What does it take to be #1? - RealGM

[CeltsSteve@xxxxxxx]

What does it take to be #1?
by Jason Ouellette

Itbs that time of year again folks. We all get to throw out our standings
before a single game is played. This is probably the most foolish thing
anyone can do, but hey it sure is fun. With that being said, letbs take into
consideration the off-season transactions and mix them with last seasonbs
finishes, and this is cake that got baked. Starting with the Eastern
Conference, then the real power of the NBA, the Western Conference.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

1. <A HREF="http://nets.realgm.com/";>New Jersey </A>Nets b They were quite
impressive last year, as <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=162";>Jason Kidd</A>
flourished in the land of the guards. While I canbt see 400 (did I put an
extra 0 in there?) year-old <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=369";>Dikembe
Mutombo</A> running up and down with the rest
of these guys for 40 minutes a game, he does make their defense better. His
blocks, and defensive low post presence will allow the <A
HREF="http://nets.realgm.com/";>Nets</A> to run even more.
<A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=158";>Rodney
Rogers</A> is a good acquisition, but is very inconsistent. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=496";>Chris Childs</A>
is a huge upgrade at backup point guard from <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=423";>Anthony
Johnson</A>. But I think
people are overlooking perhaps the biggest upgrade on this team. And thatbs
the improvement of <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=295";>Richard
Jefferson</A>.

2. <A HREF="http://celtics.realgm.com/";>Boston </A>Celtics b While most
people are seeing the <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=203";>Vin Baker</A>
trade spelling
doom for the <A HREF="http://celtics.realgm.com/";>Celtics</A>, itbs not as
bad as it seems. On the court anyway. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=353";>Paul
Pierce</A> and <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=350";>Antoine
Walker</A> are still on the team, and are still the NBAbs best
duo next to Shaquille ObNeal and <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=155";>Kobe Bryant</A>.
Their problem remains at the
point guard position, but in Jim ObBrienbs system, a point guard like <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=191";>
Shammond Williams</A> may flourish. Obi-Wan loves to shoot the 3ball, but he
loves defense even more. As long as the <A
HREF="http://celtics.realgm.com/";>Celtics</A> continue with the same
defensive minded approach that they implanted last year, they will be on New
Jerseybs heels all season.

3. <A HREF="http://sixers.realgm.com/";>Philadelphia </A>76ers b As long as
<A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=375";>Allen
Iverson</A> and Larry Brown can coexist,
this team will always be dangerous. They were bitten by the injury bug all
too often last season, and came very close to eliminating the <A
HREF="http://celtics.realgm.com/";>Celtics</A> in the
first round. There are quite a few scorers there now, but AI is still the
man. Their core from the 2001 NBA Finals team is still intact (Iverson, Snow,
McKie, Brown), and now seems healthy. As long as Mr. Practice is playing, the
<A HREF="http://sixers.realgm.com/";>Sixers</A> are dangerous.

4. <A HREF="http://magic.realgm.com/";>Orlando </A>Magic b <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=24";>Grant Hill</A>, <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=24";>Grant Hill</A>, <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=24";>Grant Hill</A>. Is
he healthy? That is
the big question for Disneybs finest. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=26";>Tracy McGrady</A>
may actually have some
help this season in O-Town, but if Hill goes down again, the <A
HREF="http://magic.realgm.com/";>Magic</A> will be
struggling to make the playoffs.

5. <A HREF="http://wizards.realgm.com/";>Washington </A>Wizards b <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=596";>Michael
Jordan</A> is back!!!!! Ok, Ibm about as excited
as you are, but the <A HREF="http://wizards.realgm.com/";>Wizards</A> did make
some good moves. Adding <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=437";>Jerry
Stackhouse</A>
helped them short term (just like having Jordan back), and <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=131";>Larry Hughes</A>
is a
decent addition as long as they donbt give him the mandate to play the
point.
They made solid draft choices with Juan Dixon (who looked good at the Shawbs
Pro Summer League) and Jared Jeffries. They will be battling for a playoff
spot, and in the east, they may very well make it. Will the real MJ please
stand up?

6. <A HREF="http://knicks.realgm.com/";>New York </A>Knicks b <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=73";>Latrell
Sprewell</A> had a broken hand for weeks and didnbt
know about it. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=74";>Kurt Thomas</A> is
too busy getting arrested to practice. Their
key acquisition (and Hope of 2003), <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=230";>Antonio
McDyess</A>, missed 72 games last
year. <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=65";>Allan
Houston</A> is still making a ludicrous amount of money, and so is <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=293";>
Shandon Anderson</A>. Things donbt look good in Gotham, but hey, the MSG
faithful
can all look forward to <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=199";>Patrick Ewing</A>
Night.

7. <A HREF="http://heat.realgm.com/";>Miami </A>Heat b Too bad for <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=262";>Alonzo
Mourning</A>. If he were healthy, (and on a
different team) he could give someone (Dallas, Sacromento, the <A
HREF="http://clippers.realgm.com/";>Clippers</A>?) a
chance to stop The Daddy. But now that Zo is out indefinitely, Pat Riley is
finally conceding to rrrr-ebuilding. It will be interesting to see what kind
of player Caron Butler turns into down there.

Central Division

1. New Orleans <A HREF="http://hornets.realgm.com/";>Hornets</A> b Now that
they are all healthy and will actually be
playing half of their games at home, they will be challenging the <A
HREF="http://nets.realgm.com/";>Nets</A> for
the #1 seed. Hopefully <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=409";>Baron Davis</A>
has gotten over the shell shock in
Indianapolis, and <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=405";>Jamal
Mashburn</A> has stopped getting dizzy. The only negative
about this team is their new unis.

2. <A HREF="http://pacers.realgm.com/";>Indiana </A>Pacers b They came
extremely close to eliminating the <A HREF="http://nets.realgm.com/";>Nets</A>
in the
first round last year, and with the talent they have, they will improve.
Isiah Thomas is past the blearning curveb stage of his coaching career,
and
he did get a handful of new players half way through the season. But now,
with a full training camp, look for the <A
HREF="http://pacers.realgm.com/";>Pacers</A> to make some noise in the
Central.

3. <A HREF="http://raptors.realgm.com/";>Toronto </A>Raptors b Assuming that
Dr. Funk is back and playing the way he is
capable of playing, the <A HREF="http://raptors.realgm.com/";>Raptors</A> will
continue to be a threat in the east.
They have a solid group of players and will be right there with Indiana and
New Orleans.

4. <A HREF="http://pistons.realgm.com/";>Detroit </A>Pistons b While I
donbt like to bet against Rick Carlislebs
coaching, itbs even more difficult picturing this team finishing close to
where they did a year ago. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=395";>Richard
Hamilton</A> is a solid scorer, but his
defense is horrible. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=436";>Ben Wallace</A>
will still give opponents fits, but hebs not
a go-to guy. Thatbs what they lacked last year, and thatbs what they lack
even more now.

5. <A HREF="http://hawks.realgm.com/";>Atlanta </A>Hawks b Probably the
savviest trade of them all during the summer.
They got <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=469";>Glenn
Robinson</A> for more playing time for <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=468";>Tim Thomas</A>.
But the <A HREF="http://hawks.realgm.com/";>Hawks</A>
also have good talent in <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=110";>Shareef
Abdur-Rahim</A>, <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=79";>Jason Terry</A>
and <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=80";>Theo
Ratliff</A>.
If they can stay healthy and develop chemistry early on, they might actually
hold true to their infomercial-like money back guarantee to their fans.

6. <A HREF="http://bucks.realgm.com/";>Milwaukee </A>Bucks b George Karl
didnbt help win his players back with his
job at the Worlds. They still have lots of talent with <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=481";>Ray Allen</A>, <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=478";>Sam Cassell</A>
and <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=468";>Tim
Thomas</A>. But thatbs all offense right there. Defense requires
motivation, and right now, Ibm not sure how motivated Karl could get them.

7. <A HREF="http://bulls.realgm.com/";>Chicago </A>Bulls b After four years
they have finally moved up in the
standings b one spot. It has taken a long time in the Windy City but they do
have the best collection of young talent in the conference. And I mean young.
They will win some more games, but they are still quite a ways away from
making the playoffs.

8. <A HREF="http://cavaliers.realgm.com/";>Cleveland </A>Cavaliers b What was
the last trade that was as one sided as the
<A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=37";>Darius
Miles</A>-<A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=420";>Andre Miller</A>
trade the <A HREF="http://cavaliers.realgm.com/";>Cavs</A> made? They had the
best, true, young
point guard in the NBA and they gave him away for a flashy player. Donbt get
me wrong, <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=37";>Darius Miles</A>
will be a good player, but someone at his position is
much easier to come by than an <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=420";>Andre Miller</A>.
They will dwell in the cellar of
the East, but they will make a lot of highlight shows with Miles, <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=272";>Ricky Davis</A>
and Dajuan Wagner. In the meantime, Dr. Dre will be happy to show them the
next episode on <A HREF="http://clippers.realgm.com/";>Clippers</A> TV.

Western Conference

Midwest Division

1. <A HREF="http://mavericks.realgm.com/";>Dallas </A>Mavericks b The irony
of the Big D is that itbs hardly full of D,
but their offense if pretty potent. If they can add <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=470";>Michael Redd</A>,
it will
make them even more potent. The <A
HREF="http://mavericks.realgm.com/";>Mavs</A> defensive liabilities got exposed
in the
playoffs, but with <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=234";>Raef LaFrentz</A>
around for a full year in the middle, their
defense will improve. Round it out with Dirk Nowitski, <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=211";>Steve Nash</A>,
<A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=216";>Michael
Finley</A> and <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=226";>Nick Van
Exel</A>, this team will be tough to beat.

2. <A HREF="http://spurs.realgm.com/";>San Antonio </A>Spurs b The <A
HREF="http://spurs.realgm.com/";>Spurs</A> brass looked like international
geniuses
this past summer with their addition of Emmanuel Ginobili. And they already
have <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=331";>Tony
Parker</A> to complete their international backcourt. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=324";>Tim Duncan</A>
will
again lead this team to plenty of wins, and will finish close to Dallas. They
will regain their top spot next season when Kidd finally joins Duncan in San
Antonio.

3. <A HREF="http://timberwolves.realgm.com/";>Minnesota </A>Timberwolves b
The <A HREF="http://timberwolves.realgm.com/";>Timberwolves</A> will certainly
miss <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=309";>Terrell
Brandon</A> if he is out for the year. They still have a solid all-around
team,
but Ibm not sure <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=25";>Troy Hudson</A>
can be the leader at the point. The power in the
west is too great for them to overcome again. They will make the playoffs,
but itbs looking more and more like another first round and out ending. Do
you see them beating any of the top four teams? I definitely donbt.

4. <A HREF="http://rockets.realgm.com/";>Houston </A>Rockets b As long as <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=288";>Steve
Francis</A>bs headache woes have been
solved, and Yao Ming is signed within the next couple of weeks, they will be
a much-improved team. The <A HREF="http://rockets.realgm.com/";>Rockets</A>
have some nice young talent, but it will be
another huge battle for them to qualify in the west for the playoffs.

5. <A HREF="http://jazz.realgm.com/";>Utah </A>Jazz b <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=334";>John Stockton</A>
and <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=343";>Karl
Malone</A> are still here and still going
strong. But they lost a key player in <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=341";>Donyell
Marshall</A>, and another solid
veteran player in <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=337";>Bryon
Russell</A>. The Twolves, <A HREF="http://rockets.realgm.com/";>Rockets</A> and
<A HREF="http://jazz.realgm.com/";>Jazz</A> will all be
right there for that third place in this division.

6. <A HREF="http://grizzlies.realgm.com/";>Memphis </A>Grizzlies b Call bem
the <A HREF="http://bulls.realgm.com/";>Bulls</A> of the west. Both teams have
a
good foundation with good young players, but both are far away from the
playoff stage. Jerry West will certainly run this team better than any other
NBA executive, but even he canbt immediately rid them of so many bad years.
If they can win the relocation battle to the east, things could get more
interesting. Itbs too bad that they wonbt grab much national exposure
because <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=91";>Pau
Gasol</A> is an incredible talent.

7. <A HREF="http://nuggets.realgm.com/";>Denver </A>Nuggets b Kiki Vandeweghe
is rebuilding the right way.
Unfortunately they will be bad for a while. Just ask the <A
HREF="http://bulls.realgm.com/";>Bulls</A>. They will
probably wind up battling the <A HREF="http://cavaliers.realgm.com/";>Cavs</A>
for league futility, but if the lottery
balls bounce their way, they could snag LeBron James.

Pacific Division

1. <A HREF="http://kings.realgm.com/";>Sacramento </A>Kings b They were <A
HREF="http://kings.realgm.com/";>Kings</A> of the regular season last year, and
they will once again make Sacramento the NBAbs regular season kingdom. The
only problem surrounding the Kingdom and its castle that is Arco Arena, is <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=59";>
Chris Webber</A>bs legal issues. Have no fear, he played 50 games last year,
and
they still won over 60. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=112";>Mike Bibby</A> is
locked in, and maybe in this yearbs
playoffs, someone else besides him will step up in crunch time.

2. LA <A HREF="http://lakers.realgm.com/";>Lakers</A> b The only reason that
they will finish in second place again is
because of Shaqbs absence early on. But it didnbt matter last season, and
odds are that it wonbt matter again as long as he and Kobe are there in the
playoffs. Things are looking good in La-La Land, and they will no doubt keep
it in cruise control until Round 1, Game 1.

3. Seattle Super <A HREF="http://supersonics.realgm.com/";>Sonics</A> b <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=192";>Gary Payton</A>
finally showed up to camp. As long as
he is on the court and playing, the <A
HREF="http://supersonics.realgm.com/";>Sonics</A> will be a tough team. They
solved
the <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=198";>Rashard
Lewis</A> problem (who was not worth the max by the way), and they
got rid of <A HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=203";>Vin
Baker</A>, whom everybody wanted out of there. Payton is in a
contract year and could very well get traded before seasonbs end, but for
now, the <A HREF="http://supersonics.realgm.com/";>Sonics</A> have a solid
team.

4. LA <A HREF="http://clippers.realgm.com/";>Clippers</A> b Talk about
talent. On paper, the <A HREF="http://clippers.realgm.com/";>Clippers</A> have
just as much
talent as any other team. But how will it all come together? I see them
making the playoffs especially with the addition of <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=420";>Andre Miller</A>.
The only
problem here is that they have too many players that will be playing for a
max deal. Dr. Dre has yet to taste playoff ball, along with most of his young
teammates, but would you want your team playing them in a five game series?

5. <A HREF="http://trailblazers.realgm.com/";>Portland Trail </A>Blazers b So
much talent, so many attitude problems. The <A
HREF="http://trailblazers.realgm.com/";>
Blazers</A> will win their fair share of games, but this arrogant and immature
collection of players will find a way to collapse. The past three seasons
have ended with the players shaking their heads in disbelief. Maybe if they
put a lid on all of the smack talking and focus on the game, they will be
better. But we are talking about the <A
HREF="http://trailblazers.realgm.com/";>Blazers</A>.

6. <A HREF="http://suns.realgm.com/";>Phoenix </A>Suns b The <A
HREF="http://suns.realgm.com/";>Suns</A> locked up <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=161";>Shawn Marion</A>
with a maximum deal, but
they still have other issues to deal with. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=252";>Stephon
Marbury</A> still plays the
same way he did in New Jersey. Hebs a great player, but now they are
thinking
of starting him at the two and <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=366";>Joe Johnson</A>
running the point. If thatbs the
case, then theybll be lucky to finish this high.

7. Golden St. <A HREF="http://warriors.realgm.com/";>Warriors</A> b Herebs
another team with a load of young talent.
However, they are in the west, and thatbs not good. <A
HREF="http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile.php?playerid=139";>Jason
Richardson</A> seems to
be the real deal, but he still has a way to go before he can carry this team.
The <A HREF="http://warriors.realgm.com/";>Warriors</A> will be more
competitive than last year, but in this conference,
you need more.

Jason Ouellette can be reached at <A
HREF="mailto:jayhbk10@yahoo.com";>jayhbk10@yahoo.com.</A> Feel free to email
your
questions, comments, etc.

CeltsSteve