NBA Power Rankings: Ranking the Teams for Opening Day
The time has finally come for the start of the 2010-11 NBA season, and as with any season, an endless array of power rankings are flooding the Internet to try to decipher what will happen as the season starts and wears on.
So, I asked myself, why not jump on the bandwagon and create my own?
Tomorrow night we will see the Miami Heat face off with the Boston Celtics to tip off the season, and with that comes a match-up that we could potentially see in the Eastern Conference Finals, along with a pair of Western Conference games, profiling four potential playoff teams.
A wealth of good basketball is to come, as the first week always showcases exciting games and furious finishes, so here is a little something to follow along with as the teams start to play.
30. Minnesota Timberwolves
1 of 30
2009-10 Record: 15-67 (Fifth Northwest Division, 15th Western Conference)
Unfortunately for Timberwolves fans, it will be more of the same for Minnesota this season.
They're mortgaging their future on Michael Beasley, hoping that he can be the player that he was in college.
They also took out an ad in the Minnesota Star Tribune announcing that this season will in no way be a championship caliber season, but they are planning for the future. Planning for the future with Darko Milicic and Nikola Pekovic.
Good luck with that.
Player to watch: Beasley-How can he handle being a potential go-to guy?
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Outlook not so good.
29. Toronto Raptors
2 of 30
2009-10 Record: 40-42, (second Atlantic Division, ninth Eastern Conference)
Chris Bosh is gone, and now they are lottery bound, plain and simple.
They will rely on a cast of relatively unknowns for the year, their biggest names being Jose Claderon, DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani.
Player to watch: Calderon. He looks to be on a contender by season's end and could greatly impact the championship race if the right pieces are offered.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Don't count on it.
28. New Jersey Nets
3 of 30
2009-10 Record: 12-70 (fifth Atlantic Conference, 15th Eastern Conference)
Who would have thought that the biggest free agent acquisition for Mikhail Prokhorov's Nyets would have been Avery Johnson?
They look to further improve their young budding stars, Brook Lopez and Devin Harris, and hope that their first-round pick Derrick Favors could turn into a defensive monster.
Player to watch: Lopez. He and Harris should be looking to become the cornerstone for this team.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: My sources say no.
27. Detroit Pistons
4 of 30
2009-10 Record: 27-55 (fifth Central Division, 12th Eastern Conference)
When your offense is based around picking up an aging shooting guard with bad knees who has never been out of the first round in the playoffs, the season looks less than promising.
Besides that, they have a combined $41.5 million locked up in Charlie Villanueva, Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon and Tayshaun Prince, leaving them fiscally handcuffed.
Player to watch: McGrady. At least it will be interesting.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: My reply is no.
26. Los Angeles Clippers
5 of 30
2009-10 Record: 29-53, (third Pacific Division, 12th Western Conference)
I know, they have Blake Griffin coming back, so therefore, they are too low here. However, Griffin has yet to play a game in the NBA, and nothing is a sure thing, as we have seen in the past.
Next week, they could rocket up into my top 15, but as of right now, they have to prove something to get there.
Player to watch: Griffin. Mega-hyped young'un with rookie of the year aspirations who is considered one of the best power forwards in the NBA without a minute of PT under his belt. Should be interesting.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Cannot predict now.
25. Sacramento Kings
6 of 30
2009-10 Record: 25-57, (fifth Pacific Division, 14th Western Conference)
The Kings have the best young core of players that is not completely put together.
DeMarcus Cousins could give them their second rookie of the year in a row, something that hasn't happened since Bob McAdoo and Ernie Digregorio in 1973 and '74.
Player to watch: Cousins. If he is the player that he can be, he could have an amazing impact.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Very Doubtful.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
7 of 30
2009-10 Record: 61-21, (first Central Division, first Eastern Conference)
The LeBron James Era is over in Cleveland, and their fans have returned to their natural habitat: a gloomy, pessimistic, and angry city.
It's good to be home.
They do have a good core of young players and a few able veterans to transition them into a new era, however.
Player to watch: JJ Hickson. He is the only guy on this team who is a potential all-star.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Don't count on it.
23. Golden State Warriors
8 of 30
2009-10 Record: 26-56, (fourth Pacific Division, 13th Western Conference)
The new ownership that looks to take over the Warriors makes for a bright future, but the present is still quite gloomy, especially without Don Nelson.
With Monta Ellis jacking up 25 shots a game, this team will go nowhere fast.
Player to watch: David Lee. It's time to see if he is the real deal against centers in the west or if he was just a product of the New York system.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Outlook not so good.
22. Indiana Pacers
9 of 30
2009-10 Record: 32-50, (fourth Central Division, 10th Eastern Conference)
Darren Collison is headed into town to team up with Roy Hibbert and Danny Granger to make this team a popular dark horse pick to make the playoffs in the east.
Player to watch: Paul George. Besides having two first names, George can stretch a defense with his long frame and deep shot threat. He could be a dark horse rookie of the year candidate on a dark horse team.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: It is possible.
21. Washington Wizards
10 of 30
2009-10 Record: 26-56, (fifth Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference)
With John Wall Mania sweeping the DC area, it seems that this team can go far if things fall into place.
They could have a huge turnaround and potentially make the playoffs with some good basketball and good luck.
Player to watch: JaVale McGee. The young center has an affinity for blocking shots and had the dunk of the summer league.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Very Doubtful
20. Philadelphia 76ers
11 of 30
2009-10 Record: 27-55, (fourth Atlantic Division, 13th Eastern Conference)
Philadelphia has two of the most underrated point guards in the league. Jrue Holliday and Lou Williams both have the potential to start for this team and could make an impact on any team in the league.
Player to watch: Andre Iguodala. Depending upon the direction in which the team decides to go, and the progress of first-round pick Evan Turner, Iggy could be on the move.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Reply hazy, try again.
19. Memphis Grizzlies
12 of 30
2009-10 Record: 40-42, (fourth Southwest Division, 10th Western Conference)
Rudy Gay just signed a deal that was a few million bucks away from a maximum deal for him, making him the highest paid player on a team in which he had the third highest PER a year ago.
Gay can take one of two routes. He could go into "I have to prove myself" mode and make the Memphis brass look like geniuses, or he could go into "I just got paid" mode, screwing the team for the next five years.
Player to watch: Hasheem Thabeet. If he has overcome his softness, then he could be an impact center.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Concentrate, and ask again.
18. New Orleans Hornets
13 of 30
2009-10 Record: 37-45, (fifth Southwest Division, 11th Western Conference)
Despite the offseason turmoil in New Orleans, Chris Paul is still on the team, and so is David West. They look to become the best pick-and-roll combo in the league now that the Deron Williams-Carlos Boozer combo has broken up.
Player to watch: Trevor Ariza. He will give them either a good starting small forward, or a sixth-man award candidate.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Ask again later.
17. New York Knicks
14 of 30
2009-10 Record: 29-53 (third Atlantic Division, 11th Eastern Conference)
After missing out on LeBron, the ol' Knickerbockers grabbed Amar'e Stoudemire, along with a host of other players in order to turn around their team to return them to prominence.
Player to watch: Timofey Mozgov. Who is this big Russian and what is he capable of?
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: They're in the Eastern Conference so...Yes.
16. Charlotte Bobcats
15 of 30
2009-10 Record: 44-38, (fourth Southeast, seventh Eastern Conference)
Michael Jordan has given Kwame Brown a chance to clear his name as a complete bust and Shaun Livingston a chance to play a big role on an NBA team after obliterating his knee a few seasons ago.
Player to watch: Livingston. Once a dynamic player, now just trying to rebuild his career.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: All signs point to yes.
15. Houston Rockets
16 of 30
2009-10 Record: 42-40 (third Southwest Division, ninth Western Conference)
Yao Ming is back and is looking to mesh with the team that has been the scrappy guys in the west for the past two seasons.
Yao is looking to avoid becoming the Bill Walton of this generation.
Player to watch: Courtney Lee. Did he score 12 a game in New Jersey because...well... somebody had to score points, or is he a good player?
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Outlook good.
14. Phoenix Suns
17 of 30
2009-10 Record: 54-28, (second Pacific Division, third Western Conference)
Steve Nash is aging like fine wine. He also hasn't missed the playoffs since 1999-00.
That, along with Channing Frye stepping up to fill in for Amar'e Stoudemire to drain threes and be a big body down low, should send Nash and company back to the playoffs.
Player to watch: Hedo Turkoglu. If he was actually as bad as he looked last season, then this will be a disastrous pickup for the Suns.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: All signs point to yes.
13. Miluakee Bucks
18 of 30
2009-10 Record: 46-36, (second Central Division, sixth Eastern Conference)
The Bucks tore apart the NBA after the all-star break a season ago and taught the league to fear the deer.
Now they have gotten younger, along with picking up veteran forward Corey Maggette to add another scoring threat.
Player to watch: John Salmons. Before his trade to the Bucks, he was miserable. After it, he was magnificent. Which Salmons will he be this year?
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Yes.
12. Atlanta Hawks
19 of 30
2009-10 Record: 53-29, (second Southeast Division, third Eastern Conference)
Joe Johnson is overpaid. There, I said it.
Now that that's out of the way, the Hawks are still a great team and are very much the same team that finished third in the conference last season. They could still contend for a championship this year with any luck.
Player to watch: Mike Bibby. Somebody poke him with a stick for me. Is he still alive?
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: It is certain.
11. Utah Jazz
20 of 30
2009-10 Record: 53-29, (second Northwest Division, fifth Western Conference)
The Jazz got past the loss of Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver by signing Al Jefferson, one of the more underrated pickups of the summer.
Jefforson, along with the emergence of Paul Millsap, should make Utah miss Boozer very little.
Player to watch: Andrei Kirilenko. AK47 used to be a legitimate 5x5 (five points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals in one game) threat. Now with injuries, he is a shell of his former self. Maybe he gets it back on track this season.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: As I see it, yes.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
21 of 30
2009-10 Record: 50-32, 3rd Northwest Division, 6th Western Conference
The oldest young man in the world, Greg Oden, has played 82 games in three seasons.
Last season, the Blazers lost over 300 player-games due to injury.
Needless to say, if they stay healthy, they have the ability and the talent to win the west.
Player to watch: Wesley Matthews. The hot-shooting guard that they got from Utah is emerging as one of the best deep threats in the league and could put them over the top.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: It is decidedly so.
9. Denver Nuggets
22 of 30
2009-10 Record: 53-29, (first Northwest Division, fourth Western Conference)
Carmelo Anthony is still on the team, and as long as that is true, they have a shot at a title.
Anthony, along with J.R Smith, Nene, Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin, makes them a difficult test for any team.
Player to wtach: Aaron Afflalo. The guard they got from Detroit a year ago has steadily improved since his entrance into the league in every aspect of the game.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: You may rely on it.
8. Dallas Mavericks
23 of 30
2009-10 Record: 55-27, (first Southwest Division, second Western Conference)
The Mavericks are getting old, and they have to fall at some point.
Their starting five is made up of guys all over the age of 30, and their starting point guard is 37.
How Jason Kidd continues to put up triple-doubles at his age is beyond me.
Player to watch: Tyson Chandler. Is he ever going to live up to his tremendous potential?
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Yes.
7. San Antonio Spurs
24 of 30
2009-10 Record: 50-32, (second Southwest Division, seventh Western Conference)
While most teams continually move toward youth, the Spurs seem to embrace getting older.
Tim Duncan is 34 and Antonio McDyess is 36, giving them a 70-year-old frontcourt.
Player to watch: Tiago Splitter. Along with a) having the coolest name in the NBA and b) having a name that makes me think of the rat from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Splitter is a player who can make a big impact if given the playing time.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Yes--Definitely.
6. Chicago Bulls
25 of 30
2009-10 Record: 41-41, (third Central Division, eighth Eastern Conference)
They may have lost recent acquisition Carlos Boozer to injury until December, but they are going to be fine without him for the time being.
Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah still make up a dynamic duo, and Kyle Korver added to the mix makes for a thin defense.
Player to watch: Brian Scalabrine. I really want to know how much he pays David Stern to put him on a championship contending team.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: It is certain.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
26 of 30
2009-10 Record: 50-32, (fourth Northwest Division, eighth Western Conference)
Somebody give Kevin Durant the MVP Award now, because unless LeBron James averages outrageous numbers, then nobody is taking it away from him.
Durant and Russel Westbrook are also starting to evolve into the Michael Jordan/Scottie Pippen duo of this generation.
Player(s) to watch: Nenad Kristic, BJ Mullens, Cole Aldrich. Somebody tell Shawn Bradley that he has a job if one of these big, slow, nonathletic, white centers goes down.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Without a doubt.
4. Orlando Magic
27 of 30
2009 Record: 59-23, (first Southeast Division, second Eastern Conference)
With all the brouhaha going on in their own backyard down in Miami, Orlando did nothing but get better.
Joining Dwight Howard and friends is Quentin Richardson, who can be a hard nosed defender and deep threat if he isn't asked to be too integral to the team's success.
Player to watch: Richardson. He should find a nice niche role with the Magic to help them on their quest for a title.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: It is certain.
3. Boston Celtics
28 of 30
2009-10 Record: 50-32, (first Atlantic Division, fourth Eastern Conference)
Boston added O'Neal's Shaquille and Jermaine to go along with the big four that they already boast and the rest of their well developed team.
Boston easily has the deepest team, from their number one to 15 spot in the league.
Player to watch: Rajon Rondo. He was excluded from the US team this summer and should have a chip on his shoulder and a monkey on his back.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Without a doubt.
2. Miami Heat
29 of 30
2009-10 Record: 47-35, (third Southeast Division, fifth Eastern Conference)
So Mike Miller is hurt until January.
Did they really sign any of these guys to get the job done in November and December?
As long as they are healthy at the end of the year, they are dangerous.
Player to watch: Chris Bosh. What role will he take on in this lineup?
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Duh.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
30 of 30
2009-10 Record 57-25, (first Pacific Division, first Western Conference)
Nothing needs to be said about these defending champions; they say everything they need to on the court.
Player to watch: Matt Barnes. He could be the guy that gives them the tough defense needed to achieve the three-peat.
Magic 8-Ball on playoff hopes: Yes.
