It's long overdue, but let's just say that it took a while for Zeus to get a grasp on who's who. In other words, I had to wait to watch more Cavs games to see more opponents. Here we go...
The Fab 5- These 5 teams, so far, have been head and shoulders above the competition.
#1- Los Angeles Lakers- I don't agree with anyone who tries to put any other team here. This team is clicking on all cylinders, and doesn't show any signs of letting up. Kobe's hunger coupled with an unfairly strong supporting cast seems to spell another championship for the Lake show. If Bynum stays healthy, Artest stays grounded, and everyone else keeps doing what they're doing, this offensive and defensive juggernaut will find itself right back in the NBA Finals in June.
#2- Boston Celtics- This team has been a top 2 team in the league ever since Garnett walked in the door. If he stays healthy, they'll stay up here. If not, they'll be down where the Bulls are (seeing as they could barely handle them in the playoffs last year). 'Sheed has been a nice addition, adding another dimension off the bench. When they get Big Baby back, along with Marquis Daniels, this team is as close to unbeatable (other than the Lakers) that we have in this league. Not to mention they'll probably acquire somebody before the trade deadline to juice up what is already a potent team.
#3- Cleveland Cavaliers- They have earned this spot from their work over the past 2
seasons. You can't put the Hawks ahead of them until they prove they can win a single game against LeBron and friends, and they beat the Magic this year handily, earning them the upper hand there. This is the one team I believe has a shot to win it all from the East this year. The Lakers match up very well with the Celtics with the addition of Artest, and they showed last year they can dismantle the Magic at will. The Cavs have what it takes to beat LA though: SIZE. As of now, they have Z, Varejao, Shaq and JJ Hickson on their front line, all of whom can match up with 4s and 5s very well (sizewise). Oh... and LeBron James. We'll wait until Christmas day to make any real judgements there, and the trade deadline. #4- Orlando Magic- This team scares the you know what out of every other team in the league. With a hungry Vince Carter, a monstrous Dwight Howard, and a supporting cast that consists of Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, Mickael Pietrus... is this an all-star team? On paper they look like it don't they? They haven't quite translated to the floor this year like they did last year which is a concern for them. We won't know until the playoffs whether or not swapping Turkoglu and Lee for Carter and Anderson was a good move, but I'd have to say it wasn't. They now have a pretty conventional team that is easier to matchup with. Still... stay away from these guys in the playoffs.
#5 Atlanta Hawks- Beat the Celtics in Boston but got creamed by the Magic at home... and those losses to New York and Chicago look pretty bad too. I can't tell if these guys are for real yet. They have proven they can beat the good teams in one game, but a series? They got swept by Cavs in what seemed like a joke of a series last year. Add Jamal Crawford and I'm not sure you can get over that hump. They have a home and home with Cleveland at the end of the month where they can either make a statement, or stay a tier below the rest of these guys.
The Rest...
#6- Dallas Mavericks- Beating Cleveland without Dirk really made a big statement. Losing to the Rockets at home made just as big a statement in the opposite direction. Teams tend to rally behind lost players for a game or two, so the W over Cleveland was nice, but won't quite get them into the top 5 yet.
#7- Denver Nuggets- All the talent's there, Billups' injury may cost them playoff seeding if it lingers.
#8- Phoenix Suns- Fading somewhat fast from early season form. Still a good home team (9-1... Go Cavs).
#9- Houston Rockets
#10- San Antonio Spurs
#11- Utah Jazz- Great home team. On the road... not so much.
#12- Portland Jail Blazers
#13- Miami Heat- Enough of this Dwyane Wade declining talk. Two W's over Orlando say otherwise.
#14- Oklahoma City Thunder
#15- Milwaukee Bucks
#16- Sacramento Kings- I want to move them up more with that 35 pt comeback. One problem, it was against the lowly Bulls.
#17- New Orleans Hornets
#18- Toronto Raptors
#19- Memphis Grizzlies- Provided that this team stays intact ( a lot to ask at this point ), I see this team besting Oklahoma City in the coming years as the best young team. Almost too much talent on this team.
#20- Los Angeles Clippers
#21- Detroit Pistons
#22- New York Knicks- Need to see a lot more before I move these guys up like the other "experts".
#23- Chicago Bulls- The Bulls will get it together, the question is if it will save Vinny's job. This is a 6-8 seed in the East team playing like the Nets. Don't worry Bulls fans, you'll see playoff basketball one way or the other (via trades).
#24- Charlotte Bobcats
#25- Washington Wizards
#26- Indiana Pacers
#27- Golden State Warriors
#28- Philadelphia 76ers
#29- Minnesota Timberwolves
#30- New Jersey Nets
Check back every Tuesday for changes!
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