Who should be top 10 on updated power rankings?

Just like this season for college football, there are a lot of teams capable of winning not only their conference, but the NBA championship. Several of the teams in my prediction can move up or down a slot. I feel that my guesses are pretty good though.


1. Miami Heat: Defending champs. The roster (assuming GP re-signs) has stayed the same. The reason they are number one is because Wade is a year older and that much better coming off a solid run at the Olympics this summer. I don't expect his busy summer to impact his play at all, he is still young.

2. Phoenix Suns: It's simple. A team that wins 54 games and averages 108ppg in the regular season and 107 in the playoffs without Amare Stoudemire can only be expected to be ranked this high. Great addition in Jumaine Jones. Losing Tim Thomas won't hurt this team. Expect Barbosa and Diaw to only get a little better, but still contribute enough to push this team.

3. Dallas Mavericks: The Sun's and Mav's are pretty much a tie for the second best team in the league. The reason I decided the Sun's deserved the second best is because of the reasons I gave above. I feel strongly about what I said. I like how Dallas played during the playoffs and there is no reason to believe they won't be as good, if not better. This summer may or may not have slowed down Nowitzki but that should only be a factor early on in the season.

4. San Antonio Spurs: Don't expect 63 wins this year only because Tim Duncan may see less time on the floor to prepare for the playoffs. With a comfortable seed in the post season, like always, this core of Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Bowen, and Finley will have a chance to win it all.

5. Chicago Bulls: I grouped the Bulls and Detroit together for a good reason. In my opinion, the Bulls have taken a step ahead of the Pistons with the addition of Ben Wallace. Last year his numbers were down, but I think having Sheed, Dyce, Prince, and other capable rebounders/shot blockers played a really big role in that. I expect him to average around 13 rpg again and I also expect to see him average atleast 10-12 points a game. After this summer, I expect Hinrich to come in with more confidence and take over as a leader. Gordon, Deng, and most importantly Nocioni will improve as usual and help this team become solid. It will be another year or two before I think they can REALLY contend for the championship.

6. Detroit Pistons: With the loss of Wallace, I really feel this team has taken a step back....but not too far back. They still have one of the best PG's in the game today in Billups and a solid supporting cast. Losing Wallace only hurts them so much, I wouldn't be surprised to see them get far in the playoffs.

7. Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony. The guy is going to have a breakout year. The team is just too good to be any worse than 7th best in the league and I personally don't think that Coach Karl would allow it. PG: Andre Miller SG: J.R. Smith SF: Melo PF: Kenyon martin C: Marcus Camby. If Nene actually produces, I wonder where he falls into play with this team?

8. Los Angelas Clipplers: Could be number 7, but I really think Denver has a step on them. Brand will be Brand. It is up to the rest of the team though to decide their future. Tim Thomas was a great addition to the bench. Kaman should be solid and will improve on his averages. Beyond this year, the future of this team depends on Livingston getting more minutes, he still can be a star.

9. Sacramento Kings: Losing Bonzi won't hurt this team. After a year of developing chemistry, the starting lineup consists of PG: Mike Bibby SG: Kevin Martin SF: Ron Artest PF: Reef C: Brad Miller. Their bench is pretty nice too with new addition John Salmons expected to do well in his new role. Kenny Thomas will be a banger with expected consistancy off the bench. This season really lies on Bibby's shoulder. They really need him to hold this team together and take it under his wing. If he does well, it could be a very good season for the Kings.

10. Indiana Pacers: Al Harrington is a huge pickup, that goes without say. But Armstrong was even better. His leadership will help things progress for this team. Marquis Daniels should excel with his role on this team. The lineup of PG: Tinsley SG: Stephen Jackson SF: Danny Granger PF: Al Harrington C: Jermaine O'Neal will be interesting. Their bench is pretty darn solid with Daniels, Armstrong, Foster, Jasikevicius, and big body - David Harrison is nice. They could do good things this year.

I Dont Care What Anyone Thinks...you Better Put Kings In Your Top 10..k.martin And F.garcia Are Gonna Step Up..they Have A Deeper Bench ..with Some More Big Guys...losing Bonzi Was His Fault..with Bibby (most Underrated Player) Artest And Miller On That Team..i Have Them 3rd In The West..with the coaching of eric...hes a defensive minded coach..wow..cant beleive there not in your top 10..

1 Pistons
2. spurs
3. miami
4. mavs
5. kings
6. suns
7. clippers
8. rockets
9 wizards
10 lakers

1. Dallas (learned from their mistakes)
2. Phoenix (Amare + a whole season of chemistry will push them to near the top). Playoff-wise though teams will be more ready for the run and gun.
3. San Antonio (Popovich always comes out with a well disciplined team that knows how to win. Look to even more deferrment to Parker/Ginobili as Duncan slows a bit)
4. Miami (Shaq and Wade will get the needed wins but the supporting cast won't be able to get them as far as last year due to aging)
5. Detroit (Saunders needs these guys to start playing the way they used to. Ben Wallace was the spirit of that team so they need to reinvent quickly preferrably around the skills of Tayshaun Prince and Billups).
6. LA Clippers (Deep at all positions, Look for Kaman/Brand to be an even beastier duo and Livingston begins to start for them)
7. Chicago (I predict a slow start as the players adjust but a strong finish as always from this team...perhaps even an upset in the playoffs).
8. New Jersey (Hopefully the trio will all be healthy enough for another solid playoff run)
9. LA Lakers (Phil knows what to do to win. Kobe/Lamar and a supporting cast that went from bad last year to mediocre this year probably means more wins and a playoff seed (I say 7th seed in the West again).
10. Denver (Just a gut feeling that Carmelo is going to blow up this year and somehow Camby, Nene and KMart stay healthy. Note to KiKi: forfeit the first game).

Just missing: Cleveland, Sacramento and the Rockets. The Kings probably can make the playoffs again as well as Cleveland. The Rockets will be better than the Hornets and Grizzlies with Battier and T-Mac healthy enough to play some games.

I made this list just thinking: If I was the opposing team who would I least want to play in a series?

[QUOTE=joe lucky]
10. Denver (Just a gut feeling that Carmelo is going to blow up this year and somehow Camby, Nene and KMart stay healthy.[B] Note to KiKi: forfeit the first game). [/B][/QUOTE]

:confusedshrug:

1. Dallas- Dirks on his prime and young players like Devin Harris and Josh Howard will improve from the previous playoff experience.

2. San Antonio- Tim will bounce back from after having some statistical career lows, Manu and Parker will be consistent. But NOT making it to the Finals last season will be the reason why it will benefit them and motivate the team tremendously.

3. Cleveland- LBJ will have an MVP season. Z and the Brazilian enforcer will be rock solid throughout the whole year, Wesley and Damon Jones will keep the defense honest. If this roster doesn't work, a coaching change might happen!

4. Miami- Flash put the whole franchise on his shoulder during the Finals. they struggled during the season and getting lucky with the Nets( Cliff Robinson getting suspended). Shaq's still great but to win the title back to back, Wade has to be more than amazing again.

5. Houston- the addition off Shane Battier and Casey Jacobson will give the roster toughness on defense and outside shooting. An injury free season from Yao and T-Mac will determine the teams fate.

6. Phoenix- Amare is a question mark. few players have regained their usual form after having his kind of surgery. Nash has to be great for the Suns to be considered as contenders.

7. L.A. Lakers- A bittertaste of the previous playoffs will inspire this team throughout the year. Kobe will have a fresh start sporting his new no.24, and everyone should be very familiar with the triangle this time around!

8. Chicago- A very good mix of Good young players and fiery Veterans makes the roster very appealing. With Nocioni and Big Ben. it gives the team a lot of toughness in the frontcourt. while the backcourt was never a problem with Gordon and Kirk leading the way.

9. Detroit- It hurts me to put the Pistons at number nine. I dont understand why the offense wasn't going through Rasheed, and Why Rip chooses to dribble and penetrate to the Hoop more instead of doing what he does best of moving through screens,doing catch and shoot around the perimeter during the playoffs. unless they go back to what they usually do, it's only a matter of time before Joe D. really starts making changes.

10. Charlotte Bobcats- Laugh all you want guys. But im betting for this team to make alot of noise this upcoming season. Adam Morrison i think is something. A lot of positives are happening within the Franchise and with MJ around, things should get alot better!!!

1) Miami (Champs)
2) Phoenix (Nash, Diaw, Marion, Amare, Barbosa, Banks, Jones, Bell) - all great players
3) San Antonio (Parker, Manu, Duncan) - best trio in bball.
4) Dallas (Will not be as good as last year)
5) Detroit (even without ben wallace, they are an incredible force)
6) Indiana (Tinsley, Jackson, Granger, Harringon, Oneal) - one of the best starting lineups in the league.
7) LA Clippers (Cassel, Mobley, Maggette, Brand, Kaman) - in my opinion the best starting lineup in the league.
8) NJ Nets (Kidd is old but still effective, they had the best draft) Boone, Williams, Adams
9) Sacramento (Bibby, Salmons, Artest, Rahim, Miller) - that is one scary lineup.
10) Washington (Butler, Arenas, Jamison) - second best trio in bball.

sleepers: jazz, bulls, hornets, lakers
everybody who put houston in their top 10 is a moron. houston has been worthless since franchise left. there is no chance the rockets will make the playoffs this year.

1. Miami
2. Dallas
3. San Antonio
4. Phoenix
5. LA Clippers
6. New Jersey
7. Cleveland
8. Detroit
9. Denver
10. Houston

how can the mavs not be as good as last year? What do they have going against them? They just got playoff experience added more depth and did some decent trades.

Also so much for that jermaine o'neal to dallas trade

1. [B]Dallas[/B]- Most players returning from last years squad.

2. [B]San Antonio[/B]- With Duncan and Ginobli healthy, they will challenge for the championship once again.

3. [B]Miami[/B]- Look to repeat

4. [B]Phoenix[/B]- With Amare back, may be the best team in the league.

5. [B]Hornets[/B]- No team improved more in the offseason than the hornets with peja, BJ, chandler, armstrong, and simmons.

6. [B]New Jersey[/B]- With Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson name a team with 3 better players.

7. [B]Detroit[/B]- Lost great players from last years team.

8. [B]Indiana[/B]- With Harrington, O'Neal, and Granger they have one of the best frontcourts in the league.

9.[B]Orlando[/B]- Will only get better from last year.

10. [B]Chicago/Memphis/LA Clippers[/B]- All improved somewhat in the offseason.

Bubble teams: Utah, Minnesota, and Atlanta

MVP: [B]CHRIS PAUL[/B]

[QUOTE=Quiet Storm]5. Sacramento - A talented team that made a good coaching change. Ron Artest must play the full season, they won't miss Bonzi, he was only playing for a contract in the playoffs
[/QUOTE]
exactly. thank you. :applause:

LOL @ Chris Paul winning MVP :roll:

[QUOTE=AKADS]1 - Phoneix - Add Amare and keep the core for a second year.
2 - Dallas - I don't like Dallas but they re-tooled and got better.
3 - Miami - Champs But they aren't a great regular season team
4 - San Antonio - There trio of players in second to none when it come to winning.
5 - Cleveland - LeBron. Maybe a healthy season for Hughes and Varejao.
6 - Clippers - Still lookig for Maggette to be traded but great team Cassel will win he always does.
7 - Detriot - They aren't the last yrs Pistons but in the East are a 50 win team
8 - Chicago - Could end up higher but we haven't seen them play together yet.
9 - Houston - Yao and TMac will win 50 games. Health is always a risk
10 - New Jersey - Kidd.Carter.Richardson In the East will finish in the top 4.[/QUOTE]


Sounds great, maybe sub out NJ for a Minny :D

[QUOTE=Pharmacists84]

MVP: [B]CHRIS PAUL[/B][/QUOTE]

this just in! chris paul will not be a rookie next season! also, the beatles broke up! :roll:

[QUOTE=Pharmacists84]

6. [B]New Jersey[/B]- With Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson name a team with 3 better players.
[/QUOTE]

I'd take the Kings' Bibby, Artest, and Shareef over Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson.

guess my early pick for most overrated team goes to indy.

1.Heat
2.Pistons
3.Cavaliers
4.Spurs
5.Warriors
6.Knicks
7.Mavericks
8.Kings
9.Nets
10.Clippers

[QUOTE]I'd take the Kings' Bibby, Artest, and Shareef over Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson.[/QUOTE]

Umm are u serious?

Kidd >>>>> Bibby

Carter=Artest IMO. What vince is better at offense is what artest is better at defense.

Jefferson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Shareef

[QUOTE=basketballer4]1.Heat
2.Pistons
3.Cavaliers
4.Spurs
5.Warriors
6.Knicks
7.Mavericks
8.Kings
9.Nets
10.Clippers[/QUOTE]
:roll: Wait no Suns, Lakers, Rockets, Bulls, but Warriors at 5 and Knicks at 6? Cavs are 3rd? :applause: Ignorance is bliss.

[QUOTE=LakersDynasty]:roll: Wait no Suns, Lakers, Rockets, Bulls, but Warriors at 5 and Knicks at 6? Cavs are 3rd? :applause: Ignorance is bliss.[/QUOTE]

Yeah...

[QUOTE=LakersDynasty]:roll: Wait no Suns, Lakers, Rockets, Bulls, but Warriors at 5 and Knicks at 6? Cavs are 3rd? :applause: Ignorance is bliss.[/QUOTE]

Lakers aren't a top 10 team.

They had the 10th best record last year. :rollingeyes:

Can't believe the number of people who have left Cleveland off this list. They were the 3rd best record in the East last yr with two major injuries. AV is playing better and should be healthy all year. Hughes played decently with LeBron since they only got 28 games before the injury. We were 18 - 10 in those games. Cavs are a top 10 team no doubt.

[QUOTE=LakersDynasty]They had the 10th best record last year. :rollingeyes:[/QUOTE]

Yeah, because being 10th last season automatically makes you 10th again this year.:confusedshrug:

How can everyone diss the Nets like this.

Heat
Mavs
Spurs
Suns
Nets
Cavs
Clips
Bulls
Detroit
Nuggets

What's the deal with everyone hypin up houston? If yall recall last year espn not to mention just about every other sports outlet had them #2 in the western conference behind the spurs. I realize t-mac SHOULD be healthy this year, but that's what they thought last year too. Also, whether the kings resign bonzi is completely irrelevant because he was playing for a contract last year, they're going to suck either way; i give them an outside shot of getting a 7th or 8th seed.

1. Phoenix - look what they accomplished without Amare, think of what they will with him
2. Miami - Everyone returned, we'll see how much Shaq has left
3. Dallas - Will contend for top in the west, but wont make it back to the finals
4. San Antonio - Didn't add enough this off season, but the big 3 is enough to be elite
5. Cleveland - Lebron. enough said
6. Detroit - Chicago will challenge for division title but Ben Wallace probably isn't enough to overtake them.
7. New Jersey - underachieved last year, deeper now because of the draft
8. Chicago - Big Ben was a nice upgrade for defense but the loss of Chandler slows the tempo down a bit; i still think theyre one piece away from really making a push in the playoffs.
9. New Orleans - Chris Paul is the man and now he has all kinds of young and athletic talent to run with him.
10. Washington - Arenas is a man with a mission and they should cause trouble for some of the upper Eastern Conference teams

Outside looking in - Lakers(Kobe alone gives them that), Toronto(could be a stretch, but theyre so young and athletic and Brian Colangelo is putting together a Phoenix Suns of the East)

[QUOTE=mavsfan4zindagi]Yeah, because being 10th last season automatically makes you 10th again this year.:confusedshrug:[/QUOTE]
And what exactly makes them not a top 10 team? Are you Nostradamus? Other teams have improved so have the Lakers, at least we didn't lose any key players.

[QUOTE=ZHAKIDD532]How can everyone diss the Nets like this.
[/QUOTE]
Because everyone forgeta about them Every other team has made signings and trades to get better. The Nets got 2 rookies who won't be huge impact players this yr and everyone under estimates the Mikki Moore signing. The other reason Vince. His mind is not on ball right now its on his wife and kid. We all know that family (Tmac) aren't always the most focussed people. Carter could prove me wrong and accually play or he could be Vince Carter of old and whine and cry and act like he is injured. No one knows which wil show up.

I put the Nets 10 on my list.

[QUOTE=alayman]
1. Phoenix - look what they accomplished without Amare, think of what they will with him
2. Miami - Everyone returned, we'll see how much Shaq has left
3. Dallas - Will contend for top in the west, but wont make it back to the finals
4. San Antonio - Didn't add enough this off season, but the big 3 is enough to be elite
5. Cleveland - Lebron. enough said
6. Detroit - Chicago will challenge for division title but Ben Wallace probably isn't enough to overtake them.
7. New Jersey - underachieved last year, deeper now because of the draft
8. Chicago - Big Ben was a nice upgrade for defense but the loss of Chandler slows the tempo down a bit; i still think theyre one piece away from really making a push in the playoffs.
9. New Orleans - Chris Paul is the man and now he has all kinds of young and athletic talent to run with him.
10. Washington - Arenas is a man with a mission and they should cause trouble for some of the upper Eastern Conference teams)[/QUOTE]

You have 6 Eastern Confrence teams. That is stupid if I have ever heard of stupid.

I want to revise my list. I forgot about the Bulls.



Heat
Mavs
Spurs
Suns
Pistons
Nets
Cavaliers
Bulls
Clippers
Kings


the reason why I am not overrating the Bulls (i possibly will once the season progresses) is that you really don't know what you are getting besides anything on paper.

[QUOTE=Hawker]Umm are u serious?

Kidd >>>>> Bibby

Carter=Artest IMO. What vince is better at offense is what artest is better at defense.

Jefferson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Shareef[/QUOTE]

lol Kidd doesn't have much years in him left, Bibby scores more, good assist man, but Kidd just spreads out his stats more. The Kings don't need that from Mike.

Carter is overrated imo. thats just my opinion so don't get on me about that. All he really does is dunk and score layups or get to the free throw line. When the Kings play the nets, I'm always like..let him shoot, let him shoot ..

Shareef on the Kings is a totally different player from Shareef on any other of his old teams. like over 20 ppg i remember. But yeah I agree Jefferson is better than shareef right now, but not THAT much better.

Artest>Carter IMO.

[QUOTE=LakersDynasty]And what exactly makes them not a top 10 team? Are you Nostradamus? Other teams have improved so have the Lakers, at least we didn't lose any key players.[/QUOTE]

Because only Laker fans see the addition of Radmonovich and Farmer as "improvements". Almost every single WC team improved. Lakers will be lucky to crack the playoffs.

[QUOTE=mavsfan4zindagi]Because only Laker fans see the addition of Radmonovich and Farmer as "improvements". Almost every single WC team improved. Lakers will be lucky to crack the playoffs.[/QUOTE]
Right, and how exactly did the Spurs, Clips, Kings improve? :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=LakersDynasty]Artest>Carter IMO.[/QUOTE]



offensively, Carter >> artest

no question, dont give me that "Artest isnt' a #1 option" crap.


Artest's defense is vastly superior. i remember in one of the 8 games he played vs the Nets this past season when he was on Indy, he shut down both Carter AND jefferson... sick...




anyway

Kidd/VC/RJ >>> Bibby/Wells/Artest

1 - Heats
2 - Mavs
3 - Suns
4 - Clips
5 - Spurs
6 - Pistons
7 - Bulls
8 - Cavs
9 - Nets
10 - Nuggets

My sleepers; Sonics, kings, Rockets, Lakers and Magic.

[QUOTE=ClipperX]1 - Heats
2 - Mavs
3 - Suns
[B]4 - Clips[/B]
5 - Spurs
6 - Pistons
7 - Bulls
8 - Cavs
9 - Nets
10 - Nuggets

My sleepers; Sonics, kings, Rockets, Lakers and Magic.[/QUOTE]
:rollingeyes:

[QUOTE=LakersDynasty]Right, and how exactly did the Spurs, Clips, Kings improve? :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

Clips improvement = TT ( Honestly a lot more versatile then Rad.)

spurs did not improve. Kings are hoping the youngins improved from last season.

[QUOTE=LakersDynasty]Right, and how exactly did the Spurs, Clips, Kings improve? :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

Spurs? Added two atheletic C's that could actually play in a series against teams like Dallas/Phoenix. Don't see the relevence of bringing up the Spurs though, considering they're light years better then LA.

Clips? Added TT, giving them two solid guys(Maggette/Livingston) coming off the bench. Those guys would start on most teams, including the Lakers.

Kings? A full season with the same Artest that you just said was better then Vince Carter. A healthy SAR and a solid Kevin Martin means they're >Lakers.

Not to mention Memphis went backwards and got younger.

Clippers got TT for Vlade. Magette is goin to whine if he doesnt start but they were a borderline top tier team last year and should be there again this year.

Spurs they retooled up front. Elson, E. Williams, Bonner, this team has there 5 core payers still Duncan, Manu, Parker, Finley, Bowen. There still a top team.

Kings didn't improve they just get a full season together. Loosing Bonzi will help a little to develope there young and hurt a little with inexperience. Artest is the key. Bibby will have a good yr.(contract year) Miller and SAR's are a good front court.

There is no question that Tim Thomas was a much better player last year than Radman. Hell, he was one of the best players in the playoffs period.

But that can be two things:

1. The Suns system and Steve Nash. Clippers are a halfcourt team and dont "Run and Gun" and shoot 3s as if it was a race. Thomas won't have the same opportunities that he did in Phoenix.

2. He was in a contract year, does Bonzi Wells sound familiar?