By: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: Coming off the 2007-08 season the Hornets were the Belle of the Ball in the NBA. They returned to play in New Orleans full time for the first time in three years, won a franchise record 56 games, had one of the future stars of the league in Chris Paul, and were one game away from playing in the Western Conference Finals, making … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #12 New Orleans Hornets
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NBA Power Rankings: #13 Chicago Bulls
By: David Kay and Paul M. Banks 2008-09 Season Summary: When the magical Bulls-Celtics first round playoff series started, most of Chicago just wasn't very excited. I mean who gets all warm and tingly about a 41-41 team sneaking into the playoffs? This was the same squad that resided in the bottom rung of the league in February, and had a head coach who wasn't coaching and … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #13 Chicago Bulls
NBA Power Rankings: #14 Miami Heat
by: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: With all due respect to LeBron and Kobe, no player carried his team on his back like Dwyane Wade did this season. D-Wade proved that when healthy, he is one of the most dominant, talented all-around players in the league. The Heat tried to find a true compliment player for Wade during the season when they swapped Shawn Marion for … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #14 Miami Heat
NBA Power Rankings: #15 Phoenix Suns
By: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: With the possible exception of the Dallas Mavericks, perhaps no NBA franchise has had a recent wide open window for a championship utterly shut as fast as the Suns have. Phoenix finished 46-36 last season, good for 19 games behind the Pacific division champion Lakers. That record would have bought them a very nice seeding in the Eastern … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #15 Phoenix Suns
NBA Power Rankings: #16 Washington Wizards
by: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: On paper, it is sort of difficult to believe that this team finished with the second worst record in the NBA. But when you take into account that two of their expected starters (Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood) combined to start just seven games, it makes a lot more sense. Having fired their head coach just eleven games into the … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #16 Washington Wizards
NBA Power Rankings: #17 Los Angeles Clippers
by: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: The Clippers were the most depressing team in the NBA last season. After signing Baron Davis away from Golden State on the first day of free agency last summer everything has been downhill. Elton Brand basically double crossed the team and Davis as he bolted for Philly. They traded for the terrible contracts of Marcus Camby and Zach … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #17 Los Angeles Clippers
NBA Power Rankings: #18 Philadelphia 76ers
by: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: Heading into 2008-09, Philadelphia was the "sexy" pick to make the NBA Finals. Finishing at the .500 mark and seventh in the Eastern Conference was a quite a disappointment. It appeared Philly was ready to redeem themselves in the post season when they took two of the first three in their opening round series against the #2 seeded … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #18 Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Power Rankings: #19 Houston Rockets
by: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: The Rockets valiantly tried to be the best NBA team in Texas but fell short in the end, finishing one game behind the San Antonio Spurs. Tracy McGrady only played 35 games before having season ending microfracture surgery on his knee but maybe that was a blessing in disguise as the Rockets actually came together as team without him and … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #19 Houston Rockets
NBA Power Rankings: #20 Detroit Pistons
By David Kay and Paul M. Banks 2008-09 Season Summary: In Detroit, both the automotive industry and the professional basketball team headquartered there are in need of aggressive rebuilding options. Both have also seen better days. Despite trading Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess (who was waived and later re-signed) for superstar Allen Iverson, the Pistons regressed … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #20 Detroit Pistons
NBA Power Rankings: #21 Golden State Warriors
by: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: The Warriors were an absolute mess this past season finishing 19 games worse than they did a year ago. Injuries played a major role in their disappointing season as Golden State used an unfathomable 47 different starting line-ups. It's well known that “Nellie Ball” produces a lot of offense with its up-tempo pace, but the Warriors were … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #21 Golden State Warriors