The Three Tiers of the NBA

[popcontest]

Anytime two teams in the same tier meet, the game should be a toss up.

Top Tier

Celtics, Lakers, Cavs


Second Tier

Magic, Hawks, Hornets, Spurs, Nuggets, Pistons, Rockets, Mavs, Heat


Third Tier

Everyone else.

[JBcat]

I would consider putting the Magic in the top tier with only 2 more losses than us and also the Spurs now that they are healthy.  I might have to take another look at that second tier but I'd put Portland in there and maybe the Suns now with that JRich trade.

[Andy Jick]

isn't it sad to think that most of the nba teams just flat out suck.  i saw a story where the matchup between washington and oklahoma city the other night was the worst 2 teams squaring off in nba HISTORY - their combined winning pct. was all-time worst in any game ever played.

danny picked the right time to make the celtics good because most of the nba is just dreadful, and none of them look like they'll be catching up soon.

[EarthBall]

isn't it sad to think that most of the nba teams just flat out suck. 

The only solution is C-O-N-T-R-A-C-T-I-O-N. It's crazy to think that we're going to find enough talent from Europe, Africa and Asia to make all teams competitive (much to the shagrin of David Stern). I think he also believes that the Latino population from this country (which is multiplying like rabbits) will make inroads into the NBA. Not happening. They're still playing baseball, not basketball.

I think another problem is the increased size and strength of some NBAers like Lebron, Dwight Howard and Wade. These guys are stronger than the players of yesterday. It makes all the other players suck in comparison. Of course, Stern doesn't have a problem with that. He's always on the lookout for the next Michael Jordan.

(That brings up the interesting point that Stern's exploitation of Jordan during the 90s ruined the NBA because it made all the kids out there to want to be like Mike, which ruined team-oriented ball played by Larry and Magic. Now we see all of these me-first players who 15-20 years ago dreamed of being the next Jordan. Thanks David.)   

[Redz]

I would consider putting the Magic in the top tier with only 2 more losses than us and also the Spurs now that they are healthy.  I might have to take another look at that second tier but I'd put Portland in there and maybe the Suns now with that JRich trade.

Yeh, I was asleep at the wheel with Magic until they posted their record the other night.  I had no clue they were keeping pace like that.

[Fafnir]

I would consider putting the Magic in the top tier with only 2 more losses than us and also the Spurs now that they are healthy.  I might have to take another look at that second tier but I'd put Portland in there and maybe the Suns now with that JRich trade.

Yeh, I was asleep at the wheel with Magic until they posted their record the other night.  I had no clue they were keeping pace like that.

Yeah Jameer Nelson has been playing out of his mind. If he can keep it up they'll be title contenders this year assuming the gell. I don't think he will though. They just lost a close one in Detroit 88-82

[Rondo_is_better]

I would say that the Heat don't belong in the second tier.

Their whole team is Dwayne Wade. Seriously. Shawn Marion is not a bad player, but he doesn't work in their system. Beasley isn't well incorporated, for whatever reason.

They rely on him even more than the Cavs rely on LeBron. You just can't trust a team like that. At least the Cavs have some decent role players. The Heat are 3 and 1/2 deep.

Wade
Marion
Beasley
Daquan Cook (.5)

[celticmaestro]

EDIT - changed my mind.

I'm going to do what I did last year and put the defending champions on a pedestal. We're at the level everyone else is striving to get to, so despite current level of play I'm giving us the credit we deserve, the same credit I gave San Antonio last year throughout the regular season.

1 - Celtics

2 - Lakers, Cavaliers, Spurs

3 - Magic, Suns, Rockets, Hornets, Pistons

The NBA champion will be a team in those top two tiers. The third tier teams are contenders, but they don't have what it takes to win it all.

[QuinielaBox]

Why aren't the Jazz and Blazers in the 2nd tier?

They are very capable teams.

[RebusRankin]

I would say that the Heat don't belong in the second tier.

Their whole team is Dwayne Wade. Seriously. Shawn Marion is not a bad player, but he doesn't work in their system. Beasley isn't well incorporated, for whatever reason.

They rely on him even more than the Cavs rely on LeBron. You just can't trust a team like that. At least the Cavs have some decent role players. The Heat are 3 and 1/2 deep.

Wade
Marion
Beasley
Daquan Cook (.5)

Don't forget Mario Chalmers. Another player McHale traded away.

[Scalablob990]

You people must be delusional, OKC needs to be in one of those top tiers!!!