Post by noves on Apr 5, 2008 11:59:50 GMT -5
2004 BBS Central Division Preview
By Keya Vakil
Predicted Standings:
1 - Indiana Pacers : 55-27 : After a stellar regular season last year, the Pacers had a disappointing post-season as they lost to the Toronto Raptors in the first round due to the injury of Ben Wallace. The Pacers had a relatively quiet off-season as their biggest off-season addition was Gary Trent Jr. They enter the 2004-2005 season with some questions surrounding their team chemistry, but they are nonetheless the favorites to win the Central
2 - Detroit Pistons : 49-33[/color] : The Pistons also had a quiet off-season, and from the looks of it, a sub-par TC. Their defense seems to have fallen off a bit from last season, but the are still a very solid defensive squad. The sucess of this team hinges on how the backcourt plays, and while they seem to have fallen off a bit from last season, the rest of the Central has as well, so the Pistons still appear to be the 2nd best team in the division.
3 - Atlanta Hawks : 47-35[/color] : The Hawks are one of the more intriguing teams in the league right now. Mike Dunleavy seems to have a very bright future at Point Guard and Dwyane Wade is well, Dwyane Wade. Beyond those two, the Hawks really just have a plethora of solid role players. Richard Jefferson & Shane Battier are excellent defenders, but their play on the offensive end leaves a lot be desired. Their frontcourt is also a question mark, but the Hawks have some solid pieces that they can move to uprade their frontcourt, and their current roster is already looking quite solid.
4 - New Orleans Hornets : 44-38[/color] : The Hornets had without a doubt the worst off-season of any team in the Central. MVP Alonzo Mourning decided to call it a career, and Shawn Marion & Michael Redd both tested Free Agency. They ended up resigning Marion & Redd, but they didn't do much else during the off-season. This team is not deep at all, but Marion & Redd are still very good players, and the Ridnour/Boykins backcourt should be good enough for the Hornets to make the playoffs.
5 - Cleveland Cavaliers : 38-44[/color] : The Cavaliers made arguably the biggest FA signing in league history, as they stole Baron Davis away from the reigning champions, the New Jersey Nets. Davis is a top 3 PG in the league, and adding him to a team that has Carlos Boozer and T.J. Ford makes them much better. The addition of Ben Gordon via the draft also improves the Cavaliers, as he looks to be an impact player. They're not a playoff team unless they make some more moves, but they'll be a solid team in the Central.
6 - Toronto Raptors : 31-51[/color] : Coming off a season in which they had two all-league first teamers and made the second round of the playoffs, the Raptors decided to do a re-tool of sorts. They traded superstar SF Tracy McGrady to the Orlando Magic for Al Jefferson & Jose Calderon. The trade was questioned by many GM's around the league, but after TC, it appears as if the Raptors made a solid trade. Jefferson is looking like he will have an outstanding future in the league, and Calderon may be one of the better young PG's in the league. However, he has the best young PG in the league, Tony Parker, ahead of him on the depth chart. The Raps have a great young trio of players, but beyond that, they are a very weak team, and therefore will likely be a mid-lottery team.
7 - Milwaukee Bucks : 29-53[/color] : Another team with a trio of young up-and-coming players, the Bucks are finally looking like they have a direction. Jason Richardson finally had a break-out TC of sorts, and the additions of Emeka Okafor & Deron Williams via the draft were huge for this franchise. This team is still a long way from competing, but they're finally on the right path, and their young talent should be exciting to watch.
8 - Chicago Bulls : 28-54[/color] : As a result of their draft pick dropping to #13 due to the Stromile Swift tampering incident, the Bulls suffered a huge set back. They ended up drafting Tony Allen with the pick, who looks like a solid player, but will likely never be more then a solid back-up. Josh Howard continued his TC struggles as well. Stromile Swift is the best player on this team, so that should say it all. Jannero Pargo had an excellent Training Camp, and is looking like the biggest second round steal in league history. This team is in for another rough season, but this time around, hopefully they'll be able to get a top 5 pick to add a true young stud.[/font]
By Keya Vakil
Predicted Standings:
1 - Indiana Pacers : 55-27 : After a stellar regular season last year, the Pacers had a disappointing post-season as they lost to the Toronto Raptors in the first round due to the injury of Ben Wallace. The Pacers had a relatively quiet off-season as their biggest off-season addition was Gary Trent Jr. They enter the 2004-2005 season with some questions surrounding their team chemistry, but they are nonetheless the favorites to win the Central
2 - Detroit Pistons : 49-33[/color] : The Pistons also had a quiet off-season, and from the looks of it, a sub-par TC. Their defense seems to have fallen off a bit from last season, but the are still a very solid defensive squad. The sucess of this team hinges on how the backcourt plays, and while they seem to have fallen off a bit from last season, the rest of the Central has as well, so the Pistons still appear to be the 2nd best team in the division.
3 - Atlanta Hawks : 47-35[/color] : The Hawks are one of the more intriguing teams in the league right now. Mike Dunleavy seems to have a very bright future at Point Guard and Dwyane Wade is well, Dwyane Wade. Beyond those two, the Hawks really just have a plethora of solid role players. Richard Jefferson & Shane Battier are excellent defenders, but their play on the offensive end leaves a lot be desired. Their frontcourt is also a question mark, but the Hawks have some solid pieces that they can move to uprade their frontcourt, and their current roster is already looking quite solid.
4 - New Orleans Hornets : 44-38[/color] : The Hornets had without a doubt the worst off-season of any team in the Central. MVP Alonzo Mourning decided to call it a career, and Shawn Marion & Michael Redd both tested Free Agency. They ended up resigning Marion & Redd, but they didn't do much else during the off-season. This team is not deep at all, but Marion & Redd are still very good players, and the Ridnour/Boykins backcourt should be good enough for the Hornets to make the playoffs.
5 - Cleveland Cavaliers : 38-44[/color] : The Cavaliers made arguably the biggest FA signing in league history, as they stole Baron Davis away from the reigning champions, the New Jersey Nets. Davis is a top 3 PG in the league, and adding him to a team that has Carlos Boozer and T.J. Ford makes them much better. The addition of Ben Gordon via the draft also improves the Cavaliers, as he looks to be an impact player. They're not a playoff team unless they make some more moves, but they'll be a solid team in the Central.
6 - Toronto Raptors : 31-51[/color] : Coming off a season in which they had two all-league first teamers and made the second round of the playoffs, the Raptors decided to do a re-tool of sorts. They traded superstar SF Tracy McGrady to the Orlando Magic for Al Jefferson & Jose Calderon. The trade was questioned by many GM's around the league, but after TC, it appears as if the Raptors made a solid trade. Jefferson is looking like he will have an outstanding future in the league, and Calderon may be one of the better young PG's in the league. However, he has the best young PG in the league, Tony Parker, ahead of him on the depth chart. The Raps have a great young trio of players, but beyond that, they are a very weak team, and therefore will likely be a mid-lottery team.
7 - Milwaukee Bucks : 29-53[/color] : Another team with a trio of young up-and-coming players, the Bucks are finally looking like they have a direction. Jason Richardson finally had a break-out TC of sorts, and the additions of Emeka Okafor & Deron Williams via the draft were huge for this franchise. This team is still a long way from competing, but they're finally on the right path, and their young talent should be exciting to watch.
8 - Chicago Bulls : 28-54[/color] : As a result of their draft pick dropping to #13 due to the Stromile Swift tampering incident, the Bulls suffered a huge set back. They ended up drafting Tony Allen with the pick, who looks like a solid player, but will likely never be more then a solid back-up. Josh Howard continued his TC struggles as well. Stromile Swift is the best player on this team, so that should say it all. Jannero Pargo had an excellent Training Camp, and is looking like the biggest second round steal in league history. This team is in for another rough season, but this time around, hopefully they'll be able to get a top 5 pick to add a true young stud.[/font]
