Which League is the better one?
AVN Power Rankings
1. Buffalo Braves
The Braves are one of the youngest and deepest teams in the league, especially in the front line. The continued development of Alec Burks, Harrison Barnes, James Harden, Greg Monroe and Derrick Favors will make this an even scarier opponent in the playoffs.
2. San Diego Conquistadors
San Diego has one of the most balanced teams in the league, who can play inside and outside, uptempo or slow tempo, this team can adapt to any style and win. Joe Johnson and Kevin Love are one of the premier scoring duos in the league and Tayshaun Prince might be the best third bananas in the league.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have started this season playing at the level they ended last season playing at, except this years team is a little deeper. Eric Gordon and LaMarcus Aldridge are off to what would be career season's, but can they continue to play at this level will be the question as the season goes forward.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have a lot new players on this years team but the talent is undeniable, they have so much firepower. I expect this team to get a lot better as the season goes forward, especially on the defensive end where its been one of if not the worst in the league, that shouldn't continue, they will improve in that area and be a very dangerous team in the playoffs.
5. Pittsburgh Pipers
The Pipers have played the least amount of games of any team in the league and their problem is the opposite of the Bucks, the Pipers are the best defensive team in the league but are struggling to score right now but a team with Amare, D Wade and Gilbert Arenas wont struggling to score for too long, this team should start scoring more as they get more games under their belts.
6. Portland Trailblazers
The Blazers are flying under the radar right now but with Zachary Randolph and Tony Parker leading them, people will have to start taking notice. The Blazers could use another scorer on the perimeter to enhance their title chances but their defense will keep them in the hunt.
7. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls were the story of the league last season but have struggled out of the gate thus far, Kevin Durant isn't struggling tho, as Durant continues to improve every season, Durant is the best scorer in the game right now. The Bulls have been shopping Milsap since they early exit in the playoffs but haven't found a deal yet, but if they can find a wing to pair with Durant, they will find themselves climbing up the rankings.
8. St. Louis Spirits
The Spirits trade for Kaman could be their saving grace as Dwight Howard will be out for the team's next 21 games. Bynum and Kaman will be able to hold down the fort upfront until he can return post all star break. Kyrie Irving will get a chance to further solidify his MVP candidacy in Howard's absence, Irving has been tearing it up thus far to the tune of 27.1ppg 10.4apg 5rpg and 2spg.
9. Carolina Cougars
The Cougars have the same formula again this season, three big time scorers and a bunch of spare parts around them. The Cougars have been shopping their big three so it remains to be seen if they can keep their place among the elite teams or if they gonna fall back to the pack.
10. Kansas City Kings
The Kings are again among the league's best but has this core of players maxed out? Do the Kings have the pieces around them to take the next step and really challenge for a championship?
11. Kentucky Colonels
The Colonels GM has turned this team around in a hurry and has acquired a lot of assets in the process. Kentucky has the right blend of youth and vets and wouldn't surprise me if they make a few moves before the deadline and put themselves right in the mix in the Western Conference. Jimmer Fredette is an elite scorer, Vassilis Spanoulis is having a career year at 30yrs old and Danny Granger has been the ultimate glue guy, what a fun team to watch.
12. New Jersey Nets
The Nets changed the whole team philosophy in the off season, going from an inside team, to an outside team. Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings are really flourishing but the Nets are a big away from really competing.
13. Miami Floridians
The Floridians are one of the best offensive team's in the league, and are really balanced but have issues on the defensive end. If the Floridians can trade for a better defensive player without losing any of its firepower, they will be an even more dangerous team.
14. New York Knicks
The Knicks have started the season really struggling and I'm not sure if things will get much better or not, did the team just do a little too much celebrating in the off season or has father time caught up with them or both?
15. Cleveland Cavaliers
This is probably the least talented Cavaliers team in years but still find themselves in the playoff hunt, I'm not sure if that says more about LeBron or the teams behind them in the standings.
16. Baltimore Claws
The Claws made a big splash in the off season by getting Chris Paul and that has put them in position to be a playoff team this season. If the Claws can get more from Jeff Green or trade for an upgrade at the wing position, they will be a playoff team, otherwise they will be fighting an uphill battle all season.
17. Indiana Pacers
J.J. Hickson has been an utter disappointment since signing with the Pacers, this Pacers team talent is better then it's record but it needs to figure out what to do with J.J. Hickson, because he isn't getting it done.
18. Utah Stars
The Stars are another team fighting father time, as it looks like their championship window might have closed shut. The Stars starters are being asked to carry too big of a load at this stage of their respective careers.
19. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were definitely the talk of the off season with all the money they threw around to keep Stephen Curry and Ricky Rubio, well Stephen Curry has been earning his money, as he's off to a career year almost doubling his career average. If the Nuggets can get an upgrade in the front court, this could be the season they finally end the playoff drought in Denver.
20. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons will be right back in contention once they get Andrew Bogut back from injury. The Pistons might wanna look at making an upgrade at point guard if they really wanna make a run this season.
21. Houston Rockets
The Rockets turn the ball over a lot in large part because of Marcus Thornton who's 5th in the league, if they can upgrade his ball handling, the team will be much better going forward.
22. Washington Bullets
The Bullets had a brutal start to the season but have started to turn it around the last 10 games and have the veterans to make a run towards a playoff spot.
23. Virginia Squires
The Squires have one of the better front courts in the league but their inexperience in the back court hurts them from being anything but a lottery team. The team has been shopping Sofoklis Schortsanitis for some time now, it'll be interesting to see if they can finally find a trade or if he'll be stuck in Virginia for another season.
24. Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats have 4 young players whom they hope will be cornerstones to their rebuild surrounded by old veterans, maybe they will be able to unload them to contending teams before the deadline for more pieces to build around Rivers and Kanter.
25. Oakland Oaks
The Oaks will have a lot of cap space in the off season but don't have their pick so its going be a long season in Oakland.
26. Boston Celtics
The Celtics wont have cap space this off season but could be players the following off season and the Celtics do have their pick in the upcoming draft this year so Celtic fans have the draft to look forward too this year.
27. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been shopping Tracy McGrady but are asking for too much for a 33yr old in the last year of his deal.
28. Golden State Warriors
James Mcadoo has been the best rookie thus far and has the potential to be a star in this league, it'll be interesting how he develops.
29. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers young front court duo will continue to be exciting to watch this season but the team is a long ways from the playoffs. Lets see how long the people of Philadelphia will be patient will the rebuild.
