NBA FRANCHISES ON THE RISE

One of the more exciting elements to the NBA is following the up and coming teams build an identity and a foundation with a young core of players.  Here are the top 5 teams on the rise to watch for in the upcoming 2008-2009 season.

1. Portland Trail Blazers - Portland will add Greg Oden, Jerryd Bayless and Rudy Fernandez to a young core that nearly made the playoffs last year in the powerful western conference.  Portland's roster is highlighted by versatility, depth and youth.  Jerryd Bayless, Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez, Martell Webster and Steve Blake will give the Blazers a talented and versatile back-court.  Brandon Roy and Jerryd Bayless are both gifted playmakers who have the ability to create for teammates or themselves.  Rudy Fernandez and Martell Webster are versatile scoring guards who can play either the shooting guard or small forward positions.  The front-court will be equally deep and talented consisting of Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Joel Przbilla, Channing Frye and Travis Outlaw.  Greg Oden and Lamarcus Aldridge create an imposing front line, while Travis Outlaw brings athleticism to the small forward and power forward positions.  If Portland can keep this nucleus together, they will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.  Portland will probably need another season of maturing before they are considered a legitimate contender in the Western Conference, but they are poised to make a deep playoff run.

2. New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler give New Orleans a solid young nucleus.  The Hornets were able to push San Antonio to the brink of elimination in the western conference semifinals with its up-tempo attack spear-headed by point guard Chris Paul.  Paul gives the Hornets a player who has the ability to raise his level of play and take games over down the stretch, reminiscent of Isiah Thomas.  Paul will be surrounded by a plethora of outside threats Peja Stojakovich, Morris Peterson, Rasual Butler and newly acquired James Posey.  Tyson Chandler and David West give New Orleans a balanced offensive and defensive presence inside.  Hilton Armstrong, Julian Wright and Melvin Ely add depth to the front-court.  With the recent powerhouses in the west showing signs of age (Phoenix, San Antonio and Dallas) look for New Orleans to contend for the Western Conference Championship.

3. Philadelphia 76ers - After giving Detroit fits in the playoffs last season, the Sixers have bolstered their roster by adding Elton Brand to their quickly improving young core.  Philadelphia's back-court is highlighted by high-flying shooting guard Andre Igoudala and point guard Andre Miller.  Louis Williams and Willie Green provide depth at both guard positions.  The frontcourt will be anchored by high scoring power forward Elton Brand and defensive minded Center Samuel Dalambert.  Mareese Speights, Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith and Reggie Evans gives the Sixers depth in the froncourt.  The addition of Elton Brand will take pressure off of Andre Igoudala giving Philadelphia a more balanced attack.  Philadelphia will be be among the elite in the Eastern Conference and have the talent to upset favorites Boston and Detroit.

4. Toronto Raptors - The past few years Toronto has had a young core of players develop into a playoff team, but have had limited success in the playoffs.  Adding veteran Jermaine O'neal could be the missing piece Toronto's young core needs to get over the hump in the playoffs.  Jermaine O'neal, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani give Toronto a talented frontcourt.  Rookie Nathan Jawai and Jamario Moon will give Toronto's frontcourt solid contribution off the bench.  Jose Calderon and Anthony Parker are solid in the backcourt with Jason Kopono, Joey Graham and Roko Ukic giving Toronto backcourt depth.  The addition of Jermaine O'neal could be what Toronto needs to get over the hump and will have the talent to make a deep playoff run in the Eastern Conference.

5. Milwaukee Bucks - Last season they were simply a bad team.  This season is marked by the addition of a new coaching staff and a new mind set.  Scott Skiles brings intensity and a hard-nosed mentality to the table, and newcomers Richard Jefferson and Joe Alexander are a perfect fit for Scott Skiles' style.  Mo Williams, Michael Redd, Desmond Mason will give Milwaukee a solid backcourt.  The front-court will be led by Richard Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva and Andrew Bogut.  Joe Alexander and Dan Gadzuric will give the front-court a boost off the bench.  Scoring is not a problem for the players on this roster, as their success will be determined by how well they buy into Skiles' defensive minded approach.  This team has the foundation in place to make great strides and the potential to make the playoffs this upcoming season.