http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/6693384 9 Houston Rockets 10 It wouldn't be a surprise for Yao Ming to make a quantum leap. The bigger change will be Jeff Van Gundy's discipline. Power Rankings: Defending champ Spurs still No. 1 for now By Mike Kahn SportsLine.com Executive Editor On second thought, it's impossible to put the Los Angeles Lakers atop the SportsLine.com power rankings as training camp unfolds. Besides trying to develop the chemistry that will seriously be altered with the inclusion of Gary Payton and Karl Malone in their starting lineup, there is no way they can be focused and completely functional with the circus that surrounds Kobe Bryant and his impending court case for allegedly sexually assaulting a 19-year-old Colorado woman. Tim Duncan and San Antonio make their way to the top of the heap. So that brings us back to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs or the Sacramento Kings as the next two best teams. And when you consider that the status of Kings All-Star Chris Webber -- coming back from knee surgery in the spring -- remains iffy, let's turn to the Spurs. Yes, David Robinson has retired, and they have overhauled their roster around Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Malik Rose, Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili, but that doesn't mean they won't be the team to beat in the West. And even if they aren't, when all is said and done by April, they appear to be that team right now. Injuries will be a factor for everybody as training camp swings into full speed, which is why this is the first Power Rankings of the preseason but certainly not the last. We'll take one more crack at it after the preseason games end and we're looking at the regular season, then it's back to the weekly rankings. POWER RANKINGS Current Team Previous 1 San Antonio Spurs 2 As long as Tim Duncan is healthy and Tony Parker is improving, defense and the guys around them can fill in the blanks. 2 Sacramento Kings 3 Even if Webber is slow in returning, this team is still loaded with talent, and Mike Bibby has something to prove. 3 Los Angeles Lakers 1 Worst-case scenario has Bryant missing training camp and going right into trial. Shaq, Malone and Payton could be enough. 4 New Jersey Nets 4 Four centers sounds like too many, but they have no idea what every day with Alonzo Mourning's kidney disease will be like. 5 Dallas Mavericks 5 They added another weapon in Antawn Jamison, but somebody has to hit somebody for that team. Is Danny Fortson the guy? 6 Minnesota Timberwolves 6 6. Minnesota Timberwolves (6) With Kevin Garnett's contract extended, and the talent they have around him now, this is the sleeper team to win the West. 7 Detroit Pistons 7 All Larry Brown has to do is coach now that he has come to the team that Joe Dumars built. That's a good thing for all parties. 8 New Orleans Hornets 8 The Hornets -- Jamal Mashburn and Baron Davis that is -- are due to stay healthy, and if so, they could win the East. 9 Houston Rockets 10 It wouldn't be a surprise for Yao Ming to make a quantum leap. The bigger change will be Jeff Van Gundy's discipline. 9 Portland Trail Blazers 9 None of the needed changes on the floor happened, but the talent is still there. Can they find chemistry? 10 Phoenix Suns 11 The Suns are the kind of team that can run off streaks in both directions because of youth. But they're good and dangerous. 11 Indiana Pacers 12 Expect coach Rick Carlisle to take this young team up another notch provided they get some consistency in the middle. 13 Philadelphia 76ers 14 How coach Randy Ayers handles this is a big question, but they still have a solid base around Allen Iverson. 14 Orlando Magic 13 They're still hurting inside, but Tracy McGrady and young forwards Drew Gooden and Gordon Giricek can fill it up. 15 Boston Celtics 15 It's tough to get a read beyond Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker. A rehabbed Vin Baker is the wild-card difference-maker. 16 Golden State Warriors 20 With Nick Van Exel running the show and chances for Jason Richardson and Mike Dunleavy to step up, they'll keep improving. 17 Toronto Raptors 16 Provided Vince Carter and Antonio Davis are healthy (and Davis stops whining), they'll be factors in the spring. 18 Seattle SuperSonics 17 They've gotten too young with unproven players, so Ray Allen will carry the load and Rashard Lewis has to take a giant step. 19 Miami Heat 24 If Lamar Odom is healthy and serious, they could be one of the most improved teams in the league and get back into the playoffs. 20 Memphis Grizzlies 22 Very quietly, they are climbing up the ladder with Hubie Brown's direction. If Jason Williams keeps coming on, they'll be tough. 21 Chicago Bulls 23 Losing Jay Williams really hurts, but Eddy Curry showed flashes of brilliance late and so did Jamal Crawford. Can they win on the road? 22 Los Angeles Clippers 18 Who knows what spirit is left on this team with the loss of four key free agents, but coach Mike Dunleavy understands the drill. 23 New York Knicks 19 They didn't improve their point guard situation, and Antonio McDyess' knee is a crapshoot. They could be worse than last season. 24 Cleveland Cavaliers 25 There is plenty of young talent, but it will take time for Paul Silas to make this group sing in unison. 25 Denver Nuggets 26 They're better, having added Andre Miller and Carmelo Anthony, but Marcus Camby must be healthy and last year's rookies must improve. 26 Milwaukee Bucks 28 Terry Porter has come home to coach and he has a completely revamped team to cut his teeth on. They'll be up and down. 27 Washington Wizards 27 Free-agent signee Gilbert Arenas promised playoffs, but winning 30-35 games is a more reasonable goal with this young crew. 28 Atlanta Hawks 29 Re-signing Jason Terry was a must, but they still have a lot of holes to fill. At least they have new ownership now. That's a start. 29 Utah Jazz 21 After 18 years of success with John Stockton and Karl Malone, they now have to deal with the flip side, and Jerry Sloan has little to work with.
5 Dallas Mavericks 5 They added another weapon in Antawn Jamison, but somebody has to hit somebody for that team. Is Danny Fortson the guy? what? Do editors work for espn or do they just wait until after they release their articles to find their mistakes?
As pleased as I am to see our beloved Rockets in the top ten (especially infront of the Suns), these rankings are crap. The top six are all out of whack. Sacremento is in no way number two. And Minnesota sixth, behind New Jersey? That's wrong, completely. Eastern Conference sucks, period.
There seems to be a lot of respect for the Rockets this offseason. I wonder how much Yao's performance in the Asian Games is influencing this.
Yeah. I think it's kinda wrong. I'm pleased with us being at #9 though. But uhh...I think we are better than the Hornets.
i agree. we're better than the hornets, and possibly the pistons...i really thing getting rid of carlisle was a mistake so they'll suffer cause of that. we should be #7. watch out nba, rox are going to blow up!
As far as the West, they have us listed as the #6 team in the West and that's where I think we'll finish. Sacramento isn't the 2nd best team though, and New Orleans is overrated. I think that we're better then New Orleans and Detroit. New Jersey is a better team, I believe, then Minnesota, especially with Zo. Don't get caught up in the East and West, the West may be better but that doesn't mean every team in the East is a bad team.
now thats what i like. just being ahead of the suns (its obvious anyways) and the media finally acknowledging it! that makes my day. lol.
I'm sorry I just can't see the Nets ahead of the Wolves or even the Mavs. Sure they picked up Zo but that doesn't mean they just leapfrogged to 4th. Remember their only inside presence comes from a guy that's been out with a kidney prob for one and half seasons.
But remember, with Zo it opens things up for Kenyon. Also Mutombo will be healthy, and along with Aaron Williams and Collins they have a huge collection of big men. I think New Jersey will be a very good team this season.
isnt it funny how they seem to already have an excuse lined up for the suns losing because of their "youth" arent we the youngest team in the L behind denver? no one (thank god no excuses should ever be used) wants the rocks it seems to win at least no one in the media they've all donned the suns as the new team of the future well thats total bs
I agree they'll be a good team, but I doubt they'll be better than the Wolves. Remember that even if Zo is now 100% healthy, he still haven't touched a basketball for a year and half. You might still remember the moves but you would definitely have lost the touch. It will take some time for him to get it back. Aaron Williams and Collins are role players subbed in for maybe 15 mins a game. I guess I'm just not too confident in a team counting on KMart as its only inside scoring option. PS. I may be wrong but I don't think Mutombo is on the Nets any more.
