http://www.nba.com/features/power_rankings_sept05.html NBA.com Power Rankings: Offseason Edition By Jeff Dengate Sept. 15, 2005 -- Welcome to NBA.com's offseason edition of the Power Rankings. Please note that these rankings are the view of one humble Click and Roll scribe and are not "official" rankings. Have a comment? Let us know. After a busy offseason, player movement has slowed and teams are beginning to think ahead to training camps. So, what better time to put out our preliminary rankings, which, like many other prognostications, are bound to cause some disagreement and judged in hindsight. Now, on to the rankings! TEAM 2004-05. BREAKDOWN 1 San Antonio 59-23 If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The Spurs held steady (and nabbed Finley!) with the team that earned the O'Brien trophy. Come Nov. 1, they'll put on their rings and begin the title defense. 2 Miami 59-23 The trade that ushered in Walker, Williams and Posey makes the Heat the East's best team on paper … and your computer screen. 3 Detroit 54-28 Does Larry Brown deserve credit for the team's success the last two years? Or the players? New coach Flip Saunders has the same squad at his disposal, so we'll soon find out. 4 Houston 51-31 Houston adds D.A. to the backcourt and Stro' to the frontcourt. With Yao and T-Mac, the Rockets will be in the hunt for the West's best record. 5 Denver 49-33 George Karl took over and the Nugs were suddenly one of the best teams in the second-half. With the same team returning, they should remain near the top this season. 6 Indiana 44-38 Artest's return alone makes this team better. Add Jasikevicius to a healthy O'Neal and Tinsley and the Pacers could make a run at the Heat and Pistons this season. 7 Phoenix 62-20 The Spurs proved to the Suns that defense does indeed win championships. So, in search of more defense, did Phoenix let too much of its offense slip away? 8 Sacramento 50-32 The Kings look strong on paper. But that's not where games are played. The main question is: Can Abdur-Rahim or Wells display the unselfishness customary of this team? 9 Dallas 58-24 Only Dirk remains from the trio that led Big D to a 60-win season in 2002-03, and he'll be counted on to shoulder the burden this season. It could be a long season. 10 Cleveland 42-40 Given all the team's offseason moves, there is no reason -- I repeat, no reason -- the Cavaliers finish out of the playoff picture this year. 11 New Jersey 42-40 With Kidd, Carter and Jefferson healthy and on the floor together all season, is there anybody who can challenge the Nets for the Atlantic crown? 12 Seattle 52-30 Re-signing Ray was huge. So was losing McMillan, Daniels and James. The Sonics are likely to find themselves looking up at Denver in the Northwest. 13 Washington 45-37 Filling the hole left by Hughes will be difficult, considering the Wizards were 10-11 without Hughes last season. Daniels, Butler and Atkins, though, will serve as capable replacements. 14 Philadelphia 43-39 With Mo Cheeks guiding Philly, C-Webb should gel better than last year. The development of Sam Dalembert and Andre Iguodala will have the Sixers back in the playoffs. 15 Boston 45-37 The C's are a tough read. The growth of Allen, Jefferson and West could have the team looking good. Then again, their youth could have them heading for summer vacation early. 16 Golden State 34-48 The Warriors came on strong late when Baron Davis came on board, but it was too little too late. If he stays healthy -- a considerable if -- the team could make a serious playoff push. 17 Chicago 47-35 Next to the Suns, the Bulls were the biggest surprise last year. The young team will have a tough time keeping pace this season, but is on the right track for future success. 18 Minnesota 44-38 Sprewell and Cassell are out in favor of Marko Jaric and rookie Rashad McCants. That alone should bring back some of the team's chemistry. 19 Milwaukee 30-52 Maybe Larry Harris should've bought a Powerball ticket, too. Landing Bogut, re-signing Redd, signing Simmons and getting Ford back on the court should yield a minimum of 7-9 more Ws. 20 New York 33-49 Hope returns to MSG with new coach Larry Brown, but how will he and Stephon Marbury co-exist? Look for Steph's move to the two and the Knicks to finish shy of .500. 21 L.A. Clippers 37-45 Last year was promising for the Clips, kings of the Staples Center. They'll likely take the inter-city title again, but the additions of Cassell and Mobley probably won't add much to the win column. 22 Memphis 45-37 There was a mass exodus in Memphis this summer -- Swift, Wells, Williams, Posey, etc. What does that mean for the team? They'll likely miss the playoffs but get stronger for future years. 23 L.A. Lakers 34-48 The Lakers may need more than Phil Jackson to solve the team's ills. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994 and could repeat the feat this year. 24 Orlando 36-46 Expectations are high for Grant Hill after weathering a healthy season. Howard is still young, Francis will man the two and questions surround the point guard position. 25 Utah 26-56 Kirilenko missed a bundle of time and Carlos Boozer spent his share of time injured, too, but the team will move up this year with a capable rookie holding down the point. 26 Toronto 33-49 Chris Bosh continues his transition to one of the game's top power forwards, but the Raptors will still bring up the rear in the Atlantic. 27 Portland 27-55 The Blazers youth movement virtually ensures a promising future for the club ... it just won't materialize this season. 28 Atlanta 13-69 The Hawks have plenty of youth and potential, but even the addition of Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams won't translate to many more victories than last season. 29 Charlotte 18-64 The Bobcats were better than anybody could have expected last season. They won't shock the world this year, but they'll continue to build and get better. 30 New Orleans 18-64 Focus in this city is on anything but hoops, but when the Hornets put the wraps on the 2005-06 season, they're likely to be somewhere near the bottom of the standings. SCORE. ROCKETS!!!!!!
Very very legitimate. I would move Dallas from #9 to #7, ahead of Phoenix and Sacramento. This is the first power ranking that makes very good sense from 1 to 10. I'm not saying this just because we are #4. I don't know about some of his lower rankings. I would like the Lakers to finish #23 but they won't go that low. There is no way the Magic finish anywhere near #24 if Grant Hill plays most of the season. I also think Dwight Howard will show more flashes of superstardom.
is the season that close with Power Rankings coming out? wow, that is the fastest, k i lied, LONGEST off season on a side note, they already got those NBA Season Preview magazines out, saw one at HEB last weekend.
I could actually see the Roxs in the 3rd position versus the Pistons. The big question in my mind is how much the Pistons will fall after loosing LB.
rockets got alot of expectations this season.. i actually liked it when rockets were the underdogs last year.. doesnt seem like it this year
weren't we ranked 7 last year? It was still pretty high expectations... Dallas at 9? Also, Golden State seems a bit low. There are plenty of things wrong with this ranking, but Rox ranked #4 isn't one of them.
I like these ratings. I would put Chicago ahead of Philly and Boston. I also would switch Seattle and GSW.
my top 10: 1. Spurs...expect Finley to have a bounce back season...a second guy who's gonna make Cuban look kinda silly. 2. Miami...Wade-Posey-Walker-Haslem-Shaq....now that's scary in a lot of ways. 3. Indiana...with healthy rested bodies..this team should actually be #2...but a man named Shaq prevents that....yes ....still! 4. Houston...Swift will have a break out season....I HOPE!!..or else this team is'nt even in the top 8. 5. Cleveland...this team is deep and they have Lebron!.. 6. Detroit...i don't think they are gonna be as good as previous seasons.... 7. Phoenix...i don't really think they deserve this spot after losing so many key players...but NASH-MARION-Stud is still scary. 8. Denver....George Karl will have them play well for atleast one season. 9. Sacramento ....deep team. 10. Golden State if Baron stays healthy..this team will be scary!...my pick for sleeper team.
Oh mine...we are #4 in the league already...after we have won the first 20 games of the season, we will be no.1. Stay tune.
I agree with that top 4, but Denver at 5? Come on. They aren't even top 10 in my book. And Sacremento at 8? That's a stretch until they prove that they can do it. They have talent, but that doesn't always equal a good team. And I would definately put Dallas above the Kings.
i was so high on DA coming here only to watch him airball a three during the charity game ... always get nervous about new additions after the lofty expectations for eddie griffin, shandown anderson, kelvin cato, and the millions of guys we thought would take it to another level....
I personally think we're going to be better than Detroit...and its questionable as to whether Miami will be better than us...
I dont think its questionable that Miami is better then us, they will be, short of injuries. They are deeper, and more talented in the starting rotation. Detroit though, may be primed for a fall.
I'm kind of suprised w/ Indiana ranking. Usually they're in the top 5 and I also agree that Denver is a little overrated on this list.
i don't worry about guys shooting airballs in charity games about a month before the preseason begins. i saw kg miss a layup, i guess he sucks now... i'm exicited about DA because he's a proven good player and i like swift's potential and ability. i think the rockets should definitely have high expectations, when you have 2 of the best players in the entire league and good role players you should be thinking top 5 in the league.
