| Change |
Team |
W-L
(ATS)
|
Power Rating
|
Team Comments |
| 1 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-12.00 |
L.A. Lakers
The Lakers are the defending champs so it's no surprise they start the season in the number one spot. I predict they win the West this season, but not the title. |
| 2 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-11.80 |
Boston
Will Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels help the Celtics regain their throne in the East? It all begins with an opening night showdown with the Cavs in Cleveland. |
| 3 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-11.70 |
Cleveland
It's now or never for the Cavs. The addition of Shaq was big, but perhaps Anthony Parker will be even more important should Delonte West miss time. |
| 4 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-11.40 |
Orlando
The Magic should be able to pick up right where they left off thanks to a soft early season schedule. Not a bad time to be without Rashard Lewis for 10 games. |
| 5 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-10.80 |
Portland
This could be the year that it all comes together for the Blazers. But this is still a young team and a lot can happen between now and April. |
| 6 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-10.70 |
San Antonio
A great offseason has Spurs fans believing their team can take down the Lakers. I'm not as easily convinced. |
| 7 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-10.10 |
Atlanta
The Hawks addition of Jamal Crawford was one of the most underrated moves of the entire offseason. A quick start will be imperative. |
| 8 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-9.80 |
Denver
You can't afford to get off to a slow start in the ultra-competitive West. That's not good news for the Nuggets as they'll play seven of their first nine games on the road. |
| 9 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-9.60 |
Dallas
Put the Mavs in the East and they're a top contender. In the West, they'll probably have to settle for a four or five seed at best. |
| 10 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-9.20 |
Utah
Utah's injury list already runs five-deep and the season hasn't even started yet. Will it be deja-vu all over again? |
| 11 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-8.80 |
New Orleans
It's going to take some time for the Hornets to get their rotation set, and Chris Paul won't have as much help as he did in the last couple of seasons. |
| 12 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-8.40 |
Chicago
Fans in Chicago will be watching playoff basketball again next Spring but are the Bulls a legitimate contender in the East? I don't think so. |
| 13 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-7.90 |
Phoenix
The Steve Nash show continues in Phoenix. The Suns backcourt will need to carry them until Robin Lopez returns from injury. |
| 14 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-7.30 |
Toronto
With so many changes, we shouldn't expect much from the Raptors in the first few weeks of the season. If they can get through that period at .500, they'll be well-positioned. |
| 15 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-7.00 |
Philadelphia
I'm not a big Eddie Jordan fan, but all indications are that he's a good fit running this 76ers team. |
| 16 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-6.50 |
Miami
I'm still trying to figure out how Jermaine O'Neal is still a starter. Oh right, he plays for the Heat. Chalk up another year of mediocrity for D-Wade and company. |
| 17 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-6.10 |
Detroit
This might be the toughest team to figure out in the entire Association. The team you see take the floor on opening night will probably be much different than the one playing in December. |
| 18 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-5.90 |
Houston
Missing Yao hurts, but I think Tracy McGrady's absence is being overplayed. The Rockets will be a tough out on most nights. |
| 19 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-5.50 |
Washington
Just when you thought the big three would be reunited again, Antawn Jamison goes down with a shoulder injury. The Wiz should make strides under Flip Saunders. |
| 20 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-4.90 |
Oklahoma City
The Thunder will pull their share of upsets, but they'll also lose to teams they should beat. That's the way it goes for a young team in the NBA. |
| 21 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-4.30 |
L.A. Clippers
The Clippers were dealt a major blow when Blake Griffin was injured in their preseason finale. Even without him, this is still an improved basketball team. |
| 22 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-3.90 |
Golden State
The Warriors should be fun to watch again. I'm interested to see how much of a contributor Stephen Curry can be at this level. |
| 23 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-3.60 |
New Jersey
The Nets will be an afterthought this year, but their time is coming. At least Devin Harris will be fun to watch. |
| 24 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-3.00 |
Indiana
Can the Pacers finally move up after back-to-back ninth place finishes in the East? I have them heading in the opposite direction. |
| 25 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-2.60 |
Milwaukee
The Bucks may be healthy, but they're still facing the same problem that has plagued them for years. That's a lack of secondary scoring after Michael Redd. |
| 26 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-2.10 |
Charlotte
The Bobcats need to start gaining some momentum or they're going to lose their fan base in Charlotte. There's not a superstar to be found on this team. |
| 27 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-1.70 |
New York
After finishing 32-50 last season, there's plenty of room for improvement under Mike D'Antoni. With that said, I won't be surprised if the Knicks lose 50 again. |
| 28 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-0.90 |
Memphis
Adding guys like Allen Iverson and Zack Randolph won't make the Grizzlies better. But like a bad car wreck, it's hard to look away. |
| 29 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
-0.40 |
Sacramento
Most are predicting the Kings will bring up the rear in the West. I'm a little more optimistic. How does second last sound? |
| 30 |
|
|
 |
0-0
(0-0-0)
|
0.00 |
Minnesota
It might be a while before the T'Wolves hit the win column. Injuries to Kevin Love and Al Jefferson make that a certainty. |
| Return to the Current Week's rankings |
Power Ratings compute offensive and defensive statistics into one number for each team, while accounting for factors like recent performances and strength of schedule. Power Ratings can be used as a baseline for relative spread index to compare current or future match-ups between two teams. The relative spread does not account for non-statistical factors like home-field advantage, recent injuries, game time decisions, rivalries, publicity, and weather.