Post by shaunkol on Aug 4, 2009 13:38:07 GMT -5
There have been a lot of articles written about the current powerhouses in the UOSLR, but how about taking a look through the crystal ball to see which teams are on the rise? Here is a rundown on 5 teams I think will be competing for the ring before you know it. Throw in a couple of honorable mentions and here you have the teams I expect to be the face of UOSLR in the future.
* Underlined players are those I do NOT expect to be with the team in 2004
The Cream of the Crop:
1) Milwaukee Bucks
I have a lot of respect for the Bucks GM. He has a quality team right now, with a 33-12 record, but when you take a good look at their roster, its not just poised to win now, but in the future as well. All 5 starters are under the age of 25 and all could potentially become all stars.
Lineup in 1999:
PG: Allen Iverson - C+ B A- A- C A
SG: Ray Allen - B- A- C B C B
SF: Grant Hill - B+ B- C+ A- C+ B
PF: Antonio McDyees - A- C C A- B+ C
C: Theo Ratliff - B- C- C A B B
What the Bucks need to do to be the 2004 champs:
Holy shit; does the fact that this could be the same starting lineup 5 years from now scare the crap out of anyone else? Well, not so fast. It might not be as simple as the Bucks GM sitting on his hands for the next 5 years. As we all know, the UOSLR hardcap can be vicious, and potentially having 5 big money players could be difficult. The Bucks may get lucky if a few of these youngsters sign friendly free agent contracts, but chances are, these players will be highly sought by other teams. McDyees and Hill are locked up for the long term, so the challenge will be to keep AI, Allen and Ratliff aroung long enough to build a dynasty. Nonetheless; the Bucks are the early favorites for the 2004 title.
Odds: 2.5/1
2) Portland Trailblazers
Winning the lottery was a massive boost to the Blazers, as the highly coveted Kevin Garnett fell into their hands, and now provides them with the best big man talent in the league. The Blazers arent made up of 5 future all stars like the Bucks are, but it doesn’t always take 5 stars to win a title. Zo/Garnett/Payton should be plenty to give them a real shot in 2004
Lineup in 1999:
PG: Gary Payton - B- B A- A+ C- C
SG: Reggie Miller - B- A C A- C- C
SF: Ryan Bowen - C C C B+ C B
PF: Kevin Garnett - B- C C A- A- A
C: Alonzo Mourning - A- C C A A- C
What the Blazers need to do to be the 2004 champs:
The Blazers front court is set for the next 5 years, no problem. Zo and Garnett will DOMINATE for many years to come, and really, the Blazers have no reasons to tinker in that area. Both these players are locked up on long term deals. Payton might not be in his prime in 5 years time, but I do believe he will still be a vastly above average PG. Its not easy to find PG’s like Payton in the league, so I believe the Blazers will be best served to hang onto him, which should be easy given his long term deal. The tricky part comes with Reggie Miller and Ryan Bowen. Miller will be 38 and probably a shell of his former self, while Bowen does not appear to have the potential to be a great player. If the Blazers can get long term solutions at the wing, they will be a contendor for years to come. Look for the Blazers to perhaps look for one scoring SG, and a defensive SF (Bruce Bowen type) to round out their starting 5 of the future.
Odds: 3/1
3) Chicago Bulls
If you think youre seeing a trend, you are. Pretty amazingly, the better teams in UOSLR right now, seem to also be ready for future success. EVERYBODY knows about the Bulls. Tiger is well known for publishing every detail of his team, and what a team it is turning into. Strangely enough, Mutombo and Camby was the starting frontcourt for the Magic’s ECF run a few years ago, and theyre back together again.
Lineup in 1999:
C: Dikembe Mutombo - B D+ C- A+ A- C
PF: Alejandro Camby - B C- D B B+ D
SF: Vernon Maxwell - B- A C+ A D+ B
SG: Chuck Person - B- A- C+ C+ C C
PG: Etienne Preira - B- A- A- A C+ B
What the Bulls need to do to be the 2004 champs:
By 2004, the Bulls are going to have some decisions to make. Preira and Camby are pretty much the only locks to be on this team. Both are in their twenties and either have signed/will sign lucrative deals. The trick will be if Tiger can surround this team with the right talent. Both swingmen will likely be done by 2004, and Tiger is going to have to find a way to replace them. This wont be an easy task; as large amounts of money will already by committed to other players. If the Bulls decide to keep Dikembe until he retires, they likely will not be able to sign quality swingmen. Will Preira/Deke/Camby be enough? Perhaps. All three of these players can score and rebound like machines, so look for the Bulls to sign a couple of low turnover, high efficiency swingmen, that dont need shots to be effective.
Odds: 6/1
My 2 sleepers:
4) Orlando Magic
Yeah, go ahead and laugh. But after looking at all the rosters in the leauge; I didn’t see any other teams that are in a substantially better position than the Magic. This team has been a doormat for a couple of years; but I believe by 2004, they will be a top team in the league. The Magic are no longer talking about luck or lack thereof, as has been made very clear, the league is not interested in hearing it.
Lineup in 1999:
C: Rasheed Wallace - B B C- A- B B
PF: Antawn Jamison - B- C+ C- B- B- A
SF: Billy Owens - B+ C+ C A- B C
SG: God Shammgod - C+ B- B B D+ C
PG: Stephon Marbury - C+ B- B B C- A
What the Magic need to do to be the 2004 champs:
So for the Magic, 3 of these starters should be in their prime by the time 2004 rolls around. Rasheed, Jamison and Marbury could form a very strong trio, with Billy Owens likely still close to his peak as well. With a couple more high picks this year and next, the Magic should have all the tools to compete. A clear weakness is at SG, where God Shamgodd will likely be gone. If the Magic can pick up a SG in the draft or via trade, I see no reason why they shouldn’t have a deep and talented team. The challenge is twofold. Can any of these players/draft picks turn into a true star to lead this team? And if so, will the Magic be able to keep these players from bolting in Free Agency? Only time will tell. Look for the Magic to make some moves in the next couple of years, and lock in a low post shot blocker to help their anemic defense.
Odds: 10/1
5) Golden State Warriors
I like what the Warriors GM has been doing. The last 2 years has seen the team add Shareef Abdur Rahim and Paul Pierce to the bay area. Both these picks looks extremely solid, and the Warriors are headed for another high pick this year. By 2004, Frankie King’s oversized contract will be off the books, and the Warriors might be in a position to do some serious damage with a Free Agent or two.
Lineup in 1999:
C: Torraye Briggs - B- C C B- B C
PF: Marcus Mann - C C- D+ C A C
SF: Shareef Abdur Rahim - B+ C+ C B C A
SG: Paul Pierce - B- C+ C B C+ A
PG: Jeff Hornacek - C A- B+ B C- D
What the Warriors need to do to be the 2004 champs:
This team has 2 pieces in place, and a lot of work to be ready by 2004. However, their GM has shown patience, and if he keeps at it, he may have something here. The Warriors need to find bigmen to compliment their versatile and aggressive swingmen, but can they find them in free agency? Bruce Bowen is a fantastic role player, at a great price, so the Warriors should be locked in at the swingman position for years. If the Warriors can continue to pick up 1 or 2 players in the next couple years, look out. Look for the Warriors to add a dominant bigman, who can score and block shots. Then perhaps, just a PG who can distribute without turning the ball over should turn the Warriors into contendors.
Odds: 12/1
Honorable Menion:
6) Houston Rockets
- The Rockets are in full rebuild mode, and Ducky will have to be at his tanking best to be a contendor by this time. Carter looks great and Gerald Honeycutt is a very interesting prospect, but besides these two, nothing is in place. Look for the Rockets to have 2 more rebuilding years before they really pick up steam.
Odds: 15-1
7) New Jersey Nets
- The Nets are the victim of their own success. Chauncey Billups and KVH are both really nice players, but unfortunately there are too many teams with worse records that will limit the ability of the Nets GM to nab that third stud. The Nets might have to get creative with trades to give this team the bigmen they are going to need to compete, because its becoming less and less likely that a quality bigman will fall this far in the draft.
Odds: 20/1
* Underlined players are those I do NOT expect to be with the team in 2004
The Cream of the Crop:
1) Milwaukee Bucks
I have a lot of respect for the Bucks GM. He has a quality team right now, with a 33-12 record, but when you take a good look at their roster, its not just poised to win now, but in the future as well. All 5 starters are under the age of 25 and all could potentially become all stars.
Lineup in 1999:
PG: Allen Iverson - C+ B A- A- C A
SG: Ray Allen - B- A- C B C B
SF: Grant Hill - B+ B- C+ A- C+ B
PF: Antonio McDyees - A- C C A- B+ C
C: Theo Ratliff - B- C- C A B B
What the Bucks need to do to be the 2004 champs:
Holy shit; does the fact that this could be the same starting lineup 5 years from now scare the crap out of anyone else? Well, not so fast. It might not be as simple as the Bucks GM sitting on his hands for the next 5 years. As we all know, the UOSLR hardcap can be vicious, and potentially having 5 big money players could be difficult. The Bucks may get lucky if a few of these youngsters sign friendly free agent contracts, but chances are, these players will be highly sought by other teams. McDyees and Hill are locked up for the long term, so the challenge will be to keep AI, Allen and Ratliff aroung long enough to build a dynasty. Nonetheless; the Bucks are the early favorites for the 2004 title.
Odds: 2.5/1
2) Portland Trailblazers
Winning the lottery was a massive boost to the Blazers, as the highly coveted Kevin Garnett fell into their hands, and now provides them with the best big man talent in the league. The Blazers arent made up of 5 future all stars like the Bucks are, but it doesn’t always take 5 stars to win a title. Zo/Garnett/Payton should be plenty to give them a real shot in 2004
Lineup in 1999:
PG: Gary Payton - B- B A- A+ C- C
SG: Reggie Miller - B- A C A- C- C
SF: Ryan Bowen - C C C B+ C B
PF: Kevin Garnett - B- C C A- A- A
C: Alonzo Mourning - A- C C A A- C
What the Blazers need to do to be the 2004 champs:
The Blazers front court is set for the next 5 years, no problem. Zo and Garnett will DOMINATE for many years to come, and really, the Blazers have no reasons to tinker in that area. Both these players are locked up on long term deals. Payton might not be in his prime in 5 years time, but I do believe he will still be a vastly above average PG. Its not easy to find PG’s like Payton in the league, so I believe the Blazers will be best served to hang onto him, which should be easy given his long term deal. The tricky part comes with Reggie Miller and Ryan Bowen. Miller will be 38 and probably a shell of his former self, while Bowen does not appear to have the potential to be a great player. If the Blazers can get long term solutions at the wing, they will be a contendor for years to come. Look for the Blazers to perhaps look for one scoring SG, and a defensive SF (Bruce Bowen type) to round out their starting 5 of the future.
Odds: 3/1
3) Chicago Bulls
If you think youre seeing a trend, you are. Pretty amazingly, the better teams in UOSLR right now, seem to also be ready for future success. EVERYBODY knows about the Bulls. Tiger is well known for publishing every detail of his team, and what a team it is turning into. Strangely enough, Mutombo and Camby was the starting frontcourt for the Magic’s ECF run a few years ago, and theyre back together again.
Lineup in 1999:
C: Dikembe Mutombo - B D+ C- A+ A- C
PF: Alejandro Camby - B C- D B B+ D
SF: Vernon Maxwell - B- A C+ A D+ B
SG: Chuck Person - B- A- C+ C+ C C
PG: Etienne Preira - B- A- A- A C+ B
What the Bulls need to do to be the 2004 champs:
By 2004, the Bulls are going to have some decisions to make. Preira and Camby are pretty much the only locks to be on this team. Both are in their twenties and either have signed/will sign lucrative deals. The trick will be if Tiger can surround this team with the right talent. Both swingmen will likely be done by 2004, and Tiger is going to have to find a way to replace them. This wont be an easy task; as large amounts of money will already by committed to other players. If the Bulls decide to keep Dikembe until he retires, they likely will not be able to sign quality swingmen. Will Preira/Deke/Camby be enough? Perhaps. All three of these players can score and rebound like machines, so look for the Bulls to sign a couple of low turnover, high efficiency swingmen, that dont need shots to be effective.
Odds: 6/1
My 2 sleepers:
4) Orlando Magic
Yeah, go ahead and laugh. But after looking at all the rosters in the leauge; I didn’t see any other teams that are in a substantially better position than the Magic. This team has been a doormat for a couple of years; but I believe by 2004, they will be a top team in the league. The Magic are no longer talking about luck or lack thereof, as has been made very clear, the league is not interested in hearing it.
Lineup in 1999:
C: Rasheed Wallace - B B C- A- B B
PF: Antawn Jamison - B- C+ C- B- B- A
SF: Billy Owens - B+ C+ C A- B C
SG: God Shammgod - C+ B- B B D+ C
PG: Stephon Marbury - C+ B- B B C- A
What the Magic need to do to be the 2004 champs:
So for the Magic, 3 of these starters should be in their prime by the time 2004 rolls around. Rasheed, Jamison and Marbury could form a very strong trio, with Billy Owens likely still close to his peak as well. With a couple more high picks this year and next, the Magic should have all the tools to compete. A clear weakness is at SG, where God Shamgodd will likely be gone. If the Magic can pick up a SG in the draft or via trade, I see no reason why they shouldn’t have a deep and talented team. The challenge is twofold. Can any of these players/draft picks turn into a true star to lead this team? And if so, will the Magic be able to keep these players from bolting in Free Agency? Only time will tell. Look for the Magic to make some moves in the next couple of years, and lock in a low post shot blocker to help their anemic defense.
Odds: 10/1
5) Golden State Warriors
I like what the Warriors GM has been doing. The last 2 years has seen the team add Shareef Abdur Rahim and Paul Pierce to the bay area. Both these picks looks extremely solid, and the Warriors are headed for another high pick this year. By 2004, Frankie King’s oversized contract will be off the books, and the Warriors might be in a position to do some serious damage with a Free Agent or two.
Lineup in 1999:
C: Torraye Briggs - B- C C B- B C
PF: Marcus Mann - C C- D+ C A C
SF: Shareef Abdur Rahim - B+ C+ C B C A
SG: Paul Pierce - B- C+ C B C+ A
PG: Jeff Hornacek - C A- B+ B C- D
What the Warriors need to do to be the 2004 champs:
This team has 2 pieces in place, and a lot of work to be ready by 2004. However, their GM has shown patience, and if he keeps at it, he may have something here. The Warriors need to find bigmen to compliment their versatile and aggressive swingmen, but can they find them in free agency? Bruce Bowen is a fantastic role player, at a great price, so the Warriors should be locked in at the swingman position for years. If the Warriors can continue to pick up 1 or 2 players in the next couple years, look out. Look for the Warriors to add a dominant bigman, who can score and block shots. Then perhaps, just a PG who can distribute without turning the ball over should turn the Warriors into contendors.
Odds: 12/1
Honorable Menion:
6) Houston Rockets
- The Rockets are in full rebuild mode, and Ducky will have to be at his tanking best to be a contendor by this time. Carter looks great and Gerald Honeycutt is a very interesting prospect, but besides these two, nothing is in place. Look for the Rockets to have 2 more rebuilding years before they really pick up steam.
Odds: 15-1
7) New Jersey Nets
- The Nets are the victim of their own success. Chauncey Billups and KVH are both really nice players, but unfortunately there are too many teams with worse records that will limit the ability of the Nets GM to nab that third stud. The Nets might have to get creative with trades to give this team the bigmen they are going to need to compete, because its becoming less and less likely that a quality bigman will fall this far in the draft.
Odds: 20/1
