Post by New Jersey Nets on Jan 23, 2009 2:32:55 GMT
Preseason Power Rankings
6. Detroit Pistons--- --- Bibby-Allen-Wallace-Dunleavy-Wallace
The Detroit Pistons made it to the conference finals last season, only to be stopped short by the eventual champions. This team is in position to seek some revenge. With championship wing combo Ray Allen and Gerald Wallace fresh from New Jersey, this team is looking a lot stronger than last season. The only weak spot is the frontcourt, which may actually rebound worse than Eddy Curry. Still, look for this team to win the central once again.
7. Atlanta Hawks------ Calderon-Johnson-Granger-Jefferson-Bynum
This team is scary. And it‘s only going to get worse. The Hawks boast what is perhaps the league‘s up-and-coming stars lineup, but these guys are no rookies. Everyone on this team has proven himself in the NBA, and the Hawks are looking to capitalize on that experience. The Hawks are definitely a team to keep an eye on, especially in a some-what noncompetitive South East division.
8. Golden State Warriors------ Ford-Richardson-Butler-West-Camby
The Warriors are historically (D5) a very competitive team, and it seems as though they will have another good year. This team has talent at every position, and has a great mix of scoring to defense. The Pacific Division may be a walk in the part for these seasoned vets.
9. Charlotte Bobcats------ Billups-Mobley-Prince-Martin-Wallace
The Bobcats‘ GM was criticized for the moves he made, but it seems as though he knew what he was doing. This team has three of the core-Pistons from the championship season in Billups, Prince, and Wallace. The real question to this team‘s success is wingman Cuttino Mobley, who has retired in real life due to heart complications. If Mobley can hold his own, and if K-Mart gives any production in the frontcourt, watch out for this team come playoff time.
10. Phoenix Suns------ Fisher-Hamilton-Diaw-Garnett-Nowitzki
The Suns have built a lineup of players that know how to win. This team is full of veterans that could only possibly have one thing on their minds: a championship. But, I could see problems arising at the point guard position, as well as a possible feud between Garnett and Nowitzki as the primary low post player. Still, this team is rock solid and will definitely be one of the top dogs.
6. Detroit Pistons--- --- Bibby-Allen-Wallace-Dunleavy-Wallace
The Detroit Pistons made it to the conference finals last season, only to be stopped short by the eventual champions. This team is in position to seek some revenge. With championship wing combo Ray Allen and Gerald Wallace fresh from New Jersey, this team is looking a lot stronger than last season. The only weak spot is the frontcourt, which may actually rebound worse than Eddy Curry. Still, look for this team to win the central once again.
7. Atlanta Hawks------ Calderon-Johnson-Granger-Jefferson-Bynum
This team is scary. And it‘s only going to get worse. The Hawks boast what is perhaps the league‘s up-and-coming stars lineup, but these guys are no rookies. Everyone on this team has proven himself in the NBA, and the Hawks are looking to capitalize on that experience. The Hawks are definitely a team to keep an eye on, especially in a some-what noncompetitive South East division.
8. Golden State Warriors------ Ford-Richardson-Butler-West-Camby
The Warriors are historically (D5) a very competitive team, and it seems as though they will have another good year. This team has talent at every position, and has a great mix of scoring to defense. The Pacific Division may be a walk in the part for these seasoned vets.
9. Charlotte Bobcats------ Billups-Mobley-Prince-Martin-Wallace
The Bobcats‘ GM was criticized for the moves he made, but it seems as though he knew what he was doing. This team has three of the core-Pistons from the championship season in Billups, Prince, and Wallace. The real question to this team‘s success is wingman Cuttino Mobley, who has retired in real life due to heart complications. If Mobley can hold his own, and if K-Mart gives any production in the frontcourt, watch out for this team come playoff time.
10. Phoenix Suns------ Fisher-Hamilton-Diaw-Garnett-Nowitzki
The Suns have built a lineup of players that know how to win. This team is full of veterans that could only possibly have one thing on their minds: a championship. But, I could see problems arising at the point guard position, as well as a possible feud between Garnett and Nowitzki as the primary low post player. Still, this team is rock solid and will definitely be one of the top dogs.