J2's Bite-Sized NBA Preview Returns!

[J2]

Okay, I admit it, I didn't feel like doing one last season. But after a jam-packed offseason full of shocking trades, free-agent madness, and a loaded draft, I think that doing one for this season is a must. So without further delay...

Atlantic Division, aka the "Damn Celtics Division"


Boston Celtics
Ranking: 1st
Key Additions: Donyell Marshall's TC
Key Losses: The Finals, a bit of pride
Preview: The champs are no longer the champs, having been dismantled by the Beast Incarnate, Shawn Kemp, in the Finals. Unsurprisingly, the Celtics' core is together for another season. Unfortunately, nothing of note has been added, save Donyell Marshall making strides towards reaching his full potential. This could be a concern, as star SG Mitch Richmond is now 31, and could struggle against the younger, faster guards in the league. Still, one potential hole isn't enough to dismiss a dynasty. Until proven otherwise, the road to the Finals, and perhaps the championship, goes through Boston.


New Jersey Nets
Ranking: 5th
Key Additions: Antoine Walker, Dikembe Mutombo
Key Losses: None
Preview: The Nets had a season to forget in 95-96, finishing last in the Atlantic. This paid off in the form of PF Antoine Walker, who looks to form an odd but potentially dangerous front line with Juwan Howard and other new addition Dikembe Mutombo. It's a good thing that both Walker & Howard have a bit of potential at SF, because Reggie Lewis is fading fast. Also on the decline is veteran PG and passing expert Pooh Richardson. The Nets need everyone to step up and contribute, because their roster is rather thin at the 1 & 5. It's a clash of young and old in New Jersey, and the health (and production) of the vets will be key to the Nets' success.


Miami Heat
Ranking: 4th
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Will Perdue (I'm serious)
Preview: It's amazing how some teams can be so terrifying on one end, yet nearly laughable at the other. Such duality is on full display in Miami, where Jim Jackson & Gary Payton strike fear into the hearts of their foes - and Sharone Wright & Adam Keefe cause sly grins and licked lips. The departure of Will Perdue, while great for their cap, means that any semblance of actual Post D is now gone. Rebounding is fine, as Keefe looks to be a beast on the boards, but it's hard to imagine the trio of Robinson, Wright, and Keefe holding their own against some of the big post bruisers out there, or even against guys with half-decent Inside scoring. The fate of the Heat is wholly dependent on whether or not Payton & Jackson can adequately cover their teammates' weaknesses.
 

New York Knicks
Ranking: 2nd
Key Additions: Reggie Miller, Kevin Edwards, Spud Webb
Key Losses: Roy Tarpley, Eric Piatkowski, a bright future
Preview: Another season, another embarrassing playoff exit for the Knicks, this time at the hands of the Magic in the 1st round. With the Admiral now sitting at 31 years of age, the championship window is closing fast - which explains why they've been forced to bring in the hated Reggie Miller to help. Still a merciless, dangerous scorer at 31, the Knicks are hoping that he'll provide the offensive firepower and perimeter shooting presence that they've lacked. Lost in this acquisition is the fact that they had to give up Roy Tarpley & Eric Piatkowski to get Reggie. Losing Roy means that they lose interior toughness, as well as giving them a familiar problem - a woefully thin lineup of bigs to help out Robinson. Losing Piatkowski means it's now or never for NYC, as this team has absolutely nothing in terms of future talent, unless you think that Mitchell Butler is the Next Big Thing. There's no doubt that this team will be dominant in the regular season (as they've even managed to acquire veteran depth on the wings), but for a team that's destined to be a talent-starved wasteland in a few seasons, being dominant in the regular season isn't good enough at all.


Orlando Magic
Ranking: 6th
Key Additions: Charles Barkley, Jerry Stackhouse, Bruce Bowen
Key Losses: Eddie Jones
Preview: Perhaps Disneyland isn't the best place for GM coltsguy, as he's always trying to imitate Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer's Apprentice - trying to make magic when it may not be needed. Disposing of the favored Knicks in the 1st round of the playoffs wasn't quite enough, as Eddie Jones was sent away in the newest rebuilding/competing effort. While questionable, at least they were able to get reigning Rookie of the Year AND 6th Man of the Year Jerry Stackhouse, as well as Bruce Bowen. The problem comes when you remember that they'd already acquired 33-year-old Charles Barkley, and realize that they already have a pair of 31-year-olds on their roster (Benoit Benjamin & Scottie Pippen). It's hard to gauge just where this team is going in terms of personnel, and you have to wonder if this confusion will carry over onto the court, resulting in coltsguy grabbing his wand and dusting off the old spellbook once again in search of some new magic tricks.


Philadelphia 76ers
Ranking: 7th
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Chris Mullin, Rod Strickland's talent
Preview: The Sixers were the epitome of up-and-down last season, going on streaks and looking like serious 8th seed contenders one minute, losing ugly and looking like lotto hopefuls the next. There's not much to say here, because nothing of note really happened for the Sixers over the offseason. Expect Bo to pop up and attempt to clean house sometime this season.

 
Washington Wizards
Ranking: 3rd
Key Additions: Gheorghe Muresan, Lorenzo Williams, Rex Walters
Key Losses: Stanley Roberts, Chris Childs, Derrick McKey, Kevin Edwards, cap space & flexibility
Preview: The Wizards shocked a lot of people by actually competing this season, resulting in a playoff berth for the first time in what seems like forever. The main pieces have returned, but the supporting cast is a bit different, featuring journeymen and scrubs like Lee Mayberry & Sean Rooks in place of guys like Stanley Roberts, Chris Childs, Derrick McKey, and Kevin Edwards. There are a few potential bright spots in Gheorghe Muresan, Lorenzo Williams, and Rex Walters, but the Wizards' roster looks fairly equal to last season at best. The reason for this is because of Horry's brand-spanking-new contract, which pushes the franchise's cap space to the limit, and locks them into playoffs-or-bust mode for the time being. So which will it be? This franchise has always been a hard one to predict, as injuries and uninspired play have doomed them at unexpected times in the past, so it's not quite a cop-out to just shrug and say, "Who knows?"

Recap:
1. Boston Celtics (Losing in the Finals isn't a problem when you've steamrolled your way to 4 straight)
2. New York Knicks (The real test will come in the postseason)
3. Washington Wizards (The 4-player core says that they should be good, history and their bench say otherwise)
4. Miami Heat (Just how good can two Purple/Purple players be?)
5. New Jersey Nets (Bright future, talented, but thin)
6. Orlando Magic (What defines this team's play? Their youth, or their age?)
7. Philadelphia 76ers (Who won't be here come the deadline?)

Central Division, aka the "Anyone Can Win This Division"


Atlanta Hawks
Ranking: 4th
Key Additions: Ben Wallace, Derrick McKey, Lorenzen Wright, Erick Dampier
Key Losses: Scott Skiles, Lorenzo Williams
Preview: "Oldlanta" no more, as this team boasts quite a bit of youth these days. Defense is now the focus in Atlanta, as newcomers Ben Wallace, Erick Dampier, and Lorenzen Wright join Eric Snow and Randy Brown. But with Dennis Rodman & Antonio McDyess already in the fold, there's a logjam in the post that will probably result in someone being sent away for wing help. Offensively, they look...well, offensive, as few outside of Brown & McDyess can put the ball in the basket at a high rate. Still, this is a deceptively deep team, and WigNosy is one of the premier GMs in this league. Don't be surprised if the Hawks become a real threat.


Chicago Bulls
Ranking: 6th
Key Additions: Matt Geiger, Bryant Stith, Marcus Liberty, Kobe F'n Bryant
Key Losses: Popeye Jones
Preview: What a difference an active GM makes. Although the previous GM's devil-may-care philosophy led to a tank job so good that it landed Kobe Bryant, it's hard to imagine this team being assembled under the previous regime. The polar opposite of the Atlanta Hawks, this team seems to be built around offensive domination and wing excess. Marcus Liberty, Bryant Stith, Dan Majerle, Kobe Bryant, Darrell Armstrong, Brent Barry, and Dana Barros all combine to form an absolutely loaded 1-3 rotation. The post rotation isn't nearly as strong however, featuring only Matt Geiger as a noteworthy player. The void left by Popeye Jones' departure will be felt strongly, and that void will be what the Bulls struggle with all season. This team still has the raw offensive talent and numbers to make some waves, however. They won't be in the lottery due to lack of effort, that's for sure.


Cleveland Cavaliers
Ranking: 8th
Key Additions: Steve Nash
Key Losses: None
Preview: Criminal negligence...the Cavs did what they had to do and nothing more, showing up to draft Steve Nash at #4 and re-signing Jayson Williams. But that's all, and for a team that finished 15-67 last season, that's not good enough. Drafting Nash will pay off later, but for now, it just creates problems with star PG Muggsy Bogues still there. Jayson's contract could also become problematic later on...just ask the front office how they feel about Dominique Wilkins. As it is, there's simply not enough talent to take the Cavs out of the Eastern Conference cellar, KG's growth be damned.


Detroit Pistons
Ranking: 2rd
Key Additions: Magic Johnson, Stanley Roberts, Sean Elliott
Key Losses: Matt Geiger, Mario Elie, Tharon Mayes, Mark Jackson, the talent that youth brings
Preview: Murphy's Law was in full effect for Tray's squad last season, as everything that could've gone wrong, did. Tray was spared some of of the pain of seeing Quail profit from his pain, but TC wiped out whatever good feelings that were gained from that. Magic Johnson & Kevin Willis succumbed to the ravages of old age, but as long as Steve Smith is wearing Piston Red & Blue, this is still a team to watch. Allan Houston & Sean Elliott are scoring machines, and Laphonso Ellis is no slouch as well. Even with the depth issues and lack of PG play, this team should be good. Steering clear of injuries is a must, however.


Indiana Pacers
Ranking: 3rd
Key Additions: ...Greg...Grant?
Key Losses: Dell Curry
Preview: The defending Central Division champs return with pretty much the same guys as last year, save one: SG Dell Curry. This creates problems, as there's no one on their roster who seems capable of picking up the load. Greg Grant was a decent pickup, but can he ease the pressure on the franchise, Stacey Augmon? I'm not sure. Pauly's been underestimated for the past few seasons, however, and has defied all expectations. Even with his team appearing to be on the verge of falling apart, the Pacers still deserve to be taken seriously.


Milwaukee Bucks
Ranking: 1st
Key Additions: Tom Gugliotta, Kerry Kittles, Bryon Russell, Will Perdue, Clyde Drexler, Tharon Mayes, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Key Losses: Michael Finley, Jalen Rose, Brian Grant, Dikembe Mutombo
Preview: Let's just think about it, so that the curse doesn't strike. Y'all know what I mean. In what can only be described as a monumental blockbuster, Quail landed one of the most dominating players in the NBA today - Tom Gugliotta. In a single offseason, the Bucks have completely remade their roster, and now have one of the more complete teams in the East. An impressive mix of both young and old, this team looks to be a well-balanced squad that can do just about anything well enough to win. Defense will be a focal point, especially wing defense, as Bryon Russell and Tharon Mayes will attest to. Some of the pieces they lost were valuable, but the payoff could be phenomenal now that a bonafide star has entered the fold. Keep your eyes on the Bucks the season, not just during the season, but at the end-of-season awards as well.


(Oh look. A broken link, and the picture won't load for anything. Yippee.)
Charlotte Hornets
Ranking: 5th
Key Additions: Jalen Rose, Brian Grant, Rick Fox, Chris Childs, Brad Daughtery, Theo Ratliff, Scott Skiles
Key Losses: Tom Gugliotta, Patrick Ewing, Rex Walters, Rodney Rogers, Mookie Blaylock, Marcus Liberty
Preview: The clock struck midnight on last season's favorite Cinderella team - or at least that's what their GM says. In a effort to rebuild the team and gain financial freedom, the Hornets traded away Tom Gugliotta to the Bucks for a nice haul. They also rid themselves of Mookie Blaylock and Patrick Ewing, bringing in Rick Fox and Brad Daughtery. Financially, they're in fairly good shape. Youth-wise, they look good. But as for on-court results? Don't hold your breath for a repeat of last season. Of all the talent they've brought in, the only one who's proven that he can lead a team to the playoffs is Daughtery, and he's 31. This new strategy may pay off later, but don't expect it to pay off too much now. This could be a long season for Charlotte, or it could be a pretty good one. It's a toss up.


Toronto Raptors
Ranking: 7th
Key Additions: Michael Finley, Rodney Rogers
Key Losses: Horace Grant, Bryon Russell, Jon Barry, John Stockton
Preview: The rebuilding effort appears to be underway in Toronto, who have witnessed a mass exodus of talent. When you take a real deep look at it however, it's not a big loss, as a select few were in decline anyway. Still, it's hard to go from a playoff team to a lotto hopeful in one offseason. Looking at the Raptors, there's one obvious bright spot in Michael Finley, who might just average 25 ppg this season, but not much else. Maybe Rodney Rogers, but yeah. Slim pickings. Defensive/rebounding stud Pervis Ellison is still here, but it's highly likely that he won't finish the season as a Raptor. I'm running out of things to say here, so I'll just finish off with this: They're probably among the worst in the East on first glance, but I'd bet money that they'll be back, as soon as next season even.

Recap:
1. Milwaukee Bucks (The most complete team in the division has a star to top it all off)
2. Detroit Pistons (Steve Smith still here? OK, they're good. Beware of injuries, though)
3. Indiana Pacers (Stacey & Pauly still here? OK, they're good. Need someone extra, though)
4. Atlanta Hawks (A historically dominant GM finally has some pieces to play with)
5. Charlotte Hornets (The dice have been thrown, and we're still waiting to see the value)
6. Chicago Bulls (There's sure to be growing pains, but this team has a bright future)
7. Toronto Raptors (This could be painful, but it won't be for lack of trying)
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (There's some potential, but autopilot = last place)

Eastern Conference Rankings:
1. Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Detroit Pistons
5. Washington Wizards
6. Miami Heat
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Atlanta Hawks
**************
9. New Jersey Nets
10. Charlotte Hornets
11. Orlando Magic
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Toronto Raptors
14. Philadelphia 76ers
15. Cleveland Cavaliers

WESTERN CONFERENCE COMING SOON! FEEL FREE TO LEAVE COMMENTS!

[thesyndicate]

Fantastic write-up buddy! I disagree with some things, but mostly you got it spot on.

Can't wait for the West!

[J2]

Midwest Division, aka the "Damn, I Can't Think Of Anything To Call This Division"


Dallas Mavericks
Ranking: 1st
Key Additions: Roy Tarpley, Jon Barry, Eric Piatkowski, Mark Jackson
Key Losses: Chris Dudley, Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller
Preview: Commish failed in his bid to return to the NBA Finals, losing to the eventual champion Warriors in a grueling 7-game series. Naturally, this triggered some changes, as the previous squad was put together for that particular goal. And so, veterans were shipped out by the pound, and in their place stand new faces, such as Jon Barry and Eric Piatkowski. The Mavs aren't through competing just yet, as veterans Mark Jackson and Roy Tarpley will also be wearing Maverick blue this season. Jackson's role will likely be to take the ballhandling pressure off of Penny, while Darth hopes that Roy can quickly form the same kind of cohesiveness with Sabonis that he used to have with Robinson in New York. The Mavs have put together a fearsome 1-3 rotation, so the Sabonis/Tarpley combo clicking will likely define whether or not this is a "good" or "great" team...especially since beyond those two, there's nothing worth mentioning in the post. They'll challenge for the division crown easily, and should be considered the frontrunners based off of experience alone, but their playoff future lies solely in Sabonis and Tarpley's hands.

 
Denver Nuggets
Ranking: 4th
Key Additions: Horace Grant, Clarence Weatherspoon, Larry Johnson, Dell Curry, Mookie Blaylock, Brent Price
Key Losses: Elden Campbell, Rick Fox
Preview: Now this is what I call a turnaround! After a dismal season that actually began to show some promise towards the end, the Nuggets made up for their lack of a draft pick by aggressively going out and pursing talent. That attitude brought in Horace Grant, Clarence Weatherspoon, Larry Johnson, Dell Curry, Mookie Blaylock, and Brent Price. Such talent practically assures that they'll be better, but how much better? Playoff better? Well let's see: They lack a true center, though Horace Grant is certainly capable of playing it. This could prove costly against foes like Shaq, Dale Davis, Sabonis, and even fellow PF-turned-C Chris Webber. Also, team centerpiece Joe Smith hasn't quite made the jump yet, it seems. I like what's been done so far, and I predict that the Nuggets will be in playoff contention until the bitter end. But trust me, it's hard to make it to the dance when you haven't been there before.


Houston Rockets
Ranking: 5th
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Their point total
Preview: Houston had a BIG problem last season, stumbling in the and out of the playoffs without much fanfare. It seemed to be the result of a trade gone bad, as PJ Brown and Ron Harper couldn't seem to find their groove in Houston. Well, the offseason has passed, and not much has changed. PJ Brown has a fresh new contract, but other than a few new journeymen, nothing new. 78 says he knows what went wrong last season, and he'd better, because the Rockets' cap situation makes it very tricky to switch things up and move some pieces if things go sour. Shaq is a beast, but can one beast elevate a middle-of-the-pack team and carry them to the playoffs in a tough Western Conference? Maybe so, but I'll have to see it to believe it.


Grizzlies
Ranking: 6th
Key Additions: Peja Stojakovic, Malik Sealy's new skills, Patrick Ewing, a useful trade block
Key Losses: Brad Daughtery
Preview: None of this "VanMemphis" stuff, pick a damn city already! Lol. History was made as someone was actually traded from the Grizz, meaning that at least one of LoCo's 10,000 trade threads is actually legit! That someone was longtime Grizzly Brad Daughtery, sent to the Hornets for grizzled (lol) vet Patrick Ewing, who decided to show up late and miss training camp. With rumors of Chris Gatling possibly being on the move, it's obvious that LoCo's looking to rebuild. He has a few good players to consider, like Peja Stojakovic, Malik Sealy, and Hubert Davis, but Greg Anthony has been disappointing, and is only a year younger than Gatling. If it looks like a rebuilding effort, it usually plays like a rebuilding effort, and that's how I think the Grizzlies' season will play out. Gatling will be dumped for a younger piece, Anthony will be put on the block, and...oh wait, they don't have their pick? Scratch that, it's balls-to-the wall this season. Ah hell, why am I trying to predict LOCO's team anyway? Who knows?


Minnesota Timberwolves
Ranking: 2nd
Key Additions: None (Sarunas maybe?)
Key Losses: Sean Elliott
Preview: Hailed as contenders from the very beginning, the T-Wolves stumbled out of the gate last season. Frustrated by his team's performance and determined to salvage his season, JNR went out and grabbed one of the biggest names out there, Michael Jordan. The change was instantaneous, as the Wolves shot up the rankings and into the playoffs...where the perennial contenders, the LA Lakers, shut them down and shut them out. They're not quite as overwhelmingly talented this season as they were the last, due to Sean Elliott's absence, but they're now deeper and more balanced. We've seen the "addition by subtraction" theory work for other teams, could the T-Wolves be next? One interesting thing to note is that stud PF Chris Webber will start the season at C, and could remain there for the duration of the season. If he struggles early on, JNR might just have to make another big move to jump-start his team. This is a dangerous team that shouldn't be taken lightly at all, but the playoffs are another beast entirely. Are the refocused T-Wolves truly ready for the big time?


San Antonio Spurs
Ranking: 3rd
Key Additions: Ray Allen, Sherman Douglas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, good health
Key Losses: Drazen Petrovic, Tim Legler
Preview: Detroit West, the Spurs were bombarded with injuries last season, leaving them lagging behind the rest of the pack come playoff time. However, luck was with them in the Lotto, as they landed the 3rd pick in the draft, good enough to snag SG Ray Allen. Now boasting an impressive array of young talent, the Spurs look to try their hand at competing again this season. I'll just say it: If these young players can quickly fulfill just some of their potential, San Antonio will win the Midwest. Perimeter defense is a very real concern, but this team is an offensive onslaught waiting to happen, and can light you up from just about anywhere, depending on which player's doing the shooting. Newcomer Sherman Douglas provides much-needed help for an aging Mark Price, and Drazen's departure leaves more opportunities for Ray and Big Dog to shoot. If there's one knock against this team, and it's the reason why I put them 3rd, it's that they're just TOO young. 4 out of their Top 7 players are 23 and under, and all 4 of those guys are expected to make large contributions. That's a lot to ask of a young squad. This will be fun to watch though, if only to see just how many points they can put up per game.


Utah Jazz
Ranking: 7th
Key Additions: Stephon Marbury, John Stockton
Key Losses: Sherman Douglas, Clyde Drexler, and if that pick isn't protected, hope
Preview: It was the end of an era last season, as GM cprej finally listened to Jordan's pleas ad granted his request, shipping him to an actual contender. And so, a new era begins, the Stockton-Malone era.

....Wait, what?

Yes, while young guard Stephon Marbury comes of age, the Jazz will be led by a combo of former OP beast Karl Malone and former assist king John Stockton. It's vital that they recapture at least some of their former glory this season, though, because other than those two and Starbury, the Jazz have NOTHING. it's Ervin Johnson, Johnny Newman, and the Shooter Formerly Known As Drazen Petrovic. I'm not kidding, and Jazz fans wish that this was a joke as well. I'm not saying that this team is bad (it's kinda weak though). It's just that in a Western Conference where just about everyone improved, a lineup like this isn't gonna cut it, sorry. This Jazz team is capable of having a decent season, but the playoffs are naught but a midsummer night's dream in Utah.

Recap:
1. Dallas Mavericks (The division crown is easily within reach, anything more is a question mark)
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (The Chris Webber Project may prove to be the difference-maker for this team)
3. San Antonio Spurs (These young guys will need to grow up fast to seriously compete)
4. Denver Nuggets (Aggressive moves alone don't equal success, can The Syndicate bring this all together?)
5. Houston Rockets (78 says it's fixed, but it sure doesn't look like it roster-wise)
6. Grizzlies (Round and round this Grizz team goes, where will they rank? Only LoCo knows)
7. Utah Jazz (It simply takes more than this to win)

Pacific Division, aka the "Golden State (But Not Necessarily Golden State's) Division"


Golden State Warriors
Ranking: 1st
Key Additions: A ring, validation
Key Losses: A bit, just a tiny little bit...of humility.
Preview: All hail the champ, for he is truly here. The acquisition of C Rik Smits, as well as the added rebounding presence of Cedric Ceballos, proved to be just what Kemp needed to help him get to - and win - the NBA Finals. As the champion, there's not much to say here. The regular season doesn't matter, it's all about the playoffs from here on out. Nobody notable was added, so there's nothing left to talk about. See you in this season's playoffs...defending champ.


Los Angeles Clippers
Ranking: 3rd
Key Additions: Aburns
Key Losses: GMessi
Preview: I don't think I've said welcome to the new GM yet, so if I haven't and you're reading this, welcome! Anyway, the Clippers were finally able to create and sustain momentum all the way into the playoffs last season, but were dismissed by the Mavs in the second round. There's no shame in that, however, and the new GM has a fine team to start with. Depth is even more of a worrying factor than before, and there's always a fear of Olajuwon slowing down, though it hasn't seemed to happen yet. Still, Sprewell continues to grow into his dominance, Van Exel continues to learn what defense is while dishing the ball out, Rex continues to put the ball in the hoop, and Mills continues to hurt opposing teams in a multitude of ways. This is not a team to play with, no matter who's at the helm. Don't expect many chances to introduce the new guy to the Wonderful Wild World of Trading just yet.


Los Angeles Lakers
Ranking: 2nd
Key Additions: Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell
Key Losses: Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Johnson, Bruce Bowen, Clarence Weatherspoon, a solid bench
Preview: Want to know what makes Balls angry? Losing to a rival, whether personal or divisional, makes him angry. And when he gets angry, he gets serious. And when BallSoHard gets serious, other GMs mysteriously lose their best players. Yes, LA was taken out back and soundly beaten by the Warriors en route to their title win, and thus Coltsguy was the latest victim of the patented Balls Jedi Mind Trick. Now young Purple/Purple swingman Eddie Jones has joined fellow Purple/Purple SF Dennis Scott and longtime Laker Kevin Johnson to form a veritable Cerberus in the starting lineup. Ball-sharing issues aside (and there will be many), that should be enough to compete right there, but C Elden Campbell was also added to make sure that they could at least hold their own in the post, something that they couldn't do for the past two seasons. Now make no mistake about it, this team is nowhere near as deep as last season's edition. They've traded in depth for talent, and to be honest, there are few GMs in this league who handle talent better than Balls...I can't be the only one hoping for a Lakers/Warriors rematch in the playoffs, right?


Seattle SuperSonics
Ranking: 5th
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Future potential
Preview: Tough and scrappy, this Sonics team surprised a lot of people last season, and despite a few worrying signs, it's not farfetched to expect more of the same this time around. Though no one was gained, no one major was lost, either. On the other hand, Training Camp wasn't exactly kind to the Sonics, neutering the potentials of some of their young talent, which hurts their bench rotation. Iuzzolino, Christie, and Baker continue to grow now though, and that can only mean that Seattle won't be so easy to dismiss this season.


Phoenix Suns
Ranking: 6th
Key Additions: Allen Iverson, Tim Legler, Jermaine O'Neal
Key Losses: None
Preview: The Suns sucked hard last season, and hoped to land Kobe Bryant in return for their suffering. Sadly that was not to be, but I don't think GI cares, because Allen Iverson and Jermaine O'Neal is one hell of a consolation prize. Though the pieces may be coming together, there's little reason to think that this team can make a serious playoff run. For starters, they have no post players worth mentioning other than O'Neal, which is putting a huge load on the teenager. Secondly, one must wonder how the combination of Tim Legler, Willie Anderson, Allien Iverson, Predrag Danilovic, and Damon Stoudemire will play out. It's a talented lineup, but who plays where? Will there be enough shots to go around? Who plays what role? I think the Suns will be looking more to evaluate talent rather than fully utilize it this season, which is a good thing for these guys. A little patience could go a long way.


Portland Trail Blazers
Ranking: 4th
Key Additions: Cadillac Williams, Sam Mack, Doug Overton
Key Losses: Bryant Stith, Brent Price
Preview: Yet another injury-riddled team, the Blazers limped all the way throughout last season. Now they're back and (hopefully) healthy, but is the magic still there? If you look at this team, it's largely the same. Bradley's still here, blocking shots. Not much is backing him up. Danny Manning's still scoring, trying to keep age at bay, and so is his backup, Wayman Tisdale. If you take out Stith & Price and stick in Overton & Mack, even positions 1-3 remain the same. So is is safe to say that the Blazers team we thought that we were gonna get last season is the one we're gonna get this season? I think so, but there's one key component that shouldn't be overlooked: Age. If Manning, Tisdale, Cadillac, and Kenny can't hold off Father Time, Father Lotto could come calling.


Sacramento Kings
Ranking: 7th
Key Additions: Marcus Camby, Erick Strickland, Shandon Anderson, Popeye Jones, positive vibes
Key Losses: Nothing that was a positive
Preview: Last season was just a setup for this season in the eyes of the Kings. They were able to turn their draft picks into solid players, and they were able to turn their cap space into Popeye Jones. This season will be a long and hard one, because it's a mystery as to where the scoring will come from. But, as with last season, the present pain has a future purpose, as the Kings will take this time to evaluate their players and prepare for future competitiveness. They've already gathered a nice defensive/rebounding core, one young scorer and this could be a playoff team once again.

Recap:
1. Golden State Warriors (The champs reign supreme for now)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (Another team for which the regular season is a mere formality)
3. Los Angeles Clippers (How well the new GM adapts will be key to how far this team goes)
4. Portland Trail Blazers (The drop-off in the Pacific Division begins here, can the Blazers stay healthy and play young?)
5. Seattle SuperSonics (Neck-and-neck with the Blazers, can their stars pick up the slack that their bench's TC created)
6. Phoenix Suns (Just biding time until next season, nice talent though)
7. Sacramento Kings (Same as the Suns)

Western Conference Rankings:
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
5. San Antonio Spurs
6. Los Angeles Clippers
7. Denver Nuggets
8. Portland Trail Blazers
********************
9. Houston Rockets
10. Seattle Supersonics
11. Grizzlies
12. Phoenix Suns
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Utah Jazz

[J2]

I didn't mean to take so long to post the second part, everybody. Hope y'all enjoy it.

[IamQuailman]

A+ quality material here. Absolutely wonderful.

Awarded 5 points! Thanks for your contribution!

[JNR]

Great job J2. I must say, though, that Timberwolves additions should have been "Chris Webber and Robot Pack becoming superheroes"

[Nick Malone 77]

Fantastic read J2. I got the dice in hand and I'm ready to roll. Let's get this season started!

[Conroy]

Awesome read J2, every time you do this I'm always impressed by the insight on each team.

[NOLa.]

Wow man, great read! Enjoyed every bit of it and think its pretty spot on.

[Deleted]

Welp, i think you've been named the new preseason rankings guy

[jhow0036]

Great write up J.

[78]

Fuck this shit

[coltsguy510]

Damn, this is awesome!

[rpf]

good job J2

[Inner_GI]

Great job. I agree with what you said about my team. Wing heavy. Just looking for the best fit next to Iverson.

[TrayWithAnA]

Way to positive on the PG-less Pistons. Gonna try and shoot my way out of this one. Steve Smith Saves