Post by cllaatsch on Apr 4, 2009 2:29:27 GMT -5
1. Toronto Raptors—(24-6 Overall, 14-3 Home)
Team MVP—SG Michael Jordan
Led by the ever-popular MJ23 the Raptors are looking like a lock for the number one seed in the east. They hold a 4 game lead over the 76ers and their home and away records are almost identical. GM Saga has done a great job in building this powerhouse from Toronto and he will be in a good situation after the season due to having 11 players signed to expiring contracts. The Raptors don’t only look like a threat this season, but also for the foreseeable future. While MJ23 is one of those players Saga must not worry about the future because he has a ring to win this year.
2. Charlotte Hornets—(20-9 Overall, 6-6 Home)
Team MVP—SF Larry Johnson
Johnson has been lights out for Charlotte and they will look to him as the number one option for the remainder of the season. While he most likely will not challenge for the league MVP he has developed into a cornerstone for this Hornets franchise and they will surely look to him for leadership in their march towards another UOSLR Finals. The Hornets added a capable SG in Michael Adams on the eve of Opening Night and GM Spencer has made his intentions clear that he is searching for one more stud scorer. He moved Dominique Wilkins in an offseason trade that freed up some cap room after this season which will allow him to pursue any free agents that he feels could help improve an already imposing lineup. The Hornets are a very dangerous team, as seen last season, and they will prove a worthy adversary for the Raptors the rest of the way.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves—(20-9 Overall, 12-2 Home)
Team MVP—PF Charles Barkley
Led by the Round Mound of Rebound the T-Wolves have emerged as the leaders in a stronger western conference. GM Trunks made some huge moves in the offseason bringing in Barkley, Hardaway and Richmond. He also traded for Larry Nance and Steve Smith who have been important role players. While swallowing some of their own respective egos, all five of these players are coming together to help Trunk’s realize his dream of an UOSLR ring. The future looks bright for these Timberwolves.
4. Seattle Supersonics—(18-11 Overall, 9-5 Home)
Team MVPs—SG Drazen Petrovic and PG Gary Payton
The Sonics hopes depend on three main players. Petrovic, Payton, and Tarpley all need to stay healthy in order for the Sonics to have a chance of making noise in the playoffs. They do have some good depth in their frontcourt but they lack a big time SF. Time will tell if they have enough to push for an UOSLR Finals appearance.
5. Philadelphia 76ers—(18-8 Overall, 11-2 Home)
Team MVP—C David Robinson
The Admiral has led his troops this far and if he keeps pace he will be named the league MVP and may end up with a ring by season’s end. Unfortunately his supporting cast may not be strong enough to propel the 76ers to a strong showing in the playoffs. Bogues is an elite distributor and Preira is playing out of his mind, but they need more production from Marciulionis and Campbell in order to have a chance against the other eastern conference powers.
6. Vancouver Grizzlies—(19-10 Overall, 13-2 Home)
Team MVP—PF Charles Oakley
The seasoned vet is tearing it up for the Grizzlies alongside a raw Shaq. While The Big Aristotle will dominate in years to come, this season is owned by Oakley, Simmons, and Strickland. Their consistent production is powering the Grizzlies towards their first playoff appearance in league history. After a disappointing beginning under CWizz, GM CSDude has turned this franchise around and made them into a true contender in the west.
7. Houston Rockets—(16-11 Overall, 10-5 Home)
Team MVP—C Kevin Duckworth
GM Ducky took over the Rockets and they are benefitting from the change in leadership. After drafting C-Webb the Rockets have developed a new identity and they are more visibly post oriented. Duckworth operates with an experienced Schrempf and athletic Webber as his supporting cast and he has continued to increase his production in virtually every statistical category dating back to last season. While they have struggled as of late, Ducky’s Rockets look poised to challenge for a playoff position this season. If that happens they definitely have the frontcourt prowess to be dangerous in the postseason.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers—(18-11 Overall, 11-2 Home)
Team MVP—PF Shawn Kemp
Kemp’s resurgence after a down year in 1992 has been all the difference for this Cleveland team. Along with SK’s return to form the rest of the team is performing very well for this Cleveland team that holds high expectations for itself. They play well defensively and rebound the ball well enough to keep their hopes alive for a playoff berth however if they do not start to shoot better percentages from the field they will struggle against better teams.
9. San Antonio Spurs—(17-13 Overall, 5-4 Home)
Team MVP—C Patrick Ewing
Experience, experience, and more experience. The UOSLR champions from two years ago are looking strong once again and if they continue shooting the ball well and defending up to par with other western leaders they will find themselves in a great position entering the playoffs. Ewing started slowly but has shown he is still up to the daily grind in the post. If Elliott and Jackson can continue their production from their respective spots this team looks poised to grad a top four seed out west.
10. Golden State Warriors—(15-11 Overall, 5-5 Home)
Team MVP—C Brad Daugherty
When the Warriors traded for Daugherty back in early days of UOSLR there is no way they knew that they had signed and cashed in their ticket for glory three years later. GM CC has built a team that has grown into a powerhouse in the west. The Warriors are expected to contend for another title this year and they certainly have a starting five that is experienced and hungry enough for a return trip to the Finals. Can they repeat? In the immortal words of Jimmy Buffet, “Only time will tell.”
11. Boston Celtics—(18-13 Overall, 9-6 Home)
Team MVP—PG Jeff Hornacek
All-League first teamer Hornacek is joined by elite defender Vernon Maxwell and seasoned veteran Dominique Wilkins. The C’s have made a habit of starting off slowly and then building momentum once reaching the playoffs. After adding Dominique Wilkins they look like a dangerous player in this years hunt for hardware. However their lack of depth may spell trouble in the long run. All questions and ponderings aside, this Boston team boasts a very strong starting five (much like the Warriors). If they do reach the playoffs again this season, they will pose match up problems across the board (except for center) for any team in the east.
12. Orlando Magic—(17-11 Overall, 13-4 Home)
Team MVP—SG Scottie Pippen
As proven by GM Shaunkol the Magic have made a quiet move towards the top of the eastern conference. While the GM is not one of the more active members on the boards, he has built a quality squad that is looks playoff bound. Tisdale and Mutombo anchor a strong frontcourt while Pippen leads the team in a Jordanesque role. They look solid on all fronts and could be a very interesting opponent for any eastern conference squad.
13. Phoenix Suns—(16-14 Overall, 10-8 Home)
Team MVP—PF Christian Laettner
Phoenix is much like Orlando. No true go to player but a very solid team all around. They are a strong contender in the west for a playoff spot and will look to their experienced players to help them finish in the top eight. Laettner provides a large boost for this team and his youth may inspire other players to rise to his challenge.
14. Detroit Pistons—(14-13 Overall, 9-6 Home)
Team MVP—SF Glen Rice
Glen Rice and Hu Weidong must stay healthy in order for the current Pistons squad to have a prayer of making the playoffs. They do not do anything especially well, outside of scoring the basketball. Rice and Weidong may be too inexperienced to lead them to anything of worth in the playoffs but I do believe GM MTG would be satisfied with another playoff appearance with this team.
15. Portland Trailblazers—(14-12 Overall, 9-2 Home)
Team MVP—C Benoit Benjamin
Turnovers spell doom for this Blazers squad. They average 16.8 per game and their best player is a TO fiend. With no clear-cut second option they will struggle to make the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if GM Zyme chooses to re-sign Benjamin or if he tries to move him before the trade deadline. His 25 and 12 certainly would help any team with title aspirations.
16. New York Knicks—(16-15 Overall, 12-4 Home)
Team MVPs—SG Reggie Miller and SG Ron Harper
Led by two very similar players the Knicks boast more of a three guard lineup than the conventional PG-SG-SF. Reggie and Ron boast similar attributes and they are both posing match-up problems for opposing squads. Will their high octane duo be enough to lead them to a fourth straight playoffs appearance? If I were GM Basone the only thing I would be worried about is the struggles that the Knickerbockers seem to have away from MSG. Otherwise all is well in NYC for the time being.
17. Washington Bullets—(9-10 Overall, 6-4 Home)
Team MVP—C Hakeem Olajuwon
Depth is the Achilles’ heel of this year’s Bullets team. They do not have a second option after losing Vernon Maxwell and it looks dim for their prospects of making the playoffs this year. However, if they do make the playoffs, it would be very interesting to see The Dream face The Admiral in the playoffs. Although that is the only thing resembling a dream for the Bullets currently.
18. Indiana Pacers—(14-16 Overall, 8-8 Home)
Team MVP—SG Chris Mullin
Not much else to say about this team. Dumars isn’t starting for them and GM BigSig may be looking to draft someone in the lotto to help out this team. It does not look good for the Pacers as far as making the playoffs this season.
19. Utah Jazz—(12-15 Overall, 5-7 Home)
Team MVP—PF Danny Manning
They should be in the playoff race by season’s end. Adding Manning gave them a boost as he now leads them in scoring and in FG percentage (among players averaging more than 20 min per game). The Jazz shoot a high percentage from the field and have all of the pieces to make it to the playoffs. Can their young floor general Penny Hardaway lead them into a top eight finish and a playoff appearance? GM GP sure hopes so.
20. Denver Nuggets—(10-14 Overall, 4-8 Home)
Team MVP—SG Jimmy Jackson
Whatever is going on with the Nuggets has left GM Mops between a rock and a hard place. The future looked rosy after drafting Jackson and Brandon in back-to-back drafts however the team is struggling as a whole this season. Mops will surely look to make a move or two to bolster his squad.
21. Los Angeles Lakers—(11-15 Overall, 7-7 Home)
Team MVP—C Pervis Ellison
Ellison has been the most consistent player for my team through the years and he is once again producing solid defensive numbers. We need to fix things throughout the entire DC and I may look to move some of our players before the trade deadline.
22. Buffalo Braves—(10-17 Overall, 6-7 Home)
Team MVP—PG Nick Van Exel
The debate between GM Mops and GM Brophdog over who has the best young point guard has been put to rest by NVE’s solid play at PG this season. It will be interesting to see how the Braves rebuild.
23. Los Angeles Clippers—(14-20 Overall, 11-9 Home)
Team MVP—PG Terry Porter
After signing some older players this offseason the Clippers were looking to use experience to make it to the playoffs. Unfortunately that plan is not coming together as well as GM Crazymike would like. Fortunately the Clippers have around 20 million in expiring contracts and it looks like they will be big players in the upcoming FA market.
24. Chicago Bulls—(9-18 Overall, 5-9 Home)
Team MVP—SF Orlando Woolridge
The Bulls are led by an aging vet in Woolridge and they are seemingly looking to replenish their squad at the end of the season. The new GM has already been actively seeking trades for many of his players and it looks like his is going to turn things around in the Windy City.
25. Atlanta Hawks—(8-17 Overall, 7-7 Home)
Team MVP—PG Sam Cassell
It is all about the future for this team. Should be interesting to see what GM Chipper does with Mash and Spree.
26. Milwaukee Bucks—(7-17 Overall, 3-9 Home)
Team MVP—PF P.J. Brown
The Bucks are looking to the build a franchise around P.J. and GM W has done a solid job acquiring expiring contracts and future picks.
27. Miami Heat—(8-20 Overall, 3-13 Home)
Team MVP—PF Armen Gilliam
The Heat will have to endure two seasons of pain before they will dump some of their larger contracts. Meanwhile they have young pieces that will look to improve in that time span.
28. Sacramento Kings—(4-20 Overall, 4-7 Home)
Team MVP—PG John Battle
GM Martinez got his picks back in the trade for Manning and he has a slew of expiring contracts. Look for the Kings to be relevant again in a couple of seasons.
29. Dallas Mavericks—(5-25 Overall, 3-10 Home)
Team MVP—SF Rick Fox
Same story as every other rebuilding team. Young players, expiring contracts, and draft picks to boot. GM Idle has done his job in acquiring all of the above as he looks to take his experience with the Spurs and translate that to success in another part of the Lone Star State.
Team MVP—SG Michael Jordan
Led by the ever-popular MJ23 the Raptors are looking like a lock for the number one seed in the east. They hold a 4 game lead over the 76ers and their home and away records are almost identical. GM Saga has done a great job in building this powerhouse from Toronto and he will be in a good situation after the season due to having 11 players signed to expiring contracts. The Raptors don’t only look like a threat this season, but also for the foreseeable future. While MJ23 is one of those players Saga must not worry about the future because he has a ring to win this year.
2. Charlotte Hornets—(20-9 Overall, 6-6 Home)
Team MVP—SF Larry Johnson
Johnson has been lights out for Charlotte and they will look to him as the number one option for the remainder of the season. While he most likely will not challenge for the league MVP he has developed into a cornerstone for this Hornets franchise and they will surely look to him for leadership in their march towards another UOSLR Finals. The Hornets added a capable SG in Michael Adams on the eve of Opening Night and GM Spencer has made his intentions clear that he is searching for one more stud scorer. He moved Dominique Wilkins in an offseason trade that freed up some cap room after this season which will allow him to pursue any free agents that he feels could help improve an already imposing lineup. The Hornets are a very dangerous team, as seen last season, and they will prove a worthy adversary for the Raptors the rest of the way.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves—(20-9 Overall, 12-2 Home)
Team MVP—PF Charles Barkley
Led by the Round Mound of Rebound the T-Wolves have emerged as the leaders in a stronger western conference. GM Trunks made some huge moves in the offseason bringing in Barkley, Hardaway and Richmond. He also traded for Larry Nance and Steve Smith who have been important role players. While swallowing some of their own respective egos, all five of these players are coming together to help Trunk’s realize his dream of an UOSLR ring. The future looks bright for these Timberwolves.
4. Seattle Supersonics—(18-11 Overall, 9-5 Home)
Team MVPs—SG Drazen Petrovic and PG Gary Payton
The Sonics hopes depend on three main players. Petrovic, Payton, and Tarpley all need to stay healthy in order for the Sonics to have a chance of making noise in the playoffs. They do have some good depth in their frontcourt but they lack a big time SF. Time will tell if they have enough to push for an UOSLR Finals appearance.
5. Philadelphia 76ers—(18-8 Overall, 11-2 Home)
Team MVP—C David Robinson
The Admiral has led his troops this far and if he keeps pace he will be named the league MVP and may end up with a ring by season’s end. Unfortunately his supporting cast may not be strong enough to propel the 76ers to a strong showing in the playoffs. Bogues is an elite distributor and Preira is playing out of his mind, but they need more production from Marciulionis and Campbell in order to have a chance against the other eastern conference powers.
6. Vancouver Grizzlies—(19-10 Overall, 13-2 Home)
Team MVP—PF Charles Oakley
The seasoned vet is tearing it up for the Grizzlies alongside a raw Shaq. While The Big Aristotle will dominate in years to come, this season is owned by Oakley, Simmons, and Strickland. Their consistent production is powering the Grizzlies towards their first playoff appearance in league history. After a disappointing beginning under CWizz, GM CSDude has turned this franchise around and made them into a true contender in the west.
7. Houston Rockets—(16-11 Overall, 10-5 Home)
Team MVP—C Kevin Duckworth
GM Ducky took over the Rockets and they are benefitting from the change in leadership. After drafting C-Webb the Rockets have developed a new identity and they are more visibly post oriented. Duckworth operates with an experienced Schrempf and athletic Webber as his supporting cast and he has continued to increase his production in virtually every statistical category dating back to last season. While they have struggled as of late, Ducky’s Rockets look poised to challenge for a playoff position this season. If that happens they definitely have the frontcourt prowess to be dangerous in the postseason.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers—(18-11 Overall, 11-2 Home)
Team MVP—PF Shawn Kemp
Kemp’s resurgence after a down year in 1992 has been all the difference for this Cleveland team. Along with SK’s return to form the rest of the team is performing very well for this Cleveland team that holds high expectations for itself. They play well defensively and rebound the ball well enough to keep their hopes alive for a playoff berth however if they do not start to shoot better percentages from the field they will struggle against better teams.
9. San Antonio Spurs—(17-13 Overall, 5-4 Home)
Team MVP—C Patrick Ewing
Experience, experience, and more experience. The UOSLR champions from two years ago are looking strong once again and if they continue shooting the ball well and defending up to par with other western leaders they will find themselves in a great position entering the playoffs. Ewing started slowly but has shown he is still up to the daily grind in the post. If Elliott and Jackson can continue their production from their respective spots this team looks poised to grad a top four seed out west.
10. Golden State Warriors—(15-11 Overall, 5-5 Home)
Team MVP—C Brad Daugherty
When the Warriors traded for Daugherty back in early days of UOSLR there is no way they knew that they had signed and cashed in their ticket for glory three years later. GM CC has built a team that has grown into a powerhouse in the west. The Warriors are expected to contend for another title this year and they certainly have a starting five that is experienced and hungry enough for a return trip to the Finals. Can they repeat? In the immortal words of Jimmy Buffet, “Only time will tell.”
11. Boston Celtics—(18-13 Overall, 9-6 Home)
Team MVP—PG Jeff Hornacek
All-League first teamer Hornacek is joined by elite defender Vernon Maxwell and seasoned veteran Dominique Wilkins. The C’s have made a habit of starting off slowly and then building momentum once reaching the playoffs. After adding Dominique Wilkins they look like a dangerous player in this years hunt for hardware. However their lack of depth may spell trouble in the long run. All questions and ponderings aside, this Boston team boasts a very strong starting five (much like the Warriors). If they do reach the playoffs again this season, they will pose match up problems across the board (except for center) for any team in the east.
12. Orlando Magic—(17-11 Overall, 13-4 Home)
Team MVP—SG Scottie Pippen
As proven by GM Shaunkol the Magic have made a quiet move towards the top of the eastern conference. While the GM is not one of the more active members on the boards, he has built a quality squad that is looks playoff bound. Tisdale and Mutombo anchor a strong frontcourt while Pippen leads the team in a Jordanesque role. They look solid on all fronts and could be a very interesting opponent for any eastern conference squad.
13. Phoenix Suns—(16-14 Overall, 10-8 Home)
Team MVP—PF Christian Laettner
Phoenix is much like Orlando. No true go to player but a very solid team all around. They are a strong contender in the west for a playoff spot and will look to their experienced players to help them finish in the top eight. Laettner provides a large boost for this team and his youth may inspire other players to rise to his challenge.
14. Detroit Pistons—(14-13 Overall, 9-6 Home)
Team MVP—SF Glen Rice
Glen Rice and Hu Weidong must stay healthy in order for the current Pistons squad to have a prayer of making the playoffs. They do not do anything especially well, outside of scoring the basketball. Rice and Weidong may be too inexperienced to lead them to anything of worth in the playoffs but I do believe GM MTG would be satisfied with another playoff appearance with this team.
15. Portland Trailblazers—(14-12 Overall, 9-2 Home)
Team MVP—C Benoit Benjamin
Turnovers spell doom for this Blazers squad. They average 16.8 per game and their best player is a TO fiend. With no clear-cut second option they will struggle to make the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if GM Zyme chooses to re-sign Benjamin or if he tries to move him before the trade deadline. His 25 and 12 certainly would help any team with title aspirations.
16. New York Knicks—(16-15 Overall, 12-4 Home)
Team MVPs—SG Reggie Miller and SG Ron Harper
Led by two very similar players the Knicks boast more of a three guard lineup than the conventional PG-SG-SF. Reggie and Ron boast similar attributes and they are both posing match-up problems for opposing squads. Will their high octane duo be enough to lead them to a fourth straight playoffs appearance? If I were GM Basone the only thing I would be worried about is the struggles that the Knickerbockers seem to have away from MSG. Otherwise all is well in NYC for the time being.
17. Washington Bullets—(9-10 Overall, 6-4 Home)
Team MVP—C Hakeem Olajuwon
Depth is the Achilles’ heel of this year’s Bullets team. They do not have a second option after losing Vernon Maxwell and it looks dim for their prospects of making the playoffs this year. However, if they do make the playoffs, it would be very interesting to see The Dream face The Admiral in the playoffs. Although that is the only thing resembling a dream for the Bullets currently.
18. Indiana Pacers—(14-16 Overall, 8-8 Home)
Team MVP—SG Chris Mullin
Not much else to say about this team. Dumars isn’t starting for them and GM BigSig may be looking to draft someone in the lotto to help out this team. It does not look good for the Pacers as far as making the playoffs this season.
19. Utah Jazz—(12-15 Overall, 5-7 Home)
Team MVP—PF Danny Manning
They should be in the playoff race by season’s end. Adding Manning gave them a boost as he now leads them in scoring and in FG percentage (among players averaging more than 20 min per game). The Jazz shoot a high percentage from the field and have all of the pieces to make it to the playoffs. Can their young floor general Penny Hardaway lead them into a top eight finish and a playoff appearance? GM GP sure hopes so.
20. Denver Nuggets—(10-14 Overall, 4-8 Home)
Team MVP—SG Jimmy Jackson
Whatever is going on with the Nuggets has left GM Mops between a rock and a hard place. The future looked rosy after drafting Jackson and Brandon in back-to-back drafts however the team is struggling as a whole this season. Mops will surely look to make a move or two to bolster his squad.
21. Los Angeles Lakers—(11-15 Overall, 7-7 Home)
Team MVP—C Pervis Ellison
Ellison has been the most consistent player for my team through the years and he is once again producing solid defensive numbers. We need to fix things throughout the entire DC and I may look to move some of our players before the trade deadline.
22. Buffalo Braves—(10-17 Overall, 6-7 Home)
Team MVP—PG Nick Van Exel
The debate between GM Mops and GM Brophdog over who has the best young point guard has been put to rest by NVE’s solid play at PG this season. It will be interesting to see how the Braves rebuild.
23. Los Angeles Clippers—(14-20 Overall, 11-9 Home)
Team MVP—PG Terry Porter
After signing some older players this offseason the Clippers were looking to use experience to make it to the playoffs. Unfortunately that plan is not coming together as well as GM Crazymike would like. Fortunately the Clippers have around 20 million in expiring contracts and it looks like they will be big players in the upcoming FA market.
24. Chicago Bulls—(9-18 Overall, 5-9 Home)
Team MVP—SF Orlando Woolridge
The Bulls are led by an aging vet in Woolridge and they are seemingly looking to replenish their squad at the end of the season. The new GM has already been actively seeking trades for many of his players and it looks like his is going to turn things around in the Windy City.
25. Atlanta Hawks—(8-17 Overall, 7-7 Home)
Team MVP—PG Sam Cassell
It is all about the future for this team. Should be interesting to see what GM Chipper does with Mash and Spree.
26. Milwaukee Bucks—(7-17 Overall, 3-9 Home)
Team MVP—PF P.J. Brown
The Bucks are looking to the build a franchise around P.J. and GM W has done a solid job acquiring expiring contracts and future picks.
27. Miami Heat—(8-20 Overall, 3-13 Home)
Team MVP—PF Armen Gilliam
The Heat will have to endure two seasons of pain before they will dump some of their larger contracts. Meanwhile they have young pieces that will look to improve in that time span.
28. Sacramento Kings—(4-20 Overall, 4-7 Home)
Team MVP—PG John Battle
GM Martinez got his picks back in the trade for Manning and he has a slew of expiring contracts. Look for the Kings to be relevant again in a couple of seasons.
29. Dallas Mavericks—(5-25 Overall, 3-10 Home)
Team MVP—SF Rick Fox
Same story as every other rebuilding team. Young players, expiring contracts, and draft picks to boot. GM Idle has done his job in acquiring all of the above as he looks to take his experience with the Spurs and translate that to success in another part of the Lone Star State.
