Sportando's 2012-13 NBA Season Power Ranking

1) Miami Heat

With the summer market which led, among others, Ray Allen, the Heat are ready to repeat itself with a Bosh safe in the role of center and LBJ that as a power forward can be even more unstoppable. In the East, Miami, will have few rivals and found how it ended the last NBA final is legitimate to speak of Back-to-Back around of South Beach.

2) Oklahoma City Thunder

The talent of OKC palyers is not questionable, and now they have the right experienced to win a title. Kevin Durant is the prince candidate for the MVP award. The return of Eric Maynor and the choice of Perry Jones III make their bench deeper, which is useful especially when it’s going to be hot. The negotiations for the renewal of Harden can be distracting for him and for the team and this is the real danger they face.

3) Los Angeles Lakers

Queen of the summer market, L.A. has a starting five scary for talent and completeness. The age of Nash and Kobe is not going to be noticed that much especially if they manage to successfully balance their potentially unstoppable offense. The Canadian defense suffers almost all (especially the more athletic as Westbrook), but with Howard and his terrible shot blocking skills they will be safe. The doubts are all on the bench, with the only noteworthy Jamison, and the real capacity of the top 5 of performing at their best throughout the season by being away from injuries. The Lakers experienced a similar organic in 2004, but despite Zen coach on the bench, it ended badly.

4) San Antonio Spurs

Label them as old and done is now a game in which it is better not to participate. The black and silver will be back on top in the West and who knows if they can even reach an NBA Finals. The offense will once again be in Parker’s and Ginobili’s hands, but with Diaw and Jackson from the beginning of the season it will be more effective. The past year they imploded in the conference finals ahead 2-0. Unlikely that, in a similar situation from happening again.

5) Dallas Mavericks

The summer of the Mavs has been complicated, but not disappointing. They lost two stars like Kidd and Terry, but gained Mayo and Collison, young and hungry (at least in theory). The backcourt is intriguing, Dirk will be illegal as usual while Kaman and Brand are experienced players who know how to be productive. Coach Carlisle has already won a title. Possible finalists in the West.

6) Boston Celtics

Ok, He Got Game is gone, and the miles on KG’s mileomter continue to increase, but with an healthy Avery Bradley and the addition of Terry, the C's are the most qualified to challenge Miami in the Eastern Conference.The best of Jeff Green is yet to come and Courtney Lee has been a good pick for Danny Ainge. The Boston Pride is Still Alive.

7) Los Angeles Clippers

They are the same as last year with a little more experience and professionalism with Grant Hill and something less for talent with the departure of Nick Young and Mo’ Williams. However the losses will be more than offset by Jamal Crawford (at his fifth team in the last 5 years) who will fight as usual for the title of sixth man of the year award. Willie Green is going to be a good fit for this team. The injury suffered by Griffin has triggered some alarm in the Clippers management, given the history of similar Kemp and McDyess carrers, who have been limited by similar incidents.

Lamarvelous is linked to the Clippers more for his wife than to title ambitions, don’t forget it.

8) Denver Nuggets

Masai Ujiri has put in the hands of George Karl a team that has everything groped for the ascent of Mount Western Conference. They are athletic and deep enough to worry everyone, but probably missing a piece to complete the puzzle. Despite tthe playoffs performances the doubts about McGee remain and their game in the painted area continues to be a little weak. But with Iguodala, Gallinari and Lawson they are going to be happy in Mile High City. The rookies Fournier and Miller seem interesting, but they are definitely immature.

9) Chicago Bulls

If the fantastic phenomenon that bears the name of Derrick Rose was not injured, we would talk about the Bulls as a contender. Unfortunately will be without their number 1 for many, many months and this means almost certainly a season of ups and downs and a lower playoffs spot. Curious to see Marco Belinelli in this new system.

10) Memphis Grizzlies

They have yet to understand how to maximize the talent of Rudy Gay, but the Grizzlies are still a team that can beat everyone in a single night. They will never forget the first round of the 2012 playoffs, and this may not be entirely a bad thing. Zach Randolph is expected to an higher level after the injury that has affected the previous year.

11) New York Knicks

Despite is nearing to the 40 springs Jason Kidd is still a guy who can positively impact both inside and outside the field. But other than that the Knicks have a tough season ahead, with the pressure of the city which makes it a lot more complicated. The offense made by isolations of coach Woodson will make Melo happy, but not the other, especially Stoudamire. Seeing them beyond the second round of the playoffs would be to witness the passing of a comet: possible but very rare.

12) Brooklyn Nets

The mere fact of playing in Brooklyn and no longer in a swamp exponentially raised the credibility of this club, to such an extent as to be able, in summer, to put together a team very interesting. Chemistry will be, especially in the offense side of the floor, the greatest obstacle to overcome, but if so the Nets could be the big surprises in the NBA. DWill and Joe Johnson are the most dangerous backourt in the Eastern Conference. Don’t miss the season debut against the Knicks.

13) Minnesota Timberwolves

As in the case of the Bulls, if Ricky Rubio was healty at the beginning of the season, we would speak of Minnesota in other words. Until the return of the spanish the whole team will be on Kevin Love shoulders, and without Beasley, but with Kirilenko (super hit) the task will definitely be easier. Of course, everyone look forward to see the actual condition of Brandon Roy (one of the best stories in recent years). If the number 7 even approached the levels of when he was an All Star then watch out for the Wolves, even without their starting point guard.

14) Indiana Pacers

The last playoffs have certainly injected a large dose of confidence to the team coached by Frank Vogel. They are big and athletic, but they missing a true All Star on which to develop their game, as Granger does not always seem to be the go to guy they need. Perhaps Paul George could finally explode though the dreaded sophmore slump is lurking.

15) Philadelphia 76ers

Andrew Bynum will be the best center in the East and this should be enough for a comfortable playoffs qualifying. They lost their leading scorer (Lou Williams) and their best player (Andre Iguodala) receiving Nick Young’s genius and recklessness. Last season success was the result of a team effort that with this new staff is difficult to repeat, but they have everything to try and pass, at least, the first round of the post season.

16) Utah Jazz

Until today they have been able to rebuild and remain competitive at the same time and in today NBA is the equivalent of a masterpiece. The frontline is superior, even in the West, with Millsap, Favors and Jefferson, not to mention the excellent Hayward and Kanter. Despite the acquisition of Mo’ Williams and Randy Foye, they are still weak in the perimeter and in this way trades are not to be excluded until february.

17) Golden State Warriors

Oakland season will depend on the conditions of Andrew Bogut. If the Australian will be able to play (and play well) then the Warriors have more than a hope to participate in the playoffs. They chose well with Harrison Barnes, Curry is one of the best point guard in the league, Klay Thompson is potentially a 20 points player while Lee is more than reliable in the role of power forward. But even with Bogut, doubts remain with defense and bench. Coach Mark Jackson should prove to be a real coach and a not only a former television commentator (as well as a former great player).

18) Atlanta Hawks

With the departure of Joe Johnson Hawks fate is in the hands of Josh Smith and Al Hortford, not the best possible scenario. If they were in the West they wouldn’t have chances, but in the Eastern Conference can aspire to a place in the playoffs, especially if Jeff Teague and newcomer Devin Harris will be able to produce in the perimeter helped by Lou Williams.

19) Cleveland Cavaliers

The enthusiasm around “the mistake on the lake” is growing, thanks to the rookie of the year 2012 Kyre Irving, a future All Star. If coach Byron Scott will be able to express the full potential of his young players, then they can play even in may. Tyler Zeller and Dion Waiters are two rookies that can have an immediately positive impact while Tristan Thompson is expected to move at a higher level of play.

20) New Orleans Hornets

It only takes a few games to see how far New Orleans can go. If Davis succeeds immediately to affect in the planks and Rivers will prove to be an NBA point guard, then with the gunner Eric Gordon the Hornets will also aspire to fight for the playoffs. It will not be easy since the two rookie, respectively as point guard and center, are a bit 'out of their natural role. This season will show also what Xavier Henry and Al-Farouq Aminu are made.

21) Phoenix Suns

Nash's departure has been the end of a long and beautiful dream in Phoenix from which the franchise woke up with almost nothing. There is no doubt that Michael Beasley is capable of scoring 22-25 points per game, as well as his skills and his approach are unquestionable also outside the parquet that made him, at least so far, a career at below its true potential . Scola is a terrific power forward, but beyond him, and Dragic, we see bad days in the Valley of the Sun.

22) Washington Wizards

If John Wall will be able to raise the level of his teammates and not only an impressive offensive player,then, in the Capital, we'll see nba games even beyond april. It will not be easy. The team is solid, with Nene and Okafor to control the backboards (in the East are rare animals), and Trevor Ariza is a SF reliable and productive. The rookie Bradley Beal has everything to do very well.

23) Portland Trail Blazers

Blazers frontline with Aldridge along with rookie Leonard will be difficult to halt for several NBA teams, but this Portland in the West looks set to another lottery. Watch out rookie Damien Lillard. Interesting new coaching staff headed by Terry Stotts.

24) Toronto Raptors

Everything revolves around Bargnani, who last season was limited more by injuries than by his opponents. Along Valanciunas will form an interesting couple though to be verified. Yield Calderon seems the most logical choice after purchasing the excellent Kyle Lowry, but it will be not easy. Terrence Ross is a rookie to watch. Landry Fields seems a good fit. After years with few ideas and mismatched, Toronto seems to finally have a line project to pursue. Probably we’re going to see them fight for playoffs.

25) Milwaukee Bucks

To combine Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis is a task that we willingly leave to coach Skiles. And It will not be easy to complete it due to the characteristics of the two who tend to isolate themselves with the ball and exclude the rest of the teammates, which is’nt the the right way to play basketball in nowdays NBA (if you are not the Miami Heat). Hard not to see the Bucks again out of the top 16 in 2013.

26) Orlando Magic

Finally ended the grueling saga of Dwight Howard the Magic will try to start over with a new coach, ex Spur Jacque Vaughn and a new General Manager, Rob Hennigam who planned on future picks to rebuild. The spirit of revenge against the umpteenth superstar leaving Orlando will lead the team, especially the newcomer Afflalo, playing the most of every game. Unfortunately it will not be enough for a place in the playoffs.

27) Sacramento Kings

Pick Thomas Robinson and choose to pair him with Cousins was quite a gamble especially defensively speaking, but it’s possible that pay some dividends in the near future. Evans has not lived up to the expectations of his rookie year and maybe the Kings will trade him. And then a lot of players, all good, no phenomenal. They took Aaron Brooks and so the opportunities to see Fredette with an important role have fallen. The forecast is that of a very long season for the Kings.

28) Houston Rockets

Morey and McHale summer market was characterized by the expensive acquisition of Jeremy Lin and a desperate attempt to grab Dwight Howard ended as you know. Along with Lin, scorer Kevin Martin and three very interesting rookies (Jeremy Lamb, Royce White and Terrence Jones) but that does not seem to be able to revive the fortunes of a team.

29) Detroit Pistons

The times of the Pistons as regular guests of the conference finals seem to belong to another era. Despite Greg Monroe is one of the best kept secrets in the NBA, Detroit today is a team with little future and no present. Brandon Knight and rookie Andre Drummond will try anyway.

30) Charlotte Bobcats

If you wanted a proof of the existence of basketball gods, watching over the years, especially the last, the performance of Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Bobcats was more than enough. The gods upset for having given so much talent to MJ in the field, decided to take it back out of the 28x14. Kidd-Gilchrist, as outstanding, will not be able, to bear the weight of an entire offense and the Bobcats will meet again next year in the hope that the golf balls reward them