The NBA season is upon us! I thought that the success of the NFL threads might lend itself to a decent NBA showing. Who are your favorite teams? What do you make of them so far?

As with the NFL, I've got a formula to rank NBA teams as well, based on Scoring differential, Field goal differential, winning percentage, streakiness, strength of schedule, and various power rankings from respected sites. As of today, here are Ian's Power Rankings:

1. Boston (4-0)
2. San Antonio (5-1)
3. Detroit (4-1)
4. Dallas (4-1)
5. Houston (5-1)
6. New Orleans (4-2)
7. Orlando (5-1)
8. Phoenix (4-2)
9. L.A. Lakers (3-2)
10. L.A. Clippers (4-1)
11. Utah (4-2)
12. Toronto (3-3)
13. New Jersey (4-1)
14. Indiana (3-2)
15. Denver (3-3)
16. Atlanta (2-3)
17. Philadelphia (2-3)
18. Cleveland (3-3)
19. New York (2-2)
20. Milwaukee (2-3)
21. Charlotte (3-2)
22. Chicago (1-4)
23. Memphis (1-3)
24. Portland (2-3)
25. Golden State (0-5)
26. Miami (0-5)
27. Washington (0-5)
28. Sacramento (1-4)
29. Seattle (0-6)
30. Minnesota (0-4)

Obviously there are some kinks to work out in the formula, such as Toronto being ahead of New Jersey, and Sacramento being ranked behind three winless teams, but hey, it's a formula. It'll settle down fairly soon.

So far, it seems the Atlantic is experiencing its expected resurgence, with the Celtics and Nets looking very strong early, and Toronto, New York and Philadelphia all appearing to be playoff contenders. The Midwest OWNS the league with a startling 19-8 record. There are some surprising starts, such as the success of Charlotte, LAC and Orlando and the struggling Bulls, Wizards, Warriors and Heat.

As for my teams, Utah has opened up fairly well at 4-2. They've shown that they still own Golden State and look to stay in contention for the Northwest division crown and a top-4 seed all year. As for my favorite team, is Portland planning to switch to the Midwest division? Their first SIX games are all against Midwest opponents. They opened up with a tough 3-game road swing (San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans) and struggled, but they have pulled it together with consecutive home wins. LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy are looking fantastic. We'll see how they do against Dallas tomorrow, but a 2-3 record against the league's best division isn't too shabby. Seattle is showing excitement, but their youth has cost them a few close games. Kevin Durant is running away with the ROY race already, and Jeff Green looks good too. I hope the team can sort out its location issues and stay in Seattle.
[Edited 11/10/07 0:07am]

Sorry about the double post, mods. Feel free to lock the other thread.

The Rockets baby!!!

LittleBLUECorvette said:

They're doing quite well!

Utah dusted Memphis, and Portland showed up BIG against Dallas, to complete their 6-game stint against Midwest Division opponents with a respectable 3-3 record.

Detroit

Mavericks

I'm torn


Oh well, Detroit Baby!!!!

Updated Power Rankings:

1. Boston (8-0)
2. San Antonio (8-2)
3. Dallas (6-2)
4. New Orleans (8-2)
5. Phoenix (7-2)
6. Orlando (8-2)
7. Utah (7-3)
8. Detroit (6-3)
9. Houston (6-4)
10. Denver (6-3)
11. L.A. Lakers (5-3)
12. Toronto (5-4)
13. L.A. Clippers (5-3)
14. Cleveland (5-5)
15. Portland (4-5)
16. New Jersey (4-5)
17. Atlanta (3-5)
18. Charlotte (4-4)
19. Milwaukee (3-4)
20. Philadelphia (3-6)
21. Indiana (3-6)
22. Washington (3-5)
23. New York (2-6)
24. Memphis (2-6)
25. Sacramento (3-6)
26. Miami (1-8)
27. Golden State (1-6)
28. Seattle (2-8)
29. Chicago (1-6)
30. Minnesota (1-6)

As for my teams, Utah has assured that last season's run to the Western Conference Finals was no fluke, running out to a 7-3 record. They play 13 of their next 19 on the road, and this crucial period will have a great deal to play with the team's seeding and confidence. Denver is right on their heels in the Northwest, which I expect to be the case the whole season long.

Portland suffered a really tough loss to Philadelphia, blowing a 25-point lead in a way many young teams do. They need to find some grit on the road, where they are 0-5 this season.

Seattle has finally broken into the win column with two straight victories on the road. That will be key to building this young team's confidence.

Boston continues to impress, as they remain the only undefeated team. On the flip side, Minnesota, Miami, Chicago and Golden State have all notched their first wins, but continue to struggle. Of the surprise teams, New Orleans always seems to run out to a good start, only to fade throughout the season and just miss out on the playoffs. Can they maintain their winning ways?

Updated Power Rankings:

1. Boston (13-2)
2. San Antonio (14-3)
3. Orlando (14-4)
4. Phoenix (12-4)
5. Utah (12-5)
6. Dallas (11-5)
7. Detroit (9-5)
8. New Orleans (9-5)
9. Denver (10-7)
10. L.A. Lakers (9-7)
11. Golden State (8-7)
12. Toronto (9-7)
13. Milwaukee (7-7)
14. Houston (9-8)
15. Cleveland (9-8)
16. Washington (7-9)
17. Indiana (8-9)
18. Atlanta (6-9)
19. Charlotte (6-8)
20. New Jersey (7-8)
21. Memphis (5-10)
22. Miami (4-11)
23. Sacramento (5-10)
24. L.A. Clippers (6-8)
25. Philadelphia (5-10)
26. Portland (5-11)
27. New York (5-10)
28. Chicago (3-10)
29. Seattle (3-14)
30. Minnesota (2-12)

I'm hoping Atlanta will live up to their pre-season playoff aspirations. There are some bright spots there that we haven't had for a while. Josh Smith's shot blocking and steals have been awesome.

Fauxie said:

Atlanta has weak coaching, management and just as weak owners

Anyone interested in talking about a Sports Forum for the org ...

http://prince.org/msg/3/253958



Mach

If my boys can stay relatively healthy, it's gonna be a good year!!!

Dang, who would have seen the Celtics at this level back during draft days? When they lost the top lottery pick, I thought they were doomed to another decade of mediocrity.

I cannot stand Danny Ainge, but I have to give the devil his due.

I heard an old Celtic once say of Danny Ainge, "No one likes him. All he wants to talk about is golf and money, but he won't spend any money and he cheats at golf".

Graycap23 said:

Yeah, I hear ya. It's a shame, because with the right people running things I think this team could be .500

Oh, for the Lenny Wilkens days when we were .695... and then underachieved in the Playoffs

Fauxie said:

It's really bad. I went 2 the Bucks game Wed. nite and I could count the number of people there.

Graycap23 said:

Graycap23 said:

Oh dear.

Fauxie said:

That coach is REALLY bad.

Graycap23 said:

They do have a couple decent looking rooks, so they may be on the rise, especially in the East.

We need more Gilbert Arenas, what the fux is up with my boys from Houston. McGrady thinks he is getting help and once again these bums disappoint.

reneGade20 said:

Damn they beat the Mav's in OT 114 - 108.... Paul had 33 pts., 12 dimes, & 9 boards.

Updated Power Rankings:

1. Boston (21-3)
2. Detroit (19-7)
3. San Antonio (18-7)
4. Phoenix (18-8)
5. Dallas (19-9)
6. L.A. Lakers (16-10)
7. Orlando (18-10)
8. New Orleans (16-10)
9. Portland (15-12)
10. Denver (15-11)
11. Golden State (15-11)
12. Toronto (15-13)
13. Washington (13-12)
14. Utah (15-13)
15. Indiana (14-13)
16. Atlanta (14-12)
17. Houston (12-14)
18. Sacramento (11-14)
19. Philadelphia (10-16)
20. Chicago (9-15)
21. Cleveland (12-15)
22. New Jersey (11-15)
23. Milwaukee (10-15)
24. Charlotte (10-14)
25. Miami (7-19)
26. L.A. Clippers (9-16)
27. Seattle (8-19)
28. Memphis (8-18)
29. New York (8-18)
30. Minnesota (4-21)

My Blazers have shockingly taken the league by storm, winning 10 straight games in their longest winning streak since a 12-game run during the 2001-02 season. Many of these games have been without LaMarcus Aldridge, and their last six have come against opponents with winning records! What has impressed me most has been the improvement of their defense and their sudden depth on the bench. Brandon Roy has been amazing, but the consistency of Travis Outlaw and the great contributions of Webster and Jones have been huge. While I still fear that they will miss out on the playoffs, this streak is great for their confidence, and they are maturing by the day. Portland looked dead in the water at 5-12, and this run is indicative of their character.

The Jazz, meanwhile, have come apart at the seams on the road. Their defense has been virtually non-existent. Hopefully the impressive win against the Magic will help them turn things around. I do expect them to bounce back and win the Northwest, but this recent stretch does not bode well for their emergence as an elite team. Dealing Okur may be the best option they have.

The Sonics continue to float around the bottom of the standings, but they have gained some valuable wins along the way, going 5-5 in their last 10. Durant is running away with the Rookie of the Year campaign, but this team's biggest concern is staying in Seattle. Apparently, the Hornets also have doubts about their future and may look to Oklahoma City as well.

Elsewhere, the Pistons reminded the Celtics that the road to the Finals will not be a cakewalk. While the Magic and the Raptors still seem a year or two away from real contention, and with the Bulls, Cavs, Nets and Heat limping out of the gate, Detroit seems to be the only threat to Boston come playoff time. That said, the season is still young, and most of story has yet to unravel.

Out West, San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas have once again established themselves as the preeminent teams of the conference, and given the struggles of the Rockets and Jazz, they seem a surefire bet to finish in the 1, 2 and 3 seeds. Minnesota got a big win, but they are still flirting with the possibility of eternal ignominy, as they are on pace to lose a whopping 69 games.

The Byulls are about 2 go into the TANK.

It really sucks to be a Knicks fan. And I'm so sick and tired of hearing this team has talent. Where? What have any of these losers ever done in the NBA? F-cking Isiah.

Unfortunately, all the protests from fans and the media won't do a damn thing. It'll make Brain-Dead Dolan more determined to stick with Train-Wreck Thomas. Real fans have to ignore the team - don't go to games, don't watch them on TV and don't buy any merchandise. Empty seats at MSG might wake up our clueless owner(the worst in pro sports).

I'm freakin' done with the Rocketts.

Atlanta 16th in your power ratings? Last ten games we've won something like 70 or 80 percent. We're 4th in the East!

And you didn't even mention them in your roundup.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

They went from that snozer of a coach Van GUMBY 2 a worse coach Alderman. No wonder they can't win.