwise. Really, is this anthem ever out of season? We say no.

3 (4) 29-24-1
"It's a Carmelo World in the Winter," vocal duet by Kevin Garnett (tenor) and Marcus Camby (mezzo-soprano), dedicated to Carmelo Anthony's 81 points in last week's 6-3 romp over Bayside. Check out the bonus DVD for a music video version, with KG and Camby displaying their dance moves in matching winter ensembles with realistic-looking snowscapes in the background.

5 (7) 28-25-1

"Nutcracker Suite," performed by the Park City Sundancers Concert Band, recorded live at the world premiere of Robert Redford's adaptation of this beloved ballet for the Sundancer Repertory Dance Company, featuring Kevin Durant as Clara, Stephen Curry as the Mouse King, Dwyane Wade as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Andrea Bargnani as the Russian guy who does the really cool Trepak dance (you know, the one where you squat down and cross your arms and kick your legs and stuff).

6 (5) 28-24-2
"O Come, O Come, Chris Paul, You're Swell" a well-known Advent piece sung by Luke Ridnour and Lou Williams, with backup vocals by the nurses at the Hopital de Sierre near Zermatt, Switzerland.

7 (6) 27-27-0
"International Medley: Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabella / Feliz Navidad / Christmas in Killarney," a musical tour de force by Jai-Rai heartthrob Kobe Bryant. You knew he was versatile on the basketball court--now hear him showcase his linguistic versatility as he croons in French, Spanish, and English with an Irish accent.

8 (9) 24-28-2
"Joy to the World Conference," a song the whole conference can enjoy (except Zermatt), as the Kings just handed the A-Boms an unprecedented second straight loss, leaving the Commissioner's team only two games away from missing the playoffs! Let the Consolation Bracket prepare them room!

9 (8) 22-29-3
"I Wonder as I Wander," in which jazz stylist Baron Davis reveals his soulful side. Among the things he wonders as he wanders: why do they call me a point guard when I got the same number of assists last week as Marcus Camby (10)?


10 (10) 24-29-1
"All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Frontcourt Players to Make Some of Their Stupid Free Throws Once in a While," banjo solo by Truman Barnes, featuring Kanye West. It's really hard to get in the Christmas spirit when your two bigs (Dwight Howard and Andersen Varejao) together shoot about 58% from the line.

11 (10) 24-29-1
"Silent Night," 48 minutes of silence, recorded inside the SnowHive at Mr. Mac Arena during a recent SnowBees game.

12 (12) 23-31-0
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like 2007-08," performed by the Nephi Stratagem Show Choir and Madrigals. This oldie but goodie is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, as the Strats recall what it's like to be at the bottom of the league looking up.

Bonus track: "Tiresome Christmas Songs That for Some Reason Get Played on the Radio a Lot Even Though Nobody Likes Them (Medley): We Need a Little Christmas / Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time / Sir, I Wanna Buy These Shoes (for My Momma, Please)," performed by the WFBL kazoo and accordion ensemble; Phil Jackson, director.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments. And don't forget to vote on the Game of the Week and Week 1's EBP!