Offseason power rankings ( what a joke)

[BOBCATS_BALL!]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/offseason-power-rankings.php

Well, that was fun, wasn't it? Mix together equal parts of ego and cap space to throw around, and you get one wild off-season. Everybody was making moves. There were decisions and The Decision.

And at the end of it all, the Lakers are on top.

Since most of the moves have shaken out, we've decided to do an NBA off-season power rankings. This is a ranking of NBA teams as we see them lined up for the next NBA title. The teams are accompanied by the betting odds for them to win the next NBA title (from Bodog Sports).

16. Grizzlies (50/1) They didn't make big moves this summer -- Tony Allen is a nice signing for depth, and Xavier Henry can be a boost if they stop messing around and sign him. But mostly they are counting on what worked last year working better this year. A better O.J.Mayo, a better Zach Randolph, a better Marc Gasol. And new max-deal man Rudy Gay stepping up to really lead. Seems like the kind of thing that could fall apart, plus the Grizzlies will not be sneaking up on anyone this year.

17. Hornets (40/1) Trade rumors swirl and ownership is in transition, or isn't, we can't tell. Two things that usually spell trouble for a team. But this team still has Chris Paul, back fully healthy, plus David West. Draftees Craig Brackins and Quincy Pondexter can provide something their first year. Emeka Okafor gives you more than his reputation would suggest. Basically, this team isn't that bad. It isn't good, not nearly as good as Chris Paul wants, but it isn't a train wreck either. And they have some big contracts coming off the books to give them some flexibility for the future.

18. Warriors (75/1) The biggest off-season move in the Bay Area was not the signing of David Lee, it was Joe Lacob and Peter Guber buying the team. This team desperately needed new ownership, and now with that will come some big changes on the basketball operations side (once the owners get full control). Gone will be Don Nelson, which means draftee Ekpe Udoh might actually get to play. They traded a way a lot of talent this summer, however still have Stephen Curry and Lee. It's hard to predict how good or bad they will be exactly. But now there is hope for the future in the Bay Area, and that alone is a huge boost for the fans.

19. Sixers (100/1) The biggest thing that will speed the Sixers turnaround -- players will buy into what new coach Doug Collins is selling in a way they never did with Eddie Jordan. They have some players, too. Philly drafted Evan Turner No. 2 and will pair him with Jrue Holiday in the backcourt. Turner looked a little lost at Summer League, but he is still figuring out how to fit his game into the NBA. They still have Andre Iguodala. They lost Samuel Dalembert but picked up Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni. If Collins can get something out of Elton Brand, this ranking will be too low.

20. Kings (150/1) This team is going to be very entertaining. Draft pick DeMarcus Cousins and Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans will play very well off each other. Samuel Dalembert is a good fit along the front line. The Kings got bigger and better and are building a nice foundation. Not sure how far it will take them this year, but they are building.

21. Knicks (35/1) Amare Stoudemire up front and Raymond Felton running the show make this team a lot better. Anthony Randolph could have a breakout year. New York is building a roster that fits with the Mike D'Antoni system. Things are looking up. But they won 29 games last year, there was a lot of room for improvement. They still need one more big piece like Carmelo Anthony or Chris Paul before New York will be all the way back.

22. Bobcats (50/1) They won 44 games last season then this summer they lost Raymond Felton and traded away Tyson Chandler. They got Erick Dampier in a trade, but will cut him to get under the luxury tax threshold. Sounds like they got worse, which means no return trip to the playoffs, unless Tyrus Thomas and D.J. Augustine really step up their games. We will be rooting for Shaun Livingston to do well also. But it's hard to be very optimistic here.

I couldnt post it all but here are a few that stood out to me.

This has to be a joke, they say we wont make the playoffs and they have the 76ers ahead of us??? What the hell. I dont think the Hornets, Warriors, Griz or Kings are better than us. I think the Warriors and Kings are FAR worse than us.

I guess they forget we were something like 12 games under .500 before we traded for Jack and then we picked up TT. So even with the loss of Felton, we will imo be better with a full season of Jack and TT.

[Panthers128]

That's an absurd prediction. Raymond Felton (lots of heart, short on talent though) and Tyson Chandler (what did he play, 20 games? Theo Ratliff's backup...) are not going to cause a huge dropoff. I'd argue losing Chandler is a plus for the team actually. We should have a more consistent lineup now (better chemistry).

[pdandy1994]

i love how hes assuming that we're just gonna dump Damps contract. dudes an idiot

[cdandi1]

preseason nba power rankings are about as worthless as preseason ap and coaches poll rankings in college football. at least these don't have an affect on the championship.

[C-A-T-S]

I really like Livingston, I just wish we could find a center!

[Kakarot]

Yea, that Livingston pickup was a huge addition for the Cats. Dude can ball

[rico6]

Holy F U C K those rankings are terrible.

The Sixers at 19? Does the East suck that bad?!