| Rankings as of Nov. 8
| | Shawn Marion is definitely a rookie to watch. | Well, one week of the season is gone and here is what we know, or what we think we know: That great preseason that the Bucks had, well, it was for real. That great preseason the Magic had, well, it was somewhat for real. And that great preseason the Pistons had, well, like saying Jerry Stackhouse's jumper is consistent, it wasn't at all for real.
Some pretty good teams, or at least decent teams, dropped very far in the rankings. When Philadelphia gets some semblance of a frontline back, they'll probably top the 80-point mark regularly and compete. Houston and Utah looked pretty bad last week, but they're also pretty old and played tough teams. And as for Charlotte, depth is a serious question mark, even if they have Baron Davis.
Anyway, enjoy our first in-season Power Rankings, and look for a new one every Monday. Don't agree with our rankings? Well, we were hoping you'd say that. To let us know your own thoughts in these rankings, click here and give us a few Rank Comments of your own. But please remember that these rankings were compiled Monday morning, and if the Trail Blazers lose to Denver this week they won't be dropped until the following Monday.
Team
|
Record
|
Pvs.
|
ESPN.com skinny
|
1. Trail Blazers
|
4-0
|
1
|
This is a 60-win team, and then some; Where is this team weak?
|
2. Bucks
|
3-0
|
13
|
OK, we're officially joining the bandwagon; Frontcourt worries us
|
3. Suns
|
2-1
|
3
|
Defense not as much a concern anymore, right Spurs?
|
4. Spurs
|
3-1
|
2
|
It's not just the Suns loss; Philly had Duncan and Co. in trouble, too
|
5. Knicks
|
3-1
|
8
|
First week proves Camby is the key; Would Ewing come off bench?
|
6. Lakers
|
3-1
|
10
|
Rice has been a treat, but Fisher (shooting .235) has been no king
|
7. Celtics
|
3-1
|
23
|
Team MVP is not Antoine or Pierce; It's team guy Adrian Griffin
|
8. Sonics
|
3-0
|
17
|
Two wins were over Clips and Mavs; next 5 games are on East trip
|
9. Heat
|
2-1
|
7
|
Nice to see that Mashburn and Lenard have their games back
|
10. Kings
|
1-1
|
9
|
Same ol' White Chocolate, shooting from all parts of Tokyo
|
11. Raptors
|
3-1
|
15
|
Beat Heat and Hornets; Team is just better with Muggsy on the court
|
12. Timberwolves
|
1-1
|
12
|
Is there anyone who doesn't like Garnett? Certainly Tokyo does
|
13. Pacers
|
2-1
|
11
|
Bird admitted win over Celts was sweet; Pacers almost lost to Nets
|
14. Hornets
|
2-2
|
4
|
Better get some help; Only two guys off the bench really see action
|
15. Cavaliers
|
3-1
|
22
|
Win over Knicks proved a lot; Ferry and Sura look rejuvenated
|
16. Jazz
|
1-2
|
5
|
Tough schedule gets no easier; Must face Spurs, Blazers this week
|
17. Magic
|
2-2
|
25
|
OK, so they're not that bad; Hornets could use Doc's depth
|
18. Hawks
|
1-2
|
18
|
Seven guys scoring in double figures, but only win was over Bulls
|
19. Nets
|
1-3
|
14
|
Team is so much better if Marbury plays like a 1, not like Iverson
|
20. Clippers
|
1-2
|
21
|
Maybe they're not this good, but can't expect them to beat Blazers
|
21. Rockets
|
0-3
|
6
|
Lost to good teams, but two at home; meet Lakers twice this week
|
22. Wizards
|
1-3
|
20
|
Man, this team could really use a Chris Webber type, couldn't it?
|
23. Nuggets
|
1-2
|
24
|
Give them credit for Suns win; Team only wins if Van Exel goes off
|
24. Mavericks
|
2-2
|
27
|
P.J. should be fired for losing twice to this team; Ceballos is on fire
|
25. 76ers
|
0-3
|
16
|
Only Lynch and MacCulloch played well on road trip; Owens is shot
|
26. Pistons
|
0-4
|
19
|
Stackhouse is shooting .547. It won't last. This team should be better
|
27. Grizzlies
|
1-2
|
28
|
Hey, they beat the Nuggets; Bibby becoming pass-first point guard
|
28. Warriors
|
0-3
|
26
|
If you don't beat the Mavs, which team are you going to beat?
|
29. UConn
|
0-0
|
N/A
|
El-Amin or Randy Brown? Voskuhl or Perdue? Huskies have game
|
30. Bulls
|
0-3
|
29
|
Fred Hoiberg is fourth on the team in minutes, points. Fred Hoiberg!
|
| |
ALSO SEE
NBA Rank Comments
|