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Dime Magazine drops the first Hit List of the 2002-03 season. Granted, it is mid-summer, but this is how we see things shaping up in our crystal ball (and it's never wrong).
29. Cleveland Cavs — Dealing 'Dre for a skinny seventh man (sorry D-Miles, but that's what you are) and replacing him with a raw rookie with an itchy trigger finger isn't going to help. In fact, it will make the Cavs the worst team in the whole damn League. It's like they're trying to lose on purpose. Wait. You don't think? Who is this LeBron fellow anyway?

28. Denver Nuggets — This team is like a Snickers commercial — not going anywhere for a while. With the Dice rolled, newcomers Skeeta and Nene will be the cornerstones of the franchise. The problem is they won't be ready until at least 2004.

27. Golden State Warriors — Another year, another new coach. Though there is a little Mussel at the helm, the brains are yet to be determined. Is it smart to start a young shooting guard at the point? Where does Dunleavy Junior fit in with 'Tawn, Fortson and the reigning dunk champ entrenched at the 2, 3 and 4 spots? Believe it or not, this team might be worse than last year.


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26. Chicago Bulls — All hail J-Dub, the savior of the franchise. Before we get carried away, remember His Airness couldn't make this sorry franchise a winning team right away. He has babies manning the front line and no Dunleavy or Boozer to drop dimes to.

25. Graceland Grizzlies — The Icon, Jerry West, has made swooping changes in Memphis, but the gratification will be far from instant. Pau is a player, Stro' is yet to be determined and Drew Gooden will see plenty of minutes on the pine. The nucleus is young and talented, but can J-Will, the man West coveted while in L.A., lead them from the depths of the League's basement to new levels of mediocrity?

OFF-SEASON SPOTLIGHT


Trade Talk
Cavs GM Jim Paxson opens up about the Andre Miller-Darius Miles deal. More video

RANDY HILL:

Big trade leaves Clippers on playoff plan

Miller heads to Clips in trade for Miles

DIME MAGAZINE:

B. Diddy, LaFrentz re-up with big deals

Fantasy cheat sheet for 2002-03

Off-season NBA rankings | More smack

GENERATION NEXT:

The latest on the top high school players

BOOTLEG SPORTS:

No money to go around | More reports

OFF THE WIRE:

Jazz assistant says no to Nuggets job

Bulls bring back Blount to Chicago

Cavs hope to bask in Miles' star power

2002 off-season deals | More news

MIKE MONROE:

Nuggets should name coach soon

Tskitishvili making a good impression

Suns raving about Amare Stoudamire

SUMMER LEAGUE VIDEO:

Gadzuric making NBA adjustments

Nene and the Nuggets bully the Bulls

Bluthenthal not giving up his dream

LOOKING BACK AT THE DRAFT:

News, insight, video clips and more

PHOTO GALLERY: NBA Summer League




24. New York Knicks — The three-headed monster of Spree, Houston and McDyess is the most overrated threesome since Jenna Jameson's last movie. The Knicks want to avoid the rebuilding phase and have managed to do it by entering the demolition phase instead.

23. Atlanta Hawks — Dan Dickau has been likened to John Stockton so many times it makes us want to Zag. In summer play he was easily bullied and shot like he needed bifocals. That being said, the Hawks were the trendy pick to turn it around last year before injuries decimated them. Maybe this is the year.

22. Washington Wizards — A nice draft, supplemented by the return of MJ, would spell success in most cases. But the Wiz will still lag behind the pack. Larry Hughes might never develop, and the Wizards will spend more than a few losses discovering this.

21. Phoenix Suns — Steph is working on a surgically repaired ankle and Stoudemire can't grab a post-game drink for a few more years. The Matrix operates in his own reality and is finally ready to emerge from his supporting cast role and step into the limelight. Can Steph ever shake the selfish label despite averaging 8 dimes a game for his career?

20. Indiana Pacers — The Pacers are Reggie Miller and a giant hunk of clay waiting to be molded. Too bad Reg is a shell of his former self and Isiah is no sculptor.

19. Miami Heat — 'Zo may have lost a step, but he'll be effective enough to lead the turnaround with a little help from the Butler. Slick Riley doesn't miss the playoffs; last year was just an aberration — or was it?

18. Utah Jazz — While the Mailman still delivers, Stockton's skills are rapidly declining. This is a transition year as the ODB hands the reigns to Raul Lopez. Keep an eye on AK-47, one of the most exciting young players in the League. 17. Milwaukee Bucks — The Anthony Mason experiment blew up in the Bucks' faces. They went out and drafted Marcus Haislip and Dan Gadzuric to address their rebounding needs and Flip Murray to score off the bench. The Big Three are eager to prove their best days aren't behind them.

16. Seattle Sonics — The front office dropped some dead weight in Baker and is making the right call in trying to re-sign 'Shard. GP is still nasty in more ways than one and knows this may be his last real shot in Seattle. We've been sweating Radmanovic since last year, and now we're absolutely soaking.

15. Orlando Magic — Who knew the magical powers of water? Not T-Mac, until he finally started drinking the crystal elixir and his back pain suddenly vanished. Good thing, because Orlando's championship hopes weigh solely on McGrady.

14. Houston Rockets — If the Franchise can stay healthy, the Rockets are set for a turnaround. Mo Taylor and Glen Rice are also due back, Yao Ming is in the fold, and Griffin is coming on like gangbusters. We see the Rockets blasting into the playoffs.

13. Toronto Raptors — Last year was the donned the comeback for MJ, this year will be known as the return of Prince Vince. Look for ruthless aggression from the Raptor with the most to prove, and don't hurt yourself jumping back on the bandwagon.

12. Detroit Pistons — The Pistons were firing on all cylinders last season as Stack set aside personal goals and played solid team ball instead. Big Ben Wallace emerged as a rock steady force in the paint and easily captured Defensive Player of the Year honors. D-town would be hard pressed to repeat last year's success, but they are certainly trying, though adding Billups at the one won't have an impact.

11. Minnesota T-Wolves — We know Garnett's rap sheet — 20, 10 and 5 — but KG should ask himself about his supporting cast. Can Terrell Brandon play a full year? Is Wally compatible with his teammates? The answers to these two questions will determine the T-Wolves' postseason fate.

10. Philly 76ers — Once again, AI will have the Answer to all the critics and haters. Still, Philly needs to find that second scorer in order to beat the League's best.

9. Portland Blazers — Talent has never been an issue with this team. There's just too much space in the attic in most cases. Wallace needs to take his game into overdrive after sputtering around in neutral the past two seasons. Zach Randolph will push him in practice; the Blazers can only hope that no one pushes his buttons.

8. L.A. Clippers — They lose their glue in Jeff McInnis but gain some serious cement in dealing for Dr. Dre. With Miles exiled, there are more minutes for Odom, Q and Maggette to run with Brand and the Kandi Man on an imposing front line. The playoffs are no longer wishful thinking but an expected reality.

7. New Orleans Hornets — B. Diddy just re-upped and that means it's party time on Bourbon Street (like it wasn't anyway). The Hornets have the talent to be major players in the East, especially if Mash can regain his Monstrous side. We wouldn't be shocked to see Baron running things in the playoffs again, tugging on his jersey and telling people to get the hell off him.

6. Boston Celtics — The C's are back, baby. You can insert any cliche you want about Paul Pierce being the Truth, but the fact is no one scored more points in the NBA last year. 'Toine's game is effortless, sometimes to a fault, but it's worked thus far. The only question is at point, 'cause Shammond Williams is definitely not the answer.

5. New Jersey Nets — J-Kidd and the boys ran all the way to the Finals before being mowed down by the better team. One year later the Nets probably won't repeat in the wide-open East, but they haven't done anything to hurt themselves either. Jefferson and Martin should show big improvements as they learn the nuances of offense in the pro game.

4. Dallas Mavs — When your team boasts five guys capable of 15 points per game, four of which could drop 20-plus if they cared to, you're in any ball game. The problem was always defense, but Nellie plans to address that this season. Tough D takes a commitment from the players themselves, no matter how many assistant coaches you hire.

3. San Antonio Spurs — Big Fun was large indeed last season, garnering MVP honors and taking the art of the double-dip to the next level. With the Admiral's ship sailing this season, the pressure is great to take home another ring. Le Petit Point, Tony Parker shouldn't have to worry about the rookie wall that slowed him down last season and will be much improved in just his second year in the U.S.

2. Sacramento Kings — Last season was a huge disappointment considering the Kings ruled the Association. It was all practice for the second season where they faded as C-Webb shied away from the ball like it was diseased and Peja struggled to even stand with his bum ankle. Despite the best efforts from Bibby, and they were the ill-na-na, the Kings lost out to the Champions. This year is all about one thing: vengeance.

1. L.A. Lakers — It's hard to argue with a three-peat winner who spent the off-season tying up its loose ends tighter than White House security. With Shaq, Kobe and Jax in sync, the Lake Show might have to be renamed after another famous TV show — Dynasty.