Post by mops on Nov 24, 2009 0:41:38 GMT -5
Well another off-season has come and gone and the new rookies to the UOSLR are adjusting to their newly padded bank accounts and the vets that changed teams are trying to find their new cities groupies and hot spots to make it rain. All is good in the UOSLR. Pre-season is around the corner as teams are wrapping up camp as we speak. While we are at an early stage of the 2003-04 season lets take a look at each team in the league for a preview.
The first installment of this article will feature the west coast.
MidWest Divison
Dallas Mavericks
Expected Starters
C-Clifford Rozier B C- C B+ A C
PF-Tyson Chandler C+ C- C A B B
SF-Boris Diaw C+ C+ C+ B+ C A
SG-John Salmons B- B C B B
PG-Damon Stoudamire C A A- A- C D
6th Man-Ndubi Ebi-C+ C+ D+ B+ C+ A
The Dallas Maverics were able to snag both Diaw and Ebi in the draft and are hoping these talented multi position players can come into Dallas and give the team a boost in athleticism and excitement. They also signed Clifford Rozier to a one year deal to give more athleticism in the low post. Last year’s draft pick John Salmons is shaping up to be a questionable pick. He is still a solid player but Juan Carlos Navarro would be a Mav with his C+ A- B B C- A ratings to team with Mighty Mouse in the back court.
None the less this team is on a mission to rebuild and rebuild at their own pace. Don’t expect the Mavs to jump into the frying pan of trading any time soon unless they can unload Stoudamire for more youth or picks. They have their own first this year as well as the Bucks. The Mavs picks should be top 8 and the Mavs hope they can get one of Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Gordon, Devin Harris, Loul Deng, Andre Iguodala, or Luke Jackson. With the Bucks pick they will look to hopefully find a player with a great upside and be solid at one or two areas in the game.
Denver Nuggets
Expected starters
C-Luc Longley B+ C- D B A- D
PF-Channing Frye C+ B C- B- C+ A
SF-Caron Butler B+ B- C A- C+ A
SG-DeShaun Stevenson B B+ A- A- C A
PG-Luke Ridnour C A- A- C C- B
6th Man-Jamal Crawford B- B+ B C C- B
Denver enters the season fresh off a few horrible years in the UOSLR. In Nugget history the team is known for flying up and down the court and scoring a lot of points. Past few years they have shown signs of life and the fans have kept the support in the arena. However this year the Nuggets fan base knows there needs to be change and GM Mops knows it as well. This is the year they start to push into the playoffs and hopefully build a off the solid foundation that has been laid.
The Nuggets are trying to win 40 games this season to add four more years onto Mops’s contract and if that is accomplished the Nuggets might have some of the most flexibility in the entire UOSLR going into next off-season. He doesn’t have his pick but he enters next off-season with 31, 523, 291 million in free cap space. He still needs to sign superstar wing Stevenson to a long term contract but after that he could go in a lot of directions with this team.
Houston Rockets
Expected Starters
C-Joel Pryzbilla C+ C- C- A- B B
PF-Lorenzen Wright C+ D+ C B+ A- D
SF-Vince Carter A- A C+ B- C B
SG-Predrag Danilovic B- A B B- C D
PG-Mike Bibby C A- A A- D+ B
6th Man- Ronnie Fields C+ A- B- A- C+ D
The Rockets are coming off the best record in the UOSLR last season and then losing to the Bucks in the finals. They had to ship Brad Miller this off-season in order to have enough money to resign star point guard Mike Bibby to a long term deal. The effects have left the Rockets a tad thin inside with just four players who can play down low. None the less the Rockets are expecting Prybilla to enter the starting picture this season and be a force on the glass and defense.
Even without a strong interior the Rockets are a team to be reckoned with. They have VC, Fields, Childress, Bibby, and Danilovic to run up and down the court and scoring at will. You won’t find a team with so many interchangeable parts along the wings for the Rockets.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Expected Starters
C-Chris Kaman B- C D C+ B B
PF-Shawn Marion-B+ B C+ B+ B B
SF-Shane Battier C B+ C- A- C B
SG-Michael Redd C+ A C- C+ C B
PG-Stephon Marbury C+ B A- A- D+ C
6th Man- Mike Dunleavy JR C+ B+ C B- C+ C
The Timberwolves enter the 03-04 season with a solid core that will win games, keep people in the seats, and provide entertainment. However, when the Wolves need to win they won’t have enough fire power this season. They got stole Marion from the Knicks for a cheaper price and were hoping Chris Kaman would turn into a dominate big man along with Al Harrington continuing his development. However Kaman didn’t progress as expected and Harrington as well.
None the less Marion, Marbury, Redd, and Battier should give the team plenty of scoring options and defense to hover around the 28-42 win total. With his own picks in hand the Wolves have a good future as they still have cap space but must also sign Michael Redd to an extension at the end of the year. Still, having his own picks and the ability to wait and rebuild is a strong factor for why the Wolves will be back in the race soon.
San Antonio Spurs
Expected Starters
C-Shaquille O’Neal A D+ C+ A A C
PF-Kenyon Martin B C C B B C
SF-Reggie Lewis B- B C A- D+ D
SG-Larry Hughes B- B B+ A C- C
PG-Mo Williams C A- B- B C- C
6th Man-Primoz Brezec B+ C- C- A- C+ C
The Spurs had a very good off-season. First they had two draft picks inside the lotto and with those picks they decided to go with two young players who might be a tad raw but have potential to be very good players down the road. They drafted Kendrick Perkins and James White. Perkins was looked as a player who could rebound but outside of that he needed work. Well he spent a lot of time with Shaq in the off-season and his defense improved enough that folks in San Antonio are thinking Perkins should see around 20 minutes at C and PF this season. Mo Williams looks like he will enter the starting picture this year but don’t be shocked to see Hughes act as more of the true point guard.
The Spurs are another team in the UOSLR who can try and win this season and then rebuild if they choose after this year or continue to win. They have around 37 million coming off the cap and giving them around 22 million in free cap space. They must choose if they want to resign Shaq and many other key players or rebuild. Either way this Spurs team is making people think an NBA title could be won. Lots of depth and any time you have a dominate player like Shaq you certainly are in the picture.
Utah Jazz
Expected Starters
C-Erick Dampier C D D A- B C
PF- Juwan Howard B C C A- B- B
SF- Paul Pierce B- C+ C B B- C
SG-Rip Hamilton C+ A C+ A D+ C
PG-Mateen Cleaves C B+ B B C- D
6th Man-Marcus Banks C+ B C+ B C- B
Man the Jazz are a mess and many in the league think they are doomed. They don’t even have a full roster and spent training camp with only 8 players and look to use only 8 players this season. They got solid depth at C in Howard and Dampier but who plays PF? Can this team get by with Howard and Dampier playing PF and C and C and PF? Pierce looks like a total bust which is sad. They got lucky signing Rip but he is all alone out there it seems like.
The Spurs have around 6 million in free cap right now as well as a good amount expiring but none the less this team isn’t in good shape and they don’t have their own pick. If they could pry their pick back from New Jersey they could rebuild at a proper way. None the less many scouts in the league don’t believe the Nets will give it up.
Vancouver Grizzlies
Expected Starters
C-Tim Duncan A- C- A A C
PF-N/A
SF-Andrei Kirlenko B- B- C+ A- C+ A
SG- Dwayne Wade B+ C+ C+ A- C A
PG- Rafer Alston C B+ A- A- D C
6th Man-Aj Guyton C+ B+ A- C C- D
Strange off-season for the Grizzlies. They got Duncan and Alston but missed out on other big time Free Agents. They then saw AK47 come into camp gassed from all the wild sex he got with his mistress. Many fans were thinking that once they got Duncan they’d see other free agents come calling and sign up and run with the Grizz. That didn’t happen and now they are in an awkward position where they will win some games but have so many gapping holes they won’t be a team come March the worry about.
The Grizzlies did however add Wade in the draft and the future in Vancouver looks to be very good. With all the cap space and the team being still pretty young they should be contenders in a few years barring good drafts and nabbing some role players here and there during the upcoming free agency periods. One interesting note will be to see who they sign right before the season starts to fill the roster.
PACIFIC DIVISON
Golden State Warriors
Expected Starters
C-Chris Anderson B- C- C A- C+ C
PF-Chris Webber A- C- C+ B A- C
SF-Jerald Honeycutt C+ C A A- A- C
SG-Joe Johnson B B+ B C C B
PG- Jason Williams C+ B A+ B C- C
6th Man-Glenn Robinson B A- C B- C+ C
The Warriors hit bad luck when Gilbert “Agent 0” left the Warriors and went to division rival Los Angeles Clippers. None the less this team still has lots of talent with Webber, Joe Johnson, Robinson, Williams, and Honecutt. Anderson is a solid center fr them and Frankie King is another player who could be a good player to come in and score in bunches. Should be interesting to see this team and the depth charts they come up with.
The Warriors have a strange odor coming from the basement of their arena. It sorta smells good but at the same time it’s a funky smell that makes your cringe. Is this team going to be good? Is this team going to be bad? They got lots of talent but it doesn’t really mesh perfectly which draws some concern. On paper they look to contend but the make up is still iffy. Should be a wild ride in G-State Nation.
Los Angles Clippers
Expected Starters
C-Yao Ming B+ C C- B+ A- B
PF-Brian Skinner B- D+ D+ B+ B C
SF-Danny Granger C+ B- C- B+ B- A
SG-Gilbert Arenas B B A- A C A
PG-Leandro Barbosa C B+ B+ C+ C- A
6th Man-Derrick Zimmerman B- B- B C- C
Wow it is party time in Clipper land. The streets are flooded with estatic fans in Los Angles because the Lakers got a certain rookie but also because Agent 0 left NorCal and came down south where the party is at. Hell even the Asians on the streets are pumped because Yao is here and ready to dominate in his second season. Lots of talent in the staples center on both teams and the Clippers look to be dominate for years with the make up of Yao, Arenas, Granger, and Barbosa.
The Clippers have the big three in Yao, Arenas, and Granger. Solid role players in Barbosa, Blake, Skinner, and Willie Green. Oh and they also have around 18 million in free cap space this off season. They could go out and bring in another superstar to pair with Yao and Arenas. Or they could focus of shoring up the depth and letting their draft picks find the next superstar. Lots of ways to go here and damn the Clippers future is bright.
Los Angeles Lakers
Expected Starters
C-Amal McCaskill B- C- C A- C+ C
PF-Pau Gasol B+ C C B- B- B
SF-LeBron James B+ C+ A- B B- A
SG-Tony Delk C B C B+ C- C
PG-Chauncey Billups C+ A- A- A C C
6th Man-Eddie House B+ B- B- C- B
Lakers get King James and he came into the UOSLR better than advertised. James can play four positions well (PG, SG, SF, PF) and the Lakers have been experimenting with even putting him at C as well. Oh not only did they add King James they also added BuBuBuBuBuBulllllups to the lineup as well. Gasol had a mediocre training camp and came in worse than expected while Zach Randolph also didn’t come n too impressive. Eddie House, Tony Delk, and Ime Udoka however look like very solid role players that is a nice surprise.
The Lakers however are in a prime spot to continue to climb the pecking order and be a force down the road. With a round 20 million in cap space next season the Lakers should be damn good in 2 years with Bron, Billups, Gasol, the 04 pick, and whoever they can pluck in free agency. DBW has earned a lot of respect in the city of LA but fans are still in shock that a lot of the trades they were involved in didn’t get approved. Imagine this team with Tim Duncan and Ben Wallace as well….one can dream….
Phoenix Suns
Expected Starters
C-Eddy Curry A- C- D- B- B- A
PF-Lamar Odom B+ B B B B B
SF-Jamal Mashburn B+ B C+ A C+ D
SG-Tariq Abdul-Wahad B- B C- A C C
PG-Andre Miller B C+ A- B C C
6th Man-Rashard Lewis C A- C B B- B
Man the Suns look to be growing up every day that goes by. This team looks very stacked and poised for another deep run and maybe even take over the west coast. Curry has been a nice development down low. Odom is the most balanced player in the league and is steady eddy. Mashburn is the vet that is a tad older but more wide and still very talented. Rashard Lewis is the long bomber that is growing at a slow but steady pace. Andre Miller is another young and studly player that could be very solid down the road. Oh and they added Mickael Pietrus from the draft who should be the starter in a few years.
The Suns are a very young team that is poised to make a lot of runs in the playoffs the next few seasons in the UOSLR. Many GMs feel they could be the best team in the West this year and challenge for the best in the league down the road if they keep everyone and they progress like they are. They will need to figure out how to resign everyone in a few years and starting with Lewis this season. Getting Mashburn out of there will be a tough call but could be crucial if they want to afford everyone on their team and still get value for letting Mash go.
Portland Trailblazers
Expected Starters
C-Alonzo Mourning A- C- C- A+ A D
PF-Kevin Garnet B+ C+ C+ A A- C
SF-Larry Johnson B A C B B+ D
SG-Latrell Sprewell C+ A- C+ B+ D D
PG- Eric Snow C C+ B+ A- C- C
6th Man-Calbert Cheaney C+ A- C A- C D
Wow! Did the Blazers get good this off-season or what? I know they were already a damn good team last year but they got even better. Yinka Dare, Calbert Cheaney, Raja Bell, Randy Livingston, Smush Parker, Angl George, and Eric Snow are the reasons this team will win the UOSLR title this season. Sure they have Zo, KG, LJ, and Spree. Ya they are the stars, we know. But the depth they have on this team is very very impressive and is my choice to win the west and contend for the title.
The Blazers have a lot of money tied into the big names on this team and rightlfully so. However the GM of the Blazers earns his cash this year by being able to find guys who are very solid role players and bring them in for pennies on the dollar. Almost every single player on his bench is being paid the league minimum and that is very impressive considering all the talent they’ve amassed on this team.
Sacramento Kings
Expected Starters
C-Shawn Kemp B+ D+ C- A- A- D
PF-Dirk Nowitzki B- A- C+ B+ A- B
SF-Lionel Simmons B+ C+ C A- B- D
SG-Juan Dixon C+ A- B- B D+ B
PG-Jason Kidd B- B+ A+ A C- D
6th Man- Keith Van Horn B- A- C- C B C
Sactown sure could be a top team in the west let alone the UOSLR. Problem is this team has major injury issues. Has Shawn Kemp kept off cocaine he’s rumored to be doing on a regular basis? Is Kidd healthy? Has Dirk learned to be the lethal killer he needs to be? Lots of questions on this team but non the less the Kings look to be a team to be feared and they should be dominate. Many teams in the UOSLR think the same but there is always that concern the team can’t stay healthy however.
The salary situation is a solid one and there are a few players coming off the salary books this year which is headlined by Kidd. Does the Kings try and move him for more depth at PG and the guarantee to have a great guard at point? Do the Kings max Kidd again and bring him back for one more big run with him? What about Kemp, Simmons, and Van Horn? A few of the big key cogs of this team are starting to get older and its do or die time. Many think the Kings are a ticking time bomb to do something bold. To win or reload is the question.
Seattle Supersonics
Expected Starters
C-Bryant Reeves B+ D+ F+ B- C C
PF-Antwan Jamison B B C- A- C C
SF-Bonzi Wells B+ B- C- A- B- C
SG-Fred Jones B B C B+ C B
PG-Brent Barry B A- A- C+ C- D
6th Man-Brian Grant B C- D+ B B+ C
Well how far have the Sonics fallen. They looked like they were going to win a lot of games for a long time and then they traded Nash and a few other pieces. Compound that with a bad training camp for second year guard Fred Jones who the Sonics were banking on being a star the Sonics now look iffy. They have talent. Jamison, Wells, Barry and Jones are all good players. Jay Williams is a solid guard but he’s starting to draw concerns about his potential. Brian Grant and Bryant Reeves are both solid post players.
Sonics don’t have their pick this year but that is ok because the team looks to contend for a deep run. However they lack the depth to be considered a serious player. That said they are in good position outside of Jamison in regards to contracts. Reeves, Foyle, Wells, and Berry all come off the books and don’t be surprised to see the Sonics make a lot of moves at the trade deadline to capitalize on any chances of getting some value. Or they could keep resign them and hope to get more depth via Free Agency next season as well.
The first installment of this article will feature the west coast.
MidWest Divison
Dallas Mavericks
Expected Starters
C-Clifford Rozier B C- C B+ A C
PF-Tyson Chandler C+ C- C A B B
SF-Boris Diaw C+ C+ C+ B+ C A
SG-John Salmons B- B C B B
PG-Damon Stoudamire C A A- A- C D
6th Man-Ndubi Ebi-C+ C+ D+ B+ C+ A
The Dallas Maverics were able to snag both Diaw and Ebi in the draft and are hoping these talented multi position players can come into Dallas and give the team a boost in athleticism and excitement. They also signed Clifford Rozier to a one year deal to give more athleticism in the low post. Last year’s draft pick John Salmons is shaping up to be a questionable pick. He is still a solid player but Juan Carlos Navarro would be a Mav with his C+ A- B B C- A ratings to team with Mighty Mouse in the back court.
None the less this team is on a mission to rebuild and rebuild at their own pace. Don’t expect the Mavs to jump into the frying pan of trading any time soon unless they can unload Stoudamire for more youth or picks. They have their own first this year as well as the Bucks. The Mavs picks should be top 8 and the Mavs hope they can get one of Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Gordon, Devin Harris, Loul Deng, Andre Iguodala, or Luke Jackson. With the Bucks pick they will look to hopefully find a player with a great upside and be solid at one or two areas in the game.
Denver Nuggets
Expected starters
C-Luc Longley B+ C- D B A- D
PF-Channing Frye C+ B C- B- C+ A
SF-Caron Butler B+ B- C A- C+ A
SG-DeShaun Stevenson B B+ A- A- C A
PG-Luke Ridnour C A- A- C C- B
6th Man-Jamal Crawford B- B+ B C C- B
Denver enters the season fresh off a few horrible years in the UOSLR. In Nugget history the team is known for flying up and down the court and scoring a lot of points. Past few years they have shown signs of life and the fans have kept the support in the arena. However this year the Nuggets fan base knows there needs to be change and GM Mops knows it as well. This is the year they start to push into the playoffs and hopefully build a off the solid foundation that has been laid.
The Nuggets are trying to win 40 games this season to add four more years onto Mops’s contract and if that is accomplished the Nuggets might have some of the most flexibility in the entire UOSLR going into next off-season. He doesn’t have his pick but he enters next off-season with 31, 523, 291 million in free cap space. He still needs to sign superstar wing Stevenson to a long term contract but after that he could go in a lot of directions with this team.
Houston Rockets
Expected Starters
C-Joel Pryzbilla C+ C- C- A- B B
PF-Lorenzen Wright C+ D+ C B+ A- D
SF-Vince Carter A- A C+ B- C B
SG-Predrag Danilovic B- A B B- C D
PG-Mike Bibby C A- A A- D+ B
6th Man- Ronnie Fields C+ A- B- A- C+ D
The Rockets are coming off the best record in the UOSLR last season and then losing to the Bucks in the finals. They had to ship Brad Miller this off-season in order to have enough money to resign star point guard Mike Bibby to a long term deal. The effects have left the Rockets a tad thin inside with just four players who can play down low. None the less the Rockets are expecting Prybilla to enter the starting picture this season and be a force on the glass and defense.
Even without a strong interior the Rockets are a team to be reckoned with. They have VC, Fields, Childress, Bibby, and Danilovic to run up and down the court and scoring at will. You won’t find a team with so many interchangeable parts along the wings for the Rockets.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Expected Starters
C-Chris Kaman B- C D C+ B B
PF-Shawn Marion-B+ B C+ B+ B B
SF-Shane Battier C B+ C- A- C B
SG-Michael Redd C+ A C- C+ C B
PG-Stephon Marbury C+ B A- A- D+ C
6th Man- Mike Dunleavy JR C+ B+ C B- C+ C
The Timberwolves enter the 03-04 season with a solid core that will win games, keep people in the seats, and provide entertainment. However, when the Wolves need to win they won’t have enough fire power this season. They got stole Marion from the Knicks for a cheaper price and were hoping Chris Kaman would turn into a dominate big man along with Al Harrington continuing his development. However Kaman didn’t progress as expected and Harrington as well.
None the less Marion, Marbury, Redd, and Battier should give the team plenty of scoring options and defense to hover around the 28-42 win total. With his own picks in hand the Wolves have a good future as they still have cap space but must also sign Michael Redd to an extension at the end of the year. Still, having his own picks and the ability to wait and rebuild is a strong factor for why the Wolves will be back in the race soon.
San Antonio Spurs
Expected Starters
C-Shaquille O’Neal A D+ C+ A A C
PF-Kenyon Martin B C C B B C
SF-Reggie Lewis B- B C A- D+ D
SG-Larry Hughes B- B B+ A C- C
PG-Mo Williams C A- B- B C- C
6th Man-Primoz Brezec B+ C- C- A- C+ C
The Spurs had a very good off-season. First they had two draft picks inside the lotto and with those picks they decided to go with two young players who might be a tad raw but have potential to be very good players down the road. They drafted Kendrick Perkins and James White. Perkins was looked as a player who could rebound but outside of that he needed work. Well he spent a lot of time with Shaq in the off-season and his defense improved enough that folks in San Antonio are thinking Perkins should see around 20 minutes at C and PF this season. Mo Williams looks like he will enter the starting picture this year but don’t be shocked to see Hughes act as more of the true point guard.
The Spurs are another team in the UOSLR who can try and win this season and then rebuild if they choose after this year or continue to win. They have around 37 million coming off the cap and giving them around 22 million in free cap space. They must choose if they want to resign Shaq and many other key players or rebuild. Either way this Spurs team is making people think an NBA title could be won. Lots of depth and any time you have a dominate player like Shaq you certainly are in the picture.
Utah Jazz
Expected Starters
C-Erick Dampier C D D A- B C
PF- Juwan Howard B C C A- B- B
SF- Paul Pierce B- C+ C B B- C
SG-Rip Hamilton C+ A C+ A D+ C
PG-Mateen Cleaves C B+ B B C- D
6th Man-Marcus Banks C+ B C+ B C- B
Man the Jazz are a mess and many in the league think they are doomed. They don’t even have a full roster and spent training camp with only 8 players and look to use only 8 players this season. They got solid depth at C in Howard and Dampier but who plays PF? Can this team get by with Howard and Dampier playing PF and C and C and PF? Pierce looks like a total bust which is sad. They got lucky signing Rip but he is all alone out there it seems like.
The Spurs have around 6 million in free cap right now as well as a good amount expiring but none the less this team isn’t in good shape and they don’t have their own pick. If they could pry their pick back from New Jersey they could rebuild at a proper way. None the less many scouts in the league don’t believe the Nets will give it up.
Vancouver Grizzlies
Expected Starters
C-Tim Duncan A- C- A A C
PF-N/A
SF-Andrei Kirlenko B- B- C+ A- C+ A
SG- Dwayne Wade B+ C+ C+ A- C A
PG- Rafer Alston C B+ A- A- D C
6th Man-Aj Guyton C+ B+ A- C C- D
Strange off-season for the Grizzlies. They got Duncan and Alston but missed out on other big time Free Agents. They then saw AK47 come into camp gassed from all the wild sex he got with his mistress. Many fans were thinking that once they got Duncan they’d see other free agents come calling and sign up and run with the Grizz. That didn’t happen and now they are in an awkward position where they will win some games but have so many gapping holes they won’t be a team come March the worry about.
The Grizzlies did however add Wade in the draft and the future in Vancouver looks to be very good. With all the cap space and the team being still pretty young they should be contenders in a few years barring good drafts and nabbing some role players here and there during the upcoming free agency periods. One interesting note will be to see who they sign right before the season starts to fill the roster.
PACIFIC DIVISON
Golden State Warriors
Expected Starters
C-Chris Anderson B- C- C A- C+ C
PF-Chris Webber A- C- C+ B A- C
SF-Jerald Honeycutt C+ C A A- A- C
SG-Joe Johnson B B+ B C C B
PG- Jason Williams C+ B A+ B C- C
6th Man-Glenn Robinson B A- C B- C+ C
The Warriors hit bad luck when Gilbert “Agent 0” left the Warriors and went to division rival Los Angeles Clippers. None the less this team still has lots of talent with Webber, Joe Johnson, Robinson, Williams, and Honecutt. Anderson is a solid center fr them and Frankie King is another player who could be a good player to come in and score in bunches. Should be interesting to see this team and the depth charts they come up with.
The Warriors have a strange odor coming from the basement of their arena. It sorta smells good but at the same time it’s a funky smell that makes your cringe. Is this team going to be good? Is this team going to be bad? They got lots of talent but it doesn’t really mesh perfectly which draws some concern. On paper they look to contend but the make up is still iffy. Should be a wild ride in G-State Nation.
Los Angles Clippers
Expected Starters
C-Yao Ming B+ C C- B+ A- B
PF-Brian Skinner B- D+ D+ B+ B C
SF-Danny Granger C+ B- C- B+ B- A
SG-Gilbert Arenas B B A- A C A
PG-Leandro Barbosa C B+ B+ C+ C- A
6th Man-Derrick Zimmerman B- B- B C- C
Wow it is party time in Clipper land. The streets are flooded with estatic fans in Los Angles because the Lakers got a certain rookie but also because Agent 0 left NorCal and came down south where the party is at. Hell even the Asians on the streets are pumped because Yao is here and ready to dominate in his second season. Lots of talent in the staples center on both teams and the Clippers look to be dominate for years with the make up of Yao, Arenas, Granger, and Barbosa.
The Clippers have the big three in Yao, Arenas, and Granger. Solid role players in Barbosa, Blake, Skinner, and Willie Green. Oh and they also have around 18 million in free cap space this off season. They could go out and bring in another superstar to pair with Yao and Arenas. Or they could focus of shoring up the depth and letting their draft picks find the next superstar. Lots of ways to go here and damn the Clippers future is bright.
Los Angeles Lakers
Expected Starters
C-Amal McCaskill B- C- C A- C+ C
PF-Pau Gasol B+ C C B- B- B
SF-LeBron James B+ C+ A- B B- A
SG-Tony Delk C B C B+ C- C
PG-Chauncey Billups C+ A- A- A C C
6th Man-Eddie House B+ B- B- C- B
Lakers get King James and he came into the UOSLR better than advertised. James can play four positions well (PG, SG, SF, PF) and the Lakers have been experimenting with even putting him at C as well. Oh not only did they add King James they also added BuBuBuBuBuBulllllups to the lineup as well. Gasol had a mediocre training camp and came in worse than expected while Zach Randolph also didn’t come n too impressive. Eddie House, Tony Delk, and Ime Udoka however look like very solid role players that is a nice surprise.
The Lakers however are in a prime spot to continue to climb the pecking order and be a force down the road. With a round 20 million in cap space next season the Lakers should be damn good in 2 years with Bron, Billups, Gasol, the 04 pick, and whoever they can pluck in free agency. DBW has earned a lot of respect in the city of LA but fans are still in shock that a lot of the trades they were involved in didn’t get approved. Imagine this team with Tim Duncan and Ben Wallace as well….one can dream….
Phoenix Suns
Expected Starters
C-Eddy Curry A- C- D- B- B- A
PF-Lamar Odom B+ B B B B B
SF-Jamal Mashburn B+ B C+ A C+ D
SG-Tariq Abdul-Wahad B- B C- A C C
PG-Andre Miller B C+ A- B C C
6th Man-Rashard Lewis C A- C B B- B
Man the Suns look to be growing up every day that goes by. This team looks very stacked and poised for another deep run and maybe even take over the west coast. Curry has been a nice development down low. Odom is the most balanced player in the league and is steady eddy. Mashburn is the vet that is a tad older but more wide and still very talented. Rashard Lewis is the long bomber that is growing at a slow but steady pace. Andre Miller is another young and studly player that could be very solid down the road. Oh and they added Mickael Pietrus from the draft who should be the starter in a few years.
The Suns are a very young team that is poised to make a lot of runs in the playoffs the next few seasons in the UOSLR. Many GMs feel they could be the best team in the West this year and challenge for the best in the league down the road if they keep everyone and they progress like they are. They will need to figure out how to resign everyone in a few years and starting with Lewis this season. Getting Mashburn out of there will be a tough call but could be crucial if they want to afford everyone on their team and still get value for letting Mash go.
Portland Trailblazers
Expected Starters
C-Alonzo Mourning A- C- C- A+ A D
PF-Kevin Garnet B+ C+ C+ A A- C
SF-Larry Johnson B A C B B+ D
SG-Latrell Sprewell C+ A- C+ B+ D D
PG- Eric Snow C C+ B+ A- C- C
6th Man-Calbert Cheaney C+ A- C A- C D
Wow! Did the Blazers get good this off-season or what? I know they were already a damn good team last year but they got even better. Yinka Dare, Calbert Cheaney, Raja Bell, Randy Livingston, Smush Parker, Angl George, and Eric Snow are the reasons this team will win the UOSLR title this season. Sure they have Zo, KG, LJ, and Spree. Ya they are the stars, we know. But the depth they have on this team is very very impressive and is my choice to win the west and contend for the title.
The Blazers have a lot of money tied into the big names on this team and rightlfully so. However the GM of the Blazers earns his cash this year by being able to find guys who are very solid role players and bring them in for pennies on the dollar. Almost every single player on his bench is being paid the league minimum and that is very impressive considering all the talent they’ve amassed on this team.
Sacramento Kings
Expected Starters
C-Shawn Kemp B+ D+ C- A- A- D
PF-Dirk Nowitzki B- A- C+ B+ A- B
SF-Lionel Simmons B+ C+ C A- B- D
SG-Juan Dixon C+ A- B- B D+ B
PG-Jason Kidd B- B+ A+ A C- D
6th Man- Keith Van Horn B- A- C- C B C
Sactown sure could be a top team in the west let alone the UOSLR. Problem is this team has major injury issues. Has Shawn Kemp kept off cocaine he’s rumored to be doing on a regular basis? Is Kidd healthy? Has Dirk learned to be the lethal killer he needs to be? Lots of questions on this team but non the less the Kings look to be a team to be feared and they should be dominate. Many teams in the UOSLR think the same but there is always that concern the team can’t stay healthy however.
The salary situation is a solid one and there are a few players coming off the salary books this year which is headlined by Kidd. Does the Kings try and move him for more depth at PG and the guarantee to have a great guard at point? Do the Kings max Kidd again and bring him back for one more big run with him? What about Kemp, Simmons, and Van Horn? A few of the big key cogs of this team are starting to get older and its do or die time. Many think the Kings are a ticking time bomb to do something bold. To win or reload is the question.
Seattle Supersonics
Expected Starters
C-Bryant Reeves B+ D+ F+ B- C C
PF-Antwan Jamison B B C- A- C C
SF-Bonzi Wells B+ B- C- A- B- C
SG-Fred Jones B B C B+ C B
PG-Brent Barry B A- A- C+ C- D
6th Man-Brian Grant B C- D+ B B+ C
Well how far have the Sonics fallen. They looked like they were going to win a lot of games for a long time and then they traded Nash and a few other pieces. Compound that with a bad training camp for second year guard Fred Jones who the Sonics were banking on being a star the Sonics now look iffy. They have talent. Jamison, Wells, Barry and Jones are all good players. Jay Williams is a solid guard but he’s starting to draw concerns about his potential. Brian Grant and Bryant Reeves are both solid post players.
Sonics don’t have their pick this year but that is ok because the team looks to contend for a deep run. However they lack the depth to be considered a serious player. That said they are in good position outside of Jamison in regards to contracts. Reeves, Foyle, Wells, and Berry all come off the books and don’t be surprised to see the Sonics make a lot of moves at the trade deadline to capitalize on any chances of getting some value. Or they could keep resign them and hope to get more depth via Free Agency next season as well.
