By: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: The Mavericks quietly put together a decent season on their way to a ninth straight play-off appearance. They helped themselves reach that mark by developing some solid team chemistry and a defined pecking order. That combination helped Mark Cuban's team win 50 games and advance past the first round of the playoffs since 2006. Jason … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #6 Dallas Mavericks
NBA predictions
NBA Power Rankings: #7 Portland Trail Blazers
By: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: The Trailblazers made their expected jump into the elite of the Western Conference but they didn't take the planned route to get there. After drafting Greg Oden two years ago and then losing him for the year and still improving by 9 games, the addition of two elite rookies to their already young team was enticing. However, Oden was … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #7 Portland Trail Blazers
NBA Power Rankings: #8 Atlanta Hawks
By: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: Hawks management doesn't get near the credit it deserves for re-building Atlanta into a respectable NBA franchise. They pretty much stole Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby in trades, and while a couple of their draft picks have back-fired (i.e. Shelden Williams and Acie Law), selections like Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams have … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #8 Atlanta Hawks
NBA Power Rankings: #9 Denver Nuggets
By: David Kay 2008-09 Season Summary: The Nuggets have to be happy with their 2008-09 season. They started the year with a volatile roster that was more likely to become the first team to ever fight each other on the court than come together and succeed. The obvious turning point of the season came less than a week in when the Nuggets traded Allen Iverson for Chauncey … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #9 Denver Nuggets
NBA Power Rankings: #10 Utah Jazz
By: David Kay and Paul M. Banks 2008-09 Season Summary: In financial terms a "correction" is defined as a sharp, relatively short decline that temporarily interrupts a persistent upward trend in the market. The Utah Jazz experienced a "correction" in 2009. After back-to-back Northwest Division titles, the Jazz had a much tougher season with siginifcant contributors like … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #10 Utah Jazz
NBA Rookie of the Year Race
By: David Kay Welcome to a new weekly feature here at the The Sports Bank where we break down the top rookies in the NBA and who has the edge to win the Rookie of the Year Award. The draft class of 2009 was considered one of the weakest in recent years, but it looks like several newcomers will have a chance to contribute right away. Check back every Thursday for an … [Read more...] about NBA Rookie of the Year Race
NBA Power Rankings: #11 Toronto Raptors
By: David Kay and Paul M. Banks 2008-09 Season Summary: Last year was a rough one for "Canada's Team." The Toronto Raptors front office thought they significantly improved a playoff team this last off-season when they made a blockbuster trade for Jermaine O'Neal. Despite O'Neal's arrival and much improved play from former #1 overall draft choice Andrea Bargnani, the Raptors … [Read more...] about NBA Power Rankings: #11 Toronto Raptors
NBA Power Rankings: #12 New Orleans Hornets
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
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