NBA Power Rankings: Just Too Hard to Make This Early

Today I felt like making an early NBA Power Rankings list, only to stare at a blank computer and have no idea which direction to go.

It's early. Too early.

There's still much that needs to happen before we can really say who's the top teams in the league through free agency, trades, rookies, and who can just blend in.

Lamar Odom and Allen Iverson still need to pick teams. These players could be keys in determining which teams are great, and which are good this next season.

If Iverson should choose the Memphis route, a starting lineup of C-Thabeet PF-Randolph SF-Gay SG-Mayo PG-Iverson, and a bench with Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Darrell Arthur may be in the running for the eight seed. If they play well together.

Lamar Odom will determine how good the Lakers will be. Artest is a large step up from Ariza, despite the questioning of team chemistry, but Odom hasn't been replaced on the team yet. They either need to find a new Odom, like they did with Ariza, or simply resign Odom.

That would work.

The Jazz have a solid starting lineup, but a bench consisting of Kyle Korver, and either Paul Millsap or Carlos Boozer. They are obviously looking to deal the second one, but how they do it will determine their future.

Some experts have looked at dealing him to Miami, where they would acquire Udonis Haslem, and maybe a little more. In my article, I have him going to Miami in a three way deal that would also land the Jazz guard/forward Stephen Jackson, along with Haslem.

That would make the Jazz a favorite at the 4th or 5th seed.

How the Jazz play this out will give us a better look at how the teams will be, but until then we can only wait.

We may have to wait for the preseason for many of the other teams as well.

How will Shaq play in Cleveland?

How will Richard Jefferson do for the Spurs?

Is Vince Carter better than Hedo?

These questions can only be answered when we see the teams play a little more. Vince is my choice as a better player than Hedo, but with Courtney Lee being gone, Nelson being back, Alston being gone, and Bass coming on the team. All these factors will have to be taken into consideration when ranking the team.

Even the lower teams are questionable. Memphis has made the most moves to gain better players, but Hasheem Thabeet struggled in the summer league, while in Minnesota, the Wolves lost all their players while Jonny Flynn played like an All-Star. Griffin won the MVP of the summer league, but what's this I hear about his injury?

It's hard to tell.

It doesn't really seem like many teams made any major losses that they didn't end up compensating for (except for Milwaukee, they suck), so let's wait for the preseason, and maybe even for the first few November games to establish who has the early advantage.

For now, it's too hard to tell.