Trueblue23 wrote: The Lakers haven't had a 3 game losing streak in 2 years LOL

True, thanks for beating me to the punch. Don't have to worry about losing a few in a row, or 4 of 6.

They aren't untouchable, thus it could happen.

jpake1 wrote: They aren't untouchable, thus it could happen.

Well, since it's been 2 years, and this team is healthier/better at the current time, it's not likely to happen. I have to give Kobe great credit for being the leader he is.

Lakers - Champs and best team
Celtics - Title threat, best in East
Magic - Title threat, could win East

Denver - Best case scenario Western Finals
Cleveland - Best case scenario East Finals
Spurs - same as Denver
Portland - same again

Atlanta - up and coming team of the future
Phoenix - 1st rd exit
Utah/Miami - Utah, 1st rd exit & Miami could go 2nd rd

Idk about Portland being up there with Denver, LAL, and SA. Theyre a tier down IMO.

1. Boston Celtics
2. Lakers
3. Orlando
4. Denver
5. Phoenix
6. Cleveland

osu45804 wrote: 1. Boston Celtics
2. Lakers
3. Orlando
4. Denver
5. Phoenix
6. Cleveland

LOL ok. I can understand someone putting the Lakers, Celtics and Magic above the Cavs. But I know you put the Cavs that low based on back-to-back losses. You do realize Denver just lost to the Bobcats? And you REALLY think the Cavs are worse than the Suns? Didn't they beat them just a few games ago by SEVENTEEN?!

I think the top 2 has to be Lakers and Boston right now.

Then I would go

3. Cavs
4. Magic
5. Nuggets

Portland would have definitely been my #5 if healthy. But with Oden out, Outlaw out, Batum out, I just don't think they have the horses anymore.

I'm putting the Cavs at 29th just so they have no where to go but up

IF Oden had been healthy for the last few years, I think the Blazers could be contending with the Lakers right now--for real. But that obviously wasn't meant to be. Hard to put them up there--a shame too because they have a great team, just can't ever stay healthy. I think Brandon Roy has cemented himself as a legit superstar in this league.

I dont think the Cavs are being put that low due to the losses. The Cavs have holes in their big an rotations that can be exploited by the better teams in the NBA. Z and Shaq are pretty bad at pick/roll D first and foremost. Also the overall athleticism of the team isnt great(minus the NBA's best athlete ever of course).

I think Portland is in the 2nd tier of teams. Not good enough, with or without Oden, to be in the top tier but not bad enough to be below the 2nd tier.

I'm going to do this just based on who I think would fare the best in a playoff series scenario, not necessarily who I think is playing the best 'right now.' The NBA isn't like other sports where the regular season really matters a ton in order to qualify for the playoffs. Basically everyone knew who the top 3 or 4 seeds would be in each conference and there were and still are only 5 or 6 legit title contenders.

1a) Los Angeles Lakers
1b) Boston Celtics

I put them even because of all the Lakers home games. Things will get tougher for LA and I don't love their depth.

3) Cleveland Cavaliers. Shaq wasn't acquired for the regualr season, he was acquired to give the Cavs a little muscle to combat Dwight Howard over the course of a 7 game series.

4) Orlando Magic.
5) Denver Nuggets. They've had some bad losses but they play up or down to the level of their competition.
6) Dallas Mavericks.
7) Atlanta Hawks
8) San Antonio Spurs
9) Phoenix Suns

Need to see more out of the Lakers on the road before I rank them well above the Celtics. The Lakers have as many road wins as the Clippers. They are one of 4 teams not play 10 road games yet (Spurs-their long road trip comes when the Circus comes to town, the Pacers-9 and the Heat-9). They have beaten the Rockets, the Thunder and the the Warriors on the road and got blasted by Denver. The Celtics have beat the Cavs, Miami, Spurs and Thunder.

I love the Spurs and they are my second favorite team(been a fan of Duncan since his early years at Wake Forest), but if the playoffs started now, they would not make it. Its a good thing for a lot of teams that its not April.

1 Lakers
2 Boston
3 Orlando
4 Denver


Everyone else is pretty average right now.

SQ_Crazies wrote: 1. Lakers



2. Cavs
3. Celtics
4. Magic
5. Nuggets
6. Spurs
7. Hawks
8. Suns
9. Mavericks
10. Blazers
11. Heat
12. Rockets

Call me a homer for putting the Cavs #2, but I honestly believe they're better than the Celtics and Magic. No one should be able to touch the Lakers this year.

Or next year!

Swamp Fox wrote:

SQ_Crazies wrote: 1. Lakers



2. Cavs
3. Celtics
4. Magic
5. Nuggets
6. Spurs
7. Hawks
8. Suns
9. Mavericks
10. Blazers
11. Heat
12. Rockets

Call me a homer for putting the Cavs #2, but I honestly believe they're better than the Celtics and Magic. No one should be able to touch the Lakers this year.

Or next year!

Please.. they'll be lucky to make the playoffs next year.. the Knicks on the other hand....

Swamp Fox wrote:

SQ_Crazies wrote: 1. Lakers



2. Cavs
3. Celtics
4. Magic
5. Nuggets
6. Spurs
7. Hawks
8. Suns
9. Mavericks
10. Blazers
11. Heat
12. Rockets

Call me a homer for putting the Cavs #2, but I honestly believe they're better than the Celtics and Magic. No one should be able to touch the Lakers this year.

Or next year!

Maybe not, but it's way too early to say that--with this FA period that is coming up who knows what might happen.

its too early to make predictions and rankings. with trades at the deadline and new players just learning how each other play a real time to rank them is in late feb early march