Post by Dave on Mar 24, 2008 15:03:37 GMT -5
1. New York Knicks- It was only a short time ago when the knicks were 12-12 and now they are standing at 30-16 they've been one of the most dominating teams since having acquired Tim Duncan, Paul PIerce, and Stephon Marbury. Its amazing what a few trades and a tweak of the DC can do for you.
2. Detroit Pistons- Perhaps the most dominating figure in the league holds down the paint for this Piston's team. Theo Ratliff is sending away nearly 5 shots a game making a strong case for him to earn the defensive player of the year award.
3. Indiana Pacers- Some may feel they deserve the top spot as they have been getting it done all season while the top 2 teams are just a bit hotter right now. The Pacers made a small but big personnel change sending rookie David West packing in favor for veteran high flyer Desmond Mason. This move could propel them back to the #1 spot. Pretty amazing run for the Pacers.
4. Miami Heat- In their eyes they are still #1 as they hold the crown but many other teams have done plenty of playing catch up to try and dethrone the champs. The Heat are still one of the most well balanced teams in the league and will be a force to deal with in the playoffs. It will be an interesting race to see if they can hold onto the 2 seed.
5. Seattle Supersonics- Finally a West coast team appears on the list and deservingly so with perhaps the deepest scoring team in the league with their high octane offense bolstered by a plethora of deep bombers the Sonics look to coast to a regular season crown out West.
6. Utah Jazz- Many feel they would have been the champs last season if it weren't for the Andy injury jinx having Shaq going down, down again, and down one more time in the playoffs. He is looking to make one final run with the big daddy as he is rumored to be sending Shaq to Disney land next season.
7. New Jersey Nets- Stuck in the swamps of Jersey the Nets sit at a powerful 7 slot with perhaps the best player in the league Kobe Bryant. Their dynamic backcourt will spell trouble on any team come playoff times and GM Mark Kelley knows it as he is trying things out now in the regular season so come playoff time he is ready to play.
8. Golden State Warriors- Crazy 8 pick the Warriors make a surprise jump from where they are in the standings but these aren't the standings and rather power rankings and with a healthy Jason Kidd back the Warriors immediately become on of the best teams in the league adding to an already strong supporting cast of Elton Brand, Joe Johnson, and Eddie Jones who seemingly found the fountain of youth in the offseason.
9. New Orleans Hornets- MVP, MVP, MVP is what you'll hear at any and every Hornets game this season and Alonzo Mourning is punishing the league night in and night out with Wilt Chamberlain type numbers. Tiger knew Zo was the only guy that could save his job this season and it sure has paid off.
10. Boston Celtics- The Celtics are in a familiar 10 spot sitting on what seems to be one of the better teams in the league yet probably not enough to win a championship. Keelty hasn't made too many moves to bolster his team this season but just recently added shotblocker Adonal Foyle to his big man rotation which could prove to be a pivotal move come April.
11. Denver Nuggets- Fools gold? Thats what the headlines read in the Denver Post today as Woody Paige looks into why the Nuggets look so good but play on a .500 level. The Nuggets are so sloppy and lackadaisical at times and are just counterproductive to their extraordinary talent and athleticism.
12. Toronto Raptors- Tony Park and Tracy McGrady. Oh alright I'll say more than that.....well actually there really isn't much else to say except for the fact that these two are awesome and if DJ would have kept Raef Lagrentz he could have been looking at a championship right now.
13. Dallas Mavericks- Have been playing better and better as the season has gone on but has been really set back by the season ending injury to center Tyson Chandler. The Mavericks have been rising in team stats on a daily basis and could shock a few teams out west in the playoffs.
14. Los Angeles Lakers- Somehow the Lakers are clinging onto a 3 seed in the West but BSS scouting services say that its only a matter of time before they fall. Dirk can only carry them so far and they are simply just not a good team that suffers from extreme neglect from ownership.
15. Phoenix Suns- Rashard Lewis has seemed to have rejuvenated the Suns team inspiring them to play .500 basketball when everyone has thought the Suns would fall abyss. Really the true heart and soul of this team is Vin Baker who is a league leader in FG% averaging over 22ppg. Amazing this guy commands no trade value.
16. Memphis Grizzlies- Last and certainly least in the playoff pool is no other than the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies have done a good job at assembling a playoff quality team as the contract bet was knocking at their door. The Grizzlies should make the playoffs in the West as playoff hopefuls Portland and Sacramento have fallen off to well below .500 records.
The rest of the bunch......
17. Washington Wizards
18. Atlanta Hawks
19. Philadelphia 76ers
20. Portland Trailblazers
21. San Antonio Spurs
22. Cleveland Cavilers
23. Houston Rockets
24. Sacremento Kings
25. Minnesota Timberwolves
26. Los Angeles Clippers
27. Chicago Bulls
28. Orlando Magic
29. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Detroit Pistons- Perhaps the most dominating figure in the league holds down the paint for this Piston's team. Theo Ratliff is sending away nearly 5 shots a game making a strong case for him to earn the defensive player of the year award.
3. Indiana Pacers- Some may feel they deserve the top spot as they have been getting it done all season while the top 2 teams are just a bit hotter right now. The Pacers made a small but big personnel change sending rookie David West packing in favor for veteran high flyer Desmond Mason. This move could propel them back to the #1 spot. Pretty amazing run for the Pacers.
4. Miami Heat- In their eyes they are still #1 as they hold the crown but many other teams have done plenty of playing catch up to try and dethrone the champs. The Heat are still one of the most well balanced teams in the league and will be a force to deal with in the playoffs. It will be an interesting race to see if they can hold onto the 2 seed.
5. Seattle Supersonics- Finally a West coast team appears on the list and deservingly so with perhaps the deepest scoring team in the league with their high octane offense bolstered by a plethora of deep bombers the Sonics look to coast to a regular season crown out West.
6. Utah Jazz- Many feel they would have been the champs last season if it weren't for the Andy injury jinx having Shaq going down, down again, and down one more time in the playoffs. He is looking to make one final run with the big daddy as he is rumored to be sending Shaq to Disney land next season.
7. New Jersey Nets- Stuck in the swamps of Jersey the Nets sit at a powerful 7 slot with perhaps the best player in the league Kobe Bryant. Their dynamic backcourt will spell trouble on any team come playoff times and GM Mark Kelley knows it as he is trying things out now in the regular season so come playoff time he is ready to play.
8. Golden State Warriors- Crazy 8 pick the Warriors make a surprise jump from where they are in the standings but these aren't the standings and rather power rankings and with a healthy Jason Kidd back the Warriors immediately become on of the best teams in the league adding to an already strong supporting cast of Elton Brand, Joe Johnson, and Eddie Jones who seemingly found the fountain of youth in the offseason.
9. New Orleans Hornets- MVP, MVP, MVP is what you'll hear at any and every Hornets game this season and Alonzo Mourning is punishing the league night in and night out with Wilt Chamberlain type numbers. Tiger knew Zo was the only guy that could save his job this season and it sure has paid off.
10. Boston Celtics- The Celtics are in a familiar 10 spot sitting on what seems to be one of the better teams in the league yet probably not enough to win a championship. Keelty hasn't made too many moves to bolster his team this season but just recently added shotblocker Adonal Foyle to his big man rotation which could prove to be a pivotal move come April.
11. Denver Nuggets- Fools gold? Thats what the headlines read in the Denver Post today as Woody Paige looks into why the Nuggets look so good but play on a .500 level. The Nuggets are so sloppy and lackadaisical at times and are just counterproductive to their extraordinary talent and athleticism.
12. Toronto Raptors- Tony Park and Tracy McGrady. Oh alright I'll say more than that.....well actually there really isn't much else to say except for the fact that these two are awesome and if DJ would have kept Raef Lagrentz he could have been looking at a championship right now.
13. Dallas Mavericks- Have been playing better and better as the season has gone on but has been really set back by the season ending injury to center Tyson Chandler. The Mavericks have been rising in team stats on a daily basis and could shock a few teams out west in the playoffs.
14. Los Angeles Lakers- Somehow the Lakers are clinging onto a 3 seed in the West but BSS scouting services say that its only a matter of time before they fall. Dirk can only carry them so far and they are simply just not a good team that suffers from extreme neglect from ownership.
15. Phoenix Suns- Rashard Lewis has seemed to have rejuvenated the Suns team inspiring them to play .500 basketball when everyone has thought the Suns would fall abyss. Really the true heart and soul of this team is Vin Baker who is a league leader in FG% averaging over 22ppg. Amazing this guy commands no trade value.
16. Memphis Grizzlies- Last and certainly least in the playoff pool is no other than the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies have done a good job at assembling a playoff quality team as the contract bet was knocking at their door. The Grizzlies should make the playoffs in the West as playoff hopefuls Portland and Sacramento have fallen off to well below .500 records.
The rest of the bunch......
17. Washington Wizards
18. Atlanta Hawks
19. Philadelphia 76ers
20. Portland Trailblazers
21. San Antonio Spurs
22. Cleveland Cavilers
23. Houston Rockets
24. Sacremento Kings
25. Minnesota Timberwolves
26. Los Angeles Clippers
27. Chicago Bulls
28. Orlando Magic
29. Milwaukee Bucks
