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LeBron James Will Consider the Mavs in 2010

............ ......................... — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:36:18 -0400

Debates over what LeBron James will do in 2010 have been going on for a while now. Most people think there are three options:

1. Stay with Cleveland

2. Sign with New York Knicks

3. Sign with New Jersey Nets

However, people need to start considering the Dallas Mavericks as a serious option because it could happen. Rumors, like this one, have already started circling.

The Mavs could put a very tempting deal on the table.

In Cleveland, throughout LeBron's career, the team has not brought in the right role players. Finally, they did something by signing Mo Williams, but more still needs to be done.

Mark Cuban, on the other hand, would be willing to get the right role players to win a championship, regardless of whether it costs a lot of money or not. Cuban will put together a great supporting cast. It will probably put the team into the luxury tax, but both James and Cuban have a desire to win.

When it is time to make a decision, I don't think money will be the issue. LeBron is going to make a lot of money from endorsements, so I'm convinced he will go wherever he has the best chance to win a championship.

When that time comes, Dallas will be an appealing choice.

NBA Western Conference Power Rankings

............ ......................... — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:09:07 -0400

Yesterday I wrote the Eastern Conference Power Rankings. Now it is the West's turn. Here it goes:

1) Los Angeles Lakers

This team made the Finals last year playing without Andrew Bynum. Now that he is back, the Lakers are favorites to win it all.

The only question is what role Lamar Odom will play. But it doesn't really matter. Whether Odom starts or comes off the bench as a sixth man, the Lakers are still the top team in not only the conference, but the league.

2) New Orleans Hornets

If the Hornets are going to make a championship run, this is the year. They have the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul, and their signing of James Posey gave this team exactly what it needed—a clutch performer.

3) Houston Rockets

I had this team at second before T-Mac announced that he is still having problems with knee and shoulder injuries. If Yao and McGrady can stay healthy, the Rockets should be good enough to finally get past the first round of the playoffs.

The Rockets were one of the best defensive teams in '07-08, and now have one of the best defenders in Ron Artest, who will be on his best behavior—he wants to win games this year.

4) Utah Jazz

With all the rumours about Carlos Boozer leaving in 2009, the Jazz need to win now. They are going to do well, but they need to try secure home-court advantage in the playoffs—otherwise it could be tough for them in the postseason.

5) San Antonio Spurs

Every year, people say the Spurs are too old and are past their prime. It may be true that they are past their prime, but Tim Duncan always gets his team into the playoffs. Can he do it with Manu Ginobili on the sidelines with an ankle injury?

6) Portland Trail Blazers

Portland has so many young guns that their biggest problem will be finding enough minutes to go around. With Greg Oden returning and Rudy Fernandez coming over from Spain, the Blazers should definitely improve on last season's 41-41 record. Trail Blazers fans should be excited.

7) Phoenix Suns

Since Shawn Marion left, Phoenix hasn't been the same. New coach Terry Porter will probably have less run and gun, but he should improve the defense—something the Suns have struggled with. This team could go either way—they might dominate, but there is also a possibility that it won't work out. I don't think they'll dominate, but they'll still be a playoff team.

8) Dallas Mavericks

Like Phoenix, it is hard to predict what will happen with the Mavs. If Jason Kidd is healthy, Dallas will make the playoffs—but there are other teams not far behind, so they can't afford a major slip. It may be time for Mark Cuban to consider another roster shakeup.

9) Los Angeles Clippers

Having Baron Davis and Marcus Camby is going to be huge. On paper, the Clippers' roster is very deep. The other starters—Chris Kaman, Al Thornton, and Cuttino Mobley—are all very solid.

Tim Thomas and Ricky Davis may end up as starters, but even if they don't, they'll contribute. For the first time in a long time, fans can be optimistic about the Clippers.

10) Denver Nuggets

By all reports, the Marcus Camby trade didn't go down too well. There were rumours a few weeks ago about a possible 'Melo trade, now there are rumours that Allen Iverson could be traded. This team was not good defensively, but they practically gave away their best defensive player in Camby.

Denver needs to work out what they are going to do next, because they need to make some changes.

11) Golden State Warriors

Losing Baron Davis will hurt, especially since Monta Ellis will miss time due to injuries sustained in his moped accident. There is a huge lack of defense, and it's going to take time for this team to return to its former glory.

12) Sacramento Kings

Trading Ron Artest to Houston won't help on the defensive end of the court, but it has one advantage—Kevin Martin will have to step up and be the leader of this team, but the Kings will need a lot of intensity on defense. Otherwise, they will really struggle without Artest.

13) Memphis Grizzlies

Last year the Grizzlies were one of the worst defensive teams. This has got to change. I'm sure they realize this and will work harder on D, and maybe be an okay defensive team.

Memphis needs to use their speed to their advantage, because let's face it—they don't have many other options. Things would be better if the ownership wasn't obsessed with cutting costs regardless of the product they put on the court.

14) Minnesota Timberwolves

Al Jefferson is a great player, and may even be an All-Star next season—but he plays on a team that is one of the worst teams in the league on both offense and defense.

They should be better than last year, mainly because Jefferson will have improved and Kevin Love is ready to contribute. But the Timberwolves have a long way to go.

15) Oklahoma City Thunder

This young team needs more defense. This season will be more focused on developing young players than winning lots of games.

Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook can all be great, but the Thunder need to give Green plenty of minutes, and Westbrook time to develop as a point guard.

And by the way, the new uniforms suck.

You may also like to check out the Eastern Conference Power Rankings.

Eastern Conference Power Rankings

............ ......................... — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:01:12 -0400

Its been a hell of a long time since I last got to do Power Rankings, but finally, the NBA season is not far off. Here's the Eastern Conference:

1. Boston Celtics

They won the championship, but lost a key bench player in James Posey. Even without Posey, this team is still rock solid. They're the best defensive team in the league, and the offense should be even better this season with a more experienced Rajon Rondo running the point.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

Last year, they made the conference semi-finals, and they gave the Celtics some trouble. Adding Mo Williams was a great move; a step in the right direction, but the Cavs still could bring in some more guys and stop relying on LeBron James to do everything.

They need to find someone who can take over at the five when Big Z steps down and they need to do it soon. That said, the Cavs will be serious contenders, with LeBron putting up unimaginable numbers.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Last year, this team's biggest weaknesses were inside scoring and 3 point shooting. Elton Brand gives them the superstar they need and fills the previously gaping hole in the post. Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall can both hit threes consistently. This team could go far if they work well together.

4. Detroit Pistons

They're a good team, but a lot of their key players are getting older, and the offseason was filled with trade rumours. The major trade Joe Dumars talked about never happened, which isn't necessarily a good thing. New Coach Michael Curry has a tough job ahead of him. Detroit will do well, but don't expect a championship.

5. Toronto Raptors

The Jermaine O'Neal trade was a great move. If he can revitalise his career in Toronto and become the monster in the post that he used to be, they will have one hell of a combination. A lot of teams will struggle to deal with O'Neal and Bosh in the post at the same time.

Jose Calderon looked great in the Olympics, and there are no glaring weaknesses. Expect something big from this team.

6. Miami Heat

No, its not a typo. They were terrible last year with Wade injured. He dominated with Team USA—the old D-Wade is back. Shawn Marion will be there all year. Michael Beasley will win rookie of the year. And they solved their point guard problem by signing Shaun Livingston.

The only question is how Jamaal Magloire will perform at center. This team is much better than most people think.

7. Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard dominanted last season but he needed to improve his shot. Apparently he has gotten a lot better in that department, so he should have a monster year. The Magic have three spectacular starters (Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis) but need more contribution from the bench.

8. Washington Wizards

They gave Gilbert Arenas a huge contract and now he is out with a knee injury. The Wizards are very unlucky with injuries. A healthy Gilbert would have had them higher on this list, but instead Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison will have to take care of things until Agent Zero returns.

9. Indiana Pacers

It is possible that they could scrape their way into the playoffs. Danny Granger is underrated, but he is getting closer and closer to a spot on the All-Star team. New addition T.J. Ford can help this team, but they need to resolve the situation with Jamaal Tinsley.

Indiana has a decent team, but if they make the playoffs, it will be tough for them to get past the first round.

10. Milaukee Bucks

They have a veteran starting lineup with Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, Richard Jefferson (who they were lucky to get), Michael Redd, and Luke Ridnour. Rookie Joe Alexander was one of the best players in the draft. But in the past few years the Milwaukee have struggled to get it together.

Prove me wrong, Bucks. I'd love to see them realize their potential, but I'm not sure they will.

11. Atlanta Hawks

The loss of Josh Childress will hurt. The Hawks have some good players in Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Mike Bibby, but their bench needs a substantial amount of work. Another playoff run is highly unlikely in 2009.

12. Chicago Bulls

There are just too many problems with this team. They have too many guards, they still need a dominant post player, and Ben Gordon isn't happy that he is still in Chicago. Will Vinny Del Negro be able to motivate this team and get wins? The key for the Bulls is to make sure Derrick Rose gets a lot of playing time.

13. Charlotte Bobcats

Larry Brown is a Coach that I have a lot of respect for. However, he has just inherited a team that is often inconsistent. If anyone can make something out of this team, its Larry Brown. No disrespect to Adam Morrison, but I'll bet Michael Jordan regrets not picking Brandon Roy.

14. New Jersey Nets

They big 3 of J-Kidd, Vince Carter and RJ is no more. Instead the Nets have Vince Carter and a very young team. They are focused on landing LeBron in 2010, but if they don't, they will definitely regret trading RJ.

15. New York Knicks

Still way over the salary cap, the Knicks are not looking good. Reports from training camp are that Eddy Curry isn't in great shape. Look for David Lee to start, as Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph on the court together just doesn't work.

The signing of Chris Duhon will help but the Knicks needed to do a lot more in the offseason. New GM Donnie Walsh and Coach Mike A'Antoni are both excellent at their jobs, but don't have much to work with. Things aren't looking great.

I'd love to hear your opinions on this—please leave a comment and let everyone know what you think.

You may also want to check out my Western Conference Power Rankings.