Of course, there was so much more from our users this week. We did get a nice cross-section of comments on many teams. Here are 10 responses on 10 different teams.
Deepest in the NBA...
Kings team page
Considering that the 2001-02 NBA is really a 27-team league, with the Lakers above the fray; and the Bulls in a nether world -- it's quite nice to see the Kings better than every team playing on terra firma.
Even when Webber comes back, I don't expect Sacramento to have an answer for the Shaq-Kobe combo. But this year's Kings team is the deepest in the NBA -- it would have even been deeper had the luxury tax not forced them to give away Jon Barry for the feckless Mateen Cleaves. This does not look like "expansionism" to me. It looks like a team capable of blowing out one of the best teams in the West by 36 points. Nice game, Houston.
Rich Rifkin
Davis, Calif.
Um, one little screwup...
Wolves team page
Third!? One little screwup against the pathetic Cavs and we slip below the Kings? Did you forget when the T-Wolves destroyed the Kings by 50 last year! I can't wait until December 1 when we prove we are the best team in the league and we stomp the ex-Minnesota team, the Lakers.
Chris Kulus
Eagan, Minn.
[Editor's note: Yes, we did forget about the 50-point loss (actually it was 29 points) from last year. All we care about is this year.]
How about them Clips...
Clippers team page
I want to praise you guys for FINALLY getting the top two teams correct for a change. You couldn't do that all of last season. However, what happened to the Wizards? You guys absolutely loved them during the offseason, after they signed MJ. You even had them ranked ahead of the Clippers. And how about them Clippers! I got news for you. They are better than the Jazz, whom you have ranked just ahead of them, and they are way better than Phoenix, whom they've beaten already. In fact, six teams you have ranked below Phoenix are better than them. They are 15th in the league? I don't think so!
George Karpontins
Chino, Calif.
Nothing lasts forever...
Jazz team page
Why didn't you finish the statement??? "How the mighty have ... fallen."
I've been a Jazz fan since they moved to Salt Lake. I'm a native of Salt Lake, now living in HELL. My one touch with the real world was through the NBA, the Jazz in particular. But now, the Jazz have gotten so bad, they could move to Buffalo. They'd fit in here, with the rest of the losers and has-beens. I'm still a fanatic supporter of Stockton and Malone. I always will be. Their contributions to the league and Jazz are historical ... and, I think that's the key. Historical. I'd love to see them prove the nay-sayers wrong once again, as they have for years. Parts of their games are still outstanding, but the overall package has declined, and this may well be the year they both have said they do not want ... the year they stayed too long; the year they played as has-beens. The year the mighty have fallen.
As it is, I have to ask why you ranked the Jazz higher than the Clippers, Sonics, Knicks, and Hawks. However, Stockton and Malone are still the biggest part of the Jazz. Without them, the Jazz would be positively Bullish. Nothing lasts forever.
Mike
Buffalo
Not enough respect...
Raptors team page
OK, how in the world are the Sixers ranked higher than the Raptors? Have you guys been spending some time with Lamar Odom in the stairwell? The Raps have played 11 games; 8 of those have been on the road, 6 in the West, 6 in back to back situations, 5 in the last 7 days, and the last four on the road in the West without their most important bench player Jerome Williams. After all that, they come out with a 7-4 record (including 4-4 on the road and 5-2 against Western Conference teams) and you guys have a .500 team ranked higher?! Don't get me wrong, AI is the man and the Sixers WILL take the Atlantic when it's all said and done, but I don't think the Raps are getting enough respect, especially if you consider their schedule, which has arguably been the toughest in the league. Keep up the good work.
Jess
Markham, Ontario
**Contraction section
Wizards team page
Bulls team page
Contract the Wizards and Bulls? Why not toss in Memphis too and make the Mizerabulls?
Rob
Irvine, CA
You could have immortalized the Hornet forward and called the new team the Bullards; but then again, Matt really doesn't deserve that.
Ryan White
Bettendorf, Iowa
Ranking is wrong...
Pacers team page
I think your harsh comment and current ranking of the Pacers was wrong. Yes, they had a 0-4 week, but two of the games were against two of the hottest teams (Minnesota and New Jersey), they were severely depleted by injuries during that stretch (O'Neal, Best, Brezec, Tinsley, Harrington), and they have played more games in the last two weeks than many teams have played total. The Pacers schedule is ridiculous with them playing 18 games in the first month. Losing four games in a row is terrible, but you took circumstances into account with Philadelphia during their terrible start.
Brent Harris
Freetown, Ind.
Don't pick on us...
Knicks team page
Why is everyone picking on the Knicks?? True they have not shown any signs of brilliance, but they are still the Knicks. They don't play the most attractive type of basketball, but it is a very efficient type (they will beat you with their defense). The Knicks have had problems scoring but they just need a bit of time to readjust and focus on the game by shooting the ball with a better percentage. The Knicks will make the playoffs and might even create an upset or two, just like in the good old days. Ranking teams such as the Pacers and Warriors in front of the Knicks is just plain old wrong... Give the Knicks a chance.
Khalil Belhimeur
Montreal, Quebec
Wake up call needed...
Mavericks team page
I have to say that putting my Mavericks in the "Not Quite Finals Ready" category, while it upsets me to see them there, isn't your fault. They played flat against the Cavs, who they should have smoked, they got trounced by a good but not great Piston team, and then got lambasted by a Rockets team that still hasn't proven to me that they are any good. My Mavs should be much better than they have shown lately, and hopefully this rough stretch will wake them up.
Brett Davis
Arkadelphia, Ark.
Rating on hype...
Nuggets team page
You still have the Suns ranked above the Nuggets even though:
1. the Nuggets have a better overall record
2. the Nuggets had a better record since the the last ranking
3. the Nuggets beat the Suns in Phoenix
Moreover, Denver has fared well against playoff caliber teams and are actually doing a decent job on the road. Your ranking of the Nuggets doesn't make any sense unless you're rating on hype instead of reality.
Craig Justman
Cambridge, Mass.
