My NBA Power Rankings (October)

This is a complete breakdown of all 30 NBA teams and where they rank from top to bottom as we approach the upcoming season.  This list will be updated every month as teams make trades, get hot/cold, and we will see who will come out as the Champs!  All opinions on this post are mine and open for discussion (please bring facts) so feel free to argue me down if your team is at the bottom.  LoL!

Team        Rank       Record         Synopsis                                                                                                   

1.            *57-25       The Champs are back with the Big 3 intact minus 1 big part James Posey,

                                  who defected to the Hornets via Free Agency.  Posey's nac to hit the big

                                  shot will have to be filled by committee with the additions of Darius Miles
                                   and rookie Bill Walker.  The C's will be in the hunt in the end.

2.           *61-21        Lakerland looks good for '08 with the return of a healthy Andrew Bynum.

                                  With the front court solid, L.O should be able to roam and contribute        

                                  without much expectations.  The Zen Master has hinted at Trevor Ariza 

                                  starting at the 3 spot, which puts Odom as 6th man.  Could work.

3.           *52-30        The Rockets made arguably the biggest splash of the off season with the
                                 acquisition of Ron Artest.  He will make up the new Big Three with Yao and
                                 T-Mac.  Look for the Rockets to make a strong run with such a deep roster.

4.          *51-31         The new look Hornets are coming in with high expectations with James
                                 Posey at the 2.  Pargo is gone, so no safety net for CP3 but they will only go
                                 as far as their point guard will take them.  Lack of depth could hurt.


5.         *55-25        The west may still go through San-Antonio, but they aren't getting any
                                younger.  The injury to Ginobli in the Olympics didn't sit well with
                                management, but with Duncan, and Parker they will be a force come May.

 6.        *56-26        Joey D quietly picked up Kwame Brown(Booo!) and kept the team intact
                                admits speculation of an overhaul.  Sheed is still Sheed and Rip will be Rip
                                but look for a potential Billups trade if that offense sputters and Stuckey
                                keeps producing.

7.        *53-29         New coach Terry Porter will slow down the tempo and CORRECTLY use
                                Shaq on offense.  Nash and Amare are still dominant and look for new-
                                comer Matt Barnes to sure up the Defense that they sorely miss on the wing.


8.        *45-37        Bron needs help..but Mo Williams might not be enough to keep him in    
                              Cleveland past 09.  I want to rank them lower but "A LeBron led basketball
                               team is never desperate."


9.      *49-33         J-Kidd is fresh off an Olympic gold medal, while Josh Howard is surrounded
                              by controversy.  Interesting to see how the Mavs will respond to new coach
                              Rick Carlisle after he was ran out of Detroit.  Dirk where are you??


10.   *43-38         Brand is back in the East, a Josh Smith pickup in the off season would have
                             landed Philly higher.  Young legs everywhere with veteran leadership.
                             Watch Out..Sleeper in the East!


11.   *50-32         The Jazz are an interesting team, so many young players with so much potential.
                             They are built to win a load of games, but they lack an edge which killed them
                             against the Lakers.  D-Will is their best player...Sorry Boozer.



12.   *44-38         Portland is the youngest team in the league, and with a healthy Oden they can
                             be scary.  The backcourt is crowded with Roy and newcomer Bayless.  Steve
                             Blake could be an asset off the bench.  But what about Outlaw?



13.   *45-37         The front court could be solid after a quiet trade for former All-Star Jermaine
                             O'neal.  With Bosh leading the way, they will be 9 over 500 or should break
                              even again this year.


14.   *41-41         Yes this is a high ranking..but D-Wade is BACK!  Just look at the Olympics
                             for proof.  Beasley will score right away, and hopefully Marion will come to
                             play.  Bad News is thats about it (lol), rookie point and no Ricky Davis or
                             J-Will.


15.   *50-32         The Magic is back in Orlando!  Hedo played like an All-Star last year, and
                             Howard should be hungry for more after striking gold in Beijing.  It will be
                             raining 3's again this year.  Wonder how long J.J Reddick will sit?


16.   *48-34         No Camby could equal No Playoffs.  They snuck in last year with No Defense
                             and then let their best defender walk.  Go Figure.  Coach Carl is on the Hot
                             Seat, and look for the A.I rumors to swirl if they start off slow.


17.   *45-39         The Wiz kids are only as good as there $111 Million Dollar Man Agent Zero.
                             Jamison and Butler are still there to carry the load but gone is Mason who was
                             a spark late in the season.  Look for more Nick Young and help from Juan
                             Dixon.

18.   *30-52         The Bucks brought in Jefferson to help out Michael Redd, but did they give up
                             too much?  Gone are Simmons and Yi, and in is Damon Jones..not adding up.



19.   *36-46         Baby Bulls will look to get back to form with the #1 pick Rose leading the way.
                            Deng has finally signed and it looks as if Gordon will too.  With the backcourt
                            crowded look for someone to go, mainly Kirk Hinrich.


20.   *41-41         I like what the Clippers are trying to do, but they are the CLIPPERS it just
                            wont work..right?  Welcome home Baron Davis!  Veterans Ricky Davis and
                            Marcus Camby will keep it interesting.  There will be no easy W's for teams
                            visiting the other Staples Center Team.

21.   *30-52        Golden State and L.A will forever be linked with the player swapping that they
                           did this summer.  Maggette will score, but with Ellis out till December they will
                            struggle.  Don Nelson still has plenty to work with in Brandon Wright, Marcus
                            Williams, and newcomer Ronnie Turiaf.

22.   *41-41         ATL came out in full support of the hometeam as they pushed the C's to                                        7 games.  With Childress gone, who will fill the void; enter "Flip" Murray.
                             Look for the Hawks to make another run, as long as Marvin Williams grows.


23.   *42-40         Dem Bobcats, Dem Bobcats(Big up P.Q.).  This is the year M.J's team makes
                            the playoffs.  Everyone looks healthy(May, Okafur) and rookie Augistin will
                            push Felton for time.  With all these young players why is Larry Brown the
                            coach?

24.   *36-46         New York, New York!  If they can buy into the 7 seconds or less of offense
                            the Knicks could be interesting.  My guy Marbury should be back, just long
                            enough to prove he can still play; then look for him to be moved.  As well as
                            Zach Randolph.  Welcome back Allan Houston!

25.   *23-59         Lets see no Ron Artest, and no Mike Bibby, but still around are Brad Miller
                            and Kevin Martin.  Watch out for rookie Bobby Brown (he can play) and
                            Donte Green for a lift this year.  Francisco Garcia should produce as well.


26.   *40-42         The Nets moved Jefferson to Milwaukee and are slowly chipping the salary cap
                             away for a certain "King" in 2010.  Depending on which Vince comes to play
                             will show how far the Nets will go.  Devin Harris has to help lead the way.


27.   *25-59         Indy doesn't scare anyone, but they will sneak in some wins.  Rookies Hibbert
                            and Rush may provide a spark but it wont be enough.  I have the Pacers on the
                            outside looking in come playoff time.  Stay tuned.


28.    *26-56        The Grizz have a nice young squad..on paper.  Gay, Mayo, and Warrick will
                             be good and throw in Marc Gasol (Pau's Bro) they look like the Blazers.  I                                   have a problem with the bench,  Josh Smith would have been a great pickup.


29.   *26-56         Don't see much improvement in 08 record wise, but thats because they play in
                             in the West.  A more mature Telfair, rookie Love and should be All-Star Al
                            Jefferson will provide match-up problems for opponents.

30.   *30-62         Oklahoma City finally has their team, but they are very young.  Don't expect the
                            same magic that the college fans brought to the displaced Hornets.  R.O.Y
                            Durant, Wilcox, Greene and rookie Westbrook all should play heavy minutes.

 *-Projected Record

Let the debate Begin!  Please post your comments and let me know which teams you believe will do better than the predictions that I have calculated.  Talk amongst yourselves.

'Peace
Agent 34