jaysoonii
Bench
http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/index.html
- Now these are pretty good.
-------------------------------------
(Edited to add text as follows - VF21)
October 31, 2006 -- Welcome to NBA.com's 2006 first Power Rankings of 2006-07, which are moving to Thursdays this year -- except for, of course, today's rankings. Please note these rankings are the view of one humble NBA.com Features Editor and are not "official" rankings. Have a comment? Let us know.
Who's at the top of the rankings to start the season? Well, since it's still the Heat's title to lose, or retain, and its players haven't even formally received their rings as of press time, the Heat has the top spot. That could all change -- and likely will -- come a week from now.
The Heat will have stiff competition from the Spurs, Mavs, Pistons, Suns, Bulls and a number of others in the coming week(s), as even predicting who will come out on top of each division is a shot in the dark.
But, for now, its onto this week's rankings ...
1 Miami 0-0 Unsure why they're here? Click here or just tune to TNT at 8 p.m. ET tonight. That should clear up any confusion … for now, at least.
2 San Antonio 0-0 A well-rested Tim Duncan and Tony Parker spells trouble for the rest of the league.
3 Dallas 0-0 The secret's out: Dallas can win in the Playoffs and figures to be a strong contender to return to The Finals. The makings of a marked team, to be sure.
4 Detroit 0-0 The biggest question facing Detroit is how badly Ben Wallace's absence will hurt the team. Some think more than this No. 4 ranking.
5 Phoenix 0-0 With or without Amare, the Suns should still be a 50-plus-win squad and a sure thing to be playing in May.
6 Cleveland 0-0 For the most part, it's the same crew -- plus vet David Wesley -- that nearly reached the conference finals last season. Easy to envision it getting there this year, isn't it?
7 Chicago 0-0 Some already have the Bulls winning the Central because of Big Ben. I'm not so sure they push aside Detroit or Cleveland.
8 L.A. Clippers 0-0 Much preseason talk centered on the improvement of young point Shaun Livingston, who will be a key factor in the "best team in L.A." debate.
9 New Jersey 0-0 The Big Three know each other well enough by now and, if they all stay healthy, the Nets will run away with the Atlantic … stay tuned for more.
10 Denver 0-0 Anthony was all-World this summer as he re-positioned himself alongside young stars Wade and LeBron. Look for his first -- of many -- All-Star appearances this year.
11 Sacramento 0-0 With Bonzi gone, the Kings will look for more from youngsters Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia and offseason-add John Salmons.
12 Houston 0-0 If Yao and TMac remain healthy this year there's no excuse for the Rockets missing the Playoffs. None.
13 L.A. Lakers 0-0 Looks as though both Bryant and Jackson will be suited up for tonight's opener at Staples vs. Phoenix.
14 Washington 0-0 It took the entire preseason, but the Wiz named Etan Thomas the team's starting big on opening night. Brendan Haywood had started 70 games at center last year.
15 Utah 0-0 They could improve on the 41 wins in 2005-06 and challenge for a Playoffs spot if Kirilenko and Boozer stay healthy and the youngsters show some consistency.
16 Orlando 0-0 That run to close 2005-06 -- narrowly missing the Playoffs -- was no fluke. Look for Dwight Howard to breakout, Grant Hill to stay healthy and the Magic to play into late April.
17 NO/Okla City 0-0 The Hornets should have made the Playoffs last season. It'll be a tall order this year, but, with all the offseason shuffling and the promise of Chris Paul, it's hard to not get excited.
18 Indiana 0-0 Tinsley played seven games without a serious injury. Granted they're only preseason games, but this number is still a barometer by which some of us will measure Indy.
19 Milwaukee 0-0 Neither Bogut nor Simmons, sidelined with injuries, logged a preseason minute. Bogut could be back for tomorrow's season opener, though.
20 Golden State 0-0 Somehow you knew this was coming when Nellie was named coach in Golden State.
21 Boston 0-0 The C's have the talent to reach the Playoffs, but that talent is awfully young and must deliver early and often if Boston is to reach a field of 16.
22 Philadelphia 0-0 It's been a good run in Philly for A.I., but, as one local paper suggests, if the Sixers start dropping games the trade rumors are likely to heat up again -- original Sixer or not.
23 Minnesota 0-0 Questions, questions and more questions surround a team that's missed the playoffs two straight years. Answers start coming as soon as Wednesday.
24 Toronto 0-0 Sure, this young Raptors team is still going to struggle at times, but it's capable of beating any team on any night. The Nets, Bucks and Spurs await this week.
25 Memphis 0-0 The Grizzlies made the playoffs -- failing to win a single game -- each of the last three seasons. That's a long shot this year, especially given Gasol's out with a broken foot.
26 New York 0-0 The Knicks have a couple things they didn't last season: a new hope and, apparently, a set rotation.
27 Charlotte 0-0 With Sean May and Emeka Okafor healthy, not to mention Adam Morrison filling it up, this team will surpass last year's 26 wins.
28 Seattle 0-0 Call him Flavor Flav or what you will, but the former Basketball without Borders camper will be savoring the starting lineup come opening night.
29 Atlanta 0-0 Marvin Williams was expected to break into the Hawks starting lineup this year. A break of a different kind stalls that a couple months.
30 Portland 0-0 There's a bright future somewhere at the end of that tunnel. It just isn't going to happen this year.
- Now these are pretty good.
-------------------------------------
(Edited to add text as follows - VF21)
October 31, 2006 -- Welcome to NBA.com's 2006 first Power Rankings of 2006-07, which are moving to Thursdays this year -- except for, of course, today's rankings. Please note these rankings are the view of one humble NBA.com Features Editor and are not "official" rankings. Have a comment? Let us know.
Who's at the top of the rankings to start the season? Well, since it's still the Heat's title to lose, or retain, and its players haven't even formally received their rings as of press time, the Heat has the top spot. That could all change -- and likely will -- come a week from now.
The Heat will have stiff competition from the Spurs, Mavs, Pistons, Suns, Bulls and a number of others in the coming week(s), as even predicting who will come out on top of each division is a shot in the dark.
But, for now, its onto this week's rankings ...
1 Miami 0-0 Unsure why they're here? Click here or just tune to TNT at 8 p.m. ET tonight. That should clear up any confusion … for now, at least.
2 San Antonio 0-0 A well-rested Tim Duncan and Tony Parker spells trouble for the rest of the league.
3 Dallas 0-0 The secret's out: Dallas can win in the Playoffs and figures to be a strong contender to return to The Finals. The makings of a marked team, to be sure.
4 Detroit 0-0 The biggest question facing Detroit is how badly Ben Wallace's absence will hurt the team. Some think more than this No. 4 ranking.
5 Phoenix 0-0 With or without Amare, the Suns should still be a 50-plus-win squad and a sure thing to be playing in May.
6 Cleveland 0-0 For the most part, it's the same crew -- plus vet David Wesley -- that nearly reached the conference finals last season. Easy to envision it getting there this year, isn't it?
7 Chicago 0-0 Some already have the Bulls winning the Central because of Big Ben. I'm not so sure they push aside Detroit or Cleveland.
8 L.A. Clippers 0-0 Much preseason talk centered on the improvement of young point Shaun Livingston, who will be a key factor in the "best team in L.A." debate.
9 New Jersey 0-0 The Big Three know each other well enough by now and, if they all stay healthy, the Nets will run away with the Atlantic … stay tuned for more.
10 Denver 0-0 Anthony was all-World this summer as he re-positioned himself alongside young stars Wade and LeBron. Look for his first -- of many -- All-Star appearances this year.
11 Sacramento 0-0 With Bonzi gone, the Kings will look for more from youngsters Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia and offseason-add John Salmons.
12 Houston 0-0 If Yao and TMac remain healthy this year there's no excuse for the Rockets missing the Playoffs. None.
13 L.A. Lakers 0-0 Looks as though both Bryant and Jackson will be suited up for tonight's opener at Staples vs. Phoenix.
14 Washington 0-0 It took the entire preseason, but the Wiz named Etan Thomas the team's starting big on opening night. Brendan Haywood had started 70 games at center last year.
15 Utah 0-0 They could improve on the 41 wins in 2005-06 and challenge for a Playoffs spot if Kirilenko and Boozer stay healthy and the youngsters show some consistency.
16 Orlando 0-0 That run to close 2005-06 -- narrowly missing the Playoffs -- was no fluke. Look for Dwight Howard to breakout, Grant Hill to stay healthy and the Magic to play into late April.
17 NO/Okla City 0-0 The Hornets should have made the Playoffs last season. It'll be a tall order this year, but, with all the offseason shuffling and the promise of Chris Paul, it's hard to not get excited.
18 Indiana 0-0 Tinsley played seven games without a serious injury. Granted they're only preseason games, but this number is still a barometer by which some of us will measure Indy.
19 Milwaukee 0-0 Neither Bogut nor Simmons, sidelined with injuries, logged a preseason minute. Bogut could be back for tomorrow's season opener, though.
20 Golden State 0-0 Somehow you knew this was coming when Nellie was named coach in Golden State.
21 Boston 0-0 The C's have the talent to reach the Playoffs, but that talent is awfully young and must deliver early and often if Boston is to reach a field of 16.
22 Philadelphia 0-0 It's been a good run in Philly for A.I., but, as one local paper suggests, if the Sixers start dropping games the trade rumors are likely to heat up again -- original Sixer or not.
23 Minnesota 0-0 Questions, questions and more questions surround a team that's missed the playoffs two straight years. Answers start coming as soon as Wednesday.
24 Toronto 0-0 Sure, this young Raptors team is still going to struggle at times, but it's capable of beating any team on any night. The Nets, Bucks and Spurs await this week.
25 Memphis 0-0 The Grizzlies made the playoffs -- failing to win a single game -- each of the last three seasons. That's a long shot this year, especially given Gasol's out with a broken foot.
26 New York 0-0 The Knicks have a couple things they didn't last season: a new hope and, apparently, a set rotation.
27 Charlotte 0-0 With Sean May and Emeka Okafor healthy, not to mention Adam Morrison filling it up, this team will surpass last year's 26 wins.
28 Seattle 0-0 Call him Flavor Flav or what you will, but the former Basketball without Borders camper will be savoring the starting lineup come opening night.
29 Atlanta 0-0 Marvin Williams was expected to break into the Hawks starting lineup this year. A break of a different kind stalls that a couple months.
30 Portland 0-0 There's a bright future somewhere at the end of that tunnel. It just isn't going to happen this year.
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