(After the playoffs we will create new power ratings according to potential for the future)

Lakers: Keep Shaq and Kobe around. Keep Rice if possible, or replace him with a small forward who can hit open outside shots and defend.

Trail Blazers: Keep the same team for another year to gell.

Jazz: Problems here. Jeff Hornacek is gone, Stockton is expected to retire after next season, and Malone will disappear not too much later. Utah has almost reached the rebuilding phase - a depressing, sorry phase. Unless they get really lucky this summer with a trade (not likely) or a good free agent (not likely), this team has to pray that Bryon Russell suddenly becomes Grant Hill or face the end.

Spurs: If Duncan leaves, they're finished. The Spurs role players (Elie, Elliot) may both disappear. A nervous summer awaits.

Pacers: Jalen Rose is a free agent. Keep him by any means necessary, even if it means kidnapping his dog and threatening to force him to listen to Celine Deon albums until Jalen re-signs.

Suns: Kidd rules. Penny rules. Cliff Robinson comes close to ruling. Tom Gugliotta is very good. Now find a better center than Luc Longley - or a big tough power forward to split time with Luc. This team is one powerful giant who can defend and rebound from fighting for a title.

Knicks: Sprewell isn't a real small forward. Larry Johnson isn't a real power forward. Marcus Camby still has no real offensive moves (aside from dunking in offensive rebounds). Kurt Thomas isn't a real backup center. This team has a lot of guys playing out of position. As far as trades, no one should be untouchable.

Timberwolves: Need one more consistent scoring punch. Wally could be it, but he's more steady than spectacular. With the horrible passing of Malik Sealy, the Wolves need a new shooting guard. And a center would be nice. 
         
Heat: Assuming that Tim Hardaway never fully recovers, Miami must hope that Anthony Carter is legit. Majerle is old. Find new, young players to keep this ship floating.

Hornets: Messy. Keep Eddie Jones at all costs, even if it means kidnapping Eddie's dog and forcing him to listen to Sean Elliot's dog sing Celine Deon songs for hours at a time until a sobbing Eddie agrees to re-sign. Actually, that wouldn't work. Jones will leave, and this team will be left with a bunch of good, big players, an ok point guard, and no superstars to lead this team to any real success.

Kings: Jason Williams needs to spend the entire summer watching John Stockton game tapes and imitate everything he sees. The Kings also need a shooting guard and a small forward.

76ers: Re-sign Toni Kukoc and build around him, Iverson, and Theo Ratliff.

Raptors: Keep Tracy McGrady at all costs, even if it means kidnapping his dog and forcing him to listen to the horrible tales Eddie Jones' dog tells about how bad Jalen Rose's dog sings Celine Deon songs.

Mavericks: This team played terrific basketball for the final 1-2 months of the regular season. Finley and Dirk are terrific. A point guard and center would help the Mavs enter the playoffs for the first time since 1837.
    
Sonics: Keep Lewis and Patterson. They're the only young bright spots this team has. Or, trade one of them for any good 2 or 5.

Pistons: Grant Hill is a free agent. The Pistons future depends on whether they keep him or not. Detroit must re-sign him, even if it means kidnapping Hill's dog and.... ok, enough of that. Anyway, keep Hill and build around him and Stackhouse.

Bucks: Keep Cassell, Allen, and Robinson. Teach them all how to play tougher defense, and find a power forward and a center to rebound their misses and play defense.

Magic: Orlando has 89329832893 first round draft picks in the next few years. Use them wisely, and keep all of their current hustling, energic players.

Rockets: Bright future. Find good forwards and a center. Hope that Shandon Anderson emerges as a good, consistent shooting guard. We don't see Olajuwon being a factor any more. Too many health troubles.

Celtics: Build around Walker and Pierce. Find a bench. Find some good veterans. Find some consistency.

Nuggets: The players, coaches, and management all need to improve. Other than that, Denver is all set.

Nets: Work 24 hours a day scouting college players. Don't mess up the number one pick in the draft. Or, trade down a few spots. Gill shouldn't be this team's main small forward. He should be playing the 2. Van Horn shouldn't have to be the team's main rebounder. Kittles needs to emerge.

Cavaliers: Trade Brevin Knight. Make Andre Miller a star. And lose for about 3 years so they get good draft picks. This team is a mess.

Wizards: Get rid of everyone. Major overhaul. If you can't make the playoffs with Rod Strickland, Mitch Richmond, and Juwan Howard, it's time to scrap everyone and be the Clippers for a few years. Start from scratch.

Grizzlies: Win some games. Show some heart. Sign some veterans to teach Bibby, Dickerson, and Shareef. Get Bryant Reeves in shape.

Warriors: Build around Larry Hughes and Antawn Jamison. Mookie is useful but definitely tradeable.

Hawks: Cut and trade everyone.

Bulls: Keep drafting players like Elton Brand, and do anything possible to sign at least one of these players: Duncan, Hill, McGrady, Jones.

Clippers: The Clippers don't have to do anything different, as their winning attitude, team success, and massive fan support prove they are an elite sports franchise.
 

5/27/2000
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