Scouting Reports HOW WE RANK THEM

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1 NEW JERSEY Nets (4)*
2 NEW ORLEANS Hornets (6)
3 INDIANA Pacers (8)
4 DETROIT Pistons (9)
5 WASHINGTON Wizards (11)
6 MILWAUKEE Bucks (14)
7 BOSTON Celtics (16)
8 PHILADELPHIA 76ers (17)
9 ATLANTA Hawks (19)
10 ORLANDO Magic (20)
11 TORONTO Raptors (21)
12 MIAMI Heat (24)
13 CHICAGO Bulls (25)
14 NEW YORK Knicks (26)
15 CLEVELAND Cavaliers (27)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1 SACRAMENTO Kings (1)
2 LOS ANGELES Lakers (2)
3 SAN ANTONIO Spurs (3)
4 DALLAS Mavericks (5)
5 PORTLAND Trail Blazers (7)
6 HOUSTON Rockets (10)
7 MINNESOTA Timberwolves (12)
8 UTAH Jazz (13)
9 SEATTLE SuperSonics (15)
10 LOS ANGELES Clippers (18)
11 MEMPHIS Grizzlies (22)
12 PHOENIX Suns (23)
13 GOLDEN STATE Warriors (28)
14 DENVER Nuggets (29)

*League ranking, 1 to 29

PLAYER VALUE RANKINGS (PVR): We ranked the NBA's players from 1
(the best) to 348 based on our projections of their statistical
production this season. The categories considered were points,
rebounds, assists, steals, blocked shots, field goal percentage,
free throws made and three-pointers made. We also took into
account each player's career stats as well as his role on the
team, his prospects for improving or declining, his injury
history and his physical condition. Using these criteria, we
determined each player's PVR, which appears next to his name in
his team's projected lineup.

For NBA team pages, stats and rosters, plus news and analysis
from Jack McCallum and Marty Burns, go to cnnsi.com/basketball.
For a complete list of PVRs by position, go to cnnsi.com/fantasy.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Nets OVER Hornets

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Kings OVER Lakers

NBA FINALS
Kings OVER Nets

COLOR PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN W. MCDONOUGH LAST YEARShaq thwarted Peja Stojakovic and the Kings in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals. Now it's Sacramento's turn to beat L.A.