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Contributed By John English

Here's my power rankings based on how teams ended the 2002-2003 season, and moves that have been made thus far in the off-season. Through July 31. InsideHoops.com will have their own official power rankings sometime this week.

1. San Antonio Spurs - They're the champs until otherwise overthrown. They kept Tim Duncan. Skill-wise Rasho Nesterovic is a decent replacement for David Robinson. They lost Speedy Claxton and Stephen Jackson but gained Hedo Turkoglu and Ron Mercer. Tony Parker can now play without the Jason Kidd rumors. They're the team to beat.

2. Los Angeles Lakers - Karl Malone and Gary Payton signed just in time. Kobe Bryant's case is going to hang like a dark cloud over their season, but even if they lose him halfway through the year, you have to believe Shaq will have the motivation to get in shape this year, and the three stars of Shaq, Karl and GP should be enough to still win a ring. If Kobe is acquitted - icing on the cake.

3. Sacramento Kings - This team hinges on Chris Webber's health, which is surprising for what looks like a deep team. Brad Miller is an upgrade from Scot Pollard and good insurance for Vlade Divac, but it cost them Hedo Turkoglu and maybe Jim Jackson. Whatever else happens, they need Chris Webber healthy.

4. New Jersey Nets - The two-time Eastern Conference champions just got better with Alonzo Mourning. Jason Kidd has made his commitment. Kenyon Martin is going to triple his Vitamin C intake. The East is still the journey varsity squad to the West, but they're the best of who's out there.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin Garnett appears to finally have the supporting cast he needs to get out of the first round. Adding Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell and Michael Olowokandi to Wally Szczerbiak and Troy Hudson ought to be enough. Not enough to make the Finals, but enough to give them hope.

6. Detroit Pistons - Larry Brown is a more offense-minded coach. Darko Milicic is an offense-minded rookie. Tayshaun Prince and Mehmet Okur will be a year better. Rich Hamilton is returning. No reason why they can't get the best record in the East again.

7. Dallas Mavericks - Mark Cuban's team was so close, but yet so far. They have three ineffective centers locked in long-term deals. But they also have Steve Nash, Michael Finley, Dirk Nowitski and Nick Van Exel. They're always going to be competitive, but they won't win a ring.

8. Indiana Pacers - They kept Jermaine O'Neal. They should be able to keep Reggie Miller. Scot Pollard isn't exactly Brad Miller, but he's not chopped liver. This sets up Jonathan Bender to have a break-out year. I still think they should've fired Isiah Thomas and hired Rick Carlisle when they had the chance.

9. Phoenix Suns - Zarko Cabarkapa looks like a steal at #17.

10. Philadelphia 76ers - Glenn Robinson's not much better than Keith Van Horn, but at least the Allen Iverson-Larry Brown drama is over.

11. Houston Rockets - Yao Ming will be a year better.

12. Portland Trail Blazers - Dysfunctional family has too much talent to not make the playoffs.

13. Boston Celtics - Maybe Danny Ainge is the guy to finally get Vin Baker out of his funk.

14. New Orleans Hornets - Darrell Armstrong is a nice upgrade for backup point guard.

15. Orlando Magic - Grant Hill should have mercy on Orlando and retire.

16. Seattle Sonics - Their winning percentage went up after they got Ray Allen. Now they'll have him all season.

17. Washington Wizards - Never thought I'd type this: they're a better team without Michael Jordan.

18. Los Angeles Clippers - Sterling's spending money, and Mike Dunleavy should be able to harness all their talent into something competitive.

19. Golden State Warriors - Speedy Claxton's no Gilbert Arenas, but they're a young team that's improving.

20. New York Knicks - The numbers of Sprewell and Van Horn are pretty comparable, and Van Horn is five inches taller. Plus Antonio McDyess just might be able to play, and Maciej Lampe was certainly a steal.

21. Chicago Bulls - Scottie Pippen brings gravitas to this young team.

22. Memphis Grizzlies - Lots of raw young talent; when are they going to turn the corner?

23. Toronto Raptors - Injuries kept them down last year. Who's to say it won't happen again?

24. Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron James is a great piece but they need more than that to be a playoff team.

25. Denver Nuggets - They're getting Andre Miller and Carmelo Anthony, but they lost their leading scorer Juwan Howard. They're still a year away.

26. Miami Heat - Cap room, but no one to spend it on. I'd be shocked if they actually got Lamar Odom.

27. Utah Jazz - Jerry Sloan needs players to coach; the only power forward on the roster is one they desperately want to dump.

28. Atlanta Hawks - They got cap room next year, but this year, who's going to fill Big Dog's scoring void?

29. Milwaukee Bucks - George Karl successfully destroyed the franchise and got fired for it.