SI Puts Portland at #6

[SheedSoNasty]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...x/08/25/offseason.rankings/index.html?eref=T1

The Trail Blazers are young, deep and talented, and last season they took their obligatory first-timer lumps in the playoffs. In other words, they would be contenders this season even without Andre Miller. Still, having a savvy point guard like Miller to orchestrate the offense should help a team that finished 19th in assists last season. In addition, small forward Martell Webster (10.7 points in '07-08) is set to return after missing all but one game last season.

He has the Spurs at #1 and it seems like a lot of the media is pretty high on them for next year. If San Antonio can stay healthy, they could pull out one more title before Duncan starts thinking retirement.

 

[BenDavis503]

I can live with that list. Except I have a problem with the Qiz at 8. Isn't that a bit high?!

 

[Sedatedfork]

I can live with that list. Except I have a problem with the Qiz at 8. Isn't that a bit high?!

The issues have been health, but that still seems pretty high for me. I also think that you still have to put the Lakers #1. The Spurs will go as far as Tim Duncan takes them. He is the main cog in that machine and last season he was dinged up. The Cavs got better, but I think you take the Lakers slightly ahead of them due to their experience.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

You shouldn't put the Spurs #1 unless you know that Ginobili is healthy. If you do that, you might as well put the Rockets a lot higher. As it is, even without McGrady and Yao, the Rockets are ranked WAY too low. Did people learn nothing from watching them in the playoffs? Especially as the writer doesn't think much of Artest (hence Lakers not #1).

 

[Reep]

My favorite part:

Memphis Grizzlies
So let me get this straight: O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay are going to play together? That's three guys who ranked in the top 30 in shot attempts per game last season. And Memphis also flirted with signing Allen Iverson? The Grizzlies might break the record for fewest assists in a season.

I can't wait to see the implosion.

 

[tlongII]

No way the Spurs should even be top 5 imo. Too old and too fragile.

 

[Shooter]

The Andre Miller signing is starting to grow on me. In addition to being a very capable scorer (at 16 points per game), he has the highest assist average among the top 10 off-season pickups. That means he does whatever it takes to win, and I think he's going to be a fabulous backcourt mate for Roy.