[Bmore_DCParticipant]

I know theres still some time left in the offseason for trades, signings, etc. but i was thinking about what the power rankings might look like for the NBA this coming year. 

I think its safe to say the Spurs are the best team, and the Cavs will make the biggest jump. But heres an early look at my top 5. 

1 – Spurs (i think this one is obvious)

2 – OKC (KD, Westbrook, Ibaka, and the newest addition McGary)

3 – Cleveland/Chicago (tempted to put the Cavs at #2 but they still have some moves to make)

4 – Chicago/Cleveland (Bulls hit big with Gasol but will Rose be his MVP self?)

5 – Dallas/Clippers (I gave to edge to Dallas, i really like the moves they made this offseason)

The East got better but the championship goes through the West. Also i wouldnt be surprised if Cleveland DOES win it all, but its too early to tell what that team will be like. 

[caray12Participant]

 Cleveland is a bit too high with there inexperience and talent. They only have 3 reliable starters that can start on multiple teams and that’s Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Andrew Wiggins ( who is a rookie and will need time to get adjusted in the NBA ). They don’t really have a bench and have a rookie NBA head coach that never coached in the states and is a unproven commodity. If you said they was a top 10-12 team I would agree but it’s a little bit too early to say there the 4th or 5th best team in the league. My power rankings is:

1) San Antonio

2) Oklahoma City

3) Chicago

4)  Los Angeles (C)

5) Dallas

6) Portland

7) Indiana

8) Houston

9) Washington

10) Memphis

I even have Miami ahead of Cleveland because they have proven talent and have Luol Deng who is a top 5 small forward and they improve there bench from last year. Cleveland still needs too make moves to get some bench help as a backup point guard and a backup center.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 Cleveland already got a black yo center with Brendon Haywood. If you really don’t think the Cavs are a top 10 team LeBron will make you look dumb. 

My top 5 is

1.Spurs

2.Cavs

3.Thunder

4.Bulls

5.Clippers

[caray12Participant]

 So you are basically saying Cleveland is about to win north of 60 games next year because the 2nd best team record wise wins north of 60 wins. I know yall exited about next year team but yall are over rating this team like Detroit and Cleveland fans over rated there team last year. I know yall have LeBron James but this team only won 30 games last year and you saying they will be better than Oklahoma City,  Los Angeles,  and more power house western conference teams. 

Brendan Hayward missed the entire year and he’s not a reliable rotation player. They still needs to add depth to there team. 

You must be a little kid name calling because I have my own opinion and disagree with your opinion. I don’t see Cleveland winning more than 50 games next year and have a 3 seed at there max and winning 43 games and having the 6 seed at the worst. But I see them winning 45 games and have the 5th seed. You can disagree with me but don’t resort to name calling to prove a point.

[caray12Participant]

 So you are basically saying Cleveland is about to win north of 60 games next year because the 2nd best team record wise wins north of 60 wins. I know yall exited about next year team but yall are over rating this team like Detroit and Cleveland fans over rated there team last year. I know yall have LeBron James but this team only won 30 games last year and you saying they will be better than Oklahoma City,  Los Angeles,  and more power house western conference teams. 

Brendan Hayward missed the entire year and he’s not a reliable rotation player. They still needs to add depth to there team. 

You must be a little kid name calling because I have my own opinion and disagree with your opinion. I don’t see Cleveland winning more than 50 games next year and have a 3 seed at there max and winning 43 games and having the 6 seed at the worst. But I see them winning 45 games and have the 5th seed. You can disagree with me but don’t resort to name calling to prove a point.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 Cleveland already got a black yo center with Brendon Haywood. If you really don’t think the Cavs are a top 10 team LeBron will make you look dumb. 

My top 5 is

1.Spurs

2.Cavs

3.Thunder

4.Bulls

5.Clippers

[caray12Participant]

 Cleveland is a bit too high with there inexperience and talent. They only have 3 reliable starters that can start on multiple teams and that’s Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Andrew Wiggins ( who is a rookie and will need time to get adjusted in the NBA ). They don’t really have a bench and have a rookie NBA head coach that never coached in the states and is a unproven commodity. If you said they was a top 10-12 team I would agree but it’s a little bit too early to say there the 4th or 5th best team in the league. My power rankings is:

1) San Antonio

2) Oklahoma City

3) Chicago

4)  Los Angeles (C)

5) Dallas

6) Portland

7) Indiana

8) Houston

9) Washington

10) Memphis

I even have Miami ahead of Cleveland because they have proven talent and have Luol Deng who is a top 5 small forward and they improve there bench from last year. Cleveland still needs too make moves to get some bench help as a backup point guard and a backup center.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I am looking forward to an exciting year.  LeBron back in Cleveland, but the Heat should still be solid. Can’t wait to see if Chris Bosh can carry that team.  Great rookie class that I look forward to watching, with Nerlens Noel making his regular season debut.

Just a lot of great stories.  Even the Grizzlies with two solid rookies (Adams and Stokes) along with the Vince Carter signing.

The Bulls added an extra piece with Pau Gasol.  He should help.

I think there are going to be some really good teams.  Lots of legit title contenders with the Spurs being a candidate to get back the Finals for the third straight season.  I wouldn’t even rule out the Heat to make their fifth straight Finals. 

The West looks loaded as usual but even the East is deep.  Some teams at the top with Chicago, Cleveland, and Indiana with the Heat, Wizards, and some others being some legit spoilers. 

The Lakers and Celtics are still rebuilding but they should be more fun to watch than they were last year.

My Top 10 Power Rankings
 

1.  San Antonio

2.  Cleveland

3.  Oklahoma City

4.  LA Clippers

5.  Chicago

6.  Memphis

7.   Golden State

8.  Indiana

9.  Portland

10.  Washington

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I am looking forward to an exciting year.  LeBron back in Cleveland, but the Heat should still be solid. Can’t wait to see if Chris Bosh can carry that team.  Great rookie class that I look forward to watching, with Nerlens Noel making his regular season debut.

Just a lot of great stories.  Even the Grizzlies with two solid rookies (Adams and Stokes) along with the Vince Carter signing.

The Bulls added an extra piece with Pau Gasol.  He should help.

I think there are going to be some really good teams.  Lots of legit title contenders with the Spurs being a candidate to get back the Finals for the third straight season.  I wouldn’t even rule out the Heat to make their fifth straight Finals. 

The West looks loaded as usual but even the East is deep.  Some teams at the top with Chicago, Cleveland, and Indiana with the Heat, Wizards, and some others being some legit spoilers. 

The Lakers and Celtics are still rebuilding but they should be more fun to watch than they were last year.

My Top 10 Power Rankings
 

1.  San Antonio

2.  Cleveland

3.  Oklahoma City

4.  LA Clippers

5.  Chicago

6.  Memphis

7.   Golden State

8.  Indiana

9.  Portland

10.  Washington

[Lawrence112Participant]

1. Spurs

2. Thunder

3. Clippers

4. Pacers (with Lance)

5. Bulls

6. Blazers

7. Cavs

8. Rockets

9. Warriors

10. Grizz

[Lawrence112Participant]

1. Spurs

2. Thunder

3. Clippers

4. Pacers (with Lance)

5. Bulls

6. Blazers

7. Cavs

8. Rockets

9. Warriors

10. Grizz

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

1. Spurs – Defending champions, plus there’s just no doubt they’re the best team in basketball. 

2. Thunder – They didn’t have a great free-agency, but Anthony Morrow can really shoot the ball, which will help their spacing significantly. 

3. Mavericks – They played the Spurs tougher than any other team in the playoffs. They lost Vince Carter, but had a great free-agency. Chandler Parsons will be a great fit. 

4. Clippers – It’ll be interesting to see who Doc goes with to close games… Spencer Hawes or DeAndre Jordan? Hawes provides spacing, but not the defense/rebounding that Jordan does. 

5. Warriors – This team is loaded offensively and respectable defensively. I think they’ll play very well under Steve Kerr. 

Honorable mention: Blazers, Pacers and Grizzlies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

1. Spurs – Defending champions, plus there’s just no doubt they’re the best team in basketball. 

2. Thunder – They didn’t have a great free-agency, but Anthony Morrow can really shoot the ball, which will help their spacing significantly. 

3. Mavericks – They played the Spurs tougher than any other team in the playoffs. They lost Vince Carter, but had a great free-agency. Chandler Parsons will be a great fit. 

4. Clippers – It’ll be interesting to see who Doc goes with to close games… Spencer Hawes or DeAndre Jordan? Hawes provides spacing, but not the defense/rebounding that Jordan does. 

5. Warriors – This team is loaded offensively and respectable defensively. I think they’ll play very well under Steve Kerr. 

Honorable mention: Blazers, Pacers and Grizzlies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I forgot to put the Bulls in honorable mention. 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I forgot to put the Bulls in honorable mention. 

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