2011-2012 NBA Season Power Rankings (X-Mas Edition)

1.) eat are back and with 1 season under their belt they look like the team to beat in the NBA. Can LeBron post up? Will Wade close out the 4th quarters? It's their season to win it.

2.) MVP D-Rose now has a legit 2 guard in Rip Hamilton. The defense will still be solid but will that be enough to get them out of the East?
3.)Is it disrespectful to have the defending champs at #3? When you think about how Marc Cuban let some of his prize asserts in Chandler, and Barrea walk they have holes. Picking up LO from the Lakers for "free" could be a steal.
4.) I love the potentially unlimited ceiling of Kevin Durant but not the unpredictability of Russell Westbrook. If they can come up with a winning recipe, then their fresh young legs could pay off in the playoffs.
5.) The acquisition of Tyson Chandler to anchor the defense and clean the glass is just what this team needed. Hopefully D'Antoni can resurrect Baron Davis of old and bring some continuity to his "shoot first offense."

6.) The Lake show failed to pull off another Gasol like heist in Chris Paul and have yet to add any key players to this aging team. I will never bet against Kobe but things are looking rocky in LaLa land.

7.) Quietly the Celtics are still in the mix with the Big 4. After shopping Rondo and coming up empty, they shipped Big Baby for Brandon Bass and signed Micheal Pietrus. Solid pick-ups but that may not be enough.

8.) Everyone thinks the Spurs are old, but through 50 games last year they only lost 8 times. Something to consider with a reduced 66 game season. A grueling schedule of loaded back to backs could test their health though.

9.) Dwight Howard is the only reason this team is ranked in the top 10. Once he leaves they will drop along with their record. #justsaying

10.) Do you believe in "Lob City?" CP3 will have this team in contention every night, and they should make the playoffs easily. Holes in their bench (no legit SG) will hurt their chances to go deep in the postseason.

11.)Rudy Gay is back and this team is loaded. Please remind me again why I don't have them ranked in the top 5. Oh, because Z-Bo and Gasol just broke the bank and are technically no longer hungry. Coach Hollins should get this team back into the playoffs.

12.) Loads of talent on this team and some of that talent wont be available until March (J.R Smith/W. Chandler in China). Coach George Carl will have this offense primed and new comer Rudy Fernandez should flourish in the Mile High.

13.) My affinity for the Hawks is about to run out. They let Jamal Crawford walk and still don't have a big man to compliment Horford and Josh Smith. They will still make the playoffs and bow out in the 1st round. *Sigh*

14.) If we were ranking off of potential the Blazers would be in the top 10. But we aren't. Oden is still not active and Roy is retired. This team had so much promise 3 yrs ago.

15.) David West (if his knee holds) will be a perfect compliment to Danny Granger. I like them to make some noise in the East.

16.) 76ers are a rebuilding team that doesn't know it. Elton Brand is almost done and they may have missed out on shipping A.I2 as his value may have diminished. This team should hover around .500
17.) I almost forgot about the Jazz..which should justify their ranking. I'm not expecting much from them this season.

18.) The Bucks had a nice pick up this off season in Stephen Jackson. If Bogus and Jennings return to form, they could be the Grizzles of the East from last year.

19.)Houston will start the post Yao Ming error with a roster full of complimentary players, notably Kevin Martin and Luis Scola whom they failed to trade in the CP3 deal. Kevin McHale will have his hands full.

20.)Why wont Steve Nash demand a trade? I know its not his style but he has got to get out of there..and fast.

21.) Name another team that got beat by 25 points in the preseason? I am excited to see Jimmy Wall play an entire healthy season. Expect some trades before the deadline.

22.) The Hornets are building for the future post CP3. I don't think this year will be the start of anything magical.

23.) Ricky Rubio makes his long awaited debut this year and the fans should love him.
Throw in J.J. Barrea and Derrick Williams along with Kevin Love and this team should be exciting.

24.) Stephen Curry should have a breakout year and that's about it for this team.

25.)Jimmer Time! This team will be interesting. Which Demarcus Cousins will show up? How healthy is Tyreke Evans?

26.) Toronto still has a team?

27.) Is Joey D is trying to get fired? Locking up Prince for $27 mill over 4 years! Brandon Knight was a steal in the draft but there is a log jam at SF and PG.

28.)The Nets cant wait to move to Brooklyn, but if they don't land a big time free agent then Williams could wind up across town with the Knicks.

29.)Drake-"Don't Michael Jordan still have his hoop earring in?" Me- "Yes but he doesn't have a team that can win 40 games this year. Good luck Kemba.

30.) Shout out to Dan Gilbert for landing his team at the bottom of the barrell. Teams will be gunning for you guys all year after your latest literary rant.

Peace,

Agent34