The San Antonio Spurs will probably just do it all again. They mopped the floor with the Miami Heat in last year’s NBA Finals, and they’ll probably return to do it again this year. The mopping might be done to someone else, but it will probably be repeated. That way Tim Duncan can go out in style. Or it’s just another title and he can go out in style the next year. Regardless, anyone playing off of NBA Basketball Betting Lines & NBA Odds probably has the Spurs repeating.
Except they don’t. In fact, San Antonio actually comes in second for the right to claim this year’s Finals. And who takes first? Some guy name LeJon Brames…
With that, let’s get to our brand spanking new NBA Power Rankings for the 2014-15 season, with the Cleveland Cavaliers on top:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The league’s new Big 3 just might have the talent and supporting cast to make it happen on their first try.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are one year older, so there is always that slight chance they’re finally done. Then again, they’re just too awesome to ever count out.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
L.A. has arguably the most talented and balanced roster in the entire league. Now Doc Rivers needs to coach them to the next level.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant (foot) is out for the first 1-2 months. That’s not good for a team trying to take the top seed out West.
5. Chicago Bulls
Chicago brought in Pau Gasol and even drafted well. None of it matters if Derrick Rose isn’t Derrick Rose, though.
6. Houston Rockets
Houston let Lin and Parsons go. Do they have enough around Dwight and Harden to take it up a notch?
7. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are legit all the way around, but was swapping out Mark Jackson for an unproven Steve Kerr really the answer?
8. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is among the most talented teams in the league, but can they shock everyone again in Ridge’s contract year?
9. Miami Heat
King James is gone, but this underrated Heat squad is still well coached and has solid talent. They can’t be ruled out of the running for the Finals.
10. Dallas Mavericks
Dirk seems to get better with age, while the Mavs made some great moves to improve the team’s defense and overall potential. But are they serious threats to the title?
11. Memphis Grizzlies
Let’s see what Memphis looks like with a full season from Marc Gasol. Chances are, nasty as hell.
12. Washington Wizards
Paul Pierce joined the Wiz because he saw a team on the rise. But just how far up can they go in the East?
13. Toronto Raptors
Toronto has a very solid roster, but do they have that go-to guy that can carry them for stretches?
14. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix very well could have the best trio of guards in the entire league. But can they hang with other teams down low?
15. Brooklyn Nets
Brook Lopez could easily make a decent Nets team a legit title contender. Their fate may rest on his surgically repaired foot.
16. Charlotte Hornets
Al Jefferson can’t be counted out, nor can a defensive-minded Hornets team that added the versatile Lance Stephenson to the mix.
17. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pellies now have the twin towers to defend and the outside shooters to run with anyone. But are they too young to be taken seriously?
18. Denver Nuggets
Denver is tough when Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari are both healthy. For the first time in well over a year, that’s the case.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
No Kevin Love here, but Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic and an underrated supporting cast could actually make the T’Wolves better than they’ve been in years.
20. Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant is a man on a mission. It may be a futile one with such a weak supporting cast, unfortunately.
21. New York Knicks
Can Carmelo Anthony master the Triangle offense? It may not matter with sad sacks Bargnani and Stoudemire weighing this team down.
22. Indiana Pacers
They have a good coach and the bigs to bang with anyone, but no Paul George or Lance Stephenson is absolutely crippling.
23. Atlanta Hawks
They’re well coached and can shoot the lights out. That’s great, but unless Al Horford’s pecs can stay healthy, they’re in trouble yet again.
24. Detroit Pistons
Hiring Stan Van Gundy was the right move. Now they have to figure out how the hell to use so many ill fitting parts.
25. Sacramento Kings
Not keeping Isaiah Thomas was a big mistake. This team still has no direction and is asking too much of DeMarcus Cousins.
26. Utah Jazz
They have beef down low and Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward outside. The youth should show progress, but in the tough West, they’re still a bottom feeder.
27. Orlando Magic
They are stacked with talent, but when Tobias Harris is supposedly your best player, you’re probably in trouble.
28. Boston Celtics
Brad Stevens had them largely competitive last year and they added some more nice young talent. They can compete as long as Rajon Rondo sticks around, but that shouldn’t be for long.
29. Milwaukee Bucks
Jabari Parker offers hope for the future and there really is some nice young talent on this roster, but Jason Kidd has his work cut out for him.
30. Philadelphia 76ers
This team is atrocious. MCW and Nerlens Noel bring excitement but they may not win 10 games. Seriously.
