NBA 2008-2009 Preseason Rankings (Updated) | P-mo's Blog

08:16 PM ET 09.15 |

I know it's early, but here is how I rate the NBA teams for 2008-2009:

1. Boston Celtics: Defending champs stay on top until they prove otherwise.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: A healthy Andrew Bynum will help Kobe, Gasol with interior D.

3. Houston Rockets: Is Yao-TMac-Artest the next "Big Three"?

4. New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul will challenge for league MVP again.

5. Detroit Pistons: Window of opportunity closing fast for veteran team.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: With Mo Williams and Delonte West, Cavs must win now to keep LBJ.

7. Utah Jazz: Big hole at 2-guard prevents this team from moving forward.

8. San Antonio Spurs: Trio of Duncan, Ginobli and Parker still scary good.

9. Philadelphia 76ers: Signing of Elton Brand makes them much better.

10. Phoenix Suns: May be last hurrah for Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal.

11. Dallas Mavericks: Can Rick Carlisle put this team over the top?

12. Toronto Raptors: Perhaps best frontcourt in East with (healthy) Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Bosh.

13. Orlando Magic: Shaq who? Dwight Howard continues to dominate.

14. Portland Trailblazers: Should round out West playoffs with (healthy) Greg Oden.

15. Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison stayed. Will they regret it?

16. Indiana Pacers: Indy talented enough to sneak into playoffs.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Will Josh Smith be a lockerroom cancer?

18. Denver Nuggets: How long before Allen Iverson is shipped off?

19. Golden State Warriors: Losing Baron Davis was a big blow.

20. Los Angeles Clippers: Losing Elton Brand was a bigger blow.

21. Chicago Bulls: Will be ranked higher if they trade Ben Gordon away.

22. Miami Heat: Good nucleus of Dwayne Wade, Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves: How will Kevin Love fit in with Al Jefferson?

24. Sacramento Kings: Talented young nucleus about two seasons away from playoffs.

25. Charlotte Bobcats: With all that cap space, maybe waiting for LBJ in 2010?

26. New Jersey Nets: Vince Carter won't get much help from Yi, rookie Lopez.

27. Milwaukee Bucks: Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson will keep Bucks competitive.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: New digs won't help Durant, team win more games.

29. Memphis Grizzlies: Even with OJ Mayo, team too weak for West.

30. New York Knicks: Hey, at least the Nets will be in Brooklyn soon!

PLAYOFFS:

WEST:

1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Portland Trailblazers

2. Houston Rockets vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks

3. Utah Jazz vs. 6. Phoenix Suns

4. New Orleans Hornets vs. 5. San Antonio Spurs

EAST:

1. Boston Celtics. vs. 8. Indiana Pacers

2. Detroit Pistons vs. 7. Washington Wizards

3. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 6. Toronto Raptors

4. Orlando Magic vs. 5. Philadelphia 76ers

First Round

Lakers def. Portland, 4-1

Houston def. Dallas, 4-2

Utah def. Phoenix, 4-1

San Antonio def. New Orleans, 4-3

Boston def. Indiana, 4-1

Washington def. Detroit, 4-3

Cleveland def. Toronto, 4-2

Orlando def. Philadelphia, 4-3

Second Round

Lakers def. San Antonio, 4-2

Utah def. Houston, 4-3

Boston def. Orlando, 4-2

Cleveland def. Washington, 4-3

Conference Finals

Lakers def. Utah, 4-3

Cleveland def. Boston, 4-3

NBA Finals

Lakers def. Cleveland, 4-2

Comments (2) Add A Comment

September 20, 2008 04:37 PM ET

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I Concur with your thinking here!! Go Lakers!!!

Darth Vader

Miamisburg , OH

Total Comments (22)

October 4, 2008 12:24 PM ET

even though it's early, i think that your preseason ranks are to expectant and i'm gonna go with the facts. i think L.A. and boston will remain on top but closely followed by the jazz and the spurs, two key strengths of the western conference. I think it's a race for fifth between the cavs, the suns, the hornets, and detroit. With the western conference so tight last year it's hard to make a prediction, but I think the Jazz are the silent killers and are gonna be the most unexpected team in the NBA. With the last couple of seasons being a huge success even with how young the team was, with more growth and experience on and off the court, it's only a matter of time til williams leads them to a championship with all star player callibur.