Post by New Jersey Nets on Aug 16, 2010 19:58:48 GMT
Well, most of the big name free agents have signed with a team now, so I decided to throw together a little preseason top 10 power rankings. Mad that your team isn’t on here? Think I’m wrong about something? Post it! Let the discussion begin!
Preseason Power Rankings
1.
The defending D5 champions made some key moves this offseason. After signing veteran Shaquille O’Neal to a 3 year contract, the Hawks immediately traded him to the Charlotte Bobcats for Yao Ming, whom they traded for Josh Smith. The Hawks also traded defensive stopper Ron Artest for sharpshooter Kevin Martin, and Chauncey Billups for Paul Pierce. It is going to be interesting to see how well this team does with a new look. They will definitely win games, but the chemistry that these guys have is still going to be in question. Last season they were able to win with a bunch of superstars just thrown together, so the Hawks surely have high hopes this year, which is why they are number 1 in the rankings.
2.
Who needs a power forward anyway? The Dallas Mavericks have by far been the most successful team this offseason. The Mavs were able to sign veteran guards Steve Nash and Vince Carter, along with the most talented/controversial player in the league, Lebron James. This team is locked and loaded, and is going to make a lot of noise out West. If the GM can find someone to slot into the power forward position who can contribute defensively or can shoot from the perimeter, this may just be the best team in the league. Only time will tell.
3.
The Spurs have never really seemed that great on paper, but they have been the most successful team in D5 history for one reason: defense. This team might be getting old, but they still managed to win 70 games last season. I do not predict that they will be quite that good this year since the loss of (overrated) Rasheed Wallace, but they should still be able to compete in the new-look Western Conference. This team does and always has had the best chemistry in D5, and they are ready to show it once again.
4.
The New Jersey Nets were the surprise team of the playoffs last season, but won’t be surprising many people this year. The Nets have a very complete lineup, and a frontcourt that is to be reckoned with. After trading Danny Granger for Al Jefferson early into the offseason, the Nets GM made a somewhat strange move when he sent veteran Andrei Kirilenko away for the declining Mike Dunleavy. This trade, however, gave the Nets enough cap room to sign Ray Allen this offseason, which looks to be a huge addition to the team. Not to mention, they have Dunleavy (79) and McDyess (78) on their bench.
5.
Rounding out the top 5 is another team from last season’s most successful division, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics roster looks very similar to last season except that it is now more complete. The Celtics’ GM was able to trade Russell Westbrook for OJ Mayo just before the season ended, giving the team a more complete lineup. However, the team didn’t really have time to mesh, and ended up getting knocked out in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Now, the Celtics are back, and have a season of experience under their belt. Like the Nets, this is a young team on the rise that can win games, but is also already in place for many seasons to come. Watch out for the Atlantic!
6.
The Hornets are one of D5’s least talked about teams, and it is probably because they have not had a stable GM in quite some time. However, the players are going to be lacing up regardless, and this team is packed full of heavy hitters. The veterans on this team should have an entire season to get it together, unless a solid GM comes along, and they are going to have to use that season really well, because half the team expires after this year. Either way, this team should win a lot of games and be able to make a run in the playoffs.
7.
It started getting hard to pick who to put next at this point, but the Nuggets have put together a very interesting lineup. Andrew Bogut is quickly becoming, if not already, a top 5 center in the league. Carmelo Anthony is Carmelo Anthony, and surrounding those two with guys like Gerald Wallace and Blake Griffin frightens everyone who visit’s the Pepsi Center. This team has scoring, defense, and a complete roster. Watch out!
8.
?
I couldn’t really decide where to put the Jazz, but I ended up penciling them in at 8. This team is historically very competitive in D5, but poor planning for the offseason has them in a sticky situation. The GM chose to clear cap room to resign Kobe Bryant after the playoffs instead of before, and the lack of urgency has definitely translated to this roster. The team had to trade away Josh Smith and Jermaine O’Neal for practically nothing in return, which has left the frontcourt completely devastated. Elton Brand, a washed up 6’8 power forward has a huge load on his shoulders, and I personally do not believe he is going to be able to carry the load all season. This will surely be an interesting season for the Jazz.
9.
Alright, this team is going to win a lot of games. Until T-Mac’s rating gets changed. Personally, I think the signing of T-Mac was probably the worst of the offseason. More than $33 million over 5 years is a lot for a guy who can’t stay healthy and can’t score the ball when he is. Either way, the Wizards were getting desperate and have put together a great looking lineup to start the season with. The frontcourt is one of the best in the league, which always seems to be important in D5. This team is better than they were last season, but only time will tell how much they improved.
10.
The Knicks are a big team with a lot of talent. Jason Kidd and Dwayne Wade were one of the best backcourts in the league last season. I really liked the trade of Yao Ming for Pau Gasol for the Knicks. Gasol gives the team a lot more versatility and he seems like a much better pair with Wade. Jason Thompson and Grant Hill are the weak points in this lineup, but they both should be solid roleplayers and this Knicks team should easily make the playoffs yet again.
Preseason Power Rankings
1.
The defending D5 champions made some key moves this offseason. After signing veteran Shaquille O’Neal to a 3 year contract, the Hawks immediately traded him to the Charlotte Bobcats for Yao Ming, whom they traded for Josh Smith. The Hawks also traded defensive stopper Ron Artest for sharpshooter Kevin Martin, and Chauncey Billups for Paul Pierce. It is going to be interesting to see how well this team does with a new look. They will definitely win games, but the chemistry that these guys have is still going to be in question. Last season they were able to win with a bunch of superstars just thrown together, so the Hawks surely have high hopes this year, which is why they are number 1 in the rankings.
2.
Who needs a power forward anyway? The Dallas Mavericks have by far been the most successful team this offseason. The Mavs were able to sign veteran guards Steve Nash and Vince Carter, along with the most talented/controversial player in the league, Lebron James. This team is locked and loaded, and is going to make a lot of noise out West. If the GM can find someone to slot into the power forward position who can contribute defensively or can shoot from the perimeter, this may just be the best team in the league. Only time will tell.
3.
The Spurs have never really seemed that great on paper, but they have been the most successful team in D5 history for one reason: defense. This team might be getting old, but they still managed to win 70 games last season. I do not predict that they will be quite that good this year since the loss of (overrated) Rasheed Wallace, but they should still be able to compete in the new-look Western Conference. This team does and always has had the best chemistry in D5, and they are ready to show it once again.
4.
The New Jersey Nets were the surprise team of the playoffs last season, but won’t be surprising many people this year. The Nets have a very complete lineup, and a frontcourt that is to be reckoned with. After trading Danny Granger for Al Jefferson early into the offseason, the Nets GM made a somewhat strange move when he sent veteran Andrei Kirilenko away for the declining Mike Dunleavy. This trade, however, gave the Nets enough cap room to sign Ray Allen this offseason, which looks to be a huge addition to the team. Not to mention, they have Dunleavy (79) and McDyess (78) on their bench.
5.
Rounding out the top 5 is another team from last season’s most successful division, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics roster looks very similar to last season except that it is now more complete. The Celtics’ GM was able to trade Russell Westbrook for OJ Mayo just before the season ended, giving the team a more complete lineup. However, the team didn’t really have time to mesh, and ended up getting knocked out in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Now, the Celtics are back, and have a season of experience under their belt. Like the Nets, this is a young team on the rise that can win games, but is also already in place for many seasons to come. Watch out for the Atlantic!
6.
The Hornets are one of D5’s least talked about teams, and it is probably because they have not had a stable GM in quite some time. However, the players are going to be lacing up regardless, and this team is packed full of heavy hitters. The veterans on this team should have an entire season to get it together, unless a solid GM comes along, and they are going to have to use that season really well, because half the team expires after this year. Either way, this team should win a lot of games and be able to make a run in the playoffs.
7.
It started getting hard to pick who to put next at this point, but the Nuggets have put together a very interesting lineup. Andrew Bogut is quickly becoming, if not already, a top 5 center in the league. Carmelo Anthony is Carmelo Anthony, and surrounding those two with guys like Gerald Wallace and Blake Griffin frightens everyone who visit’s the Pepsi Center. This team has scoring, defense, and a complete roster. Watch out!
8.
?
I couldn’t really decide where to put the Jazz, but I ended up penciling them in at 8. This team is historically very competitive in D5, but poor planning for the offseason has them in a sticky situation. The GM chose to clear cap room to resign Kobe Bryant after the playoffs instead of before, and the lack of urgency has definitely translated to this roster. The team had to trade away Josh Smith and Jermaine O’Neal for practically nothing in return, which has left the frontcourt completely devastated. Elton Brand, a washed up 6’8 power forward has a huge load on his shoulders, and I personally do not believe he is going to be able to carry the load all season. This will surely be an interesting season for the Jazz.
9.
Alright, this team is going to win a lot of games. Until T-Mac’s rating gets changed. Personally, I think the signing of T-Mac was probably the worst of the offseason. More than $33 million over 5 years is a lot for a guy who can’t stay healthy and can’t score the ball when he is. Either way, the Wizards were getting desperate and have put together a great looking lineup to start the season with. The frontcourt is one of the best in the league, which always seems to be important in D5. This team is better than they were last season, but only time will tell how much they improved.
10.
The Knicks are a big team with a lot of talent. Jason Kidd and Dwayne Wade were one of the best backcourts in the league last season. I really liked the trade of Yao Ming for Pau Gasol for the Knicks. Gasol gives the team a lot more versatility and he seems like a much better pair with Wade. Jason Thompson and Grant Hill are the weak points in this lineup, but they both should be solid roleplayers and this Knicks team should easily make the playoffs yet again.