NBA Power Rankings: Who's Positioned to Dethrone the San Antonio Spurs?
The wait is over.
The NBA is back Tuesday with a three-game slate that features the defending champs, The Beard, The Unibrow and, oh yeah, some guy named Kobe.
Consume the following power rankings like an appetizer before the five-course meal that is the season ahead. Each slide will detail the strengths and weaknesses of each team, mixed in with analysis of where each squad will be heading in the months ahead.
From the lowly Sixers and Celtics to the mighty Spurs, Bulls, Clippers and Cavs, these rankings should provide you with insight into which teams have the best chance to be playing in June.
Strap in and freshen up on the latest NBA storylines before the season tips off. By the way, feel free to let your voice be heard in the comments section below.
Here we go!
30. Philadelphia 76ers
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The Philadelphia 76ers enter the new season with little hope for short-term success. Philly's rebuilding process is well under way, starting with its twin towers who will be protecting the paint.
But Sixers fans must shelve that dream for the time being.
Nerlens Noel is fully healthy following a knee injury that cost him the 2013-2014 season, but first-round pick Joel Embiid is likely to miss the upcoming season as he recovers from a foot injury.
In happier injury news, reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams will return to practice on Nov. 6, according to CSN Philly (h/t Pro Basketball Talk).
Yet the Carter-Williams/Noel duo is unlikely to be enough to make the Sixers relevant this season.
But breathe, Philly fans. At least the future looks bright!
Best-Case Scenario
Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams stay healthy for the entire season, while the young Sixers earn valuable experience in a 20-win campaign.
Worst-Case Scenario
Noel and Carter-Williams cannot stay on the court for extended periods of time, resulting in another wasted season for Philadelphia.
29. Orlando Magic
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The Magic drafted Elfrid Payton 10th overall in the 2014 NBA draft with the intent of pairing him with the ultra-athletic Victor Oladipo.
Orlando will eventually witness its backcourt vision in action, but not until Oladipo heals from a facial fracture suffered in practice.
Payton will take over the point guard duties in the 2014-2015 season, allowing Oladipo to return to his natural slashing style from the wings.
Inside, Nikola Vucevic will look to live up to his new contract by improving on his 14.2 points and 11 rebounds per game. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the center's new four-year deal is worth $53 million.
Orlando is moving in the right direction, but the upcoming season figures to be a rebuilding one once again.
Best-Case Scenario
Payton and Oladipo gel together to form a Goran Dragic/Eric Bledsoe-type backcourt that causes problems for opposing defenses. Vucevic reaps the benefits of improved guard play to post career highs in points, rebounds and shooting percentage. The Magic remain competitive before falling into the lottery.
West-Case Scenario
Oladipo's health concerns linger and the Orlando backcourt is in flux throughout the season. Payton struggles in his first season at the helm of the offense, stunting his growth.
28. Milwaukee Bucks
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Jason Kidd has ditched the aging Nets for the youthful promise of the Bucks.
Although this move may be perceived as a step back, Milwaukee represents another NBA franchise where a long-haul vision is in mind.
That vision starts with Jabari Parker.
After a standout season at Duke, Parker was taken second overall in the 2014 NBA draft. The forward averaged over 15 points and eight rebounds during the 2014 Summer League.
Combine that with a youthful core, including Brandon Knight, John Henson, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Larry Sanders, and Kidd's move to the Midwest begins to make much more sense.
Best-Case Scenario
Kidd gets the most of his young core, leading to a surprise run in the East. Parker wins ROY and becomes the next face of the NBA. Veterans Jared Dudley, Zaza Pachulia and O.J. Mayo give the youthful talent the necessary leadership to catapult the Bucks into the playoffs as a No. 8 seed.
Worst-Case Scenario
Sanders fails to regain his form from two seasons ago, leaving the Bucks without a true rim-protecter. Mayo takes too many shots, failing to aid the rebuilding process. Milwaukee improves on its 15-win season a year ago, but not by much.
27. Boston Celtics
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One of the great NBA franchises is in the midst of a roster turnover of its own.
Just one player remains from the glory days of the modern Celtics, and he may not be around for long.
Rajon Rondo definitely won't be in uniform when the Celtics open their season, after injuring his hand in the offseason. You have to wonder how long Danny Ainge holds on to the All-Star point guard while the team surrounding him tries to find its identity.
Despite Rondo's unresolved situation, all is not lost for the C's. Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and Jared Sullinger represent solid building blocks for head coach Brad Stevens to mold into useful NBA pieces.
Boston's path can lead in either direction this season: Trade Rondo with an eye on the future or retain his services and hope that he can lead the Celtics to playoff contention.
Best-Case Scenario
Rondo, Bradley and Smart make up a tough backcourt that can defend and distribute the ball. Sullinger, Brandon Bass and Jeff Green provide enough scoring punch in the paint to push the Celtics into the playoff picture.
Worst-Case Scenario
Rondo forces a move before the trade deadline, greatly demoralizing the morale of the team. Bradley struggles on the offensive end, while Smart seems to lack a true position. The Celtics fall to the bottom of the East standings before 2015.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves
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2004. The last time the Wolves made the playoffs.
That won't change this year, but Minnesota has accrued a host of talent in return for Kevin Love. Andrew Wiggins joins the team as the prize of that haul after being selected first overall in the 2014 NBA draft.
Losing Love's production will hurt, but turning him into a potential superstar was the right move for Minny.
Wiggins wasn't the only No. 1 pick dealt for Love, as Anthony Bennett will also call Minnesota his home. The former UNLV Runnin' Rebel is hoping to shed the "bust" label given to him after a forgettable rookie season in Cleveland, per Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
There's much to like about the T-Wolves' roster—Ricky Rubio's dimes, Zach Levine's monster jams, Nikola Pekovic's interior skill set, etc.
Expect the Wolves to make some noise, but this team is a year or two away from the finished product it needs to be to compete in a loaded Western Conference.
Best-Case Scenario
Wiggins showcases his elite talent, while Bennett uses a change of scenery to resurrect his career. Rubio and Levine energize the fanbase with electric highlights, creating a dangerous team capable of shocking some folks in the West.
Worst-Case Scenario
Both key pieces from the Love trade struggle to live up to expectations, leaving the Wolves without a 15- to 20-point-per-game scorer. Minnesota becomes a team with sizzle but no steak while finishing in the cellar of the West.
25. Utah Jazz
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Youthful promise is a common theme of the teams listed thus far.
The Jazz continue that theme with one of the youngest teams in the NBA.
Quin Snyder's challenge will not be in the talent department, as Trey Burke, Alec Burks, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter are all promising prospects.
Throw in rookie Dante Exum and do-it-all forward Gordon Hayward, and Jazz fans should be excited for the future.
There's that word again: future.
The West is no place to nurture young talent, as wins will be tough to come by. But Snyder's bunch should be able to improve on its win total from last season and move toward a playoff berth in the years ahead.
Best-Case Scenario
Snyder creates an atmosphere focused on learning and development, leading to a hungry, overachieving Jazz team.
Worst-Case Scenario
Utah's individual talent fails to form into a collective unit this season. Without the necessary strides being made, the Jazz struggle mightily in the hellacious West.
24. Los Angeles Lakers
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After a franchise-record 55 losses lost season, the Lakers look to be headed for another disappointing campaign.
But what the club lacks in the win column, it'll make up for in headlines and publicity.
Obviously Kobe Bryant is one of the more polarizing athletes in recent memory. But Nick Young, Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin all have seen their fair share of attention throughout their careers.
Yet Julius Randle and his progression in his rookie year will be key in a Lakers' turnaround.
Randle was drafted seventh overall in the 2014 NBA draft to inject an aging roster with some much-needed fresh legs. After being molded at the "NBA Factory" that is the University of Kentucky, Randle's next challenge will be to live up to the lofty expectations that come with such a prestigious franchise.
Best-Case Scenario
Kobe plays the majority of the season, Randle shines and the Lakers stay in the picture for most of the season.
Worst-Case Scenario
The roster implodes due to egos and age, stunting Randle's growth and the future of the Lakers.
23. Detroit Pistons
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Stan Van Gundy led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009 by surrounding a dominant Dwight Howard with three-point gunners.
Judging by Detroit's roster construction, SVG looks to be installing a similar style of play with the Pistons.
Andre Drummond will assume the role of Howard as the centerpiece of the offense. The third-year center averaged a double-double last season. Jodie Meeks, Caron Butler and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope should provide the Pistons with enough shooting to give the offense some much-needed balance.
Van Gundy is a heck of a coach, but convincing Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings to buy in would rank as his greatest accomplishment to date.
Both players are important for the success of the Pistons. When Smith is engaged, his playmaking ability makes him one of the most unique players in the NBA. Jennings is a score-first guard and should get plenty of open looks in Van Gundy's offense.
But Detroit is still a work in progress. Expect some improvement from a season ago, but a postseason berth is a more realistic goal next season.
Best-Case Scenario
SVG reincarnates the old Magic offense and the Pistons win enough games to sneak into the playoffs.
Worst-Case Scenario
Egos prevail and trade talks involving Jennings, Smith and Greg Monroe begin to swirl before the deadline.
22. Sacramento Kings
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DeMarcus Cousins enjoyed a successful summer with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup.
The Kings remain hopeful that his time wearing the "Red, White and Blue" will aid in the development of "Boogie's" leadership.
After all, the temperamental big man is ridiculously talented. He led the Kings in points and rebounds last season, while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
It's Cousins' team now and Sacramento is relying on its star to lead the way for an improving squad.
Ramon Sessions and Darren Collison will platoon at the point guard position, while Rudy Gay will put up his usual numbers from the wings.
But if Cousins isn't ready to grow up, then the parts surrounding him will become insignificant.
Best-Case Scenario
Cousins and Gay have career years and lead an upstart team to a .500 record.
Worst-Case Scenario
Cousins puts up gaudy numbers, but fails to show growth in his maturity, leading to a squad that consistently displays bad habits.
21. Indiana Pacers
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What a difference a year makes.
The Pacers would have been one of the favorites in the East this season before Paul George's horrific leg injury this summer.
But combine the injury of its star with the loss of Lance Stephenson to free agency and Indiana will be lucky to crack the playoffs.
Instead of George and Stephenson, the Pacers will trot out C.J. Watson, George Hill and Rodney Stuckey at the guard position.
Oy.
Frank Vogel's team will continue to play hard, but points will be few and far between for an offensively challenged squad.
Best-Case Scenario
George is miraculously able to play by the end of the season, after David West and Roy Hibbert have managed to keep the Pacers afloat.
Worst-Case Scenario
Indiana falls to the bottom of the East, failing to score the ball with any consistency.
20. New York Knicks
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A new era is upon us in New York.
Enter Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher, proven winners hand-picked to fix the underachieving Knicks.
Of course, a Knicks revival starts and finishes with its star, Carmelo Anthony.
Melo led the league in minutes last season, finishing second in scoring (27.4 per game). If the Knicks are hoping to make a run at a playoff spot, they will need Melo's very best.
Outside of Carmelo, familiar faces will be back for New York. Amar'e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith all return to Madison Square Garden.
Can youngsters like Cleanthony Early, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Shane Larkin make the difference for the Knicks? If this squad is going achieve a postseason berth, they'll need to.
Best-Case Scenario
Melo is Melo, Stoudemire returns to a resemblance of his former self and the new blood proves to be quality NBA talent. Fisher and Jackson work together to guide the Knicks back to the playoffs.
Worst-Case Scenario
Same old Knicks. Carmelo scores in bunches, but gets little help in another losing season.
19. Brooklyn Nets
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Brooklyn enters the season at a crossroads.
Longtime Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins will take over a squad of veterans built to win now.
And he has some pieces to work with.
For all their shortcomings, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams still remain a formidable backcourt. If healthy, Brook Lopez is one of the best centers in the NBA.
But beyond those three, the roster leaves much to be desired.
Jarrett Jack should help in keeping Williams fresh throughout the season, but a lack of quality big men outside of the injury-prone Lopez and the aging Kevin Garnett could create problems for the Nets.
Best-Case Scenario
Lopez stays healthy for the entire season, while Deron Williams finally regains his Utah form. The Nets wiggle through a wide-open East to a reach the playoffs.
Worst-Case Scenario
Injuries and age decimate the roster, causing Brooklyn to crash at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
18. New Orleans Pelcians
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Are the Pelicans poised for a breakout year in 2014-15?
On paper, their roster boasts a balanced mix of scoring, playmaking and shooting.
Take the frontcourt, for example.
Anthony Davis, Omer Asik and Ryan Anderson all bring something different to the table. Davis and Asik will likely anchor one of the better defenses in the NBA, while Anderson's shooting ability will create space for the rest of the offense.
In the backcourt, Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon are all capable of getting hot and carrying the scoring load.
If the Pelicans can stay away from the injury bug, there's no reason to think that New Orleans can't make the playoffs. It'll just have to earn it in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
Best-Case Scenario
Anthony Davis produces an MVP-caliber season, leading the Pelicans to the postseason.
Worst-Case Scenario
Injury setbacks cost the Pelicans valuable wins, knocking them back into the lottery.
17. Denver Nuggets
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The Nuggets should return to the thick of the playoff hunt after a disappointing season a year ago.
Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson have become the cornerstones of the organization. Their health and production will be key to any success Denver may have.
But a solid supporting cast will make or break this team.
Nate Robinson, Aaron Afflalo, JaVale McGee and a healthy Danilo Gallinari may not grab the headlines, but steady, injury-free seasons could make the Nuggets quite dangerous.
Again, a loaded Western Conference greatly diminishes Denver's playoff chances. But some better luck on the injury front could push the Nuggets into one of the final playoff spots.
Best-Case Scenario
Lawson and Faried lead a deep roster to the postseason, while the offense plays at a breakneck pace.
Worst-Case Scenario
The West eats the injury-prone Nuggets alive, leading to consecutive years in the lottery.
16. Charlotte Hornets
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The Hornets are back in Charlotte!
And boy, are they a player in the East.
After a postseason appearance a season ago, the Hornets have added former Pacer Lance Stephenson to the fold. "Born Ready" will bring even more attitude to an already gritty team.
That team is built around big Al Jefferson in the middle.
Jefferson averaged 21.8 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game. The 10-year vet will be hoping to improve on a season that saw him earn All-NBA Third Team honors.
Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will also return, as does sharpshooter Gerald Henderson.
Charlotte is a trendy pick to make some noise in the East, but a lack of perimeter shooting could hurt its chances. The Hornets averaged only 6.3 triples per game last season.
Best-Case Scenario
The Hornets bully their way to the Eastern Conference semis, before their lack of three-point shooting catches up with them.
Worst-Case Scenario
Jefferson fails to remain healthy, leaving a giant void on both ends of the floor. Charlotte's hype is to no avail, as it slides back into the lottery.
15. Miami Heat
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LeBron James has decided to take his talents from South Beach.
After a memorable run with the Heat, LBJ has left the building. Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh remain behind, leading a team that should be better than most people anticipate.
Sure, losing the best player in the world is a big blow. But Pat Riley has pieced together a serviceable roster in his wake.
Luol Deng and Josh McRoberts headline the latest additions to South Beach, while Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole and rookie Shabazz Napier will all see playing time at point guard.
Wade's health is the key.
In the past few seasons, he has been able to coast until the playoffs. But for the Heat to be a threat at the top of the East, they'll need the Dwayne Wade of old to reemerge.
Best-Case Scenario
Wade and Bosh both play with a chip on their shoulder, leading the Heat to a top-four seed in the East.
Worst-Case Scenario
Wade's best days are behind him, Bosh's game declines due to the loss of James and the Heat back into a playoff spot before losing in the first round.
14. Phoenix Suns
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Can Phoenix crack the top eight in the West?
If it does, its guard play will likely be the reason.
The Suns boast one the best backcourts in all of basketball with their excellent trio of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and the newly added Isaiah Thomas.
Despite the wealth of talent on the perimeter, the frontcourt will need to improve in order for the Suns to take the next step. The Morris twins will hope to build off solid seasons a year ago.
Phoenix will be a player in due time, but the team feels to be a player or two away from becoming a true contender in the West.
Best-Case Scenario
Dragic, Bledsoe and Thomas provide the Suns with an unorthodox attack that boosts them to a playoff spot.
Worst-Case Scenario
The lack of a true post presence dooms the Suns' postseason chances.
13. Washington Wizards
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The Wizards grew up before our eyes last season.
But are they legitimate contenders in the East?
Honestly, Bradley Beal's wrist injury should be a huge concern. Beal is the perfect foil for fellow guard John Wall and his shooting ability will be missed.
Yet if Beal returns sooner than expected, Washington should be considered the favorite in the Southeast Division.
Marcin Gortat and Nene provide the team with two gifted big men, while Paul Pierce brings his big-shot ability to a team that desperately needs it.
Best-Case Scenario
Beal and Wall lead the Wizards to a division title and a surprise trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Worst-Case Scenario
Beal is slow to recover from his wrist injury, causing the Washington to slide to a lesser playoff spot.
12. Atlanta Hawks
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If you are looking for a sleeper in the wide-open East, look no further than the Atlanta Hawks.
After losing All-Star center Al Horford last season, Atlanta still managed to push the Indiana Pacers to seven games in a series it really should have won.
Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver are in the midst of their primes, and a healthy Horford gives ATL one of the deeper teams in the NBA.
Mike Budenholzer's offensive approach is vastly different from that of his predecessors.
The Hawks shoot the three and share the basketball as well as anybody in the league. In fact, Atlanta trailed only the Spurs in assists per game last season with nearly 25 per contest.
Best-Case Scenario
Horford and Millsap combine to make a deadly frontcourt combination, while Teague continues to improve at the point. The Hawks win the Southeast Division before appearing in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Worst-Case Scenario
Horford continues his injury-riddled career, costing the Hawks a true chance to contend in the East.
11. Houston Rockets
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The Rockets were bounced from the 2014 NBA playoffs in heartbreaking fashion.
Houston has since lost three key contributors from that squad in Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik and Chandler Parsons.
Parsons is a particularly big blow, as he spaced the floor for James Harden and gave Dwight Howard a kick-out option from the post. Losing him to a conference rival in Dallas makes it an even tougher hit.
Harden is a scoring machine (25.4 points per game) and Howard, despite his detractors, remains a dominant defensive force. Houston has enough to return to the playoffs in the West.
But by failing to add to its core, Houston will likely maintain its ceiling as a middle-of-the-pack playoff team in a deep conference.
Best-Case Scenario
First-round postseason success behind Harden's career year.
Worst-Case Scenario
The Rockets underachieve, the Dwight circus resurfaces and Harden shoots at a career-low percentage. As a result, Houston misses the playoffs.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
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Portland became last season's "League Pass" team due to its easy-on-the-eyes offensive approach.
Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge had breakout years a season ago, bursting onto the national scene with All-Star seasons.
But the two players that make the Blazers tick are Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum. Both play solid defensive, distribute the ball and make big shots.
Portland looks poised to win 50-plus games for the second year in a row behind one of the better offenses in basketball.
But will the Blazers avoid injuries like they did a year ago? That would be highly unlikely, and there are questions about this squad's depth.
Best-Case Scenario
Portland avoids the Spurs in the semifinals, only to lose to San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals.
Worst-Case Scenario
After an injury-free season a year ago, the Blazers are hit with key ailments that push them down the standings before a first-round exit.
9. Toronto Raptors
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The Raptors are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan return to a team that won 48 games a year ago. The additions of Lou Williams and James Johnson will strengthen a bench led by the ever-improving Terrence Ross.
Toronto's biggest weakness lies in its lack of a true post player. Jonas Valanciunas possesses the potential to become that interior presence, while Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson are capable of chipping in with serviceable production.
But with solid players around the perimeter, the Raps will wreak havoc on opposing defenses for 48 minutes.
The sky is the limit for this team.
Best-Case Scenario
The Raptors take advantage of the open East, earning a trip to their first-ever NBA Finals.
Worst-Case Scenario
Lowry and DeRozan both take steps back, hurting the Toronto offense in the process. Without any offensive consistency, the Raptors bow out of the playoffs in the first round.
8. Golden State Warriors
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Mark Jackson is out, Steve Kerr is in.
The former Chicago Bulls three-point sniper was a deadly shooter in his day, so you can rest assured his focus will be on finding Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson open looks at the basket. The "Splash Brothers" averaged over 40 points and roughly six made three-point baskets a game last season.
Curry and Thompson will put up their typical numbers, but will Andrew Bogut and David Lee Stay healthy?
Bogut in particular is crucial to the team's defense, while Lee fits in perfectly in an offense designed to create open jump shots.
If Kerr can maximize Golden State's offensive potential, then the Warriors can be a dark horse in the West.
Best-Case Scenario
Kerr's "move-the-ball" approach leads to a top-ranked offense, while Bogut anchors an equally impressive D en route to the NBA Finals.
Worst-Case Scenario
Bogut misses time, requiring the Warriors to win shootouts. A lack of balance leads to an early exit in the postseason.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
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A deep roster of quality players pits Memphis right in the mix once again.
The big names are back. Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph are healthy after each missed extended chunks of time a year ago.
The addition of Vince Carter provides the bench much-needed scoring punch, while Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince both remain elite perimeter defenders.
For all the glitz and glamour out West, Memphis is often overlooked due to its no-nonsense brand of ball. But the Grizzlies will remain a tough out come playoff time, making them a true threat to win the conference.
Best-Case Scenario
Memphis is able to stay healthy and win the West behind outstanding defense and efficient scoring.
Worst-Case Scenario
A bad matchup in the early stages of the playoffs results in first-round failure.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
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The loss of Kevin Durant could be a critical blow to OKC's title hopes, but not if Russell Westbrook has anything to say about it.
Often criticized, Westbrook has a chance to silence his critics while leading the Thunder in KD's absence.
Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb will need to pick up some of the scoring slack, but there's no reason to think that the Thunder cannot remain in the playoff picture until Durant's return.
The reigning MVP will be sorely missed, but Oklahoma City is fortunate to have another top-five star on its roster.
It's Westbrook's time to shine.
Best-Case Scenario
Durant returns to full health and returns to a team brimming with confidence after winning in his absence. The Thunder beat the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals before winning their first-ever NBA championship.
Worst-Case Scenario
The Thunder start slow out of the gate, barely making the playoffs and losing in the first round.
5. Dallas Mavericks
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The Mavericks were busy this offseason.
Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler will join a Mavs roster that won 49 games last season.
Dirk Nowitzki remains one of the most feared scorers in the NBA and a matchup nightmare when he's clicking. Monta Ellis, Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson and Raymond Felton provide Rick Carlisle with plenty of options at the guard position.
Dallas seems to be an offensive powerhouse on paper, with slashers and shooters up and down the roster. If Chandler is able to have a similar defensive impact as in 2011, the Mavs will be a force in the West.
Best-Case Scenario
Dallas returns to the NBA Finals after winning it all in 2011.
Worst-Case Scenario
Dirk's game begins to slip, leaving the Mavs with a multitude of perimeter weapons but no proven scorer in the post.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
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King James returns to Cavs with a potential juggernaut on his hands.
Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving will join James to form the new "Big Three" in Cleveland. Love will be playing on a winner for the first time, while Irving is fresh off the heels of an impressive summer with Team USA.
On paper, the Cavaliers look to be one of the favorites on the East.
But similarly to LeBron's first season in Miami, Cleveland's chemistry will likely be a work in progress for most of the season. David Blatt's challenge to quickly translate great players into a great team will greatly test his coaching acumen.
At the end of the day, talent should put the Cavs in a favorable position in the East. With LBJ at the helm, no team has a higher ceiling.
Best-Case Scenario
LeBron's homecoming is capped off with a championship for Cleveland.
Worst-Case Scenario
The Cavs have similar issues to the 2011 Heat. They fail to fully mesh, resulting in a loss in the later rounds of the playoffs.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
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The Clippers are getting used to the top spot in Los Angeles.
But can they move into the the pole position of the Western Conference?
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin believe so, as the perennial All-Stars lead a deep squad into the season.
Paul, in particular, will be extra motivated. The star point guard has yet to participate in a conference finals in his career, yet the former Wake Forest standout has never been surrounded by a better supporting cast.
Jamal Crawford, J.J. Redick, DeAndre Jordan, Glen Davis and Matt Barnes all return for the Clips.
Did we mention Doc? Rivers remains one of the best coaches in the NBA.
The pressure is on CP3. If Paul fails to get it done this year, will he ever reach the NBA's final four?
Best-Case Scenario
Anything but a conference finals appearance will be viewed as a disappointment. Rivers outcoaches Pop in the Western Conference Finals before leading the Clippers to an NBA title.
Worst-Case Scenario
L.A. fails to reach the Western Conference Finals, calling into question Paul's "legacy."
2. Chicago Bulls
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Every year, the Bulls are considered favorites in the East.
Every year, those beliefs are contingent on the health of Derrick Rose.
Over the last few seasons, we've seen Tom Thibodeau's team fight valiantly in the playoffs before its lack of scoring led to its downfall. Basketball fans are left to wonder, would D-Rose have made the difference for Chicago? Hopefully we get to find out this season, as Rose has looked like his explosive old self in the preseason.
Meanwhile, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler make up the backbone of a team that prides itself on defense and toughness. To improve on the offensive side of the ball, Pau Gasol was added to take some of the scoring responsibilities off of Rose.
The pieces are in place for a deep postseason run for a team that deserves some good luck for a change.
Best-Case Scenario
Rose returns to his MVP-caliber form, guiding the Bulls to their first NBA title since 1998.
Worst-Case Scenario
Chicago's luck remains rotten, as Rose's knees trouble him throughout the season. The Bulls lose yet again in the playoffs despite another admirable effort.
1. San Antonio Spurs
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The Spurs remain the class of the NBA.
Gregg Popovich's side will bring just about everybody back from a team that won over 60 games last season.
That includes the loyal trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker, who continue to produce as they enter the latter stages of their careers. Key role players Boris Diaw, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter return as well.
Sure, Father Time could catch up with the Spurs.
But count them out at your own peril, as Popovich continues to get the most out of a deep roster.
The West is brutal, as has been mentioned throughout these rankings, but San Antonio must be viewed as conference favorites once again.
Best-Case Scenario
The Spurs repeat as champions, combining unselfish ball movement with knock-down three-point shooting.
Worst Case Scenario
A young, energetic team catches San Antonio in a bad matchup, knocking the Spurs out of the playoffs.
