Post by Andrew on Apr 28, 2009 3:52:17 GMT -5
8.
Definitely better than some of the teams above them the Nuggets took a hard hit at the beginning of the season with Vlade Divac going down with what the doctors described as "patella tendinitis". His return is imminent however and with that the Nuggets will find themselves back in the playoff seedings. In his place Blair Rassmussen has done a solid job. 14.5 point and 9 rebounds. Comparable to Vlade's stats in his first four games. Clifford Robinson has been Rasmussen's frontcourt mate yet is still a bust. A good defender but hasnt done anything amazing this year except block some shots. Once he gets to move back to his natural SF spot Cliffy should start to earn his contract. The backcourt duo of Terrell Brandon and Jimmy Jackson has been something to watch this year. Both putting in over 20 ppg on good percentages, if things dont come together this year its no doubt they will soon. The progression of these two should have this team in contention for a ring for many years. Still a very young team, waiting it out just may be the best thing for this franchise.
7.
Another young team, the Suns find themselves in the last playoff spot. Hersey Hawkins is having a career year and it couldn't have came at a better time. Derrick Coleman is rumored to be hanging around the "wrong crowd" and its showing (41% FG). Still averaging a double double he is good but not what Sun's fans are used to. Christian Laettner is continuing to put in good numbers, very similar to last years. Duane Causwell is the man in the paint, not much of a scorer, but you can't argue with that defense. After averaging only 5 minutes last year Kendall Gill has come in and taken the starting PG spot. A solid 16/7 is what he brings to the table every night. 3.5 TO's though hurts a bit. Could use a little more depth at C/SF but this is another team that is going to be more dangerous as time goes by....but may consider trading Coleman while his value is still somewhat high.
6.
Dropping after some deals this year to bring in a new group of faces. Ever since trading Camby this team hasn't been the same. Not sure whether they are wanting to start a rebuild after this season but they sure won't be competing for a title this year. Brad Daughtery is still a fierce offensive force. Tisdale is putting up 17/8. Corbin is taking on alot of the scoring load, and Price is continuing his decline with another year worse than the one before. Team just doesnt seem to be meshing well and I wouldnt be surprised to see some deals that show which direction this team is heading before the trade deadline. All in all I just dont really like the look of this team.
5.
Sitting at #2 but only because of a horribly weak division. Sonics management has expressed interest in rebuilding but seems to be riding this year out and looking to the offseason. Gary Payton is having a stellar year. Gary is getting 17.5 ppg and 10 assists with only 1.8 tpg
. Drazen Petrovic is putting in buckets...but only shooting 41% from the field. Roy Tarpley is matching career highs in most categories, the best big man on this team by far, they would be in a huge shit hole without him. Keep this guy safe. Rodney Rogers and Will Perdue are the reasons this team is mediocre. Having two guys who should be backups, starting ,without much depth won't get you far. Perdue may get you somewhere in the East but not when your going against Hakeem,Ewing, Vlade,Shaq. This isn't the Sonics year but me thinks changes will be coming.
4.
This team grows with Houston and Shaq. Throw in Pervis Ellison and you have a recipe for success. Then throw in Rod Strickland and you have a scary playoff team. Maybe another very nice inside scorer and dominant defender and you may get a ring. Oh wait, Lionel Simmons? Some very nice depth to go with a somewhat young SL. I really like this team. A ring isnt likely this year but as some of the older stars regress Houston and O'neal will be waiting in the wings ready for their turn to shine. Probably sooner then most will like.
3.
Almost like fate, Hakeem Olajuwan find's himself in Texas, on the best team he has ever been apart of. Not taking much time to get used to things the Rockets have gone 9-2 since the dream entered Houston. What he brings is the most consistant stats out of the C spot the league has ever seen. Standing beside him are some of the best vets in the league, the perfect support for a presence like Hakeem. Wilkins is a great second punch and plays solid defense along with the rest of his team. Drexler and Johnson aren't putting up the greatest numbers but are still very solid pieces to a championship caliber team. Some moves for depth could be made so the Spurs or Hornets don't steal it from them this year. However even if they stand pat the have a very good chance to bring it home.
2.
I may be ranking them a little higher than most would. I just really like how this team is built. A top ten (sometimes 5) player at each position and some solid depth. I just don't think they have found their rift yet. I know Steve Smith and Mitch Richmond are capable of putting up more points. And I know Hardaway could be getting another assist or two. They just need to find a groove soon or they'll be looking up at Houston from a couple spots in the standings.
1.
"Jackson to Ewing", a phrase uttered by announcers every time the Spurs come to play. One of the better team defenses in the league the Spurs have jumped to a 28-17 record, good enough for best in the West. Patrick Ewing may not be having the best season of his career but he is still dropping in great numbers across the board. One of the reasons Ewing's numbers may be down is Reggie Lewis. Putting in the best offensive year of his career their are not many outside of Jordan that can score like Lewis. Upping his points per game by +6 from the year before Lewis is thriving. Not to mention putting up 7 rebounds from a guard spot. At the SF spot is Larry Legend. While far from the player he once was he is still possibly the best pure shooter in the league, averaging an amazing 51% from the three point line. Mark Jackson is the glue at the PG spot, 10 assists per game and only 2.5 TO's in 40 minutes of play. Mark West and Hotrod Williams have shared the starting PF spot this year. West swatting 3 shots a game will probably save his starting spot come playoff time. An all around solid, veteran team.It all comes down to Ewing vs Olajuwan in the West.
Definitely better than some of the teams above them the Nuggets took a hard hit at the beginning of the season with Vlade Divac going down with what the doctors described as "patella tendinitis". His return is imminent however and with that the Nuggets will find themselves back in the playoff seedings. In his place Blair Rassmussen has done a solid job. 14.5 point and 9 rebounds. Comparable to Vlade's stats in his first four games. Clifford Robinson has been Rasmussen's frontcourt mate yet is still a bust. A good defender but hasnt done anything amazing this year except block some shots. Once he gets to move back to his natural SF spot Cliffy should start to earn his contract. The backcourt duo of Terrell Brandon and Jimmy Jackson has been something to watch this year. Both putting in over 20 ppg on good percentages, if things dont come together this year its no doubt they will soon. The progression of these two should have this team in contention for a ring for many years. Still a very young team, waiting it out just may be the best thing for this franchise.
7.
Another young team, the Suns find themselves in the last playoff spot. Hersey Hawkins is having a career year and it couldn't have came at a better time. Derrick Coleman is rumored to be hanging around the "wrong crowd" and its showing (41% FG). Still averaging a double double he is good but not what Sun's fans are used to. Christian Laettner is continuing to put in good numbers, very similar to last years. Duane Causwell is the man in the paint, not much of a scorer, but you can't argue with that defense. After averaging only 5 minutes last year Kendall Gill has come in and taken the starting PG spot. A solid 16/7 is what he brings to the table every night. 3.5 TO's though hurts a bit. Could use a little more depth at C/SF but this is another team that is going to be more dangerous as time goes by....but may consider trading Coleman while his value is still somewhat high.
6.
Dropping after some deals this year to bring in a new group of faces. Ever since trading Camby this team hasn't been the same. Not sure whether they are wanting to start a rebuild after this season but they sure won't be competing for a title this year. Brad Daughtery is still a fierce offensive force. Tisdale is putting up 17/8. Corbin is taking on alot of the scoring load, and Price is continuing his decline with another year worse than the one before. Team just doesnt seem to be meshing well and I wouldnt be surprised to see some deals that show which direction this team is heading before the trade deadline. All in all I just dont really like the look of this team.
5.
Sitting at #2 but only because of a horribly weak division. Sonics management has expressed interest in rebuilding but seems to be riding this year out and looking to the offseason. Gary Payton is having a stellar year. Gary is getting 17.5 ppg and 10 assists with only 1.8 tpg
. Drazen Petrovic is putting in buckets...but only shooting 41% from the field. Roy Tarpley is matching career highs in most categories, the best big man on this team by far, they would be in a huge shit hole without him. Keep this guy safe. Rodney Rogers and Will Perdue are the reasons this team is mediocre. Having two guys who should be backups, starting ,without much depth won't get you far. Perdue may get you somewhere in the East but not when your going against Hakeem,Ewing, Vlade,Shaq. This isn't the Sonics year but me thinks changes will be coming.4.
This team grows with Houston and Shaq. Throw in Pervis Ellison and you have a recipe for success. Then throw in Rod Strickland and you have a scary playoff team. Maybe another very nice inside scorer and dominant defender and you may get a ring. Oh wait, Lionel Simmons? Some very nice depth to go with a somewhat young SL. I really like this team. A ring isnt likely this year but as some of the older stars regress Houston and O'neal will be waiting in the wings ready for their turn to shine. Probably sooner then most will like.
3.
Almost like fate, Hakeem Olajuwan find's himself in Texas, on the best team he has ever been apart of. Not taking much time to get used to things the Rockets have gone 9-2 since the dream entered Houston. What he brings is the most consistant stats out of the C spot the league has ever seen. Standing beside him are some of the best vets in the league, the perfect support for a presence like Hakeem. Wilkins is a great second punch and plays solid defense along with the rest of his team. Drexler and Johnson aren't putting up the greatest numbers but are still very solid pieces to a championship caliber team. Some moves for depth could be made so the Spurs or Hornets don't steal it from them this year. However even if they stand pat the have a very good chance to bring it home.
2.
I may be ranking them a little higher than most would. I just really like how this team is built. A top ten (sometimes 5) player at each position and some solid depth. I just don't think they have found their rift yet. I know Steve Smith and Mitch Richmond are capable of putting up more points. And I know Hardaway could be getting another assist or two. They just need to find a groove soon or they'll be looking up at Houston from a couple spots in the standings.
1.
"Jackson to Ewing", a phrase uttered by announcers every time the Spurs come to play. One of the better team defenses in the league the Spurs have jumped to a 28-17 record, good enough for best in the West. Patrick Ewing may not be having the best season of his career but he is still dropping in great numbers across the board. One of the reasons Ewing's numbers may be down is Reggie Lewis. Putting in the best offensive year of his career their are not many outside of Jordan that can score like Lewis. Upping his points per game by +6 from the year before Lewis is thriving. Not to mention putting up 7 rebounds from a guard spot. At the SF spot is Larry Legend. While far from the player he once was he is still possibly the best pure shooter in the league, averaging an amazing 51% from the three point line. Mark Jackson is the glue at the PG spot, 10 assists per game and only 2.5 TO's in 40 minutes of play. Mark West and Hotrod Williams have shared the starting PF spot this year. West swatting 3 shots a game will probably save his starting spot come playoff time. An all around solid, veteran team.It all comes down to Ewing vs Olajuwan in the West.
