NBA POWER RANKINGS

NBA Basketball Power Rankings

Preseason NBA Power Rankings

Sam Amico

WEEK#    
Posted December 20, 2011 05:11 AM EST

Throughout the offseason, it appeared power rankings would be limited to two teams: owners and players. We much prefer presenting this preseason evaluation of all 30 teams.

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FOX SPORTS NBA POWER RANKINGS

RK Team RECORD CHANGE HIGH/LOW COMMENTS
1

0-0 - 1/5
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have an entire season together and a taste of the Finals. The question remains the same: Do the Big Three have enough help?
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
2

0-0 - 2/15
The losses of Tyson Chandler (New York) and even little J.J. Barea (Minnesota) are big, but the additions of Lamar Odom, Vince Carter and Delonte West could make the defending champs even better in the long run. And they still have Dirk Nowitzki.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
3

0-0 - 1/3
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the gang are another year older and played the Mavericks as well as anyone in the playoffs during the Western Conference finals. That type of cohesiveness, confidence and experience counts for a lot.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
4

0-0 - 1/4
Finished with the regular-season’s best record (62-20), thanks mostly to Derrick Rose and some serious D. Big keys will be if Richard Hamilton has anything left and if Carlos Boozer shows up when it means the most.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
5

0-0 - 5/19
The loss of Jeff Green (heart surgery) hurts, but the ancient Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are still here, as is the motor behind them, Rajon Rondo. Mostly, the Celtics should be motivated by the fact this is likely their last staExpand Description
The loss of Jeff Green (heart surgery) hurts, but the ancient Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are still here, as is the motor behind them, Rajon Rondo. Mostly, the Celtics should be motivated by the fact this is likely their last stand.Collapse Description
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
6

0-0 - 4/15
They handed Lamar Odom to the Mavericks for nothing. Shannon Brown bolted for Phoenix, and archaic Derek Fisher is still manning the point. Welcome to Los Angeles, Mike Brown. But as long as Kobe Bryant is here, disregarding these guys would be foolhardy.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
7

0-0 - 1/11
If the season had been only 66 games last time, the Spurs might have won it all. Regardless, this team no longer can rely solely on Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. If the other guys do their jobs, a last chance at great things isn’t unthinkableExpand Description
If the season had been only 66 games last time, the Spurs might have won it all. Regardless, this team no longer can rely solely on Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. If the other guys do their jobs, a last chance at great things isn’t unthinkable. Collapse Description
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
8

0-0 - 5/13
Yes, it ought to be a lot of Chris Paul to Blake Griffin and Lob City. Yes, having Chauncey Billups around gives the Clips a settling, veteran presence. And, yes, a healthy Caron Butler will mean more production at small forward. But it might take some tiExpand Description
Yes, it ought to be a lot of Chris Paul to Blake Griffin and Lob City. Yes, having Chauncey Billups around gives the Clips a settling, veteran presence. And, yes, a healthy Caron Butler will mean more production at small forward. But it might take some time for everything to gel.Collapse Description
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
9

0-0 - 3/21
Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire get a full season together. If Baron Davis (back) can give the Knicks even half a season in Mike D’Antoni’s offense, no one will really want to meet these guys in the playoffs.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
10

0-0 - 6/24
All the important pieces return for a team that surprised its way to the Western Conference semifinals. Losing Shane Battier to Miami will be hardly noticed now that Rudy Gay is back.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
11

0-0 - 5/16
Dwight Howard is the league’s best center, and, suddenly, its biggest distraction. Until his situation gets resolved, this still-capable team is likely to underachieve.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
12

0-0 - 4/12
The roster remains loaded with athletes who are fun to watch and improved defensively under Larry Drew. But the Hawks could still use a consistent 1B option to go with 1A Joe Johnson.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
13

0-0 - 5/21
LaMarcus Aldridge became the Big Man in the Rose Garden last season, and this is clearly his team. Newcomer Raymond Felton is also coming off his best season as a pro. Is this the year Greg Oden plays 56 games and fans celebrate because of it?
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
14

0-0 - 5/14
David West joins Danny Granger, and Tyler Hansbrough and Paul George displayed marked improvement in the playoffs. Let’s not forgot the underrated addition of George Hill. Pacers fans will have plenty of reasons to pay attention right from the start.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
15

0-0 - 4/17
Coach Doug Collins worked some magic with this mostly young and carefree bunch, which returns in full. Can there be a repeat now that no one will be sleeping on Jrue Holiday, Jodie Meeks and the like?
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
16

0-0 - 16/24
There's no reason the Bucks can’t return to the playoffs if Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut can stay on the floor. Especially since Stephen Jackson is now on the team. Anyone who has seen Jackson “make love to pressure” can tell you that.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
17

0-0 - 17/29
If nothing else, Deron Williams should have an appreciation for the organization after spending the lockout in Turkey. But Williams’ ability is never in question. Brook Lopez’s consistency is.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
18

0-0 - 10/25
Al Jefferson, Mehmet Okur, Paul Millsap and Devin Harris are nice pieces, for sure. Still, there seems to be something missing. If the Jazz figure that out (depth, perhaps?) and fix it, a higher finish isn’t out of the question.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
19

0-0 - 5/19
This isn’t the same team that made a fairy-tale run after trading Carmelo Anthony. Gone are Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith (all in China), and Raymond Felton (traded to Portland). In other words, chemistry is sure to be an issue from the opExpand Description
This isn’t the same team that made a fairy-tale run after trading Carmelo Anthony. Gone are Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith (all in China), and Raymond Felton (traded to Portland). In other words, chemistry is sure to be an issue from the opening tip. Collapse Description
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
20

0-0 - 13/24
Steve Nash will keep the Suns entertaining and competitive, but there’s just not enough around him to pull out the close games. By the mid-March trading deadline, it could be evident that it’s finally time to gut the team.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
21

0-0 - 11/25
You could do worse than a starting backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin, and a frontcourt that includes Luis Scola. Still, when it comes to Big Threes, the Rockets’ version isn’t nearly enough.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
22

0-0 - 19/26
There’s enough talent, starting with Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. But everything will have to come together perfectly in a shortened amount of time for the Warriors to make a playoff run.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
23

0-0 - 17/27
If rookies Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams are as good as we’ve been led to believe, the young Wolves’ climb to relevancy could come quickly. Having Rick Adelman to coach should only help accelerate things.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
24

0-0 - 19/27
There's no doubt about the Raptors ability to make perimeter shots, with Andrea Bargnani leading the way. But when it comes to most everything else, forget it.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
25

0-0 - 22/29
They’ll play hard under new coach Lawrence Frank and even pull the occasional upset. Overall, however, the roster is a mishmash of guys who have been in Detroit too long (Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey) and those who haven’t been long enough (Greg MonExpand Description
They’ll play hard under new coach Lawrence Frank and even pull the occasional upset. Overall, however, the roster is a mishmash of guys who have been in Detroit too long (Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey) and those who haven’t been long enough (Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight).Collapse Description
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
26

0-0 - 16/28
Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson are rookies worth watching, and a healthy Anderson Varejao and Antawn Jamison will keep the Cavs in games. As for actually winning those games, well, that’s probably another year or two away.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
27

0-0 - 16/29
No more Chris Paul or David West means considerably less success. It will be interesting to see how far Eric Gordon can carry them, though.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
28

0-0 - 27/30
John Wall will score and pass to Andray Blatche. Other than that, Wizards fans will need to rely on men such as Roger Mason.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
29

0-0 - 23/29
Tons of firepower, but almost all of it will need to adhere to the idea of holding back once in a while. Good luck getting that idea across, Paul Westphal.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear
30

0-0 - 26/30
During the lockout, Michael Jordan fought valiantly for the rights of small-market teams. After watching the Bobcats, you’ll understand why.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear

 

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