NBA mid-summer power rankings

(0-0). Previous: 1st. Atlanta Hawks. 11. team. 125. Dwight Howard has been added, and Dennis Schroder promoted. To do those seemingly positive things, they have waved farewell to Al Horford and Jeff Teague. Hmmm…anyway, Kent Bazemore re-signed. Make the playoffs, then flame out – hasn’t this team grown tired of that model?

Indiana Pacers. 12. team. 100. This rating may be too low. There has surely enough talent been added (Teague, Al Jefferson, Thaddeus Young) to an already decent lineup to move up significantly. Let’s see how well new coach Nate McMillan fits all the pieces together before we anoint these guys the new Beasts of the East.. (0-0). Previous: 1st

They certainly have some players –  do they have a team? Dwyane Wade is back in his hometown, and may still be a force despite advancing years. Doug McDermott strongly resembles a player, and Jimmy Butler always has. But they fell out of contention late last season, and they don’t have Pau Gasol anymore. Lots of questions, but few answers.. (0-0). Previous: 13th. Chicago Bulls. 13. team. 24

(0-0). Previous: 14th. Milwaukee Bucks. 14. team. 89. I figured them for a consolidation season in ’15-16, but they regressed. There ought to be sufficient raw talent to make a playoff run. Giannis Alphabet should be an MVP candidate soon – maybe now? Like the Bulls, they need to jell quickly.

15. team. 73. This team is very close to crashing the too-comfortable ranks of Western playoff contenders. Any or all of their Euro-bigs (Jokic, Lovergne, Nurkic) could break out.  If Will Barton can have another magical shooting season, and Emmanuel Mudiay takes a step forward, Denver will win a lot more than 33 games.. (0-0). Previous: 15th. Denver Nuggets

team. 142. Scott Brooks is their new coach, which is an upgrade, but the roster looks stale to me. Bradley Beal is a rich man; let’s see him consistently drain some shots. Are Otto Porter and Markieff Morris ready to make an impact?. (0-0). Previous: 16th. Washington Wizards. 16

17. team. 170. There are lots of new faces in North Carolina, and I always downgrade teams like that. I don’t know what Roy Hibbert has left, or Marvin Williams. The backup guards are Brian Roberts and Ramon Sessions. I think the Hornets are in serious need of some depth.. (0-0). Previous: 17th. Charlotte Hornets

Previous: 18th. Orlando Magic. 18. team. 38. They like ’em big in the Magic Kingdom. How are they going to keep Nik Vecuvic, Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo happy with their minutes? Jeff Green will disappoint another team. I’ve never “gotten” Elfrid Payton. I have no idea how these guys are going to defend the perimeter.. (0-0)

(0-0). Previous: 19th. Miami HEAT. 19. team. 110. I’m assuming Chris Bosh is going to make a return to the court sometime. If he doesn’t, this bunch could really tumble. Beyond Goran Dragic, there’s little shooting. Hassan Whiteside could lead the league in offensive rebounding, and it won’t help. There are a lot of warm bodies masquerading as rotation players.

(0-0). Previous: 20th. Detroit Pistons. 20. team. 64. Where are the points coming from? They certainly won’t be coming from Andre Drummond at the free throw line. Tobias Harris is all right, but Reggie Jackson needs to trade potential for performance. I think they will defend adequately, but that’s all.