Power poll
1. Los Angeles Lakers. The next step is Kobe Bryant convincing teammates such as Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom that the first championship is merely a starting point.
2. Boston Celtics. Never doubt a hungry and (supposedly) healthy Kevin Garnett. Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels also will help.
3. San Antonio Spurs. This assumes better health for Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, but the acquisitions of Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess should ease their burden.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers. It will be boon or bust when it comes to the addition of Shaquille O’Neal, but LeBron James’ hunger should make it work.
5. Orlando Magic. We’re still not sold on Vince Carter at the expense of Hedo Turkoglu, but the complementary additions should help.
6. Portland Trail Blazers. The kids are growing into a future force, led by Brandon Roy. Now it’s time for Greg Oden to take the next step.
7. Dallas Mavericks. The playoffs ultimately will define the season, but with Shawn Marion added, the wins should be there at least through April.
8. Denver Nuggets. It’s foolhardy to ever question a team guided by Chauncey Billups. Now we’ll learn if last season was the rule or the exception.
9. New Orleans Hornets. There should be greater confidence with Chris Paul, David West and now Emeka Okafor, but too often it’s all-or-nothing with Paul.
10. Utah Jazz. The Carlos Boozer-Paul Millsap logjam needs to be addressed, but Jerry Sloan has a knack for getting his team well positioned.
Top fives
Five players on the spot: Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards; Shaquille O’Neal, C, Cavaliers; Richard Jefferson, F, Spurs; Drew Gooden, C, Mavericks; Greg Oden, C, Trail Blazers.
Top five offseason moves: Mavericks land Shawn Marion for nothing; Celtics add Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels; Cavaliers bolster their perimeter depth; Hornets acquire Emeka Okafor; Thunder plays a pat hand.
Five moves that could backfire: Lakers sign Ron Artest; Grizzlies add Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph; Magic swap out Hedo Turkoglu for Vince Carter; Cavaliers add Shaq; Nuggets lose Linas Kleiza and Dahntay Jones.
— Ira Winderman
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
