NBA POWER RANKINGS: Here's Where Every Team Stands Going Into The Preseason

Most NBA training camps open Monday.

After a lockout shortened the 2011-12 season and severely limited practice time, all 30 teams will finally have a chance to properly prepare for NBA action.

To make our preseason power rankings, we took each team's record last year, then moved them up and down based on how they changed their rosters in the offseason.

We found that there's an upper tier of five teams that are truly going to contend for the title, a middle tier of talented teams that have a slim chance to break through, and a lower tier of hopeless squads destined for the lottery.

1. Miami Heat (rising)

Key Pick-ups: Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Josh Harrellson

Key Subtractions: None

Best five: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers

The Heat go into training camp an even bigger juggernaut than they did last year. Allen, Lewis, and Harrellson all fill needs that they had last year.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (staying the same)

Key Pick-ups: Perry Jones III (rookie)

Key Subtractions: None

Best five: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Thabo Sefolosha

This team is so young than an extra year of experience should make them improve greatly.

3. Los Angeles Lakers (rising)

Key Pick-ups: Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Antwan Jamison

Key Subtractions: Andrew Bynum, Matt Barnes

Best five: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Metta World Peace

No team added more big names, but Howard is injured and it's unclear if they can mesh.

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