My list would be the following.

Perth
NZ
Melbourne
Adelaide

Melbourne have done well with recruiting but I don't think it is best ever. Dillon and Dorsey are over rated (they only got recognised due to a good finals campaign). Rush is good but I would think Weigh is on the same level. Ubaka is a good import but can be inconsistent. They will have a much better line up this season and will make the playoffs.

Yes, it is too early... but what the hell ;-)

I think the Cats, Tigers and Breakers are clear standouts, but the rest are hard to pick at this stage.

The Crocs have brought back a nice core of Aussie talent, so I would think they still lead the race for fourth, but this will depend on their imports.

Blaze, a lot of talent, but still too small and can't defend anyone at the rim. I think this will limit how far they can go.

Hawks are very solid again, but need a gun PG to create and score for them.

Kings and Sixers have improved, but not sure it will be enough for them to break into the top 5.

Taipans still have a nice frontcourt, but the Tigers have gutted their perimeter positions. Unless they snag some good imports, they look like the early bet for the wooden spoon IMO.

all teams have talent but i think that blaze or taipans will be bottom

1 CROCS
2 WILDCATS
3 KINGS
4 36ERS
no tigers for me

I think the middle of the pack is going to be really tight. Adelaide look better on paper this year, Townsville is a team I could see getting into the top 4, Wollongong always put up a fight, Sydney will have hopefully moved forward and won't want a repeat of the start of last season. If you told me Cairns would have been in the grand finals this time last year I wouldnt have believed it so wouldn't count them out either.
Am I forgetting anyone?

Should be a good season!

Hey Beantown i bet u Taipans finish higher than Adelaide! I dont know what to bet u but thats a start...

Minus the Taipans (at this stage), you could say that any team could make the playoffs.

I like how even the league is shaping up to be. I think the talent has been really spread out between the teams this year.

im not betting cash with 'anons' anon but i like the bet. Come back with something more feasible! Last time i was in Adelaide i played at the Apollo so fat chance of seeing me in the Sporn bar. The thought of catching up with u regulars on this site & having a beer (bought by the winner of the bet of course)is something i would welcome. Bear in mind that i'm based north of Cairns.

Kind of early to bet Orbit, since you don't have a second import yet! Also kind of hard to buy the winner a beer when you're in FNQ and I'm in Adelaide!

At this stage, I think Cairns have taken a step back, and that is entirely because Melbourne poached three of their six best players. If your two imports turn out to be as good as Ubaka and Dorsey though, there's no reason you won't have a good season.

I just think the odds are against you right now!

Who did you play for at the Apollo BTW?

Wayyy to early to pick top 4 as soo many unknowns, ie new imports,injuries,etc.

However i will have a crack,

My ladder

1. Townsville - were pretty good last season, on paper have upgraded imports, i predict Gill to be one of the best imports/players, and Schenscher and Crawford to have another strong season, giving them a good/balanced/deep squad.

2. Perth - Definatly top 4 for me, rock solid team, good coaching, how good depends on Redhage's recovery/replacement, import spot spare to replace him if needed holds them in a good position.

3. New Zealand - Lose Penney, but new import guard sounds well credentialed, but cant see them repeating, but should make playoffs

The 4th spot is up for grabs, the rest of the teams are pretty even IMO,

4. Adelaide - upgraded in picking up Weigh, new imports should be upgrades (fingers crossed), Johnson and Creek to continute to improve

5. Gold Coast - Good Aussie core, if they get the imports right and have luck with injuries could easily finish in top 4, even win the whole thing.

6. Wollongong - If they get another stud import PG could make top 4, but i predict similar to last year, just missing playoffs

7. Cairns - lost 3 out of 5 starters, but if get another 2 good imports and Hill or someone can fill in for Dillon, could be in the top couple again, just predicting a drop as not many teams have recruited 2 stud fresh imports in recent years, their PG sounds decent though.

8. Sydney - have them last again, just need a little bit more Aussie talent to really compete for a title IMO, if Bruce can do a good job as starting PG getting the ball to Jules, and their imports are good, could sneak into top 4, but for me they are the least likely.

For me very even league, I think Townsville, Perth and New Zealand are the top tier, Sydney slightly behind the rest (not too far though, definatly improved on last year) and the rest somewhere in the middle. 4th spot should go down to the wire, and im hoping (possibly being wishful) that the 36ers sneak in, if our imports are good we should atlest be in the mix.

In no particular order

Melbourne- not based on imports but because of Gleeson. Walker and Lewis will be huge, Rush will be an x factor

Gold Coast- Stay healthy and this is a scary good team

Adelaide- Upgraded on last season and despite the haters were not that far off last season in a lot of games. Hopefully they have recruited the closer the team needed.

Perth - Cant count them out although i think their roster is worse, debated on putting them in the top 4.

The middle ground and just missing are

Breakers- Henare and Penny cant be replaced that easy, CJ is older and slower and cant see Wilkinson playing to that level again. Championship hangover will hurt them

Hawks- not enough grunt but plenty of Savvy vet gets them close but not close enough

Crocs- think there roster is weaker than last season and they only made the playoffs by 2 wins last year

The bottom of the pack

Kings- Have not gotten better JK will again be baring the load unless Anatoly is a stand out and Aaron Bruce lets go of the past and plays like we know he can.

Cairns- Have lost a bunch of talent and have not upgraded in any spots

Last season 5 teams where separated by 4 wins, it looks like another tight as title this season too. 16 wins will again be the magic mark to make it.

Ok orbit, anon has now signed in. Mate I'll post you a carton of "adelaides finest"
Coopers pale ale If the Taipans finish higher than the 6ers. I know it's early days but I love a good punt.

Jonno, You forgot Melbourne, also Wollongong have upgraded their back up big with an import, so should be better up front this year with no weak links coming off the bench

I would consider following basketball a hobby. What's yours anon?

U r on JOaRiDrAN. I also like the odds of this bet even though the Taipans have yet to grab import no. 2.

Beantown i played for Bulleen Boomers (seabl) in the late 80's - early 90's & we played curtain raisers for the 36ers @ Apollo. I'm going back to when Bradtke was with you guys.

After reading all the posts this will be a close year - can't wait!!

oops i forgot Melbourne, i would have them in the middle pack with the 36ers, Blaze, etc.

If the Hawks get another good PG they will be right around the plyoff battle. Missed out by only 1 game last season after a lengthy loosing streak that coincided with Sav missing those games. Played for quite a few games without Gruber, Davidson,Rhys Martin etc as well and Gruber never really contributed much all season as he never regained full fitness.
They now have upgraded quite a bit I would think at the backup bigs role with an import replaceing Behrendorf and a very fit Gruber. Coenraad still should have some upside and not a fan of Martin but he should still improve.
The only 2 downsides are that Sav and Campbell are another year older and while Matty is really starting to slip, Sav was in near career best for last season and the fact that they will struggle to find another McKee or Ervin.
If they happen to find one or snag Mills look out!

Injuries will play a huge part! You could almost say that all rosters will have very capable imports which will cross each other out. The clubs with the 'X' Factor Aussies (that stay healthy) are the ones to watch!! Perth, T'ville & Tigers look to have the edge. Breakers will be human without Penney. Gold Coast could either finish 1st or 6th but they are the smokey. The Gong are blue collar & very well coached - never write off. Adelaide & Cairns will be tough at home but who knows? Sydney are my spooners. The clubs that retain there imports & stay healthy will take the top 4. It's a bitch to pick but shaping as a close year!!

Crocs
- Upgraded both imports, close last season, will give it a big shake now. Gleeson leaving may hurt though.

Tigers
- Scorers everywhere, a ripping point guard, all depends on how healthy Burston can stay and how Lucas Walker defends the bigs.

Wildcats
- Redhage's recovery is a big question mark, but having the second import spot up their sleeve will keep them as legit contenders.

Breakers
- Penney & Henare gone, CJ's a year older. Won't be as dominant as they were, but you can't rule them out especially because they are so hard to beat at home.
_____________________________________________________
Blaze
- Ripping Australian talent. Not sure if they have the coin left to bring in a quality import. Will be thereabouts.

Sixers
- Crosswell signing very important, if Warren doesn't work out, Crosswell is no slouch at the PG. Weigh & Herbet will get buckets.

Taipans
- Possibly the best big rotation in the comp in Crosswhite, Loughton and Rychart. Phil Jones needs to score. Imports need to be quality for them to be half as good as last season.

Kings
- Will improve. JK, Grant, Bose, Madgen, Bruce is a solid starting line up, but still to much for Khazzouh to do.

Hawks
- Will slide. Gruber naturalizing will help. Campbell finished and wasting a roster spot IMO. Sav will win them some games from his own hand, but Import PG must be a stud for them to compete.

36ERS to come 5th