BALLER4LIFE
G-League
By Andrew Perna
1. Miami – How can you not give them the top spot when they just won the championship? With that being said, their lead over the next few teams isn’t all that large.
2. Dallas – In the middle of Game Three the Mavericks probably thought that they’d be heading these rankings, and more importantly winning the title. Instead, they’ll settle for second place, and being my early pick as the 2007 NBA Champs.
3. Detroit – Assuming Ben Wallace re-signs with the Pistons, you can’t count out a defensive powerhouse that has finally learned how to excel on offense. Signing a few free agents to shore up their bench might help them top this list by Christmas.
4. San Antonio – You can’t disrespect a team that is just one years removed from a championship. If they had had a healthier roster this season, they might have hoisted the title for the second year in the row.
5. Phoenix – A team that was only a few wins away from the Finals and is going to welcome back a player like Amare Stoudemire may deserve a higher spot on these rankings, but they haven’t won anything yet.
6. Cleveland – LeBron and Co. were a win away from sending the Pistons home in the second round. Playoff experience and the taste of postseason defeat will make the Cavaliers a much more driven team in 2007.
7. Sacramento – Sure they were eliminated in the first round, and sure Ron Artest is a few cards short of a deck, but they are a dangerous team. They were one of the league’s hottest teams down the stretch this year and they gave the Spurs a run for their money. If Ronnie stays focused, the Kings become a contender.
8. Los Angeles Clippers – If Cassell decides to stay with the Clippers, things will continue to become more and more positive. They’ve always had talent in Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, but I think Cassell’s mouth has awoken the sleeping giant formally known as the Clippers. Shaun Livingston isn’t too bad either.
9. New Jersey Nets – Jason Kidd may not be the elite guard he once was, but established studs like Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, along with the young promise of Nenad Krstic could mean an even longer and more fruitful career for J-Kidd.
10. Indiana Pacers – The Pacers have been through nearly everything possible over the past two years. A season of stability may be all Indiana needs to return to title contention. Staying healthy might be the only thing between them and the Eastern Conference Finals.
11. New Orleans Hornets – Things can only get better for 2006’s surprise contender. New Orleans has young talent in Chris Paul and David West. They can expect more help from their two lottery picks and maybe even some free agents.
12. Chicago Bulls – They gave Miami all they had, but fell short in the first round. But losing to the eventual NBA champion could help light a fire under Scott Skiles’ men. The continued development of guys like Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Tyson Chandler wouldn’t hurt either.
13. Memphis Grizzlies – Their poor performance in the playoffs has cast an undeserving shadow of doubt over a very talented Memphis team. Pau Gasol still has room to improve, which is a scary thought for Western Conferences foes. Look for the Grizzlies to win their first ever playoff game in 2007.
14. Los Angeles Lakers – As they stand right now the Lakers aren’t going to win anything, maybe not even a playoff series. But, if Jackson can help L.A. pull some strings this summer, the Lakers could quickly become a contender once again. They have great players in Kobe and Lamar Odom, but after that…
15. Denver Nuggets – They have the talent, whether or not they can turn that into success is the ultimate question. George Karl got through to Carmelo Anthony last season, and another year of strict discipline could help make Carmelo a top-ten talent in the NBA.
16. Washington Wizards – They have their new ‘big-three’ in Arena-Jamison-Butler, but in my opinion, they still lack a traditional point guard and an inside post-presence. Washington is a few pieces way from moving into the East’s top-four.
17. Orlando Magic – Not too many people realize how strong of a push the Magic made towards the end of the season. They were only a handful of games away from stealing the eighth seed away from the Bucks. Further development of Dwight Howard should make the Magic a lock in the postseason for years to come.
18. Golden State Warriors – They have had the talent and promise for what seems like an eternity. But each season something happens along the way and they stumble through another disappointing year. If rumors of Baron Davis wanting out are true, the Warriors will do nothing but slide down this list come fall.
19. Milwaukee Bucks – T.J. Ford and Michael Redd make up one of the league’s most underrated back-courts. Additional depth and a good sophomore season from Andrew Bogut might mean another playoff berth, but it won’t mean much more than that.
20. Boston Celtics – Former Celtic Antoine Walker publicly told Paul Pierce that if he wanted to experience playoff success he was going to have to get out of Boston sooner rather than later. Walker might actually be right for once. Danny Ainge keeps making the Celtics younger and younger, and while their promise is high – they haven’t gotten much better.
21. Toronto Raptors – Sure they held the number one pick in this years draft, signifying that they were among, if not, the league’s worst teams, but I think Brian Colangelo has already begun to turn things around in Canada. Young studs like Chris Bosh and Charlie Villanueva mean the future is a lot brighter than it was two or three years ago.
http://www.realgm.com/src_feature/606/20060627/the_realgmcom_team_rankings_for_the_2005_2006_season/
not too bad.. and i do agree with the last sentence about the kings... and i do believe artest will carry us next season.
ps i couldnt fit all 30 teams on the list.. so click on the link if you want to see the rest.
peace
1. Miami – How can you not give them the top spot when they just won the championship? With that being said, their lead over the next few teams isn’t all that large.
2. Dallas – In the middle of Game Three the Mavericks probably thought that they’d be heading these rankings, and more importantly winning the title. Instead, they’ll settle for second place, and being my early pick as the 2007 NBA Champs.
3. Detroit – Assuming Ben Wallace re-signs with the Pistons, you can’t count out a defensive powerhouse that has finally learned how to excel on offense. Signing a few free agents to shore up their bench might help them top this list by Christmas.
4. San Antonio – You can’t disrespect a team that is just one years removed from a championship. If they had had a healthier roster this season, they might have hoisted the title for the second year in the row.
5. Phoenix – A team that was only a few wins away from the Finals and is going to welcome back a player like Amare Stoudemire may deserve a higher spot on these rankings, but they haven’t won anything yet.
6. Cleveland – LeBron and Co. were a win away from sending the Pistons home in the second round. Playoff experience and the taste of postseason defeat will make the Cavaliers a much more driven team in 2007.
7. Sacramento – Sure they were eliminated in the first round, and sure Ron Artest is a few cards short of a deck, but they are a dangerous team. They were one of the league’s hottest teams down the stretch this year and they gave the Spurs a run for their money. If Ronnie stays focused, the Kings become a contender.
8. Los Angeles Clippers – If Cassell decides to stay with the Clippers, things will continue to become more and more positive. They’ve always had talent in Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, but I think Cassell’s mouth has awoken the sleeping giant formally known as the Clippers. Shaun Livingston isn’t too bad either.
9. New Jersey Nets – Jason Kidd may not be the elite guard he once was, but established studs like Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, along with the young promise of Nenad Krstic could mean an even longer and more fruitful career for J-Kidd.
10. Indiana Pacers – The Pacers have been through nearly everything possible over the past two years. A season of stability may be all Indiana needs to return to title contention. Staying healthy might be the only thing between them and the Eastern Conference Finals.
11. New Orleans Hornets – Things can only get better for 2006’s surprise contender. New Orleans has young talent in Chris Paul and David West. They can expect more help from their two lottery picks and maybe even some free agents.
12. Chicago Bulls – They gave Miami all they had, but fell short in the first round. But losing to the eventual NBA champion could help light a fire under Scott Skiles’ men. The continued development of guys like Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Tyson Chandler wouldn’t hurt either.
13. Memphis Grizzlies – Their poor performance in the playoffs has cast an undeserving shadow of doubt over a very talented Memphis team. Pau Gasol still has room to improve, which is a scary thought for Western Conferences foes. Look for the Grizzlies to win their first ever playoff game in 2007.
14. Los Angeles Lakers – As they stand right now the Lakers aren’t going to win anything, maybe not even a playoff series. But, if Jackson can help L.A. pull some strings this summer, the Lakers could quickly become a contender once again. They have great players in Kobe and Lamar Odom, but after that…
15. Denver Nuggets – They have the talent, whether or not they can turn that into success is the ultimate question. George Karl got through to Carmelo Anthony last season, and another year of strict discipline could help make Carmelo a top-ten talent in the NBA.
16. Washington Wizards – They have their new ‘big-three’ in Arena-Jamison-Butler, but in my opinion, they still lack a traditional point guard and an inside post-presence. Washington is a few pieces way from moving into the East’s top-four.
17. Orlando Magic – Not too many people realize how strong of a push the Magic made towards the end of the season. They were only a handful of games away from stealing the eighth seed away from the Bucks. Further development of Dwight Howard should make the Magic a lock in the postseason for years to come.
18. Golden State Warriors – They have had the talent and promise for what seems like an eternity. But each season something happens along the way and they stumble through another disappointing year. If rumors of Baron Davis wanting out are true, the Warriors will do nothing but slide down this list come fall.
19. Milwaukee Bucks – T.J. Ford and Michael Redd make up one of the league’s most underrated back-courts. Additional depth and a good sophomore season from Andrew Bogut might mean another playoff berth, but it won’t mean much more than that.
20. Boston Celtics – Former Celtic Antoine Walker publicly told Paul Pierce that if he wanted to experience playoff success he was going to have to get out of Boston sooner rather than later. Walker might actually be right for once. Danny Ainge keeps making the Celtics younger and younger, and while their promise is high – they haven’t gotten much better.
21. Toronto Raptors – Sure they held the number one pick in this years draft, signifying that they were among, if not, the league’s worst teams, but I think Brian Colangelo has already begun to turn things around in Canada. Young studs like Chris Bosh and Charlie Villanueva mean the future is a lot brighter than it was two or three years ago.
http://www.realgm.com/src_feature/606/20060627/the_realgmcom_team_rankings_for_the_2005_2006_season/
not too bad.. and i do agree with the last sentence about the kings... and i do believe artest will carry us next season.
ps i couldnt fit all 30 teams on the list.. so click on the link if you want to see the rest.
peace
