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NBA: LA Clippers top 2020 power rankings, Hornets bring up rear

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Tom Musick, Field Level Media via Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/reuters/10/23/clippers.jpg"/><figcaption>LA Clippers guard Lou Williams (23) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) at Staples Center. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters</figcaption></figure></div>Finally, basketball is back.A flurry of offseason activity left NBA observers buzzing about the possibilities heading into the 2019-20 campaign. At least a handful of teams (or is it six, or eight, or maybe 10?) can make a good case for making a championship run this spring.Yes, a few franchises remain in rebuilding mode and will be lucky to win 30 games -- hi there, Hornets, Knicks -- but increased talent and improved parity across the league should make for a compelling season. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/nba/news/2019/10/23/2019-20-nba-rosters-feature-108-international-players-62463">READ: 2019-20 NBA rosters feature 108 international players</a></li></ul>Here is an educated guess at the power rankings as the opening tipoff approaches.No. 30: Charlotte HornetsA lack of star power plus a lack of quality depth equals a good shot at the No. 1 overall pick in next year&#x27;s draft for the Hornets.No. 29: Washington WizardsThe Wizards wisely signed Bradley Beal to a contract extension, but he is the only star on what otherwise is a very thin roster.No. 28: Cleveland CavaliersJohn Beilein made the jump to the NBA, but he has a serious rebuilding project on his hands with the Cavaliers.No. 27: Memphis GrizzliesJa Morant was electrifying in college, and Jaren Jackson is a real threat, but this could be a long season in Memphis.No. 26: New York KnicksR.J. Barrett looks to make a big splash as a rookie for the Knicks, who will be better but likely will fall into the lottery yet again.No. 25: Atlanta HawksTrae Young can score from anywhere, but the Hawks might not have a deep enough roster to compete for an 82-game regular season.No. 24: Phoenix SunsRicky Rubio and Devin Booker comprise an intriguing backcourt, and Deandre Ayton figures to be even better in his second season.No. 23: Detroit PistonsThere is plenty of parity in the league, and the Pistons certainly are in the playoff mix, but can they count on Blake Griffin&#x27;s health?No. 22: Sacramento KingsThe young trio of De&#x27;Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III provide excitement to what has long been a sleepy franchise.No. 21: Chicago BullsThe Bulls are climbing again -- finally -- thanks to some smart acquisitions and the continued development of a young roster.No. 20: Oklahoma City ThunderAll eyes will be on Chris Paul in Oklahoma City, where a boom-or-bust season could be on the way.No. 19: Minnesota TimberwolvesKarl-Anthony Towns provides star power, and Andrew Wiggins can fill up the basket, but Minnesota never seems to put it all together.No. 18: Orlando MagicNikola Vucevic and the Magic are getting better, which is great news for their fans, but they aren&#x27;t a finished product quite yet.No. 17: Indiana PacersThe middle-of-the-country, middle-of-the-road Pacers added Malcolm Brogdon to a group that includes Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner.No. 16: New Orleans PelicansTop draft pick Zion Williamson is a monster and joins a talented group, but a knee injury already has delayed his regular-season debut.No. 15: Dallas MavericksThe duo of Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic will be fun, but do they have enough help to put the Mavericks over the hump?No. 14: Miami HeatThe Heat are trending upward with Jimmy Butler joining a rejuvenated lineup that includes Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow.No. 13: San Antonio SpursThe Spurs certainly do not have the most talent in the league, but nobody gets more out of his roster than Gregg Popovich.No. 12: Brooklyn NetsKevin Durant might not play this season, but the Nets still have a formidable team with Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris and others.No. 11: Boston CelticsKyrie Irving is out, Kemba Walker is in as the Celtics look to make a deep playoff run in the Eastern Conference.No. 10: Portland Trail BlazersThe backcourt combination of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum -- plus the addition of big man Hassan Whiteside -- makes for a fun squad.No. 9: Toronto RaptorsWhat&#x27;s-his-name is gone (his name is Kawhi Leonard), but the Raptors retain a capable group of starters led by Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol.No. 8: Denver NuggetsThe Nuggets are very solid, if not elite, and Nikola Jokic leads an established roster that could pile up a bunch of regular-season wins.No. 7: Utah JazzUtah had a sneaky-good offseason, adding Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic to join star playmaker Donovan Mitchell.No. 6: Golden State WarriorsMaybe this is too high for some, but Stephen Curry alone can carry Golden State on many nights and D&#x27;Angelo Russell is no slouch as a Klay Thompson stand-in.No. 5: Philadelphia 76ersIf Joel Embiid can stay healthy, he gives the 76ers (who lost Jimmy Butler but added Al Horford) a legitimate chance to get past the Bucks and into the NBA Finals.No. 4: Los Angeles LakersYes, LeBron James will turn 35 years old this season, but it would be foolish to count him out of the title hunt -- especially now that he has a second superstar on the team in big man Anthony Davis.No. 3: Houston RocketsIf Russell Westbrook and James Harden can figure out how to share the spotlight and play without the ball in their hands, the Rockets will be a dangerous title contender.No. 2: Milwaukee BucksGiannis Antetokounmpo is an absolute star, and he could lift the Bucks to a championship this season along with a starting lineup that includes Eric Bledsoe, Wesley Matthews, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez.No. 1: Los Angeles ClippersKawhi Leonard wins championships everywhere he goes, and Paul George is the best No. 2 player in the league, but it&#x27;s the Clippers&#x27; depth that could put them over the top for the title.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

NBA: LA Clippers top 2020 power rankings, Hornets bring up rear

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NBA: LA Clippers top 2020 power rankings, Hornets bring up rear

Tom Musick,

Field Level Media via Reuters

Published Oct 23, 2019 12:11 PM PHT

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