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Peachtree Hoops Summer Power Ranking

Let's take a look at my initial mid-summer power ranking.

Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The Favorites

1. Golden State Warriors: I feel there is no need for me to explain the ranking here.

2. San Antonio Spurs: Still old and still very good.

3. Los Angeles Clippers: I imagine everyone wants to forget what happened to them last year in the playoffs.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Congrats to the Cavs, I have no idea if you are better than a healthy Clippers team.

The Challengers

5. Boston Celtics: With the addition of Horford they are somehow very good now. Personally I am curious to know how they will suddenly be the favorites behind the Cavs.

6. Toronto Raptors: Looks like they are running it back, except with less depth.

7. Utah Jazz: I imagine they are desperate to finally make the playoffs just to give Gordon Hayward reason to resign. But seriously, this team has improved.

8. Portland Trailblazers: I expect the team to regress. Also no idea how Evan Turner will fit.

9. Indiana Pacers: The Pacers seem to be this years darling favorite team the offseason (see Wizards team two years ago that we knocked out of the playoffs). I'm looking at this roster and wondering what 3 players will be able to play defense.

10. Detroit Pistons: The Pistons are running it back with mostly the same crew, however I am thinking they get better.

11. Atlanta Hawks: We are now in a strange new world where Kyle Korver is the longest tenured Hawk. The Hawks could move up, but there are so many uncertainties when it comes to the home team.

12. Dallas Mavericks: Dallas refuses to rebuild, though with keeping Dirk happy this makes sense.

13. Oklahoma City Thunder: Anyone else on the team going to shoot besides Russ? Wait let me rephrase this, can anyone on this team shoot?

14. Memphis Grizzlies: I enjoy that the team is together despite how much Conley got paid. It's neat to have that one team in the NBA that hasn't gone full pace and space.

15. Charlotte Hornets: ....Aaaaaannnddd the Al Jefferson era has come to an end. Good times thinking that the lance and Al combo would bring big things. Seriously though, the Batum/MKG defensive combo on the wing might be something fun to watch.

The Playoff Hopefuls

16. Houston Rockets: So without Dwight Howard, will the Rockets suddenly start to care?

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: So let's see what they look like now that they have a real coach.

18. New York Knicks: Can't wait to see the super team to perform next season.

19. Washington Wizards: Paying Bradley Beal was necessary for the team, but I am sure everyone in the organization hopes he can play more than 40 games a season.

20. Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks have all of the arm length in the world...well that and Greg Monroe.

21. Chicago Bulls: This was a coin flip between the Bulls and Bucks. Ultimately put them behind Bucks because I have no idea what the Bulls strategy will be. Very bad fit for the team and coach.

The Young/Emerging Talent

22. Miami Heat: Only here because of coaching. I am not sure if they are that much better than the Pelicans.

23. New Orleans Pelicans: Wanted to put above Heat because fot the talent, but man this team and their injuries.

24. Orlando Magic: The off season started fun., but then suddenly I have no idea what to make of this team. Looking forward for Vogel to make the team more competitive.

25. Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets have suddenly gone from a boring Kroenke owned team to a young Kroenke owned team. Let's hope they can eventually figure it out.

The Sacramento Kings

26. Sacramento Kings: I love the Kings. Their dysfunction is my entertainment.

The Bottom Feeders

27. Phoenix Suns: I never know what to say about this team and this week isn't any different. But hey, they got draft picks.

28. Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe is finally gone! Now lets see if they will finally start to grow.

29. Brooklyn Nets: Very close with the Lakers for the second worst team in the league. Ultimately I went with young talent.

30. Philadelphia 76ers: I mean they did improve but by how much?