Post by sagapolutele50 on Mar 1, 2009 4:29:13 GMT -5
Well with the Playoffs underway, and everyone focusing on the playoff teams, I thought we would look at this seasons group of lotto teams so they would have something to talk about and rank them for the worst to the best. Ill just be analyzing where they are on the standings and few observationS from the season and possible paths.
13. Orlando Magic .
Record - 26 -56, 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Team MVP - Scottie Pippen - 37.0mins 22.8pts 6.8 rebs 4.8 assts 2.3 stls
Best Result -Magic 93 - Raptors 79 - Pippen 19 pts, 8 rebs, 6 assts, 6 stls.
Worst defeat - Timberwolves 111 - Magic 73 , Elliot Perry 24 pts, 12 assts, 6 brds, 5 stls
The worst of the worst this season are the Orlando Magic are heading to the lottery with the projected top pick in the draft and possibly Shaq or Alonzo. If Shaq declares and the top pick is theirs, the people in Orlando will be celebrating for the next 10 years. Orlando are in real need of power in the paint and with a dominant big man in the middle helping out Pippen and Williams they could definately make alot of noise in the East. They have some good young players in Owens, Otis Smith and Clifford Robinson who are still finding their feet in the UOSLR and arent ready to start just yet. The Magic led the league in stls at 11 a game but really struggled to find a consistant 2nd option behind Pippen.They are in need of a post presence and a shooting guard to help Pippen and Williams out, and hope gm Shaunkol will address those needs come this off season. All in all a promising draft and fa period coming up for this young franchise.
12. Denver Nuggets
Team Record 28-54, 3-7 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Vlade Divac - 32.9 mins 15.5 pts 9.8 rebs 3.6 assts 1.1 stls 1.2 blks
Best Result - Nuggets 120 - Twolves 87, Vlade 24 pts, 11 rebs, 4 assts , 2 blks, Team shot 57% from the field.
Worst Result - Heat 96 - Nuggets 61, Armen Gilliam 23 pts, 17 rebs, Team scores 6 pts in the 4th quarter!!
The Nuggets started off their season with a promising 6 - 4 sim but then the wheels started falling off. They are a young team and found it hard getting their offense going shooting an abysmal 43% from the field. They turned the ball over 15 times a game whilst giving up nearly 100pts a game and only scoring 91 of their own. They have a solid core of young players they can build around with Vlade Divac, Dennis Scott, Sherman Douglas and all league rookie Jimmy Jackson. If they are lucky enough to get ZO or Shaq, their future looks very bright along with the further development of their youngsters, the Nuggets could find themselves in the playoffs in a year or two, maybe even contending for Western Conference championship. Any team with Shaquille will make you scary, but with Divac as well, it makes the Nuggets situation much better.
11. Los Angeles Lakers
Record - 29 - 53 , 1-9 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Michael Adams - 39.9 mins 22.2 pts 4.1 rebs 9.9 assts 1.8 stls
Best Result - Lakers 95 - Nuggets 68 , Johnny Newman, 23 pts 11 rebs, 9-17 shooting, only 8 turnovers compared to Nuggets 16.
Worst Result - Bucks 101 - Lakers 60 , Eddie Johnson 17 pts, 12 rebs 3 stls, Lakers shot 19-72 at 26% and only one person in double digits.
The Lakers franchise have the projected 3 pick in the draft and a chance at moving up in the draft if the lotto gods are kind to them. The Lakers shot a league worst .437 from the field this season and were in the bottom 3rd of the league in the rest of the major categories. Michael Adams, Johnny Newman, Pervis Ellison and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf are the teams key components this season with Johnny Newman and Rauf both improving on their scoring averages from last season. Pervis has been solid if not spectacular. He is their only post threat so everyone knows who the ball is going to should Lakers go down low. If they can find another post player to compliment Ellison, the Lakers could improve on their 29-53 record next season. The Lakers have been actively trying to trade Newman and Adams but havent been successful and have decided to build around them rather than trade them away.
10. Phoenix Suns
Record - 29-53, 6-4 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Derrick Coleman - 33.6 mins 20.0 pts 10.6 rebs 3.3 assts 1.1 stls 1.4 blks
Best Result - Suns 105 - Sonics 72, Mookie Blaylock - 18 pts, 13 assts, 5 stls. Team shot 50% from the field and 15 stls
Worst Result - Rockets 122 - Suns - 90 , Kevin Johnson - 13 pts, 19 assts, 9 rebs, 2 stls, Rockets shoot 52% from field and out reb Suns 55-39
The Suns like every other team in the lottery hope their pick will jump to 1st and the chance at Shaq ( if he decides to declare). The Suns have 2 chances at gettingmoving up in the lottery and will be praying everyday for that to happen. They have a very talented roster that is pretty thin up front with only Derrick Coleman and Buck Williams ( current 6th man of the year) holding up the front court. If Causwell and Chillcut can improve on their current ratings they will look pretty dangerous but until then they will rely soley on DC down low. Hersey Hawkins, Stacey Augmon, Kendal Gill, Alvin Robertson and Mookie are an embarrassment in riches for the back court, with promising youngster Gill finding it hard to get meaningful minutes. They turned the ball over alot at 17 per game and could barely get 90 pts a game.Probable offseason outlook is to find a post player that can help Derrick Coleman down low, or find a SF to take on more of a scoring role.
9. Charlotte Hornets.
Record 31-51, 5-5 in their last 10
Team MVP - Larry Johnson 35.2 mins 22.8 pts 8.5 rebs 3.2 assts 1.2 stls
Best Result - Hornets 108 - Bulls - 84, Terry Cummings 33 pts , 5 assts, 6 rebs 2 stls. Team Shot 52%from the field, out rebounded Bulls 52 -44
Worst Result - 6ers 130 - Hornets 82, David Robinson 47 pts, 22 rebs, 9 assts. 6ers out reb Hornets 58-40 and shot the ball at 59%
The top pick in the 91 draft showed why he was taken at number 1. He took hold of the team from the out set and every knew that this was his team. They have struggled this season but with another top 5 pick and ( strange enough I think hes going to end up with Zo) some lotto love, they could be looking very strong next season. They have 5 1st round picks this season and 2 lotto, so this is the Hornets team making season!! Charlottes other rookie 1st teamer Darrell Armstrong had a solid rookie season also averaging 13 pts, 8 assts and 4 rebs showing alot of promise for the future. Outside of these two, there really wasnt much else to write home about for the hornets, but for the team to win 31 games, gives the fans something to look forward to!! If Gatling, Hill, Perkins, Iuzzilino have decent TCs, they could start, or provide great depth for whoever comes into the team this offseason.
8. Milwaulkee Bucks
Record - 35-47, 4-6 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Tim Hardaway - 37.5 mins 19.9 pts 4.7 rebs 8.5 assts 1.8 stls
Best Result - Bucks 101 Lakers 60 , Hardaway 22 pts, 9 assts, 3 rebs. Kept the Lakers to 26 % shooting
Worst Result - Bullets 109 Bucks 79, Olajuwon 25 pts, 17 brds, 3 blks. Bullets shot the ball at 53% and the Bucks turnovers were 27 for the game
Just like many of the teams in the bottom part of the league, the Bucks are in need of a post player that can free up some space for their outside players. The only players they have down low are James Donaldson and Anthony Cook, which to be honest is not anything to write home about. They do have some promising players at the 1,2 and 3 spots in Sean Elliot, Willie Anderson, Pedrag Danilovic and a few seasoned veterans such as Kersey and Eddie Johnson. Like the teams before them, the Bucks were only averaging 48 rebs a game and scoring 93 pts a game. With only 3 blocks a game, there are players averaging more than the Bucks whole team combined, opposing Cs and PFs are salivating at the idea of playing the Bucks. In a game vs the Raptors ( whose front court isnt the greatest) , the Bucks front court had a combined 37 pts 20 rebs 2 blks whilst the Raptors front court 48 pts 35 rebs and 5 blks.
7. Vancouver Grizzlies
Record - 35 -47, 5-5 in their last 10 games
Team MVP- Dominique Wilkins 38.6 min 24.3 pts 7.8 rebs 3.6 assts 1.7 stls
Best Result - Grizzlies 124 Rockets 90 , 46 pts, 6 rebs, 3 stls, 2 blks, Forced the Rockets into 26 TOs whilst committing a paltry 8 of their own
Worst Result - Rockets 106 Grizzlies 67, Vince Peters 14pts, 27 rebs, 4 assts, 2 stls. Outrebounded the Grizzlies 67 -34
The Grizzlies dont have their pick this year and it could hurt them should it end up being in the top 5 this year. On paper they have a solid team but its what happens on the hardwood that matters the most!! For this aging roster, time is running out and this season has ended up being a fruitless one. 21 - 19 at home could not offset their 14-28 road record and ended their chance of a playoff berth. Nique has been a star for the grizz and has had help from Big Dawg Carr, Mchale and Rickey Pierce this season. Doc Rivers and Isaiah Thomas have both been a lil disapointing given their ratings and experience. If you take a close look at this squad, none of the starting 5 are under 30 years, so father time will come knocking on their door pretty soon and its starting to show with only 3 players on this roster playing the full 82 gamesthis year ( Rickey Pierce the only starter to do so). Lets hope theses guys havent reached their expiry dates and that they still have a few good years ahead.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record - 35-47 , 4-6 in their last 10
Team MVP - Hu Weidong - 33.7 mins 19.1 pts 3.0 rebs 2.6 assts 1.1 stls
Best Result - Timberwolves 108 Trailblazers 79, Loy Vaught 20 pts, 13 rebs 3 blks. 51% shooting, Rebs 52-39
Worst Result - Raptors 125 TWolves 83, (Box scores not available)
The Twolves had a very decent season with their new additions in Rookies Hu Weidong, Elliot Perrym and Steve Smith who all had very productive rookie seasons. Many were wondering how Hu Weidong would adapt to the UOSLR and hes shown that its nothing he cant get used to. Hes a lights out shooter at 19 pts a game and 48% from the field. His SG Steve Smith has been just as accurate shooting 47% from the field and averaging 13 pts, 4 rebs and 3 assts per game. Perry rounds out the three stand out rookies with 12 pts, 6 assts and 3 rebs. Kevin Willis and yongster Randy White are their post players who if they get injured leave a big gap in their rotation. Again with the wolves, front court depth is a problem here and look to these guys strengthening their post situation this off season.
5.Dallas Mavericks
Record -37 45, 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Team MVP - Rolando Blackman 35.2 mins 20.0 pts 4.1 rebs 2.9 assts 1.2 stls
Best Result - Mavericks 122 Bulls 98, 28 pts, 9 rebs in 21 mins, 52% from the field and rebounding 52-39
Worst Result - Sonics 103 Mavs 63 ( no box scores available.)
Dallas comes in at 21 behind the play of their young stars Rick Fox, Rod Strickland and wiley veterans Rolando Blackman and Mark West. West is averaging a double double and 3 blocks a game whilst Rolando is showing his young upstarts how it should be done. The Mavs are in good hands with a very good PG in Strickland and a nice link in Rick Fox. A prob for the team this season has been health issues, only 2 players hav played all 82 games this season whilst the rest have been on and off the injured list. The Mavs could use their pick this offseason on an out and out scorer or a post player to help out Mark West and John Salley..
4. Miami Heat
Record - 40 42, 2-8 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Armen Gilliam 32.6 mins 22.7 pts 9.0 rebs 2.5 assts 1.0 stl
Best Result - Heat 96 Nuggets 61, Armen Gilliam 23 pts, 17 rebs, 3 assts. allowed only 26 made FGs, rebounding 57-48
Worst Result - Suns 102 - Heat 79, Mookie Blaylock 24 pts, 6 assts, 8 rebs, Suns sent to FT line 35 times compared to Heat 19.
Dan Majerle and Eric Murdoch ( all rookie 2nd team) are still playing strong and are looking like a nice duo for the future of the Heat. They also have a nice you PF combination in Loy Vaught and Armen Gilliam who have both played strong this season and will be competing for the starting job next season unless one of them can work on their game to either play SF or C which are positions the team need to bolster come the offseason. Harvey Grant has played well at SF but only played 49 games so he may not be in the teams future plans. They have two picks coming up in the draft, their own and one belonging to the Braves which could help with their depth for next season or bring in a nice SF or C..
3 Cleveland Cavaliers
Record - 40 42, 3-7 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Shawn Kemp 33.6 mins 21.2 pts 10.5 rebs 2.9 assts 1.2 stls 1.5 blks
Best Result - Cavs 106 Jazz 70, Shawn Kemp 32 pts, 13 rebs, 3 assts. Team Shoots 54% and holds the Jazz to 32%
Worst Result - Braves 109 - Cavs 72, Blair Rasmussen 22 pts, 13 rebs, 4 stls
The Cavs just missed out on the playoffs by 2 games. Their starting lineup is a very athletic one, led by all league def 2nd teamer Shawn Kemp, Nick Anderson, Rex Chapman and Kenny Anderson. If Anthony Mason and Jayson Williams develop this offseason, then they will have a young, solid nucleus to work before the season starts. They have the projected 11th pick in the draft and could go for a PF or a SF come draft time. Whichever direction they choose, it should improve their situation. Nick Anderson and Rex Chapman have had solid seasons and helped the Cavs improve from their 34-48 season last year. The Cavs def is very good and placed themselves in the top 3rd of the league in the main categories of points allowed, rebs, and steals.
2.Boston Celtics
Record 41-41, 3-7 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Larry Nance - 35.1 mins 17.7 pts 9.7 rebs 2.1 assts 1.3 stls 2.1 blks
Best Result - Celtics 118 - Nuggets 73, Larry Nance 24 pts, 18 rebs, 7 assts, 4 blks, 52% from the field and a 63 -44 reb edge
Worst result - Raptors 125 - Celtics 75, Jordan 24 pts, 10 assts , 9 rebs. Raps 54 % shooting and a 65-44 reb edge.
If these guys were in the Western Conference they would be in the playoffs, but due to the fact that they are in the East, they have to make due with 12th spot in the lottery and no pick. They are led by all league def team and all league 2nd team Larry Nance with support from all league 1st team Jeff Hornacek, Bernard King and Rony Seikaly manning the middle. They had a great shooting % at 45 % on the season and 10 stls a game but with the East being so competitive there was no chance that being .500 will get you into the playoffs. They have a solid core of players, and if TCs hit them in the right spots, you can bet your bottom dollar that they wont be in the lottery next season. However, the Celts bet a 1st round pick this season and lost. But out of the teams remaining , they are the 2nd best team not to make it to the playoffs.
1. Atlanta Hawks
Record - 41-41, 4-6 in their last 10
Team MVP - Karl Malone 35.8 mins 30.2pts 11.5 rebs 3.5 assts 1.5 stls 1.3 blks
Best Result - Hawks 94 Spurs 66, Ken Norman, 15 pts, 11 brds, 3 blks. 68 -54 reb edge
Worst Result - Raptors 127 - Hawks 94, Pooh Richardson , 22 pts, 15 assts ,6 rebs, 3 stls. shooting 53% and 32 -27 asst edge
The best team to not make the playoffs were the Atlanta Hawks. They were in the hunt all the way until the last sim until the Braves went on a 6-0 run in their last 10 days and the Hawks went 2-6 in that same stretch. All league 1st teamer Karl Malone leads this team with Ken Norman, Spud Webb , Scott Kiles and Rookie Dikembe Mutumbo in support. They started off with a hiss and a roar but then injuries derailed their season with Dikembe misssing out on half the season and Malone with Skiles missing in action also. Without Dikembe, it left a massive void in the middle and Polynice just wasnt as dominating as Dikembe was. They closed the season with an injury to Ken Norman and now have no pick and could possibly still see it move up the ladder. This offseason they will prob look at adding depth to their roster, so if this happens again, they will have the depth to deal with it, but for now, they are the best team to not make the playoffs.
cheers, thanks for reading !!!
SHAQ has declared he is staying in College for his snr year!! Disregard anything that has shaq in it
13. Orlando Magic .
Record - 26 -56, 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Team MVP - Scottie Pippen - 37.0mins 22.8pts 6.8 rebs 4.8 assts 2.3 stls
Best Result -Magic 93 - Raptors 79 - Pippen 19 pts, 8 rebs, 6 assts, 6 stls.
Worst defeat - Timberwolves 111 - Magic 73 , Elliot Perry 24 pts, 12 assts, 6 brds, 5 stls
The worst of the worst this season are the Orlando Magic are heading to the lottery with the projected top pick in the draft and possibly Shaq or Alonzo. If Shaq declares and the top pick is theirs, the people in Orlando will be celebrating for the next 10 years. Orlando are in real need of power in the paint and with a dominant big man in the middle helping out Pippen and Williams they could definately make alot of noise in the East. They have some good young players in Owens, Otis Smith and Clifford Robinson who are still finding their feet in the UOSLR and arent ready to start just yet. The Magic led the league in stls at 11 a game but really struggled to find a consistant 2nd option behind Pippen.They are in need of a post presence and a shooting guard to help Pippen and Williams out, and hope gm Shaunkol will address those needs come this off season. All in all a promising draft and fa period coming up for this young franchise.
12. Denver Nuggets
Team Record 28-54, 3-7 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Vlade Divac - 32.9 mins 15.5 pts 9.8 rebs 3.6 assts 1.1 stls 1.2 blks
Best Result - Nuggets 120 - Twolves 87, Vlade 24 pts, 11 rebs, 4 assts , 2 blks, Team shot 57% from the field.
Worst Result - Heat 96 - Nuggets 61, Armen Gilliam 23 pts, 17 rebs, Team scores 6 pts in the 4th quarter!!
The Nuggets started off their season with a promising 6 - 4 sim but then the wheels started falling off. They are a young team and found it hard getting their offense going shooting an abysmal 43% from the field. They turned the ball over 15 times a game whilst giving up nearly 100pts a game and only scoring 91 of their own. They have a solid core of young players they can build around with Vlade Divac, Dennis Scott, Sherman Douglas and all league rookie Jimmy Jackson. If they are lucky enough to get ZO or Shaq, their future looks very bright along with the further development of their youngsters, the Nuggets could find themselves in the playoffs in a year or two, maybe even contending for Western Conference championship. Any team with Shaquille will make you scary, but with Divac as well, it makes the Nuggets situation much better.
11. Los Angeles Lakers
Record - 29 - 53 , 1-9 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Michael Adams - 39.9 mins 22.2 pts 4.1 rebs 9.9 assts 1.8 stls
Best Result - Lakers 95 - Nuggets 68 , Johnny Newman, 23 pts 11 rebs, 9-17 shooting, only 8 turnovers compared to Nuggets 16.
Worst Result - Bucks 101 - Lakers 60 , Eddie Johnson 17 pts, 12 rebs 3 stls, Lakers shot 19-72 at 26% and only one person in double digits.
The Lakers franchise have the projected 3 pick in the draft and a chance at moving up in the draft if the lotto gods are kind to them. The Lakers shot a league worst .437 from the field this season and were in the bottom 3rd of the league in the rest of the major categories. Michael Adams, Johnny Newman, Pervis Ellison and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf are the teams key components this season with Johnny Newman and Rauf both improving on their scoring averages from last season. Pervis has been solid if not spectacular. He is their only post threat so everyone knows who the ball is going to should Lakers go down low. If they can find another post player to compliment Ellison, the Lakers could improve on their 29-53 record next season. The Lakers have been actively trying to trade Newman and Adams but havent been successful and have decided to build around them rather than trade them away.
10. Phoenix Suns
Record - 29-53, 6-4 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Derrick Coleman - 33.6 mins 20.0 pts 10.6 rebs 3.3 assts 1.1 stls 1.4 blks
Best Result - Suns 105 - Sonics 72, Mookie Blaylock - 18 pts, 13 assts, 5 stls. Team shot 50% from the field and 15 stls
Worst Result - Rockets 122 - Suns - 90 , Kevin Johnson - 13 pts, 19 assts, 9 rebs, 2 stls, Rockets shoot 52% from field and out reb Suns 55-39
The Suns like every other team in the lottery hope their pick will jump to 1st and the chance at Shaq ( if he decides to declare). The Suns have 2 chances at gettingmoving up in the lottery and will be praying everyday for that to happen. They have a very talented roster that is pretty thin up front with only Derrick Coleman and Buck Williams ( current 6th man of the year) holding up the front court. If Causwell and Chillcut can improve on their current ratings they will look pretty dangerous but until then they will rely soley on DC down low. Hersey Hawkins, Stacey Augmon, Kendal Gill, Alvin Robertson and Mookie are an embarrassment in riches for the back court, with promising youngster Gill finding it hard to get meaningful minutes. They turned the ball over alot at 17 per game and could barely get 90 pts a game.Probable offseason outlook is to find a post player that can help Derrick Coleman down low, or find a SF to take on more of a scoring role.
9. Charlotte Hornets.
Record 31-51, 5-5 in their last 10
Team MVP - Larry Johnson 35.2 mins 22.8 pts 8.5 rebs 3.2 assts 1.2 stls
Best Result - Hornets 108 - Bulls - 84, Terry Cummings 33 pts , 5 assts, 6 rebs 2 stls. Team Shot 52%from the field, out rebounded Bulls 52 -44
Worst Result - 6ers 130 - Hornets 82, David Robinson 47 pts, 22 rebs, 9 assts. 6ers out reb Hornets 58-40 and shot the ball at 59%
The top pick in the 91 draft showed why he was taken at number 1. He took hold of the team from the out set and every knew that this was his team. They have struggled this season but with another top 5 pick and ( strange enough I think hes going to end up with Zo) some lotto love, they could be looking very strong next season. They have 5 1st round picks this season and 2 lotto, so this is the Hornets team making season!! Charlottes other rookie 1st teamer Darrell Armstrong had a solid rookie season also averaging 13 pts, 8 assts and 4 rebs showing alot of promise for the future. Outside of these two, there really wasnt much else to write home about for the hornets, but for the team to win 31 games, gives the fans something to look forward to!! If Gatling, Hill, Perkins, Iuzzilino have decent TCs, they could start, or provide great depth for whoever comes into the team this offseason.
8. Milwaulkee Bucks
Record - 35-47, 4-6 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Tim Hardaway - 37.5 mins 19.9 pts 4.7 rebs 8.5 assts 1.8 stls
Best Result - Bucks 101 Lakers 60 , Hardaway 22 pts, 9 assts, 3 rebs. Kept the Lakers to 26 % shooting
Worst Result - Bullets 109 Bucks 79, Olajuwon 25 pts, 17 brds, 3 blks. Bullets shot the ball at 53% and the Bucks turnovers were 27 for the game
Just like many of the teams in the bottom part of the league, the Bucks are in need of a post player that can free up some space for their outside players. The only players they have down low are James Donaldson and Anthony Cook, which to be honest is not anything to write home about. They do have some promising players at the 1,2 and 3 spots in Sean Elliot, Willie Anderson, Pedrag Danilovic and a few seasoned veterans such as Kersey and Eddie Johnson. Like the teams before them, the Bucks were only averaging 48 rebs a game and scoring 93 pts a game. With only 3 blocks a game, there are players averaging more than the Bucks whole team combined, opposing Cs and PFs are salivating at the idea of playing the Bucks. In a game vs the Raptors ( whose front court isnt the greatest) , the Bucks front court had a combined 37 pts 20 rebs 2 blks whilst the Raptors front court 48 pts 35 rebs and 5 blks.
7. Vancouver Grizzlies
Record - 35 -47, 5-5 in their last 10 games
Team MVP- Dominique Wilkins 38.6 min 24.3 pts 7.8 rebs 3.6 assts 1.7 stls
Best Result - Grizzlies 124 Rockets 90 , 46 pts, 6 rebs, 3 stls, 2 blks, Forced the Rockets into 26 TOs whilst committing a paltry 8 of their own
Worst Result - Rockets 106 Grizzlies 67, Vince Peters 14pts, 27 rebs, 4 assts, 2 stls. Outrebounded the Grizzlies 67 -34
The Grizzlies dont have their pick this year and it could hurt them should it end up being in the top 5 this year. On paper they have a solid team but its what happens on the hardwood that matters the most!! For this aging roster, time is running out and this season has ended up being a fruitless one. 21 - 19 at home could not offset their 14-28 road record and ended their chance of a playoff berth. Nique has been a star for the grizz and has had help from Big Dawg Carr, Mchale and Rickey Pierce this season. Doc Rivers and Isaiah Thomas have both been a lil disapointing given their ratings and experience. If you take a close look at this squad, none of the starting 5 are under 30 years, so father time will come knocking on their door pretty soon and its starting to show with only 3 players on this roster playing the full 82 gamesthis year ( Rickey Pierce the only starter to do so). Lets hope theses guys havent reached their expiry dates and that they still have a few good years ahead.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record - 35-47 , 4-6 in their last 10
Team MVP - Hu Weidong - 33.7 mins 19.1 pts 3.0 rebs 2.6 assts 1.1 stls
Best Result - Timberwolves 108 Trailblazers 79, Loy Vaught 20 pts, 13 rebs 3 blks. 51% shooting, Rebs 52-39
Worst Result - Raptors 125 TWolves 83, (Box scores not available)
The Twolves had a very decent season with their new additions in Rookies Hu Weidong, Elliot Perrym and Steve Smith who all had very productive rookie seasons. Many were wondering how Hu Weidong would adapt to the UOSLR and hes shown that its nothing he cant get used to. Hes a lights out shooter at 19 pts a game and 48% from the field. His SG Steve Smith has been just as accurate shooting 47% from the field and averaging 13 pts, 4 rebs and 3 assts per game. Perry rounds out the three stand out rookies with 12 pts, 6 assts and 3 rebs. Kevin Willis and yongster Randy White are their post players who if they get injured leave a big gap in their rotation. Again with the wolves, front court depth is a problem here and look to these guys strengthening their post situation this off season.
5.Dallas Mavericks
Record -37 45, 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Team MVP - Rolando Blackman 35.2 mins 20.0 pts 4.1 rebs 2.9 assts 1.2 stls
Best Result - Mavericks 122 Bulls 98, 28 pts, 9 rebs in 21 mins, 52% from the field and rebounding 52-39
Worst Result - Sonics 103 Mavs 63 ( no box scores available.)
Dallas comes in at 21 behind the play of their young stars Rick Fox, Rod Strickland and wiley veterans Rolando Blackman and Mark West. West is averaging a double double and 3 blocks a game whilst Rolando is showing his young upstarts how it should be done. The Mavs are in good hands with a very good PG in Strickland and a nice link in Rick Fox. A prob for the team this season has been health issues, only 2 players hav played all 82 games this season whilst the rest have been on and off the injured list. The Mavs could use their pick this offseason on an out and out scorer or a post player to help out Mark West and John Salley..
4. Miami Heat
Record - 40 42, 2-8 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Armen Gilliam 32.6 mins 22.7 pts 9.0 rebs 2.5 assts 1.0 stl
Best Result - Heat 96 Nuggets 61, Armen Gilliam 23 pts, 17 rebs, 3 assts. allowed only 26 made FGs, rebounding 57-48
Worst Result - Suns 102 - Heat 79, Mookie Blaylock 24 pts, 6 assts, 8 rebs, Suns sent to FT line 35 times compared to Heat 19.
Dan Majerle and Eric Murdoch ( all rookie 2nd team) are still playing strong and are looking like a nice duo for the future of the Heat. They also have a nice you PF combination in Loy Vaught and Armen Gilliam who have both played strong this season and will be competing for the starting job next season unless one of them can work on their game to either play SF or C which are positions the team need to bolster come the offseason. Harvey Grant has played well at SF but only played 49 games so he may not be in the teams future plans. They have two picks coming up in the draft, their own and one belonging to the Braves which could help with their depth for next season or bring in a nice SF or C..
3 Cleveland Cavaliers
Record - 40 42, 3-7 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Shawn Kemp 33.6 mins 21.2 pts 10.5 rebs 2.9 assts 1.2 stls 1.5 blks
Best Result - Cavs 106 Jazz 70, Shawn Kemp 32 pts, 13 rebs, 3 assts. Team Shoots 54% and holds the Jazz to 32%
Worst Result - Braves 109 - Cavs 72, Blair Rasmussen 22 pts, 13 rebs, 4 stls
The Cavs just missed out on the playoffs by 2 games. Their starting lineup is a very athletic one, led by all league def 2nd teamer Shawn Kemp, Nick Anderson, Rex Chapman and Kenny Anderson. If Anthony Mason and Jayson Williams develop this offseason, then they will have a young, solid nucleus to work before the season starts. They have the projected 11th pick in the draft and could go for a PF or a SF come draft time. Whichever direction they choose, it should improve their situation. Nick Anderson and Rex Chapman have had solid seasons and helped the Cavs improve from their 34-48 season last year. The Cavs def is very good and placed themselves in the top 3rd of the league in the main categories of points allowed, rebs, and steals.
2.Boston Celtics
Record 41-41, 3-7 in their last 10 games
Team MVP - Larry Nance - 35.1 mins 17.7 pts 9.7 rebs 2.1 assts 1.3 stls 2.1 blks
Best Result - Celtics 118 - Nuggets 73, Larry Nance 24 pts, 18 rebs, 7 assts, 4 blks, 52% from the field and a 63 -44 reb edge
Worst result - Raptors 125 - Celtics 75, Jordan 24 pts, 10 assts , 9 rebs. Raps 54 % shooting and a 65-44 reb edge.
If these guys were in the Western Conference they would be in the playoffs, but due to the fact that they are in the East, they have to make due with 12th spot in the lottery and no pick. They are led by all league def team and all league 2nd team Larry Nance with support from all league 1st team Jeff Hornacek, Bernard King and Rony Seikaly manning the middle. They had a great shooting % at 45 % on the season and 10 stls a game but with the East being so competitive there was no chance that being .500 will get you into the playoffs. They have a solid core of players, and if TCs hit them in the right spots, you can bet your bottom dollar that they wont be in the lottery next season. However, the Celts bet a 1st round pick this season and lost. But out of the teams remaining , they are the 2nd best team not to make it to the playoffs.
1. Atlanta Hawks
Record - 41-41, 4-6 in their last 10
Team MVP - Karl Malone 35.8 mins 30.2pts 11.5 rebs 3.5 assts 1.5 stls 1.3 blks
Best Result - Hawks 94 Spurs 66, Ken Norman, 15 pts, 11 brds, 3 blks. 68 -54 reb edge
Worst Result - Raptors 127 - Hawks 94, Pooh Richardson , 22 pts, 15 assts ,6 rebs, 3 stls. shooting 53% and 32 -27 asst edge
The best team to not make the playoffs were the Atlanta Hawks. They were in the hunt all the way until the last sim until the Braves went on a 6-0 run in their last 10 days and the Hawks went 2-6 in that same stretch. All league 1st teamer Karl Malone leads this team with Ken Norman, Spud Webb , Scott Kiles and Rookie Dikembe Mutumbo in support. They started off with a hiss and a roar but then injuries derailed their season with Dikembe misssing out on half the season and Malone with Skiles missing in action also. Without Dikembe, it left a massive void in the middle and Polynice just wasnt as dominating as Dikembe was. They closed the season with an injury to Ken Norman and now have no pick and could possibly still see it move up the ladder. This offseason they will prob look at adding depth to their roster, so if this happens again, they will have the depth to deal with it, but for now, they are the best team to not make the playoffs.
cheers, thanks for reading !!!
SHAQ has declared he is staying in College for his snr year!! Disregard anything that has shaq in it
