Post by raps03 - TOR on Oct 7, 2008 19:18:20 GMT -5
Power Rankings - Off Season Edition - East
created by: Houston Rockets
1)Orlando- The East really starts with Orlando. This team has a great front court with Yao and Marion. They should be able to score points on most front courts in this league, as well as play some pretty sensational defenses. They also have Jefferson at small forward and Jason Terry at shooting guard. These two guys should be able to score lots of points for this magic team. The only question mark that I see from this team is Rafer Alston. He has shown that he is capable of playing the point, but can he lead this all star group to the promised land, and to an NBA Championship?
2) New Jersey- Now this team is one that is very balanced, and it was tough not to put them at the #1 spot in the East. Maybe they will use this as motivation. This team starts with Steve Nash leading at point, and Vince Carter at the shooting guard. This makes up one of the better back courts in the league. Down low this team has Mehmet Okur and David West. This is a very good frontcourt (though not as good as Orlando's) that should be able to play tough defense as well as put up some points. Tayshaun Prince is playing the small forward position and will use is lanky frame to play tough nose defense. The Nets are a team with two aging stars, so this window of opportunity could be closing....but for now, I see it is open.
3)Detroit- This team had a great offseason as they were able to hang on to their main man Dwight Howard. Dwight signed a max deal with them and will be holding down the paint area for a long time. He has a great game and is one of the premier players in this league. Surrounding him are some older players, so its getting to the point that its now or never for this Detroit team. They have Rasheed Wallace to finish up a magnificent front court. Their backcourt contains Chauncey Billups and Jason Richardson. These guys can both score and look for Chauncey to have plenty of assists, being surrounded my multiple guys who can put the ball in the basket. This team is a definite contender for the title, with a combination of good guard play, a solid post, and a good bench...look out. This teams window is definitley closing fast though, so now may be Detroits year.
4)Milwaukee-After the clear 1-3 in the power rankings, Milwaukee looks to me to be the team that should fit nicely in the #4 slot. This team has some good stars on their very well rounded team. Led by Tony Paker and Kevin Martin in the backcourt, this team could really give teams trouble. What really makes this team special is their ability to play great defense down low. Ron Artest is playing small forward for this team, and should play lock down defense on most teams stars. He can also shoot the ball, so look for him to flourish on this team. At power forward, Emeka Okafor will rebound the basketball and block plenty of shots. His running mate down low is Greg Oden. If this guy can play as well as he is projected to, look out. Who will be able to score on these two mammoths down low? These two should also have no problem grabbing 10+ rebounds a game each. Look for this team to make some noise.
5)Toronto[- This is another very talented team who got better over this offseason. This team has a blend of younger and old players and has lots of potential. With a backcourt of Baron Davis and OJ Mayo, I dont know if there is a team that with a pair of guards who have the potential of scoring more points. I mean both of these guys can play! With the offseason aquisition of Antawn Jamison, this team has a legitimate guy to play the small forward position. These team also has a great front court presence in Jermaine O'Neal and Big Z. If all these guys can stay healthy, look for this team to get some wins. The Toronto GM hopes that Davis, Jamsion, and O'Neal, can stay healthy and perhaps bring a title across the Canadian border.
6)Miami- This GM seems to know the success to winning basketball games- hard nosed defense and outside shooting. This team has a great defensive core starting with Duke Blue Devil standouts Shane Battier and Carlos Boozer. Tyson Chandler plays the center position and will make sure that nobody comes down the lane without a monster hand in their face. In the backcourt, Stephon Marbury and Ray Allen roam. These two vets are getting older, but they can still shoot the rock. If Marbury can put his emotional off court issues aside, then this team should make some noise. We know RayRay will get his numbers, so this team should do well, but it all hinges on how Starbury plays.
7)Philadelphia- This team begins and ends with their three stars: Gilbert Arenas, Kevin Garnett, and Samuel Dalembert. For this team to rise up, these three will need to avoid injuries and play to their potential every game this year. This is not a very deep team, although they do have some fairly decent players on the bench, so health should be a major point for this team. If KG and Gil light it up like they are capable of, this team could be a sleeper for a top 4 playoff seeding.
8)Cleveland- This team has some good potential, led by their two stars Josh Howard and Elton Brand. Clevelands GM knows that these two are going to get their numbers and lead this team (as long as Josh can stay out of trouble). They also have two good veterans in Brad Miller and Larry Hughes. The questions for this team is also their point guard position.... can Beno Udrih lead this team to a playoff berth? This is yet to be seen, but if he plays to his potential, this team will be a playoff team.
9)New York- This GM has changed the face of this franchise almost overnight it seems. The offseason was a very good one for them. Over this offseason, this team acquired 3 legitimateyoung stars. This team has a great young core with Carmelo Anthony, Monta Ellis, and Danny Granger. However, beyond these three guys there is not very much. There are plenty of questions about this team, but loads of potential. Is Jeff Foster really the answer at center? Can Carmelo play the PF position in the NBA like he does in the international game? Can the other two young guys play good minutes and make up for the lack of a bench? Those will be answered this year, and this team should fight for a playoff berth.
10)Charlotte- This is another team that has gotten a drastic makeover. This team now has a very balanced team, but without a true superstar leader. Caron Butler is their leader, no doubt, but can he play that role? The GM has put many good solid guys around Caron, such as TJ Ford, Charlie Villaneuva, and Jamal Crawford. At the center position is Antonio McDyess. Does he have another good season left in his ancient legs? If he does, and if these guys can mesh well together this is a dark horse for a playoff berth. I like their chances if their young guys play to their potential.
11)Washington-This team is also one that relies on a couple of superstars. Chris Bosh and Tracy McGrady are the heart and soul of this team. These guys are legitimate superstars in the league and are capable of willing their teams to victory. Stephen Jackson is an excellent role player for this team, but beyond these three guys i dont see that much that would warrant them being higher in the rankings. Maybe the GM should look to trade one of the superstars for a couple of guys to make the starting lineup more balanced..... who knows, I just dont know if this team can make it to the playoffs.
12)Boston-This team has a good core of guys that should help get them some victories. Kevin Durant is going to get his points, and so will Joe Johnson. The offseason signing of Jose Calderon was a great move by this GM. This team is fairly weak down low, with Nene and Krstic, but they have a fairly good bench. This team has some legit players, but look to be a couple of years away from being a strong contender. What this team needs is a low post banger that can solidify the post for this team.
13)Atlanta- Atlanta has some very good young players and has done well building this team from scratch. Al Horford is a great young player to build this franchise around, and Yiiii gives him another solid young player down low to run with. Mike Miller will provide some good outside shooting, and Ricky Davis is a wily veteran guy who should score some points. Mo williams should also get his points, to round out this balanced team. I like this team's makeup, there are just so many other good teams in the East for me to see them making the playoffs.
14)Indiana- The Pacers organization has gone through a complete team makeover. This team is loaded with young talent and some rookies with loads of potential. Their young stud center, Andrew Bynum, is definitley the face of this franchise. This team also has many good, young guards such as: Rajon Rondo, Acie Law, and rookie Russell Westbrook. Looking at this starting lineup, I see a decent young team. Bynum will shoulder the load for this team, and it remains to be seen if Westbrook will be able to play the 2 guard as good as he does the 1. This team is 3 or 4 years away from being competitive.
15)Chicago- The Bulls will start off in the cellar of the first Eastern Conference Power Rankings, and I dont know if there is anyone who can dispute that. This team has loads of young guys, but no true identity. Look for Kevin Love and Anthony Randolph to be solid rookies for this team, and Willie Green will also get his touches. This team will be looking for a top 3 draft pick in order to load up on more young talent and then possibly make a run in the next 5 years. The Bulls will battle the Pacers all season for the right to the cellar of the power rankings.
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