Champ’s Power Rankings: Week One

The 2009-2010 season has been one of immense scoring, and tremendous excitement.

1. Boston Celtics: I am no fool. The Celtics are legit, at this point in time the C’s are  the best team in the league. Their offense is clicking, Rasheed Wallace looks more like a contestant for the All Star Weekend NBA 3 Point Contest, rather than the Sixth Man of the Year. Rondo got his extension, a safe move to protect young talent on an aging team. Things are working out in Boston, and as of week one, no team can touch them.

2. Orlando Magic: Just ask The Octagon, the Magic are very potent. The depth of this Magic Team is simply incredible. Their scoring recalls the glory days of the Phoenix Suns under Mike D’Antoni. Just think with J.J. (Get me a record deal!) Reddick scoring 27 points in the absence of Vince Carter, as well as Rashard Lewis’ suspension and Pietrus’ injury the Orlando Magic offense firing on all cylinders is truly scary.

3. Los Angeles Lakers: I can’t bring myself to rank the Lakers any lower than third, they are: 1. still the best team substantially in the Western Conference 2. temporarily lacking the frontcourt depth that Pau Gasol brings and 3. they are the Los Angeles Lakers, the same Lakers that have won 15 NBA titles, brought in guys like Gasol and Ron Artest, and will continue to do anything to win Kobe another ring.

Just My Thoughts

Kobe Bryant shows off his fourth championship ring.

At long last, we tip off once more. Eight months away from the 2010 Finals, the Association is already buzzing with the excitement of opening night.

Beginnings

I am starting this at the beginning of the fourth quarter of the Cavaliers and Celtics game, around 9:45 PM. The one thing on my mind is that “Sons of Anarchy” is about to start. At first I wasn’t sold on the show, I thought that a show about a motorcycle club wouldn’t really tickle my fancy. But it is much more than that; it has a strong Hamlet vibe to it. The son who has a father figure forced upon him by the mother that he cares deeply for. Needless to say, but I will say it anyway; I have been drawn in by the show. Each week I debate whether or not to watch it, but then I do and then I love it. But this is not a plug for an FX network show; this is a response to the first night of the basketball season.

Paints in the Fantasy Draft

So the teams have been drafted for the 2009-2010 Fantasy Draft and here are the rosters.

Season Preview: Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have a rich history with the NBA and the NBL. In 1946, as a member of the National Basketball League, the franchise began. However, at this point in time they were known as the Buffalo Bisons. This name only lasted a short while; it was changed to the Tri-Cities Blackhawks within their first season. The franchise has continued with the ornithological naming scheme ever since. In 1951 they became the Milwaukee Hawks. In 1955 they moved to St. Louis. It seems that the Hawks attempted to emulate their mascot with such frequent migrations, and they found their home in 1968 when they were relocated to Atlanta.

Season Preview: Detroit Pistons

The Pistons combine luck and leprechauns in their playing style, or maybe it's just leprechauns?

History:

Founded in 1941 by Fred Zollner, owner of the Zollner Corporation, the Detroit Pistons were initially called the “Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons,” as we have previously covered on “Inside the Name.”

They joined the National Basketball League and quickly became a force in the league, going to the finals for four years in a row, winning two consecutive championships in 1944 and 1945, and posting an obscene .700 winning percentage in their seven years in the NBL.

Fort Wayne then transferred into the Basketball Association of America, going an abysmal 22-38 before the BAA and the NBL decided to merge, creating the NBA we know today. The Pistons strung together 14 consecutive playoff appearances from 1949 to 1963, but only appeared in the NBA Finals twice (in 1955 and 1956), losing both times. Due to some crazy playoffs formats in the infancy of the NBA, the Pistons had only five seasons of a record above .500. In 1957, the Pistons moved to Detroit.

City on a Hill

The Boston Celtics look to return to the top echelon of the NBA in the 2009-2010 season before the clock stops ticking on their aged superstars. Playing in an improved Eastern Conference with Cleveland, Orlando, Miami (if the Lamar Odom/Carlos Boozer talks come into fruition), a healthy Washington, a rebuilding Detroit, and a talented Atlanta team, the C’s are in a win now situation.

Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City

The New Orleans Hornets roster for the 2009-2010 season is shaping up to be about as new as Brandon Jennings’ haircut.

With the luxury tax imposing, the Hornets simply cannot compete in the free agent market, no Hedo Turkoglu, no Rasheed Wallace, or even Trevor Ariza. While players like six foot wonder Chris Paul speak out about how other teams are improving through the free agent market, the Hornets’ management remains as neutral as the Danish in World War I.

Need for Sheed

Some sources close to the situation have claimed that Rasheed Wallace has decided to sign with the Boston Celtics for a reported two-year deal. The addition of Wallace for the Celtics vaults them back into the championship contending echelon of teams. More important than the Celtics upgrading their status among the elite, this move signifies that the world is indeed flat.

The Artest Aspect

Ron Artest has recently announced that he will be signing with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers for 3 years and around $18 million. The Artest move trumps the Pistons move of signing of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. The Lakers have effectively upgraded the spot left open by Trevor Ariza, who is switching spots with Artest by leaving for Houston.

The Pistons Effect

The news broke recently that the Pistons have agreed in principle with Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon for 5-year deals. These deals either directly or inadvertently impact the rest of the teams in the Association.

The first thought that comes to mind is “what”?

The Calm before the Storm

With all of the focus on the 2010 free agent class, this upcoming class is being overlooked. Not without substantial talent, the free agent class of 2009 has the ability to change the direction of a team or hinder their development.