[Ballscientist]

ESPN Senior expert Marc Stein Ranking

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...arc&id=1845274

West
1. San Antonio
2. Minnesota
3. Sacramento
4. Denver
5. Houston

East
1. Detroit
2. Miami
3. Indiana
4. New Jersey
5. Milwaukee

Do you agree with him?

[Ballscientist]

Stein:
I see five teams challenging for the last three spots: Phoenix, Utah, Memphis and the two teams that have tumbled from the elite, Dallas and those wacky Lakers. Portland and New Orleans should also float on the fringes of playoff contention.

[Coatesvillain]

If the Wizards match Etan Thomas' offer sheet like he wants, I don't see Milwaukee being fifth.

And with the team New Jersey has right now I don't see them being up there either. Unless they get someone to fill the hole at the four, they're the one team in the Atlantic who seemingly doesn't have a chance to win the division.

[Ballscientist]

the biggest surprise to me:

1. Heat over Pacers

2. Mavs and Lakers are fighting for playoffs.

3. Magic are not in Top 5.

[HeinzGuderian]

Originally posted by Ballscientist
3. Magic are not in Top 5.

I dont understand peoples new fascination with the Magic... They have one of the weaker front lines in the L (Howard will need time, and IF hill is able to return who knows what he will be able to contribute) and while I have to love Mobley/Francis, those guys are not winners. Not meant as any sort of flame, I just dont really understand. Alot of people seem high on them, did I miss something? Cato and Battie dont really strike fear into the hearts of opponents big men.

[Kaas]

Originally posted by HeinzGuderian!

I dont understand peoples new fascination with the Magic... They have one of the weaker front lines in the L (Howard will need time, and IF hill is able to return who knows what he will be able to contribute) and while I have to love Mobley/Francis, those guys are not winners. Not meant as any sort of flame, I just dont really understand. Alot of people seem high on them, did I miss something? Cato and Battie dont really strike fear into the hearts of opponents big men.

But they are in a weak division. If Diesel goes down to injury and the Wizards don't gel they could conceivably win their division. Still, I think the Magic could make the playoffs without these events occurring, but as a low seed, not a top5 like Ballscientist suggested

Right now it's better to just see what happens than to rank the top5 like Stein did. With so much happening this offseason from superstar trades, to free agents going back on their words, to players developing, to the Olympics, it's too hard to get a read on teams. He should've done a top3 for each division, because right now the only locks in the West are: Spurs, T'Wolves, Kings. And in the East: Pistons, Pacers, Heat (barring Shaq injury). The rest can't be placed until we see them play with all the disruption of this offseason. Next year is goin to be real exciting though.

[Ballscientist]

Originally posted by HeinzGuderian!

I dont understand peoples new fascination with the Magic... They have one of the weaker front lines in the L (Howard will need time, and IF hill is able to return who knows what he will be able to contribute) and while I have to love Mobley/Francis, those guys are not winners. Not meant as any sort of flame, I just dont really understand. Alot of people seem high on them, did I miss something? Cato and Battie dont really strike fear into the hearts of opponents big men.

NO was top 5 when were in the east - that is unbelievable.

Now Marc count them out.

[hobojoe]

There's still plenty of time for things to happen that can change this around quite a bit, but as of right now I see it going down like this(In terms of record, not seeds):



Western Conference:
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Houston Rockets
4. Sacramento Kings
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Memphis Grizzlies
7. Utah Jazz
8. Dallas Mavericks
_______________________
9. Los Angeles Lakers
10. Phoenix Suns
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Seattle Sonics
13. New Orleans Hornets
14. Los Angeles Clippers
15. Golden State Warriors


Eastern Conference:
1. Detroit Pistons
2. Indiana Pacers
3. Miami Heat
4. New Jersey Nets
5. Orlando Magic
6. Boston Celtics
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Philadelphia 76ers
__________________________
9. Milwaukee Bucks
10. New York Knicks
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Atlanta Hawks
13. Toronto Raptors
14. Washington Wizards
15. Charlotte Bobcats

[Sánchez AF]

i dont see the Nets 4 in the east

[Sánchez AF]

Originally posted by hobojoe!

Eastern Conference:
1. Detroit Pistons
2. Indiana Pacers
3. Miami Heat
4. New Jersey Nets
5. Orlando Magic
6. Boston Celtics
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Philadelphia 76ers
__________________________
9. Milwaukee Bucks
10. New York Knicks
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Atlanta Hawks
13. Toronto Raptors
14. Washington Wizards
15. Charlotte Bobcats

I really dont think the Magic will make the playoff or even the Cavs