The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Season-Opening Edition - Cavaliers No. 2, Thunder No. 3
Welcome to The 140, theScore's new NBA Power Rankings. Every week, we'll rank each team in 140 characters or fewer, because if you can't say it in a tweet, you can't say it at all.
This is the preseason edition, with each team's 2013-14 record included for your reading pleasure.
1. San Antonio Spurs, 62-20
The team that won last year's title is back in its entirety. We're not betting against the Spurs until we have reason to do so.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers, 33-49
The Cavaliers made some free-agent splashes this offseason by adding Mike Miller, James Jones, and Shawn Marion. We like their chances.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder, 59-23
The Based God's Curse has never been realer. Durant's missed 16 games in seven years - we're about to find out what the Thunder are made of.
4. Los Angeles Clippers, 57-25
Donald Sterling is thankfully gone, and the Clippers addressed their frontcourt depth. This may be as wide open their title window gets.
5. Golden State Warriors, 51-31
Steve Kerr has his work cut out for him: improve a 50-win team enough to get them on a deep playoff run. But we believe. Expect big things.
6. Chicago Bulls, 48-34
Replacing Boozer with Gasol plus a healthy Rose could probably bump the Bulls higher, but we're cautious. We don't want to get hurt again.
7. Portland Trailblazers, 54-28
Predictions: Damian Lillard takes the next step, and the Trail Blazers go blow-for-blow with Thunder and win the Northwest Division.
8. Dallas Mavericks, 49-33
Never forget: The Mavs took the Spurs to seven in the first round in May. Parsons, Chandler, and a deep bench make Dallas our darkhorse.
9. Washington Wizards, 44-38
Bradley Beal will be missed, but we're still pumped after seeing Paul Pierce go at Joakim Noah in preseason action. Enjoy "The Truth," D.C.
10. Toronto Raptors, 48-34
The "We" in "We the North" is even deeper, and the Raptors will win back-to-back Atlantic Division titles for the first time in 20 years.
11. Houston Rockets, 54-28
They wanted 'Melo, then Bosh, but got Trevor Ariza instead, and lost Chandler Parsons. We're worried. Especially about the bench.
12. Memphis Grizzlies, 50-32
Turmoil upstairs, but the starters remain intact, and Carter's addition is massive. If Gasol stays healthy, they're players in the West.
13. Phoenix Suns, 48-34
The backcourt is as deep as it gets in the league, but the Suns unfortunately play little defense, and happen to do so in the West.
14. Miami Heat, 54-28
LeBron took his talents home but the Heat are far from dead. The East is weak enough to consider Miami a top-half seed in the conference.
15. Charlotte Hornets, 43-39
Lance Stephenson, the purple and teal is back, and a squad that knows how to play defense. Book your playoff tickets, Charlotteans. Again.
16. New Orleans Pelicans, 34-48
Anthony Davis is 21. Really. If Jrue Holiday plays a full season, the Pellies could be a bottom-half playoff team nobody will want to face.
17. New York Knicks, 37-45
Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher are running the ship and 'Melo is back, but we're mostly excited about Andrea Bargnani in the triangle.
18. Atlanta Hawks, 38-44
A disappointing offseason, but nothing matters more than the health of Al Horford. If he plays a full season, the Hawks are a playoff team.
19. Detroit Pistons, 29-53
Call us crazy, but we believe Stan Van Gundy can turn a talented Pistons squad on paper into a playoff team.
20. Brooklyn Nets, 44-48
Jason Kidd and Pierce are gone, and the Nets are another year older. But the East is still trash, so they have a shot at the playoffs.
21. Indiana Pacers, 56-26
Stephenson is gone and everyone is hurt, which means the Pacers are Roy Hibbert's team now. There's no shame in being afraid.
22. Denver Nuggets, 36-46
The Nuggets added Arron Afflalo, and Danilo Gallinari will eventually return, but they're in the West, so forget about it.
23. Los Angeles Lakers, 27-55
Kobe's back, Lin and Boozer are good additions provided the Lakers don't ever need a stop, but it's going to be ugly. And no threes!
24. Sacramento Kings, 28-54
Fun game: Look at the Kings' offseason transactions and try to figure out what exactly they tried to accomplish. No, we don't know, either.
25. Minnesota Timberwolves, 40-42
Love has left the building, but the idea of Rubio throwing lobs to Wiggins will make the T-Wolves a worthwhile League Pass check-in team.
26. Boston Celtics, 25-57
Have you heard Rajon Rondo may or may not be traded? Better question: Have you heard anything else about the Celtics in the last two years?
27. Milwaukee Bucks, 15-67
Kidd won't be wearing a tie on Milwaukee's sideline this season, and process will emphasized over results. Better than the 76ers, at least.
28. Orlando Magic, 23-59
The Magic are a mixed bag. They've lost more games than any team in two years, so we're still trying to figure out the Channing Frye deal.
29. Utah Jazz, 25-57
At the very least, we'll finally get some high-definition footage of Dante Exum. That's not nothing!
30. Philadelphia 76ers, 19-63
Unfortunately, Joel Embiid's tweets don't count in the standings. We're excited to watch Nerlens Noel, at least. Be strong, 76ers fans.
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