Espn.com Power Rankings

Rockets debut at #18 with the and the Twolves right ahead at #17 leaving both teams out of the playoffs

ESPN.com skinny
PLAYOFF TEAMS



1. Lakers 67-15 1 Is Portland better? A lot of people think so. Lakers get the vote because they won it all. Of course, they play Portland on Tuesday...

2. Blazers 59-23 2 Hey, guys, you may have spent the most, but you've won nothing. Repeat after me, up 15 with 10 to go, up 15 with...

3. Spurs 53-29 5 Reloaded with healthy Duncan and Elliott, new shooting guard in
Derek Anderson; this team might win 60 also

4. Magic 41-41 18 Yes, the East does get to join the Power Rankings fun; Add Hill and McGrady and you get East's best -- for now

5. Jazz 55-27 3 Malone and Stockton lost Hornacek and Eisley, but Starks, Manning and Marshall will make them forget those guys

6. Sonics 45-37 14 Ewing detractors, calm down. This ranking is also for Rashard Lewis, Desmond Mason, and rejuvenated Baker

7. Suns 53-29 4 Other than the fact Dudley is at center and Penny and Googs are hurt, Suns fans are very optimistic

8. Hornets 49-33 10 In a conference devoid of big men, this team has quite a few; Watch Wesley, Baron in a fun backcourt

9. 76ers 49-33 11 Who cares if Allen likes Larry. Just score 30 a night and win 50 games and all will be well again

10. Heat 52-30 8 Even without Zo, this team win the East; Grant could really flourish, but key is healthy Hardaway

11. Bucks 42-40 15 Plenty of people believe George Karl has the East's top team; We say not with Ervin Johnson at center

12. Knicks 50-32 9 We remind angry Knicks fan this: It's not where you start the season, as long as you still go to the
Finals

13. Raptors 45-37 12 Vince will score, score, score, but who will help him? Corliss? Mo Pete? He will, at some point, need help

14. Pacers 56-26 6 Poor Reggie and Sam; they were the only Pacers to not get carded at the team's media day party

15. Kings 44-38 16 Average last year, average this year; Let the Chris Webber sweepstakes begin immediately

16. Mavericks 40-42 17 And the final West seed is not KG, it's Dirk Nowitzki! Cuban has some horses, but Laettner and Eisley aren't studs


LOTTERY TEAMS



17. Wolves 50-32 7 Let's get something straight: It's not because they're losing Joe Smith that they drop; They weren't winning 50 anyway

18. Rockets 34-48 19 With Stevie Francise leading the way, Rockets think they're playoff bound. We think they're close

19. Nets 31-51 24 A lot on Kenyon's shoulders, but if Nets can avoid another 2-15 start, they could make playoffs

20. Cavaliers 32-50 23 Next great point guard could be Andre Miller; Key to team is healthy Zydrunas Ilgauskas

21. Warriors 19-63 28 Don't laugh, they have scorers (Jamison, Hughes), rebounding (Fortson) and a good coach (Cowens)

22. Pistons 42-40 13 Subtract Hill and add Ben Wallace, Atkins, Ceballos and overall it adds up to a lot less wins

23. Celtics 35-47 21 Celtics have two main problems; Pitino is still around, and Pitino can't play center

24. Hawks 28-54 26 Kruger is in for a fun time; Dikembe would keep team in games with defense, now it's Alan Henderson?

25. Nuggets 35-47 20 Look ahead one year: It's Cincy's Bob Huggins yelling instructions to Van Exel and McDyess

26. Wizards 29-53 22 Hey, Mikey, it really is as bad as it looks; But at least Strickland has been good ... oh, wait,
there's an arrest...

27. Bulls 17-65 27 It wouldn't be a shocker if Bulls win more than Hawks or Wiz; this crew certainly has brighter future

28. Grizzlies 22-60 25 If they're so much better, why did they lose seven of eight preseason games; Grizz should be trying

JUST HORRIBLE



29. Clips 15-67 29 Like the Lakers, worst team from last year stays here until proven otherwise; Miles had 20 blocks this preseason



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