cbs sportsline rankings, rockets 19

POWER RANKINGS
Current Team Previous
1 Sacramento Kings 2
Even without injured Mike Bibby for the first month or so, the Kings are likely to have the best record in the regular season.
2 San Antonio Spurs 3
Provided David Robinson's back is sound, the Spurs should be better than last year, with more athleticism and depth.
3 Los Angeles Lakers 1
Without a healthy Shaquille O'Neal to start the season, we'll allow the Lakers to yawn, then take control in the spring.
4 New Jersey Nets 4
The Nets remain the team to beat the East, but they have to prove it. The talent and confidence is high, but is it real?
5 Dallas Mavericks 5
The Mavs might even pass the Spurs for the Midwest title, but they'll need Shawn Bradley's help defensively.
6 Portland Trail Blazers 6
As always, the Blazers are loaded two teams deep. To challenge the big boys, they'll need a healthy Scottie Pippen.
7 New Orleans Hornets 7
They are a little battered right now, but by Mardi Gras, they should be in high gear and a serious contender in the East.
8 Detroit Pistons 8
Last season was no fluke, and they'll prove it again this season. They play much harder every night than most other teams.
9 Philadelphia 76ers 12
The main reason they didn't get back to the Finals last season was injuries. They're on the mend, so keep an eye on them.
10 Boston Celtics 9
With Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce, they are explosive, but they need somebody else to step up to stay on track.
11 Minnesota Timberwolves 10
They needed to sign Rod Strickland sooner so he would be in shape now rather than risk injury when it counts.
12 Los Angeles Clippers 11
They should be this good, but injuries have crushed them and might prevent their best season ever.
13 Milwaukee Bucks 14
Now that they have Michael Redd and have coped with the embarrassment of last season, they should be competitive again.
14 Orlando Magic 13
So far so good with Grant Hill, but they need Shawn Kemp to lose 20 pounds to be taken seriously, and that isn't likely.
15 Indiana Pacers 15
Because of their youth, the Pacers are tough to get a read on. But with this talent, they should be a solid playoff team.
16 Utah Jazz 16
Given its age, it's hard to fathom this team will make the playoffs for 20th year in a row. But it just might.
17 Seattle SuperSonics 18
They've got no inside game at all, but they've got great shooters and Gary Payton, which will have to do.
18 Toronto Raptors 17
They're undersized up front and lacking some good ball-handlers, but Vince Carter at 100 percent can cure a lot of ills.
19 Houston Rockets 19
If Yao Ming has a presence at all and they stay healthy, they'll improve as the season progresses and make the playoffs.
20 Washington Wizards 24
With Michael Jordan back, plus adding vets Jerry Stackhouse and Charles Oakley, the talented youngsters will succeed.
21 Atlanta Hawks 23
Theo Ratliff is coming on, which is huge news. If they can settle the point guard situation, the playoffs are possible.
22 Phoenix Suns 21
There's lots of young talent and veterans who can play, but injuries are lingering, Stephon Marbury's ankles in particular.
23 Miami Heat 22
They have a great rookie in Caron Butler and a great coach in Pat Riley; they'll prevent collapsing by just playing really hard.
24 Cleveland Cavaliers 26
If they had a point guard, they might be OK, because Zydrunas Ilgauskas is healthy, and they have athletes around him.
25 New York Knicks 20
The Knicks are obviously a mess, but there are enough good players to prevent the bottom from dropping out completely.
26 Memphis Grizzlies 28
They have all kinds of young talent up front and Jason Williams has his moments, but how much have they grown up?
27 Golden State Warriors 25
Like the other bad teams, they have stockpiled young talent. Can new coach Eric Musselman make a difference?
28 Chicago Bulls 27
There is so little stability on this team right now, it's tough to fathom they can get it together to win 30 games.
29 Denver Nuggets 29
Acquiring Chris Whitney for George McCloud was a good move considering they didn't have a point guard. Now what?


How is houston ranked behind Toronto? Indiana? Utah? Clipps? and the nets ahead of the mavericks?

How the f is Memphis ranked behind the Knicks and Cavs?

Why the hell does every sports media outlet feel the need to make stupid power rankings now? Why do I care?