Post by Agent Kev on Nov 23, 2004 20:07:48 GMT -5
1 Minnesota Timberwolves
They're getting off to a better start than usual, which is bad news for the rest of the West.
2 Phoenix Suns
Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash are putting up amazing numbers in Mike D'Antoni's high-powered offense.
3 Miami Heat
While the Pistons and Pacers are snuffing each other out, the Heat are gradually becoming the beast in the East.
4 San Antonio Spurs
Once Tony Parker stops overthinking his contract and role, he'll take off and so will the rest of the team.
5 Dallas Mavericks
Good thing they're loaded with depth considering how the injuries just keep coming.
6 Indiana Pacers
The core of their team has been stripped and this will be their last ranking in the top 10 for months.
7 Seattle SuperSonics
Now that their nine-game winning streak is over, we'll see what kind of toughness this team really has.
8 Sacramento Kings
The rotten schedule and injuries caused a false start, nothing that going home for a while couldn't cure.
9 Utah Jazz
Carlos Arroyo is now back healthy at point guard, but the glitter has worn off and they've lost some tough games.
10 Detroit Pistons
They're finding out how quickly much tougher it is to retain a title than it is to win it in the first place.
11 Houston Rockets
The defense is set, and slowly but surely Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming are figuring out how great they can be.
12 Cleveland Cavaliers
As soon as the game starts, all eyes are on LeBron and he is worthy of all the attention and more.
13 Memphis Grizzlies
Another team off to a horrible start that's too good not to get back into the thick of the West race.
14 Denver Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony has settled back into his game and the chemistry is coming together despite lacking a shooter.
15 Orlando Magic
Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed that Grant Hill stays healthy, if he does, they're the fourth seed.
16 Los Angeles Lakers
Good thing Kobe Bryant hit the weights again this summer, it's pretty heavy carrying L.A. on his back.
17 Portland Trail Blazers
The rumor mill is back cranking full speed, with Vince Carter and Jason Kidd the targets this year.
18 Washington Wizards
This is another sleeper playoff team should everyone get healthy for an extended period of time.
19 New York Knicks
Jamal Crawford has looked great and Allan Houston is coming back soon, so optimism is temporarily back.
20 Boston Celtics
There is experience and talent, but the depth is so young, it's hard to know how well they will sustain.
21 Philadelphia 76ers
Instead of quitting on Glenn Robinson, why not use him considering how bad the offense is?
22 Toronto Raptors
The bids have begun for Carter, who now says he'd rather not dunk. Jalen Rose's contract along with him makes it an even a tougher deal.
23 Los Angeles Clippers
Just when it looks like they're about to make a move, they slide back into Clipperville. It's never pretty.
24 Milwaukee Bucks
Terry Porter worked miracles as a first-year coach, we'll see how much magic is left in his wand.
25 New Jersey Nets
Even with the revved-up offenses this season, the Nets are having trouble scoring. They need the college 3-pointer.
26 Golden State Warriors
The lovefest for Chris Mullin once he took over as general manager was intense, but they're the same old Warriors.
27 New Orleans Hornets
Finally, they pulled out a win for Byron Scott. But only after the Utah Jazz gift-wrapped it.
28 Charlotte Bobcats
They've lost a lot of close games, which is all part of the process when you're an expansion team.
28 Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks will get better as time goes one, but that's not saying much considering how bad they are now.
30 Chicago Bulls
Pssst, Bulls, did anybody tell you the regular season has already started? Oh, didn't think so.
-cbs.sportsline.com
They're getting off to a better start than usual, which is bad news for the rest of the West.
2 Phoenix Suns
Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash are putting up amazing numbers in Mike D'Antoni's high-powered offense.
3 Miami Heat
While the Pistons and Pacers are snuffing each other out, the Heat are gradually becoming the beast in the East.
4 San Antonio Spurs
Once Tony Parker stops overthinking his contract and role, he'll take off and so will the rest of the team.
5 Dallas Mavericks
Good thing they're loaded with depth considering how the injuries just keep coming.
6 Indiana Pacers
The core of their team has been stripped and this will be their last ranking in the top 10 for months.
7 Seattle SuperSonics
Now that their nine-game winning streak is over, we'll see what kind of toughness this team really has.
8 Sacramento Kings
The rotten schedule and injuries caused a false start, nothing that going home for a while couldn't cure.
9 Utah Jazz
Carlos Arroyo is now back healthy at point guard, but the glitter has worn off and they've lost some tough games.
10 Detroit Pistons
They're finding out how quickly much tougher it is to retain a title than it is to win it in the first place.
11 Houston Rockets
The defense is set, and slowly but surely Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming are figuring out how great they can be.
12 Cleveland Cavaliers
As soon as the game starts, all eyes are on LeBron and he is worthy of all the attention and more.
13 Memphis Grizzlies
Another team off to a horrible start that's too good not to get back into the thick of the West race.
14 Denver Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony has settled back into his game and the chemistry is coming together despite lacking a shooter.
15 Orlando Magic
Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed that Grant Hill stays healthy, if he does, they're the fourth seed.
16 Los Angeles Lakers
Good thing Kobe Bryant hit the weights again this summer, it's pretty heavy carrying L.A. on his back.
17 Portland Trail Blazers
The rumor mill is back cranking full speed, with Vince Carter and Jason Kidd the targets this year.
18 Washington Wizards
This is another sleeper playoff team should everyone get healthy for an extended period of time.
19 New York Knicks
Jamal Crawford has looked great and Allan Houston is coming back soon, so optimism is temporarily back.
20 Boston Celtics
There is experience and talent, but the depth is so young, it's hard to know how well they will sustain.
21 Philadelphia 76ers
Instead of quitting on Glenn Robinson, why not use him considering how bad the offense is?
22 Toronto Raptors
The bids have begun for Carter, who now says he'd rather not dunk. Jalen Rose's contract along with him makes it an even a tougher deal.
23 Los Angeles Clippers
Just when it looks like they're about to make a move, they slide back into Clipperville. It's never pretty.
24 Milwaukee Bucks
Terry Porter worked miracles as a first-year coach, we'll see how much magic is left in his wand.
25 New Jersey Nets
Even with the revved-up offenses this season, the Nets are having trouble scoring. They need the college 3-pointer.
26 Golden State Warriors
The lovefest for Chris Mullin once he took over as general manager was intense, but they're the same old Warriors.
27 New Orleans Hornets
Finally, they pulled out a win for Byron Scott. But only after the Utah Jazz gift-wrapped it.
28 Charlotte Bobcats
They've lost a lot of close games, which is all part of the process when you're an expansion team.
28 Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks will get better as time goes one, but that's not saying much considering how bad they are now.
30 Chicago Bulls
Pssst, Bulls, did anybody tell you the regular season has already started? Oh, didn't think so.
-cbs.sportsline.com