InsideHoops.com
1) San Antonio (60-22) - Lost David Robinson but added Rasho Nesterovic. As usual, Tim Duncan is the key to this machine.
2) LA Lakers (50-32) - Assuming the Kobe Bryant stuff clears up or goes away or something, on paper this team is the best in the league. Although, chemistry can be tricky sometimes. Will Karl Malone be willing to become a role player? Anyway, the Lakers are tops in talent, but we can't have them at number one while the Bryant case is still looming and this new cast of characters hasn't gotten to know each other yet.
3) Dallas (60-22) - Still all offense, lacking defense. It'll be a nightmare for teams to try to guard Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, Michael Finley and Steve Nash. This team could rack up more wins than a few teams above, but the playoffs are when it counts.
4) Sacramento (59-23) - Loaded with talent and got better by adding Brad Miller. The West steals more talent from the East. Right now Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic are both healing, so we've bumped them down a few spots.
5) Minnesota (51-31) - Added tons of talent in Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell. Michael Olowokandi could do better here than he did in Los Angeles. The starting five on this team is pretty scary. Kevin Garnett will have less pressure to carry the team.
6) New Jersey (49-33) - Even without Alonzo Mourning, the Nets should be the best in the East again. Now, if Zo can actually play at even 70 percent at what he used to, perhaps this team can compete on a higher level in their next finals appearance.
7) Detroit (50-32) - Adding Darko Milicic is fantastic, but he's young and isn't expected to be a key contributor anytime soon. Still, the Pistons are deep and good.
8) Phoenix (44-38) - Amare Stoudemire will keep improving, and Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion as well.
9) Orlando (42-40) - Juwan Howard will help add much-needed scoring help, taking some pressure off of Tracy McGrady. Still, T-Mac carries this squad. Look for Drew Gooden to continue to improve.
10) Indiana (48-34) - With Brad Miller gone, Jermaine O'Neal will have more room to have an even bigger impact on offense. Scot Pollard is actually a slightly better rebounder and defender than Miller. Also, look for Al Harrington to emerge.
11) Houston (43-39) - We're not sure if Yao Ming, Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley are a perfect match. Also, some forwards would help. New coach Jeff Van Gundy plans on revolving the offense more around Yao, which means more of an inside-outside game will take place. Will Francis find that acceptable?
12) Portland (50-32) - Still talented, even with Scottie Pippen and Arvydas Sabonis gone.
13) Boston (44-38) - Marcus Banks looked terrific in summer league play. If he's an instant contributor, the Celts will rise. Also, word is that Antoine Walker is in his best shape in years.
14) Philadelphia (48-34) - Adding Glenn Robinson will take scoring pressure off of Allen Iverson. The little guy will still pour in points in a big way, but his field goal percentage should go up a bit as he can afford to be more careful about which shots he fires.
15) New Orleans (47-35) - An extremely solid, talented team that never seem to get over the hump. Will Baron Davis' back problems continue? If not, he and Jamal Mashburn form a lethal combination that should once again carry them into the playoffs.
16) Chicago (30-52) - As Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry improve, so do the Bulls. And Jamal Crawford may shine this year.
17) Miami (25-57) - Now should be a really fun team to watch, with rookie Dwayne Wade learning to run the point, Eddie Jones at shooting guard as usual, Caron Butler doing his thing, and new addition Lamar Odom looking to prove to the world that he can make the most of his talent.
18) Seattle (40-42) - Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are definitely a nice combination. Who else can contribute? The team is hoping rookie Nick Collision (who just got injured) can step in and pound the boards like crazy.
19) Washington (37-45) - It's the Gilbert Arenas and Jerry Stackhouse show. Also, watch for the outside shooting of rookie Jarvis Hayes to possibly have a very quick impact.
20) New York (37-45) - Keith Van Horn will add 18 and 8, but the Knicks' win column may or may not improve. We'll wait for Antonio McDyess to show he's back on the court before factoring him in.
21) Cleveland (17-65) - LeBron James and Ricky Davis could form a lethal scoring combination. Is Darius Miles ready to contributed he was expected to last year? Anyway, no one is quite sure how high to rate the Cavs. We wouldn't be surprised to see them struggle, but it also wouldn't be shocking to see this squad fight to make the playoffs.
22) Denver (17-65) - Carmelo Anthony and Nene Hilario are a terrific nucleus. The sky is the limit. Both of those guys could erupt for big seasons. We've possibly underrated this team by two to five spots.
23) Toronto (24-58) - Will Vinsanity return? Maybe, but he needs more talent around him.
24) Memphis (28-54) - This team has about thirty shooting guards.
25) Golden State (38-44) - Rebuilding for the 800th time, now around Mike Dunleavy and Jason Richardson. In other words, totally starting over. Nick Van Exel has to be a star here.
26) LA Clippers (27-55) - They lost their starting point guard (Andre Miller), starting small forward (Lamar Odom) and starting center (Michael Olowokandi). It's up to Elton Brand and Corey Maggette to carry the load, and for everyone else to rise. We want to believe they'll do better than this, and it's quite possible they will, but we have to be logical about this. Sorry.
27) Milwaukee (42-40) - Rebuilding. Actually have decent, athletic talent and could do better than expected. But, they're basically starting from scratch and therefore belong right down here.
28) Atlanta (35-47) - Will sending Glenn Robinson away be addition by subtraction, as Theo Ratliff told InsideHoops.com this summer? It's up to Shareef Abdur-Rahim to do something he's never done before and carry a team in the win column. He's put up stats all his career but they haven't added up to wins. Can Shareef, Jason Terry, Ratliff and friends develop chemistry? And does this team have enough defenders?
29) Utah (47-35) - Team is now built around Matt Harpring and Andrei Kirilenko. It seems wrong to have the Jazz ranked lowest in the league. It really is just wrong. But with Jerry Sloan coaching, the emergence of Harpring last year, and the huge potential in Kirilenko, plus the skinny ankles of Keon Clark, you almost sense that the team will somehow fight their way out of this, at least a little. Right?
1) San Antonio (60-22) - Lost David Robinson but added Rasho Nesterovic. As usual, Tim Duncan is the key to this machine.
2) LA Lakers (50-32) - Assuming the Kobe Bryant stuff clears up or goes away or something, on paper this team is the best in the league. Although, chemistry can be tricky sometimes. Will Karl Malone be willing to become a role player? Anyway, the Lakers are tops in talent, but we can't have them at number one while the Bryant case is still looming and this new cast of characters hasn't gotten to know each other yet.
3) Dallas (60-22) - Still all offense, lacking defense. It'll be a nightmare for teams to try to guard Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, Michael Finley and Steve Nash. This team could rack up more wins than a few teams above, but the playoffs are when it counts.
4) Sacramento (59-23) - Loaded with talent and got better by adding Brad Miller. The West steals more talent from the East. Right now Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic are both healing, so we've bumped them down a few spots.
5) Minnesota (51-31) - Added tons of talent in Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell. Michael Olowokandi could do better here than he did in Los Angeles. The starting five on this team is pretty scary. Kevin Garnett will have less pressure to carry the team.
6) New Jersey (49-33) - Even without Alonzo Mourning, the Nets should be the best in the East again. Now, if Zo can actually play at even 70 percent at what he used to, perhaps this team can compete on a higher level in their next finals appearance.
7) Detroit (50-32) - Adding Darko Milicic is fantastic, but he's young and isn't expected to be a key contributor anytime soon. Still, the Pistons are deep and good.
8) Phoenix (44-38) - Amare Stoudemire will keep improving, and Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion as well.
9) Orlando (42-40) - Juwan Howard will help add much-needed scoring help, taking some pressure off of Tracy McGrady. Still, T-Mac carries this squad. Look for Drew Gooden to continue to improve.
10) Indiana (48-34) - With Brad Miller gone, Jermaine O'Neal will have more room to have an even bigger impact on offense. Scot Pollard is actually a slightly better rebounder and defender than Miller. Also, look for Al Harrington to emerge.
11) Houston (43-39) - We're not sure if Yao Ming, Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley are a perfect match. Also, some forwards would help. New coach Jeff Van Gundy plans on revolving the offense more around Yao, which means more of an inside-outside game will take place. Will Francis find that acceptable?
12) Portland (50-32) - Still talented, even with Scottie Pippen and Arvydas Sabonis gone.
13) Boston (44-38) - Marcus Banks looked terrific in summer league play. If he's an instant contributor, the Celts will rise. Also, word is that Antoine Walker is in his best shape in years.
14) Philadelphia (48-34) - Adding Glenn Robinson will take scoring pressure off of Allen Iverson. The little guy will still pour in points in a big way, but his field goal percentage should go up a bit as he can afford to be more careful about which shots he fires.
15) New Orleans (47-35) - An extremely solid, talented team that never seem to get over the hump. Will Baron Davis' back problems continue? If not, he and Jamal Mashburn form a lethal combination that should once again carry them into the playoffs.
16) Chicago (30-52) - As Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry improve, so do the Bulls. And Jamal Crawford may shine this year.
17) Miami (25-57) - Now should be a really fun team to watch, with rookie Dwayne Wade learning to run the point, Eddie Jones at shooting guard as usual, Caron Butler doing his thing, and new addition Lamar Odom looking to prove to the world that he can make the most of his talent.
18) Seattle (40-42) - Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are definitely a nice combination. Who else can contribute? The team is hoping rookie Nick Collision (who just got injured) can step in and pound the boards like crazy.
19) Washington (37-45) - It's the Gilbert Arenas and Jerry Stackhouse show. Also, watch for the outside shooting of rookie Jarvis Hayes to possibly have a very quick impact.
20) New York (37-45) - Keith Van Horn will add 18 and 8, but the Knicks' win column may or may not improve. We'll wait for Antonio McDyess to show he's back on the court before factoring him in.
21) Cleveland (17-65) - LeBron James and Ricky Davis could form a lethal scoring combination. Is Darius Miles ready to contributed he was expected to last year? Anyway, no one is quite sure how high to rate the Cavs. We wouldn't be surprised to see them struggle, but it also wouldn't be shocking to see this squad fight to make the playoffs.
22) Denver (17-65) - Carmelo Anthony and Nene Hilario are a terrific nucleus. The sky is the limit. Both of those guys could erupt for big seasons. We've possibly underrated this team by two to five spots.
23) Toronto (24-58) - Will Vinsanity return? Maybe, but he needs more talent around him.
24) Memphis (28-54) - This team has about thirty shooting guards.
25) Golden State (38-44) - Rebuilding for the 800th time, now around Mike Dunleavy and Jason Richardson. In other words, totally starting over. Nick Van Exel has to be a star here.
26) LA Clippers (27-55) - They lost their starting point guard (Andre Miller), starting small forward (Lamar Odom) and starting center (Michael Olowokandi). It's up to Elton Brand and Corey Maggette to carry the load, and for everyone else to rise. We want to believe they'll do better than this, and it's quite possible they will, but we have to be logical about this. Sorry.
27) Milwaukee (42-40) - Rebuilding. Actually have decent, athletic talent and could do better than expected. But, they're basically starting from scratch and therefore belong right down here.
28) Atlanta (35-47) - Will sending Glenn Robinson away be addition by subtraction, as Theo Ratliff told InsideHoops.com this summer? It's up to Shareef Abdur-Rahim to do something he's never done before and carry a team in the win column. He's put up stats all his career but they haven't added up to wins. Can Shareef, Jason Terry, Ratliff and friends develop chemistry? And does this team have enough defenders?
29) Utah (47-35) - Team is now built around Matt Harpring and Andrei Kirilenko. It seems wrong to have the Jazz ranked lowest in the league. It really is just wrong. But with Jerry Sloan coaching, the emergence of Harpring last year, and the huge potential in Kirilenko, plus the skinny ankles of Keon Clark, you almost sense that the team will somehow fight their way out of this, at least a little. Right?
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