Rankings for opening night, Tuesday, Oct. 31
Well, the regular season starts on Halloween and that means it's time to get our Power Rankings going. We'll be doing this for awhile; the regular season ends on April 18. But for now, we're looking ahead. Until we see otherwise, the champs take the top spot. Look for new Power Rankings each Tuesday.
We want your comments. Click here to share your thoughts about our Power Rankings or anything NBA and we'll post the best e-mails later each week. Note that the Record and Previous categories are the teams' figures when last season ended.
|
Team
|
Record*
|
Prev.*
|
ESPN.com skinny
|
|
PLAYOFF TEAMS
|
|
|
|
|
1. Lakers
|
67-15
|
1
|
Is Portland better? A lot of people think so. Lakers get the vote because they won it all. Of course, they play Portland on Tuesday...
|
|
2. Blazers
|
59-23
|
2
|
Hey, guys, you may have spent the most, but you've won nothing. Repeat after me, up 15 with 10 to go, up 15 with...
|
|
3. Spurs
|
53-29
|
5
|
Reloaded with healthy Duncan and Elliott, new shooting guard in Derek Anderson; this team might win 60 also
|
|
4. Magic
|
41-41
|
18
|
Yes, the East does get to join the Power Rankings fun; Add Hill and McGrady and you get East's best -- for now
|
|
5. Jazz
|
55-27
|
3
|
Malone and Stockton lost Hornacek and Eisley, but Starks, Manning and Marshall will make them forget those guys
|
|
6. Sonics
|
45-37
|
14
|
Ewing detractors, calm down. This ranking is also for Rashard Lewis, Desmond Mason, and rejuvenated Baker
|
|
7. Suns
|
53-29
|
4
|
Other than the fact Dudley is at center and Penny and Googs are hurt, Suns fans are very optimistic
|
|
8. Hornets
|
49-33
|
10
|
In a conference devoid of big men, this team has quite a few; Watch Wesley, Baron in a fun backcourt
|
|
9. 76ers
|
49-33
|
11
|
Who cares if Allen likes Larry. Just score 30 a night and win 50 games and all will be well again
|
|
10. Heat
|
52-30
|
8
|
Even without Zo, this team win the East; Grant could really flourish, but key is healthy Hardaway
|
|
11. Bucks
|
42-40
|
15
|
Plenty of people believe George Karl has the East's top team; We say not with Ervin Johnson at center
|
|
12. Knicks
|
50-32
|
9
|
We remind angry Knicks fan this: It's not where you start the season, as long as you still go to the Finals
|
|
13. Raptors
|
45-37
|
12
|
Vince will score, score, score, but who will help him? Corliss? Mo Pete? He will, at some point, need help
|
|
14. Pacers
|
56-26
|
6
|
Poor Reggie and Sam; they were the only Pacers to not get carded at the team's media day party
|
|
15. Kings
|
44-38
|
16
|
Average last year, average this year; Let the Chris Webber sweepstakes begin immediately
|
|
16. Mavericks
|
40-42
|
17
|
And the final West seed is not KG, it's Dirk Nowitzki! Cuban has some horses, but Laettner and Eisley aren't studs
|
|
LOTTERY TEAMS
|
|
|
|
|
17. Wolves
|
50-32
|
7
|
Let's get something straight: It's not because they're losing Joe Smith that they drop; They weren't winning 50 anyway
|
|
18. Rockets
|
34-48
|
19
|
With Stevie Francise leading the way, Rockets think they're playoff bound. We think they're close
|
|
19. Nets
|
31-51
|
24
|
A lot on Kenyon's shoulders, but if Nets can avoid another 2-15 start, they could make playoffs
|
|
20. Cavaliers
|
32-50
|
23
|
Next great point guard could be Andre Miller; Key to team is healthy Zydrunas Ilgauskas
|
|
21. Warriors
|
19-63
|
28
|
Don't laugh, they have scorers (Jamison, Hughes), rebounding (Fortson) and a good coach (Cowens)
|
|
22. Pistons
|
42-40
|
13
|
Subtract Hill and add Ben Wallace, Atkins, Ceballos and overall it adds up to a lot less wins
|
|
23. Celtics
|
35-47
|
21
|
Celtics have two main problems; Pitino is still around, and Pitino can't play center
|
|
24. Hawks
|
28-54
|
26
|
Kruger is in for a fun time; Dikembe would keep team in games with defense, now it's Alan Henderson?
|
|
25. Nuggets
|
35-47
|
20
|
Look ahead one year: It's Cincy's Bob Huggins yelling instructions to Van Exel and McDyess
|
|
26. Wizards
|
29-53
|
22
|
Hey, Mikey, it really is as bad as it looks; But at least Strickland has been good ... oh, wait, there's an arrest...
|
|
27. Bulls
|
17-65
|
27
|
It wouldn't be a shocker if Bulls win more than Hawks or Wiz; this crew certainly has brighter future
|
|
28. Grizzlies
|
22-60
|
25
|
If they're so much better, why did they lose seven of eight preseason games; Grizz should be trying
|
|
JUST HORRIBLE
|
|
|
|
|
29. Clips
|
15-67
|
29
|
Like the Lakers, worst team from last year stays here until proven otherwise; Miles had 20 blocks this preseason
|
