Marc Stein's preseason NBA rankings has Mavs 6th in the West

Marc Stein of ESPN has come out with his preseason NBA power rankings, and if he's correct the Celtics should knock off the Lakers again to win a second consecutive NBA Championship. Following the Lakers in the West, Stein ranks, in order, New Orleans, San Antonio, Houston, Utah and then Dallas. The other two teams from the West he has making the playoffs are San Antonio and Portland, although after watching the Lakers destroy the Trail Blazers last night I think both Portland and Greg Oden may be way overrated. I have a feeling Oden may be the biggest NBAS bust since Sam Bowie.

The other playoff teams in the East, according to Stein, will be, in order of finish, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia (the only East teams Stein ranks above the Mavs), Toronto, Orlando, Washington and Chicago.