The Flagrant Five Power Rankings will be appearing on a monthly basis, generally toward the end of each month. This look was written prior to the start of the season, and thus I don't plan to be held accountable for any of what follows...
1. San Antonio Spurs—You get the feeling they have one more year, and the additions of veteran power forward Antonio McDyess through free agency and rookie big man DeJuan Blair through the draft should help limit Tim Duncan’s minutes, saving him for the playoffs. With Gregg Popovich at the helm it’s difficult to see this team sliding too far into the pack.
2. Orlando Magic—Despite losing Hedo Turkoglu, the do-it-all forward that keyed their unique lineups last year, the Magic come back more talented than ever. They lost Courtney Lee via trade, but added Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson, Matt Barnes, and Brandon Bass. Heck, even Jason Williams unretired to join them. They may not be able to force the same kinds of mismatches as last year, but they strengthened their team and still have all kinds of matchup difficulties (namely featuring two athletic 6-10 forwards that can shoot the three in Anderson and Rashard Lewis). Until someone proves they’re better in the East, this is the pick.
3. Los Angeles Lakers—The Lakers added Ron Artest and kept newly-hitched (and soon-to-be-annulled) Lamar Odom, they should be the top team, right? Wrong. They lost Trevor Ariza, a younger, cheaper, more athletic version of Artest that was more than happy to do anything to win. If Andrew Bynum can stay healthy and fulfill his promise they’ll move up sooner rather than later.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers—I felt it was a relatively disappointing offseason for the Cavs. They’re in a tough spot, simultaneously trying to win now but build for a future bright enough to entice LeBron James to stay after this season. They added Shaq, but it’s not clear how he solves any major problem they had last season (namely, floor spacing and pick & roll defense—in fact, he’ll hurt both). They did get him for nothing, but he’s not their savior. A move I like more, actually, is getting shooting guard Anthony Parker, especially if Delonte West is unable to play for a long-stretch. The Cavs are still a very good team, but I don’t see them contending realistically for the championship unless James has the best season ever or they make one more addition.
5. Boston Celtics—They’re in a dead heat with Cleveland, I just knocked Boston down a notch for not offering fan-favorite Leon Powe a contract extension. Powe did everything the Celtics asked (except NOT blow out his knees), and they unceremoniously let him go after the season. They signed Rasheed Wallace as cover for an injured Kevin Garnett, and added Marquis Daniels as well. For all the window dressing, this team will go as far as Kevin Garnett carries them. If he’s healthy in the playoffs the Celtics are the favorites for the Eastern Conference.