Pirate Galaxy » throughout the preseason, propelling h

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Los Angeles LakersOverall: 109 Title track: 29 Ownership: 73 Coaching: 72 Players: 109 Fan relations: 112 Affordability: 116 Stadium experience: 80 Bang for the buck: 120 Change from last year: -8Coming off their worst season in franchise history and after missing the playoffs three straight seasons, is it any wonder the rebuilding Lakers continue their Ultimate Standings slide? The (somewhat) bright side: Kobe Bryant and Byron Scott are out, which gives Luke Walton and the Lakers kids a chance to start anew.Whats goodThe Lakers boast the most wins in NBA history and the second-most titles (16). With their Hollywood allure and deep pockets, history has shown that this franchise is always one big move from greatness, so the title track remains strong (29 overall). Fans are hoping those big moves might have already happened: The teams all-under-24 core, headlined by Brandon Ingram and DAngelo Russell -- the past two No. 2 overall picks - offers hope. But the Lakers will still get crushed most nights, especially in the merciless Western Conference. The good, old days grow ever distant. For now, fans can count on another draft lottery appearance -- the teams fourth straight.Whats badBryant and his two-year deal for $48 million are out the door, but beyond the unproven potential of fledgling talent (with a 109th-place ranking in players, fans clearly arent convinced), there isnt much to be excited about on the court. With Bryant departed, the Lakers bang for the buck ranking fell to last among NBA teams and third-worst overall. Even if the Mamba wasnt always his old self, he was appointment viewing (reference: his 60-point finale). The Lakers tickets remain pricey -- an average $103 a ticket, cheaper only than the Knicks -- so their affordability is also quickly approaching rock-bottom.Whats newThe Lakers lost a franchise-worst 61 games in Byron Scotts first season, then lost four more than that in his second. Along the way, his old-school rhetoric -- such as lambasting the deluge of 3-pointers -- and penchant for roasting young players wore fans patience thin. Enter Luke Walton, a former Laker who played (and won titles) under Phil Jackson and coached alongside Steve Kerr. Walton is a rising star and a much-needed upgrade (hence the 29-point boost in coaching, up out of the triple digits), but the leagues youngest coach (age 36) has a long road ahead to return the cellar-dwelling Lakers to contending status.Next: Brooklyn Nets?| Full rankingsMichael Jordan Youth Jersey . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Jessie Bates III Bengals Jersey . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Anthony-Munoz-Jersey/ . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Joe Mixon Jersey . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. Ryan Finley Youth Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services.Anyone who claims that the NBA preseason is meaningless clearly doesnt have much of a history with fantasy basketball. Those of us who play know better. Much better.As you know, a lot can change, and fast, when you consider the enormous impact of one big preseason injury.?That can alter the fantasy hoops landscape -- its no wonder the Top 200 rankings have to be adjusted so often!This October, we saw several instances of this.We saw it with Anthony Davis sprained ankle; the power forward has been dropped from?No. 9 to 11 as a result.?Given the renewed concern of another injury-plagued season, he is a first-round talent who is dropping into the second round in many fantasy leagues.Gordon Hayward, Reggie Jackson and Ben Simmons are the three others who drop considerably due to injury. Haywards broken finger is expected to keep him out of Utahs lineup until the end of November, causing him to fall to No. 46. Jacksons left knee tendinitis is likely to keep him out for five to seven?weeks, causing him to drop from No. 50 all the way to 82 while also elevating Detroits fill-in starting point guard Ish Smith from No. 175 to 123.And then theres Simmons, whose broken foot will likely keep him out of action until sometime in early 2017, thus ending his rookie of the year chances and dropping him all the way to No. 138. Simmons still makes sense at a higher part of the draft in dynasty leagues, but hes missing too much of the season to be chosen above that 130-140 range in redraft leagues.Here are the other big storylines since our last rankings update:Harden leapfrogs Westbrook for No. 1James Harden and Russell Westbrook are in a class by themselves as the top two fantasy options this season, but until now, weve always had Westbrook ahead of Harden. Not anymore. I explained recently the reasons why Harden now makes sense over Westbrook in category leagues that include 3-pointers, but it can be summed up with this:1. Harden is now eligible at two positions -- shooting guard and point guard -- while Westbrook is still only a point guard. The versatility that multi-position eligibility creates on draft day is a huge advantage for anyone who selects Harden over Westbrook.2. Westbrooks biggest edge over Harden last season was assists (2.9 more per game), but theres a good chance that gap closes now since Harden has more point guard responsibilities and Westbrook is without super-efficient future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant on the receiving end of his passes.3. Harden is a much greater presence from beyond the 3-point arc, and that advantage may grow in the fast-paced offense of new Rockets coach Mike DAntoni.Paul falls, Freak peaksChris Paul drops from No. 6 to 8, falling behind Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James. Weve listed the Los Angeles Clippers star point guard at No. 6 throughout the past two months, but he has continuallly been passed over for the likes of Leonard and James -- and often times Davis and DeMarcus Cousins -- so it was evident a slight adjustment was in order.ddddddddddddMeanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo rises to his highest spot ever in the ESPN rankings, jumping past Davis to No. 10. While the Greek Freaks ceiling may be slightly lower than Davis if both log close to 82 games, theres no denying that Antetokounmpo is a more durable option who is the safer of the two options. Remember, Davis has yet to play more than 68 games in a season as he enters his fifth year in the NBA.Embiids riseOnly a couple of weeks ago, the general consensus was that Joel Embiid would need some time to ease his way into the rigors of the NBA following back-to-back missed seasons due to foot injuries. While that still may prove to be true, Embiid has wasted no time making his presence felt in the preseason, showing rare skills for a big man who is actually bigger than Detroits Andre Drummond. Embiid has moves down low, and his stroke looks great from beyond the 3-point arc. When you factor in his size (7 feet, 250 pounds) and athleticism, its easy to see why the 76ers thought enough of the relatively unproven talent to select him No. 3 overall in 2014. He moves up 31 spots from No. 130 to 99 on the updated rankings, and if Embiid can stay healthy, he has a chance to be one of the best bargains of the draft for anyone who takes him in this range.Other big movers:Kris Dunn, Minnesota Timberwolves (132 to 105)Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets (123 to 97)Jusuf Nurkic, Denver Nuggets (147 to 87)Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers (131 to 118)Ish Smith, Detroit Pistons (175 to 123)Return of ExumAfter missing all of the 2015-16 season, Utahs Dante Exum is fully recovered from ACL surgery on his left knee and highlights the list of newcomers to the Top 200. Any concerns of lingering effects from the lost season have been squashed during the preseason; Exum has looked like a totally different player than the wide-eyed rookie of two seasons ago. His scoring and passing have been on display throughout the preseason, propelling him to No. 157 in the rankings. In 2016-17, he looks to be one of the main guards in the Jazz rotation, along with George Hill, Alec Burks and Rodney Hood. Remember, were talking about a player who is still only 21 and two years removed from being the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.Other new additions:Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets (146)Trevor Booker, Brooklyn Nets (153)Nemanja Bjelica, Minnesota Timberwolves (161)Solomon Hill, New Orleans Pelicans (167)Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks (168)Marquese Chriss, Phoenix Suns (172)Kelly Oubre, Washington Wizards (180)T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns (194) ' ' '