Everyone expected the Clippers to improve greatly last season and they didn’t disappoint. When the Chris Paul saga ended with him in LA for the Clippers Lob City was born and they rode that energy all the way to the playoffs before getting swept by the more experience Spurs.
The Grizzlies have turned around their franchise from also ran to making the playoffs but you have to wonder if this group can really expect to make the next step.
Golden State has been floundering as a franchise for a while. Last year was disappointing especially down the stretch as they got nothing out of their trade of top scorer Monta Ellis.
The NBA has become one of the most star-driven leagues in all of sports, and as a result, there are more than a handful of candidates when it comes to the 2012-13 MVP award.
Superstars are scattered all over the league, but only the top of the top-tier players earn legitimate MVP consideration heading into the year.
The 2012 NBA draft class has been touted as one of the deepest groups to enter the league in quite some time.
The 2011-12 NBA season was Tyrone Corbin’s first full season as the head coach of the Utah Jazz. Expectations were low, but they were able to sneak into the playoffs as an eighth seed. The Jazz play in one of the tougher divisions in all of basketball, and with virtually all five teams having improved this summer, all of them will be vying for a spot in the postseason.
The Dallas Mavericks were on top of the world following their 2011 NBA Championship, but they came crashing back down to earth last season when they lost in the first round of the playoffs for the fifth time in the last seven years. In the lockout-shortened season, Dirk Nowitzki came in and put up unexpectedly low numbers.
The Philadelphia 76ers made headlines this summer when they jumped into the blockbuster deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers. The team was able to compete with most squads last season, but with the acquisition of big man Andrew Bynum, they could move a step closer to the next level in 2013.
The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off a disappointing season. In what began with such promise, a 7-2 start in a lockout-shortened year quickly turned into a depressing scene for fans in Rip City, as the team seemingly stopped trying to win when faced with adversity.
The Chicago Bulls have become known as of late as perennial championship contenders, but heading into the 2012-13 season, health could cause a serious setback when it comes to challenging the Miami Heat for supremacy out East. NBA megastar Derrick Rose is expected to miss most of the year following his torn ACL in last season’s playoffs, and consensus No. 2 option Luol Deng is dealing with a wrist injury, himself.
No team in the NBA likes to fly under the radar as much as the San Antonio Spurs, and that’s exactly what they did throughout the 2012 offseason. The Spurs quietly re-signed Tim Duncan, Tony Parker avoided too much publicity following an eye injury (that took place at a rap concert) and the team should enter the new year with hopes of returning to the Western Conference Finals.
The defending Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t made any drastic changes to their lineup, but if the old adage sticks true, why would they fix what simply isn’t broken? Heading into the 2012-13 season, OKC will be the favorites in the eyes of many to come out of the West, but they must get past a number of tough teams that have gotten tougher throughout the summer.
The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the busiest offseasons of any team in the NBA, and as a result, they’re going to be ready to contend for a title in 2013. The 2011-12 season was a major disappointment, and when a shakeup was needed in L.A., GM Mitch Kupchak did what needed to be done to get this team back on track.
When the Denver Nuggets traded away Carmelo Anthony half way through the 2010-11 NBA season, their future was up in the air without their true superstar. Either the young talent they acquired would develop, or it would show just how desperate the team was to move on from the “Melo Drama” that plagued their organization.
Each week during the heart of the NBA season, and once or twice during the NBA Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NBA Power rankings.
Chicago Bulls (31-8) – They just keep winning and somebody had to take the top spot with Miami having a less than stellar week. The two teams face off next week so the Bulls will look to stay strong until then.
Oklahoma City Thunder (29-8) – They are still the class of the Western Conference and Russell Westbrook’s bum ankle doesn’t appear to be bothering him that much. Look out below, the Lakers are charging hard.
Los Angeles Lakers (23-14) – I am jumping up the Lakers because I like the fire they showed in beating Miami on the weekend. More so than the teams above it this team has a killer instinct. Please make a deal for a point guard.
Miami Heat (28-9) – It is just so much fun to pick on LeBron James isn’t it. The crunch time story is nothing new, we are just seeing recent examples. It doesn’t really matter though because in the playoffs Dwayne Wade will have the ball. It just makes for good talk show material.
San Antonio Spurs (25-12) – It was a surprise to see them drop a couple of home games but this team is still right where they want to be. It is good to see Tim Duncan mixing it up a little bit. He is aging gracefully but there is still some fire there it seems.
Indiana Pacers (23-12) – One of the hottest teams going right now. This team has been dangerous all season long because they seem to excel at all the little things – like going to the free throw line and making them count.
Orlando Magic (24-14) – The Magic’s play of late only underscores how much it will kill the franchise if they trade Dwight Howard and don’t make a good deal. I think they are going to hold off. Winning, especially in the playoffs will make everything easier.
Memphis Grizzlies (22-15) – While lots of teams are looking to make deals the Grizz might get the best addition when Zach Randolph gets healthy. They have been playing great, cleaning up at home and outscoring teams that can’t keep up.
Dallas Mavericks (22-16) – One of the biggest questions is whether Lamar Odom is a lost cause. The deal looked smart on paper but is anyone really surprised he has pouted his way through the season. Just think what would happen if he returned to form though. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Los Angeles Clippers (22-13) – Who would have thought that Kenyon Martin could be a difference maker. It is a short sample size but he is playing well individually and the team is getting better defensively. Again, who would have thought.
Boston Celtics (19-17) – Rondo is hottest thing going right now.
Atlanta (23-15) – Good record but nobody is talking about them
Denver Nuggets (22-17)
Minnesota Timberwolves (20-19) – Shouldn’t these guys be a bigger story?
Philadelphia 76ers (22-17)
New York Knicks (18-19)
Portland Trailblazers (19-19)
Houston Rockets (21-17)
Utah Jazz (18-19)
Phoenix Suns (17-20)
Golden State (15-20)
Sacramento Kings (12-26) – Demarcus Cousins – meanest player in NBA?
Milwaukee Bucks (15-23)
Toronto Raptors (12-26)
New Jersey Nets (12-27)
Cleveland Cavaliers (13-23)
Detroit (12-26) – Another lost season for the Pistons. At least Greg Monroe is progressing
New Orleans Hornets (9-29) – Life without Chris Paul is pretty dreary.
Washington (8-29)
Charlotte (5-31)
Each week during the heart of the NBA season, and once or twice during the NBA Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NBA Power rankings.
Let’s take a look with an eye to the playoffs this week.
1. Miami Heat (27-7) – It is hard not to put the Heat at the top of this list. They have the talent and the experience to go all the way. The key is staying healthy. Without Wade they don’t have a chance. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-7) – Talent wise they are there with Durant and Westbrook, maybe the best duo in the league. The NBA is one of those leagues where you usually have get there first before you can win it.
3. Chicago Bulls (27-8) – Probably still the most complete team in the league led by the most complete player in Derrick Rose. Should be a good battle with Miami for homecourt in the second half.
4. San Antonio Spurs (24-10) – They are playing great but it is hard to forget their second half swoon and playoff exit last year. Still there is no team with more experience.
5. Dallas Mavericks (21-13) – It took them a while to find their stride but they are still defending champs. The defense is still there even with the loss of Tyson Chandler and I have a hunch they will trade for reinforcements.
6. Orlando Magic (22-13) – Trade talk still swirling but this team is a legit contender with Dwight Howard. If they deal him for Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol their chances actually go up in my books.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (20-11) – They could definitely win the title – for most entertaining team. Throwing lobs in the playoffs is not as easy but they could at least win one round.
8. Atlanta Hawks (20-14) – They should maybe blow this team up because it is good but not good enough. Second round is the ceiling I think.
9. Indiana Pacers (21-12) – If you are overlooking them they will beat you. This is a feisty team that operates as just that – a team.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (19-15) – If Zach Randolph comes back healthy they could be off to the races. Don’t forget this team upset the Spurs without Rudy Gay last year.
Houston Rockets (20-14)
Los Angeles Lakers (20-14)
Philadelphia 76ers (20-14)
New York Knicks (17-18)
Denver Nuggets (18-17) – The potential is their but they have lost their way.
Portland Trailblazers (18-16)
Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Boston Celtics (15-17) – If they can just make it in all bets are off.
Utah Jazz (15-17)
Golden State Warriors (13-17)
Phoenix Suns (14-20
Cleveland Cavaliers(13-18)
Milwaukee Bucks (13-20)
Detroit Pistons (11-24) – More than half their wins came in the last 10 games.
Sacramento Kings (11-22) – Jimmer is not an NBA phenomenon.
New Jersey Nets (10-25)
Toronto Raptors (10-23)
New Orleans Hornets (8-25)
Washington Wizards (7-26)
Charlotte Bobcats (4-28)
