Jets, Yanks, and LeBron Top New York Area Future Power Rankings

It goes without saying that us New Yorkers, in all of our arrogance, waste no time proclaiming New York's dominance in all aspects of life.

But when it comes to deciding which of our major sports teams are the cream of the crop within America's best city, we'll fight it out to the death.

I'll try to be unbiased here, but here's what I feel is the New York Sports hierarchy, the ranking of the New York area's major sports franchises, in order of best outlook for the future, to worst.

(Notes: For the sake of this article, we'll define the “future” as the next five or so years. Also, I'm including New Jersey teams and not Buffalo, because let's face it, Buffalo might as well be a part of Canada if it weren't for the older drinking age, exceptional wings, and the absence of mounties.)

Let's start from the bottom, the most pitiful of all New York area sports teams.

And the loser is...

10. The LeBron-less Knicks

Surprised? Well, I can't blame you for thinking the Nets would be here, but remember, this is the future Power Rankings, and just take a minute to think how bleak the future could be for the Knicks if they can't convert on their Plan A.

Simply put, the Knicks need to get LeBron James this summer.

Dwayne Wade seems like a lock to stay in Miami, so what would be the next best-case scenario for the Knicks? Joe Johnson? Chris Bosh? Both?

Sure, either of those guys would help, but neither is LeBron. The only good news is after Johnson's abysmal playoffs, maybe they could get him for less than a max-contract. Then again, after that performance, the Knicks might not be wise giving him the minimum salary.

And it'd be great to have Bosh, but the Knicks already had an elite big man this season and still finished out of the playoffs (in the joke that is the Eastern Conference).

(For all of you wondering who that elite big man is, see Lee, David, he of the 20.2 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 26.99 PER, compared to Bosh's 24.0, 10.8, 2.4, and 26.67.)

Yeah, this might be a little harsh, but let's face it, they aren't winning any titles without LeBron, and in New York, that's good enough to put them at the bottom of the Power Rankings.

So basically, it's LeBron or LeCellar for LeKnicks.

9. New York Islanders

Still no Nets? Yes, the Islanders were only the NHL's fifth-worst team this year, but let's face it, they don't exactly ooze upside.

I mean, sure, they have John Tavares and Kyle Okposo, or even Matt Moulson (30 goals), but there's no team behind them.

You're telling me Rick DiPietro is going to save them from obscurity? Maybe if he could stay healthy for even an eighth of a season. That doesn't seem like too much to ask.

8. New Jersey Nets

At least they finished ahead of a couple of teams in something.

With a young and exciting nucleus of Brook Lopez, Terrence Williams, John Wall (cross your fingers Nets fans), and Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Courtney Lee coming off the bench, the Nets could be an Amare' signing away from at least challenging for a playoff spot in the next couple of years.

Throw in Devin Harris remembering that he used to be a valuable part of this team and some shrewd signings or trades, and they could really make some noise.

And there's always the chance they get LeBron...

LeBron, Lopez, Wall, Williams, Harris, I'm salivating...

Then again, they had 12 wins this year; let's not get too optimistic.

7. New York Rangers

The Rangers are not awful, and only finished a point behind the Canadiens for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot, but they aren't winning any cups in the next five years barring a miracle on ice.

Think about it.

They had one of the league's best goaltenders (Henrik Lundqvist) and best scorers (Marian Gaborik), coupled with some really promising young defensemen (Michael Del Zotto and Marc Staal) and some nice role players.

Even with all of that, they couldn't score all year long and missed the playoffs, and that's why they sit here at No. 7.

6. New York Mets

Their start to the 2010 season has not been bad (at least by Mets fans' standards) and they do have Reyes, Wright, and passable pitching.

But Beltran is brittle and aging, and things aren't looking good for the Mets' playoff chances in the future (or this year for that matter).

5. New York Giants

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

The Giants aren't a bad team, but they are not the team that won the 2008 Super Bowl anymore.

Strahan is gone, Osi has one foot out the door, and the defense could be a mess.

Brandon Jacobs has been frail, and Eli's inconsistency isn't helping them either.

They could challenge for the playoffs in the next few years if things fall their way, but they won't make it too far.

4. New Jersey Devils

Despite being one of hockey's best franchises since winning the 1995 Stanley Cup, the Devils have disappointed in recent years with some early round playoff exits after strong regular seasons.

They still have one of the game's best young players in Zach Parise, to go along with Travis Zajac, Jamie Langenbrunner, and a really solid team overall.

But one of these years, human-record-book Martin Brodeur will retire (most expect two more seasons out of him) and the Devils could be in a whole lot of trouble.

Until that happens, though, expect the Devils to compete for the Atlantic Division title as usual and if they can get over their postseason blues, make another few runs at the Cup.

Also, re-signing Kovalchuk would be a big boost, despite a lot of claims that he didn't fit with the team.

He had a point per game playing in a completely new system, cut the man a break.

3. LeBron James (and the rest of the Knicks, I suppose)

No team with LeBron James could ever miss the playoffs.

Until someone exposes his alien heritage and makes him ineligible to play in a league full of humans, whatever team has LeBron is a perennial favorite.

I honestly don't care if he's playing with Spike Lee, just get LeBron out there with four other guys and bask in the Knicks' glory.

2. New York Yankees

Yes, Jeter, Mariano, and Posada are all nearing the ends of their careers, but they are still playing well, and the rest of the team is pretty solid too.

Even without those three, they have Cano, Teixeira, Sabathia, Burnett, Hughes, Joba...you get the point.

This is the most talented team in baseball, and if their talent level ever drops, that's where the Steinbrenners fortune chimes in.

1. New York Jets

This might be a bit of a bold call, putting them ahead of the Yankees, but why not?

They made the AFC Championship last year and had the league's best defense and rushing attack.

They added one of the best running backs of all-time (although he may be washed up), a Super-Bowl MVP receiver, a former Pro-Bowl cornerback, a great pass-rusher, drafted an underrated cornerback, and replaced the offensive line's weakest link.

They're strong at basically every position (except possibly DE and G if Vladimir Ducasse doesn't pan out), and are fairly young for the most part.

What's not to like?

As long as Sanchez isn't one of the league's worst quarterbacks again and delivers on at least some of the tremendous promise he showed, the Jets could be unstoppable for the next five years.