1. Miami (4-4)
Pace: 98.6 (8), Off: 96.5 (21), Def: 92.6 (4)
LeBron James really has the ability to take his game to another level. If he plays an entire season like he played The Finals, attacking from the inside, there's no stopping the Miami offense. The only vulnerability with the Heat's positionless lineups is rebounding. They ranked 27th on the glass in the preseason.
Aug. 6: 1
2 L.A. Lakers (0-8)
Pace: 94.4 (28), Off: 92.1 (27), Def: 105.8 (30)
What's funny is that L.A. acquired Dwight Howard after our last Power Rankings, yet they were still the No. 3 team ... until Saturday night. You could say that the Harden trade was the Lakers' first win of the preseason. Their ceiling is high, but the health of their aging backcourt is crucial, because their bench is awful.
Aug. 6: 3
3 San Antonio (4-3)
Pace: 100.1 (2), Off: 102.3 (5), Def: 95.8 (12)
Here's one reason why the Spurs can be just as good (or better) as they were last year: Manu Ginobili is healthy. This team was ridiculously good (plus-15.7 points per 100 possessions) with Ginobili on the floor last season, but that was only for 34 games. Of course, defensive regression is still very much an issue.
Aug. 6: 4
4 Oklahoma City (4-3)
Pace: 94.5 (27), Off: 104.9 (2), Def: 101.8 (24)
Can Kevin Martin carry the Thunder's second unit like James Harden did? Harden played 464 minutes with neither Kevin Durant nor Russell Westbrook on the floor last season. That may not seem like a ton, but Durant (38 minutes) and Westbrook (13) barely played at all with neither of the other two on the floor.
Aug. 6: 2
5 Denver (3-4)
Pace: 98.1 (9), Off: 95.1 (22), Def: 101.0 (23)
It will be interesting if JaVale McGee, with his new $44 million contract, isn't the starting center for the Nuggets. The Nuggets are the league's funnest team either way, but imagine how good they'd be if McGee finally started to realize his potential, especially defensively. Maybe that's asking too much.
Aug. 6: 14
6 Boston (3-5)
Pace: 95.2 (26), Off: 99.8 (12), Def: 95.9 (13)
By Tuesday night, we'll have a pretty good idea if the retooled Celtics have anyone (Jeff Green?) who can defend the new and improved LeBron. With how the Eastern Conference finals ended and how Ray Allen's tenure in Boston ended, it will be an intense and fascinating start to the season either way.
Aug. 6: 6
7 L.A. Clippers (5-3)
Pace: 96.4 (20), Off: 98.0 (17), Def: 96.3 (15)
Might Matt Barnes be the Clippers' best player on the wing? He looked like it in preseason. The question is if the Clippers can improve enough defensively to be counted as a true Western Conference contender. One problem from last season, 3-point defense, was still very much a problem in the preseason.
Aug. 6: 5
8 Memphis (4-4)
Pace: 99.4 (4), Off: 101.0 (8), Def: 99.7 (21)
There's no better way for the Grizzlies to exorcise last Spring's demons than to begin the season against the Clippers on Wednesday. Memphis miraculously ranked sixth in preseason 3-point percentage, but obviously can't expect Mike Conley to keep shooting 71 percent. Quincy Pondexter's shooting will be key.
Aug. 6: 7
9 Indiana (4-3)
Pace: 96.4 (21), Off: 93.1 (26), Def: 96.8 (16)
It's been said often that the Pacers benefited from being the healthiest team in the league last season. Well, Danny Granger played just two preseason games and still has pain in his left knee. And George Hill (thumb and hip) has yet to see the floor. Not surprisingly, the Indy offense was pretty ugly as a result.
Aug. 6: 8
10 Brooklyn (3-3)
Pace: 93.3 (30), Off: 99.9 (11), Def: 104.7 (29)
Avery Johnson has some work to do, because the preseason did little to dispel the notion that the Nets would struggle defensively. We did see the potential for Deron Williams and Joe Johnson to be a pretty potent combination offensively, and Andray Blatche was surprisingly effective, but the D is going to be key.
Aug. 6: 10
11 New York (3-3)
Pace: 94.1 (29), Off: 98.7 (13), Def: 103.9 (27)
Amar'e Stoudemire injury? Meh. Tyson Chandler injury? Uh oh. Fortunately, Chandler should be OK for Thursday's opener in Brooklyn. The Knicks' first few weeks should be pretty tough, but they get a break with two games against the (likely) Bynum-less Sixers and two against the (possibly) Dirk-less Mavs.
Aug. 6: 11
12 Utah (5-3)
Pace: 97.6 (14), Off: 101.4 (6), Def: 93.5 (7)
We're going to find out early just what the Jazz are made of. After games against the shorthanded Mavs and rebuilding Hornets, they have a four-game stretch against the Spurs, Grizzlies, Lakers and Nuggets. Eight of their first 11 games are on the road, where they were 11-22 last year (losing 13 of their first 16).
Aug. 6: 17
13 Philadelphia (6-1)
Pace: 96.5 (19), Off: 105.1 (1), Def: 93.4 (6)
The good: The Sixers were arguably the best team of the preseason and Thaddeus Young looked absolutely terrific. The bad: It doesn't look like Andrew Bynum, who still has pain in his knee and hasn't even started running yet, is going to be very healthy this season. The ugly: Spencer Hawes' mullet.
Aug. 6: 18
14 Chicago (5-2)
Pace: 95.9 (23), Off: 94.9 (23), Def: 90.3 (2)
Clearly, defense wasn't a problem for the Bulls in preseason. Offense was another issue, but after shooting a brutal 6-for-46 from 3-point range in their first three games, they scored a decently efficient 103 points per 100 possessions over their last four. And a soft schedule could help them get off to a quick start.
Aug. 6: 12
15 Atlanta (3-4)
Pace: 99.2 (5), Off: 97.9 (18), Def: 95.7 (11)
One of the more interesting things to follow early in the season is how Larry Drew uses all of his possible backcourt combinations, and if any of them can be decent defensively. The frontcourt is obviously more straightforward, but Anthony Tolliver - a late addition to the roster - could be a valuable glue guy off the bench.
Aug. 6: 15
16 Dallas (4-4)
Pace: 100.3 (3), Off: 93.7 (25), Def: 92.2 (3)
You have to believe that Rick Carlisle will make the most of what he's got, but it's not clear exactly what that is. Dirk Nowitzki is out and we don't know when he'll be himself again. Delonte West could be gone when final rosters are due Monday night. And the Mavs are relying on the inefficient O.J. Mayo for offense.
Aug. 6: 9
17 Minnesota (5-2)
Pace: 95.3 (25), Off: 97.7 (19), Def: 84.2 (1)
The No. 1 defense of the preseason? Well, let's point out that the Wolves played two games against the Granger-less Pacers, two against the Rose-less Bulls, and one against Maccabi Haifa. With Kevin Love out, we'll see if Brandon Roy is ready to carry an NBA offense again. He's looked pretty good so far.
Aug. 6: 13
18 Toronto (6-1)
Pace: 98.9 (7), Off: 104.1 (3), Def: 95.2 (9)
Over the last 10 full seasons (2001-02 through '10-11), 21 teams lost fewer than two preseason games, and 19 of the 21 made the playoffs that year. The lone exceptions were the '03-04 Jazz (who finished ninth at 42-40) and the '10-11 Jazz (who lost Jerry Sloan and Deron Williams mid-season). Hmmmm...
Aug. 6: 20
19 Golden State (6-2)
Pace: 96.6 (18), Off: 101.0 (7), Def: 94.1 (8)
If everything goes right for the Warriors, they could be a playoff team. But knowing that Andrew Bogut has yet to play and Stephen Curry could only make it through 94 minutes of preseason action before re-injuring his right ankle, the chances of that look pretty slim. This team can still shoot, though.
Aug. 6: 19
20 Detroit (4-4)
Pace: 97.6 (13), Off: 91.6 (28), Def: 96.1 (14)
Whether or not teams are already regretting passing on him in the draft, Andre Drummond looks like he could be pretty good some day. He's already fun to watch. And how did those boxing workouts work out for Charlie Villanueva? Well, he shot 9-for-41 (1-for-17 from 3-point range) in the preseason.
Aug. 6: 22
21 New Orleans (4-4)
Pace: 95.5 (24), Off: 89.0 (30), Def: 92.7 (5)
As you can tell from the numbers, a few of the Hornets' preseason games were absolutely brutal, a trend that should continue when the games count. Anthony Davis looked pretty darn good against the Heat on Friday, but maybe cut down on the jumpers? 38 of his 92 preseason shots came from outside the paint.
Aug. 6: 21
22 Houston (5-2)
Pace: 100.8 (1), Off: 103.1 (4), Def: 99.6 (19)
With four talented rookies and expanded roles for Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik (who actually plays offense when asked), the Rockets were already going to be fascinating to watch this season. Now, they've got Royce White's beard and James Harden's beard on the same team. Have you ordered League Pass yet?
Aug. 6: 29
23 Portland (3-4)
Pace: 97.4 (15), Off: 100.5 (10), Def: 101.8 (25)
Damian Lillard could have the most fun matchups of opening week. He begins his NBA career by facing Steve Nash on Wednesday, Russell Westbrook on Friday, and Jeremy Lin on Saturday. The Blazers' interior defense, which allowed 48 points in the paint per game in the preseason, won't be so fun.
Aug. 6: 23
24 Milwaukee (3-5)
Pace: 97.7 (12), Off: 97.2 (20), Def: 97.5 (17)
Meet Tobias Harris, the non-rookie starter who you've probably never seen play. After a quiet rookie season, Harris is set to start at small forward this year, because Scott Skiles prefers to have Mike Dunleavy come off the bench. And Harris gets to match up with Paul Pierce twice in the Bucks' first five games.
Aug. 6: 24
25 Sacramento (5-2)
Pace: 97.4 (16), Off: 101.0 (9), Def: 98.6 (18)
DeMarcus Cousins averaged a beastly 24 points and 13 rebounds per 36 minutes in the preseason. But he had a couple of rough shooting nights and, for some reason, attempted seven 3-pointers. The Kings beat the Lakers three times, and will face them (for real) twice more in their first 11 games.
Aug. 6: 28
26 Phoenix (4-3)
Pace: 99.1 (6), Off: 98.2 (15), Def: 95.4 (10)
The Suns might lead the league in reclamation projects, led by Michael Beasley. They also might lead the league in points allowed, playing at a fast pace with few real defenders on their roster. And with the Rockets acquiring James Harden, there's an open spot at the bottom of the Western Conference.
Aug. 6: 26
27 Cleveland (3-4)
Pace: 96.2 (22), Off: 94.6 (24), Def: 100.7 (22)
After the Cavs start the season with two home games that would feature great point guard matchups (Washington and Chicago) if the other point guards were healthy, they play 10 of their next 12 on the road. That could make for an ugly November for a team that's going to struggle to score no matter where they play.
Aug. 6: 25
28 Washington (3-5)
Pace: 97.0 (17), Off: 98.1 (16), Def: 102.7 (26)
Dirk Nowitzki's injury was almost expected and Kevin Love's injury isn't too tough to swallow. But given his need for a breakout season and the uncertainty about when he'll be back at full speed, John Wall's injury is just depressing. And who knows when and how much Nene is going to play this season.
Aug. 6: 27
29 Orlando (2-6)
Pace: 97.9 (10), Off: 98.4 (14), Def: 104.7 (28)
Glen Davis put up big numbers (16.9 points in just 26.0 minutes per game) in the preseason, but it's his back-up - Andrew Nicholson - who could blossom into the most interesting player on the Orlando roster. Yeah, that doesn't say much about the Orlando roster, but that's the idea, right? When's the Lottery?
Aug. 6: 16
30 Charlotte (1-7)
Pace: 97.8 (11), Off: 90.6 (29), Def: 99.6 (20)
The Cats lost seven straight games to end the preseason, but Kemba Walker had a couple of strong performances last week. One (24 points on 7-for-16 shooting) came against the Heat defense and the other (20 points and seven assists) came while starting alongside Ramon Sessions against the Bucks.
La musica ha un grande potere: ti riporta indietro nel momento stesso in cui ti porta avanti, così che provi, contemporaneamente, nostalgia e speranza.
La musica ha un grande potere: ti riporta indietro nel momento stesso in cui ti porta avanti, così che provi, contemporaneamente, nostalgia e speranza.
Sì certo che ha ragione, ma dirlo in questo modo...
La musica ha un grande potere: ti riporta indietro nel momento stesso in cui ti porta avanti, così che provi, contemporaneamente, nostalgia e speranza.
Super-Fabio ha scritto:Ma infatti c'ha ragione. La faccina desolata era riferita proprio alla dura e amara verità,
ma non e' dura e non e' amara, non e' che nasci rimbalzista, o che e' piu; facile prendere i rimbalzi. Io a volte non capisco come un professionista puo' non imparare a tirare. M capisco benissimo come possa non imparare a prendere i rimbalzi, per me e' la cosa piu' difficile del mondo
Non la considero una battaglia: se mi mettessi a fare una battaglia, ne uscirei distrutto (G.V.)
Ildiavolovestemilan ha scritto:Sì certo che ha ragione, ma dirlo in questo modo...
vabbè Diavolo ma rifletti: non è che ha detto "è come far volare un asino", ha usato un suo compagno di squadra con doti opposte per fare un esempio. In fondo se ci pensi il ruolo dei due sarebbe il medesimo
Nickognito ha scritto:o a volte non capisco come un professionista puo' non imparare a tirare. M capisco benissimo come possa non imparare a prendere i rimbalzi
Se amate il gioco del basket fatevi un favore e non vedete i Lakers di Mike Brown.
Steve Nash messo a fare il Derek Fisher nell'angolo è una delle cose peggiori che si siano mai viste nella storia di questo gioco. E no, non è perchè la palla la voleva in mano Bryant.....girava semplicemente per 24'' tra le mani di tutti senza un minimo senso nel tentativo di mettere in atto una specie di princeton offense che Mike Brown dice di aver studiato quest'estate sui libri. Come lo scorso anno d'altronde....che poi ci sia Fisher, Sessions o Nash non cambia nulla.
Charles Barkley on the Lakers: "It's stupid to be running the offense they're running."
Kris Humphries: It's strange watching Steve Nash play off the ball so much.
0 pick&roll giocati quando hai Nash come playmaker e Howard come centro credo dicano tutto. Poi ci sarebbe anche tanto altro, come Jamison costretto a giocare da 3 per la prima volta negli ultimi 10 anni e costretto a correre dietro rookies come Crowder ecc ecc..
apprendo solo ora che OCK ha dato via "il barba" ...? qualcuno ne sa i motivi?
LAL: il vedo "male" almeno per un po'. Se Brown pensa di cambiare il modo di giocare di Nash disciplinandolo in un gioco perimetrale, non ha capito una cippa... inoltre se davvero non fanno p&r con Howard nel mezzo, allora la stagione parte malissimo... In effetti i 4 big di LAL sono difficili da far coesistere, ma con una palla che corre forte e con un probabile dominio al rimbalzo, in primavera potrebbero nascere belle cose.
Io ho sempre il sogno di vedere Magic J. su quella dannata panchina.... sarò matto, ma i LAL dello showtime restano per me la squadra più bella da vedere di tutti i tempi
"I'm shying from the light, I always loved the night, And now you offer me eternal Darkness"
marco mazzoni ha scritto:apprendo solo ora che OCK ha dato via "il barba" ...? qualcuno ne sa i motivi?
che mentre su mymag e' il migliore della lega, per la dirigenza era il terzo/quarto giocatore e lui ha preferito fare i primo in una squadretta
se è davvero così, è una persona mediocre... in quel sistema con un anno di esperienza in più potevano tornare a lottare x il titolo. A Houston andrà a caccia di petrolio nel deserto....
"I'm shying from the light, I always loved the night, And now you offer me eternal Darkness"
più che altro , ci può stare pure che uno voglia essere il leader, e magari accetti annata mediocre in cambio che il prossimo anno gli fan la squadra, il problema è che mezzo cap lo hanno usato tra Lin e Asik...
Nickognito ha scritto: lui ha preferito fare i primo in una squadretta
se è davvero così, è una persona mediocre...
e perchè mai? Non è stato tanto criticato Lebron per essere andato insieme a Wade?
Ok non sarà mai un primo violino come Lebron ma per me ha fatto benissimo.
per me ha cannato, perché era in una squadra giovane, forte, e con un anno in più di rodaggio e l'esperienza della finale persa, potevano ripetersi e magari vincere. Difficile trovare oggi nella NBA una squadra migliore per lui.... per me scelta non comprensibile
"I'm shying from the light, I always loved the night, And now you offer me eternal Darkness"
Chi segue tutte le partite dei Lakers se ne era accorto anche lo scorso anno, eh...solo che i più buoni pensavano 'vabbè, ma è perchè Fisher e Sessions non sono capaci'...
Cavs-Wizards: è vero che Wall è fuori, ma Washington è alle solite..si prospetta un altro anno da dimenticare. I Cavs non mi dispiaciono. Grande partita di Irving e del rookie di cui ora mi sfugge il nome (Waiters?). Varejao 23 rimbalzi e 9 assist!!!
Lakers-Mavs: Lakers abbastanza imbarazzanti. Howard 3/14 ai liberi! Nash isolato nell'angolo inguardabile. Kobe a sprazzi, Artest come l'anno scorso. E tutto ciò senza Dirk e Kaman dall'altra parte. Bene Mayo e Collison per i texani!
Miami-Boston: tutto ok per i campioni, se trovano Allen e Lewis in forma sono pressochè imbattibili. Nota positiva per Boston essere rimasti sempre in partita. Bene Barbosa 16 pt in 15'. Green può essere un fattore quest'anno.
E stanotte debuttiamo contro Indiana! Farò le ore piccole!
La musica ha un grande potere: ti riporta indietro nel momento stesso in cui ti porta avanti, così che provi, contemporaneamente, nostalgia e speranza.
Un mio amico è tornato dagli Stati Uniti ieri, mi ha raccontato che c'è un merchandasing incredibile dietro il recupero di Rose, poi l'ho verificato durante le pause dei timeout stanotte.
Nasty ha scritto:Un mio amico è tornato dagli Stati Uniti ieri, mi ha raccontato che c'è un merchandasing incredibile dietro il recupero di Rose, poi l'ho verificato durante le pause dei timeout stanotte.
Nasty ha scritto:Un mio amico è tornato dagli Stati Uniti ieri, mi ha raccontato che c'è un merchandasing incredibile dietro il recupero di Rose, poi l'ho verificato durante le pause dei timeout stanotte.
Nasty ha scritto:Un mio amico è tornato dagli Stati Uniti ieri, mi ha raccontato che c'è un merchandasing incredibile dietro il recupero di Rose, poi l'ho verificato durante le pause dei timeout stanotte.
La musica ha un grande potere: ti riporta indietro nel momento stesso in cui ti porta avanti, così che provi, contemporaneamente, nostalgia e speranza.
48-48 all' intervallo.
11 pt del mago e 13 di un ottimo Lowry. Per Indiana 15 di Hibbert.
La musica ha un grande potere: ti riporta indietro nel momento stesso in cui ti porta avanti, così che provi, contemporaneamente, nostalgia e speranza.
Classica partita da Raptors dove si fa tutto fin troppo bene per poi subire la rimonta negli ultimi minuti. Incontro deciso da un fischio arbitrale quanto meno discutibile.
Il mago fallisce il tiro del pareggio sulla sirena. West MVP.
La musica ha un grande potere: ti riporta indietro nel momento stesso in cui ti porta avanti, così che provi, contemporaneamente, nostalgia e speranza.
Ma dove andava Bargnani sul canestro vincente dei Pacers? 2'' dalla fine e dai le spalle alla palla? Sui p&r difensivi non ha mai la più pallida idea di dove posizionarsi o cosa fare.
Non male l'esordio di Harden con la maglia di Houston : 37 punti, 12 assist, 6 rimbalzi, 4 rubate.
Orrendo inizio dei nostri
Raptors scandalosi, incredibile come abbiano perso (anche se l'ultimo possesso era dubbio)
Strano che Gallinari non sia nemmeno sceso in campo.
Belinelli temo che farà una stagione di questo tipo, con pochi minuti.
: 37 punti, 12 assist, 6 rimbalzi, 4 rubate.
