Post by Skillz on Nov 5, 2009 22:00:17 GMT -5
This years BBS standings are some of the most muddled standings you’ll see, with a lot of average teams and very few (if any) true dominant teams. Let’s try to sort this out.
# 1—Boston Celtics (20-8)
You have to go with Boston here. They are defending champions and despite a somewhat slow start, they are atop of the eastern conference again. Led by stud big man Kareem Abdul Jabar and slick shooter Pete Maravich, the Celtics should be good for a long time if they can plug in the holes of aging veterans Ousmane Sembene and Cameron Carter.
# 2—Portland Traiblazers (16-8)
After Boston, this can go in a number of ways. Personally, I think the Blazers mix of offense and defense gives them the nod at # 2. Despite an aging cast, Portland still defends and rebounds the ball well, which is all they need to do with Pearson and Maximov at the helm.
# 3—Cleveland Cavaliers (14-3)
Odd choice at # 3 here, but there really aren’t many good teams. The Cavs play exceptional defense and have an unheralded star in Walt Frazier to go along with the steady Percy Jackson.
# 4—Utah Jazz (17-7)
Pretty amazing. I really don’t know how they are this good but Nate Archibald is just insane. There +/- suggests that they will start to slow down, but for now, they deserve some props. Tiny and Haywood is quite a combo.
# 5---Washington Wizards (7-8)
Maybe I’m overrating them but I refuse to believe the Wizards are this bad. Barry and Barnett are a sick combo and I’m sure JAH will address their front court issues.
# 6—Phoenix Suns (14-8)
A team built very well for the playoffs. Two studs in Oscar and Mcmillan and good defense to go along with them
# 7—New Jersey Nets (9-12)
It says something about the parody in the league when your 7th ranked team is 9-12. The Nets got off to a slow start but have the pieces to be a 50 win team. They have a great outside trio and good defensive big men to sure things up.
# 8—Milwaukee Bucks (13-4)
On paper, the Bucks look like a tanking team. However, they have found the right mix of talent apparently and are winning at an astounding rate. Gar Heard looks cool.
# 9—Toronto Raptors (15-7)
A team with solid talent that doesn’t really have an identity. They block a lot of shots but give up a lot of points. The Raptors are fringe contenders who could potentially make a solid run in the playoffs.
# 10—Indiana Pacers (13-8)
The Pacers have a solid mix of talent but I liked them a lot more last year before Meyer declined in TC. They have the potential to be a top 5 team but their defense is really lacking at this point.
# 11—Orlando Magic (10-9)
The Magic are back to their old run-n-gun stlyle of play. They brought in Nate Thurmond who should be a huge addition. Right now their defense is poor, but they have an A+/A defending frontcourt to go along with scorers in the backcourt. We could see them rise in the rankings soon.
# 12—Memphis Grizzlies (11-10)
With so many teams in the West tanking, the Grizzlies have a chance to make some noise despite having a number of deficiencies. They’ve averaged 129 ppg since their trading spree, and have recently acquired the Derek Jeter of BBS in Devereux St. Cloud. Possible overachievers.
# 13—New York Knicks (7-11)
The Knicks started off slowly this year, but they’ve just made two huge acquisitions in DeSean Foster and Jerry West . If they get the right DC going and make a couple of more deals, Outlawz will not only be out of his contract year, but may have a top 5 team.
# 14—Atlanta Hawks (11-11)
The Hawks are talented but have two problems. Problem number one: the curse of Terrell Morrison. Losses just follow this talented cancer. Problem number two: A gm who referred to his team as “the best in the league on paper.” No sir.
# 15—SanAntonio Spurs (10-10)
Yea, so I kinda forgot about the Spurs here. They are stacked and will probably rise up the ranks soon. They do need some depth though.
Definitely a confusing state of the league. Here are my predictions for end of season rankings:
1. Boston Celtics
2. Portland Trailblazers
3. Washington Wizards
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Orlando Magic
7. New York Knicks
8. SanAntonio Spurs
9. New Jersey Nets
10. Indiana Pacers
11. Toronto Raptors
12. Memphis Grizzlies
13. Utah Jazz
14. Atlanta Hawks
15. Milwaukee Bucks
# 1—Boston Celtics (20-8)
You have to go with Boston here. They are defending champions and despite a somewhat slow start, they are atop of the eastern conference again. Led by stud big man Kareem Abdul Jabar and slick shooter Pete Maravich, the Celtics should be good for a long time if they can plug in the holes of aging veterans Ousmane Sembene and Cameron Carter.
# 2—Portland Traiblazers (16-8)
After Boston, this can go in a number of ways. Personally, I think the Blazers mix of offense and defense gives them the nod at # 2. Despite an aging cast, Portland still defends and rebounds the ball well, which is all they need to do with Pearson and Maximov at the helm.
# 3—Cleveland Cavaliers (14-3)
Odd choice at # 3 here, but there really aren’t many good teams. The Cavs play exceptional defense and have an unheralded star in Walt Frazier to go along with the steady Percy Jackson.
# 4—Utah Jazz (17-7)
Pretty amazing. I really don’t know how they are this good but Nate Archibald is just insane. There +/- suggests that they will start to slow down, but for now, they deserve some props. Tiny and Haywood is quite a combo.
# 5---Washington Wizards (7-8)
Maybe I’m overrating them but I refuse to believe the Wizards are this bad. Barry and Barnett are a sick combo and I’m sure JAH will address their front court issues.
# 6—Phoenix Suns (14-8)
A team built very well for the playoffs. Two studs in Oscar and Mcmillan and good defense to go along with them
# 7—New Jersey Nets (9-12)
It says something about the parody in the league when your 7th ranked team is 9-12. The Nets got off to a slow start but have the pieces to be a 50 win team. They have a great outside trio and good defensive big men to sure things up.
# 8—Milwaukee Bucks (13-4)
On paper, the Bucks look like a tanking team. However, they have found the right mix of talent apparently and are winning at an astounding rate. Gar Heard looks cool.
# 9—Toronto Raptors (15-7)
A team with solid talent that doesn’t really have an identity. They block a lot of shots but give up a lot of points. The Raptors are fringe contenders who could potentially make a solid run in the playoffs.
# 10—Indiana Pacers (13-8)
The Pacers have a solid mix of talent but I liked them a lot more last year before Meyer declined in TC. They have the potential to be a top 5 team but their defense is really lacking at this point.
# 11—Orlando Magic (10-9)
The Magic are back to their old run-n-gun stlyle of play. They brought in Nate Thurmond who should be a huge addition. Right now their defense is poor, but they have an A+/A defending frontcourt to go along with scorers in the backcourt. We could see them rise in the rankings soon.
# 12—Memphis Grizzlies (11-10)
With so many teams in the West tanking, the Grizzlies have a chance to make some noise despite having a number of deficiencies. They’ve averaged 129 ppg since their trading spree, and have recently acquired the Derek Jeter of BBS in Devereux St. Cloud. Possible overachievers.
# 13—New York Knicks (7-11)
The Knicks started off slowly this year, but they’ve just made two huge acquisitions in DeSean Foster and Jerry West . If they get the right DC going and make a couple of more deals, Outlawz will not only be out of his contract year, but may have a top 5 team.
# 14—Atlanta Hawks (11-11)
The Hawks are talented but have two problems. Problem number one: the curse of Terrell Morrison. Losses just follow this talented cancer. Problem number two: A gm who referred to his team as “the best in the league on paper.” No sir.
# 15—SanAntonio Spurs (10-10)
Yea, so I kinda forgot about the Spurs here. They are stacked and will probably rise up the ranks soon. They do need some depth though.
Definitely a confusing state of the league. Here are my predictions for end of season rankings:
1. Boston Celtics
2. Portland Trailblazers
3. Washington Wizards
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Orlando Magic
7. New York Knicks
8. SanAntonio Spurs
9. New Jersey Nets
10. Indiana Pacers
11. Toronto Raptors
12. Memphis Grizzlies
13. Utah Jazz
14. Atlanta Hawks
15. Milwaukee Bucks
