|
Rank (Last Wk) |
Team |
Rec. |
Analysis |
|
 |
1 |
(1) |
Spurs |
(0-0) |
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most fundamental teams in the NBA today. Year-in and year-out they have one of the best defenses in the league, and are usually up in the top 10 in scoring in the league. Hedo Turkoglu will be missed on the perimeter but I'm sure Brent Barry will do just fine in the "Wild Wild West." |
 |
2 |
(2) |
Lakers |
(0-0) |
This off-season, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the most depth in their roster since the early 90's. Though they wont have their dominant force down in the post but, they will have more scoring options than they did last season. Bench depth is the one thing that killed the Lakers last season in the championship series against the Detroit Pistons |
 |
3 |
(3) |
Pistons |
(0-0) |
After the re-signing of their star forward, Rasheed Wallace, the Detroit Pistons have pretty much the same team as they did last season. They weren't able to match Utah's offer for Mehmet Okur but they were able to sign PF Antonio McDyess who will be a huge addition coming of the bench. |
 |
4 |
(4) |
Timberwolves |
(0-0) |
Dallas has, no doubt, one of the best shooting lineups in the league. After trading their playoff hero for Antawn Jamison, they doubled their chances of getting to the championship series. |
 |
5 |
(5) |
Kings |
(0-0) |
The Sacramento Kings are in desperate need of some youth. After losing Vlade "the flopper" Divac, they don't have much of a bench anymore. Bobby Jackson could be their only spark plug off the bench. |
 |
6 |
(6) |
Heat |
(0-0) |
The Miami Heat must have gained at least 10 positions on the rankings after acquiring the 350lb center. Being in the eastern confrence, the Miami Heat have the best chance against the Western Confrence. |
 |
7 |
(7) |
Pacers |
(0-0) |
Making the playoffs last year was a big boost for the Phoenix Suns. With Amare having another year of experience with him, the Suns could be the team to watch this season. |
 |
8 |
(8) |
Mavericks |
(0-0) |
The Portland Trail Blazers have a great starting lineup with a few great players on the bench. That will give them a big advantage during crunch time. |
 |
9 |
(9) |
Suns |
(0-0) |
The Orlando Magic are very unpredictable. Though this year looks to be different. The Magic were able to pick up some talent both int he front and back court. And with Tracy McGrady this could be their year for a change. |
 |
10 |
(10) |
Nuggets |
(0-0) |
The Houston Rockets roster is spectacular, on paper, but not on the court. If they can get it together using the main three guys, watch out! |
 |
11 |
(11) |
Grizzlies |
(0-0) |
With one of the best duos in the league today, the Celtics have yet another chance to get to the big dance. |
 |
12 |
(12) |
Magic |
(0-0) |
With Allen Iverson on the team, nothing usually goes wrong in a game. When ever your down by as many as 20 points, just give it to #3. Thats why this team is such a threat. |
 |
13 |
(13) |
Rockets |
(0-0) |
The Detroit Pistons are always one of the main contenders for the Eastern Confrence title. This year could be different, with Chauncey Billups as yet another threat on this team, the Pistons could be twice as hard to take out. |
 |
14 |
(14) |
Knicks |
(0-0) |
The Knicks were looking good toward the end of last season after Isaha Thomas took of the Basketball of Operations job. Stephon Marbury will be starting in Athens this summer and having Anfernee Hardaway and Tim Thomas is great for secondary scoring. |
 |
15 |
(15) |
Trail Blazers |
(0-0) |
Acquiring Nick "the quick" Van Exel is a huge addition for this team. Darius Miles is finally proving to be an explosive slasher, and Zach Randolph is finally putting up the numbers everyone has been asking for. |
 |
16 |
(16) |
Nets |
(0-0) |
The Nets could be in for their hardest season since acquiring Jason Kidd. The main reason for this is the departure of Kenyon Martin. He was the spark plug for the team. Jason Kidd will have to get knee surgury this off-season so hopefully he'll be healthy in time for the 04-05 season |
 |
17 |
(17) |
Hornets |
(0-0) |
As long as Baron Davis can stay healthy for the New Orleans Hornets, they might have a chance at actually getting somewhere in the playoffs this season. |
 |
18 |
(18) |
Raptors |
(0-0) |
The Raptors are having a little bit of trouble pleasing their star. Last season Chris Bosh looked to have plenty of potential of being a superstar in the league. If they can have Bosh, Peterson, Carter, and Williams on the court at the same time then they wont be easy to beat. |
 |
19 |
(19) |
76ers |
(0-0) |
Last season was one of the worst season the 76ers have seen in the last 5 season. They finished under .500 and Iverson is getting more frustrated with the team more than ever. Hopefully Iverson and Robinson will get to play at the same time this year instead of being alone. |
 |
20 |
(20) |
Celtics |
(0-0) |
The Celtics had a decent time at the draft after getting three first-round picks. Paul Pierce is dominant superstar in this league who is getting better. All he needs is just a big man to relieve the pressure on the outer perimeter. |
 |
21 |
(21) |
Sonics |
(0-0) |
The Seattle Supersonics need to get some surrounding role players to help out Ray Allen. Now that Ray was injured for a lot of last season, he's getting towards the end of his later prime area. Once Ray Allen is done the team has a front row seat on the downhill roller coaster. |
 |
22 |
(22) |
Bucks |
(0-0) |
The Milwaukee Bucks don't really have a veteran PG nor do they have a real scoring presence on the team. T.J. Ford has potential to be a star in this league but for now he's jus in the middle of the road. |
 |
23 |
(23) |
Jazz |
(0-0) |
The Utah Jazz certainly look better than last season. After signing both PF Mehmet Okur, and PF Carlos Boozer they finally have some rebounding talent and low post scoring talent. They still have Matt Harpring and defensive specialist Andrei Kirilenko. This team might actually turn a few heads with a few upsets here and there. |
 |
24 |
(24) |
Cavaliers |
(0-0) |
The Cavaliers were, no doubt, stabbed in the back this off-season. After a breakout season, Carlos Boozer broke his promise to stay with the Cavaliers to take a $68 million deal with the Utah Jazz. They had something going for the future but now they just took a major step back in time. |
 |
25 |
(25) |
Bulls |
(0-0) |
The Chicago Bulls could be a .500 team if, and only if, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry start to dominate the low post as they did in high school. Ben Gordon has a great rookie season, and Jay Williams is back and healthy. They also will have Antonio Davis, Luol Deng, and Kirk Hinrich on the bench. |
 |
26 |
(26) |
Clippers |
(0-0) |
The only bright side the Clippers are looking at is drafting the high school sensation, Shuan Livingston. The main problem for the Clippers next season is the SF position. After losing Quentin Richardson to Phoenix they are looking pretty empty right about now. |
 |
27 |
(27) |
Warriors |
(0-0) |
The Golden State Warriors aren't looking to "golden" this off-season. They traded away their scoring veteran court leader for an undeveloped Dan Dickau. They also didn't gain much that can impact their ability to win for the 04-05 season. |
 |
28 |
(28) |
Wizards |
(0-0) |
I have no idea what Washington was thinking when they traded away PF Christian Leattner, SG Jerry Stackhouse, and they lottery pick for G/F Antawn Jamison. Though the pros for this team are that they still have Larry Hughes, Gilbert Arenas, and Kwame Brown is finally starting to play up to the expectations when he came out high school. |
 |
29 |
(29) |
Hawks |
(0-0) |
Atlanta had one of the most disapointing off-seasons of any team in the NBA. They weren't able to bring in Kobe. They also were over looked by both PF Kenyon Martin and PF Carlos Boozer. The only significant deal they were able to complete this off-season was the sign and trade deal with Al Harrington, and Stephen Jackson. Other than that this team is still the same. |
 |
30 |
(30) |
Bobcats |
(0-0) |
The Charlotte Bobcats got who they wanted out of the draft in Emeka Okafor. Though they passed up in being able to steal Eddie Jones, Antoine Walker, and Kerry Kittles. Though in the long run, they made a smart move because no one really expects these guys to do anything this season. |