Part 1: Teams 30-18 - remember these rankings are not intended to be scientific, nor a representation of where I think the teams will end up, more just a representation of how they are playing now combined with how they are building for the future if they are going nowhere this year.
We Can Rebuild Them
Not good yet, but there are pieces and perhaps a roadmap in place:
17. Indiana - Granger, Hibbert and Collison really is a nice core of complimentary young players. They are only on the hook for roughly $35 million in salary next season. They have $25 million or so in expiring contracts this year. And they are actually playing pretty decent basketball this season, though you wouldn't know it by the deserted island that is Conseco Fieldhouse on gamenights. All that said, good luck getting anyone who matters to come to Indianapolis.
16. New York - A few days ago, I probably put these guys in the "I didn't sign up for this shit" category, but they seem to have found a nice little rhythm, with Galinari in particular being far more aggressive since the rumors of him being traded for Melo faded a bit. Despite the huge, gaping, cavernous, enormous, echoing, visible-from-space hole in the middle of this team, a team with this much talent not making the playoffs as the 7/8 seed in the East would reflect very poorly on Amare, or on D'antoni or both.
15. Golden State - They've had a rough time of it since David Lee discovered that Wilson Chandler's mouth is a germ-ridden as that of a grizzly bear. But given the quality perimeter scoring and reasonable contributions of Biedrins, with Lee's interior scoring and rebounding back in the fold, I fully expect them to claim their rightful place as the 10th seed in the West who inspires columns wondering why do we have to have conference-based playoffs.
Welcome to the Real World
These five have all sent messages to their fans to enjoy the good times, but get real, this isn't going to end well
14. Phoenix - You are still tons of fun to watch, but the guys who have probably been your best two players are a combined 75 years old. With no real young talent being developed, no interior presence and not enough firepower to simply outgun teams a la the 05-08 versions of the Nash Express, shouldn't you be at least be exploring moving Steve at this point?
13. Portland - Of your 4 most importantly players 2 are about 196 years old and the others have about .5 healthy knees between them. Still you guys play hard, have a really good coach and have more than enough talent to be a tough opponent for anyone on a night you can actually make some jump shots. Really, though, you know you just don't have enough to really compete in the playoffs.
12. Denver -
11. Atlanta - You have a big time bright spot in that Al Horford is balling his ass off. But Joe Johnson is starting to show all the hard miles you put on his tread during the Mike Woodson "Stand And Watch Joe Do It" offensive years. Josh Smith thinks he's a 3 point shooter again. Larry Drew might actually be a downgrade from Woody. In short, LOL Hawks.
10. Mavericks - Deshawn Stevenson. Caron "
Stay On Target
These teams are in the conversation, but all of them are most likely either a move, or a player unexpectedly emerging from nowhere away from being true contenders.
9. Utah - With their string of huge comeback victories, the Jazz have showed they have balls. But they just don't have the horses, even once Okur comes back. They just desperately need some wing scoring. The problem, their main asset to acquire such a scorer, Andrei Kirilenko and his expiring contract is probably too much to give up terms of production for the SG/SF they'd likely receive in exchange. Maybe Gordon Hayward grows into the role, but for now they are stuck with Raja Bell and CJ Miles. Yech.
8. Bulls - Considering they've played the entire season without Boozer, they have to feel they are right where they want to be. That is assuming Boozer doesn't break up the solid defensive rhythm they seem to have established and that Taj Gibson, who's emerged as a quality NBA big early in the season, doesn't go into a funk.
7. Thunder - Like the Better Knicks, desperately need some size and rebounding. But with Durant and especially Westbrook, they still have a puncher's chance against anyone. They may have moves to make, but they've consistently stated and showed that they aren't going to do anything "rash". They really could have used a contribution from Cole Aldrich, but he's down in the Dl-league down, so he's clearly not ready.
6. Hornets - Have already made several moves, though results have not gone their way after the acquisition of Jarret Jack. They could probably use one more shooter, or for Marcus Thornton to step into the phone booth and emerge as the BucketsMan of the second half of last year. But really, as always, it's all about Chris Paul.
Omar Comin!
The real contenders.
5. Heat - This is the lowest I could in good conscience put them. Enough ink has been spilled about them already. Who knows what happens when/if etc etc etc.
4. Magic - Not at all a believer because Vince Carter is a wuss, Rashard Lewis is decomposing, HGH shooting fts etc etc etc. But they win games and blow out bad teams in the regular season. The one question I will ask is if they are starting shooters at the 1-3 spots, might they be better served by going bigger at the 4 with Bass or even Gortat?
3. Celtics - KG looks not "all the way back", but certainly much more mobile than last year. Shaq has been giving them great minutes and is a good fit, style-wise. The classic deep, talented veteran team built to beat the crap out of people in the playoffs like a body punching boxer.
2. Spurs - Boring boring Spurs. Death, taxes, and San Antonio Spurs basketball.
MEGATRON!
1. LA Lakers - As I said on Monday:
With all due respect to Chris Paul, Pau Gasol is the 1/8th Season MVP in my book. Shannon Brown is either still playing out of his mind or has just gotten lots lots better. Blake and Barnes combine with Shamwow to give them an extremely effective bench, and both Ebanks and Caracter have shown signs of being promising prospects. In short, I hate them.I can't emphasize the last point enough.
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