SUPERFRIENDS
This is the category of teams that are great in either category and good in the other. They are very talented teams that also get along well. They know each other like the back of their hand, and this allows them to get results. 
Los Angeles Clippers
TALENT: GREAT
COHESION: GOOD
A caveat before we begin: reports suggest that Beno Udrih is very unhappy with his place on the team. However, the locker room has tightened despite that. And there are no doubts about the strength of this roster: Kevin Durant could make this team a playoff contender on his own, not to mention the talent of West, Garcia, and Dirk added on top.
San Antonio Spurs
TALENT: GOOD
COHESION: GREAT
Another year, another superfriends ranking. What really helped this offseason was the addition of Ryan Anderson, who is loved in the locker room. "He's the best guy, he'd do anything for anyone," Josh Smith said. The talent is just as strong as last year, but it's clear their cohesion is the key. They put the "friends" in Superfriends.
New Jersey Nets
TALENT: GREAT
COHESION: GOOD
The Nets are flying high after their conference finals appearance, but they're hungry to go even further after losing to the Hawks. They seem poised to do it, too, with the ever-amazing Tracy McGrady and his talented cast of co-stars. The addition of Shaq, who used to wreck team cohesion in his younger years, hasn't seemed to hurt this team at all.
STRONG AND SOLID
These are the teams that have good cohesion and good talent. They have a chance to be among the top teams in the league because of their talent and willingness to work together to win. Let's meet em!
Minnesota Timberwolves
TALENT: GOOD
COHESION: GOOD
They were average talent before training camp, but three players increased their rating in camp and they shot back up to good. Never in doubt was their cohesion rating, which Kyle Lowry figures will remain as long as Chris Bosh is on the team. "He's our rock. We go where he goes, and we love him to death."
Atlanta Hawks
TALENT: GOOD
COHESION: GOOD
The Eastern Conference Champions are feeling the sting of training camp, as their older players are taking a step back. But they're still talented, and they're very much still a unified front. The best evidence of this is Tim Duncan glowingly praising Joakim Noah and saying he'll play off the bench to let Noah shine. "I love how smart he is and how focused to winning he is," said Duncan, who is notoriously known for being one of the biggest egos in the league.
Golden State Warriors
TALENT: GOOD
COHESION: GOOD
So close to great talent, but they hit a snag in training camp and Curry looks like he'll top off at simply amazing instead of elite. No matter: this Warriors team is talented, and they've never lost the same unified locker room that Bowtothebill has fostered even in losing years.
GOOD, BUT...
This category is filled with teams who are good or great in one category but average or worse in the other. There are some things to like about these teams, but there are questions in either talent or chemistry that could threaten their championship hopes. Last year for the second straight time, a team from this category won the championship. So it can happen!
Phoenix Suns
TALENT: POOR
COHESION: GOOD
Speaking of the champs, they lost Redick, and consequently they took a step back in talent. But they're still all happy (besides Matt Bonner), and why wouldn't they be? This team had a Cinderella story last year, streaking to the championship. They know it could happen again, despite losing JJ.
Washington Wizards
TALENT: POOR
COHESION: GOOD
J2 just fosters a good locker room. There have never been any fights, or known issues, or players infecting the locker room. If only he could get some players as talented as Rashard Lewis was, maybe the Wizards could revisit their golden years.
Houston Rockets
TALENT: BAD
COHESION: GOOD
The team is a mess. Thaddeus Young is still livid. Players seem to have bad camps on the regular in Houston. But somehow, someway, defying all natural logic, the Houston Rockets locker room is upbeat and happy. The secret seems to be Kobe Bryant, who is softening in his older years. "He rode us hard last year, but this year he has been much nicer," said Ike Diogu. "It's almost like he's given up. Which is kind of sad, but at least I don't have belt marks on my thighs anymore."
Portland Trailblazers
TALENT: GREAT
COHESION: BAD
You have to give it up to KUCoach, who has worked his butt off to assemble a talented, impressive roster. They're clearly going to be a contender on paper. But that creeping issue of chemistry has never quite left the Blazers, who have had a negative locker room since the Dirk days and have never fixed it. Maybe winning will start to turn that around.
New York Knicks
TALENT: BAD
COHESION: GOOD
Like the Rockets, the Knicks are another team that has a locker room devoid of talent, but filled with smiles. Melo is gone, SJax is gone, but the happiness remains, and if you ask Earl Watson why, the answer is easy: "Andy, man! He's the best. He makes us all so happy. I hope he doesn't get traded."
Orlando Magic
TALENT: GREAT
COHESION: POOR
The Magic, like the Blazers, went nuts this offseason, making moves to improve their team steadily. They've got Melo, a rejuvenated Dwight, Rashard Lewis, and as good a chance as any of taking their division. However, like the Blazers, their locker room is a mish mash of players who aren't used to one another and may not particularly like each other. When we talked to both Melo and Rashard separately about the other, they said the exact same thing: "Why did we need him? They have me."
Cleveland Cavaliers
TALENT: GREAT
COHESION: POOR
Last year Superfriends, this year Good But...and that "But" is definitely the chemistry side. They had a great offseason, signing several key wings who can play the 3 and 4. However, losing Randy Foye hurt the locker room. "He was my brother, my best friend," Chris Paul moaned. "I am sure we'll do well, but I wish he would be here with us when we win the division."
Sacramento Kings
TALENT: GOOD
COHESION: POOR
Last year the Kings were the worst team in the league. This year they have assembled a ton of young talent, including the already-great rookie Demarcus Cousins. The trick to returning to the Kings of yesteryears? Humility and deference. "These kids are young and they've all been told their entire lives that they're the best," a source told us. "And now they're all together on a young team, and egos clash."
New Orleans Hornets
TALENT: POOR
COHESION: GOOD
Another year, another headscratching trade from the Hornets. They decided to rebuild without their draft pick this year, and now they're looking to unload Baron Davis. But for now, the locker room is excited to play in New Orleans. Has to be because of the food.
Miami Heat
TALENT: GOOD
COHESION: AVERAGE
Very strong training camp in Miami, which endured a big hit to Iguodala but also saw Hawes, Jefferson, and Beasley take massive leaps. They're not as close as they were last year, but one has to figure that will change if they come out the gate hot like they were last year.
Utah Jazz
TALENT: GOOD
COHESION: AVERAGE
Amazing what a first draft pick can do for a franchise. For the third time, the Jazz have been gifted the best player in a draft. And for the third time, optimism is roaring high. The team hasn't really fit together yet, but Paul George already looks like he'll be a dominant two way player.
Philadelphia 76ers
TALENT: AVERAGE
COHESION: GOOD
Another team that had a great training camp, the Sixers are much more talented than their average rating suggests. They only have 9 players signed to the roster, a result of a bad FA period. However, if they sign a few more depth pieces, they'll be a force to contend with in both categories.
Denver Nuggets
TALENT: BAD
COHESION: GOOD
No change from last year. The Nuggets still have a bunch of nobodies on their roster, and the lowered expectations seem to fit well with this roster. Rajon Rondo, a player who some expect to be a diva, actually feels right at home in Denver: "I love these guys. We may not win every game, but we play hard and that's all I can ask for."
Dallas Mavericks
TALENT: AVERAGE
COHESION: GOOD
The Mavs made their move this offseason, acquiring Stephen Jackson and Caron Butler. This counterbalances players like Udoh, Green, and Garrett Temple, who never figure to see the floor anyway. The Lopez brothers are still leading by example, and rookie Hassan Whiteside already loves his new team: "Everyone is welcoming and is showing me how to be a true pro."
Los Angeles Lakers
TALENT: AVERAGE
COHESION: GREAT
The Lakers are one of only two teams with great cohesion. They also have had tons of roster shakeup this year, which explains the average talent. But how has the cohesion increased? An assistant coach says it's due to Andrew Bogut's hardworking attitude.
MEH
This category is for the teams that are average in both talent and cohesion. These teams could be good, or they could be bad. At this point, it depends on coaching, because the team builders haven't done them many favors.
Detroit Pistons
TALENT: AVERAGE
COHESION: AVERAGE
Nothing to report from Detroit, good or bad. They kept LMA, added Jeremy Lin, and somehow Rip has survived training camp without getting too hurt. The result is a team that is very professional, does its work, and doesn't seem too close.
Indiana Pacers
TALENT: AVERAGE
COHESION: AVERAGE
Two teams in the PBSL start with P. Both teams are in the Meh category? Coincidence. Yes, obviously. But that doesn't change the fact that the Pacers seem to be a mishmash of talent that don't feel comfortable playing together yet.
NEEDS ATTENTION
The final category is for teams that have at least one category poor or bad, and have no good categories to make up for it. I'm not going to automatically disqualify these teams from making the playoffs, but I will say that if they want to make it, they'll need some vast improvement or teambuilding exercises. Because it ain't pretty.
Chicago Bulls
TALENT: AVERAGE
COHESION: POOR
The team has acquired some talent while under league management, but the lack of ownership has created a locker room that isn't sure of the direction of the franchise. "I wish someone would step up and lead this team," said Manu Ginobli. "I'm too old to waste away on a ship with no captain."
VanMemphis Grizzlies
TALENT: POOR
COHESION: AVERAGE
On first glance this may be a team that doesn't have a lot of talent and don't really like playing together. But Loco is clearly building this team in the Suns vein, even signing JJ Redick from them, so it could work out for the Grizz. Or they could be awful. It's anyone's guess!
Milwaukee Bucks
TALENT: BAD
COHESION: POOR
It's not going well in Milwaukee. Why would it? The GM once again destroyed the team and left the current players feeling hopeless. "I'd feel better if the rebuild netted us some talent to hope for," said a scout with the team, "but that's not the case. No potential superstars, no hope, no nothing."
Boston Celtics
TALENT: POOR
COHESION: AVERAGE
Same as last year, the Celtics are still in the middle of a rebuild. It looks great so far, with John Wall showing up day 1 as a PBSL ready player. But they have a ways to go, both on the court and in the locker room. Larry Hughes has told some friends that he doesn't really see his place on this team.
Seattle Supersonics
TALENT: POOR
COHESION: AVERAGE
Superfriends of last year are no longer super and definitely not friends. That's what happens when DarthVegito decided he had reached his limit. Now there are several players who are ready to win now, along with players who may need a year or two. It's a weird mix that will need time and patience to form.
Toronto Raptors
TALENT: POOR
COHESION: AVERAGE
The Raptors are still rebuilding, and most people understand that. But that understanding doesn't mean the players are happy with losing. "I won 2 AAU titles," Andrew Bynum said. "Two state championships in high school. And now I'm on a second team that just can't win? I'm kind of sick of losing, guys."
