We've broken down who we think will be the best and worst newcomers in 2009-10. Now it's time to name Team Turmoil -- the squad that could encounter quite a few difficulties this season. (Also, check out the vote for Team Turnaround.) Here's the voting breakdown: Pistons (8 votes) Warriors (8 votes) Rockets (6 votes) Clippers (3 votes) Wolves (3 votes) Knicks (3 votes) • Click here to check out Team Turnaround Henry Abbott (ESPN.com TrueHoop senior writer), J.A. Adande (ESPN.com senior writer), Kevin Arnovitz (ESPN.com TrueHoop Network editor), Andrew Ayres (ESPN.com NBA editor), Jon Barry (ESPN NBA analyst), Bruce Bernstein (ESPN NBA Studio Production), Alfredo Berrios (ESPN Deportes editor), Dwayne Bray (ESPN Studio Production), Jordan Brenner (ESPN Insider editor), Lisa Brooks (ESPN Stats & Information), Maurice Brooks (ESPN.com NBA editor), Chris Broussard (ESPN The Magazine senior writer), Ric Bucher (ESPN The Magazine senior writer), Michael Bucklin (ESPN Interactive Games), Kevin Calabro (ESPN NBA broadcaster), Kevin Conlon (ESPN Stats & Information), Jay Corbin (ESPN The Magazine editor), Chad Ford (ESPN Insider senior writer), LZ Granderson (ESPN The Magazine senior writer), John Hollinger (ESPN Insider senior writer), Jade Hoye (ESPN Multimedia), Michael Jackson (ESPN Stats & Information), Scoop Jackson (ESPN Page 2 columnist), Avery Johnson (ESPN NBA analyst), Eric Karabell (ESPN.com senior writer), Rob King (ESPN.com editor in chief), Seth Landman (ESPN Fantasy basketball writer), Tim Legler (ESPN NBA analyst), Nancy Lieberman (ESPN NBA analyst), Keith Lipscomb (ESPN Fantasy basketball analyst), Patricia Lowry (ESPN NBA Event Production), Mike Lynch (ESPN Stats & Information), Eric Neel (ESPN.com senior writer), Pete Newmann (ESPN Stats & Information), Chris Palmer (ESPN The Magazine NBA writer), Greg Pike (ESPN NBA Studio Production), Chris Ramsay (ESPN.com NBA coordinator), Dr. Jack Ramsay (ESPN NBA analyst), Adam Reisinger (ESPNDB editor), Jalen Rose (ESPN NBA analyst), Bob Salmi (ESPN NBA analyst), Chris Sheridan (ESPN Insider senior writer), Marc Stein (ESPN.com NBA senior writer), Patrick Stiegman (ESPN.com VP/executive editor), Otto Strong (ESPN The Magazine NBA editor), Mark Summer (ESPN NBA Studio Production), David Thorpe (ESPN Insider NBA analyst), Justin Verrier (ESPN.com NBA editor), Bill Walton (ESPN NBA analyst), Royce Webb (ESPN.com NBA editor), Josh Whitling (ESPN Fantasy basketball writer), Matt Winer (ESPN NBA anchor) and Matt Wong (ESPN.com NBA editor).2009-10 predictions: Team Turmoil
It's not hard to see why voters think Detroit will continue its fall from grace. The Pistons have a new coach again, John Kuester. They let mainstays Rasheed Wallace (Boston) and Antonio McDyess (San Antonio) skip town and replaced them with defensively challenged Charlie Villanueva, underachieving Chris Wilcox and an aging Ben Wallace. And they gave a big contract to Ben Gordon, who will compete for minutes with Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey -- a la Allen Iverson last season. That can't be a good omen, right?
There's never a dull moment when Nellie's in charge. Just ask Al Harrington and Jamal Crawford. There's never any defense either. The Warriors will try to outscore opponents with Corey Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry on the roster, but they could rack up the losses just as quickly.
Houston, you have a problem. Lots of them. Tracy McGrady is expected to miss the beginning of the season following microfracture surgery. Yao Ming is likely out for the entire season after foot surgery. And Ron Artest bolted for the Lakers via free agency. Yes, Trevor Ariza is a nice addition, and Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks are rising stars, but in the ultracompetitive West, that won't be enough.
Blake Griffin comes into the NBA with all the right attributes. But he's joining the Clippers, a franchise that historically slobbers on the promising and leaves them reeking of defeat. Will coach Mike Dunleavy be able to keep a future star's development on the right track if the veterans revert to losing habits and me-first play? Check back after the first month.
Al Jefferson. Kevin Love. Jonny Flynn. That's a start. But new coach Kurt Rambis might wish he had never left Phil Jackson's right hand when considering the holes on his current roster. Of course, the Wolves could have addressed their needs better had they not drafted two point guards with their top two picks. Especially since one of them is still holding the Wolves hostage in Spain. But that's a whole other issue.
Talk about a team in limbo. Just check on the status of fan favorites David Lee and Nate Robinson, who are still waiting for deals. A likely shrinking salary cap in 2010-11 also threatens the possibility of LeBron James walking through the door in MSG. So the team now looks torn between shedding contracts for a diminished future, and spending half-heartedly to salvage its present dignity. This could get ugly.The voters