Post by ballinhun8 on Jan 12, 2008 21:49:34 GMT -5
Noooooo changes in the top 6 teams but the middle of the mud teams do switch around a bit. Some teams are starting to heat up at the right time and some teams are sinking out of the playoffs fast. We've also seen some trades that will bump up some teams but not by too much.
#1) - Yes, they're number #1 in the rankings and yes Oden was the Rook/Soph game MVP and yes, TJ Ford was an All-Star snub but they are the West' best team.....record wise. But the gap is closing and you could see it when the Blazers went an unexpected 3-4 in their last sim with three losses to Western teams and two wins against the East. Oden and Gay are still a viable threat so don't sleep on the hiccup. Heck, it was before All-Star weekend and the Blazers young guns were probably out partying so don't put too much in it. They're number #1 and the GM will let you know it.
#2) - I just don't know how they do it. Dwight Howard is just that nasty I guess. You almost forget they have Joe Johnson because Howard is putting up ridiculous numbers. Howard and Johnson though are proving to be a tough inside/outside combo that is killing teams. Jianlian is also playing well as a compliment to D12 and has had his numbers improve after almost every sim. Monta Ellis though on the other hand has dipped in his productivity but will have to step it up to help his backcourt mate Lowry play better as well.
#3) - Probably the quietest 27-11 team you could think of. If you could name me a starter on their team I'd be impressed. Well, I'll give you one. His name is Deron Williams and I picked him as a player who would be on the Western All-Star squad and he sure was. But, as the GM thought himself, this team did struggle in the last sim going 3-3 w/o their defensive swatter and board cleaner Diop. His defense was missed a ton and showed that the Jazz might very well be vulnerable until he comes back.
#4) - This team lost out on Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan in the same week but do you think it bothers him? Nope! He just goes out there and let's his trio of 20 ppg players dominate games. Not to mention he's got a defensive menace in Okafor as well as one of the most underrated big men in Chris Kaman. The team is just so balanced and is my pick to represent the East again in the Finals. Wade is just too good and when you have a guy like McGrady as the 2nd option, you know you're good.
#5) - 5th best for the second straight time the Suns are still one of the league's best team but unfortunately for them they play in the West and it's just so hard to win games out there when it seems like every team in the West has a 20 ppg scorer. Hibbert and Stoudemire look like the best PF/C combo in the league and Hibbert is just a rookie who finally won a ROTM award.
#6) - All-Star Game MVP Mike Conley Jr. is the catalyst for this dangerous team. With every starter scoring in double-figures, the league's highest scoring team is playing on fire lately. With Pierce mandating the wing spot and Dalembert and Gasol controlling the paint, the Grizz look like a team that will be able to take down the Blazers, Suns, and Jazz of the West. I'd also be afraid of All-Star Brandon Roy who is just showing everyone he was the best player of that 2006 Draft.
#7) - This team is straight up on FUEGO. B-Diddy, Mike Redd, and Mr. Half-Man/Half-Amazing are treating fans to shows every night in Orlando and is showing that they don't need big men to win. Wallace has been playing solid defense all season and can rebound and Nocioni is playing like a less-athletic version of Shawn Marion at the PF position. Then again, I think that could be their downfall in the playoffs.
#8) - This team is proving that all you need is 3 guys to win. With KG playing like an MVP and Jefferson and Foye showing their future potential in the now, the team is looking solid. Walton has been playing solid but I just don't trust Telfair at the PG position and now I believe he will struggle at 2 guard with the injury to Foye. With Foye gone for 12 games the team could lose some ground in a tough Western Conference.
#9) - If you've got a stud Center, a stud PG, and a stud DPOY type at SF, as well as a 20-5 home record you've got to be considered dangerous and that's exactly what the Rockets are. They have all the parts needed to win a championship and they have a legitimate chance to go far in the playoffs. As long as Artest and Magloire keep playing consistent then this team will be a force to mess with.
#10) - The team just keeps winning and it could just be that Richard Jefferson might be a true #1 option. He's sure proving it. Green, Nene, and Harrington are also playing solid and are playing as a tremendous supporting cast. I see it as a surprise though that Jeff Green is playing well at SG. I thought he'd be too slow and too big to play that position but he takes advantage of his size. Then again, he does get beat by the quicker, smaller guards.
#11) - The most controversial GM in the league is proving to everyone that he can submit a DC and a darn good one. Going 6-1 (in fact, they lost their 1st game) in their last sim showed teams that the Clips are back. Too bad they started off so bad and it could cost them home-court advantage. JO and Shard are still a combo you don't want to mess with so watch out for the Clips.
#12) - How the Hornets keep winning I can't explain. Devin Harris is just playing phenomenal. Showing he can handle the SG position, he is scoring just under 20 ppg and is proving to be a very very quick backcourt mate with Chris Paul. I'm also not looking so down on David West as I used to. I see the pairing of him and Joey Dorsey as a deadly combo that will not let the team miss a beat when they replace each other in the lineup.
#13) - With Jason Williams scoring more and Danny Granger looking like a force as a defensive player at SG this team looks even scarier. Sure, they're a game under .500 but they could get better pretty soon as Curry and Brand are still dominating teams inside. The fans in the Big Apple should be appreciative of their All-Star in Elton Brand as he is just filling the stat sheet.
#14) - This team and GM wasn't thinking it'd be playing this well. Hell, with no Center they shouldn't but his players have played very well and the team is on fire lately. Steve Nash is still playing at an adequate level and Shawn Marion is the multi-offensive PF for this team. But, who looks to be the league's Most Improved Player in Juan Carlos Navarro, the 76ers have found a gem. Paired alongside Moute the team has a bright future and could gain valuable experience from a trip (albeit short) to the playoffs.
#15) - For this team to be playing .500 ball after trading away probably the best player in the game, it is astonishing. In fact, their current leading scorer is 2nd year pro and 20 year old PG Javaris Crittenton who is showing this team that having big PG's will always be good for this franchise. Danilo Gallinari has been playing very well lately and is hoping to become the next franchise player for this storied team.
#16) - Personally, I think this team should take Bibby and Billups and start over with their backcourt and they are trying to do it. And they've got to do it quick because it is holding their team down. Fortunately for them, Darko and Zach have been turning it up in their recent play and have carried their team. Not many teams have the luxury of having two quality big man so this team should take advantage and find some players worth playing Guard for them.
#17) - Iguodala is playing like a stud. You give him a T-Mac, Wade, or Kobe to play at SG and he will be the closest thing to Pippen we've seen. This team though is very, ughhh, normal. It seems like they're going to be a close to .500 team all season and they did go 5-5 in their last 10. I just wish that they had kept Stoudemire. They'd be at least a top 3 seed if they had kept just him, Barbosa could've gone but with Stoudemire and Iggy, man, this team would've gone far.
#18) - Woo. My team. Yea, it might look high for the record we have but with wins over the Jazz and Suns in the last sim, you can see this team starting to rise. Tim Duncan played absolutely ridiculous in this last sim and I'm mad he didn't win POTW honors for it. The trading for Udonis Haslem is proving vital as he is stepping up with playing time and this GM is hoping the addition of Joey Graham will prove vital and will help this team reach the playoffs. They're only two games out with the 2nd half of the season upon us so WATCH OUT.
#19) - I can guarantee you that this team is going to soar on these next couple of rankings. With the acquisition of Kobe Bryant this team was supposed to be better but they struggled in their first sim with him. Only a 2-2 record but now trading for a real PG in Daniel Gibson, this team is going to have the skill players at each position to start playing better. You're going to see many similarities between this team and the Phoenix Suns circa 2005.
#20) - Sean Singletary is having a solid rookie season and with Caron Butler playing at an All-Star level, the Pistons have a bright future. David Lee is also proving that with playing time he can perform. Fortunately Rasheed Wallace has played well despite his aging legs catching up with him. But the biggest problem has been the disappointing Tayshaun Prince who can't even hit double-digits in 30 mpg.
#21) - Talk about a team falling hard...and fast. That's exactly what is happening to the Kings. Luckily for them they started high in the first Power Rankings but it was due to the fact they didn't play many games and now the lack of noteworthy players on their bench has made the Kings dip. Fortunately for them they are still in the playoffs as the 8th seed but their are teams creeping on them fast and I don't believe they have the staying power to remain atop the rankings.
#22) - With LeBron James on your team, you shouldn't be struggling this bad. The Sonics have good talent. Rip is playing well and Ridnour is a great distributor but with no Center worth playing, you can see why this team is struggling. Teams with scoring big men have taken advantage of the lack of big men on the Sonics and it's hurting them.
#23) - Luol Deng, IMHO, could have been an All-Star and I voted for him but unfortunately, the 40% shooting hurt him. And it's low because he has no one to help him. Only rookie Dominic James averages more then 10.5 ppg and he's just a rookie. But now with himself and Kirk Hinrich on the trading block we could see some better numbers from the PG spot.
#24) - This team looked very good last sim and was high on the Power Rankings but damn. I don't know what happened. No one of significance was hurt. The Raps have been 1-9 in their last 10 games and that really hurt their chances of making their playoffs. Luckily, with new management, the Raps have made some moves to set themselves up to be better. Bargnani has moved into the starting lineup and Chris Wilcox was added to give them some more depth up front.
#25) - Like I've been saying, I love this Hawks team. So young and full of potential. Donte Green has been a surprise and the gutsy call to move Josh Smith and Joe Johnson has not looked bad with Green's emergence as well as the play from #1 pick Jerryd Bayless. But I think that when it comes to the draft, the Hawks have got to look at big men and get one to pair with the Landlord Shelden Williams downlow.
#26) - Acquiring Belinelli might prove to be the best move the Bucks made this season. They might have found their sweet stroking SG of the future. Pairing him with youngsters Rondo, Green, & Smith will make the Bucks dangerous in as soon as 2 years or maybe next season. Noah though has to step it up and start showing some skill on the offensive side.
#27) - The Nuggets are low on the rankings but they're starting to play more competitive and it's showing in the win column. Melo and A.I. are holding down the fort both avg. over 22 ppg and the Nuggs are going to ride them as far as they can but they need some productivity from the frontcourt and Kenyon is available so someone shout iceman a holla.
#28) - To see Dirk not performing up to his own standards is astonishing. I don't know what it is. Maybe TOO many supporting players that are taking shots away from him or maybe he's starting to lose it. Whatever it is, the Mavs need to figure it out because this team used to be a powerhouse and they've crumbled to a crackhouse.
#29) - Unfortunately Miami just can't seem to win and it's pretty sad to see what looks like a rejuvenated Shaq wasting one of his best seasons in a while rotting in Miami. Under 20 games of .500, the Heat should look to move Shaq to a contender and try to get some picks for this season or some flexible contracts that they would be able to use on Free Agency.
And again, I hope you guys enjoy and keep the comments up, it makes me feel appreciated ;D
And, I'd like to see these get up on the front page or something. Not to brag about my own work but it'd be nice.
#1) - Yes, they're number #1 in the rankings and yes Oden was the Rook/Soph game MVP and yes, TJ Ford was an All-Star snub but they are the West' best team.....record wise. But the gap is closing and you could see it when the Blazers went an unexpected 3-4 in their last sim with three losses to Western teams and two wins against the East. Oden and Gay are still a viable threat so don't sleep on the hiccup. Heck, it was before All-Star weekend and the Blazers young guns were probably out partying so don't put too much in it. They're number #1 and the GM will let you know it.
#2) - I just don't know how they do it. Dwight Howard is just that nasty I guess. You almost forget they have Joe Johnson because Howard is putting up ridiculous numbers. Howard and Johnson though are proving to be a tough inside/outside combo that is killing teams. Jianlian is also playing well as a compliment to D12 and has had his numbers improve after almost every sim. Monta Ellis though on the other hand has dipped in his productivity but will have to step it up to help his backcourt mate Lowry play better as well.
#3) - Probably the quietest 27-11 team you could think of. If you could name me a starter on their team I'd be impressed. Well, I'll give you one. His name is Deron Williams and I picked him as a player who would be on the Western All-Star squad and he sure was. But, as the GM thought himself, this team did struggle in the last sim going 3-3 w/o their defensive swatter and board cleaner Diop. His defense was missed a ton and showed that the Jazz might very well be vulnerable until he comes back.
#4) - This team lost out on Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan in the same week but do you think it bothers him? Nope! He just goes out there and let's his trio of 20 ppg players dominate games. Not to mention he's got a defensive menace in Okafor as well as one of the most underrated big men in Chris Kaman. The team is just so balanced and is my pick to represent the East again in the Finals. Wade is just too good and when you have a guy like McGrady as the 2nd option, you know you're good.
#5) - 5th best for the second straight time the Suns are still one of the league's best team but unfortunately for them they play in the West and it's just so hard to win games out there when it seems like every team in the West has a 20 ppg scorer. Hibbert and Stoudemire look like the best PF/C combo in the league and Hibbert is just a rookie who finally won a ROTM award.
#6) - All-Star Game MVP Mike Conley Jr. is the catalyst for this dangerous team. With every starter scoring in double-figures, the league's highest scoring team is playing on fire lately. With Pierce mandating the wing spot and Dalembert and Gasol controlling the paint, the Grizz look like a team that will be able to take down the Blazers, Suns, and Jazz of the West. I'd also be afraid of All-Star Brandon Roy who is just showing everyone he was the best player of that 2006 Draft.
#7) - This team is straight up on FUEGO. B-Diddy, Mike Redd, and Mr. Half-Man/Half-Amazing are treating fans to shows every night in Orlando and is showing that they don't need big men to win. Wallace has been playing solid defense all season and can rebound and Nocioni is playing like a less-athletic version of Shawn Marion at the PF position. Then again, I think that could be their downfall in the playoffs.
#8) - This team is proving that all you need is 3 guys to win. With KG playing like an MVP and Jefferson and Foye showing their future potential in the now, the team is looking solid. Walton has been playing solid but I just don't trust Telfair at the PG position and now I believe he will struggle at 2 guard with the injury to Foye. With Foye gone for 12 games the team could lose some ground in a tough Western Conference.
#9) - If you've got a stud Center, a stud PG, and a stud DPOY type at SF, as well as a 20-5 home record you've got to be considered dangerous and that's exactly what the Rockets are. They have all the parts needed to win a championship and they have a legitimate chance to go far in the playoffs. As long as Artest and Magloire keep playing consistent then this team will be a force to mess with.
#10) - The team just keeps winning and it could just be that Richard Jefferson might be a true #1 option. He's sure proving it. Green, Nene, and Harrington are also playing solid and are playing as a tremendous supporting cast. I see it as a surprise though that Jeff Green is playing well at SG. I thought he'd be too slow and too big to play that position but he takes advantage of his size. Then again, he does get beat by the quicker, smaller guards.
#11) - The most controversial GM in the league is proving to everyone that he can submit a DC and a darn good one. Going 6-1 (in fact, they lost their 1st game) in their last sim showed teams that the Clips are back. Too bad they started off so bad and it could cost them home-court advantage. JO and Shard are still a combo you don't want to mess with so watch out for the Clips.
#12) - How the Hornets keep winning I can't explain. Devin Harris is just playing phenomenal. Showing he can handle the SG position, he is scoring just under 20 ppg and is proving to be a very very quick backcourt mate with Chris Paul. I'm also not looking so down on David West as I used to. I see the pairing of him and Joey Dorsey as a deadly combo that will not let the team miss a beat when they replace each other in the lineup.
#13) - With Jason Williams scoring more and Danny Granger looking like a force as a defensive player at SG this team looks even scarier. Sure, they're a game under .500 but they could get better pretty soon as Curry and Brand are still dominating teams inside. The fans in the Big Apple should be appreciative of their All-Star in Elton Brand as he is just filling the stat sheet.
#14) - This team and GM wasn't thinking it'd be playing this well. Hell, with no Center they shouldn't but his players have played very well and the team is on fire lately. Steve Nash is still playing at an adequate level and Shawn Marion is the multi-offensive PF for this team. But, who looks to be the league's Most Improved Player in Juan Carlos Navarro, the 76ers have found a gem. Paired alongside Moute the team has a bright future and could gain valuable experience from a trip (albeit short) to the playoffs.
#15) - For this team to be playing .500 ball after trading away probably the best player in the game, it is astonishing. In fact, their current leading scorer is 2nd year pro and 20 year old PG Javaris Crittenton who is showing this team that having big PG's will always be good for this franchise. Danilo Gallinari has been playing very well lately and is hoping to become the next franchise player for this storied team.
#16) - Personally, I think this team should take Bibby and Billups and start over with their backcourt and they are trying to do it. And they've got to do it quick because it is holding their team down. Fortunately for them, Darko and Zach have been turning it up in their recent play and have carried their team. Not many teams have the luxury of having two quality big man so this team should take advantage and find some players worth playing Guard for them.
#17) - Iguodala is playing like a stud. You give him a T-Mac, Wade, or Kobe to play at SG and he will be the closest thing to Pippen we've seen. This team though is very, ughhh, normal. It seems like they're going to be a close to .500 team all season and they did go 5-5 in their last 10. I just wish that they had kept Stoudemire. They'd be at least a top 3 seed if they had kept just him, Barbosa could've gone but with Stoudemire and Iggy, man, this team would've gone far.
#18) - Woo. My team. Yea, it might look high for the record we have but with wins over the Jazz and Suns in the last sim, you can see this team starting to rise. Tim Duncan played absolutely ridiculous in this last sim and I'm mad he didn't win POTW honors for it. The trading for Udonis Haslem is proving vital as he is stepping up with playing time and this GM is hoping the addition of Joey Graham will prove vital and will help this team reach the playoffs. They're only two games out with the 2nd half of the season upon us so WATCH OUT.
#19) - I can guarantee you that this team is going to soar on these next couple of rankings. With the acquisition of Kobe Bryant this team was supposed to be better but they struggled in their first sim with him. Only a 2-2 record but now trading for a real PG in Daniel Gibson, this team is going to have the skill players at each position to start playing better. You're going to see many similarities between this team and the Phoenix Suns circa 2005.
#20) - Sean Singletary is having a solid rookie season and with Caron Butler playing at an All-Star level, the Pistons have a bright future. David Lee is also proving that with playing time he can perform. Fortunately Rasheed Wallace has played well despite his aging legs catching up with him. But the biggest problem has been the disappointing Tayshaun Prince who can't even hit double-digits in 30 mpg.
#21) - Talk about a team falling hard...and fast. That's exactly what is happening to the Kings. Luckily for them they started high in the first Power Rankings but it was due to the fact they didn't play many games and now the lack of noteworthy players on their bench has made the Kings dip. Fortunately for them they are still in the playoffs as the 8th seed but their are teams creeping on them fast and I don't believe they have the staying power to remain atop the rankings.
#22) - With LeBron James on your team, you shouldn't be struggling this bad. The Sonics have good talent. Rip is playing well and Ridnour is a great distributor but with no Center worth playing, you can see why this team is struggling. Teams with scoring big men have taken advantage of the lack of big men on the Sonics and it's hurting them.
#23) - Luol Deng, IMHO, could have been an All-Star and I voted for him but unfortunately, the 40% shooting hurt him. And it's low because he has no one to help him. Only rookie Dominic James averages more then 10.5 ppg and he's just a rookie. But now with himself and Kirk Hinrich on the trading block we could see some better numbers from the PG spot.
#24) - This team looked very good last sim and was high on the Power Rankings but damn. I don't know what happened. No one of significance was hurt. The Raps have been 1-9 in their last 10 games and that really hurt their chances of making their playoffs. Luckily, with new management, the Raps have made some moves to set themselves up to be better. Bargnani has moved into the starting lineup and Chris Wilcox was added to give them some more depth up front.
#25) - Like I've been saying, I love this Hawks team. So young and full of potential. Donte Green has been a surprise and the gutsy call to move Josh Smith and Joe Johnson has not looked bad with Green's emergence as well as the play from #1 pick Jerryd Bayless. But I think that when it comes to the draft, the Hawks have got to look at big men and get one to pair with the Landlord Shelden Williams downlow.
#26) - Acquiring Belinelli might prove to be the best move the Bucks made this season. They might have found their sweet stroking SG of the future. Pairing him with youngsters Rondo, Green, & Smith will make the Bucks dangerous in as soon as 2 years or maybe next season. Noah though has to step it up and start showing some skill on the offensive side.
#27) - The Nuggets are low on the rankings but they're starting to play more competitive and it's showing in the win column. Melo and A.I. are holding down the fort both avg. over 22 ppg and the Nuggs are going to ride them as far as they can but they need some productivity from the frontcourt and Kenyon is available so someone shout iceman a holla.
#28) - To see Dirk not performing up to his own standards is astonishing. I don't know what it is. Maybe TOO many supporting players that are taking shots away from him or maybe he's starting to lose it. Whatever it is, the Mavs need to figure it out because this team used to be a powerhouse and they've crumbled to a crackhouse.
#29) - Unfortunately Miami just can't seem to win and it's pretty sad to see what looks like a rejuvenated Shaq wasting one of his best seasons in a while rotting in Miami. Under 20 games of .500, the Heat should look to move Shaq to a contender and try to get some picks for this season or some flexible contracts that they would be able to use on Free Agency.
And again, I hope you guys enjoy and keep the comments up, it makes me feel appreciated ;D
And, I'd like to see these get up on the front page or something. Not to brag about my own work but it'd be nice.