Post by cjmjones008 on May 4, 2009 19:18:43 GMT -5
1. Los Angeles Lakers – 135 points
The Lakers received all nine 1st place votes in this polling. They looked to be unbeatable until lately. They are lead by the same core that has seen them be the title favorite for each of the past 4 or 5 seasons. This year is the first time they have been healthy in that span. The Lakers are going to be a tough out for anyone because of star PG Nathaniel Davidson. Add LaQuinton Ross, Michael Beasley, and Donatas Motiejunas and you can expect to see 120ppg+ a night. I would look for them to hold the top spot in the end of season power poll if no injuries occur.
2. Utah Jazz – 125 points
The Jazz received all of the second place votes but one (this vote going to the Raptors). They are lead by two man wrecking crew. DeJuan Blair has been the best PF in the league for at the past decade. Xavier Henry is having the best scoring season in BBS history. Daniel Orton has proven to be one of the best centers in the league if you only need a role player there. I have trouble seeing the Jazz winning a title, but they may be the leagues best team right now.
3. Las Vegas Rebels- 105 points
The Rebels are poised to be a top team for a very long time with Tavon Whitehorse and Marcus Bigelow. Both are among the top players in each of their positions. Add those two with the best player BBS has ever seen, Derrick Rose, and this team can definitely go places come playoff time. I think the Rebels need to add an upgrade at wing or center by using James Andreson’s large expiring with some picks. Delvon Roe would be a great fit if they can get him.
4. Milwaukee Bucks- 103 points
The Bucks barely come off as the best team in the East in this power poll. They are a team with no true superstars. Austin Brock is the complete package. Slyvester Rollins could be the leagues next great PG. The Bucks are the deepest team league, but it is going to come down to if a team without a true stud can win the title this year. Nevertheless, the future is bright in Milwaukee.
5. Toronto Raptors- 99 points
The defending champs lost Tyler Hansborough to retirement. However, they still look to be very much a title threat again this year. When I look at their roster, I honestly have no idea how this team won last year or can again, but it is obviously possible. I think most teams in the East aren’t taking them seriously. They should continue to get better over the next few seasons, but I don’t consider their talent level the same as a few of the other teams in the league.
6. Philadelphia 76ers- 94 points
The 76ers have some great talent, but have recently been hit with some bad injuries. This is a team that will fall in the end of season power poll and the standings but will be a tough out come playoff time. Salvatore Moretti is likely the leagues second best PG. Corey Highlander and Brody Masterson are great compliments. Azuolas Kanauskas keeps getting better and is going to be tough to score. I think he has the making of a 35ppg+ season in the next few years. The 76ers are here to stay for a while; the injuries this season are going to be tough to overcome. No one is going to want to face this team come playoff time.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- 75 points
Duck Young-Bak keeps getting better. He is the next Kevin Durant of BBS. Andrew Bynum and the recently acquired Dwight Howard are easily past their prime, but they are still a top 5 frontcourt in the league. This is definitely a team that will go up between now and the end of the season. I don’t think they have what it takes to beat the Lakers at this point.
8. New Jersey Nets- 71 points
The Nets were possibly the preseason favorite to win the title. They have had a couple of injuries to key starters. The injuries have not been significant enough for them to fall this far. I’m not sure if things just aren’t working or if the competition has caught up to them, but it is safe to say the Nets are not the favorite to win the East for the first time in a few years.
9. New York Knicks- 60 points
This team would have threatened the Nets for eighth overall if they weren’t left off one ballot. The Knicks have 3 of the 10 best players in the league, but haven’t had the amount of success you would expect with that many superstars. Anytime you have a PG like Austin Rivers there is a chance for a deep playoff run. The Knicks still don’t have a great amount of depth, which will be their downfall. I doubt Outlawz is done dealing so by the time the season is over they could easily be the favorite in the East.
10. Washington Wizards- 47 points
It was safe to say that the previous nine teams were by far the tops in the league. Any one of them could make a move to send themselves up or down the board. I don’t think the Wizards are in the same league as any of the previous teams. They are the best of the rest which is why they ended up with this many votes. Jah has done a good time at reviving his team in his contract year. I’m not sure they will ever be a real threat in the playoffs with this current roster, but it is good to see things back on track in Washington.
11. Houston Rockets- 46 points
12. Cleveland Cavaliers- 36 points
13. Memphis Grizzlies- 33 points
14. Phoenix Suns- 18 points
15. New Orleans Hornets – 12 points
Others Receiving Votes:
Golden State Warriors (10), Boston Celtics (2)
Thanks to those who voted:
DJ, greg, nanz, jah, scott, ashes, cc, nova, and myself
The Lakers received all nine 1st place votes in this polling. They looked to be unbeatable until lately. They are lead by the same core that has seen them be the title favorite for each of the past 4 or 5 seasons. This year is the first time they have been healthy in that span. The Lakers are going to be a tough out for anyone because of star PG Nathaniel Davidson. Add LaQuinton Ross, Michael Beasley, and Donatas Motiejunas and you can expect to see 120ppg+ a night. I would look for them to hold the top spot in the end of season power poll if no injuries occur.
2. Utah Jazz – 125 points
The Jazz received all of the second place votes but one (this vote going to the Raptors). They are lead by two man wrecking crew. DeJuan Blair has been the best PF in the league for at the past decade. Xavier Henry is having the best scoring season in BBS history. Daniel Orton has proven to be one of the best centers in the league if you only need a role player there. I have trouble seeing the Jazz winning a title, but they may be the leagues best team right now.
3. Las Vegas Rebels- 105 points
The Rebels are poised to be a top team for a very long time with Tavon Whitehorse and Marcus Bigelow. Both are among the top players in each of their positions. Add those two with the best player BBS has ever seen, Derrick Rose, and this team can definitely go places come playoff time. I think the Rebels need to add an upgrade at wing or center by using James Andreson’s large expiring with some picks. Delvon Roe would be a great fit if they can get him.
4. Milwaukee Bucks- 103 points
The Bucks barely come off as the best team in the East in this power poll. They are a team with no true superstars. Austin Brock is the complete package. Slyvester Rollins could be the leagues next great PG. The Bucks are the deepest team league, but it is going to come down to if a team without a true stud can win the title this year. Nevertheless, the future is bright in Milwaukee.
5. Toronto Raptors- 99 points
The defending champs lost Tyler Hansborough to retirement. However, they still look to be very much a title threat again this year. When I look at their roster, I honestly have no idea how this team won last year or can again, but it is obviously possible. I think most teams in the East aren’t taking them seriously. They should continue to get better over the next few seasons, but I don’t consider their talent level the same as a few of the other teams in the league.
6. Philadelphia 76ers- 94 points
The 76ers have some great talent, but have recently been hit with some bad injuries. This is a team that will fall in the end of season power poll and the standings but will be a tough out come playoff time. Salvatore Moretti is likely the leagues second best PG. Corey Highlander and Brody Masterson are great compliments. Azuolas Kanauskas keeps getting better and is going to be tough to score. I think he has the making of a 35ppg+ season in the next few years. The 76ers are here to stay for a while; the injuries this season are going to be tough to overcome. No one is going to want to face this team come playoff time.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- 75 points
Duck Young-Bak keeps getting better. He is the next Kevin Durant of BBS. Andrew Bynum and the recently acquired Dwight Howard are easily past their prime, but they are still a top 5 frontcourt in the league. This is definitely a team that will go up between now and the end of the season. I don’t think they have what it takes to beat the Lakers at this point.
8. New Jersey Nets- 71 points
The Nets were possibly the preseason favorite to win the title. They have had a couple of injuries to key starters. The injuries have not been significant enough for them to fall this far. I’m not sure if things just aren’t working or if the competition has caught up to them, but it is safe to say the Nets are not the favorite to win the East for the first time in a few years.
9. New York Knicks- 60 points
This team would have threatened the Nets for eighth overall if they weren’t left off one ballot. The Knicks have 3 of the 10 best players in the league, but haven’t had the amount of success you would expect with that many superstars. Anytime you have a PG like Austin Rivers there is a chance for a deep playoff run. The Knicks still don’t have a great amount of depth, which will be their downfall. I doubt Outlawz is done dealing so by the time the season is over they could easily be the favorite in the East.
10. Washington Wizards- 47 points
It was safe to say that the previous nine teams were by far the tops in the league. Any one of them could make a move to send themselves up or down the board. I don’t think the Wizards are in the same league as any of the previous teams. They are the best of the rest which is why they ended up with this many votes. Jah has done a good time at reviving his team in his contract year. I’m not sure they will ever be a real threat in the playoffs with this current roster, but it is good to see things back on track in Washington.
11. Houston Rockets- 46 points
12. Cleveland Cavaliers- 36 points
13. Memphis Grizzlies- 33 points
14. Phoenix Suns- 18 points
15. New Orleans Hornets – 12 points
Others Receiving Votes:
Golden State Warriors (10), Boston Celtics (2)
Thanks to those who voted:
DJ, greg, nanz, jah, scott, ashes, cc, nova, and myself
