Week 8 Power Rankings
1.
Detroit Pistons – 70 game talk only increases with each passing victory. This team may be even better than the 04 squad that won it all.
2.
Dallas Mavericks – Best road team in the West and on a roll as of late. The scary part is Dallas still hasn’t had their whole lineup healthy.
3.
San Antonio Spurs – With Manu back the Spurs will look to bounce back from some uninspired play. The lackluster performance as of late is most likely a combo of no Manu and the championship “flip the switch” mentality.
4.
Memphis Grizzlies – Grizzlies defense allows them to hang with anyone, but their offense needs more consistency. It’s hard to argue with a game plan that only allows 86 points per game though.
5.
Phoenix Suns – Steve Nash and crew lead the NBA in scoring….again. Nash is dishing the ball with help from playmaker Boris Diaw. The Suns seem to be getting better as the season goes along. When Amare and Barbosa come back, expect the offense to get even better.
6.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Beat the teams they should, but they do not have a good record against the elite teams of the NBA that they would run into during the playoffs. They often have trouble finishing close games.
7.
Miami Heat – Shaq and crew are finally living up to the preseason hype. They will be greatly tested against the Piston in Auburn Hills. A win against the Pistons would be a real boost to this team.
8.
New Jersey Nets – Vinsanity is playing like the VC of old. He needs to for the Nets to have a shot at anything.
9.
LA Clippers – The Clipps needs to find a way to not be the Clippers of the past and fall apart. Still LA’s best team, but not by much.
10.
Milwaukee Bucks – The Bucks are allowing two more points per game than they’re scoring, but they amazingly still have a great record. Milwaukee fans have to love what they’ve seen from the team so far. A core of talented young players should mean things are just getting started in beer city.
11.
Indiana Pacers – The Ron Artest debacle will actually help the Pacers in the long run, assuming they get a little talent back in return. In reality, Ron has barely played the last year and a half.
12.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Minny has quietly put together the second best defense in the NBA. With some real close heartbreakers, this team could easily have three more wins right now.
13.
Philadelphia 76ers – Sixers are rolling as of late. AI and C-Webb are providing the production you expect from players of their caliber. If they can get consistency from Korver, Dalembert and others, they should be able to catch New Jersey down the stretch.
14.
Golden State Warriors – Reality check, you need to play defense to win games in the NBA. Warriors couldn’t stop Stephan A Smith from dropping 20 on them.
15.
LA Lakers – Lakers have been good as of late. Kobe is getting help from his team and the triangle is finally working. Phil Jackson is proving why he’s the Zen Master.
16.
Denver Nuggets – Camby could be out for weeks with surgery to repair his finger. With Nene out and K-mart hobbling, the Nuggets will be EXTREMELY thin up front.
17.
New Orleans Hornets – Great young core that never gives up. If the young guys on the bench can get a little better, Hornets have a shot at finishing close to .500, which is a quantum leap compared to last year.
18.
Washington Wizards – Wizards score 100 and give up 100. The result? A team well below .500 and sinking fast. Little shot discipline and weak interior defense limit this team.
19.
Utah Jazz – Easily the worst offense we’ve seen from a Sloan team. Think Sloan could talk Stockton into coming out of retirement?
20.
Seattle Supersonics – Sonics are simply horrid on defense. Giving up 105 points per game is inexcusable.
21.
Chicago Bulls – This team is in trouble as of late. Chicago has to improve their shot selection to turn their 5 game losing streak around.
22.
Orlando Magic – Grant Hill is getting into game shape. This team is a center away from being the second best team in the Southeast Division. Of course that doesn’t mean they would be above .500.
23.
Boston Celtics – Not enough talent on this team to compete. Paul Pierce and a bunch of role players doesn’t get it done.
24.
Sacramento Kings – Injuries abound as the Rockets and Kings battle for the title of biggest underachiever. It’s all up to Bibby and Brad Miller for the next few weeks.
25.
Houston Rockets – Like the Kings, the Rockets are not a bad team when completely healthy, which is almost never.
26.
Portland Trailblazers. Zach Randolph is playing the best ball of his career, but there simply isn’t enough around him to get the job done.
27.
Charlotte Bobcats – Bobcats seems to be missing a piece. I can’t really put my finger on it, maybe they’re solid at all the position, but that’s all. Not good, just solid.
28.
Toronto Raptors – You have to like the way they don’t give up, even if you don’t like the way they play. It seems that teams that struggle tend to have too much of this or that. The Raps seem to have too many guys that like to shoot, Mo Pete, Rose, James, and not enough guys that want to do the rest.
29.
Atlanta Hawks – Hawks need to trade 2-3 small forwards away and draft some 4 year college players. My guess as to the Hawks next draft pick? A 6’7” small forward out of high school.
30.
New York Knicks – Worst team in the NBA. Eddy Curry and Frye are their best players and the only thing Zeke really has to build with.
Week 5 Exclusive Power Rankings
1.
Detroit Pistons – The Pistons showed former coach Larry Brown how to play the right way in person.
2.
San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan has now totally shot my week 2 theory that he’s lost a step. I apologize.
3.
Memphis Grizzlies – Basketball purists have to love the way the Grizz are playing. Stingiest defense in the NBA.
4.
Dallas Mavericks – Jerry Stackhouse will have to earn minutes in this rotation. Several players are stepping it up in Howard and Stack’s absence.
5.
LA Clippers – Did you think the Clippers would be this good? Liar, no you didn’t.
6.
Indiana Pacers – This team relies too much on talent and not enough on effort. That’s why lowly teams they underestimate can sometimes get by them.
7.
Golden State Warriors – This team has all the offensive and defensive weapons needed to get to the playoffs. Easily the best Warriors team since it was Hardaway to Mullin.
8.
Phoenix Suns – Suns are getting a huge lift from their center…..forward….shooting guard…..um…. player Boris Diaw. Leandro Barbosa should also be back from an ankle injury in the next week. This Suns team should win 55 games.
9.
Miami Heat – Alonzo has been the best center in the east so far this season. Lots of double doubles and 4 rejections in less than 30 minutes per game.
10.
Cleveland Cavaliers – If the Cavs want to make a run at the Pistons in the Central, they need to win games they are supposed to and bring more effort every night.
11.
Minnesota Timberwolves – KG and crew are winning on smart play and effort. Addition by subtraction is what has occurred in Minny since losing Spree and Cassell to free agency.
12.
Denver Nuggets - This team must drive Nuggets fans nuts. So good, yet very inconsistent. Not your typical George Karl team.
13.
Milwaukee Bucks – The Bucks have played sub .500 ball since that great start. They need to let TJ Ford push the ball more.
14.
Chicago Bulls - The bad news for the Bulls? They’ve only played on other team from the ultra tough Central Division so far.
15.
Washington Wizards – The Wizards need to speed up their games. Teams that manage to slow the game down usually beat the Wizards.
16.
Philadelphia 76ers – I can’t think of a single team in the Atlantic that belongs in the top 15. Sixers have the best shot of the bunch of actually taking a winning record to the playoffs. Philly needs more production from their shooting guard and small forward positions.
17.
New Orleans Hornets – I had them pegged dead last when I made my preseason rankings. As it turns out, Chris Paul is an NBA ready baller. There is only upside to this young hornets team that is set at the skill positions for at least a few years to come.
18.
Seattle Supersonics – Considering they’re giving up 5 more points per game than they’re scoring, 8-9 isn’t a bad record. If they can keep up last week’s play they should take the 6th seed in the playoffs.
19.
LA Lakers – Kobe’s shot selection has been as poor as an unemployed college student. Lakers are lotto bound without Jackson pulling the reigns on Kobe. So yes, the Lakers are lotto bound.
20.
New Jersey Nets - Amazing that this team with arguably the most talented guards can’t pull it together. What hurts them is a lack of a front court. Little shot blocking makes teams more likely to attack the paint without fear.
21.
Orlando Magic – Magic desperately miss Francis and Hill. Teams simply deny Howard the ball or double team him. This team, like most, will do better once the stars come back from injury.
22.
Boston Celtics – Another Atlantic team with great guards and no real big men.
23.
Sacramento Kings – Wow, Kings have lost games by an average of .4 of a point. How do you come that close and end up so far under .500? A lack of mental toughness when the game is on the line.
24.
New York Knicks – Did Larry Brown finally find a team even he can’t fix?
25.
Charlotte Bobcats – Still play teams tough, but can’t seem to close games out. They need a killer instinct.
26.
Utah Jazz – Worst offensive team Sloan has ever foisted on the NBA. Boozer’s return alone won’t fix this team.
27.
Houston Rockets - Biggest disappointment by far this season. How do you have all that shooting and still lose? Yao Ming needs to step up and show why he’s gotten all the hype so far.
28.
Portland Trailblazers – Ruben Patterson is back!!! And you ask why the excitement? Because it’s only a matter of time before the next Blazer swears at the coach, it’s a Portland thing.
29.
Toronto Raptors – Be patient Raptor fans, in a few years the Raps will be getting knocked out of the first round of the playoffs with regularity.
30.
Atlanta Hawks - The need a point guard. Hawks probable next move? They’ll most likely use their lotto pick up another small forward
Week 4 Exclusive Power Rankings1.
Detroit Pistons – The Pistons are almost toying with the other teams. Flip keeps talking about more bench play, only to see the starters average a lot of minutes. At some point the bench will have to contribute more or this will be a tired team come June.
2.
San Antonio Spurs – Spurs won a thriller at Dallas on Thursday with Tony Parker leading the way. The Spurs could very well be challenged by Dallas the whole season.
3.
Dallas Mavericks – Team is actually improving on defense this year. While no Tayshaun Prince, Josh Howard has shown the ability to slow opposing scoring guards.
4.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Hughes has made a huge difference in getting Lebron better shots. Teams can no longer afford to double Lebron and leave sharpshooters Jones, Marshall and Hughes open.
5.
Memphis Grizzlies – Grizzlies are the best defensive team in the NBA so far this season. This allows them to be in every game even when their offense isn’t clicking.
6.
LA Clippers – The Clippers fans have to be happy with how this team has started out. They’re winning close games and not losing composure in the fourth quarter.
7.
Golden State Warriors – You get the sense that Diddy and crew are playing with a chip on their shoulder and confidence. This can only mean good news for Warriors fans and bad news for opponents.
8.
Indiana Pacers – This has to be the most injury plagued team over the last few seasons. It will be interesting to see what will happen if they ever get all their starters on the floor at the same time.
9.
Phoenix Suns – Suns are on a four game winning streak that has showcased the role players helping the all-stars. I doubt this trend lasts though.
10.
Miami Heat – The Heat can’t wait for Shaq to come back; the question is whether or not Jason Williams will remember his role once he does.
11.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Great team play has helped the Twolves secure first in the Northwest…..that and the weakest division in the Western Conference.
12.
Chicago Bulls – The young Bulls goes up and down as much as their players go up and down the court. Can we finally call them the adolescent Bulls?
13.
Milwaukee Bucks – Loaded front court, great back court, so what’s wrong with the Bucks? Simple, they couldn’t D up your grandmother that uses a wheel chair.
14.
Philadelphia 76ers – Cheeks has the Sixers in first place in the Atlantic, which isn’t anything to be proud of when you consider the rest of the division.
15.
New Orleans Hornets – David West is the front runner for most improved player. Chris Paul, JR Smith and Desmond Mason ensure that enough field goal attempts are taken every night.
16.
Denver Nuggets – Team is very inconsistent. You don’t know which Nuggets team will take the floor.
17.
Washington Wizards – Take the Nuggets inconsistency times 2.
18.
Orlando Magic – Great defense helps this offensively challenged team beat mediocre and bad teams. Good offensive teams still dispatch the Magic with little trouble
19.
Sacramento Kings – Mike Bibby’s sore foot has not affected his scoring touch.
Sac has turned an abysmal start into a mediocre season so far. Kings fans expect more.
20.
New Jersey Nets – Nets need front court help in the worst way. Think they’d sign Reef if they had it to do over again?
21.
Seattle Supersonics – The magic is definitely gone from last year. As is the hard nose style of play. Sonics may have needed a change…..of ownership.
22.
Boston – You get the feeling that Boston isn’t sure if they want to play for the 8th playoff seed or a high pick in the draft.
23.
Utah Jazz – Jazz finally got AK back from injury and should show some improvement defensively.
24.
LA Lakers – Phil issues an ultimatum to Smush, play team ball or hit the bench. By that does he mean pass to Kobe more?
25.
Portland Trailblazers – A free agent pick up or trade could actually make this Blazers team a threat for the 8th seed.
26.
New York – Frye is the real deal. New York may finally have a front court with Curry, Frye and Davis.
27.
Houston Rockets – McGrady’s injury has given players like Head and Anderson chance to shine. Too bad they don’t shine as brightly as T-mac when healthy. Rockets go as far as T-mac’s back takes them.
28.
Charlotte Bobcats – Team is going to have to learn to play team ball. They take turns having great nights but can’t seem to gel as a unit.
29.
Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks are licking their chops at the prospect of a game against Toronto on Friday.
30.
Toronto Raptors – Uninspired, apathetic and ugly. Any more questions about what I think of Toronto?
Week 3 Power Rankings
Week 3 Exclusive Power Rankings. What do you think? Feedback Welcome.
1.
Detroit Pistons – The Pistons are still the only team with one loss. It will be interesting to see how they respond in their next game.
2.
Dallas Mavericks – Shelling of the Pistons and Spurs put them into serious talk about a title for the first time since Nash left. The Mavs seem to be on a roll despite inconsistent play from some positions. They are deep enough to overcome the erratic play.
3.
San Antonio Spurs – Are already rounding into championship form again, barring injury, it’s hard to see another Western Conference team make the finals.
4.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Winning is now coming with regularity for this once lowly franchise. This team is challenging all preseason assertions that the elite teams in
the East ended after Miami, Detroit and Indy.
5.
L.A. Clippers – The sum of the team is finally equal to its parts. The Clipps are getting solid contributions from the bench. When Livingston comes back from his back injury, this team will only become better.
6.
Indiana Pacers – Hard to rank them this high, but their record dictates it. It seems that Reggie is missed more than anyone would have guessed. Can Rick Carlisle get them all on the same page like they were pre-brawl? This team is still tattooed with the effects of November 2004.
7.
Philadelphia 76ers – C-Webb may just prove to be the lethal 2 punch the Sixers have been searching for since Jerry Stackhouse. Webber appears to be almost, if not totally, back from his injury. This team has stars and depth; it appears that they have finally added maturity by not panicking after the 0-3 start.
8.
Memphis Grizzlies – Gasol is a total beast this year. Typical Grizzlies, team effort and a deep rotation make the Grizzlies hard to stop on any given night.
9.
Milwaukee Bucks – This team is loaded with talent. The solid starting rotation is backed by a decent bench. Bucks have lost a few in the last week, but I don’t think it will be a trend.
10.
Golden State Warriors – Warriors season all hinges on injuries. If there is any such thing as bad luck, the Warriors always seem to get it. Hopefully this is the year they make it back to the post season, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
11.
Denver Nuggets – Injury ridden team will have a hard time making any noise come playoff time…..if they even make the playoffs at all. Marcus Camby is playing the best ball of his career to keep the Nuggs in it, but can he do this all year?
12.
Miami Heat – Shaq’s absence should not have the Heat reeling like this. Zo has taken up the rebounding and shot blocking slack and most of the scoring absence. The Heat are a better team than what their record has indicated so far, but if they want home court they need to get it in gear.
13.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Bye bye KG? If Garnett is dealt, the Wolves need to really do something with the new cap space in the off season. My money is on KG staying in Minny.
14.
Phoenix Suns – Barbosa was really pouring in the points…..until he was injured. Marion and Nash need to get this team to the playoffs in the hope Amare will be back and healthy enough to help them do something.
15.
New Jersey Nets – Lack of depth is what hurts. This team is going nowhere fast without a trade for some bench players.
16.
Washington Wizards – If only they could keep some of the points from blow out wins for other nights. Inconsistent play will have to be remedied for the Wizz to turn around a long losing trend.
17.
Seattle Supersonics – Team has kind of turned it around since the shaky start. They need to sort out the front court if they want to compete night in and night out. Players’ complaining about floor time is nothing new to the NBA, neither are losing seasons.
18.
Chicago Bulls – Chandler got the money and proceeded to do nothing more to earn it. Think the Bulls wish they had kept Eddy instead?
19.
Boston Celtics – Play teams tough but there still isn’t enough firepower around PP to win.
20.
Sacramento Kings – So close in so many games this year. It’s time for some new offensive set in Sac town.
21.
New Orleans Hornets – Chris Paul will get the ROY award if he keeps this up. Unbelievable that Desmond Mason doesn’t play much.
22.
L.A. Lakers – Kobe is a great player, it’s to bad the NBA isn’t one on one ball.
23.
Utah Jazz – I’ve said it before, injuries are killing the Jazz’s season. This is a good team with everyone healthy. It’s a sad day when your best front court players are Mehmet Okur and Greg Ostertag.
24.
Orlando Magic – At least Dwight Howard should get some help from their high draft position this summer.
25.
Portland Trailblazers – You get the sense that Portland’s rebuilding won’t work. Not because the young pieces aren’t there, but because the vets on the team are working against them.
26.
New York Knicks – Marbury and Brown on the same team? Brilliant! This should entertain all season.
27.
Houston Rockets – My biggest disappointment of the year. Houston should have enough depth to win a few with Tmac out. McGrady’s back is the litmus test for this team every game.
28.
Charlotte Bobcats – This team may lose a lot of games, but they play hard every night. Young talent makes this team one of the more promising of the next few years.
29.
Toronto Raptors – They should thank their lucky stars everyone will focus on Atlanta being the only winless team so far.
30.
Atlanta Hawks – Hmm, take a team and have five swingmen in Johnson, Childress, Smith, Williams and Harrington. No real point guard and Pachulia as your best front court option it’s going to get ugly. Hawks need a trade for a point guard in a big way.
This Weeks Exclusive Power Rankings are in. Take a look.1.
Detroit Pistons – The Detroit Pistons are kicking butt and taking names. Scary that this offense was likely here the whole time. Guess sometimes it doesn’t pay to play, “the right way.”
2.
San Antonio – Last week I said Duncan had lost a step from previous years. I stand corrected. Team is rolling and newly acquired Michael Finley hasn’t even been the factor you know he can be.
3.
LA Clippers – So far the shocker of the year. Sam Cassell has brought a sense of confidence to the perennially lowly Clipps. If this can be maintained remains to be seen.
4.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Lebron finally has some help in the mistake by the lake. Barring injury, the Cavs should challenge for the fourth seed in the playoffs.
5.
Milwaukee Bucks – The comeback from TJ Ford had been great, but Mo Williams play has been under the radar so far. The Bucks often feature a 3 guard attack that can score in bunches. The front court is legit as well with 4 solid big men clogging the paint.
6.
Indiana Pacers – The two losses so far have basically been a result of this team’s greatest weakness, weak mental play. The little things always seem to cost the Pacers when the game is on the line.
7.
Dallas Mavericks – Winning record on the road and unbeaten at home so far. This Mavs team is one of the deepest teams in NBA history. Their bench features 4 or 5 players that would start on most other teams.
8.
Washington Wizards – Gilbert Arenas is the spark plug in this scoring machine. If the Wizards can keep scoring like this playoffs are a given.
9.
Golden State Warriors – While Dunleavy has been a real disappointment so far, the rest of the Warriors have stepped up a notch. Baron Davis appears to be healthy and motivated. As long as injury history, which has never been kind to the Warriors, doesn’t repeat itself, GS should make a May run.
10.
Philadelphia 76ers – After a horrible start Philly is showing some real fortitude. And this without starting center Samuel Dalembert. The real story behind Philly is C-Webb and AI coexisting. You get the sense that for the first time since the 2001 finals run, AI trusts his teammates.
11.
Memphis Grizzlies – Pau Gasol is showing he really is a top 5 power forward. The Grizzlies are getting it done as usual, a lot of team work and sharing the ball. Eddie Jones has integrated well and looks like the player he was a few years ago.
12.
Miami Heat – Are showing that Shaq isn’t required for this to be a winning team, however he is required for them to be a great team. Mourning is doing a nice job in his absence, but he doesn’t alter the game like Shaq does.
13.
Chicago Bulls – Everywhere you look on this team you see good players, but no great ones…...yet. The Bulls are in the toughest division in the NBA and will have to really fight to stay in the race.
14.
New Jersey Nets – Carter, Kidd and Jefferson are all having a good year but this team still lacks depth. If two of the stars are having off nights at the same time they will have a hard time winning.
15.
Phoenix Suns – Nash and company have lost some real heartbreakers. Games they would not have lost with a healthy Amare. Suns just need to keep the ship afloat until he returns. Players like Jones, Barbosa and Diaw have made strides in their personal development as players this year. It can only help for the Suns to have some depth.
16.
Utah Jazz – AK’s injury doesn’t bode well for the Jazz. Okur needs to be more consistent in AK and Boozer’s absences. He has followed high powered games with some very lackluster performances.
17.
Boston Celtics – Sophomores and rookies are playing well. Paul Pierce, is well, Paul Pierce. The real surprise thus far has been Ricky Davis. Is this really the same guy that missed a shot on purpose to get a triple double? So far his unselfish and smart play has really helped take some of the load off Pierce.
18.
Orlando Magic – The Magic get the nod here because of the way they’ve turned around their season and won on the road. After a horrendous opening, they’ve managed to somewhat right the ship. Dwight Howard needs to be the number one offensive option with Francis penetrating and dishing. Grant Hill can’t get back soon enough for this offensively starved team.
19.
Houston Rockets – Yao is 7’6” tall. How on earth can he have games with less than 5 rebounds? Until he shows some aggression on the glass, the Rockets will struggle.
20.
LA Lakers – Note to Kobe, the next time Andre Iguodola guards you, pass the ball instead of jacking up bad shots all night. Kobe’s biggest weakness is his stubborn refusal to share the ball when he feels personally challenged by a team. Kobe can score, board and dish, but until he trusts his team to do their jobs, Phil can kiss any title hopes goodbye.
21.
Minnesota Timberwolves - The Wolves biggest problem is that KG can’t play all 48 minutes for 82 games. There are only role players on this team after KG goes to the bench. A trade for some offense would be a good start.
22.
Denver Nuggets – Nene’s absence and Martin’s knee indicates that this team will get ripped apart by some of the front court heavy teams. Miller, Anthony and Camby all need to have stellar years for the Nuggs to make the playoffs. George Karl is a coach that gets the best out of players, if anyone can take this injury ridden team to the playoffs, it’s him.
23.
Charlotte Bobcats – This is probably too high for them, but gritty play and depth has made the Bobcats one of the better bottom dwellers, if such a contradiction exists. Sean May is starting to show why he was drafted when the Cats already had a power forward in Okafor. May isn’t a better player than Okafor, but he is the second best big man on the team.
24.
Sacramento Kings – The Kings are finally starting to gel, recent additions Wells and Reef have done well so far. The Kings may need a new offensive system though. Brad Miller is a good passing big man, but he is not Vlade or C-Webb when it comes to dishing the ball. Almost every trip down the floor, Miller stops at the top of the key and gets the ball from Bibby. Too predictable.
25.
Seattle Sonics – New laid back style has not been kind to the Sonics. The front court is a mess with too many chefs in the kitchen with none of them serving gourmet. The rotation may need to be shortened to allow some players a chance to find a groove.
26.
Portland Trailblazers – This team is young, inexperienced and lacks shooters. Randolph and Miles will need to be patient if they want to see some positive signs by the end of the season.
27.
New Orleans – Young, young and young. This team has some talent, but when PJ Brown is your most consistent threat, you’re in trouble.
28.
New York Knicks – Larry finally has some wins. The question still remains as to whether or not Marbury can thrive under LB. Knicks fans can comfort themselves in the fact that they’re still in first place…..as far as payroll is concerned.
29.
Atlanta Hawks - So close so many times. It’s a sign of a young team when they can’t close out games. On a side note, someone wake up Josh Childress and tell him the season has started.
30.
Toronto Raptors – My Charlie Villanueva comment was apparently off the mark. He has had great games in the last week and along with Bosh and Graham show the youth movement has some potential down the road in Toronto.
In Need of Bloggers
In Need of Bloggers. As a new Fan Site on the web, we are currently looking for Fans to voice their opinions and give updates on the team as often as possible. We envision lots of readership in the near future but only with your help. If you have thought about creating a blog in the past, but never got around to it, or you have your own blog but have stuggled to pull in an audience..this may be the perfect setting for you. If this sounds like it interests you please email me at Combs84@sbcglobal.com and Put "(Your Team Name) Blogger" in the subject. Thanks a lot, and I hope you will consider this opportunity.
Pre-Season Power Rankings
2005/2006 NBA Power RankingsChris Wallace
It’s often hard to make the preseason power rankings. The moves that have taken place are impossible to judge until the season starts in earnest.
1. San Antonio Spurs – Wow, talk about lucky. Not only did the Spurs win the O’Brien, they also won the Finley sweepstakes. As with most champs, Spurs biggest vulnerability is themselves.
2.Detroit Pistons – The Pistons have the best starting lineup in the NBA. The bench is a different story. This season for the Pistons hangs on bench production from young players like Delfino, Darko (yes I said Darko) and Evans.
3. Miami Heat – Additions of Walker, Williams and Posey to Shaq and a healthy Wade should give even the Pistons and Spurs all they can handle. The question becomes personalities. Can Walker really defer? Can Williams really run a consistent offense? The Heats future is in its own hands
4. Indiana Pacers – Like the top three, tons of talent. Artest needs to decide if he wants to play NBA basketball. Reggie’s departure will actually benefit some of the young Pacers that used Reggie as life support in fourth quarters. It is now O’neal time at Conseco Field House.
5. Phoenix Suns – Will the Suns still run teams out of the gym? Yes, but not with the same regularity as last year. They are however, a much better defensive team with the additions of Raja Bell and Thomas.
6. Cleveland Cavilers – Lebron and Z are back with additions Hughes, Marshall and Jones. If Lebron is the real deal, we need to see it this year. The Cavs have rounded up players other teams have given up on and this may add the needed chip on the shoulder.
7.Rockets – Yao and McGrady are key for the Rockets success. Many questions still remain for the back court. Rockets should make the playoffs, but are still pretenders in the championship hunt.
8.Dallas Mavericks – Finley’s departure may actually benefit the Mavs. They have young talent that should be able to develop and fill the gap. Not the talent pool they were a few years ago, but still one of the deepest teams in the league.
9.Denver Nuggets – Great players everywhere but shooting guard. A trade for Pierce would make the Nuggets a serious threat. I can see the Nuggs going deep into the second round.
10.New Jersey Nets – Kidd, Carter and Jefferson are the best 1-3 combo in the league. Nets will be destroyed in the post though. They still haven’t replaced Martin. Not a serious threat in the East unless they make a trade.
11. Kings – Peja, Bibby and Miller are all all-star caliber players. However, I think that losing Webber for Abdur-Rahim is a downgrade. I also think letting Mobley go and getting Wells is a downgrade as well. I could be wrong, but this is looking like the worst Kings team since before Vlade and C Webb first became Kings.
12.Seattle – Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are back with a great collection of role players. Look for about the same results as last year.
13. Chicago Bulls – The star crossed Bulls seemed to be pulling it all together and Eddy Curry goes down with a heart condition. Look for Ben Gordon to improve even more.
14. Memphis Grizzlies – Grizz enter this season missing many of the role players that have made them solid. Most likely another 50 win season and first round exit in the playoffs.
15.Philadelphia 76ers – While AI is always the story in the City of Brotherly Love, free agent pick up Lee Nailon may actually be the cog that makes this year’s version of the Sixers better. He can score, which Philly badly needs off of the bench.
16.Milwaukee Bucks – Going out on a limb on this one. TJ Ford will be back to pass to Bogut. Add in Redd’s resigning and the Bucks can scare some teams in the East. Make the playoffs? No, but should be a fun team to watch.
17.Minnesota Timberwolves – KG and Marko need to have great years for anyone to even notice that the T-Wolves still exist.
18.Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard is the real deal. The biggest needs are front court help and sorting out the back court roles. Talent is there, needs someone to sort it out.
19. Washington Wizards – A bad sign with losing Hughes and Butler is a poor replacement. Wiz will be lucky to be playing after the regular season ends.
20. Golden State Warriors - Baron Davis and J Rich look to energize a program that last had “glory days” around a decade ago. Things never seem to go right for the Warriors, but as any hardcore Warriors fan will tell you; this might be their year to right the ship.
21. New York Knicks – Only ranked this high because Larry Brown’s presence should be good enough for some wins.
22. Boston Celtics – See the Knicks ranking and replace Brown’s name with Paul Pierce’s.
23. Utah Jazz – AK-47 is healthy and ready to mow down the competition. The question becomes whether or not Okur and Boozer live up to the expectations that come with their respective contracts.
24. LA Clippers – Sam I Am will come with a chip on his shoulder the size of Shaq’s grocery bill. If Cassell stays healthy, he and Mobley should beat the Lakers out as LA’s best team.
25. LA Lakers – Note to Phil Jackson, just remember round about February, you asked for this.
26. Atlanta Hawks – Enter the three Js. No not the three Js from the mid 1990s of Dallas, but Josh Smith, Josh Childress and Joe Johnson. The Hawks have one of the most talented and athletic back courts in the league. It may not translate into wins, but they should be fun to watch.
27. Portland Trailblazers – The most dysfunctional team in the NBA. At least we’ll get to see what Sebastian can do with some serious playing time.
28. Toronto Raptors – The cancer left Toronto and became suddenly harmless in New Jersey. Question is, who do the Raps blame now that VC is gone?
29. Charlotte Bobcats – Youth and inexperience cost them last year. This year? More of the same.
30. New Orleans Hornets – Lost B-Diddy and will now have to rely on guys like PJ Brown and Jamal Magloire. Yes, it will be a long season.
