Post by csdude07 on Jul 4, 2009 21:01:39 GMT -5
Vancouver Sun
1997
The West is the weaker conference and has been for some time. This conference has some serious talent, young and old, but the talent is very unbalanced . For comparison, a below .500 team, which would be in 11th place in the East, is in the playoffs currently. Let's take a look at the playoff teams.
#1. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are one of the most, if not the most, stacked team in UOSLR. They punish opponents with the beastly front court of Ewing, D-Rob, and Barkley and fire it up from the back court with the help of Reggie Lewis and Jason Kidd. This lineup and some solid depth translate into a 17-7 record and a +12.9 ppg differential. This is due to the Wolves having the best offense and one of the better defenses in the league. This team nearly had it last year, and I would look for them to get to the championship again this year and possibly win it all.
#2. Denver Nuggets
Not as dominant as the Wolves, the Nuggets rely on balanced contributions from all of their players. 3 guys average 19-20 ppg. The team doesn't average many assists outside of Brandon but they do benefit from having a big man like Divac that can dish the ball or handle it when necessary. Also, this team has a player that has surprised everyone so far with his game, Donyell Marshall. He shoots well, can go inside or outside, rebounds, and defends. Great guy for Denver. Look for this team to do some damage this season and in the playoffs, but I don't see them getting to the finals.
#3. Seattle Supersonics
The Supersonics have been very interesting so far this season. They have no inside presence on offense or defense, and are led by two young guards with great outside games and averages defense. Still, they are 15-7 this season. I have no idea how this team is getting it done with the lineup they have, but they are. You have to give credit to the GM for his rotation that has gotten this team to win like this. Look for thee guys to remain a good team because of their great back court, but surely not in the top half of the West.
#4. Vancouver Grizzlies
The Grizzlies started out poorly but after some rotation adjustments, they have been winning. The Grizzlies are led by the inside/outside combo of Shaq and Houston just like they have been for the past few years. They also have balanced scoring input from Lauderdale and Simmons, and have a pure PG in Strickland. This team isn't stacked like others but is well balanced on both ends of the court. The ppg differential has been growing in the Grizz's favor since the poor start, and this team remains a top team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Look for these guys to finish high but to struggle against the teams stacked with elite players.
#5. Utah Jazz
The Jazz have some underrated players: Sabonis, Manning, and Pippen. These three guys combine to give the Jazz a balanced offense and defense. This team is one of the better teams at taking care of the ball, which helps their success. Their top 3 scorers only combine for 5.1 turnovers which is truly a testament to this team's offensive experience. They are also 4th in the league in steals. Apart from all of this, however, the Jazz only sport a +3.6 ppg differential which will not do against the top teams in the West.
#6. Portland Trailblazers
This team's credit is due to its backcourt, which consists of Ron Mercer, Gary Payton, and Marc Jackson. Yes, two of the best PG's in the league play for this team. What does this translate into? The second least turnovers in the league, at 10.7 per game. Besides these guys, however, the Blazers don't have anyone to put them over the top. Look for them to finish a bottom seed team and maybe even a late lotto team if they don't fix their front court problem. +.2 ppg differential shouldn't have a team in the playoffs.
#7. Sacramento Kings
The Kings are in the 7th seed in a weak Western Conference. They have impressive rebounding and defensive big men, but they lack any defense from their starting back court. Their ppg show a strong offense fueled by balanced scoring from 1-4, but this is ruined by the lack of defense at positions other than PF or C. If they don't alleviate the defensive problem in the back court, this team will be finishing in the bottom of the West.
#8. Los Angeles Clippers
That's right folks, CrazyMike has his team in the playoffs this year. The Clippers have acquired a lot of new talent recently to pair up with Glen Robinson, their first round draft choice of 3 years ago. Rik Smits, Juwan Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, and NVE are all contributing to this team's improvement this season. Although they have a solid offense, this team is below average defensively and horrible with blocks, yet they are in the playoffs, which is what the GM needs this contract year. If this was in the East, he would probably be screwed; but due to the weak teams at the bottom of the West, I can see this team making it. Good luck to Mike this year getting to the playoffs.
That's it for the West! Vote for both my articles folks.
1997
The West is the weaker conference and has been for some time. This conference has some serious talent, young and old, but the talent is very unbalanced . For comparison, a below .500 team, which would be in 11th place in the East, is in the playoffs currently. Let's take a look at the playoff teams.
#1. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are one of the most, if not the most, stacked team in UOSLR. They punish opponents with the beastly front court of Ewing, D-Rob, and Barkley and fire it up from the back court with the help of Reggie Lewis and Jason Kidd. This lineup and some solid depth translate into a 17-7 record and a +12.9 ppg differential. This is due to the Wolves having the best offense and one of the better defenses in the league. This team nearly had it last year, and I would look for them to get to the championship again this year and possibly win it all.
#2. Denver Nuggets
Not as dominant as the Wolves, the Nuggets rely on balanced contributions from all of their players. 3 guys average 19-20 ppg. The team doesn't average many assists outside of Brandon but they do benefit from having a big man like Divac that can dish the ball or handle it when necessary. Also, this team has a player that has surprised everyone so far with his game, Donyell Marshall. He shoots well, can go inside or outside, rebounds, and defends. Great guy for Denver. Look for this team to do some damage this season and in the playoffs, but I don't see them getting to the finals.
#3. Seattle Supersonics
The Supersonics have been very interesting so far this season. They have no inside presence on offense or defense, and are led by two young guards with great outside games and averages defense. Still, they are 15-7 this season. I have no idea how this team is getting it done with the lineup they have, but they are. You have to give credit to the GM for his rotation that has gotten this team to win like this. Look for thee guys to remain a good team because of their great back court, but surely not in the top half of the West.
#4. Vancouver Grizzlies
The Grizzlies started out poorly but after some rotation adjustments, they have been winning. The Grizzlies are led by the inside/outside combo of Shaq and Houston just like they have been for the past few years. They also have balanced scoring input from Lauderdale and Simmons, and have a pure PG in Strickland. This team isn't stacked like others but is well balanced on both ends of the court. The ppg differential has been growing in the Grizz's favor since the poor start, and this team remains a top team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Look for these guys to finish high but to struggle against the teams stacked with elite players.
#5. Utah Jazz
The Jazz have some underrated players: Sabonis, Manning, and Pippen. These three guys combine to give the Jazz a balanced offense and defense. This team is one of the better teams at taking care of the ball, which helps their success. Their top 3 scorers only combine for 5.1 turnovers which is truly a testament to this team's offensive experience. They are also 4th in the league in steals. Apart from all of this, however, the Jazz only sport a +3.6 ppg differential which will not do against the top teams in the West.
#6. Portland Trailblazers
This team's credit is due to its backcourt, which consists of Ron Mercer, Gary Payton, and Marc Jackson. Yes, two of the best PG's in the league play for this team. What does this translate into? The second least turnovers in the league, at 10.7 per game. Besides these guys, however, the Blazers don't have anyone to put them over the top. Look for them to finish a bottom seed team and maybe even a late lotto team if they don't fix their front court problem. +.2 ppg differential shouldn't have a team in the playoffs.
#7. Sacramento Kings
The Kings are in the 7th seed in a weak Western Conference. They have impressive rebounding and defensive big men, but they lack any defense from their starting back court. Their ppg show a strong offense fueled by balanced scoring from 1-4, but this is ruined by the lack of defense at positions other than PF or C. If they don't alleviate the defensive problem in the back court, this team will be finishing in the bottom of the West.
#8. Los Angeles Clippers
That's right folks, CrazyMike has his team in the playoffs this year. The Clippers have acquired a lot of new talent recently to pair up with Glen Robinson, their first round draft choice of 3 years ago. Rik Smits, Juwan Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, and NVE are all contributing to this team's improvement this season. Although they have a solid offense, this team is below average defensively and horrible with blocks, yet they are in the playoffs, which is what the GM needs this contract year. If this was in the East, he would probably be screwed; but due to the weak teams at the bottom of the West, I can see this team making it. Good luck to Mike this year getting to the playoffs.
That's it for the West! Vote for both my articles folks.
