Post by DB on Aug 26, 2008 18:00:39 GMT -5
1. New York Knicks- Going into the regular season the Knicks come out on top of the power rankings here because of the combo guards that hold down the fort for them at the 1 and 2. Dawkins and Anderson have shown great production over the years and this year shall be no different. They both are in their primes and posed for another championship run. With Chandler Thomas coming back after floating around free agency and Peter Alexis holding down the five, the Knicks look to be the team to beat this season.
2. Utah Jazz- The Jazz look to be the best team out West with their star studded line up. Tavon Sledge and Trae Golden are great guards that have led these Jazz teams many times to the playoffs over the years. With young Miles Davis, Kris Jenkins, and Theo Pinson rounding out the 3, 4 and 5, the Jazz look to be one of the most complete teams in the league. Will Nova finally win a ship this year before his players get to old? Time will tell.
3. Sacramento Kings- This team may surprise a few this season and I think are really a fierce team when it comes to a seven game series. The only thing that holds them back is their frontcourt. It is not as good as you would think but the team is solid all around nonetheless. Ferrell, Sulaimon and Nocedal are the best 1,2,3 in the league.
4. Los Angeles Clippers- A team that surprised many of us last season will show up back in the top 5 this season. They have a lot of tools that on any given night could give you hell. Dean Danos is the star of this team and he is one of the best, if not the best, shooter in the league. Look for the Clippers to make it to the playoffs. Their defense may be what makes or breaks them from having a successful season.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers- The second East team to show up on my power rankings, the Cavaliers look to be the best defensive squad around the league. Kevin Durant, Karl Towns and Dwight Howard will be enough for this team to make the playoffs in the East and really give the Knicks a run for their money.
6. San Antonio Spurs- The defending champions come all the way down to the sixth spot because of their devastating losses in the off season. They lost Price in free agency to the LA Lakers and also traded big man Deng Leek. I still feel though they will make the playoffs with Peters and Kalo rounding out the frontcourt. Also any time you have star Ricky Rubio running the show you know he can lead you to a successful season. They will need to add another scoring threat to be in real contention.
7. Los Angeles Lakers- The Lakers made a big splash in FA this year bringing in young star Jordan Price. They also retained Jordan Washington and Ralph Sampson. Tyler Ulis has shown improvements in TC and recently they have traded for Greg Monroe. Looks for the Lakers to be a threat in the West again.
8. Indiana Pacers- It is hard to find a solid East team right now but I think the Pacers here is a good fit. Any team with J-Mychal Reese running the show will be in playoff contention and when you add guys Austin and Green, it should be enough for the post season.
9. Phoenix Suns- It was hard to pick here but I chose the Suns. I think the Suns are a really solid team that will give a lot of teams some trouble. Okoro and Smith are a very solid front court. Add in young Kadaryll Bell who is on the brink of a break out performance, I like this teams chances. They brought back in Billy Garrett and have Anthony Bowers at the 2, this team will score enough points, but will their defense be a big weakness for them?
10. Atlanta Hawks- It may shock some people that I put the Hawks here but they may be a new force out East. Marcelis Johnson an up and coming big looks poised to be a solid center for many years. Add in Reggie Ragland, Ralston Turner and recent addition from FA Jarvis Garrett this team will be a contender for sure out East. I really like what Jah has done with this team as they look to be in good shape. Time will tell if they will perform or just need another year to grow.
I hope you enjoyed my Power Rankings! Discuss!
2. Utah Jazz- The Jazz look to be the best team out West with their star studded line up. Tavon Sledge and Trae Golden are great guards that have led these Jazz teams many times to the playoffs over the years. With young Miles Davis, Kris Jenkins, and Theo Pinson rounding out the 3, 4 and 5, the Jazz look to be one of the most complete teams in the league. Will Nova finally win a ship this year before his players get to old? Time will tell.
3. Sacramento Kings- This team may surprise a few this season and I think are really a fierce team when it comes to a seven game series. The only thing that holds them back is their frontcourt. It is not as good as you would think but the team is solid all around nonetheless. Ferrell, Sulaimon and Nocedal are the best 1,2,3 in the league.
4. Los Angeles Clippers- A team that surprised many of us last season will show up back in the top 5 this season. They have a lot of tools that on any given night could give you hell. Dean Danos is the star of this team and he is one of the best, if not the best, shooter in the league. Look for the Clippers to make it to the playoffs. Their defense may be what makes or breaks them from having a successful season.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers- The second East team to show up on my power rankings, the Cavaliers look to be the best defensive squad around the league. Kevin Durant, Karl Towns and Dwight Howard will be enough for this team to make the playoffs in the East and really give the Knicks a run for their money.
6. San Antonio Spurs- The defending champions come all the way down to the sixth spot because of their devastating losses in the off season. They lost Price in free agency to the LA Lakers and also traded big man Deng Leek. I still feel though they will make the playoffs with Peters and Kalo rounding out the frontcourt. Also any time you have star Ricky Rubio running the show you know he can lead you to a successful season. They will need to add another scoring threat to be in real contention.
7. Los Angeles Lakers- The Lakers made a big splash in FA this year bringing in young star Jordan Price. They also retained Jordan Washington and Ralph Sampson. Tyler Ulis has shown improvements in TC and recently they have traded for Greg Monroe. Looks for the Lakers to be a threat in the West again.
8. Indiana Pacers- It is hard to find a solid East team right now but I think the Pacers here is a good fit. Any team with J-Mychal Reese running the show will be in playoff contention and when you add guys Austin and Green, it should be enough for the post season.
9. Phoenix Suns- It was hard to pick here but I chose the Suns. I think the Suns are a really solid team that will give a lot of teams some trouble. Okoro and Smith are a very solid front court. Add in young Kadaryll Bell who is on the brink of a break out performance, I like this teams chances. They brought back in Billy Garrett and have Anthony Bowers at the 2, this team will score enough points, but will their defense be a big weakness for them?
10. Atlanta Hawks- It may shock some people that I put the Hawks here but they may be a new force out East. Marcelis Johnson an up and coming big looks poised to be a solid center for many years. Add in Reggie Ragland, Ralston Turner and recent addition from FA Jarvis Garrett this team will be a contender for sure out East. I really like what Jah has done with this team as they look to be in good shape. Time will tell if they will perform or just need another year to grow.
I hope you enjoyed my Power Rankings! Discuss!
