Post by jediskywalker on May 14, 2010 14:06:05 GMT -5
1. Indiana Pacers (41-9) - L10 (9-1)
It's hard not to like this team. They have a well balanced offense with 4 starters all capable of lighting up the box scores and a DPOY candidate in Darko Milicic holding down the low-post. They're beating opponents by a bit less than 14 PPG and their recent acquisition of Zbo/Joel could possibly solidify their championship aspirations. Although Darko is out for 2 full sims, their transaction will probably allow them to continue to stay competitive and a very well-rounded cast for their playoff run. You could make a very good case for Redd as the MVP but I think a player on the Grizzlies deserves that... for now.
2. Vancouver Grizzlies (35-11) - L10 (8-2)
In reality, the Grizzlies have three candidates all valid for MVP considerations. Duncan is playing like an absolute beast and is still a top 5 big man. Preira is arguably the best all-around PG still in the league. But the real/true MVP of this team is Dwyane Wade. He's averaging 30 PPG for the first time in his career, whether he can keep this up is still in question since history tells us he hasn't been able to, I think this is his year. 30/6/6/3 is probably the best stat line in the league. The Grizz may have a better winning margin than the Pacers, but I feel the Pacers have a better well-rounded team. Records have nothing to do with this decision.
3. Chicago Bulls (33-16) - L10 (6-4)
Best front court in the league - check. Great distributing PG - check. A solid 2/3 option - check. Although his scoring numbers have have dropped, DSS continues to be the heart of this team. Yes, I argue this cause he's able to distribute to his teammates at such a high rate. Without him, you won't be able to see this well balanced offense that exists in Chicago. It's really hard not to put the defending champs at #1 when they play at such a high level but the Grizzlies/Pacers have been performing at a much higher rate than the Bulls. As long as this team is healthy and DSS is looking for his teammates, the Bulls remain in the hunt to repeat.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-18) - L10 (7-3)
Their record may not show their dominancy but I just cannot leave this team outside the top 5. They have a strong starting 5 rotation and most importantly, a go-to player. SJax's production has dropped compared to last season but he's still looking for his teammates. The main question here is why Okafor is playing the PF and not the C. The frontrunner of the DPOY award (14.9 RPG and 3.9 BPG both lead the league) has better size than Chris Bosh. It's just weird that Styro has chose to play this way, I haven't checked their earlier boxscores so it might be the reason as to why Okafor is playing so well, but it's just a bit weird.
5. Golden State Warriors (33-15) - L10 (9-1)
The addition of Nazr Mohammed has made this team a true contender but most importantly, they added a solid well-rounded PG in the mix. Although we've seen the Billups-LBJ combo fail time and time again in LA, there is always a chance for something special when you have LBJ as the leader of the team. As of late, the Ws have been playing solid basketball. Their only weakness at the moment is at the C, I think if the Ws are seriously interested in contending, an upgrade must be acquired.
6. Los Angeles Clippers (36-16) - L10 (6-4)
This is when things get a bit blurred. It's hard to judge this team because they don't have that "go-to" player. Arenas and AI makes up one of the best back-court combos in the league and they have a decent front court that will get the job done. But is it enough for a 'ship? They definitely need that 3rd option on the offensive end (I wouldn't consider much of a 3rd option when he's shooting 40.7% from the field)
7. Portland Trailblazers (31-19) - L10 (4-6)
CC has done an AMAZING job with the Blazers. In just one season, the team that was pretty much a dump, is now in contention for a playoff run. This team is going to cause a lot of match-up problems for opposing teams because of Dirk's ability to pull opposing big men to the perimeter. This along side Tony Parker's ability to drive and collapse offenses just makes this team a very dangerous opponent in the playoffs. They may not be playing their best basketball as of late, but there's no question that this isn't a team opposing teams do not want to face in the playoffs.
8. Los Angeles Lakers (29-20) - L10 (4-6)
They've got a pair of great offensive backcourt players mixed in with two solid front court players... what more do you want? DH is a perfect compliment to Sean Williams with his ability to grab reboards like a mother fucker. Honeycutt starting also helps that cause but come playoff time, do they really want to start a player with C C offensive ratings? I'm just not sure that's going to help their cause.
9. Philadelphia 76ers (31-20) - L10 (8-2)
I kept trying and trying to bump this team past the top 10 but just couldn't. A team that only beats opponents by a mere margin of 2 PPG is just laughable... I mean, I've never seen a team that could win so many games at such a low margin. They've obviously found a DC that works for them and props to tmac. I think the 76ers will be a team that loses in the first two rounds.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (28-25) - L10 (6-4)
Adding the best offensive big man definitely puts you over the top. The Wolves also got 3 other 20 PPG scorers which makes this team very dangerous. It's safe to say he's made his CY but he's also trying to make sure giving up his youth wasn't a bad thing. They need a C to be a true competitor but Amare alone allows them to steal a few games in a playoff series...
11. Miami Heat (23-27) - L10 (7-3)
I like what the Heat did with their acquisition of Chandler, Artest and co. I know, it's crazy to put the #8 Eastern team (East blows dicks) as a borderline top 10 team but I felt the Heat are a threat/going to continue to be a threat down the stretch. Once the GM finds a working DC, this is going to be a tough team to beat.
12. Orlando Magic (25-24) - L10 (7-3)
The addition of Igoudala and Chris Paul in the backcourt makes this team pretty good. I feel Smith should be playing the PF, since I've never actually seen a team win with a interior SF when the rest of his front court isn't very good. The acquisitions make this team a playoff team, but not a contender.
13. Dallas Mavericks (24-19) - L10 (7-3)
This team just isn't very good, but I guess the overall competition of the league makes this 3-man (and a half, Udoh hasn't been very impressive) team a playoff team. Mavs are just happy they aren't giving a team a lotto first and have two huge contracts coming off the books in the off-season.
14. Washington Bullets (28-20) - L10 (6-4)
No clue as to how this team continues to win. They've pretty much gutted this entire roster and it's not even worth talking about at this point. This team will probably drop to the 20s in a few sims once teams begin figuring out their DCs. I really like the Pistons to make a jump. The East is just so bad right now that the Bullets are a #5 seeded team.
15. Phoenix Suns (26-23) - L10 (5-5)
If the Suns GM actually did something, this team could shape up to be a pretty decent looking team. I don't even know who the GM is at the moment and it seems like he's fine with mediocrity.
16. Charlotte Hornets (23-26) - L10 (3-7)
Nothing to really talk about on this team outside of Millsap but we already know he's a beast. OJ Mayo proves to be a bust and Turner continues to do his thing. If the Hornets need to do something to make sure they renew their CY while they can.
17. Houston Rockets (19-25) - L10 (7-3)
KD is just a beast and if they added actual talent to the squad instead of sitting there and doing nothing, this team would look fairly decent. Outside of KD, there's nothing special.
18. Boston Celtics (19-23) - L10 (2-8)
Dumping VC is going to help their tanking process. I'd swap the Pistons and Cs very soon once the Pistons figure out a DC. Derrick Rose is not looking so good right now and the Cs need to do something about it.
19. San Antonio Spurs (24-28) - L10 (5-5)
How in the world this team manages to continue to win games is fucking crazy. They're not amazing on the offensive end and don't have the best defensive players yet they manage to stay in games and pull out upsets day in and day out. Play needs to pass on the magic to the Nuggets, seriously.
20. Detroit Pistons (17-30) - L10 (3-7)
I really like the addition of VC on the squad and this will give them 3 20 PPG threats. Once the Pistons figure out a DC, I wouldn't be surprised if they made a run for the last 2 playoff spots in the East. They've got the talent to be fairly competitive.
21. Denver Nuggets (16-30) - L10 (5-5)
You'd think adding Roy, Brand, Wall, and Johnson to the mix would make this team a much better team than last year but thinks just are not clicking. They have the talent to be a borderline playoff team, but even if they were in the East right now, they just aren't cutting it. Seems like the FBB God's want to give a team a lotto pick when they shouldn't have one.
22. Utah Jazz (17-27) - L10 (4-6)
Adding Brezec and T-Mac was going to put this team over the top but like the Nuggets, they're struggling to keep things together. Alston should be playing PG and Law should be playing SG, just my opinion.
23. Seattle Supersonics (17-35) - L10 (5-5)
Sonics actually have a decent team. The moves Chipper has made make absolutely no sense and he continues to hold onto Butler thinking he's going to get an ultra-stud or something. Sullinger is getting 22 MPG... which is ridiculous and he traded futures for no apparent reason.
24. New York Knicks (19-25) - L10 (5-5)
Trading away Zbo and Joel will only make this team worse. Not sure why the fuck he started Sasha at PG over Teague. It's amazing how this team has won 19 games to tell you the truth...
25. Atlanta Hawks (15-27) - L10 (3-7)
Azubuike is another player who can win a few games on his own. They finally made room for Jennings to start so I guess that's a step to the right direction. Once they move/if they move Azu, I think they could make a run for the #2 (I don't think anyone's catching up to the Nets)
26. Milwaukee Bucks (16-32) - L10 (3-7)
The Bucks will probably have back-to-back unexpected ROYs. Terrence Williams proving he's the real deal Vasquez is a huge steal at the #20 spot. Guess that makes up for Beasley busting.
27. Sacramento Kings (16-35) - L10 (1-9)
As long as they have Wagner, they're in contention to win a few games here and there. Russell Westbrook looks nice and they have 2 lottos. I guess this means Rubio won't be coming to California anytime soon.
28. Toronto Raptors (15-32) - L10 (1-9)
Shitty looking roster that looks to be in the dump for a long time. Nothing to really talk about outside of Curry's A+ outside shot. Looks like they traded Kobe for Curry and Hayward or something. Too lazy to look and probably not worth looking at.
29. New Jersey Nets (8-34) - L10 (2-8)
Joel Montross leads this team in scoring, who? Yeah... trading Amare does that to a team. They've got a nice future core of Henry/Aldrich/Favors. I'm surprised they haven't moved Favors to PF so they can start both their promising bigs.
