Post by csdude07 on Jul 4, 2009 10:34:42 GMT -5
Vancouver Sun
1997
With 7 weeks gone by in the season, it's time to take a look at the top teams emerging out of the mighty Eastern Conference. The balance of power in UOSLR has favored the East during the 90s, and this year is no different. Ten teams have a winning record so far this season, and the league's two best teams, the Raptors and Cavaliers, are atop the conference. This season the East has retained its experienced veterans, such as Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, and has also brought in young players that will one day lead the league, such as Tim Duncan. Let's take a look at the playoff teams.
#1. Toronto Raptors
Some things change in UOSLR from season-to-season. One thing that has not changed at all during this decade is Michael Jordan's spectacular play. He has been the face of the Raptors franchise since 1990 and has led them to a championship almost single-handedly. This season the Raptors are making it happen again: The have an +8.4 ppg differential and are top seven in 5 of the offensive categories, including being 4th in scoring and 2 in assists. They also take care of the ball well which is due to the fact that they have two point guards running the backcourt. Look at the Raptors to finish high in the East, but expect them to drop some in the future. It's difficult to picture this team being this dominant all season with not big man, but hey, they've done it before, and they are looking to do it again.
#2. Cleveland Cavaliers
This team has been a huge surprise this season because of its mediocrity from year to year. At last, Nick Anderson has been paired up with a solid big that is only going to get better as the years go on. The Cavaliers have come out with a much more balanced attack this year. Nick is still playing exceptionally, averaging 31/8/4/2.6, but his supporting cast is getting the ret done. Tim Duncan has held strong at Center as a rookie and Kenny Anderson is moving the ball well and avoiding turnovers. I expect this team to finish in the middle or bottom of the East just beacuse of their lack of weapons on offense. Besides Nick, the Cavs don't have anyone to take over a game.
#3. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte continues their great play of the last few seasons. Led by Zo and LJ, this team is a force to be reckoned with, especially with two titles under their belt. The Hornets are the best shooting defense team this season, limiting opponents to 94.9 ppg on 40.5% shooting from the field. This helps them to a +8.5 ppg differential on the season and the 3rd best record in the East. The Hornets also take great care of the ball, with their big men only averaging 2.3 topg at most.
#4. Indiana Pacers
After acquiring Harold Miner, this team has played great basketball. I've put them here at 4 instead of other teams because they are 9-1 in their last 10. With Miner in the lineup, the Pacers have a good scorer at every position. The two big guys up front contribute with their 7' and 7'2 bodies, and Predrag and Miner now control the backcourt. The Pacers aren't the best team offensivly or defensively, but they are very balanced on both sides of the court, and are also one of the top FG% shooting teams in the league.
#5. New York Knicks
They edge out the Heat because of their recent success, going 8-2 in their last 10. Looking this team up and down, you see a very solid starting 5 and some solid bench players. Camby is a force on offense and defense and Rodman is his old self at the 4, while Harper and Miller continue to pour the shots in for NY this year. The Knicks are one of the better teams at limiting TO's this season, which is a reoccuring pattern you see in the top teams. I expect this team to finish second in their division and get a lower seed in the playoffs.
#6. Miami Heat
The defending champs haven't come out as strong as many expected. Kobe isn't developing as quickly as the Heat GM would like, but Malone is still playing incredible basketball. The Heat are one of the better offensive teams in UOSLR and they lead all teams with 47.8% shooting from the field. What's hurting the Heat is their tendency to turn the ball over and lack of a true PG. Petrovic dishes out 6.6 apg and turns it over 2.7 times per game. I expect this team to climb the rankings and finish in the top teams in the East because Malone is so sick-nasty.
#7. Washington Bullets
This team has done nothing but disappoint so far this season. Sure, the GM absolutely raped in the trade with Houston since he lost nothing valuable and gained 3 experienced stars with both offensive and defensive capabilities; however, they haven't performed anywhere near what they were expected to. Hakeem, Webber, Nique, and Drexler combine for a bland +2.3 ppg differential due to one of the worst offenses in the league. They do have the best defense in the league though, limiting teams to 94.8 ppg. I believe this team will turn it around and finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference. If they do not, Hakeem, Nique, and the Glyde should retire, and Webber should join Shaq on the Grizz.
#8. Chicago Bulls
Preira is awesome. He scores like crazy, rebounds well, dishes the ball, plays great defense through steals and blocks, and takes care of the ball. Besides that though, the Bulls only have the defensive and rebounding presence of Mutombo. Their second best scorer gets 14.4 ppg, which is not enough to get this team anywhere. However, we saw how one player could really make an impact on games when Preira led the Bulls to the Conference Finals last year and lost to the defending champs. Their stats this season don't seem to be pointing in that same direction though. They don't move the ball well or shoot well from the field, and I expect them to finish either in 7th-8th seed or out of the playoffs at year's end.
That's it for the top 8 teams in the East. Look for the next article, Western Conference Power Rankings - Top 8.
1997
With 7 weeks gone by in the season, it's time to take a look at the top teams emerging out of the mighty Eastern Conference. The balance of power in UOSLR has favored the East during the 90s, and this year is no different. Ten teams have a winning record so far this season, and the league's two best teams, the Raptors and Cavaliers, are atop the conference. This season the East has retained its experienced veterans, such as Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, and has also brought in young players that will one day lead the league, such as Tim Duncan. Let's take a look at the playoff teams.
#1. Toronto Raptors
Some things change in UOSLR from season-to-season. One thing that has not changed at all during this decade is Michael Jordan's spectacular play. He has been the face of the Raptors franchise since 1990 and has led them to a championship almost single-handedly. This season the Raptors are making it happen again: The have an +8.4 ppg differential and are top seven in 5 of the offensive categories, including being 4th in scoring and 2 in assists. They also take care of the ball well which is due to the fact that they have two point guards running the backcourt. Look at the Raptors to finish high in the East, but expect them to drop some in the future. It's difficult to picture this team being this dominant all season with not big man, but hey, they've done it before, and they are looking to do it again.
#2. Cleveland Cavaliers
This team has been a huge surprise this season because of its mediocrity from year to year. At last, Nick Anderson has been paired up with a solid big that is only going to get better as the years go on. The Cavaliers have come out with a much more balanced attack this year. Nick is still playing exceptionally, averaging 31/8/4/2.6, but his supporting cast is getting the ret done. Tim Duncan has held strong at Center as a rookie and Kenny Anderson is moving the ball well and avoiding turnovers. I expect this team to finish in the middle or bottom of the East just beacuse of their lack of weapons on offense. Besides Nick, the Cavs don't have anyone to take over a game.
#3. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte continues their great play of the last few seasons. Led by Zo and LJ, this team is a force to be reckoned with, especially with two titles under their belt. The Hornets are the best shooting defense team this season, limiting opponents to 94.9 ppg on 40.5% shooting from the field. This helps them to a +8.5 ppg differential on the season and the 3rd best record in the East. The Hornets also take great care of the ball, with their big men only averaging 2.3 topg at most.
#4. Indiana Pacers
After acquiring Harold Miner, this team has played great basketball. I've put them here at 4 instead of other teams because they are 9-1 in their last 10. With Miner in the lineup, the Pacers have a good scorer at every position. The two big guys up front contribute with their 7' and 7'2 bodies, and Predrag and Miner now control the backcourt. The Pacers aren't the best team offensivly or defensively, but they are very balanced on both sides of the court, and are also one of the top FG% shooting teams in the league.
#5. New York Knicks
They edge out the Heat because of their recent success, going 8-2 in their last 10. Looking this team up and down, you see a very solid starting 5 and some solid bench players. Camby is a force on offense and defense and Rodman is his old self at the 4, while Harper and Miller continue to pour the shots in for NY this year. The Knicks are one of the better teams at limiting TO's this season, which is a reoccuring pattern you see in the top teams. I expect this team to finish second in their division and get a lower seed in the playoffs.
#6. Miami Heat
The defending champs haven't come out as strong as many expected. Kobe isn't developing as quickly as the Heat GM would like, but Malone is still playing incredible basketball. The Heat are one of the better offensive teams in UOSLR and they lead all teams with 47.8% shooting from the field. What's hurting the Heat is their tendency to turn the ball over and lack of a true PG. Petrovic dishes out 6.6 apg and turns it over 2.7 times per game. I expect this team to climb the rankings and finish in the top teams in the East because Malone is so sick-nasty.
#7. Washington Bullets
This team has done nothing but disappoint so far this season. Sure, the GM absolutely raped in the trade with Houston since he lost nothing valuable and gained 3 experienced stars with both offensive and defensive capabilities; however, they haven't performed anywhere near what they were expected to. Hakeem, Webber, Nique, and Drexler combine for a bland +2.3 ppg differential due to one of the worst offenses in the league. They do have the best defense in the league though, limiting teams to 94.8 ppg. I believe this team will turn it around and finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference. If they do not, Hakeem, Nique, and the Glyde should retire, and Webber should join Shaq on the Grizz.
#8. Chicago Bulls
Preira is awesome. He scores like crazy, rebounds well, dishes the ball, plays great defense through steals and blocks, and takes care of the ball. Besides that though, the Bulls only have the defensive and rebounding presence of Mutombo. Their second best scorer gets 14.4 ppg, which is not enough to get this team anywhere. However, we saw how one player could really make an impact on games when Preira led the Bulls to the Conference Finals last year and lost to the defending champs. Their stats this season don't seem to be pointing in that same direction though. They don't move the ball well or shoot well from the field, and I expect them to finish either in 7th-8th seed or out of the playoffs at year's end.
That's it for the top 8 teams in the East. Look for the next article, Western Conference Power Rankings - Top 8.
