Posted 07/12/2010 1:03 PM

Miami at 2 is probably too low. They've added Haslem to that trio and could still and Miller. It will take a monumental collapse for them not to win it all.

I don't understand the OKC love fest either. They haven't improved their team at all, meaning they will still get bullied inside. We managed to go 3-1 against with (mind you the one loss had no B-Roy), finished with a better record, higher playoff seed, and missed 300 more games due to injury than they did. Sure, they will make the playoffs, but 5th seed would be their peak imo.

For the West I'd rank them right now:
1- Lakers
2- Trail Blazers
3- Rockets
4- Mavericks
5- Nuggets
6- Thunder
7- Spurs
8- Suns/Grizzlies/Clippers
11- Jazz
12- Hornets
13- Kings
14- Warriors
15- Timberwolves

Posted 07/13/2010 6:07 AM

Posted By DHawes22 on 07/12/2010 1:03 PM

I don't understand the OKC love fest either. 

I think it's peoples infatuation with scoring. They have the reining scoring champ so they must be good. Either that or the rankings were voted on by the refs.

Posted 07/13/2010 6:12 AM

I really don't understand them putting OKC AND Chicago ahead of us!?!? Just because of some Booze?

Posted 07/13/2010 11:19 AM

We can put money on being underestimated every year. As far as OKC goes, the people are loving that they pushed LA in the Playoffs. They have some good players, but need more pieces before they are great. I would put them maybe in the top 7. I would go:
1 LA
2 Portland
3 Dallas
4 Houston (if Yao is back)
5 Utah
6 Denver
7 OKC
8 Spurs

For the East
1. Orlando
2. Boston
3. Miami
The rest really don't matter because they will have a sub .500 record in the regular season and will be irrelevant. I put Miami at 3 because 48 minutes per over an 82 game season and the playoffs is a lot of time to not wear down a star. If they sub in for much time at all they will get smashed unless miracles happen and they get some crazy good deals on good Free Agents.

Posted 07/13/2010 12:30 PM

More rankings from Hoopsworld-

  11 (12) Portland Trail Blazers 50 - 32 If the Blazers are healthy, they're dangerous. They just haven't been healthy. If the Jazz don't match, Wesley Matthews is a very solid addition to replace Martell Webster defensively.
Read more NBA news and insight: HERE

Still has OKC at #5...whatever

Posted 07/13/2010 12:55 PM

1. Lakers
2. Miami
3. Orlando
4. Boston
5. Chicago
6. Portland
7. OKC
8. Nuggets
9. Dallas/Rockets

Posted 07/15/2010 1:47 PM

More Power Rankings, this time from Fox Sports-

 1 Lakers - - 1/1 (57-25) The champs added Steve Blake, an upgrade over Jordan Farmar, and have otherwise stood pat. But that's good enough to keep them No. 1 despite Miami's moves. With one superstar and three skilled 7-footers, L.A. still presents huge matchup problems for any team trying to dethrone it.

2 Heat - - 2/2 (47-35) On paper, Miami does have the potential for a super team, especially since Pat Riley is accumulating quality talent around LeBron, Wade and Bosh. Until they prove that all the parts mesh, however, it's premature to anoint the Heat as the team to beat.

3 Magic - - 3/3 (59-23) Chris Duhon is a nice pickup as Jameer Nelson's backup, but the returning starters hold the key to Orlando's title chances. Dwight Howard has to improve his offensive game, Rashard Lewis needs to regain his confidence and Vince Carter must prove - despite all evidence to the contrary - that he's a winner, not a choker.

4 Celtics - - 4/4 (50-32) By re-signing Pierce and Ray Allen, the C's kept the Big Three intact for another title run. Since each is a year closer to AARP membership, it'll be tempting to write them off. But isn't that what we thought a few months ago?

5 Thunder - - 5/5 (50-32) Too high? Maybe so, but re-signing Durant to a long-term deal keeps the good vibes going for the West's team of the future. Cole Aldrich may (or may not) give them the inside presence they need. But if Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka and Harden (all 21 or younger) keep making progress, OKC may be the biggest threat to the Lakers in the conference.

6 Trail Blazers - - 6/6 (50-32) Portland didn't make any big moves, but no team will have a bigger frontline if Oden and Pryzbilla return from injury to join Camby and Aldridge. Of course, with Oden, that's a very big if.

7 Nuggets - - 7/7 (53-29) Standing pat may mean taking a step back, especially since Billups isn't getting any younger. Carmelo's contract situation also will hang over the franchise if he doesn't sign an extension.

8 Bulls - - 8/8 (41-41) They lost out on LeBron but got the low-post scorer they desperately need in Boozer. If they also sign Korver and Redick, they'll fill their other big need, 3-point shooting, and could contend in the East.

9 Mavericks - - 9/9 (55-27) After keeping Dirk and Haywood, then trading for Tyson Chandler, the Mavs won't go away. But Cuban needs to make a big move for Dallas to really scare anybody.

10 Jazz - - 10/10 (53-29) In essence, they replaced Boozer with Al Jefferson, who should thrive playing in a structured offense with Deron Williams. Still, there's not enough talent on the roster to win the West.

Posted 07/16/2010 11:04 PM

The thunder love makes me sick. Dont get me wrong they have a good squad but they can not be put above us and the nuggets. I would go out on a limb and even say the jazz. The wolves have a raw young team but with the athletic talent they brought in there gonna be a run and gun type of team so they could be a surprise but nothing less than a wild card still.

Posted 07/17/2010 8:39 AM

I don't know how anyone can put miami ahead of Orlando, especially after retaining Reddick (who's only getting better), if they can somehow keep matt barnes I think the magic will be coming out of the East next season. Screw Kobe/lebron in the finals, i wanna see the Blazer's big men go at Dwight Howard in the finals.