The NBA off-season definitely has been frenetic and frenzied. Here is a new SCIC monthly feature that offers some insight into how all 30 teams stack up:
Western Conference:
1) Los Angeles Lakers – Inking Artest was nice, but Mitch Kupchak can’t afford to let Odom slip away
2) San Antonio Spurs – RJ, McDyess and Blair make the Spurs a top contender again
3) Dallas Mavericks – Best off-season in the league so far; Dirk now has the supporting cast to win a title
4) Denver Nuggets – Good move re-signing the Birdman even if the price was steep
5) Utah Jazz – Overcrowded front court needs to be addressed, but still a talented team overall
6) Portland Trailblazers – Losing Turkoglu hurt; Blazers need a piece or two to get to the next level
7) New Orleans Hornets – Still a playoff team with Chis Paul & David West
8) Houston Rockets – With Ming out and McGrady hobbling who is going to score?
9) Phoenix Suns – Will Amar’e be there or not? Might just be time for Steve Kerr to blow it up and rebuild
10) Los Angeles Clippers – The talent is in place; Would likely be #8 with a different head coach
11) Golden State Warriors – You just never know with Nellie; GS will score a ton of points win or lose
12) Oklahoma City Thunder – Great young talent, but need a power forward like David Lee or Brandon Bass
13) Memphis Grizzlies – Signing Allen Iverson would be a mistake; Solid starting five can produce 35 wins
14) Sacramento Kings – A long way from being competitive; Kevin Martin just doesn’t have enough help
15) Minnesota Timberwolves – Only question is whether they will win 15 games or 25; A horrific team
Eastern Conference
1) Boston Celtics – A motivated Sheed should enable the Celtics to reclaim the top spot
2) Cleveland Cavaliers – Ferry overpaid for Varejao, but the Anthony Parker signing will pay dividends
3) Orlando Magic – Otis Smith still has some work to do, but the Magic should win at least 54 games
4) Chicago Bulls – 4 though 7 is a crapshoot, but Derrick Rose & Co. get the nod
5) Washington Wizards – Should win thirty more games than last year with Arenas, Haywood, Foye & Miller
6) Atlanta Hawks – Still need a reliable man in the middle, but athleticism abounds at the other positions
7) Philadelphia 76ers – Will Andre Miller be back? Can Elton Brand stay healthy and play well?
8) Toronto Raptors – Freeing up cap space to (hopefully) re-sign Delfino makes the Raptors a playoff team
9) Indiana Pacers – Believe me, I’m shocked too; Dahntay Jones will really help this team defensively
10) Detroit Pistons – Dumars simply has to acquire a legitimate center or the Pistons will be on the outside looking in
11) Miami Heat – Pat Riley needs to make a few moves or Dwyane Wade will be gone after the season
12) Charlotte Bobcats – Not too far away from contention, but a few more pieces are needed
13) New York Knicks – Sorry Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni…Grant Hill isn’t the answer
14) New Jersey Nets – I just can’t see this team possibly winning more than 30 games
15) Milwaukee Bucks – Paging John Hammond…please get off your ass and sign David Lee or Brandon Bass
Is the balance of power shifting? It’s interesting to note that there are really only three weak teams in the East while the West has seven very good teams and eight question marks. Agree or disagree with the rankings? If you see things differently, don’t be bashful…
(Drew, featured blogger, is the lead blogger over at a humorous general sports blog called ShawnKempsKids.com)