Rank the NBA contenders

[UGA Hayes]

So now that the trade deadline has passed and the teams are locked in to their players for the most part rank who you think will win the championship

1. Celtics
2. Lakers
3. Cavs
4. Suns
5. Spurs
6. Jazz
7. Pistons
8. Rockets
9. Hornets
10. Mavs
11. Magic

[daveisceltics]

I would put the Cavs way below 3rd.
Wallace and Lebron are their only real defenders.

[Dogen]

1. Celtics
2. Lakers
3. Spurs
4. Pistons
5. Suns
6. Mavs
7. Jazz
8. Cavs
9. Hornets
10. Rockets
11. Nuggets
12. Magic

I'm not sure if we're really #1 on the list because other teams have caught up with us. But I wouldn't bet against our boys with a healthy KG, Pierce, and Allen.

[eitanr]

Ok I think we need to be somewhat realistic here:
1. Spurs
2. Celtics
3. Lakers
4. Pistons
5. Cavs
6. Mavs
7. Suns
8. Jazz
9. Nuggets
10.Rockets
11. Hornets
12. Raptors
-I really think you have to start with the Spurs here. As much as I hate them and as much as the Lakers have improved, you can't say that they can definitley be beaten in a 7 game series agains anyone. Next is the Lakers simply because Kobe should be able to come out and dominate when need be these playoffs. The Celtics are down at 2 because I am not too optimistic about facing either LA or San Antonio. I'm a realist. Boston is great, but those teams are dangerous and experienced in a 7 game series.

Cleveland is at 5 simply because they won't have to face all of those crazy talented opponents that the WCF has. Also LeBron with a plethora of shooters and hard nosed defenders down low will provide anyone a tough matchup.

[UGA Hayes]

MY issue with SA is that a better vresion of the team they have now lost to Dallas two years ago, would have lost to the suns last year and probably dallas too if they hadn't been upset. Even though they didn't have the best record last year they were winning the games they won by close to double digit margins. They aren't doing that this years which strikes me as tangible evidence of decline.

[Dogen]

Actually, looking at my list, after the first six it's pretty much a wash. I suppose that if Cleveland, for instance, ends up with a better record than Utah, they'd have a better shot against the Jazz in a finals match.

[I love heinsohn]

1. Celtics
2. Lakers
3. Spurs
4. Pistons
5. Suns
6. Mavs
7. Jazz
8. Cavs
9. Hornets
10. Rockets
11. Nuggets
12. Magic

I'm not sure if we're really #1 on the list because other teams have caught up with us. But I wouldn't bet against our boys with a healthy KG, Pierce, and Allen.

I like your list Dogen, but I'm a bit higher on the Hornets and lower on the Mavs:
1. Celtics
2. Lakers
3. Spurs
4. Pistons
5. Jazz
6. Hornets
7. Suns
8. Cavs*
9. Mavs
10. Rockets
11. Nuggets
12. Magic*

*Just by virtue of being in the East, I'd think the Magic and Cavs have a much better chance of actually MAKING the Finals. But they are not stronger teams than the ones above them...

[eitanr]

UGA Hayes,

While I do agree that even last season if the Suns don't get screwed with that Amare suspension in the playoffs that could have won the title. I think there are too many hypotheticals in play though. I don't think we can compare a team to 2 seasons ago, as I believe back then the Mavs simply played a lot better than they are now. It's odd, playing togther for a while usually makes the overall team better due to the chemistry. We have seen this with the Pistons, Mavs, and Spurs. However, perhaps playing too long with a team makes that team realize when they hit their peak and a decline after they do so...see Detroit, Dallas and namely Chicago as examples. The one exception to this rule is San Antonio, simply because I don't believe they hit their peak. Last season the Spurs won the title....were they even playing their best basketball? I say from this list let's start making playoff predictions right now.
P.S. I really do hate the Spurs, but I respect them.
Key: (How many games they win the series in).

I really believe Cleveland will be a tough out. I just don't see a weakness with the Spurs...I hate to say it, but I see them repeating.
Western Playoffs:
1 Lakers-------Lakers(5)
8 Warriors --------Lakers(6)
4 Jazz----------Jazz(6)
5 Hornets -------------Spurs(6)
2 Spurs--------Spurs(6)
7 Rockets ---------Spurs(6)
3 Mavs---------Mavs(6)
6 Nuggets
-----------Spurs(6)
Eastern Playoffs
1 Celtics--------Celtics(4)
8 Hawks ---------------Celtics(5)
4 Magic
5 Raptors------Raptors(6) ---------------Celtics(7)
2 Pistons------Pistons(5)
7 Nets -----------------Cavs(6)
3 Cavs---------Cavs(5)
6 Wizards

[sully00]

It is really hard to say without seeing how things come together after the deals.

1. Boston - a couple of road losses doesn't change a whole season, if we struggle in the second half I might change my mind.
2. Detroit - The Pistons, similiar to Boston basically only have to face each other. I don't think that ORL and CLE are a real threat at this point.
3. Utah - Just because they just seem to be on cruise control. Great coach, great aresenal of weapons, and everyone playing well.
4. Suns - If Shaq works they probably go to the stop of the list and if he doesn't they still probably go to the conference finals.
5a. Spurs - They would be higher but until Parker is healthy and playing well they aren't the same team. They are also a little old all around and added another grey beard to counter it.
5b. Lakers - Similiar to the Spurs until I can see how Bynum/Gasol/Odom works I don't know that I believe, and what would be better than Kobe not being able to overcome a pinky injury after all of his bitching and moaning.

I guess Dallas and ORL are darkhorses at this point. I don't take NO seriously, CLE always seems to crap out in the second half and have set themselves up to do it again. My gut tells me the Kidd thing is a train wreck.

[BillessuR6]

1. Lakers
2. Spurs
3. Celtics
4. Pistons
5. Mavs
6. Suns
7. Jazz
8. Cavs
9. Hornets
10. Rockets
11. Nuggets

[RickyDizzle]

I think the C's and Pistons have to be 1 and 2 on everyone's list because they are in the east.

I know they still have to beat a western team to win the championship, but San Antonio, LAL, DAL, PHO all have to go through each other just to get there, therefor they are all much less likely to even be in the championship to begin with.

What I am saying is I would predict the Spurs would beat us in a 7 game series, but I dont think they are more likely to win the championship because they might get eliminated by another strong western team before ever seeing us in the finals.

Therefore, my short list goes:

1. Boston
2. Detroit
3. Spurs
4. Lakers
5. Suns
6. Mavs
7. Cavs (I am not big on their trades really)

-Dizzy

[Celts09]

1. Celtics
2. Lakers
3. Spurs
4. Suns
5. Pistons
6. Mavs
7. Cavs
8. Magic
9. Hornets
10. Rockets
11. Nuggets
12. Jazz

[Tricky Ricky]

1. Spurs
2. Celtics
3. Mavericks
4. Jazz
5. Suns
6. Lakers
7. Pistons
8. Cavs
9. Hornets
10. Rockets
11. Magic

[Dogen]

I like your list Dogen, but I'm a bit higher on the Hornets and lower on the Mavs:
*Just by virtue of being in the East, I'd think the Magic and Cavs have a much better chance of actually MAKING the Finals. But they are not stronger teams than the ones above them...

I know what you mean about the Hornets/Mavs, but I just think it's very hard to go from lottery to champs. Mavs get the nod because of experience. they also get a demerit for first round exit last year, though.

Anyone after the first 4-6 (Spurs, Celtics, Lakers, Pistons, maybe Suns and Mavs) are just about in the same boat.

[Zin5]

In terms of who's most likely to win (in terms of quality rank in paranthesis)

1. Celtics (2)
2. Spurs (1)
3. Pistons (7)
4. Hornets (3)
5. Lakers (4)
6. Cavaliers (8 )
7. Jazz (5)
8. Suns (6)
9. Rockets (9)
10. Mavericks (10)
11. Magic (13)
12. Nuggets (11)
13. Warriors (12)
14. Raptors (14)

I know it'd be easier for someone like the Magic to make the finals, but I have them so low because I just don't see them being able to beat some of the Western Conference contenders. Alternate reason at top, I think the Spurs are the best team in the league, but every series is going to be a challenge for them.