NBA Rankings discussion

I was originally going to do this before the season started, but didn't really have the time. However, this list is essentially a preseason list, since the first 20-30 games are largely irrelevant in evaluating teams. After a quarter of the season, you can start to see the impact of the bench players and a team's ability to handle the grind.


So, here are my rankings of the teams by conference.


Western Conference:

1. Suns – great line-up, assuming nothing happens with the Matrix (either trade, or he cries himself to sleep too many nights about the “horrible” condition of playing with Nash)
2. Mavericks – another great line-up, though they suffer from a huge case of choke. Until proven otherwise, this will be an assumption for them down the road.
3. Rockets – the best roster they've had in years with an offense that fits their personnel. This is among the most complete teams in the league, though time will tell if they can avoid getting killed by injuries. And of course signing Francis was asinine. I wouldn't be surprised to see them get rid of him before the season's over.
4. Spurs – I just hate this team. They are what they are, which is fundamentally strong, well-coached, experienced, and deep. I think they're getting a bit old, and wonder if they can make it through the season without injuries. They've had a great run, doing just that. The odds HAVE to work out, don't they?
5. Nuggets – This team could win the west. They're unproven and I think a lot rides on Kenyon Martin. They've got all of the pieces on offense, and most on defense. I can't wait to watch this team play all year.
6. Hornets – You can go a long way with an elite point guard and above average big man.
7. Utah – Another team I don't like. They're pretty darned good and tough. Not championship material just yet, but I don't think teams want to face them in the playoffs.
8. Lakers – Kobe can get them in the playoffs. That's about it though, unless their roster of cast-offs is magically transformed into a legit NBA roster.
9. Clippers -- absolutely loaded roster that will almost assuredly implode. If they don't (but they will), they're probably a top 5 team.
10. Warriors -- I think last year was an anomaly. Fun team to watch, great fans, some great players, but I don't think they stack up favorably compared to the top teams in the west.

Eastern Conference:

1. Chicago – This is probably too high for them, but I'm crazy about their roster. They're probably too young to go really deep, and hopefully they stop this yapping about getting Kobe. No way do you bring Kobe in, if you have to give up much (especially Deng.)
2. New Jersey – I can't believe I like them this year out of the East. If they're healthy, I think they can be a dominant team in the East.
3. Boston – Their bench will likely kill them, but I plan to enjoy the run before that happens.
4. Detroit – Same old Pistons, which is good and bad.
5. Orlando – Up and coming team. I like the pieces, just not sure if they're ready as a squad to be great.
6. Toronto – Good team last year, should improve this year. Won't be shocked if they don't.
7. Knicks – Wow, are they really a playoff team? Common sense laughs at this. A look at their roster may result in a different answer. No, they're not any good, and no threat, but they may finally see the postseason.
8. Cleveland – See Lakers comment. The GM their should be ashamed.
9. Heat -- With Wade, they're an average team. Without Wade, they're hopeless.
10. Charlotte -- similar to Orlando, just a couple of years behind them. I'd like to see them do well, as they may have the most athletic squad in the league.

 

I love the NBA playoffs, but I can't get into the regular season. IMO it's way to long to have over half the league make the playoffs.

It almost feel like the first half of the season is on cruise control and then the top 10 teams play for seeding, the next 15 play to make the playoffs, and the bottom 5 lose to increase their lottery chances.

 

I almost like the regualr season better than the playoffs. The playoffs are 3 months long.

 

I like the rankings, but have little problems here and there.

1. the Hawks need to be on the list somewhere. They beat Dallas and Phoenix both, and these aren't your older brother's hawks. this team can play and will compete at a high level all year.

2. the spurs at 4? come on, now. lol

3. I agree with Golden State 100%. Last year was a fluke, and if it weren't for a 10 game hot streak to end the season they wouldn't even have made the playoffs at all.

4. There is no way Chicago has the best team in the East. With Kobe they might, but now, they have 4-5 real good role players but no star, and come playoff time when you need someone to break a 10-0 run, you need a star.

 

too high, huh?

 

no way they are better than Dallas, San Antonio and Phoenix.

And the Rockets destroyed them in Utah earlier in the season.

Not to mention last year, the Rockets had home court over them.

And the Rockets= got better
Utah= got worse.

Losing Derek Fisher always hurts a team.

i put them #6 behind the 4 teams above and the Nuggets

 

That would be the sh!t! Only final that trumps that would be Phonix vs. Boston which could realistically happen if someone can knock out SA.

I'm pulling for the Celts this year. KG is finally on a team worthy of him...the role players will just have to step it up. They say they're really making defense the top priority, similar to what the Spurs do year in and year out.

We'll see how it goes though, long season ahead.