Post by csdude07 on Dec 27, 2009 19:28:34 GMT -5
With the season almost halfway gone, I figured it would be fun to sit back and look at how the top 16 teams are doing so far. Here are the Power Rankings!
Note: 1-10 were done before today's sim, so that is why the data is different. 11-16 were done after today's sim, so the data there is current. Enjoy!
1. Washington Bullets
Record: 27-9
Last 10: 9-1
Offense: 112.5 ppg
Defense: 100.6 ppg
The Washington Bullets are on a roll despite their slow start, and Wang Zhi-Zhi- is a big reason why. Wang is UOSLR's leading scorer and the second best rebounder in the leauge. Alongside him, the Bullets have two great vets in Jalen Rose and Nick Anderson who can D up and score as well. The Bullets are one of the best offensive teams in the leauge and are also great rebounders and passers. Look for this team to remain the best team in the league if everyone stays healthy and if Wang continues having an MVP season.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 22-8
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 110.3 ppg
Defense: 101.2 ppg
The Milwaukee Bucks are back this year without Grant Hill, but with everyone healthy. This squad is showing Hill that he made a big mistake by going to Toronto to help the Raptors get through their contract year. Instead, he could be in Milwaukee right now contending for a ring. Oh well. The Bucks are a very strong team on both ends of the court: They have 3 guys scoring over 20 ppg who can all defend as well. They also have great rebounders in Dyess and Honey, which is crucial for a team looking to contend. This is a very balanced team that is going to go far in the playoffs.
3. Vancouver Grizzlies
Record: 26-9
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 104.1 ppg
Defense: 94.8 ppg
The Grizzlies have come in this season and really shown that they have developed as a team and are showing promise for the future. The young guys of this team are growing up well together and are playing good basketball along with the vets, Duncan and Rafer. The Grizzlies are not very impressive on offense. Duncan and Wade are both great scorers, and do much of the work on offense, but the rest of the starters are not. What they are, however, is great defenders. Vancouver has a suffocating defense that is the best in the league. This team has four shotblockers that combine for 8.2 bpg. Look for this team to contend because of their sick defense.
4. Orlando Magic
Record: 22-11
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 115.1 ppg
Defense: 110.4 ppg
The Magic sit at #4 in the Power Rankings strictly because of their offense. This team is the best in the league at offense and the 2nd worst on defense. They win, however, because their offense is so scorching that they will put up more points than the other team no matter what. Allan Houston is the foundation of their attack, shooting amazing percentages from the field and the 3-pt line, and he has Marshall and Wallace, two great shooting big men, backing him up. This team will be dangerous this post-season, but I don't think they can contend because of the other teams in the East that can really lock down on defense.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 21-11
Last 10: 5-5
Offense: 106.7 ppg
Defense: 96.8 ppg
The Lakers have made some deals this season to really put their team in contending form. They added Alonzo Mourning and Jermaine O'Neal to the team, who are both good scorers, amazing defenders, and great rebounders. These moves, combined with Lebron, Hamilton, and Billups makes this team scary. They play sick defense, which will only get better now with Alonzo, and they take good care of the ball on offense. I think that the Lakers could be a few spots higher on this list in a few sims because they are set to content this year, no question.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 22-12
Last 10: 5-5
Offense: 100.8 ppg
Defense: 98.3 ppg
This team shows you how having great players at the two most important positions can make your team successful. The Clippers have the amazing young Center Yao Ming and the young superstar Gilbert Arenas at point. Besides that, they have solid defenders and developing youngsters, and this team still sits at #3 in the West. They are winning close games however, so it is tough to say that they will continue to succeed with the team they have. I think that if Granger develops in the next few years, the Clippers can do some damage, bu for this year, they will not contend.
7. Houston Rockets
Record: 22-15
Last 10: 6-4
Offense: 107.2 ppg
Defense: 101.2 ppg
The Rockets are back again to compete this season, and even though they are not running away with the West just yet like they have recently, they are very good. The Rockets have a great backcourt and a very good 6th man, and their frontcourt is built for defense and rebounding stricly. I think the Rockets can do very well because of the great scoring threat they have in their backcourt, but I believe that they do need more defense to compete with some of the other teams in the league. I think that this team will go far in the playoffs, but I don't think they will reach the finals this year.
8. New York Knicks
Record: 22-16
Last 10: 5-5
Offense: 103.9 ppg
Defense: 99.1 ppg
The Knicks have a great backcourt, just like the Rockets. The difference is that this team can defend at all 5 starting positions, and that this team's frontcourt has a scoring threat in Amare, a developing PF for the Knicks. Adding Jason Kidd this year was a great move for Dan and for the Knicks organization. He is a good scorer at point, an excellend defender, and an amazing passer. Combined with Ginobili and Tmac's scoring from all over the court, the Knicks should climb these powr rankings in the next few sims and really establish that they are a top team in the league. Also, not enough can be said about Camby's effort at C this season: 12.4 rpg, 4.1 bpg.
9. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 18-13
Last 10: 8-2
Offense: 99.9 ppg
Defense: 95.3 ppg
Everyone thought the Hornets were going to do a lot more this season with the variety of moves they made during the offseason. They haven't really lived up to expectations, however, and they currently sit in the #5 spot in the East. The Hornets have 3 excellent players in Shaq, LJ, and the Mouse, but at PF and SG they have developing youngsters. The future looks bright in Charlotte but I don't think they are a team that is going to contend for a championship this season. With Shaq and LJ on board, two vets who know a thing or two about winning, expect the Hornets to make some noise in the post-season, but don't look for them to reach the finals in the East.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 21-15
Last 10: 8-2
Offense: 106.8 ppg
Defense: 104.6 ppg
The Wolves are a team with a very good PF in Shawn Marion. This guy can score from anywhere on the court, rebounds the ball extremely well for his size, and defends with the best of them. He can defend guys down low and out on the perimeter. Also, they have Redd, who is a very efficient player. Redd is a great scorer from outside and he only turns the ball over 0.4 times per game. Outside of these two guys though, they don't have a big threat on either end of the court. Telfair was a great surprise in Tc, but he isn't the 3rd option that will put this team over the top this year. Look out for these guys in the future.
11. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 22-15
Last 10: 6-4
Offense: 102.8 ppg
Defense: 99.7 ppg
Emeka Okafor must be much better than we expected. he sure is better than I expected, because he has somehow managed to help the Spurs maintain a winning record this late into the season. I'm not sure how this has happened, but it speaks volumes about how good this franchise's top player is. The Spurs will likely make the playoffs this season but i don't think they will be able to pull any upsets. They are, however, a young team loaded with a lot of young talent that is going to continue to improve.
12. Toronto Raptors
Record: 21-19
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 102.9 ppg
Defense: 101.8 ppg
Saga took a lot of heat at the start of the season because he did not immediately trade his youth away for superstars to help him win this contract year. Instead, he took it easy, gauged where his team was, and then made some moves. Well, the moves have paid off and it seems like the Raptors are going to make it through this year with 40 wins or a playoff spot. Their frontcourt of KG, Dirk, and Hill is outstanding and it should be fairly easy for them to help Saga keep his job. The Raptors could do some damage in the playoffs simply because of the amount of star power they have on their team, but they will not contend. Also, their future looks pretty tough because of what they had to move in order to get KG and Dirk.
13. Chicago Bulls
Record: 17-16
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 102.9 ppg
Defense: 100.9 ppg
Preira and the Bulls started the year off slowly, but this team has heated up slowly ever since. The Bulls aren't what they were a few years ago, but they do remain competitive simply because of Preira. This guy is still an amazing player at every position and at any task, whether it be scoring, defense, rebounding, or passing. I want to say that Preira can go insane and just will the Bulls through the playoffs and possibly all the way to the Eastern Conference finals, but I just don't see it happening against balanced teams like the Bucks and Bullets.
14. Denver Nuggets
Record: 19-18
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 113.8 ppg
Defense: 111.1 ppg
Well here's the best offensive team in the league after the most recent sim, yet they are slotted in the #14 spot in UOSLR's power rankings. Why? Well, it seems that their defense is really holding them back. The Nuggets allow 111.1 ppg, which is good for the worst team in the league. I have a feeling that the Nuggets would be a bit better at scoring if Ridnour were back in the SL. This guy is truly playing like a poor man's Nash. Combined with the scoring effort from DeShaqn and Stack, Ridnour and the Nuggets could spell trouble for teams in the playoffs. However, I don't think they will be serious contenders this season, and I wouldn't expect to see them battling for the Western Conference championship.
15. Miami Heat
Record: 21-21
Last 10: 3-7
Offense: 104.4 ppg
Defense: 106.7 ppg
Kobe is a sick player at age 25. He isn't shooting very good percentages this season, but man does he have pretty ratings or what? He is the sole reason for the Heat being a playoff team in the tough Eastern Conference. This team doesn't have that much to look forward to this season though. Kobe alone won't be able to propel them to the top of the Eastern Conference, and I believe that they could be looking at a 1st round exit in this year's playoffs. They do, however, have some serious money to throw around this offseason to try and bring in some talent to help Kobe get back to the Championship.
16. Phoenix Suns
Record: 18-20
Last 10: 5-5
Offense: 106.8 ppg
Defense: 107.8 ppg
The Suns are about where we have come to expect them to be every season: Barely in the playoffs and without a go-to player. Everyone seems to be solid on that team, but there is certainly not enough talent on the Suns to make any noise in the playoffs. But hey, that's what everyone thought a few seasons back when the Suns made it far into the playoffs out of nowhere, so you never know. Curry is still growing as a young, scoring Center and Odom can still do it all, but without a star I don't see Jah's Suns going far this year.
Note: 1-10 were done before today's sim, so that is why the data is different. 11-16 were done after today's sim, so the data there is current. Enjoy!
1. Washington Bullets
Record: 27-9
Last 10: 9-1
Offense: 112.5 ppg
Defense: 100.6 ppg
The Washington Bullets are on a roll despite their slow start, and Wang Zhi-Zhi- is a big reason why. Wang is UOSLR's leading scorer and the second best rebounder in the leauge. Alongside him, the Bullets have two great vets in Jalen Rose and Nick Anderson who can D up and score as well. The Bullets are one of the best offensive teams in the leauge and are also great rebounders and passers. Look for this team to remain the best team in the league if everyone stays healthy and if Wang continues having an MVP season.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 22-8
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 110.3 ppg
Defense: 101.2 ppg
The Milwaukee Bucks are back this year without Grant Hill, but with everyone healthy. This squad is showing Hill that he made a big mistake by going to Toronto to help the Raptors get through their contract year. Instead, he could be in Milwaukee right now contending for a ring. Oh well. The Bucks are a very strong team on both ends of the court: They have 3 guys scoring over 20 ppg who can all defend as well. They also have great rebounders in Dyess and Honey, which is crucial for a team looking to contend. This is a very balanced team that is going to go far in the playoffs.
3. Vancouver Grizzlies
Record: 26-9
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 104.1 ppg
Defense: 94.8 ppg
The Grizzlies have come in this season and really shown that they have developed as a team and are showing promise for the future. The young guys of this team are growing up well together and are playing good basketball along with the vets, Duncan and Rafer. The Grizzlies are not very impressive on offense. Duncan and Wade are both great scorers, and do much of the work on offense, but the rest of the starters are not. What they are, however, is great defenders. Vancouver has a suffocating defense that is the best in the league. This team has four shotblockers that combine for 8.2 bpg. Look for this team to contend because of their sick defense.
4. Orlando Magic
Record: 22-11
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 115.1 ppg
Defense: 110.4 ppg
The Magic sit at #4 in the Power Rankings strictly because of their offense. This team is the best in the league at offense and the 2nd worst on defense. They win, however, because their offense is so scorching that they will put up more points than the other team no matter what. Allan Houston is the foundation of their attack, shooting amazing percentages from the field and the 3-pt line, and he has Marshall and Wallace, two great shooting big men, backing him up. This team will be dangerous this post-season, but I don't think they can contend because of the other teams in the East that can really lock down on defense.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 21-11
Last 10: 5-5
Offense: 106.7 ppg
Defense: 96.8 ppg
The Lakers have made some deals this season to really put their team in contending form. They added Alonzo Mourning and Jermaine O'Neal to the team, who are both good scorers, amazing defenders, and great rebounders. These moves, combined with Lebron, Hamilton, and Billups makes this team scary. They play sick defense, which will only get better now with Alonzo, and they take good care of the ball on offense. I think that the Lakers could be a few spots higher on this list in a few sims because they are set to content this year, no question.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 22-12
Last 10: 5-5
Offense: 100.8 ppg
Defense: 98.3 ppg
This team shows you how having great players at the two most important positions can make your team successful. The Clippers have the amazing young Center Yao Ming and the young superstar Gilbert Arenas at point. Besides that, they have solid defenders and developing youngsters, and this team still sits at #3 in the West. They are winning close games however, so it is tough to say that they will continue to succeed with the team they have. I think that if Granger develops in the next few years, the Clippers can do some damage, bu for this year, they will not contend.
7. Houston Rockets
Record: 22-15
Last 10: 6-4
Offense: 107.2 ppg
Defense: 101.2 ppg
The Rockets are back again to compete this season, and even though they are not running away with the West just yet like they have recently, they are very good. The Rockets have a great backcourt and a very good 6th man, and their frontcourt is built for defense and rebounding stricly. I think the Rockets can do very well because of the great scoring threat they have in their backcourt, but I believe that they do need more defense to compete with some of the other teams in the league. I think that this team will go far in the playoffs, but I don't think they will reach the finals this year.
8. New York Knicks
Record: 22-16
Last 10: 5-5
Offense: 103.9 ppg
Defense: 99.1 ppg
The Knicks have a great backcourt, just like the Rockets. The difference is that this team can defend at all 5 starting positions, and that this team's frontcourt has a scoring threat in Amare, a developing PF for the Knicks. Adding Jason Kidd this year was a great move for Dan and for the Knicks organization. He is a good scorer at point, an excellend defender, and an amazing passer. Combined with Ginobili and Tmac's scoring from all over the court, the Knicks should climb these powr rankings in the next few sims and really establish that they are a top team in the league. Also, not enough can be said about Camby's effort at C this season: 12.4 rpg, 4.1 bpg.
9. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 18-13
Last 10: 8-2
Offense: 99.9 ppg
Defense: 95.3 ppg
Everyone thought the Hornets were going to do a lot more this season with the variety of moves they made during the offseason. They haven't really lived up to expectations, however, and they currently sit in the #5 spot in the East. The Hornets have 3 excellent players in Shaq, LJ, and the Mouse, but at PF and SG they have developing youngsters. The future looks bright in Charlotte but I don't think they are a team that is going to contend for a championship this season. With Shaq and LJ on board, two vets who know a thing or two about winning, expect the Hornets to make some noise in the post-season, but don't look for them to reach the finals in the East.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 21-15
Last 10: 8-2
Offense: 106.8 ppg
Defense: 104.6 ppg
The Wolves are a team with a very good PF in Shawn Marion. This guy can score from anywhere on the court, rebounds the ball extremely well for his size, and defends with the best of them. He can defend guys down low and out on the perimeter. Also, they have Redd, who is a very efficient player. Redd is a great scorer from outside and he only turns the ball over 0.4 times per game. Outside of these two guys though, they don't have a big threat on either end of the court. Telfair was a great surprise in Tc, but he isn't the 3rd option that will put this team over the top this year. Look out for these guys in the future.
11. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 22-15
Last 10: 6-4
Offense: 102.8 ppg
Defense: 99.7 ppg
Emeka Okafor must be much better than we expected. he sure is better than I expected, because he has somehow managed to help the Spurs maintain a winning record this late into the season. I'm not sure how this has happened, but it speaks volumes about how good this franchise's top player is. The Spurs will likely make the playoffs this season but i don't think they will be able to pull any upsets. They are, however, a young team loaded with a lot of young talent that is going to continue to improve.
12. Toronto Raptors
Record: 21-19
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 102.9 ppg
Defense: 101.8 ppg
Saga took a lot of heat at the start of the season because he did not immediately trade his youth away for superstars to help him win this contract year. Instead, he took it easy, gauged where his team was, and then made some moves. Well, the moves have paid off and it seems like the Raptors are going to make it through this year with 40 wins or a playoff spot. Their frontcourt of KG, Dirk, and Hill is outstanding and it should be fairly easy for them to help Saga keep his job. The Raptors could do some damage in the playoffs simply because of the amount of star power they have on their team, but they will not contend. Also, their future looks pretty tough because of what they had to move in order to get KG and Dirk.
13. Chicago Bulls
Record: 17-16
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 102.9 ppg
Defense: 100.9 ppg
Preira and the Bulls started the year off slowly, but this team has heated up slowly ever since. The Bulls aren't what they were a few years ago, but they do remain competitive simply because of Preira. This guy is still an amazing player at every position and at any task, whether it be scoring, defense, rebounding, or passing. I want to say that Preira can go insane and just will the Bulls through the playoffs and possibly all the way to the Eastern Conference finals, but I just don't see it happening against balanced teams like the Bucks and Bullets.
14. Denver Nuggets
Record: 19-18
Last 10: 7-3
Offense: 113.8 ppg
Defense: 111.1 ppg
Well here's the best offensive team in the league after the most recent sim, yet they are slotted in the #14 spot in UOSLR's power rankings. Why? Well, it seems that their defense is really holding them back. The Nuggets allow 111.1 ppg, which is good for the worst team in the league. I have a feeling that the Nuggets would be a bit better at scoring if Ridnour were back in the SL. This guy is truly playing like a poor man's Nash. Combined with the scoring effort from DeShaqn and Stack, Ridnour and the Nuggets could spell trouble for teams in the playoffs. However, I don't think they will be serious contenders this season, and I wouldn't expect to see them battling for the Western Conference championship.
15. Miami Heat
Record: 21-21
Last 10: 3-7
Offense: 104.4 ppg
Defense: 106.7 ppg
Kobe is a sick player at age 25. He isn't shooting very good percentages this season, but man does he have pretty ratings or what? He is the sole reason for the Heat being a playoff team in the tough Eastern Conference. This team doesn't have that much to look forward to this season though. Kobe alone won't be able to propel them to the top of the Eastern Conference, and I believe that they could be looking at a 1st round exit in this year's playoffs. They do, however, have some serious money to throw around this offseason to try and bring in some talent to help Kobe get back to the Championship.
16. Phoenix Suns
Record: 18-20
Last 10: 5-5
Offense: 106.8 ppg
Defense: 107.8 ppg
The Suns are about where we have come to expect them to be every season: Barely in the playoffs and without a go-to player. Everyone seems to be solid on that team, but there is certainly not enough talent on the Suns to make any noise in the playoffs. But hey, that's what everyone thought a few seasons back when the Suns made it far into the playoffs out of nowhere, so you never know. Curry is still growing as a young, scoring Center and Odom can still do it all, but without a star I don't see Jah's Suns going far this year.
