Preseason Record: 2-4

The Philadelphia 76ers may have won two preseason games, but there have been plenty of signs affirming what we already knew: This squad is right at the bottom of the NBA and should be considered the heavy favorite to gain top odds in the 2014 draft lottery.

Particularly problematic is the point guard play.

Between Tony Wroten, Michael Carter-Williams and Darius Morris, the top field-goal percentage is 32.7 percent (a tie between Wroten and MCW). They haven't been able to score and the turnovers have piled up with alarming frequency.

There are future pieces in place here, but nothing good should be expected in 2013-14.

2000 k-1

********

reseason Record: 3-3

"Efficiency" has been a foreign word for the Charlotte Bobcats, and that doesn't bode well for their season. You know…when teams actually A) start trying and B) playing their best players in larger doses.

Among the expected starters, Al Jefferson has the top field-goal percentage, checking in at 46.7 percent while scoring nine points per game. Cody Zeller has been fairly impressive as well, producing 8.2 points per contest on 45.5 percent shooting.

But as for the guards? Yikes.

They've shown that they're quite good at hitting just the rim.

Title Odds: 450-1

*******

Preseason Record: 1-5

I still think that the Utah Jazz are going to be fun to watch, but they aren't going to be very good. Especially not if their top players continue struggling as they've done in the preseason.

Gordon Hayward is right to have that look on his face; he's going into the 2013-14 campaign as the de facto No. 1 option, but his hold on the role is tenuous at best. And after six games in which he averaged 15 points on 36.3 percent shooting while turning the ball over 2.7 times per contest, it may already be slipping away.

Between Hayward's struggles, Alec Burks' inability to hit any sort of jumper, and Trey Burke's fractured finger, the preseason has been an utter disaster for the Salt Lake City residents.

Title Odds: 425-1

******************

reseason Record: 4-2

Even if the Phoenix Suns aren't going to be very competitive this year, their fans have to feel good about the future now that the Eric Bledsoe-Goran Dragic backcourt pairing has started to look like it will work out.

Dragic has averaged 12.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in under 20 minutes of action per game, and he's shot a sparkling 67.6 percent from the field. Bledsoe's 44.8 percent shooting pales in comparison, but he's produced 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 dimes per contest while looking like a defensive sensation.

As long as those two call the desert home, this team will have some potential. Just the long-term variety.

Title Odds: 400-1

***********************

BUCS

reseason Record: 0-5

Will the Milwaukee Bucks just give John Henson a starting job already?

Although Larry Sanders is still the man to watch in the frontcourt, the UNC product has played superb basketball throughout the preseason. He's averaged 10.2 points (trailing only O.J. Mayo on the team), 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 53.7 percent in the process.

Although the Bucks haven't won any games, Henson has been a positive, as have been the flashes of brilliance from Giannis Antetokounmpo (who will soon be known as the Greek Freak thanks to the difficult nature of his last name).

There are signs of a solid club forming here, but it isn't all coming together just yet.

Title Odds: 380-1

********************

reseason Record: 3-2

The Sacramento Kings are among the highest risers in this edition of title odds—yes, even though they still come in the bottom 10.

DeMarcus Cousins has looked motivated and effective, even after inking a max four-year extension that ensures his financial future. But it's about more than just Boogie.

Perhaps motivated by thought of a potential trade, Jimmer Fredette has been lighting up scoreboards. Averaging 13 points per game, Jimmer has drilled 61.5 percent of his three-point attempts this preseason.

That is not a typo.

Ben McLemore and Patrick Patterson have also looked great, giving the Kings quite a few stellar individual pieces. But putting them all together into a proper puzzle is quite the challenge.

Title Odds: 375-1

*****************

eason Record: 1-6

If we're looking for positives, we have to overlook the play of Avery Bradley and Jeff Green, even though they'll be the two main contributors while Rajon Rondo continues to rehab that torn ACL.

It's to the frontcourt that we turn.

Summer league standout Kelly Olynyk has continued to look like a quality player. In 21.7 minutes of action per game, he's put up 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 52.9 percent from the field. His fundamental excellence should carry over to the regular season, just as it has to the preseason.

Vitor Faverani won't be as much of an impact player, but the 25-year-old big man from Brazil has shown that he can be a solid backup and bring a nice physical presence to complement Olynyk.

Title Odds: 350-1

*******************

reseason Record: 2-5

Can we go ahead and hand Rookie of the Year to Victor Oladipo?

I'm kidding, but only kind of. The Orlando Magic's young combo guard has been sensational, locking down on defense and still finding the time and energy to average 14.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.

If he can get his three-point stroke honed, the sky is the limit.

Across the board, Orlando's youthful core continues to get better and better. These title odds may be slightly high, but only because there's a chance for one or more breakouts during the 2013-14 season.

Title Odds: 200-1

******************

Preseason Record: 1-5

It should be quite clear that the Washington Wizards will go as John Wall goes, especially with Emeka Okafor out indefinitely with a neck injury.

Wall has struggled with his shooting stroke during the team's six preseason games, and the results haven't been pretty. If the young point guard isn't connecting with the bottom of the net, the Wizards won't be connecting with the win column.

But on the bright side, Bradley Beal looks like a future superstar. I have him ranked as the No. 10 shooting guard in the league heading into the new campaign, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he skyrocketed to No. 4 by the end of the year.

And yes, I mean the end of the calendar year. His offensive game looks that good.

Title Odds: 175-1

*******************

Preseason Record: 1-5

It's been an offseason of positives and negatives for the Atlanta Hawks, and that's continued on into the preseason.

Let's first focus on two of the biggest additions.

Paul Millsap has looked spec-tacular (read in a Marv Albert voice) over his first five games in new threads, shooting 54.3 percent from the field, averaging 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and showing flashes of three-point range.

But Dennis Schroeder has struggled.

The German sensation has displayed tremendous court vision and carries himself with undeniable confidence, but he hasn't been able to connect on virtually any of his jumpers. Although he'll be a pest on defense, it's time to dial back the expectations a little bit for his rookie season.

It's also become quite clear that the Hawks desperately need Lou Williams to return from his ACL surgery sooner rather than later.

Title Odds: 130-1

**********************

Preseason Record: 3-4

The best sign for the Lakers hasn't been Xavier Henry's breakout performances, Jordan Farmar's sustained solid play, or Wesley Johnson's ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc.

It's been the team's ability to remain competent while Kobe Bryant rehabs that pesky Achilles.

The defense has looked better than it did in 2012-13, and the offense will assuredly receive a nice boost as soon as the Mamba is back in the lineup. So far, the Lakers have struggled with consistency and have produced only 94.3 points per game.

This is going to be a down year for the Lake Show, but at least it won't be completely hopeless.

Title Odds: 120-1