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Countdown Preview


Tony Mejia By Tony Mejia
CBSSports.com Staff Writer
Tell Tony your opinion!
 

Updated Oct. 25

Tony Mejia ranks every NBA team in order from worst to first, including a full analysis of their prospects for 2007-08.

San Antonio SpursSan Antonio Spurs
01
2006-07 Record: 58-24 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 59-23
Mejia's Take: Teams like the Spurs don't honestly believe in jinxes. They won't suddenly lose their motivation. San Antonio already has its rallying cry: Repeat or bust. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Phoenix SunsPhoenix Suns
02
2006-07 Record: 61-21 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 62-20
Mejia's Take: Whatever happened to the sentiment that winning a championship is the ultimate goal? Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire need to ask themselves that question and come up with the right answer. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Dallas MavericksDallas Mavericks
03
2006-07 Record: 67-15 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 56-26
Mejia's Take: Avery Johnson has had the most interesting three years coaching a team in NBA history. How do you build on a 67-win season that was understandably deemed a failure? Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Houston RocketsHouston Rockets
04
2006-07 Record: 52-30 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 53-29
Mejia's Take: Houston's preseason has been spent with players adjusting to one another and Adelman's demands. The mentality is to always look for the easiest shot, ideally a layup executed by a 7-foot-5 center. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
New Jersey NetsNew Jersey Nets
05
2006-07 Record: 41-41 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 52-30
Mejia's Take: In the midst of a personal renaissance, this could be the year Jason Kidd's legend grows. He's not as appreciated as Steve Nash despite being a more well-rounded player. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Chicago BullsChicago Bulls
06
2006-07 Record: 49-33 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 50-32
Mejia's Take: If GM John Paxson decides to throw Luol Deng in a deal, he can have Kobe Bryant this second. Right now, that's not an option. If that remains the case, can Chicago compete for a championship? Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Detroit PistonsDetroit Pistons
07
2006-07 Record: 53-29 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 48-34
Mejia's Take: Tayshaun Prince is finding ways to reinvent himself, keeping his team from growing stale. He is playing resurrector, keeping his aging squad from being put to rest. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
08
2006-07 Record: 24-58 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 48-34
Mejia's Take: Take the following as a giant wet blanket if you will, but odds are good that the Celtics aren't going to win an NBA championship this season. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets
09
2006-07 Record: 45-37 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 48-34
Mejia's Take: If for some reason, the Western Conference regresses and a new champion has to emerge, Denver could follow Cleveland's blueprint to unprecedented success. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Utah JazzUtah Jazz
10
2006-07 Record: 51-31 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 46-36
Mejia's Take: The major obstacle to Utah repeating as Midwest Division champ is chemistry. It would be foolish to believe otherwise. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Cleveland CavaliersCleveland Cavaliers
11
2006-07 Record: 50-32 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 47-35
Mejia's Take: Even with LeBron James certain to be improved, you won't find many picking the Cavs to win the Eastern Conference again. Not right now, at least. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Toronto RaptorsToronto Raptors
12
2006-07 Record: 47-35 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 46-36
Mejia's Take: Did everything fall into place last season, or are the Toronto Raptors about to galvanize an entire nation? The answer, ironically, might lie in the abilities of the head coach Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Golden State WarriorsGolden State Warriors
13
2006-07 Record: 42-40 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 45-37
Mejia's Take: If you're going to compare Golden State's attack to that of its Pacific Division rival Phoenix, I'm liable to throw myself on the floor and go into hysterics. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Miami HeatMiami Heat
14
2006-07 Record: 44-38 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 44-38
Mejia's Take: Three years appears to be the Heat's window of opportunity to capture another title. That's how long Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal are obligated to stay. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Washington WizardsWashington Wizards
15
2006-07 Record: 41-41 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 45-37
Mejia's Take: Why are the Washington Wizards not considered one of the NBA's elite teams? The answer is simple, cold and harsh. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Orlando MagicOrlando Magic
16
2006-07 Record: 40-42 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 43-39
Mejia's Take: A new coach, new system and the arrival of Rashard Lewis suggests the Magic might have an adjustment period, but there's no doubt they're coming up in the world. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
New Orleans HornetsNew Orleans Hornets
17
2006-07 Record: 39-43 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 42-40
Mejia's Take: The Hornets start the season under pressure to turn their house into a home. To do so, they've got to win. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
18
2006-07 Record: 42-40 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 41-41
Mejia's Take: The Lakers weren't able to pull the trigger on K.G. Now after years of trying to reload while staying competitive, this may be the last go-around for the Kobe Bryant show. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee Bucks
19
2006-07 Record: 28-54 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 39-43
Mejia's Take: The Bucks have been busy spending bucks. Yi better be worth it and this team better make strides or heads should roll. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Memphis GrizzliesMemphis Grizzlies
20
2006-07 Record: 22-60 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 37-45
Mejia's Take: Pau Gasol is considered one of the world's best big men -- and by the international press, on Dirk's level. Time to prove it in the NBA. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
New York KnicksNew York Knicks
21
2006-07 Record: 33-49 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 36-46
Mejia's Take: Isiah Thomas' tenure with the Knicks has been anything but smooth. Despite Thomas' lack of success, owner James Dolan is backing his man. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Charlotte BobcatsCharlotte Bobcats
22
2006-07 Record: 33-49 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 36-46
Mejia's Take: Borderline playoff team, especially after acquiring J-Rich in the offseason, but this team would have a much higher profile if Adam Morrison hadn't been such a bust as a rookie. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail Blazers
23
2006-07 Record: 32-50 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 33-49
Mejia's Take: Kevin Pritchard, front-runner as league's top executive? You bet, and surviving without Oden is going to prove it. After all, it's the foundation built around him that matters. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles Clippers
24
2006-07 Record: 40-42 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 32-50
Mejia's Take: So, let me get this straight, in order to avoid slipping back to the same ol' Clippers, they've got to rely on Tim Thomas? Promising... Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Atlanta HawksAtlanta Hawks
25
2006-07 Record: 30-52 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 31-51
Mejia's Take: The young Hawks have been on the rise since the turn of the century. At some point, most of these guys have to grow up. Coach Mike Woodson's job depends on it. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Sacramento KingsSacramento Kings
26
2006-07 Record: 32-49 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 26-56
Mejia's Take: The Kings have some of the best most loyal fans in the NBA and have for years, but this rapid decline has them scrambling to dig out positives. Unproven Reggie Theus and Kevin Martin head the list. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Indiana PacersIndiana Pacers
27
2006-07 Record: 35-47 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 24-58
Mejia's Take: It wasn't that long ago when Indiana won 61 games. But stuck in a free-fall since then, time is short for the Pacers. Victories are needed now, since star Jermaine O'Neal can opt out after this season. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle Supersonics
28
2006-07 Record: 31-51 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 22-60
Mejia's Take: It was a tumultuous offseason for Seattle: Controversy surrounding a new arena, and the team blown up to build for the future. Regardless, there is some hope. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
29
2006-07 Record: 35-47 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 21-61
Mejia's Take: Last year's post-AI surge was great for team unity, but cost them a shot at No. 1. In the end, was it worth it? Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer
Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota Timberwolves
30
2006-07 Record: 32-49 | Predicted 2007-08 Record: 18-64
Mejia's Take: Letting K.G go was the best thing for all. A literary care package for the Wolves fan in mourning. Preview

Schedule: Viewable | Printable | Depth Chart | Division Primer