5. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are laying low in the weeds. They don’t look like a great team at the moment but with their championship experience, they are a team to never count out. If Manu Ginobili’s injury can heal quickly, they have a great shot at winning the second seed in the Western Conference.

4. Orlando Magic
When All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson got hurt, the Magic were a top team in the NBA. While they are definitely still elite, they lost a lot when Nelson hurt his shoulder. That said, they have enough talent to beat anyone in any series if they get hot from the perimeter.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have one main weapon. Luckily, that weapon is LeBron James — arguably the best and most explosive basketball player on the planet. If the role players can step up, LeBron is more than capable of doing the dirty work.

2. Boston Celtics
The defending 2007-08 NBA champions are once again one of the top teams in the league. With the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, it’s going to be extremely tough for any team to knock off the champs.

1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers lost in the Finals last season but this year they are even better. If Andrew Bynum can return near 100%, there’s simply no team that can match the talent the Lakers are capable of putting on the court.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

2. Boston Celtics
Despite recent Lakers and the Spurs, the defending NBA champions are still a great basketball team. Once the playoffs start, Boston will once again be an extremely tough team to eliminate. Right now, they are suffering a bit because their defense has dropped off as of late.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
With LeBron James proving to be perhaps the best basketball player on the planet, the Cavs are one of the most explosive teams in the NBA. Any given night, they are able to wipe the floor with the other team. Mo Williams, who got named to the All-Star team, is a perfect sidekick for LeBron.

4. San Antonio Spurs
Quietly moving up through the ranks, the Spurs now have to be regarded as one of the top teams in the NBA. As long as their trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker stay healthy, this team could once again make a lot of noise in the 2009 NBA playoffs.

5. Orlando Magic
If it wasn’t for Jameer Nelson’s injury, the Magic could be a couple spots higher on this list. But without their point guard, who could potentially miss the season, Orlando simply isn’t the same team. That said, they’re talented enough to win a lot of games — with or without Nelson.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

4. Sacramento Kings
Things may actually get worse before they get better for the Kings. They are last in the league in point differential at -9.0 and they don’t have much of a team concept at this point. Sacramento is in desperate need of a trade to spice things up.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Not too long ago, the Thunder were regarded as the worst team in all the land. But they’ve played much better recently and there are signs that they might be starting to get their ship turned around. Winners of half of their last ten games, the good news is that they have a young, talented core that appears to be dedicated.

2. Washington Wizards
With the second worst record in the NBA just ahead of the Thunder, the Wizards are already looking forward to the ping pong balls. The team is so bad that Gilbert Arenas and the decision makers are questioning whether it is even worth it for Arenas to make a comeback this season.

1. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers earned this spot in the rankings because they don’t have much of an excuse. While they are battling injuries, they have a roster of veteran players who should be able to find ways to win. Right now they are horrible and they are headed for another Clippers-like finish.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

2. Boston Celtics
The reigning NBA champions haven’t looked as dominant as usual as of late. Their lack of depth has been apparent and their Big Three doesn’t always have the needed juice on a game by game basis. That said, they are still the team to beat until someone ends their back-to-back dreams.

3. Orlando Magic
If it wasn’t for their lack of experience, the Magic could very well have the top spot in these 2009 NBA power rankings. The Magic have Dwight Howard in the middle and a bunch of great shooters surrounding him. They will be a tough out in the playoffs.

4. Los Angeles Lakers
Not too long ago, the Lakers looked like they might be the best team in the NBA. But a recent two-game losing streak has exposed a few weaknesses. However, they are dealing with injuries right now and once healthy, expect them to move back into the top three.

5. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs always seem to hang around near the top. They aren’t going to be the favorite this season but they are another team that no one wants to face in the postseason. If they stay healthy, they’ll have a shot to win it all.

Photo credit: Newscom

Post from: Expert Fantasy

1. Boston Celtics
Is there any debate? The Celtics seemingly can’t lose.

2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers were expected to be very good and they are.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron finally has a legit championship contender.

4. New Orleans Hornets
Chris Paul makes the Hornets capable of winning every night.

5. Orlando Magic
Dwight Howard is a beast and his teammates fit.

6. San Antonio Spurs
Now healthy, the Spurs are making a run.

7. Denver Nuggets
The Chauncey Billups trade looks better and better.

8. Houston Rockets
If they can get healthy, they can still contend.

9. Detroit Pistons
They are still transitioning but they have the talent.

10. Atlanta Hawks
Young team but they are getting better quickly.

Photo credit: Newscom

Post from: Expert Fantasy

2. Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant and company will once again try to win the Western Conference. Adding Andrew Bynum to a team that almost won it all without him is a scary thought.

3. San Antonio Spurs
It’s easy to forget about the San Antonio Spurs but when it is all said and done, the Spurs are seemingly always there in the end giving it their best shot.

4. New Orleans Hornets
The addition of James Posey makes the New Orleans Hornets a team that is very capable of winning the West and going on and taking home a title.

5. Houston Rockets
On paper, the Rockets might be the best team of them all. Ron Artest could be a force if he stays sane and the Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming duo should be better than ever.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

1. Boston Celtics – The defending champs are the team to beat.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers with Andrew Bynum will be tough.
3. San Antonio Spurs – The Spurs always seem to lurk near the top.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – With the addition of Mo Williams, watch out.
5. New Orleans Hornets – James Posey will add a mean streak in NO.
6. Detroit Pistons – The Pistons should once again win a lot of games.
7. Houston Rockets – Ron Artest could make the Rockets great.
8. Utah Jazz – The Jazz might be a tad overrated heading into 2008.
9. Phoenix Suns – The window is closing fast for the Suns.
10. Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard will make sure the Magic win.

Here is a Dwight Howard highlight reel video:

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Here is our current HoopsFantasy NBA power rankings of the best team in the NBA:

1. Boston Celtics – The Celtics are the best until proven otherwise.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Adding Andrew Bynum to the mix will be big.
3. San Antonio Spurs – Can never count out the Spurs.
4. New Orleans Hornets – James Posey gives the Hornets heart.
5. Houston Rockets – Ron Artest gives the Rockets fire.
6. Detroit Pistons – The Pistons will still be in the mix.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron makes any team elite.
8. Utah Jazz – The Jazz have deep, deep talent.
9. Phoenix Suns – The Suns are good but maybe too old.
10. Dallas Mavericks – New coach could awaken the Mavs.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Expert Fantasy