NBA WIZARD POWER RANKING FOR WEEK 1 (OCT 28 2008 – NOV 3 2008)
RANKINGS
TEAM
COMMENT
1
CelticsAs expected, the world champions Boston Celtics will enter the season with the number 1 ranking. Last season the Celts held on to this ranking for the entire season, however with the lost of forward James Posey and Center P.J Brown repeating this feat may be as tall as Mount Everest.
2
LakersAny team that has Lamar Odom as a 6th man should probably be ranked number 1 going into the season, especially with two all star caliber 7 footers in the middle. With center Andrew Bynum back and completely healthy, Pau Gasol will be moved over to power forward given the Lakers a formidable twin tower in the middle. Let’s not forget Kobe Bryant. All said the 1st spot must go to the world champion Celtics at least going into week one.
3
HornetsWithout Posey the Hornets would probably be in this spot. You add in Posey the Hornets are all of sudden serious contenders for a championship. He is that much of a difference, ask the Celtics and the Heat from a few seasons ago.
4
CavaliersThe Cavaliers could have been ranked number 1 If Bobbie Gibson had played in game 7 against the Celtics in the semifinals last year. Now you add in Mo Williams, the Cavs are my pick to win it all. If Williams plays anything close to what he did in Milwaukee 17 ppg 6 apg, watch out!
5
SpursManu Ginobili’s health is the reason the Spurs find themselves in this spot. Expect them to rise when he’s fully healthy and playing like the Manu of old.
6
PistonsRasheed will start the season, but with a 13 million expiring contract I am not sure he will end the season with the Pistons. For now, they are clearly below the Cavs and Celtic in my opinion. Flip Saunders will no longer be the skip goat. First time head coach Michael Curry has no idea what’s in store for him.
7
RocketsIf Ron Artest plays like the best perimeter defender in the league which he is capable of, the Rockets will be on top before you know it. Yao and Tracy must stay healthy or you could see the Rockets slip also.
8
JazzThe Jazz have a great one two punch in guard Deron Williams and forward Carlos Boozer with a great coach in Jerry Sloan. The key to the Jazz success this season will be the health of both players.
9
MavericksAvery Johnson forgot that Mark Cuban was his boss and got a little head strong. Benching Kidd also wasn’t a smart move on his part. Now the Mavs have a better coach in Rick Carlisle. If they didn’t they would probably be rank lower.
10
76ersWithout Elton Brand the 76ers were a playoff team, with his acquisition they are now a top 4 team in the East and 10th overall going into the season.
11
SunsTerry Porter is Shaq’s new coach. Shaq is playing with Phoenix and Mike D'Antoni run and gun style is gone. The Suns have to find a new identity and I am not sure it is going to be easy. The addition of Matt Barnes and Rookie Robin Lopez should help defensively but the Suns clearly have to build up to what they once were.
12
MagicThe Magic have Dwight Howard the most powerful big man in the game next to Shaq. A healthy Tony Battie and the addition of Mickael Pietrus should help them defensively. Unfortunately, Dwight’s terrible free throw shooting and the addition of Elton Brand to the 76ers will keep the Magic from moving beyond the 5th spot in the East. Their overall ranking for week one is 12 for now.
13
RaptorsThe battle for 5th in the East will be between the Raptors and the Magic all season long. Jermaine O’Neal will definitely make an impact if he stays healthy. Having Chris bosh in the middle with him should help keep O’Neal healthy but that remains to be seen.
14
NuggetsI still don’t understanding trading two time defensive player of the year Marcus Camby for $8 million dollar in cap relief. However, Iverson and Carmelo are good enough to give them the 14th spot entering the season. I expect them to decline from here unless a drastic change is made.
15
WarriorsAdapting to the loss of Baron Davis wouldn’t be easy, but the Warriors do have some nice additions. The addition of Ronny Turiaf, Corey Maggette and Marcus Williams should help. Making the playoffs with the 8th seed will be the best case for the Warriors. Expect them to be one of 4 teams battling for the final two playoff spots this season.
16
Trail BlazersThe Trail Blazers will be one of four teams battling for the final two playoff spots in the West. Center Greg Oden is back healthy. The addition of point guard Jerryd Bayless and Spanish sensation forward Rudy Fernandez; who help give team redeem a scare in the gold medal game, the Blazers have a great future. I rank them right below the Warriors due to their overwhelming youth, which could change in no time.
17
WizardsWith Gilbert Arenas not expected to return until next year the Wizards still edges out the Bulls and the Hawks. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison are good enough to keep them in playoff contention until Gilbert returns especially in the water downed Eastern Conference.
18
BullsDerrick Rose will not win the rookie of the year, but he will definitely be a force to reckon with. First time coach Vinny Del Negro is the X factor here. How he manages the Bulls glutton at the guard position will determine whether they rise above the 18th spot or fall rapidly from there.
19
HawksAfter taking the world champions Boston Celtics to game 7 the Hawks are beaming with confidence. Then again the Celtics is not the only team in the East. The effects of losing Josh Childress will be assessed after the first month of the season. Expect the Hawks to surpass the Bulls once they adjust to not having Childress after the first month of the season.
20
ClippersAfter losing Elton Brand to the 76ers I thought the Clippers would take a step backwards, but after a masterful trade that landed them Marcus Camby the Clippers are back in business. Baron Davis and rookie Eric Gordon clearly makes up for the loss of Corey Maggette. It will be interesting to see the Clippers and the Warriors battle for the 8th seed this season.
21
BucksTrading for Richard Jefferson shows the Bucks commitment to winning. Trading Mo Williams to Cleveland on the other hand confuses that claim. The Bucks are entering the season ranked 21st with a downside.
22
HeatDo the Heat trade Marion and go big or keep him and go small? Obviously Michael Beasley, the leading candidate for rookie of the year is the Heat second option behind Wade. 15 to 17 ppg, 9 to 10 rpg should be enough to earn the honors. Marion is obviously odd man out just like he was in Phoenix and this could cause a chemistry problem early on.
23
PacersThe Pacers will not make the playoff but they will be a fun team. With the departure of Jermaine O’Neal; face of the franchise for many years, look for Danny Granger to put up some big numbers. 25ppg should be in the works, but making the playoffs would be a dream.
24
KingsThe same goes for the Sacramento Kings. Obviously they will be competitive. The departure of Ron Artest means Kevin Martin could end up averaging 26 to 28.5 ppg and the Kings will be exciting.
25
BobcatsThe Bobcats have to turn the corner and sorry to say this is not the year and Larry Brown is not the coach. I know Michael is still beating himself up for picking Adam Morrison instead of Brandon Roy. If Larry can get them to buy into his defensive principals maybe the Bobcats could act as spoiler. Playoffs? Maybe next season.
26
TimberwolvesRookie Kevin Love, forward Mike Miller and stud center Al Jefferson will allow the Timberwolves to be entertaining. Maybe in two seasons they can battle for the 8th spot in the West
27
KnicksIts obvious the Knicks are looking to the future hoping to make a play for Lebron and Dwyane Wade in 2010. Mike D’Antoni good luck trying to figure out Zack Randolph, Eddy Curry, Stephon Marbury and Quentin Richardson and whomever else he chooses to blame for why the Knicks are not as good as the Phoenix Suns.
28
NetsVince you are back to being the man again. 25 ppg shouldn’t be a problem at least for the first 50 games. After that, a nagging injury might force Vince to shut it down the last 20 games of the season or maybe he can force a trade before then.
29
GrizzliesRudy Gay, O.J Mayo will make the Grizzlies a very exciting team. Look out for Marc Gasol. In 3 years people will see why the Grizzlies traded for him.
30
ThunderBeing on the worse team makes it easy to put up big numbers. Kevin Durant 24ppg with a few more free throw attempts will give Oklahoma a reason to hope.
