Commentary

Future Power Rankings: Teams 1-5

How will your favorite team fare in future seasons? Our experts take a close look

Originally Published: February 8, 2012
By Chad Ford and John Hollinger | ESPN.com
Previous editions: Mar. '11 | Dec. '10 | Aug. '10 | March '10 | Dec. '09 | Nov. '09

The Future Power Rankings are ESPN Insider's projection of the on-court success expected for each team in the 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.

To continue reading about the future projected NBA Power Rankings via John Hollinger and Chad Ford, you must be an ESPN Insider.

Chad Ford | email

Senior Writer, NBA Insider

John Hollinger | email

ESPN Insider contributor
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    With Roy Hibbert on the floor this series: Pacers +26. Roy Hibbert off the floor: Heat +65. #saysitall
    7 minutes ago     
  • NBAonESPN The NBA on ESPN
    RT @WallaceNBA_ESPN: With Knicks unsettled, Bulls uncertain next yr about Rose & Boston rebuilding, Indy could be Heat's emerging rival.
    8 minutes ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    RT @WallaceNBA_ESPN: With Knicks unsettled, Bulls uncertain next yr about Rose & Boston rebuilding, Indy could be Heat's emerging rival.
    8 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    With Knicks unsettled, Bulls uncertain next yr about Rose & Boston rebuilding, Indy could be Heat's emerging rival
    13 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    But Wade was truly on his game 2nite. Shot back by reminding LeBron of the blueberry skinny jeans he wore to accept MVP
    21 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    And of course, LeBron tried to clown Wade a bit: "Those your close-out game pants, D-Wade? Really?"
    22 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    Postgame cameras may have missed entire ensemble. Wade had matching pink sole shoes & finger wrapped in pink bandage.
    23 minutes ago     
  • WallaceNBA_ESPN Michael Wallace
    1st up. Wade's official statement on hot-pink pants when I approached: "Knew u'd be on me. But not many can rock this."
    25 minutes ago     
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    Over last three games: LeBron+Wade 197, Pacers' entire starting lineup 184.
    39 minutes ago     
  • jadande J.A. Adande
    #mushrooms RT @MrMichaelLee: You have to co-OR-dinate
    41 minutes ago     
  • jadande J.A. Adande
    Wait, D Wade is accessorizing those pink pants with a pink sleeve on his left index finger
    44 minutes ago     
  • NBAonESPN The NBA on ESPN
    RT @tomhaberstroh: After being down 2-1, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James averaged 33.0 pts and 32.7 pts, respectively, to clinch the series.
    45 minutes ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    RT @tomhaberstroh: After being down 2-1, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James averaged 33.0 pts and 32.7 pts, respectively, to clinch the series.
    45 minutes ago     
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    After being down 2-1, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James averaged 33.0 pts and 32.7 pts, respectively, to clinch the series.
    45 minutes ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    RT @Pacers: "I couldn't be more proud of our guys. I'm very, very excited about the future of the Indiana Pacers." - Coach Frank Vogel
    48 minutes ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    What LeBron and D-Wade just did for three games was not easy. The kind of moment every baller wishes for, they just had over and over again.
    50 minutes ago     
  • WindhorstESPN Brian Windhorst
    Pacers excited about their future & should be. But interesting decision on Hibbert. Did not play like a 10-12M a year player in this series
    about an hour ago     
  • tomhaberstroh Tom Haberstroh
    This RT @bandwagonknick Kudos to Pacers, @Jared_Wade & @TimDonahue8p9s, 2 of the smartest & fairest bloggers out there. Great year for them.
    about an hour ago     
  • RoyceWebb Royce Webb, ESPN NBA
    RT @8pts9secs: THANKS RT @bandwagonknick Kudos to Pacers & to Jared Wade & @TimDonahue, 2 of the smartest & fairest bloggers ...
    about an hour ago     
  • IzzyESPN Israel Gutierrez
    Wonder if the Pacers, with a roaming Hibbert, helped Heat should they play Boston and KG, who ignores Heat centers not named Bosh.
    about an hour ago