1. Nets (Previous Rank: 3)
Highest scoring team in the league and the best winning % see the Nets jump two spots to the #1 rankings in the East.
2. Celtics (Previous Rank: 1)
Started slowly but with trades to boost their depth, the Celtics have stabilized and are looking like a Championship team again. Nets/Celtics will be a fun to watch battle in the Atlantic.
3. Pistons (Previous Rank: 12)
James Worthy has been a stabilizing signing for this young team. While they are only 9-9 on the season currently, their underlying numbers are very good and have the third best point differential in the East.
4. Bulls (Previous Rank: 6)
Current leader in the Central division but thats not saying much this season but they are producing to be a top half team in the East. Still think they are light on the bench and injuries will play a part this season.
5. 76ers (Previous Rank: 7)
Completely changing their offensive identify to an inside focus has resulted in an uptick in results recently. Unfortunately, they are third best in the Atlantic which at best will be a 4 seed.
6. Cavaliers (Previous Rank: 4)
Preseason favorite for the Central division, the Cavs have not been their best selves yet. Lacking a true third scorer is holding them back.
7. Bullets (Previous Rank: 10)
As mentioned in the preseason rankings, they have taken another step forward but lack the depth to truly compete with the bigger teams. They could do with a trade for a bigman or star player to take the next step.
8. Magic (Previous Rank: 8)
Kevin Lynch has provided them a true scoring option but Pooh looks to be holding them back with his turnovers. Bigmen are solid but turnovers are hurting them from jumping up the rankings.
9. Bucks (Previous Rank: 5)
Kendall Gill took a step or two up this season but the supporting cast esp. the post players are sub par. If they can fix the defense, I can see the Bucks outscoring many teams.
10. Pacers (Previous Rank: 2)
Easily the biggest disappoint so far this season. David Robinson is putting the team on his back but where is everyone else at? Mark Macon looks overweight and the team defense is nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, they are only 5 games back in the Central.
11. Hornets (Previous Rank: 9)
Defense is solid but scoring has been the issue. Sasha Danilovic has been a great 2nd rd pick and Rik Smits holds down the post but finding a PG to be a floor general is their achilles heel. If they can find one, I expect to see them in the playoffs.
12. Raptors (Previous Rank: 13)
Chris Webber has shown his age but with a long term rebuild, its not the worst thing for them. Will be a seller in the coming weeks.
13. Knicks (Previous Rank: 15)
Outperforming expectations but with Higgins and Hodges shipped out, a free fall down the standings will be coming. Mike Iuzzolino has shown to be a decent scorer with good shooting %'s is a plus.
14. Hawks (Previous Rank: 11)
Alot will be riding on Allan Houstons growth but the surrounding players will not aid in his development as they simply have not lived up to their draft potentials. Long road ahead in Atlanta.
15. Heat (Previous Rank: 14)
We knew the Heat were planning to tank for this season so their record is no surprise. Penny needs to control his turnovers to become elite and Horry looks like a complimentary piece. They just need time to round out the roster around those two.
West
1. Grizzlies (Previous Rank: 1)
Even with two aging superstars, the Grizzlies are still the team to beat in the West. Brian Quinnett has been one of the top signing this past FA helping the team get younger and provide a bench boost.
2. Suns (Previous Rank: 3)
Shaq is beginning to assert his dominance in the paint which is scary for the rest of the conference. Then throw in Charles Smith, Dennis Scott and Sean Elliott, the Suns look great top to bottom.
3. Mavericks (Previous Rank: 4)
Johnny Dawkins is no Fat Lever but he has helped steer the team in his absence. A jump in production from Elden Campbell has proven to be a difference maker for the Mavs.
4. Trailblazers (Previous Rank: 10)
Hottest team at the start of the season has seen the Blazers start to slide down the standings a bit but are still the biggest surprise so far this season. They lack a true #1 scoring option but have 6 players averaging between 13.5 and 15.6 PPG so they can beat you from anywhere on the court.
5. Timberwolves (Previous Rank: 9)
2nd biggest surprise from the preseason rankings, the Timberwolves are a solid team with two elite shot blockers in the post and offensive bruiser in paint. They will be a tough out throughout the season.
6. Spurs (Previous Rank: 5)
Hersey Hawkins rebounded from a down year last season and Skiles has proven to be better than Armstrong see the Spurs still competing at a high level but with the West becoming harder their record has slipped.
7. Rockets (Previous Rank: 2)
Outside of the playoffs would say this team has failed to live up to the hype of their playoff run last season but injuries have burned them hard. Full strength, this team is very good but we havent seen it yet.
8. Warriors (Previous Rank: 6)
Another slow starting team that is starting to find their footing. Danny Manning is having another great season but finding some depth for the post will be their biggest need.
9. Jazz(Previous Rank: 11)
Currently holding onto the final playoff spot the Jazz have proven to be a tough out this season. Without their first this season, The Jazz will look to hold onto their position.
10. Clippers (Previous Rank: 8)
If the Clippers played in the East, they would comfortably in the playoffs but the West is very strong this year and as a result they find themselves on the outside looking in.
11. SuperSonics (Previous Rank: 7)
Scoring outside of Griffith has dried up as they are currently the 2nd lowest scoring team in the league. Scoring defense is very good so finding a solution to get more buckets is critical.
12. Kings (Previous Rank: 13)
Started very slow but the combination of Gatling & McAdoo have proven a solid one-two punch offensively. Wont be worse than the two bottom teams and no where near the quality of the teams above them, Kings look locked into the third worst West team.
13. Lakers (Previous Rank: 12)
Lone bright spot is Adam Keefe showing he can score but Alonzo Mourning has been a disappointment in his 2nd year. Another team with a long season ahead.
14. Nuggets(Previous Rank: 14)
Yep, as expected. Worst offense and defense results in the worst record in the league. Not much else to say
