Before Season Power Rankings

[Oregon Ownage]

I plan on updating these every 30 days on who is playing the best and best positioned to win a title

East

1. Celtics
Depth could become an issue with injuries but full strength, they have the best squad in the East entering the season

2. Pacers
Team is deep and suited for an inside offense which could see Robinson make a case for MVP this year. Wouldn't be surprised if they end up with the #1 seed

3. Nets
Similar to the Celtics where injuries and lack of depth could derail their season but they have the makings of a team getting to the finals

4. Cavaliers
Lost quality vet depth this past off-season but with Hakeem and Ewing, they look set in a weak Central division

5. Bucks
Best of the rest are the Bucks. Gill & Smith are a very good 1/2 scoring punch and a potential all-league defender, they could sneak into a 4 seed

6. Bulls
Until they show their age, the Bulls will still be able to compete in sprints with the best teams. Top of the roster is very good but the bench is severely lacking and that will hurt them over the course of the season.

7. 76ers
Losing Divac is a huge blow for their defense so alot if expected of Dele & Babic to fill his shoes. How well they do, will determine their potential

8. Magic
Will this be the season the Magic get back into the playoffs? The young players are developed but do they all work together?

9. Hornets
Wildcard team for me where I cant see them finishing below any of the teams ranked below but wouldnt be shocked if they make a play for the 6th seed should their pieces play nice together. I like what the Hornets are building.

10. Bullets
Kenny Anderson was ROY last season so with another off-season of growth and with quality players in Richmond & Daugherty, the Bullets could hang around the playoff mix but a lack of talent around them will be their downfall.

11. Hawks
Not bad enough to get a top lottery pick in recent seasons, the Hawks are stuck in a purgatory of decent players and that has caused them to stay around this range for too many seasons. Whats their plan moving forward?

12. Pistons
How will Hardaway, Spree and Mashburn play together? That will decide the ceiling and floor for this team. With much unknown, I cant place them higher but are considerable better than the teams below them.

13. Raptors
Raptors lucked out with the #2 pick this past draft, so seeing what they have in Webber is crucial and are hoping their next pick can be top 2 again so it does not convey to the 76ers.

14. Heat
Season is build around Penny and having him develop. Not much winning but with Penny, they should be better than the Knicks.

15. Knicks
Full rebuild with only Sean Higgins providing any scoring. I expect him to be moved and once that happens, it will be a long and dark winter in the Big Apple.


West

1. Grizzlies
Until someone can beat them they will be the top team in the West. With the arrival of Fat Lever, their offense will run smoother but an aging bigman could see them slip.

2. Rockets
The arrival of MJ last season produced immediate results with the Rockets finding themselves in the Finals. With a full off-season and a more complete roster, the Rockets will be gunning for that top seed

3. Suns
Elite talent across the roster will see the Suns stay as a top end team but their ceiling hinges on Shaq becoming an elite center. When that happens, watch out rest of the league.

4. Mavericks
The departure of Fat Lever stings but the Mavs will be hoping a combination of Dawkins & Brandon wont see them drop into the lower seeds. Stronger in the post should also offset the departure.

5. Spurs
Jerome Lane took a step forward last season and reports from camp say he has gone up another gear. Their defense collapsed in the playoffs so shoring that up will be a priority.

6. Warriors
Starting to slowly fade into obscurity with no improvements to the starting lineup in a couple of seasons now. Danny Manning can only do so much for this team.

7. SuperSonics
Star scorer? Check
Elite post presence? Check
High scoring offense? Check

They check all the boxes to be a very good team but for one reason or another, it hasnt really worked out. Will it come together this season in a depressed Pacific division?

8. Clippers
Can the team finally live up to its potential and make a run in the playoffs? Make or break (atleast for me) season where if they cant make noise then should they blow it up?

9. Timberwolves
I like what the Timberwolves did this off-season but are still behind the other teams in the West, not to mention a top heavy Midwest will see them struggle to make the playoffs

10. Trailblazers
Team full of youngsters and the newly acquired Duckworth, the Blazers will be improved but it might not show in the standings. Team lacks a clear #1 option and star which will hold them back.

11. Jazz
After many seasons competing at the top level, fans in Salt Lake wont like what they see on the court this season. An aging roster could see them slip into the lottery. The arrival of Longley should help but how much?

12. Lakers
Zo is the star of the team but Kukoc has not lived up to his potential and not much else on the roster will see another lotto pick this upcoming season

13. Kings
Chris Gatling has showed he can score in this league but can he lead a team to the playoffs? The roster is still light but will be interesting to follow over the next couple of years

14. Nuggets
Mish mash of talent but their future looks set on collecting lotto picks so any player who has value will be dealt during the season

[Cellar-door]

I figure I'll hover around .500. I have decent defense, decent offense, but no one phase is great, and I'm sure I'll have the FBB classic move of young guys being terrible on the road for no real reason.

[Zyme]

After a decade straight in the playoffs including two finals appearances, these are the days that try men's souls.

[FlDuckFan]

8. Magic
Will this be the season the Magic get back into the playoffs? The young players are developed but do they all work together?

No, But I will cross my fingers and pray to the Gods.

[UOducksTK1]

West looks a lot better.

[800wins]

Definitely be a long season in Miami

[bellsduck]

Rankings seems about right.