ESPN NBA future: Power Rankings

[illmatic99]

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/stor...uture-power-rankings-kevin-pelton-chad-ford#2

8. Portland Trail Blazers
RANK SCORE
Players 9 56.5
Management 5 72.5
Money 19 45
Market 15 46.5
Draft 18 45
Overall: 55.46
While we were relatively optimistic about the Trail Blazers in September, they've still tied for the largest jump since then. Portland moved back into the top 10 after not only defying expectations by making the playoffs but winning a series (albeit aided by the Clippers' injuries) and competing with the Warriors in the second round.

Now, the Blazers have the opportunity to clear max space while retaining their young core, led by the dynamic backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. That's possible because GM Neil Olshey locked up young free agents Al-Farouq Aminu and Ed Davis to contracts that look like enormous bargains.

To threaten the West's upper crust, Portland still must hold off younger teams rising out of the lottery. But a strong management team of Olshey and newly extended coach of the year runner-up Terry Stotts gives reason to believe in the Blazers.

--Kevin Pelton

(Previous rank: 18)

Specific category rankings: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...ratings-players-management-money-market-draft

Our management ranks very highly. Tied for 5th in the league. All this is another tool for us to present in FA. But still, it's really hard to do these rankings quantitatively.

 

[illmatic99]

Here's how the rankings came out:

1. Golden State Warriors
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Boston Celtics
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
6. Miami Heat
7. Utah Jazz
8. Portland Trail Blazers
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
10. Los Angeles Clippers
11. Houston Rockets
12. Washington Wizards
13. Orlando Magic
14. Indiana Pacers
15. Atlanta Hawks
16. Chicago Bulls
17. Toronto Raptors
18. New Orleans Pelicans
19. Philadelphia 76ers
20. Denver Nuggets
21. Detroit Pistons
22. Dallas Mavericks
23. Charlotte Hornets
24. Los Angeles Lakers
25. Milwaukee Bucks
26. Memphis Grizzlies
27. Phoenix Suns
28. New York Knicks
29. Sacramento Kings
30. Brooklyn Nets

Amazing to see LA and NY (and BK) this low.

 

[HolyBackboard]

I read these rankings each year and each year I'm still left scratching my head.

1) Why not do this after free agency? There's no way Miami is No. 6 if Whiteside leaves and Bosh has to retire. OKC drops into the 20's if KD leaves as well.

2) Utah in the Top 10? Wake me up when this team acquires a legitimate All-Star and makes the playoffs with that core

3) San Antonio has no business being that high. Once TD and Manu retire, they're done. Minnesota should also be higher. KAT might be the most valued player in the league right now if you factor in age, contract, and position.

 

[Natebishop3]

I guess I'm confused by what "future" means exactly.

Next year?

Five years down the road?

The Heat don't have a great future, unless you're talking about the next couple years. They're on the decline.

The Spurs have a very murky future. Duncan and Parker and Ginobili are all on their way out in the very near future. It will be up to Kawhi and LMA and I'm not so sure those two can carry on the dynasty.

 

[illmatic99]

I guess I'm confused by what "future" means exactly.

Next year?

Five years down the road?

In the headline: " Who will rise in the next three years?"

 

[Hobbesarable]

4 teams out of the NW division are in the top 10.

Utah is ranked too high in my opinion.

 

[Natebishop3]

In the headline: " Who will rise in the next three years?"

You expect me to click on the link!?! Never!

Seriously though..... how can they think that Miami will "rise in the next three years?"

IMO, the Spurs, Thunder, and Heat will all fall in the next three years.

 

[Pinwheel1]

As much as I hate the Clippers......way too low when healthy

Toronto? Are they assuming Derozan is leaving?

 

[Natebishop3]

As much as I hate the Clippers......way too low when healthy

But this isn't a right now power ranking. This is supposed to be a future ranking, and I'm not so sure the Clippers have a bright future as they're currently constructed.

 

[Minstrel]

The Spurs don't have to remain a dynasty to rank fourth--Leonard and Aldridge are still a really nice foundation and their coaching and management is top-notch. I think the Spurs will be a force for the next three years, even if not dominant.

 

[Pinwheel1]

But this isn't a right now power ranking. This is supposed to be a future ranking, and I'm not so sure the Clippers have a bright future as they're currently constructed.

Oh OK. I guess it might be interesting to think about. But things change so quickly I just can't look too far in the future....

 

[e_blazer]

I agree that the timing of this list is pretty weird. So many teams are teetering between having a chance at becoming really good or having a star leave and be faced to look at rebuilding. Portland could become really good if Olshey is able to attract one more star to sign here as a FA this summer. If he whiffs, the Blazers could just as easily become a perennial lower playoff tier contender. OKC...if they lose Durant they collapse. Get him to re-sign and they're in the thick of things next season. Miami appears set to fall off the precipice in my humble opinion. Utah? Yeah, they've got a nice core of very good players, but no player who really can be pegged as a superstar. I really like the T-Wolves' roster, but anytime you're dealing with a bunch of young guys who have never made the playoffs, let alone contended, it's a crap shoot as to whether that talent will mesh into a really strong team or not.

I get that they've got to write something to keep the clicks coming during the dead time leading into the draft, but this is really premature.

 

[crandc]

Maybe I don't pay close enough attention to the East but how did the Celtics get so high?

 

[Hobbesarable]

Maybe I don't pay close enough attention to the East but how did the Celtics get so high?

They have a good coach, made the playoffs, have plenty of cap space for Free Agents, and several 1st round picks over the next few years.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Maybe I don't pay close enough attention to the East but how did the Celtics get so high?

They have the Nets picks for the next few years, young talent on thier roster now, good coach, and arguably the best GM in the league.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Toronto should be listed higher. Not sure what makes Indiana better. GM and coach comparisons are not even close. The Raptors beat them this year and have more resources going forward.

 

[PDXFonz]

How are we 19th in money?

 

[isonoob]

Toronto should be listed higher. Not sure what makes Indiana better. GM and coach comparisons are not even close. The Raptors beat them this year and have more resources going forward.

You a real 1

 

[THE HCP]

These lists should be made at the end of OCTOBER, not MAY!

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

How are we 19th in money?

Was surprised by that as well. Neil is spending money very smart but it is not a given that we would start being a team that pays heavy luxury taxes again. I think PA probably would though, it just had not made sense lately.

 

[Mediocre Man]

We're not high enough on the list, so loud noises

 

[e_blazer]

We're not high enough on the list, so loud noises

Come on, man, you're getting to be too predictable. Mix things up so you don't get stale.

 

[e_blazer]

Maybe I don't pay close enough attention to the East but how did the Celtics get so high?

They have a three first round draft picks (3rd, 16th and 23rd), so I guess that the assumption is that they'll be able to parlay those into some good rookies or players in trade to add to what was a successful roster this year.

 

[Natebishop3]

We're not high enough on the list, so loud noises

Who even said that? Most people were questioning why some of the currently elite teams would be ranked so high with so many key free agents and aging veterans.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Come on, man, you're getting to be too predictable. Mix things up so you don't get stale.

We're too high on the list, so loud noises

 

[Mediocre Man]

Who even said that? Most people were questioning why some of the currently elite teams would be ranked so high with so many key free agents and aging veterans.

No one said that. I wasn't responding to anyone.

 

[Boob-No-More]

We're not high enough on the list, so loud noises

Said not one single person in this thread.

Yawn....

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

No one said that. I wasn't responding to anyone.

Then why respond at all?

BNM

 

[Strenuus]

No one said that. I wasn't responding to anyone.

Then why did it need to be said?

Confirmed MM is BGD :MARIS61:

 

[riverman]

Ridiculous, pointless projection of teams that will for the most part completely change rosters before tip off