Post by Skillz on Jan 29, 2009 18:31:37 GMT -5
Mid-Season Power Rankings
It's almost all-star weekend and a lot has gone down recently. Here are the midseason power rankings! (What I did is i took everyone's top 15, and added points based on that. # 1=15 points, # 2=14 points, etc.)
1. Philadelphia 76ers (30-12)—194 points
After years of underachieving, the Sixers have finally found the right mix of talent. Trading away their whole core besides Dejaun Blair, the Sixers now have a tandem of outside shooters in Willie Warren and Stephen Curry to go along with the best player in BBS. Couple them with solid role players in Tristan Thompson and Darell Arthur and you have probably the best team in BBS.
2. Seattle Sonics (21-10)—170 points
The Sonics possess an absolutely sick trio in Lebron James, Derrick Favors, and Corey Fisher. The defending champs may even be better this year than last year and look to be the favorites in the West. Still, Jarvis Varnado and Sven Andersson are not exactly all-star starters, as the Sonics still have a few weaknesses.
3. New York Knicks (25-11)—165 points
The Knicks have been consistently great for a long time now, and are once again contenders this year. Outlawz seems unsatisfied and wants to make some moves, but it’s hard to see him trading Rose. The Rose-Deng-Bynum is sick, but the remainder of the Knicks starting 5 is mediocre at best.
4. Orlando Magic (27-13)—156 points
An emerging team with a lot of young talent, the Magic are looking to make there first title run in BBS. An explosive scoring team led by John Wall and Lance Stephenson, the Magic can also rebound the basketball and excel at shooting the three. Average center play and high turnovers could lead to the Magic’s downfall, as the Beidrenes/Reik tandem might not be able to withstand the better centers in the league.
5. Indiana Pacers (22-14)—137 points
It’s unbelievable that the Pacers are winning so much with the injuries they have endured. It’s likely they come back to earth considering they have relatively poor ast/to numbers, low rebounds, and a pretty good but not great +/-, but the Pacers have proven that defense can keep you in any game.
6. Miami Heat (26-15)—131 points
Starting to heat up after most of the rankings came in, the Heat always seem to be in the mix of things. They recently acquired stud power forward Josh Smith, and have a nice backcourt in James Harden and Ricky Rubio. Still, the Heat may not be able to contend for a title unless more moves are made considering their lack of a starting center and mediocre depth.
7. Detroit Pistons (21-13)—120 points
A unique team, the Pistons could beat pretty much any team in the league. The two Karron’s posses a wide variety of skills, and couple them with Dermar Derozan and Tyreke Evans, and you’ve got an explosive offensive team. It’s been rumored that GM Justin’s negativity has gotten to the team though, as the Piston’s two most sensitive players, Dermar Derozan and Karron Johnson, are having the worst seasons of their careers.
8. Portland Trailblazers (21-13)—105 points
A team that will be able to make a little bit of noise in the playoffs but won’t contend for a title, the Blazers have been performing well of late. Dwight Howard is still a beast, and LaMarcus Aldridge is a very nice frontcourt complement. Kemba Walker has become a very efficient point guard, and Donatas Motiejunas is having one of the best seasons in his career as well.
9. Houston Rockets (22-11)—98 points
The Rockets have the best record in the Western Conference. Yes, you just heard that right. While it’s hard to point to any stars or stats, the Rockets have won close game after close game. In fact, the Rockets only have a +/- of + 1.8 (lower than the Wizards even), but are still managing to win games. They have good depth, and seem to have a system that is working. Kudos to Greg.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (20-19)—94 points
Ranked too high for their record and too low for their talent, the Grizzlies have been a mirage all season. Starting the season 12-4 and sitting atop the Western Conference, the Grizzlies have recently struggled with the injuries of Greg Oden, Matias Nocedal, and Dexter Strickland. Oden comes back soon, and if the Grizz can’t win with a Greg Oden-Blake Griffin-Michael Beasley-Dexter Strickland-Matias Nocedal lineup, there’s a problem.
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On the cusp:
11. New Jersey Nets (23-20)—89 points
12. Los Angeles Lakers (20-21)—70 points
13. Las Vegas Rebels (22-21)—35 points
14. Cleveland Cavs (16-14)—33 points
15. Washington Wizards (23-20)—23 points
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Others receiving votes:
Golden State Warriors (15-19)—8 points
Minnesota Timberwolves (13-22)—6 points
Los Angeles Clippers (17-18)—5 points
Utah Jazz (20-19)—3 points
Chicago Bulls (13-26)—3 points
It's almost all-star weekend and a lot has gone down recently. Here are the midseason power rankings! (What I did is i took everyone's top 15, and added points based on that. # 1=15 points, # 2=14 points, etc.)
1. Philadelphia 76ers (30-12)—194 points
After years of underachieving, the Sixers have finally found the right mix of talent. Trading away their whole core besides Dejaun Blair, the Sixers now have a tandem of outside shooters in Willie Warren and Stephen Curry to go along with the best player in BBS. Couple them with solid role players in Tristan Thompson and Darell Arthur and you have probably the best team in BBS.
2. Seattle Sonics (21-10)—170 points
The Sonics possess an absolutely sick trio in Lebron James, Derrick Favors, and Corey Fisher. The defending champs may even be better this year than last year and look to be the favorites in the West. Still, Jarvis Varnado and Sven Andersson are not exactly all-star starters, as the Sonics still have a few weaknesses.
3. New York Knicks (25-11)—165 points
The Knicks have been consistently great for a long time now, and are once again contenders this year. Outlawz seems unsatisfied and wants to make some moves, but it’s hard to see him trading Rose. The Rose-Deng-Bynum is sick, but the remainder of the Knicks starting 5 is mediocre at best.
4. Orlando Magic (27-13)—156 points
An emerging team with a lot of young talent, the Magic are looking to make there first title run in BBS. An explosive scoring team led by John Wall and Lance Stephenson, the Magic can also rebound the basketball and excel at shooting the three. Average center play and high turnovers could lead to the Magic’s downfall, as the Beidrenes/Reik tandem might not be able to withstand the better centers in the league.
5. Indiana Pacers (22-14)—137 points
It’s unbelievable that the Pacers are winning so much with the injuries they have endured. It’s likely they come back to earth considering they have relatively poor ast/to numbers, low rebounds, and a pretty good but not great +/-, but the Pacers have proven that defense can keep you in any game.
6. Miami Heat (26-15)—131 points
Starting to heat up after most of the rankings came in, the Heat always seem to be in the mix of things. They recently acquired stud power forward Josh Smith, and have a nice backcourt in James Harden and Ricky Rubio. Still, the Heat may not be able to contend for a title unless more moves are made considering their lack of a starting center and mediocre depth.
7. Detroit Pistons (21-13)—120 points
A unique team, the Pistons could beat pretty much any team in the league. The two Karron’s posses a wide variety of skills, and couple them with Dermar Derozan and Tyreke Evans, and you’ve got an explosive offensive team. It’s been rumored that GM Justin’s negativity has gotten to the team though, as the Piston’s two most sensitive players, Dermar Derozan and Karron Johnson, are having the worst seasons of their careers.
8. Portland Trailblazers (21-13)—105 points
A team that will be able to make a little bit of noise in the playoffs but won’t contend for a title, the Blazers have been performing well of late. Dwight Howard is still a beast, and LaMarcus Aldridge is a very nice frontcourt complement. Kemba Walker has become a very efficient point guard, and Donatas Motiejunas is having one of the best seasons in his career as well.
9. Houston Rockets (22-11)—98 points
The Rockets have the best record in the Western Conference. Yes, you just heard that right. While it’s hard to point to any stars or stats, the Rockets have won close game after close game. In fact, the Rockets only have a +/- of + 1.8 (lower than the Wizards even), but are still managing to win games. They have good depth, and seem to have a system that is working. Kudos to Greg.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (20-19)—94 points
Ranked too high for their record and too low for their talent, the Grizzlies have been a mirage all season. Starting the season 12-4 and sitting atop the Western Conference, the Grizzlies have recently struggled with the injuries of Greg Oden, Matias Nocedal, and Dexter Strickland. Oden comes back soon, and if the Grizz can’t win with a Greg Oden-Blake Griffin-Michael Beasley-Dexter Strickland-Matias Nocedal lineup, there’s a problem.
---------------
On the cusp:
11. New Jersey Nets (23-20)—89 points
12. Los Angeles Lakers (20-21)—70 points
13. Las Vegas Rebels (22-21)—35 points
14. Cleveland Cavs (16-14)—33 points
15. Washington Wizards (23-20)—23 points
------
Others receiving votes:
Golden State Warriors (15-19)—8 points
Minnesota Timberwolves (13-22)—6 points
Los Angeles Clippers (17-18)—5 points
Utah Jazz (20-19)—3 points
Chicago Bulls (13-26)—3 points
