Pyle of List

1. Boston Celtics

Too big, too long, and too black… Get your mind out the gutter and get focused.  The Celtics are the real deal with the Big 3 (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen) intact and supported by an impressive cast of role players like Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace, Eddie House, Glen Davis and Marquis “Snake Eyes” Daniels.  This team gave their all without Garnett in the playoffs last year but came up short.  Look for an inspired team that’s dedicated and ready to bully their way back to the top.  The only thing that can stop them is injuries.  Most of this team is getting senior citizen discounts around Boston and word is they all play bingo together after practice… B-13!

2. Los Angeles Lakers

The defending champs are feeling themselves.  You can tell.  They all went out and just started doing goofy stuff after winning the title last season.  Odom got married to the worst looking Kardashian sister.  Jordan Farmar started planning for his next career as a professional poker player.  Phil Jackson started doing cell phone commercials with Whoopi Goldberg.  Kobe went home and actually played with the kids.  Are these guys focused?  Then you add a maniac in Artest to the mix?  This is the same Ron-Ron that gave his cell phone number to fans on Twitter.  With all that said, this team is deadly.  They are a starting five full of matchup nightmares (except Derek “All I do is take charges” Fisher).  Kobe will be Kobe and they’ll see increased productivity from the young Andrew Bynum.  All hate aside, I like this team.

3. Orlando Magic

This team and the Golden State Warriors are my favorite teams to watch in the league.  They lose a play maker in Hedo Turkoglu, but replace him with a better playmaker/scorer in Vince Carter.  Magic GM, Otis Smith, was the busiest GM this summer.  Not only did he pull off a trade for Vince Carter, but he also added Ryan Anderson in the same trade, Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, Jason Williams, and kept Marcin Gortat in O-Town.  I just wonder how Stan Van Gundy aka Ron Jeremy will make all these new pieces fit.  If the preseason is any indication of how they’ll play in the regular season, this team is headed back to the Eastern Conference Finals. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

Okay so you move Big Z to the bench for another defensive liability (although a future Hall of Fame defensively liability) in Shaq to take over the starting gig.  Cleveland and Danny Ferry listen to me… The Miami Heat had the right timing as far as when to bring Shaq into town to make a title run.  I’m more excited about the other additions to the team.  Losing Wally and Sasha Pav is addition by subtraction.  Anthony Parker is the defensive presence at the SG position that they’ve greatly needed.  Jamario Moon is an excellent person off the bench to give Lebron a blow… oh I mean a rest when he’s winded.  J.J. Hickson will improve.  Daniel Gibson will bounce back like only a Boobie can.  And Delonte West will continue to be a nut job but he’ll get together soon.  The Cavs have improved but not enough.

5. San Antonio Spurs

R.C. Buford, Spurs GM, and head coach Gregg Popovich is the league’s best GM / head coach duo.  These two guys are so extremely smart and it shows by the moves they made this offseason.  Richard Jefferson will be a high skilled glue guy that will defend and score in different ways.  Antonio McDyess, as skilled big man offensively and on the glass, will fill the void of Kurt Thomas.  Sophomore George Hill is long, athletic, and will be a great insurance policy in case Tony Parker gets hurt.  Rookie Dajuan Blair is an absolute maniac genius of rebounding.  These roster moves provide support for Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili.  Though Parker is still relatively young, none of them are getting older.  The Spurs are like the Patriots though… they know how to get the most out of their veterans.  I bet this team could suit up Eva Longoria and be competitive.

6. Denver Nuggets

So talented but so dumb… let’s just hope they don’t get in their own way again this year.  They could have beaten the Lakers in the playoffs last year, but they simply made too many bonehead mistakes.  They need J.R. Smith to be the player I think he’s going to be this year.  His passing skills are pretty damn impressive and they need that since Chauncey is trying to be Mr. Big Shot every time he touches the ball.  Oh yea, Melo is the best offensive player in the league but can he commit on defense and on the glass?  The addition of Arron Aflalo is not that significant to me.  The rumors of the Nuggets wanting to figure out a deal for Golden State’s Stephen Jackson doesn’t prove they’re confident in Arron’s skills.  Either way, the Nuggets have a great balance of defense and offensive talent to compete.

7. Portland Trailblazers

Oden will break out this year.  LaMarcus is happy about his new contract.  Brandon Roy is the most polite all-around killer in the league.  They’re solid at PG with both Blake and Miller.  I like this team and they should get out of the first round this year.

8. Dallas Mavericks

One of the most exciting offensive attacks in the league.  Solid pickup in Drew Gooden and great trade to secure Shawn Marion… My concern is their dedication to the defensive side of the ball.

9. Chicago Bulls

Young, hungry, and ready to give any team fits every night.  Rose, Salmons, Deng, Tyrus, and Noah is a starting five full of youthful energy with a ton of potential and upside.

10. Atlanta Hawks

Young and improving team that gets better in small steps every year.  This is a contract year for Joe Johnson, Josh Smith promises to not shoot a lot of 3 pointers (THANK YOU JESUS), Marvin Williams is healthy, and hopefully Bibby gets his mojo back… so things should get better again this season.

R. Queso aka Your Mom’s Favorite also blogs at http://www.magicrockets.com