CBS: Power Rankings: Preseason taste of things to come

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/7766632

6 Houston Rockets 6
This really is a solid group around Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and much more logical players to fit into Jeff Van Gundy's system. The real question is who's going to run the team on the floor?

 

By Mike Kahn
Figuring out Power Rankings before training camp is comparable to reviewing a dinner before it's even cooked.


The addition of Brent Barry vaults the Spurs to No. 2 in the rankings.(Getty Images)
There's no way to accurately assess the seasoning that has taken place.

It is way too early to tell what is ripe enough to be considered viable.

And until some time has passed, it is impossible to tell what has become stale and is no longer usable.

Indeed, that's food for thought as NBA training camp for the 2004-05 season opens. The preseason games begin next week, and regular-season games don't get under way until the first week of November.

Nonetheless, we are ready and willing to put our two cents on the line and begin our Power Rankings for the season. They won't be weekly until the regular season begins, but here's a look at what we believe as the Detroit Pistons set out to defend their 2004 title.

Preseason Power Rankings for Oct. 4:


1 Detroit Pistons 1
The defending champions have the potential to be even better this season, with more experience and a better bench with Antonio McDyess, Derrick Coleman and rookie Carlos Delfino.
2 San Antonio Spurs 2
It's hard not to believe in the Spurs defense as the most dominant component in the Western Conference. And the tough combination of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili now has Brent Barry, too.
3 Minnesota Timberwolves 3
They were very close to winning the West last season, and that's with half their rotation injured through January. And now that Kevin Garnett has a taste of success, he wants the whole enchilada.
4 Indiana Pacers 5
Their defense only gets tougher with the addition of guard Stephen Jackson on the perimeter. Major questions loom in the physical stability of Jamal Tinsley and the mental stability of Ron Artest.
5 Sacramento Kings 4
If the Kings were ever healthy, they might win the West, but that just seems like an impossibility with Bobby Jackson, Doug Christie and Greg Ostertag already hurt and their astonishing recent history.
6 Houston Rockets 6
This really is a solid group around Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and much more logical players to fit into Jeff Van Gundy's system. The real question is who's going to run the team on the floor?
7 Miami Heat 7
Shaquille O'Neal has brought his "Diesel Show" to South Florida. Now we'll see how far along Dwyane Wade really is, how much Eddie Jones has left in his tank and if the other players picked up are ready to win.
8 Memphis Grizzlies 9
Adding Brian Cardinal was a minor move, but he brings some interior toughness the Grizzlies were lacking. They're in the NBA's most competitive division, but that doesn't mean they can't win 50 games again.
9 Denver Nuggets 8
Kenyon Martin and Nene have already locked horns during workouts, so there's a sense that the Nuggets are already a much tougher team. What we need to know is whether the backcourt is good enough to win.
10 Dallas Mavericks 10
There is so much talent here, but whether these disparate parts will fit into a cohesive unit that's capable of accepting limited minutes remains to be seen ... not to mention heard.
11 Utah Jazz 12
Overpaying free agents Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur to lure them to Salt Lake City, plus rookies Kirk Snyder and Kris Humphries, give coach Jerry Sloan a much better group than the one that almost made the playoffs last year.
12 Los Angeles Lakers 11
Considering that aging center Vlade Divac is already nursing a back problem, it's obvious the Lakers are going to lack a power game, so it will be up to Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom to lead them on the move.
13 Portland Trail Blazers 13
They don't exactly fit together, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim wants out, but there is still plenty of talent that can push the Blazers into playoff contention again.
14 New York Knicks 16
Open-floor players Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Tim Thomas and, presumably, Allan Houston (if his knee is sound) will score points. But what will Vin Baker, Kurt Thomas and Michael Sweetney do inside?
15 Boston Celtics 19
Assuming Gary Payton shows up ready to play, they should be much better with a healthy Raef LaFrentz, a happy Mark Blount and a less-stressed Paul Pierce, who now has additional help carrying the team.
16 Philadelphia 76ers 14
It's hard to know just how well everyone will adjust to Allen Iverson playing point guard, what Corliss Williamson requires "touch-wise" in the post and where Glenn Robinson fits into all of this.
17 Milwaukee Bucks 15
The Bucks were a surprise team last season, but they've lost players that helped and really haven't added anyone who can pick up the slack compared to the rest of the East.
18 New Orleans Hornets 17
Now that they know Jamal Mashburn won't be playing, it will be interesting to see how coach Byron Scott handles Baron Davis and the need for scoring from elsewhere.
19 Cleveland Cavaliers 21
We all know that they are expecting big things from LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, but the key will be if Drew Gooden has matured emotionally into his immense talents to replace Carlos Boozer.
20 Toronto Raptors 23
Expect Sam Mitchell to motivate Vince Carter and Jalen Rose to the point that this team will stop underachieving and, if healthy, make a solid push for a playoff spot.
21 Phoenix Suns 20
The Suns are lacking much of any power game beyond Amare Stoudemire, but their open-court game is as talented and deep as any other roster in the league ... although still a little young.
22 Seattle SuperSonics 22
There's not much coach Nate McMillan can count on beyond Ray Allen. With little size or defense, they do have a lot of shooters who will get hot on occasion and upset some teams.
23 Orlando Magic 27
If Johnny Davis can get everybody on the same page, they'll be much tougher and maybe even sneak up the ladder. And if Grant Hill can actually play, these guys might challenge for the playoffs.
24 Washington Wizards 24
Adding Antawn Jamison to the core of Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes could be construed as "Warriors East," but they're now older and better, with good, young talent around them.
25 Golden State Warriors 25
It's hard to figure what kind of feel career college coach Mike Montgomery will have for this team, but he'll find out early which players can handle the grind.
26 Los Angeles Clippers 26
If Mike Dunleavy can somehow keep Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and the rest of the frontcourt healthy, they will cause some damage in the Western Conference.
27 Atlanta Hawks 29
New coach Mike Woodson won't have trouble scoring points with Antoine Walker and Al Harrington up front and Kenny Anderson and Jon Barry pushing the ball, but it's hard to figure who's going to play defense.
28 New Jersey Nets 18
It's hard to understand how the Nets are going to win at all early considering Jason Kidd is still months away from playing, and gone are Kenyon Martin, Kerry Kittles, Lucious Harris and Rodney Rogers, with very little in return.
29 Chicago Bulls 28
Any team that is counting on the dietary tendencies of Eddy Curry to carry the team is really reaching, but if Scott Skiles can get the young guys to play hard and focus on defense, they'll improve from last season.
30 Charlotte Bobcats 30
Expansion teams equate to dilution of talent, and you know where all the leftovers land, don't you?

 

I think Mike Kahn is a YOF, remember he ranked Yao NO. 9 of the top 50 players?