NBA Power Rankings: A Look at the 2011-12 Season

With the lockout finally over, the positive NBA talk has finally resumed. NCAA ratings will go back down, anti-LeBron comments will be made, and the world will be restored back to order.

We all missed the NBA. With rumors of trades here and there, there are an infinite number of distractions. But, with the lineups that we know today, let's take a look at how the teams rank.

30. Toronto Raptors

Record Prediction: 14-52

Starting Lineup: PG Jose Calderon, SG DeMar DeRozan, SF James Johnson, PF Amir Johnson, C Andrea Bargnani

After a woeful season last year, don't look for the Raptors to be much better in 2012.

With a new coach in Dwane Casey, the Raptors simply do not have the pieces to be any better than last season.

Look for them to trail a loaded division that includes the Celtics, Knicks and 76ers.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers

Record Prediction: 15-51

Starting Lineup: PG Kyrie Irving, SG Anthony Parker, SF Tristan Thompson, PF Omri Casspi, C Ryan Hollins

Last year, the Cavs had the next-to-worst record in the league at 19-63.

They made no dramatic transitions before the lockout aside from an excellent draft, picking up Irving and Thompson. They also traded J.J. Hickson to the Kings for Omri Casspi.

Their lineup is filled with mostly young players that still need to develop, so look for another slow year in Cleveland.

28. Washington Wizards

Record Prediction: 15-51

Starting Lineup: PG John Wall, SG Jordan Crawford, SF Maurice Evans, PF Andray Blatche, C JaVale Magee

The Wizards lost Al Thornton, but John Wall has a year of experience. Look for John Wall to play much better.

Unfortunately he has no supporting cast whatsoever, leaving the Wizards at the bottom of the league.

27. Detroit Pistons

Record Prediction: 19-47

Starting Lineup: PG Will Bynum, SG Richard Hamilton, SF Tayshaun Prince, PF Chris Wilcox, C Greg Monroe

With "Rip" and Prince way past their prime, the Pistons will look to put a lot of pressure on second-year center Greg Monroe.

Monroe won't turn out to be the player they want him to be immediately.

They do have a pretty deep bench, but it mostly consists of players who are either too young or too old to be key contributors.

26. Sacramento Kings

Record Prediction: 20-46

Starting Lineup: PG Tyreke Evans, SG Beno Udoh, SF J.J. Hickson, PF DeMarcus Cousins, C Samuel Dalembert

A not-so bad starting lineup with explosive young guns, the Kings will improve this year.

However, they have no bench to help out the inexperienced starters.

They especially have a lack of depth in the backcourt, as they have almost no one to take the load off of Evans.

25. Minnesota Timberwolves

Record Prediction: 21-45

Starting Lineup: PG Luke Ridnour, SG Wes Johnson, SF Michael Beasley, PF Kevin Love, C Darko Milicic 

A very, very, very young T'Wolves team looks to improve this year.

They have a solid, inexperienced starting rotation. On top of their lack of veterans, they have no bench aside from rookies Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams, but we have no idea how they will fair in the NBA so its hard to say they will be much better.

Look for the Wolves to be slightly better, mostly due to the play of Kevin Love.

24. Golden State Warriors

Record Prediction: 22-44

Starting Lineup: PG Stephen Curry, SG Monta Ellis, SF Dorell Wright, PF David Lee, C Ekpe Udoh 

On top of trade rumors involving Monta Ellis, the Warriors will suffer greatly from their lack of depth and ability in the frontcourt.

Udoh and Wright will simply not be enough to make the Warriors able to contend for the playoffs, especially in the superior Western Conference.

23. Charlotte Bobcats

Record Prediction: 25-41

Starting Lineup: PG DJ Augustine/Kemba Walker, SG Gerald Henderson, SF Stephen Jackson, PF Boris Diaw, C Kwame Brown

If you're a Bobcats fan, look forward to Kemba having a sick year, and that's about it.

The Bobcats simply have problems all over their lineup—from Kwame Brown being their center to having no talent at the SG position.

On the bright side, look for them to pick up another steal in the draft, which they seem to do every year. And then, they will be a playoff team in 2013.

22. Phoenix Suns

Record Prediction: 26-40

Starting Lineup: PG Steve Nash, SG Grant Hill, SF Jared Dudley, PF Markieff Morris, C Marcin Gortat

Wow, are the Suns heavily relying on Morris to run that pick and roll with Steve Nash?

Just look at the ages and lack of talent in that lineup. This will be the second straight disappointing year for the Suns.

21. Houston Rockets

Record Prediction: 27-39

Starting Lineup: PG Kyle Lowry, SG Kevin Martin, SF Louis Scola, PF Marcus Morris, C Chuck Hayes

A so-so Houston team won't do anything more than last season.

Hopefully for them, their Morris twin will develop come next year.

With the help of another draft pick next offseason, they might make the playoffs in 2013. But, I wouldn't rate them as one this year, especially in the West.

20. Denver Nuggets

Record Prediction: 27-39

Starting Lineup: PG Ty Lawson, SG Aaron Afflalo  SF Danilo Gallinari, PF Al Harrington, C Nene

Despite losing 'Melo last year, the Nuggets showed the world that they can still compete. However, they have some offseason disfunction loosing Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin, and much of their talent will become FA's at the end of the season. 

19. New Jersey Nets

Record Prediction: 30-36

Starting Lineup: PG Deron Williams, SG Anthony Morrow, SF Brandan Wright, PF Travis Outlaw, C Brook Lopez

With some talent, but a lack of depth, look for the Nets to be sacked by the Celtics, Knicks and 76ers.

18. Utah Jazz

Record Prediction: 32-34

Starting Lineup: PG Devin Harris, SG  Raja Bell, SF CJ Miles, PF Paul Millsap/Derrick Favors, C Al Jefferson

Despite the loss of Deron Williams, I see a lot of potential with this Utah cast.

They have talent, but it still needs a year or two of developing.

Maybe a trade here, a draft pick there, and this can be a good team in a few years.

17. Indiana Pacers

Record Prediction: 33-33

Starting Lineup: PG Darren Collison, SG Paul George, SF Danny Granger, PF Tyler Hansbrough, C Roy Hibbert

This Pacers team has a frontcourt with a lack of experience, but a great deal of potential, especially with the addition of Kawhi Leonard.

Also, Collison is always fun to watch.

16. New Orleans Hornets

Record Prediction: 33-33

Starting Lineup: PG Chris Paul, SG Marco Belinelli, SF Trevor Ariza, PF Carl Landry, C Emeka Okafor

With trade and free-agent rumors flying around New Orleans, look for a disappointing season.

The Hornets do not have enough skill in order to be a playoff contender in the West.

15. Los Angeles Clippers

Record Prediction: 34-32

Starting Lineup: PG Mo Williams/Eric Bledsoe, SG Eric Gordon, SF Jamario Moon, PF Blake Griffin, C DeAndre Jordan

By far, this will be the best team to watch in 2012.

Griffin will be stronger and one of the best players in the league, and a deep backcourt will be on display with Williams, Bledsoe and Gordon.

This team showed signs of improvement last year, but this year will be even better. Look to see two LA teams in the playoffs this year.

14. Milwaukee Bucks

Record Prediction: 35-31

Starting Lineup: PG Brandon Jennings, SG John Salmons, SF Carlos Delfino, PF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, C Andrew Bogut

Just shy of making the playoffs last year, look for the Bucks to be right back on the bubble again this year; they have enough talent, along with the addition of Jimmer, to make the playoffs.

They are an exciting team to watch, and they have what it takes to impress some people.

They have a pretty deep bench to make a run. 

13. Memphis Grizzlies

Record Prediction: 35-31

Starting Lineup: PG Mike Conley, SG O.J. Mayo, SF Tony Allen, PF Zach Randolph, C Marc Gasol

Just making the playoffs last year, the Grizzlies will be right back with a young and energetic team.

They shocked the world when they upset the Spurs, and look for them to be a pleasant surprise this year.

They don't have an extremely deep bench, but there are some quality players like Greivis Vasquez on it.

12. Philadelphia 76ers

Record Prediction: 38-28

Starting Lineup: PG Jrue Holiday, SG Jodie Meeks, SF Andre Iguodala, PF Elton Brand, C Spencer Hawes

Another fun, young team that has what it takes to make the playoffs again in the East.

Look for good contributions from Meeks and Holiday in the backcourt, as the 76ers will probably seal up that eighth spot.

They have a very young, but deep bench, and they hope to get something more out of Evan Turner this year.

11. Portland Trailblazers

Record Prediction: 38-28

Starting Lineup: PG Raymond Felton, SG Wesley Matthews/Brandon Roy, SF Gerald Wallace, PF LaMarcus Aldridge, C Marcus Camby

With the dysfunction of last season behind them, the Blazers are going to be a good team.

They have a great deal of skill and enough depth to be a contender.

With such an athletic frontcourt with Wallace, Aldridge and Camby, look for the Blazers to be a runaway train.

10. New York Knicks

Record Prediction: 40-26

Starting Lineup: PG Chauncey Billups, SG Landry Fields, SF Carmelo Anthony, PF Amar'e Stoudemire, C Ronny Turiaf

The Knicks return a star-studded starting lineup that, with more experience together, will prove to be a much better team.

They do have one huge flaw...filling in the 5-slot. Turiaf is nowhere near a championship-caliber center, and the Knicks will have to pick up somebody decent at that position if they want to be taken seriously. 

9. Atlanta Hawks

Record Prediction: 42-24

Starting Lineup: PG Kirk Hinrich, SG Joe Johnson, SF Josh Smith, PF Al Horford, C Zaza Pachulia

A very talented and high flying team.

Expect another point guard trade, as the Hawks will probably look to deal Hinrich for a better player.

There is little depth on this team for them to make a run at the finals, and they have almost no talent on their bench aside from the exciting Jeff Teague and veteran Jamal Crawford.

This team is an exciting one to watch, so expect them to be in the middle or towards the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

8. Orlando Magic

Record Prediction: 47-19

Starting Lineup: PG Jameer Nelson, SG Jason Richardson, SF Hedo Turkoglu, PF Brandon Bass, C Dwight Howard

Pretty much from this team on, anyone has a good chance at the title.

This Magic team has a freak of nature in Dwight Howard and a great supporting cast to take the load off of him.

They have a pretty deep bench with exciting players coming off of it like "Hibachi" and J.J. Redick.

If Howard unleashes, it will be hard to stop this Magic team.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder

Record Prediction: 48-18

Starting Lineup: PG Russell Westbrook, SG James Harden, SF Kevin Durant, PF Serge Ibaka, C Kendrick Perkins

OKC Thunder are the most fun team to watch.

On top of being fun and high-flying, they also have a solid second team. Let's take a look: PG Eric Maynor, SG Thabo Sefolosha, SF Robert Vaden, PF Nick Collison, C Nazr Mohammed.

This is a very respectable bench that will greatly improve this Thunder team and give them a shot at the title.

Prediction: Kevin Durant will win MVP.

6. Boston Celtics

Record Prediction: 49-17

Starting Lineup: PG Rajon Rondo, SG Ray Allen, SF Paul Pierce, PF Kevin Garnett, C Jermaine O'Neal

Some may say this is the most complete lineup, but the truth is the "Three Party" is getting old.

With Garnett and Allen in the last year of their contracts, this might be their last year in the NBA.

They will still be a great team, but a team like the Thunder just seems to have more energy and firepower.

5. San Antonio Spurs

Record Prediction: 50-16

PG Tony Parker, SG Manu Ginobili, SF Richard Jefferson, PF Tim Duncan, C Antonio McDyess

A stacked starting lineup to say the least, but damn, this team is old! Their average age is 32 for crying out loud.

I think they will have another sick regular season, but once again, they will not have the energy to last in the playoffs.

Prediction: First-round loss...again

4. Chicago Bulls

Record Prediction: 51-15

Starting Lineup: PG Derrick Rose, SG Keith Bogans, SF Luol Deng, PF Carlos Boozer, C Joakim Noah

They finished with the best record in the East last year, and Rose won the MVP, in case you didn't know.

This is an extremely talented Chicago team that has what it takes to win the finals, but then again, so does every team in the Top 8.

They have fire, flash and experience, so watch out.

They have the second-deepest bench in the league with Korver, Watson, Brewer, Thomas and Butler. 

3. Los Angeles Lakers

Record Prediction: 52-14

Starting Lineup: PG Derek Fisher, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Metta World Peace, PF Pau Gasol, C Andrew Bynum

Saying this Lakers team is good is nothing you don't already know.

Yet again, they have one of the best starting lineups in the game.

It will be interesting to see how they fare without the "Zen Master," Phil Jackson.

2. Dallas Mavericks

Record Prediction: 53-13

Starting Lineup: PG Jason Kidd, SG DeShawn Stevenson, SF Shawn Marion , PF Dirk Nowitzki, C Tyson Chandler

I know, I know. Pretty cliche putting the Mavs at No. 2 and you-know-who at No. 1, but the facts just add up.

You can't actually predict this stuff, but from what's in front of us right now, this has got to be the Top 2.

Let's just take a look at the Mavs' bench: Jason Terry, J.J. Barea, Peja Stojakovic, Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood.

Holy crap, I think those guys as starters, with a somewhat decent bench, can be a .500 team.

This Mavs team has depth, which will help them dearly in the playoffs.

They did it last year, and don't be shocked if they have another shot at it.

1. Miami Heat

Record Prediction: 55-11

Starting Lineup: PG Mike Bibby, SG Dwyane Wade, SF LeBron James, PF Chris Bosh, C Joel Anthony

We can hate them all we want, but this team has potential to be the greatest basketball team ever assembled—if not this year, then maybe in the next couple of years.

Not only do they have the "big three," but they have a respectable bench as well, with Jerome Beasley, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mike Miller, Juwan Howard and Udonis Haslem.

They made it to the finals last year when they didn't even look like a team. With a year under their belts, this Heat team will be scary.

Prediction: Heat win finals