Now that the season is upon us, it's about time we hit you up with an updated Dime NBA Hit List ...
1.
Spurs
The Spurs are without a doubt the team that everyone is gunning to beat. Although their 2-7 preseason record was ugly, they were probably listening to Robert Horry too much ? they'll win them when they count. What else can we say? How about "Dynasty?"
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2.
Pacers
What can we say? We love the Pacers. Love them. Tough and scrappy, the Pacers fear no one. With the return of Ron-Ron, the arrival of Sarunas Jasikevicius and the drafting of NBA-ready swingman Danny Granger, the Pacers are the team to beat in the East.
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3.
Pistons
As we said before, if it ain't broke don't fix it (but feel free to make it better). The Pistons did just that by adding Maurice Evans and Dale Davis to an already deep Detroit bench. We've liked what we've seen from Darko in the preseason and we expect a lot more to come.
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4.
Nuggets
George Karl coached the Nuggets to the best post-All-Star break record in NBA history, going a ridiculous 28-6 to finish out the season. With everybody healthy and through an intense Karl training camp successfully, the Nuggets went a League-best 7-1 in preseason. Even amidst trade rumors for Nene and 'Dre Miller, the Nuggets have been able to focus on their one goal ? winning. Oh, did we mention ?Melo is going to be an All-Star this year? You heard it here first.
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5.
Heat
People were freaking when we had the Heat this low, but we were concerned about the team's chemistry with all the new additions. Turns out we could be right. The Heat had just an average preseason going 4-4 and losing to the likes of the Bobcats and Hornets. We're not worried though ? come June they'll be right back where they're supposed to be.
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6.
Rockets
Between T-Mac and Yao, the Rockets could be the future of the League. And now that they have a point guard in Skip, there's no looking back. Does it scare you though that this coaching staff is starting to look like an old Knicks yearbook (Jeff Van Gundy, Patrick Ewing and now Charlie Ward)? Who's next? We're hoping LJ, Oakley or Anthony Mase.
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7.
Mavericks
Despite losing Michael Finley to their in-state rivals, the Mavericks will compete in the upper tier of the League.
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8.
Cavaliers
They re-signed Z, added Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones and still have that cat named LeBron. Ridiculous.
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9.
Suns
We hate to do it (sorry Amare) but the Suns gotta drop. We love the new JJ (James Jones) who will fill it up from deep this season, but this isn't the same team that won 62 games a season ago. Nash and Marion will hold it down and hopefully some of the new cats step up, but until then, this is how its gotta be.
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10
Grizzlies
The Logo knows how to get it done. Behind a whole new squad of guys, the Grizz assembled a remarkable 6-2 preseason record after dismantling their whole roster from last season. When the Hakim Warrick poster comes out, let's just say he won't be the guy getting dunked on.
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11
Kings
How nice of a fit are Bonzi and Shareef in Sac-Town? We've said it before and we'll say it again. It's a contract year for Peja, and rookie Francisco Garcia looks tight, so don't let their 3-5 preseason record fool ya.
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12.
Bucks
Milwaukee has assembled a whole new starting lineup for this season and it looks very promising. The recent addition of All-Star Jamaal Magloire adds to their depth and their frontcourt. If TJ comes back with what we know he can deliver, and Bogut doesn't get lost in the shuffle, the Bucks could be this year's Bulls or Wizards.
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13.
Nets
The Nets have perhaps the best triple threat in the League with Kidd, Carter and Jefferson. We've never seen Carter this focused and prepared for a season before and we're scared. Perhaps a perennial All-Star starting spot isn't enough; he must have MVP on his mind.
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14.
Wizards
Caron Butler and Antonio Daniels have proven to be some nice pickups so far, and the duo of Arenas and Jamison is almost unstoppable. If the bench can step up and score some buckets, the Wizards will be back in the playoffs.
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15.
Warriors
As we've said before, thoughts of catching late-night action with Baron and J-Rich on League Pass are getting us fired up for the season and we hope that still stands. But 2-5 in the preseason? Fellas, step it up.
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16.
Sonics
After an amazing run last season, the Sonics could come back to earth this year. Allen and Lewis are a nice tandem, but with Jerome James gone the center spot is lacking. With Antonio Daniels now in Washington we can't wait to see a lot more of Flip Murray.
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17.
Timberwolves
KG lost running mates Cassell and Sprewell this summer and didn't get back much in return. Even if KG puts up MVP numbers this season (and he will) who will pick up the scoring slack? Rookie Rashad McCants looks good, but not that good.
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18.
Lakers
Even with Phil Jackson back in town, if you didn't already know, this is Kobe's team. Kobe averaged 22 a game in preseason and was the leading scorer in all but one game. Expect more of the same.
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19.
76ers
Philly's tandem of AI and C-Webb could be as nice as any in the League, but we've yet to see them play together this preseason. If and when they stay healthy, the Sixers will be a force to reckon with in the Atlantic Division.
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20.
Bulls
They re-signed Tyson Chandler and traded Eddy Curry. They did what they had to do, and so do we, as we drop the Bulls down to #20 on the Hit List. Even with Curry, the Baby Bulls would have had a hard time battling in the Central Division with contenders Detroit, Indiana, Cleveland and even Milwaukee now with Magloire in town. We also heard that BG won't be starting. It's an uphill struggle from here.
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21.
Clippers
After an impressive 6-2 preseason, the Clippers (even without our man Shaun Livingston) have shown what they're capable of. Their high-powered offense and solid starting lineup could turn some heads in the Western Conference. Perhaps that trade for Sam Cassell was a smarter move than we thought.
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22.
Celtics
Well, the point guard logjam has been solved by unseen forces. Marcus Banks is hurt, Will Bynum is gone and now it's down to three. Delonte West seems to be a shoe-in, but after an injury the other night, the rock might be in the hands of rookie Orien Greene. Whatever happened to Dan Dickau? Double D put up a career-best 13 a game with the Hornets last season. Let us say this ? if the C's trade Pierce, they're officially playing on the five-year plan.
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23.
Knicks
Even with the arrival of E-City, the Knicks still have questions left unanswered. First, when is Zeke going to be satisfied? With just a few days to go before the season starts, he's still trying to tinker with the roster. The questions for this squad are the rookies (Robinson, Lee and Frye) and the injuries to Q and Jerome James. When and how they can contribute is the key.
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24.
Magic
Although the Magic went an impressive 4-3 in the preseason, Orlando beat up on weaker teams and lost to good ones. We like the move of Francis back to the point after last season's disastrous experiment at the two guard, and we see Dwight Howard making an Amar?-like jump (sans knee injury) this season.
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25.
Jazz
Even though Carlos Boozer worked out like a madman this off-season, he's already hurt and the Jazz are in trouble. Their preseason saw them only pull W's from Toronto and Portland (and look where they are on this list), but the bright side is that rookie Deron Williams seems to be adjusting well and AK-47 is back to mid-season form, swatting two shots a game.
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26.
Trail Blazers
Even though we love their youth movement, trouble is brewing in P-Town. Z-Bo has been disrespecting new coach Nate McMillan by showing up late to shootarounds and has already been kicked out of a practice. If that's not enough, the trade rumors of D-Miles and Theo Ratliff could be enough to shake up an already unstable locker-room. Come on Nate, let's turn this ship around.
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27.
Bobcats
After pulling off wins against Eastern Conference heavyweights Miami and Indiana, the Bobcats must feel good ? but then again, it's just the preseason. Interestingly enough, Charlotte managed to have a different leading scorer in each of their eight preseason games, showcasing a versatile attack that can hit from all angles. The recent addition of swingman Jumaine Jones should help bring the bench to life.
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28.
Raptors
From draft day, all throughout the summer and even murmurs throughout the preseason, everybody has been hating on Charlie Villanueva. But the more we see him play, the more we like him. Villanueva put up 17 and 5 in preseason and shut up a lot of his critics. Can he carry that into the regular season?
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29.
Hawks
It looks like the Joe Johnson experiment at the point has proven successful (so far) after he averaged 14, 5 and 5 in the preseason. Al Harrington has been a new man after returning from last season's injury, playing with a determination we haven't seen in years.
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30.
Hornets
The Hornets showed some promise in the preseason with respectable wins over Miami, Houston and Denver, but have since traded All-Star big man Jamaal Magloire for Desmond Mason. While Rookie of the Year candidate Chris Paul was going to have to step up before, Paul and backcourt mate J.R. Smith are now going to have to carry the team.
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