Post by Utah Jazz on Feb 12, 2009 10:48:02 GMT
These Power Rankings are based off of my opinion and largely off of the current D5 standings. These rankings are based off how the league stands currently at this moment. I listed several positive and negative factors for each team as well. Please remember these are my opinions and please do not take anything said in this article personal. Again I used the current standings as the basis for my rankings for the most part. Also, for anyone that has done these before you know how much work these things take so please don’t forget to RATE this article! It took a lot of time and effort to put this together, so please don’t forget to show me some love! Thank you and enjoy!
30.
Philadelphia 76’ers (1-6)
(+) There is not much to be excited about in Philly right now, but the future could be bright for the city of brotherly love. A lottery pick and $25 million in cap space means the sixers can add another solid young piece through the draft and possibly grab a key free agent or two through free agency.
(-) The 76’ers are off to a 1-6 start and the immediate future does not look to much brighter for them. The sixers just don’t have the talent that other teams around the league have at the moment.
29.
Houston Rockets (1-5)
(+) The Rockets roster is loaded with young talent that includes OJ Mayo, Al Thornton, Kevin Love, and Marvin Williams. The future is bright but the Rockets fans should expect to see some growing pains as the group matures in the league.
(-) The Rockets are not going to win a lot of games this year in D5. They are a very talented young team but that unfortunately will not equate into to many wins this season.
28.
Indiana Pacers (1-5)
(+) The Pacers just made a trade for PG Jameer Nelson and young rookie wing Anthony Randolph. The trade will put Paul Millsap in the starting rotation and hopefully these additions will pay off for the Pacers in the win column.
(-) The Pacers have now traded away two 84+ rated PF’s in the past two seasons. Are their fans beginning to question the management decisions of Pacer’s GM James McGowan?
27.
Minnesota Timberwolves (1-5)
(+) The Timberwolves have way to much talent to stay in the cellar for long. Once Minnesota gets on track expect to see the wins start adding up for the T-Wolves.
(-) Minnesota is one of the better teams in the league on paper. Unfortunately for the T-Wolves the games aren’t played on paper.
26.
Los Angeles Lakers (2-5)
(+) The Lakers are still a work in progress. Rudy Gay and Luol Deng give the Lakers a solid core to build around. Lakers’ GM Matt Moody has built a solid core of young talent that will hopefully lead to a bright future in LA.
(-) The young and inexperienced Lakers are going to take their lumps this season. The Lakers should count on being in the lottery this June.
25.
Sacramento Kings (2-5)
(+) The Kings just pulled off a great trade that will pair Kevin Durant with Michael Beasley. Monta Ellis will also be running the PG spot for the Kings. The Kings have some nice young pieces in place.
(-) The Kings aren’t off to a great start this season. Just like the Rockets and Lakers, the Kings can expect some losses as their young core matures.
24.
New York Knicks (2-5)
(+) The Knicks just traded for All Star center Yao Ming and talented wing Josh Howard. Adding these two players to a lineup with Derrick Rose, David Lee, and Rodney Stuckey will hopefully get the Knicks out of the bottom of the league rankings.
(-) The Knicks are three games under .500 and have not lived up to their high pre season expectations. Can the Knicks beat the Celtics and Nets?
23.
Chicago Bulls (2-5)
(+) The Bulls have the best PG in the league right now in Chris Paul and teamed up with Andre Iguodala and Mehmet Okur the Bulls have the talent to be a playoff contender.
(-) The loss of Emeka Okafor to Indiana during free agency appears to be hitting the Bulls hard early in the season. The Bulls are not clicking right now as a team it shows in their 2-5 record.
22.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2-5)
(+) Beno Udrih, Ben Gordon, Richard Jefferson, LeBron James, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Cavs have a lot of talent on their roster and should be at least a playoff contender if not win their division.
(-) After starting off slow, Cavs GM Mark Price is going to move LeBron James to the PF spot. Will this move get Cleveland back on track or will they continue to struggle?
21.
Milwaukee Bucks (2-4)
(+) The Bucks just traded for the #1 overall pick from a season ago, Greg Oden. The Bucks are another young talented team that if they figure out how to put it all together could very well find themselves in the playoff hunt.
(-) The Bucks are off to another slow start this season. The talent is there in Milwaukee, but where have the wins been?
20.
Utah Jazz (3-5)
(+) The Jazz just made a trade that will team up Pau Gasol with Dwyane Wade and Elton Brand. The Jazz also acquired talented 2nd year forward Jeff Green. This trade will hopefully make Utah a more complete team and will lead to more wins for the Jazz.
(-) What many thought to be a top 3 team in the league Utah is off to a terrible start. Dwyane Wade has missed 6 out of the Utah’s 8 games this season due to injury. Can Chris Duhon handle being the starting PG?
19.
Memphis Grizzlies (3-5)
(+) Nene is off to a terrific start and has been a force inside for Memphis. If Nene can keep up his high level of play combined with Stephen Jackson, Vince Carter, and Jason Terry the Grizzlies could definitely be in the playoff and division hunt.
(-) The Grizzlies are off to a slow start and don’t want to fall to far back in the standings. Can the Grizzlies big men play at a high level for an entire season?
18.
Dallas Mavericks (2-4)
(+) The Mavs just traded for veteran scoring machine Tracy McGrady and young big man Al Horford. The Mavs have the talent to be a playoff team if they can put it all together. Lamar Odom has the opportunity to show he can be an All Star caliber player.
(-) The Mavericks cannot afford to keep losing games. They are among several talented teams competing for only 8 playoff spots in the Western Conference. Dallas is extremely thin up front.
17.
Washington Wizards (3-3)
(+) Agent 0 and the Big Aristotle have put the Wizards on their backs and have carried them to the .500 mark early in the season. Al Harrington is going to have play big this season for the Wizards if they hope to continue winning games.
(-) The Wizards are arguably the least talented team in the Southeast Division. Will their limited talent, limit what they accomplish this season? The Wizards GM might need step up his game to keep his team competitive in the uber competitive Southeast division.
16.
Toronto Raptors (3-3)
(+) The Raptors just traded for super talented SG Brandon Roy and also brought in big men Eddy Curry and Udonis Haslem. The Parker and Roy backcourt should be one of the best in the league and should put Toronto in a position to make the playoffs again.
(-) Will updated ratings hurt Eddy Curry? The Raptors will find themselves amongst a mix of playoff hopeful teams with similar talent levels. Can they continue to set themselves apart once they lose Chris Bosh?
15.
Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3)
(+) Led by Devin Harris, Shawn Marion, and Lemarcus Aldridge the Thunder are off to a .500 start. The Thunder have a talented roster and are a piece away in my opinion from being real threat out in the west. Thunder fans have good reason to be excited.
(-) The Thunder don’t quite have the firepower to make them an elite team just yet. Are Bogut and Aldridge tough enough defensively inside? Can the Thunder continue to keep winning games?
14.
Los Angeles Clippers (4-3)
(+) Allen Iverson and Rashard Lewis are clicking together and it is showing in their point production. Iverson and Lewis are talented enough to lead a team for an entire season and role player Luis Scola continues to steadily improve. Brad Miller is showing signs of his former self too.
(-) Allen Iverson and Larry Hughes should likely see rating drops the next time ratings are updated. Are the Clippers good enough to make the playoffs in a competitive Western Conference?
13.
Detroit Pistons (3-3)
(+) The Pistons have an experienced core of veterans that have succeeded in big pressure situations. D5 Champions two seasons ago, the Pistons have the talent capable of getting themselves back to the D5 Finals. If they want to get back to the promise land they are going to have to play well above .500 basketball for the remainder of the season.
(-) Several Piston players could see rating decreases the next update. Like LeBron James can Gerald Wallace handle playing the PF position?
12.
Boston Celtics (3-3)
(+) The Celtics made a huge trade and got Chris Bosh to join Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams. The expectations are finally high again in Boston and they should be. The Celtics have the talent in place to possibly make a deep run in the playoffs.
(-) As much as the Celtics have improved they still unfortunately are in the same division with the defending D5 Champion New Jersey Nets. Can the Celtics live up to their own high expectations?
11.
Orlando Magic (3-3)
(+) Dwight Howard has been earning that massive contract he signed this past off season. Paul Pierce and Hedo Turkoglu provide the Magic with deadly accuracy from long range. The Magic have the firepower to win at a highest level and need to build upon their 3-3 start to the season.
(-) Before the Magic can think about going to the D5 Finals, they first need to worry about beating the teams in their own division. The Southeast is extremely deep this season, can the Magic keep winning?
10.
San Antonio Spurs (4-3)
(+) Tim Duncan is healthy and back in the lineup, that is all that needs to be said. The Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the league and that formula has resulted in a lot of wins for the Spurs over the past two seasons. The Spurs got off to a slow start but with Duncan back they should be getting back on track in no time.
(-) The Spurs have failed to make it past the Western Conference Semi Finals the past two seasons despite being the #1 seed both years. The injury bug always seems to pop up at the most inopportune times for the Spurs as well.
9.
New Orleans Hornets (3-2)
(+) Zach Randolph has been playing well for the Hornets so far this season. The Hornets are another team with the personnel to win big this season. Ron Artest, Kevin Martin, and Kirk Hinrich join Z-Bo in the Hornets starting rotation. The Hornets have just as good of chance as any team in the league to win it all.
(-) Can Andrea Bargnani and Zach Randolph provide a defensive presence inside that New Orleans will need if they have any title aspirations? Will Kirk Hinrich see a drop in his rating come next update?
8.
Portland Trailblazers (4-1)
(+) Much to the surprise of their own GM the Blazers are off to a 4-1 start this season. Peja Stojakovic looks rejuvenated as he has been carrying this team on his back so far this season. Andris Biedrins should see a ratings boost the next update. The Blazers have also just recently hired a new GM
(-) The Blazers are the least talented team in their division and that should unfortunately catch up with them as the season progresses. The Blazers should most likely not expect to find themselves in the top 10 of the league later on in the year. They should be prepared for the Lottery.
7.
Miami Heat (5-2)
(+) The Miami Heat GM Team has transformed the Heat roster in only a matter of several trades. Once thought to be a doormat, the Heat have added Marc Gasol, Emeka Okafor, Josh Smith, and Rajon Rondo in the last week. The Heat definitely are not a doormat anymore and have shown it with their 5-2 start this season.
(-) The Heat play in a tough division and will have to earn every win this season. In my opinion the Heat are missing a legit go to scorer since trading away Brandon Roy. Will they struggle to score points as the season progresses?
6.
Golden State Warriors (6-2)
(+) The Warriors are off to a great start at 6-2. The Warriors are arguably the most complete team in the league, solid starters and a deep bench. The Warriors are more than capable of making another trip to the Conference Finals this season. Caron Butler continues to impress with his overall game.
(-) Come crunch time do the Warriors have a go to guy? Can Golden State continue to win at this high level or will they suffer a drop off?
5.
Atlanta Hawks (5-1)
(+) The Hawks are off to one of the best starts in the league at 5-1. The Hawks are one of the most talented teams in D5 and have shown it so far this season. Danny Granger and Joe Johnson continue to impress and their stock has steadily been climbing with each season. Could this finally be Atlanta’s year?
(-) Will the real life injuries to Hawks starting big men Al Jefferson and Andrew Bynum effect them in D5 in the form of a decrease in rating? The Hawks will have to play 16 games against the Heat, Magic, Bobcats, and Wizards this season.
4.
Denver Nuggets (6-1)
(+) The Nuggets have jumped out to an impressive 6-1 record. Picked to finish 3rd in their division behind Utah and Minnesota the Nuggets have shown people why they are the 2 time defending Northwest Division Champs. Carmelo Anthony and Michael Redd can provide the Nuggets with the offensive firepower needed to make a playoff run. Tyson Chandler anchors the middle for Denver’s defense.
(-) The Nuggets lack a true PG and that could possibly spell problems for Denver in the future. Will Tyson Chandler get hit with a ratings decrease next update due to recent speculation by other GMs? Can the Nuggets keep winning?
3.
Phoenix Suns (5-1)
(+) Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki have led the Suns out to a terrific start. The Suns boast as good of starting lineup as any team in the league and their 5-1 record reflects that. The Suns should expect to be in the hunt for home court advantage in the playoffs if they keep up this good start to the season. Could the Suns find themselves back in the D5 Finals?
(-) The Suns have a thin bench, will that come back to hurt them as the season goes on this year? Other GM’s around the league have wondered if the Phoenix GM needs to be more involved in the Suns day to day affairs.
2.
Charlotte Bobcats (7-0)
(+) Oh the difference a year makes. The Bobcats have come roaring out the gate to an impressive 7-0 start with wins over Utah, San Antonio, Miami and Boston. The trade for Jermaine O’Neal and Andrei Kirilenko has fueled this current Bobcat 7 game winning streak. The Bobcats have had a total transformation this season and find themselves in the top 2 of the D5 standings at this point in the season.
(-) Jermaine O’Neal and Andrei Kirilenko could possibly find themselves on the wrong side of a ratings change very soon. Are the Bobcats contenders or pretenders?
1.
New Jersey Nets (7-0)
(+) The defending D5 Champs find themselves as the #1 team in my power rankings at this point in the season. The Nets have jumped out to a perfect 7-0 record and Kobe Bryant looks to be in MVP form again this season. The Nets have played lights out defense so far this season and definitely are the team to beat right now in D5.
(-) The Nets could possibly see rating decreases for Ben Wallace, Kenyon Martin, and Jason Kidd the next ratings update. Can this Nets team handle being the hunted for an entire season?
30.
Philadelphia 76’ers (1-6)
(+) There is not much to be excited about in Philly right now, but the future could be bright for the city of brotherly love. A lottery pick and $25 million in cap space means the sixers can add another solid young piece through the draft and possibly grab a key free agent or two through free agency.
(-) The 76’ers are off to a 1-6 start and the immediate future does not look to much brighter for them. The sixers just don’t have the talent that other teams around the league have at the moment.
29.
Houston Rockets (1-5)
(+) The Rockets roster is loaded with young talent that includes OJ Mayo, Al Thornton, Kevin Love, and Marvin Williams. The future is bright but the Rockets fans should expect to see some growing pains as the group matures in the league.
(-) The Rockets are not going to win a lot of games this year in D5. They are a very talented young team but that unfortunately will not equate into to many wins this season.
28.
Indiana Pacers (1-5)
(+) The Pacers just made a trade for PG Jameer Nelson and young rookie wing Anthony Randolph. The trade will put Paul Millsap in the starting rotation and hopefully these additions will pay off for the Pacers in the win column.
(-) The Pacers have now traded away two 84+ rated PF’s in the past two seasons. Are their fans beginning to question the management decisions of Pacer’s GM James McGowan?
27.
Minnesota Timberwolves (1-5)
(+) The Timberwolves have way to much talent to stay in the cellar for long. Once Minnesota gets on track expect to see the wins start adding up for the T-Wolves.
(-) Minnesota is one of the better teams in the league on paper. Unfortunately for the T-Wolves the games aren’t played on paper.
26.
Los Angeles Lakers (2-5)
(+) The Lakers are still a work in progress. Rudy Gay and Luol Deng give the Lakers a solid core to build around. Lakers’ GM Matt Moody has built a solid core of young talent that will hopefully lead to a bright future in LA.
(-) The young and inexperienced Lakers are going to take their lumps this season. The Lakers should count on being in the lottery this June.
25.
Sacramento Kings (2-5)
(+) The Kings just pulled off a great trade that will pair Kevin Durant with Michael Beasley. Monta Ellis will also be running the PG spot for the Kings. The Kings have some nice young pieces in place.
(-) The Kings aren’t off to a great start this season. Just like the Rockets and Lakers, the Kings can expect some losses as their young core matures.
24.
New York Knicks (2-5)
(+) The Knicks just traded for All Star center Yao Ming and talented wing Josh Howard. Adding these two players to a lineup with Derrick Rose, David Lee, and Rodney Stuckey will hopefully get the Knicks out of the bottom of the league rankings.
(-) The Knicks are three games under .500 and have not lived up to their high pre season expectations. Can the Knicks beat the Celtics and Nets?
23.
Chicago Bulls (2-5)
(+) The Bulls have the best PG in the league right now in Chris Paul and teamed up with Andre Iguodala and Mehmet Okur the Bulls have the talent to be a playoff contender.
(-) The loss of Emeka Okafor to Indiana during free agency appears to be hitting the Bulls hard early in the season. The Bulls are not clicking right now as a team it shows in their 2-5 record.
22.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2-5)
(+) Beno Udrih, Ben Gordon, Richard Jefferson, LeBron James, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Cavs have a lot of talent on their roster and should be at least a playoff contender if not win their division.
(-) After starting off slow, Cavs GM Mark Price is going to move LeBron James to the PF spot. Will this move get Cleveland back on track or will they continue to struggle?
21.
Milwaukee Bucks (2-4)
(+) The Bucks just traded for the #1 overall pick from a season ago, Greg Oden. The Bucks are another young talented team that if they figure out how to put it all together could very well find themselves in the playoff hunt.
(-) The Bucks are off to another slow start this season. The talent is there in Milwaukee, but where have the wins been?
20.
Utah Jazz (3-5)
(+) The Jazz just made a trade that will team up Pau Gasol with Dwyane Wade and Elton Brand. The Jazz also acquired talented 2nd year forward Jeff Green. This trade will hopefully make Utah a more complete team and will lead to more wins for the Jazz.
(-) What many thought to be a top 3 team in the league Utah is off to a terrible start. Dwyane Wade has missed 6 out of the Utah’s 8 games this season due to injury. Can Chris Duhon handle being the starting PG?
19.
Memphis Grizzlies (3-5)
(+) Nene is off to a terrific start and has been a force inside for Memphis. If Nene can keep up his high level of play combined with Stephen Jackson, Vince Carter, and Jason Terry the Grizzlies could definitely be in the playoff and division hunt.
(-) The Grizzlies are off to a slow start and don’t want to fall to far back in the standings. Can the Grizzlies big men play at a high level for an entire season?
18.
Dallas Mavericks (2-4)
(+) The Mavs just traded for veteran scoring machine Tracy McGrady and young big man Al Horford. The Mavs have the talent to be a playoff team if they can put it all together. Lamar Odom has the opportunity to show he can be an All Star caliber player.
(-) The Mavericks cannot afford to keep losing games. They are among several talented teams competing for only 8 playoff spots in the Western Conference. Dallas is extremely thin up front.
17.
Washington Wizards (3-3)
(+) Agent 0 and the Big Aristotle have put the Wizards on their backs and have carried them to the .500 mark early in the season. Al Harrington is going to have play big this season for the Wizards if they hope to continue winning games.
(-) The Wizards are arguably the least talented team in the Southeast Division. Will their limited talent, limit what they accomplish this season? The Wizards GM might need step up his game to keep his team competitive in the uber competitive Southeast division.
16.
Toronto Raptors (3-3)
(+) The Raptors just traded for super talented SG Brandon Roy and also brought in big men Eddy Curry and Udonis Haslem. The Parker and Roy backcourt should be one of the best in the league and should put Toronto in a position to make the playoffs again.
(-) Will updated ratings hurt Eddy Curry? The Raptors will find themselves amongst a mix of playoff hopeful teams with similar talent levels. Can they continue to set themselves apart once they lose Chris Bosh?
15.
Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3)
(+) Led by Devin Harris, Shawn Marion, and Lemarcus Aldridge the Thunder are off to a .500 start. The Thunder have a talented roster and are a piece away in my opinion from being real threat out in the west. Thunder fans have good reason to be excited.
(-) The Thunder don’t quite have the firepower to make them an elite team just yet. Are Bogut and Aldridge tough enough defensively inside? Can the Thunder continue to keep winning games?
14.
Los Angeles Clippers (4-3)
(+) Allen Iverson and Rashard Lewis are clicking together and it is showing in their point production. Iverson and Lewis are talented enough to lead a team for an entire season and role player Luis Scola continues to steadily improve. Brad Miller is showing signs of his former self too.
(-) Allen Iverson and Larry Hughes should likely see rating drops the next time ratings are updated. Are the Clippers good enough to make the playoffs in a competitive Western Conference?
13.
Detroit Pistons (3-3)
(+) The Pistons have an experienced core of veterans that have succeeded in big pressure situations. D5 Champions two seasons ago, the Pistons have the talent capable of getting themselves back to the D5 Finals. If they want to get back to the promise land they are going to have to play well above .500 basketball for the remainder of the season.
(-) Several Piston players could see rating decreases the next update. Like LeBron James can Gerald Wallace handle playing the PF position?
12.
Boston Celtics (3-3)
(+) The Celtics made a huge trade and got Chris Bosh to join Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams. The expectations are finally high again in Boston and they should be. The Celtics have the talent in place to possibly make a deep run in the playoffs.
(-) As much as the Celtics have improved they still unfortunately are in the same division with the defending D5 Champion New Jersey Nets. Can the Celtics live up to their own high expectations?
11.
Orlando Magic (3-3)
(+) Dwight Howard has been earning that massive contract he signed this past off season. Paul Pierce and Hedo Turkoglu provide the Magic with deadly accuracy from long range. The Magic have the firepower to win at a highest level and need to build upon their 3-3 start to the season.
(-) Before the Magic can think about going to the D5 Finals, they first need to worry about beating the teams in their own division. The Southeast is extremely deep this season, can the Magic keep winning?
10.
San Antonio Spurs (4-3)
(+) Tim Duncan is healthy and back in the lineup, that is all that needs to be said. The Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the league and that formula has resulted in a lot of wins for the Spurs over the past two seasons. The Spurs got off to a slow start but with Duncan back they should be getting back on track in no time.
(-) The Spurs have failed to make it past the Western Conference Semi Finals the past two seasons despite being the #1 seed both years. The injury bug always seems to pop up at the most inopportune times for the Spurs as well.
9.
New Orleans Hornets (3-2)
(+) Zach Randolph has been playing well for the Hornets so far this season. The Hornets are another team with the personnel to win big this season. Ron Artest, Kevin Martin, and Kirk Hinrich join Z-Bo in the Hornets starting rotation. The Hornets have just as good of chance as any team in the league to win it all.
(-) Can Andrea Bargnani and Zach Randolph provide a defensive presence inside that New Orleans will need if they have any title aspirations? Will Kirk Hinrich see a drop in his rating come next update?
8.
Portland Trailblazers (4-1)
(+) Much to the surprise of their own GM the Blazers are off to a 4-1 start this season. Peja Stojakovic looks rejuvenated as he has been carrying this team on his back so far this season. Andris Biedrins should see a ratings boost the next update. The Blazers have also just recently hired a new GM
(-) The Blazers are the least talented team in their division and that should unfortunately catch up with them as the season progresses. The Blazers should most likely not expect to find themselves in the top 10 of the league later on in the year. They should be prepared for the Lottery.
7.
Miami Heat (5-2)
(+) The Miami Heat GM Team has transformed the Heat roster in only a matter of several trades. Once thought to be a doormat, the Heat have added Marc Gasol, Emeka Okafor, Josh Smith, and Rajon Rondo in the last week. The Heat definitely are not a doormat anymore and have shown it with their 5-2 start this season.
(-) The Heat play in a tough division and will have to earn every win this season. In my opinion the Heat are missing a legit go to scorer since trading away Brandon Roy. Will they struggle to score points as the season progresses?
6.
Golden State Warriors (6-2)
(+) The Warriors are off to a great start at 6-2. The Warriors are arguably the most complete team in the league, solid starters and a deep bench. The Warriors are more than capable of making another trip to the Conference Finals this season. Caron Butler continues to impress with his overall game.
(-) Come crunch time do the Warriors have a go to guy? Can Golden State continue to win at this high level or will they suffer a drop off?
5.
Atlanta Hawks (5-1)
(+) The Hawks are off to one of the best starts in the league at 5-1. The Hawks are one of the most talented teams in D5 and have shown it so far this season. Danny Granger and Joe Johnson continue to impress and their stock has steadily been climbing with each season. Could this finally be Atlanta’s year?
(-) Will the real life injuries to Hawks starting big men Al Jefferson and Andrew Bynum effect them in D5 in the form of a decrease in rating? The Hawks will have to play 16 games against the Heat, Magic, Bobcats, and Wizards this season.
4.
Denver Nuggets (6-1)
(+) The Nuggets have jumped out to an impressive 6-1 record. Picked to finish 3rd in their division behind Utah and Minnesota the Nuggets have shown people why they are the 2 time defending Northwest Division Champs. Carmelo Anthony and Michael Redd can provide the Nuggets with the offensive firepower needed to make a playoff run. Tyson Chandler anchors the middle for Denver’s defense.
(-) The Nuggets lack a true PG and that could possibly spell problems for Denver in the future. Will Tyson Chandler get hit with a ratings decrease next update due to recent speculation by other GMs? Can the Nuggets keep winning?
3.
Phoenix Suns (5-1)
(+) Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki have led the Suns out to a terrific start. The Suns boast as good of starting lineup as any team in the league and their 5-1 record reflects that. The Suns should expect to be in the hunt for home court advantage in the playoffs if they keep up this good start to the season. Could the Suns find themselves back in the D5 Finals?
(-) The Suns have a thin bench, will that come back to hurt them as the season goes on this year? Other GM’s around the league have wondered if the Phoenix GM needs to be more involved in the Suns day to day affairs.
2.
Charlotte Bobcats (7-0)
(+) Oh the difference a year makes. The Bobcats have come roaring out the gate to an impressive 7-0 start with wins over Utah, San Antonio, Miami and Boston. The trade for Jermaine O’Neal and Andrei Kirilenko has fueled this current Bobcat 7 game winning streak. The Bobcats have had a total transformation this season and find themselves in the top 2 of the D5 standings at this point in the season.
(-) Jermaine O’Neal and Andrei Kirilenko could possibly find themselves on the wrong side of a ratings change very soon. Are the Bobcats contenders or pretenders?
1.
New Jersey Nets (7-0)
(+) The defending D5 Champs find themselves as the #1 team in my power rankings at this point in the season. The Nets have jumped out to a perfect 7-0 record and Kobe Bryant looks to be in MVP form again this season. The Nets have played lights out defense so far this season and definitely are the team to beat right now in D5.
(-) The Nets could possibly see rating decreases for Ben Wallace, Kenyon Martin, and Jason Kidd the next ratings update. Can this Nets team handle being the hunted for an entire season?