Post by Funky George! on Nov 8, 2009 12:26:56 GMT -5
The Knicks are crushing any notion that they might not survive the Contract Year after acquiring three star talents in a three-day span. They are now 20-6 after starting the season 5-10, and the only question now is whether they're the best team in BBS.
It remains to be seen if they can get by the defending champion-Celtics, who, after a shaky start, are now a league best 38-15. Their 53 games played are far more than practically every team in BBS, so they can expect to get a lot of rest the second half of the season. The stats are kind of a mixed bag in Boston. They are ridiculously good on the glass, they have a lot of steals and blocks, and their offense is prolific, but their defense has been mediocre, and they've turned the ball over 14 times per game. Something may have to improve if the Celts want to defend their crown...
The Magic have struggled all season, but upset the Celtics on the road last sim. This team has played a league-low 18 home games, and fans are expecting them to pick up the play in the season's second half. Recent addition Nate Thurmond has made clear he is the best player on this team, and has really changed the way Orlando defends for the better. However, the Magic have not found a top option scorer, and we're midway through the season...
One team that has no problem finding a go-to guy is the Wizards. After a slow start, this team has surged back toward the top of the Eastern Conference. The Wizards have won 20 of 25 in unstoppable fashion. They're scoring a ridiculous 121 points a night, and their big men are playing better than expected. They lack shotblocking, but as a unit, they're as dangerous any in BBS right now.
One team many thought would be dangerous was the Nets. But they've really failed to meet expectations after acquiring two very good big men in the offseason. Their trade for Oscar Wright has backfired, as he has disappointed yet another franchise. This guy shows all the promise of a superstar, and never performs like he should. Also underperforming: everyone on the Nets, really. Ron Boone and Charles Beasley have taken steps backwards this year, production-wise, and their big men are blocking shots and rebounding, but shooting very poorly from the field.
Rounding out the Atlantic Division, the Sixers have gotten stellar play from Julius Erving, but are in rebuilding mode; and the Heat are tanking. Bob Lanier looks very solid, and they have some promising youth, but I think this team is better off trying to get youth and picks for Lansing.
Over in the Central, the Cavs continue to dominate their division rivals, with just four losses within the division. However, they have hit a bit of a rough patch recently, going 10-6 after an 18-4 start. They hold onto the best winning percentage in BBS. They have had a very easy schedule, and haven't fared that well against their harder opponents, but make no mistake, the Cavs are for real. This is a great defensive team that has a top playmaking point guard and a dominant perimeter scorer.
The top challenger within the Central is the Raptors, who have a shocking disparity between their home and road records. A ridiculous 25-2 at home, the Raptors have stumbled to a 7-14 road record. Their second half schedule entails 20 road games to just 14 home games, so we'll see if the Raptors are the real deal in the coming days. The Raptors block a lot of shots and score a lot of points, but Darius Hamilton turns the ball over a lot at PG, and they don't have many scorers off the bench. It should be noted that the Raptors are 2-1 against the Celtics and Cavs in three road games.
The Pacers can score with anyone, and that's really all there is to say about this team. They mostly win by outscoring their opponents, not by buckling down and playing defense. They feature one great shotblocker and one great ball theft, but give up 112 points a night, and don't scare many people. They've also played 25 of 45 games at home.
Another forgettable foe is the Hawks. They rebound very poorly and defend worse. They have a very talented trio on the perimeter, but are certainly not dominant there, and are very thin on true big men. Brody Masterson has been solid, but not worth his contract, and Dick Cunningham has not gotten a chance to improve this team's defense with his shotblocking. Morrison isn't a good enough rebound to play the 4, and Van Arsdale isn't a good enough player to start.
Jordan is getting what he wants with his Bucks: losses. After a 15-5 start, this team has gone 8-14, and are fast falling from playoff contention. Second year big man Sidney Wicks is a great scorer, and Warren Jabali continues to impress. But this team turns the ball over, defends poorly, and doesn't block shots - a perfect recipe for losses.
The Hornets look something like an abandoned ship. It seems this team will never land an active GM, and they've again fizzled into mediocrity. Willis Reed, a career disappointment, is playing terribly, given his abilities. The Hornets don't block shots or defend very well. Jerry Sloan looks great, they steal the ball a lot, and they have very good shooters, but the Hornets don't scary anybody.
Also instilling fear in nobody are the Pistons. Having barely survived the Contract Year, Pistons GM Chris Martinez passed up a chance to acquire his 2034 first, and has made it look plenty valuable. This team is aging and pretty much is banking on Artis Gilmore to steer it in the right direction. They don't have cap space this offseason, and will need to draft well. They currently have the 7th projected pick, but would benefit from dealing off guys like Bigelow, Irish, and Lane, for expirings and picks.
Another struggling team is the Chicago Bulls, only they don't have their pick this year. Dave Bing remains an enigma - he's lowered his turnovers, but has also lowered his assists and field goal percentages. Taven Whitehorse and Shelley Cruise defend worse than they score, and that's saying a lot. The Bulls give up almost 117 points per game, mostly due to the fact that they block shots and steals the ball at very low rates. They're also a poor rebounding squad. Andy has struggled to fix Chicago, but Bob McAdoo could do a lot to change that with some good TCs.
It remains to be seen if they can get by the defending champion-Celtics, who, after a shaky start, are now a league best 38-15. Their 53 games played are far more than practically every team in BBS, so they can expect to get a lot of rest the second half of the season. The stats are kind of a mixed bag in Boston. They are ridiculously good on the glass, they have a lot of steals and blocks, and their offense is prolific, but their defense has been mediocre, and they've turned the ball over 14 times per game. Something may have to improve if the Celts want to defend their crown...
The Magic have struggled all season, but upset the Celtics on the road last sim. This team has played a league-low 18 home games, and fans are expecting them to pick up the play in the season's second half. Recent addition Nate Thurmond has made clear he is the best player on this team, and has really changed the way Orlando defends for the better. However, the Magic have not found a top option scorer, and we're midway through the season...
One team that has no problem finding a go-to guy is the Wizards. After a slow start, this team has surged back toward the top of the Eastern Conference. The Wizards have won 20 of 25 in unstoppable fashion. They're scoring a ridiculous 121 points a night, and their big men are playing better than expected. They lack shotblocking, but as a unit, they're as dangerous any in BBS right now.
One team many thought would be dangerous was the Nets. But they've really failed to meet expectations after acquiring two very good big men in the offseason. Their trade for Oscar Wright has backfired, as he has disappointed yet another franchise. This guy shows all the promise of a superstar, and never performs like he should. Also underperforming: everyone on the Nets, really. Ron Boone and Charles Beasley have taken steps backwards this year, production-wise, and their big men are blocking shots and rebounding, but shooting very poorly from the field.
Rounding out the Atlantic Division, the Sixers have gotten stellar play from Julius Erving, but are in rebuilding mode; and the Heat are tanking. Bob Lanier looks very solid, and they have some promising youth, but I think this team is better off trying to get youth and picks for Lansing.
Over in the Central, the Cavs continue to dominate their division rivals, with just four losses within the division. However, they have hit a bit of a rough patch recently, going 10-6 after an 18-4 start. They hold onto the best winning percentage in BBS. They have had a very easy schedule, and haven't fared that well against their harder opponents, but make no mistake, the Cavs are for real. This is a great defensive team that has a top playmaking point guard and a dominant perimeter scorer.
The top challenger within the Central is the Raptors, who have a shocking disparity between their home and road records. A ridiculous 25-2 at home, the Raptors have stumbled to a 7-14 road record. Their second half schedule entails 20 road games to just 14 home games, so we'll see if the Raptors are the real deal in the coming days. The Raptors block a lot of shots and score a lot of points, but Darius Hamilton turns the ball over a lot at PG, and they don't have many scorers off the bench. It should be noted that the Raptors are 2-1 against the Celtics and Cavs in three road games.
The Pacers can score with anyone, and that's really all there is to say about this team. They mostly win by outscoring their opponents, not by buckling down and playing defense. They feature one great shotblocker and one great ball theft, but give up 112 points a night, and don't scare many people. They've also played 25 of 45 games at home.
Another forgettable foe is the Hawks. They rebound very poorly and defend worse. They have a very talented trio on the perimeter, but are certainly not dominant there, and are very thin on true big men. Brody Masterson has been solid, but not worth his contract, and Dick Cunningham has not gotten a chance to improve this team's defense with his shotblocking. Morrison isn't a good enough rebound to play the 4, and Van Arsdale isn't a good enough player to start.
Jordan is getting what he wants with his Bucks: losses. After a 15-5 start, this team has gone 8-14, and are fast falling from playoff contention. Second year big man Sidney Wicks is a great scorer, and Warren Jabali continues to impress. But this team turns the ball over, defends poorly, and doesn't block shots - a perfect recipe for losses.
The Hornets look something like an abandoned ship. It seems this team will never land an active GM, and they've again fizzled into mediocrity. Willis Reed, a career disappointment, is playing terribly, given his abilities. The Hornets don't block shots or defend very well. Jerry Sloan looks great, they steal the ball a lot, and they have very good shooters, but the Hornets don't scary anybody.
Also instilling fear in nobody are the Pistons. Having barely survived the Contract Year, Pistons GM Chris Martinez passed up a chance to acquire his 2034 first, and has made it look plenty valuable. This team is aging and pretty much is banking on Artis Gilmore to steer it in the right direction. They don't have cap space this offseason, and will need to draft well. They currently have the 7th projected pick, but would benefit from dealing off guys like Bigelow, Irish, and Lane, for expirings and picks.
Another struggling team is the Chicago Bulls, only they don't have their pick this year. Dave Bing remains an enigma - he's lowered his turnovers, but has also lowered his assists and field goal percentages. Taven Whitehorse and Shelley Cruise defend worse than they score, and that's saying a lot. The Bulls give up almost 117 points per game, mostly due to the fact that they block shots and steals the ball at very low rates. They're also a poor rebounding squad. Andy has struggled to fix Chicago, but Bob McAdoo could do a lot to change that with some good TCs.
