| RANK(LAST WK) |
TEAM |
REC. |
COMMENT |
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1 (3) |
Los Angeles Lakers |
65 - 17 |
The Denver Nuggets averaged 104.3 points a night during the regular season. The Lakers held them to 94.3 points a night in three of the last four games of the series. |
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2 (1) |
Orlando Magic |
59 - 23 |
The Magic exposed the Cavaliers to be a one-man show. Cleveland outscored their opponents by a league-high 8.9 points a game during the regular season. Over six games, Orlando beat the Cavaliers by 2.5 points a night. |
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3 (2) |
Denver Nuggets |
54 - 28 |
If the Nuggets could inbound the ball, this might be a different NBA Finals. The biggest question of their offseason is how much does it take to re-sign Chris "Birdman" Andersen? |
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4 (4) |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
66 - 16 |
No LeBron James did not lose gracefully. More importantly, how does General Manager Danny Ferry improve the roster to make sure the same thing doesn't happen next year? |
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5 (5) |
Boston Celtics |
62 - 20 |
Early reports on Kevin Garnett's knee surgery are promising. He should be 100% by training camp. Worst-case scenarios (like micro-fracture) weren't on the table. |
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6 (6) |
Houston Rockets |
53 - 29 |
Maybe the Rockets will trade Brian Cook this season for a piece to help them make the NBA Finals (like Trevor Ariza or Rafer Alston). |
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7 (7) |
Dallas Mavericks |
50 - 32 |
Would a player like Samuel Dalembert via trade be an upgrade at the five - or Erick Dampier redux? |
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8 (8) |
Portland Trail Blazers |
54 - 28 |
General Manager Kevin Pritchard annually owns the NBA Draft. Can he repeat at 24 or will he find a way to shake up the system once again? |
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9 (9) |
San Antonio Spurs |
54 - 28 |
The Spurs don't have a draft pick this year which could help next summer when it's shopping time 2010 style. Technically the only two Spurs under guaranteed contract are Tim Duncan and Tony Parker for a combined $32.3 million. |
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10 (10) |
New Orleans Hornets |
49 - 33 |
So do the Hornets look to dump Tyson Chandler again? Does his toe surgery validate the concerns Oklahoma City had when they voided the midseason trade? |
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11 (11) |
Atlanta Hawks |
47 - 35 |
Would the Hawks facilitate a Josh Childress sign and trade or will they wait for him to sign an offer sheet? |
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12 (12) |
Utah Jazz |
48 - 34 |
Per the New York Post, could the Pistons be targeting Paul Millsap over Carlos Boozer? |
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13 (13) |
Phoenix Suns |
46 - 36 |
A full Terry Porter-less year along with a solid perimeter defender (Josh Childress perhaps?) and the Suns could return to the playoffs. But will Phoenix willingly add salary when they're already in the tax. |
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14 (14) |
Chicago Bulls |
41 - 41 |
We'll finally learn if Ben Gordon made a mistake the past couple of years negotiating with the Bulls. After his postseason against the Celtics, teams with cap room like the Pistons and Thunder may be interested. |
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15 (15) |
Miami Heat |
43 - 39 |
The HEAT won 43 regular season games this past season (52.4%). Trade acquisition Jermaine O'Neal played in 27 . . . but of those, Miami only won 13 (48.1%). |
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16 (16) |
Philadelphia 76ers |
41 - 41 |
Eddie Jordan is a solid pickup for the Sixers. The big question remains point guard and the plans of free agent Andre Miller. |
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17 (17) |
Detroit Pistons |
39 - 43 |
With a mountain of cap room, the Pistons will be the primary power player in free agency this summer - ahead of Oklahoma City, Memphis and Sacramento. |
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18 (18) |
Charlotte Bobcats |
35 - 47 |
The Bobcats need veteran size more than they need the 12th pick in the draft. Unfortunately they don't have many short-term contracts to deal. |
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19 (19) |
Washington Wizards |
19 - 63 |
Mike James opts to stay with the team which was expected and is just one more step towards the Wizards to being well over the luxury tax threshold. |
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20 (20) |
Indiana Pacers |
36 - 46 |
If the Pacers re-sign Jarrett Jack, does that mean T.J. Ford is back on the block? |
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21 (21) |
Golden State Warriors |
29 - 53 |
The Warriors need a point guard who can play with Monta Ellis. Does that make Tyreke Evans at 6'5" a better choice than some of the smaller lottery guards? |
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22 (22) |
Los Angeles Clippers |
19 - 63 |
Sometimes when a team says this is our guy - they mean this is our guy (e.g. Blake Griffin). |
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23 (23) |
Toronto Raptors |
33 - 49 |
Chris Bosh gets his own iPhone app to showcase his comedic side. DVD and CD on the way as well. He signed with Warner Music Canada and may not be looking to exit Toronto as quickly as some want to think. |
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24 (24) |
Memphis Grizzlies |
24 - 58 |
Rumors have linked the Grizzlies to Hasheem Thabeet but is he skilled enough to play alongside Marc Gasol (who isn't as versatile as his brother Pau)? Ricky Rubio should be the pick. They can always trade him (or trade down) if he's not to their liking. |
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25 (25) |
New Jersey Nets |
34 - 48 |
On some levels it makes sense to finally move Vince Carter. On the other hand, is Devin Harris ready to operate as the lone perimeter scorer? Vince may be necessarily to continue Devin's development. |
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26 (26) |
Milwaukee Bucks |
34 - 48 |
The Bucks have $41.2 million tied up in three players next season (Andrew Bogut, Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson). That doesn't feel like money well spent . . . not for a team trying to make the playoffs. |
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27 (27) |
New York Knicks |
32 - 50 |
Is it all but a lock that if Stephen Curry is available at eight, he'll be a Knick? Will he last til eight? |
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28 (28) |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
23 - 59 |
Still some buzz the Thunder want to trade up with the Clippers but word out of LA is that it's a one-sided conversation. |
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29 (29) |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
24 - 58 |
Good luck to incoming General Manager David Kahn. Can they officially move beyond Kevin McHale already and lock in a head coach? |
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30 (30) |
Sacramento Kings |
17 - 65 |
The Kings dropped to four but still may have a shot at Ricky Rubio whose people may be trying to manipulate where he lands. |
