ESPN Power Rankings

[Chris Childs]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking?season=2008&week=-1

Celtic at 2?

Rating the Celtics at 2 is so rediculous even diehard Celtics fans must have stared at their screens in disbelief. No bench, no PG, aging superstars that were unloaded using the adage "better to get rid of a guy a little too soon than a little too late" and no proof that they can even play together. Total joke.

[FirebatMIV]

Dallas WAY too low, Houston and Boston WAY too high.

SA
Dallas
Phoenix

I don't care who you are, this is how the top of your power rankings should look.

[Findog]

1) San Antonio
2) Dallas
3) Phoenix

4-9: Boston, Utah, Houston, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, whichever order you want.

10-30: Everybody else.

[DOMINATOR]

mavs and celts need to be switched.
hornets too low... warriors way to high.

[Findog]

mavs and celts need to be switched.
hornets too low... warriors way to high.

Steiny loves him some Nellie cock. Always has, always will.

[monosylab1k]

The Mavericks deserve their spot. I wonder how GS is ranked worse than them.

[Chris Childs]

Knicks at 24 is a total joke as well. They should be at least in the top 10 if not top 15......

but keep underestimating the knicks, because they will be the talk of the 08 season once they get on the radar.

[Cry Havoc]

Dallas WAY too low, Houston and Boston WAY too high.

SA
Dallas
Phoenix

I don't care who you are, this is how the top of your power rankings should look.

Well, I have
SA
Houston//Dallas

For the simple fact that Houston can play defense AND score. Houston added two huge pieces. The Suns haven't changed enough. (No, Hill does NOT count as a huge piece, you still have no defensive players outside of Marion and maybe Bell, and you might not have Shawn much longer.) So they're my #2/3 for now, because Houston will win a title with their current roster before the Suns will.

[Cry Havoc]

Knicks at 24 is a total joke as well. They should be at least in the top 10 if not top 15......

but keep underestimating the knicks, because they will be the talk of the 08 season once they get on the radar.

:lmao

[monosylab1k]

but keep underestimating the knicks, because they will be the talk of the 08 season once they get on the radar.
why is that? is isiah planning on grabbing more asses?

[samikeyp]

SA
Dallas
Phoenix

agreed.

Boston at #2 is pure hype

[Chris Childs]

Well, I have
SA
Houston//Dallas

For the simple fact that Houston can play defense AND score. Houston added two huge pieces. The Suns haven't changed enough. (No, Hill does NOT count as a huge piece, you still have no defensive players outside of Marion and maybe Bell, and you might not have Shawn much longer.) So they're my #2/3 for now, because Houston will win a title with their current roster before the Suns will.


real talk :smokin

[Findog]

If anything the Suns got worse. Grant Hill was a nice pickup, but that's offset by selling off Kurt Thomas, James Jones and Shawn Marion being a whiny bitch and pining for La-La Land.

[Chris Childs]

why is that? is isiah planning on grabbing more asses?

The knicks are just going to be better overall this year than the other previous years. I'm telling you, with the addition of Zach Randolph and Marbury's team will to take this season serious unlike the previous seasons, the knicks will shock alot of people in the BBall world.

[Findog]

The knicks are just going to be better overall this year than the other previous years. I'm telling you, with the addition of Zach Randolph and Marbury's team will to take this season serious unlike the previous seasons, the knicks will shock alot of people in the BBall world.

Knicks will be better, but Curry and Randolph are good for 50 points on both ends of the floor.

[Chris Childs]

:lmao

:)

[SpursDynasty]

Here's my opinion on the Top 5 as appearing on that page:

1. Spurs - They are right where they're supposed to be ranked. Good job ESPN.
2. Celtics - Let's face it, the East is as weak as ever (unless Detroit or Miami does something about it). Allen and Garnett.....pretty hard to stop this combination when they're in the weaker conference. Expect a Finals appearance or a 7-game series against Detroit or Miami.
3. Suns - I would've put Utah here. Utah went 2-1 and 3-1 last year vs. the teams that everyone seems to measure success against, Dallas and Phoenix, as well as a Western Conference Finals appearance last year. Blah.
4. Rockets - Not a Top Five team. Plain and simple. They didn't add anyone of note. Scola hasn't even bounced a ball in an NBA game yet.
5. Pistons - I agree with this one...LeBron just happened to get hot from the field at the right time. Otherwise, these guys would've been in the Finals.

Thanks Marc Stein for leaving Dallas out. Finally, a writer out there with some damn common sense that first round elimination teams are not Top Five squads. Although you left Houston in the Top Five.

MY rankings:

1. Spurs
2. Celtics
3. Jazz
4. Pistons
5. Suns

[monosylab1k]

The knicks are just going to be better overall this year than the other previous years. I'm telling you, with the addition of Zach Randolph and Marbury's team will to take this season serious unlike the previous seasons, the knicks will shock alot of people in the BBall world.
With Randolph, Curry, and Jerome James, the only winners in New York are the pizza place owners.

[monosylab1k]

MY rankings:

1. The Josh Daniels Band
2. REO Speedwagon
3. Rush
4. The Josh Daniels Band
5. That band with the former members of Creed

[Findog]

Here's my opinion on the Top 5 as appearing on that page:

1. Spurs - They are right where they're supposed to be ranked. Good job ESPN.
2. Celtics - Let's face it, the East is as weak as ever (unless Detroit or Miami does something about it). Allen and Garnett.....pretty hard to stop this combination when they're in the weaker conference. Expect a Finals appearance or a 7-game series against Detroit or Miami.
3. Suns - I would've put Utah here. Utah went 2-1 and 3-1 last year vs. the teams that everyone seems to measure success against, Dallas and Phoenix, as well as a Western Conference Finals appearance last year. Blah.
4. Rockets - Not a Top Five team. Plain and simple. They didn't add anyone of note. Scola hasn't even bounced a ball in an NBA game yet.
5. Pistons - I agree with this one...LeBron just happened to get hot from the field at the right time. Otherwise, these guys would've been in the Finals.

Thanks Marc Stein for leaving Dallas out. Finally, a writer out there with some damn common sense that first round elimination teams are not Top Five squads. Although you left Houston in the Top Five.

MY rankings:

1. Spurs
2. Celtics
3. Jazz
4. Pistons
5. Suns

Here's my rankings of the top venues for the Josh Daniels Band to play:

1. Buffalo Wild Wings in Addison
2. Buffalo Wild Wings in Richardson
3. Buffalo Wild Wings in Frisco
4. Buffalo Wild Wings in McKinney
5. Buffalo Wild Wings in Plano

[Cry Havoc]

5. Pistons - I agree with this one...LeBron just happened to completely decimate all 5 defenders and walk over the Pistons on his way to the rim every single possession from the field at the right time. Otherwise, these guys would've been in the Finals.

Fixed.

[Chris Childs]

Knicks will be better, but Curry and Randolph are good for 50 points on both ends of the floor.

Where the hell did you get that assumption from? Face it, The knicks are a better team than last year. Marbury has smartened this team up in the offseason and they know what's in the store for them. All they have to do now is play hard and work together and then they can make some serious progress in the season.

Randolph is a very underrated defender and player overall. He was just playing for a bad blazers team all these years that's all. But he is a great talent noneoftheless. As for Curry, look for him to be the Most Improved player this season mainly because he's going to show everyone who's been talking down on him and doubting him, that he is on a serious mission.

[monosylab1k]

Finally, a writer out there with some damn common sense that first round elimination teams are not Top Five squads. Although you left Houston in the Top Five.
:lmao

[BobcatsDynasty]

MY rankings:

1. Bobcats
2. Jazz
3. Celtics
4. D-League team affiliated with the Bobcats
5. Mavericks

[Findog]

Where the hell did you get that assumption from?

They're great low-post scorers who give it back on the other end.


Face it, The knicks are a better team than last year.

I agree with this assessment, as I stated in my previous post. Probably good enough to make the playoffs in the Least. But beyond that, nothing.

[Findog]

Finally, a writer out there with some damn common sense that first round elimination teams are not Top Five squads.

I know. Good thing he didnt buy into the hype and put Boston there. Oh wait...

[Chris Childs]

With Randolph, Curry, and Jerome James, the only winners in New York are the pizza place owners.

:bang

:ihit

You just don't get it do you?

The knicks aren't to be slept on this season. END.

[RaptorsDynasty]

MY Rankings:

1. Raptors
2. Celtics
3. Jazz
4. Spurs
5. The Canadian Josh Daniels Band sponsored YMCA 15 and up team.

[RocketsDynasty]

Fluke teams that lost in the first round should NOT be in the top 5...

MY Rankings:

1. Rockets
2. Mavericks
3. Orlando
4. Lakers
5. Nuggets

[Chris Childs]

They're great low-post scorers who give it back on the other end.



I agree with this assessment, as I stated in my previous post. Probably good enough to make the playoffs in the Least. But beyond that, nothing.

Are you kidding me? They're atleast going to make it to the 2nd round and have a good shot at the ECF and not a long shot at the finals. The only competition in the east for the knicks are the pistons and LeBron. People need to wake and realise that this isn't the same knick teams from past years....I can see this teams potential for the first time since '99 and 00.

[Findog]

The only competition in the east for the knicks are the pistons and LeBron

You forgot Boston and Chicago.

You're welcome.

[Chris Childs]

You forgot Boston and Chicago.

You're welcome.

LOL.... :rolleyes

Probably the 2 most overrated teams in the league right now.
Why is Boston all of a sudden contenders? And the Bulls?..... :lol

[DOMINATOR]

LOL.... :rolleyes

Probably the 2 most overrated teams in the league right now.
Why is Boston all of a sudden contenders? And the Bulls?..... :lol
you are saying the knicks are contenders because they added Randolph... then you say celtics are overrated?
neither have played a game in the NBA with the retooled rosters. celtics have more talent.

[AFBlue]

How Atlanta gets ranked behind an Elton Brand-less Clippers and Oden-less Blazers is beyond me.

This is a team that started out the year HOT last year and then went through the typical inconsistent season characteristic of a young, inexperienced team.

But they've gotten alot better and they're gaining experience daily.

Hawks got robbed in the initial projection!

[JamStone]

Say what you will about their off season moves, but a Heat team with a healthy Shaq and Wade would rank higher than 20 on my list. Being that Wade is not healthy and we never know about Shaq, I understand placing them lower. But #20???

And, I don't even like the Heat.

[The_Game]

LOL.... :rolleyes

Probably the 2 most overrated teams in the league right now.
Why is Boston all of a sudden contenders? And the Bulls?..... :lol

use your brain

KG,Allen and Pierce is why Boston are contenders.

[Dirk Nowitzki]

Wow THE DEFENDING REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS are flying under the radar. :clap :clap :clap


Meanwhile everyone and their uncle Dan Scott will be gunning for the Spurs. BTW Chris Childs I expect the Knicks to have a nice year if Isiah can mesh that talent together. I have been hearing how they have a serious chip on their shoulder. I expect the Knicks to be a very phyiscal team. That is why they play the games. The Knicks could be a huge sleeper IF they can put it all together.

[LEONARD]

Thanks Marc Stein for leaving Dallas out. Finally, a writer out there with some damn common sense that first round elimination teams are not Top Five squads. Although you left Houston in the Top Five.

MY rankings:

1. Spurs
2. Celtics
3. Jazz
4. Pistons
5. Suns

lol...add this one to the list!! Let's look at Jeff's predictions/rankings previous to above...brace yourselves!!

It's the typical Jeff bit...predict various possibilities, then when one of them is right, or even close to right, claim to never be wrong... :lol

The Mavs have gone from not making the playoffs, to the 6th seed, to the 3rd seed with 55 wins (despite saying they wouldn't top 52 wins) in the last month. Suns have gone from 6th to 2nd. Rockets have gone from OUT to 8th. On his list above, he bumped the Jazz ahead of the Suns vs his most recent prior...


Suns and Lakers series (which the Lakers should have won, by the way) was a great series in 2006. By 2007, it was the most horrible thing on the face of the earth to watch.

Here are my new standings predictions for the West:

1. Spurs 65-17
2. Jazz 59-23
3. Mavericks 55-27
4. Suns 50-32
5. Warriors 50-32 (hold tiebreaker over Phoenix)
6. Lakers 47-35
7. Nuggets 45-37
8. Rockets 44-38

From this thread on 8/16/07...
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76114&page=1&pp=26


Here are the 8 Playoff teams for next season and how they will be seeded:

1. Spurs
2. Jazz
3. Warriors
4. Lakers
5. Clippers
6. Suns
7. Nuggets
8. Sonics

8/17/07 at 2:18...
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1912587#post1912587


1. Spurs
2. Jazz
3. Warriors
4. Lakers
5. Clippers
6. Suns
7. Nuggets
8. Sonics

A reasonable prediction of playoff seeds. Wasn't Seattle supposed to get in because of Durant? Weren't all the other teams with the exception of the Clippers and Sonics in the playoffs last year? It's a reasonable prediction that was not pulled out of my ass.

from 8/17/07 at 2:33...

Okay, I'll switch it around:

1. Spurs
2. Suns
3. Jazz
4. Warriors
5. Lakers
6. Nuggets
7. Clippers
8. Sonics

We have the four second round teams from last season, in the top 4 seeds. Lakers should be better with Fisher back, were decent last season until free falling. Nuggets were the sixth seed last year, Clippers were a few games out of the West. Sonics will have Durant.

8/17/07 at 2:37...


Oh ok.

1. Spurs
2. Suns
3. Jazz
4. Warriors
5. Lakers
6. Mavs
7. Nuggets
8. Sonics

After a 2006 Finals loss, 67 wins and a first round loss, I definitely don't see Dallas winning any more than 52 games.

hehehe...then why do you have them at 55 now Jeff?

BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xylus]

Stop feeding the trolls.

[Walter Craparita]

How the hell are Suns #3? Because of their playoff UNPROVEN method of going small? They are weaker this year than the last :imo

What...because they got GRANT HILL!? hahahaha

Implosion is near.

[SpursDynasty]

lol...add this one to the list!! Let's look at Jeff's predictions/rankings previous to above...brace yourselves!!

It's the typical Jeff bit...predict various possibilities, then when one of them is right, or even close to right, claim to never be wrong... :lol

The Mavs have gone from not making the playoffs, to the 6th seed, to the 3rd seed with 55 wins (despite saying they wouldn't top 52 wins) in the last month. Suns have gone from 6th to 2nd. Rockets have gone from OUT to 8th. On his list above, he bumped the Jazz ahead of the Suns vs his most recent prior...



From this thread on 8/16/07...
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76114&page=1&pp=26



8/17/07 at 2:18...
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1912587#post1912587



from 8/17/07 at 2:33...


8/17/07 at 2:37...



hehehe...then why do you have them at 55 now Jeff?

BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!


Changes in predictions are based on off-season activity of other teams and lack of off-season activity of teams as the summer goes on.

[anakha]

Changes in predictions are based on off-season activity of other teams and lack of off-season activity of teams as the summer goes on.



from 8/17/07 at 2:33...

8/17/07 at 2:37...


Self-ownage is always so much fun to watch. :lmao

[LEONARD]

Self-ownage is always so much fun to watch. :lmao

:lol

Poor Jeff...

[mikejones99]

Denver Nuggets must be in the top 5

[The Franchise]

Denver Nuggets must be in the top 5
Although they have talent they are just like my Rockets. they still have to learn to play together. They seemed to be tripping over each other in the playoffs like they were a little confused. With the talent on that team they should have done better.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

LOL.... :rolleyes

Probably the 2 most overrated teams in the league right now.
Why is Boston all of a sudden contenders? And the Bulls?..... :lol
Because they're better than New York. And many other teams.

[The Franchise]

:bang

:ihit

You just don't get it do you?

The knicks aren't to be slept on this season. END.
The Knicks have the talent to contend in the east. Randolph,Curry,Richardson,Crawford,Marbury,Lee, and Robinson? They have the talent, but that's not what's been stopping them. They have no chemistry. It frustrates me sometimes because with all that talent they should be winning more than 35-38 games a season. I think they need to get their egos in check. Get a sytem and follow it instead of stinking every year. The results they've been getting is just a waste of talent. :wtf

[Mister Sinister]

Self-ownage is always so much fun to watch. :lmao
He's just owning himself the way he's supposed to own himself.

[Shank]

Top 5 Josh Daniels Band cover songs:

1. Total Eclipse of the Heart
2. We Built This City (always brings down the house at an Arby's grand opening)
3. The Final Countdown
4. Broken Wings
5. Bizarre Love Triangle

[mavs>spurs2]

LOL.... :rolleyes

Probably the 2 most overrated teams in the league right now.
Why is Boston all of a sudden contenders? And the Bulls?..... :lol

Don't forget about the Heat

If D Wade is healthy and as long as Shaq is still around you can't count that team out

I think the Knicks have a chance to make the playoffs and make some noise but it really comes down to whether or not Jamal Crawford steps up and becomes the superstar he has the talent to be. I've been waiting on the guy to break out for about 4 years now, the dude has serious top notch talent but he's way too streaky and its a mental thing he has to overcome. But if that's the case, I can really see the Knicks being the surprise of the league much like Golden State was last year.

[Mister Sinister]

Top 5 Josh Daniels Band cover songs:

1. Total Eclipse of the Heart
2. We Built This City (always brings down the house at an Arby's grand opening)
3. The Final Countdown
4. Broken Wings
5. Bizarre Love Triangle
Should I want to kill myself if I've heard all of those?

[Fillmoe]

they got RAJOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON RANDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... the lock down defender....

[bdubya]

but keep underestimating the knicks, because they will be the talk of the 08 season once they get on the radar.

"Sir! We have a new bogey on screen! It's moving very slowly....losing altitude....and appears to be in flames as well...."

[O-Factor]

Spurs are where they should be, #1 and thats where they'll end. Celtics at number 2 is bullshit ESPN hype. Mavs are too low.

[Cry Havoc]

Spurs are where they should be, #1 and thats where they'll end. Celtics at number 2 is bullshit ESPN hype. Mavs are too low.

I think the Celts are #2 because there is really no East dominance out there, and just "on paper" you have to think that the combo they have is enough to be a beast.

You might scream that paper teams are worthless, but power rankings are equally that - just words on a screen, an they're for fun anyway. Nothing wrong with stirring the pot a bit. If the East has a problem with them being #2, beat their ass and make them drop a few spots.

[BUMP]

i dont have too much of a problem with Dallas at #6. all those teams ahead of them could be better than them. question is will they? i know SA and Phoenix will be there but i dont know about the other teams