1
Miami
Heat 66-16 -/- Michael Beasley already is finding a role on the defending champions, who actually could use a reliable fourth scorer.
2
San Antonio
Spurs 58-24 -/- It's time to stop asking if the Spurs are getting too old, even after a preseason blowout loss to the Heat.
3
Indiana
Pacers 49-32 -/- They proved last season they can defend as well as any team in the NBA. But Danny Granger's reassimilation is crucial.
4
Los Angeles
Clippers 56-26 -/- DeAndre Jordan is drawing tons of hype from new coach Doc Rivers. Hopefully he'll handle it better than his free throws.
5
Chicago
Bulls 45-37 -/- Derrick Rose says he's more explosive now than he was before his knee injury, and the preseason results have upheld his claim.
6
Oklahoma City
Thunder 60-22 -/- Life without Russell Westbrook will put even more on Kevin Durant's shoulders. He probably can handle it, at least early on.
7
Houston
Rockets 45-37 -/- Dwight Howard is making it look like 2010 again with his preseason performance, even as the Rockets limit his minutes.
8
Brooklyn
Nets 49-33 -/- They have more depth than anyone and the stars to make a run. But can Jason Kidd persuade Kevin Garnett to slow down?
9
Memphis
Grizzlies 56-26 -/- Mike Miller looks healthier than he's been in years, potentially giving the Grizzlies the shooter they needed so much last season.
10
Golden State
Warriors 47-35 -/- They left China with two wins vs. the Los Angeles Lakers and increased chemistry with new swingman Andre Iguodala.
11
New York
Knicks 54-28 -/- The verdict isn't in yet on Andrea Bargnani, but he's 2-for-9 on three-pointers through four preseason games.
12
Minnesota
Timberwolves 31-51 -/- Kevin Love hasn't reached 30 minutes in a preseason game. That's probably for the best after last years injuries.
13
Denver
Nuggets 57-25 -/- The defense has been as rough as expected, but there's a lot of room to grow with several young players taking bigger roles.
14
Portland
Trail Blazers 33-49 -/- They lost their first two games in the rebranded Moda Center, a sign Rose Garden clearly was the better name.
15
Detroit
Pistons 29-53 -/- Andre Drummond must be thrilled to be freed from Lawrence Frank's doghouse and dominating the boards regularly.
16
Atlanta
Hawks 45-38 -/- The whole addition-by-subtraction tack has not taken hold yet in the preseason, but the roster is very young.
17
Los Angeles
Lakers 45-37 -/- When Nick Young is playing well, the offense actually is decent. That portends a long season.
18
New Orleans
Pelicans 27-56 -/- How much do you invest in preseason results? They definitely have looked the part of a playoff team so far.
19
Cleveland
Cavaliers 24-58 -/- The revelation of Anthony Bennett's asthma and sleep apnea comes as he shows his scoring ability in brief hot streaks.
20
Washington
Wizards 29-53 -/- Bradley Beal looks ready to make a big jump after pouring in points throughout the preseason thus far.
21
Dallas
Mavericks 41-41 -/- Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion and Vince Carter would have made a pretty awesome core in 2003.
22
Toronto
Raptors 34-48 -/- The Rudy Gay-DeMar DeRozan pairing doesn't seem like it should work as well as it does. This could be a playoff team.
23
Milwaukee
Bucks 38-44 -/- The preseason hasn't been kind to the Bucks or their rebuilt backcourt featuring O.J. Mayo and Brandon Knight.
24
Sacramento
Kings 28-54 -/- They've bought into DeMarcus Cousins as the future of the franchise, and he's given them a huge preseason payoff. Will it last?
25
Boston
Celtics 41-40 -/- Brad Stevens is going to have to figure out what to do with five power forwards and no NBA-quality point guards.
26
Utah
Jazz 43-39 -/- They paid Derrick Favors enough that he had better learn how to score quickly with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap gone.
27
Charlotte
Bobcats 21-61 -/- It seems almost safe to say they won't be the worst team this season because of a talented frontcourt.
28
Orlando
Magic 20-62 -/- Rookie Victor Oladipo wont be coming off the bench for long at this rate.
29
Phoenix
Suns 25-57 -/- Point guards Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe slowly are working out their roles, and Dragic appears to be the scorer.
30
Philadelphia
76ers 34-48 -/- You have to think their 2-1 preseason start will mark the last time this season they top .500.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/rankings/?fullsite=true
i never felt this before
I'm thinking Z-Bo may be getting traded elsewhere by trade deadline so they can play the younger lefty Ed Davis.
