Post by ballinhun8 on Dec 29, 2007 3:00:24 GMT -5
I'm new in the league but I like to write articles and I didn't want to do Power Rankings because I don't know everyone's rosters just yet and I don't know who made the playoffs last season (well, at least each team) and I wasn't here for the draft or Free Agency. But I at least want to write an article using my opinions and looking at each roster and giving my opinion of that team and their best/worst case scenario.
Atlantic :
Boston Celtics - The defending champs decided to change the team up a bit from last years squad. New parts Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, & Emeka Okafor look to solidify the starting lineup for the Celts who are led by superstar Dwyane Wade and Mr. Clutch, Chauncey Billups.
Best Case Scenario - East Champs, ? for the Finals
Worst Case Scenario - Lose in Semi-Finals
Miami Heat - Trading away Dwyane Wade probably wasn't the best of ideas (i don't know if that was a previous gm so please don't take it as a personal shot). This team has a tremendous supporting cast for a superstar player, unfortunately for them, it's for a 35 year old Shaq.
Best Case Scenario - 7 or 8 seed
Worst Case Scenario - Picking in the top 5
New Jersey Nets - The Nets look to rebound this season and make the playoffs. Led by perennial All-Star G Tracy McGrady, this team definately can get there. He has his Robin in R-Jeff and has a legit big man threat downlow in Kaman. Unfortunately, we just don't know how Sam Cassell's legs can hold up. And Marcus Williams isn't ready yet to take over the reigns. Also, lack of a big man to support Kaman will limit his productivity.
Best Case Scenario - 5 or 6 seed, maybe 2nd round
Worst Case Scenario - Outside of the playoffs looking in
New York Knicks - Ahhh, Spike Lee's team. Fortunately, this team has talent and players that want to win. With a formidable froncourt consisting of Curry, Brand, & Odom, they'll be able to take any team to the post. And with J-Will playing at such a high level last season, it wasn't a surprise to see them in the playoffs last season.
Best Case Scenario - Semi-Finals, possibly ECF
Worst Case Scenario - 7 or 8 seed
Orlando Magic - With basically a starting lineup of All-Stars, this team has the talent to win it all. The addition of Michael Redd from in-state rival the Miami Heat, gave this team and added outside edge alongside playoff stud Baron Davis. Unfortunately, the same problem that is hindering the current NBA Chicago Bulls might plague this Orlando team. With no real threat downlow, teams will be able to lock up on the perimeter and have......gasp....Ben Wallace beat them.
Best Case Scenario - Eastern Conference Finals
Worst Case Scenario - Semi-Finals upset due to no big man
Philadelphia 76ers - Give him a Center. Please. He wants one. He needs one. When you have basically the Phoenix Suns of 2005 in your starting lineup, you should be able to breez to the playoffs but unfortunately, this 6ers team has no big man to run down the floor like Amare Stoudemire did for Steve Nash back in PHX. With actually, not threat inside and with Juan Carlos Navarro playing SF for some reason, this team might not even be able to rebound.
Best Case Scenario - 8 seed, they'll be very competitive
Worst Case Scenario - Picking in the top 10
Washington Wizards - The trading for Mike Bibby and the signing of Azubuike are two underrated moves in the off-season. They give this Wizards team a good backcourt and a clutch post-season performer in Bibby. Also, this team has two big cogs downlow in Z-Bo and Jamison who are 20 ppg scorers in ths post and from outside. This team is built to win in May/June so watch out.
Best Case Scenario - Surprise ECF appearance
Worst Case Scenario - 1st round upset
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central :
Atlanta Hawks - By God, I hope Jerryd Bayless can play some SG because if not, well, he'll at least be joined by OJ Mayo next season. This Hawks team is in full rebuild mode, or at least I hope. With an important part at PG already invested in Acie Law IV, this Hawks team chose to make Bayless the 1st pick in the draft when they clearly needed help at big men with those two busts being ther best options.
Best Case Scenario - 11th, 12th best team in East
Worst Case Scenario - 1st pick in 2009, Hello OJ2
New Orleans Hornets - It's Chris Paul and the boys. That's what this team should be called. Last season's squad underachieved yet somehow made the playoffs due to Paul's brilliant play and the improved play from Devin Harris. David West, who was supposed to be their post threat faded last season and Joey Dorsey was drafted this off-season to hopefully kick West back into form.
Best Case Scenario - Surprise 2nd round appearance
Worst Case Scenario - Just missing the playoffs in the last two sims
Chicago Bulls - We know Amare is good. We know Ben Gordon is good. We think Warrick might turn into something with starting minutes but besides that, this team looks like it could heading south. The trading of Barbosa could be the factor that keeps this team from making the playoffs. With close to $20 million invested in a 32 year old Antonio Daniels, we're hoping it will somewhat pay off. Oh, and, it's nice to see Monta Ellis will finally get an opportunity to show off his stuff.
Best Case Scenario - A very surprising 2nd round appearance of Ellis plays well
Worst Case Scenario - A disappointing 10th place in the East
Cleveland Cavaliers - Why? Why mess with a good thing? Keep the pieces you had from last season and you're guaranteed at least the no.2 seed. But, I do like what the Cavs did in adding pieces. Yi looks like a stud in the making and will compliment with D-12 to form the league's best frontcourt for years to come. Jason Terry is capable of taking over games, as well as Joe Johnson but the lack of a true go-to-guy might make this team suffer.
Best Case Scenario - 7 games in the Semi-Finals, wouldn't be surprising if they made the ECF
Worst Case Scenario - 1st round exit
Detroit Pistons - These aren't your parents Pistons. These aren't even the Pistons of '04 but they are a playoff team. With near All-Star caliber players rotating on this team, it would not be surprising to see this team win 50 games but it won't be surprising to see them lose 50 games also. Wallace is getting older and won't be able to carry this team and Varajeo is not threat downlow. Butler looks like the next star in DET but don't be surprised if Sean Singletary wins ROY or is up for consideration. He's stepping into a role where he will be expected to perform above expectations.
Best Case Scenario - 2nd round
Worst Case Scenario - Narrowly missing the playoffs because Prince went AWOL
Indiana Pacers - The league's most active non-staff GM. This Pacers team is hella young and well, at least the Indiana fans aren't mad because they still have the Colts. With 4 good PG's, you have to expect one or two to be dealt to teams that can help give the Pacers some more quality wing players. Putting the pressure on Luol Deng to become the franchise player is tough because Deng was never drafted to be "that" type of guy.
Best Case Scenario - 10th in the East
Worst Case Scenario - Fighting with the Hawks for OJ2
Milwaukee Bucks - If Josh Smith, Sean May, & Andris Biedrins become Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, & Robert Parrish overnight, this Bucks team would have a chance. Unfortunately this team might be battling out for the #1 pick for 2009 and giving CLE the #1 pick in '10. Smith will put up ridiculous numbers though being the 1st option here though. And look for for Rajon Rondo to explode this upcoming season giving the Bucks some chance.
Best Case Scenario - 13th place in East
Worst Case Scenario - Joining ATL & IND for OJ2
Toronto Raptors - Put Livingston back at PG, hope Bargnani continues to improve, and pray, pray, pray that Webster finally breaks out and makes strides in his game like most HSers did after years 3/4. This team has talent and can make the playoffs as long as those 3 things happen for them. Bosh is a stud and should be surrounded with a good supporting cast. Don't waste his talents.
Best Case Scenario - 6, 7, or 8 seed
Worst Case Scenario - If Livingston fails at PG and Webster doesn't pan out still, then....................they're in the top 7 for the lottery
Expect the Western Conference tomorrow folks. Around 9-10ish.
Hope you guys enjoy.
Atlantic :
Boston Celtics - The defending champs decided to change the team up a bit from last years squad. New parts Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, & Emeka Okafor look to solidify the starting lineup for the Celts who are led by superstar Dwyane Wade and Mr. Clutch, Chauncey Billups.
Best Case Scenario - East Champs, ? for the Finals
Worst Case Scenario - Lose in Semi-Finals
Miami Heat - Trading away Dwyane Wade probably wasn't the best of ideas (i don't know if that was a previous gm so please don't take it as a personal shot). This team has a tremendous supporting cast for a superstar player, unfortunately for them, it's for a 35 year old Shaq.
Best Case Scenario - 7 or 8 seed
Worst Case Scenario - Picking in the top 5
New Jersey Nets - The Nets look to rebound this season and make the playoffs. Led by perennial All-Star G Tracy McGrady, this team definately can get there. He has his Robin in R-Jeff and has a legit big man threat downlow in Kaman. Unfortunately, we just don't know how Sam Cassell's legs can hold up. And Marcus Williams isn't ready yet to take over the reigns. Also, lack of a big man to support Kaman will limit his productivity.
Best Case Scenario - 5 or 6 seed, maybe 2nd round
Worst Case Scenario - Outside of the playoffs looking in
New York Knicks - Ahhh, Spike Lee's team. Fortunately, this team has talent and players that want to win. With a formidable froncourt consisting of Curry, Brand, & Odom, they'll be able to take any team to the post. And with J-Will playing at such a high level last season, it wasn't a surprise to see them in the playoffs last season.
Best Case Scenario - Semi-Finals, possibly ECF
Worst Case Scenario - 7 or 8 seed
Orlando Magic - With basically a starting lineup of All-Stars, this team has the talent to win it all. The addition of Michael Redd from in-state rival the Miami Heat, gave this team and added outside edge alongside playoff stud Baron Davis. Unfortunately, the same problem that is hindering the current NBA Chicago Bulls might plague this Orlando team. With no real threat downlow, teams will be able to lock up on the perimeter and have......gasp....Ben Wallace beat them.
Best Case Scenario - Eastern Conference Finals
Worst Case Scenario - Semi-Finals upset due to no big man
Philadelphia 76ers - Give him a Center. Please. He wants one. He needs one. When you have basically the Phoenix Suns of 2005 in your starting lineup, you should be able to breez to the playoffs but unfortunately, this 6ers team has no big man to run down the floor like Amare Stoudemire did for Steve Nash back in PHX. With actually, not threat inside and with Juan Carlos Navarro playing SF for some reason, this team might not even be able to rebound.
Best Case Scenario - 8 seed, they'll be very competitive
Worst Case Scenario - Picking in the top 10
Washington Wizards - The trading for Mike Bibby and the signing of Azubuike are two underrated moves in the off-season. They give this Wizards team a good backcourt and a clutch post-season performer in Bibby. Also, this team has two big cogs downlow in Z-Bo and Jamison who are 20 ppg scorers in ths post and from outside. This team is built to win in May/June so watch out.
Best Case Scenario - Surprise ECF appearance
Worst Case Scenario - 1st round upset
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central :
Atlanta Hawks - By God, I hope Jerryd Bayless can play some SG because if not, well, he'll at least be joined by OJ Mayo next season. This Hawks team is in full rebuild mode, or at least I hope. With an important part at PG already invested in Acie Law IV, this Hawks team chose to make Bayless the 1st pick in the draft when they clearly needed help at big men with those two busts being ther best options.
Best Case Scenario - 11th, 12th best team in East
Worst Case Scenario - 1st pick in 2009, Hello OJ2
New Orleans Hornets - It's Chris Paul and the boys. That's what this team should be called. Last season's squad underachieved yet somehow made the playoffs due to Paul's brilliant play and the improved play from Devin Harris. David West, who was supposed to be their post threat faded last season and Joey Dorsey was drafted this off-season to hopefully kick West back into form.
Best Case Scenario - Surprise 2nd round appearance
Worst Case Scenario - Just missing the playoffs in the last two sims
Chicago Bulls - We know Amare is good. We know Ben Gordon is good. We think Warrick might turn into something with starting minutes but besides that, this team looks like it could heading south. The trading of Barbosa could be the factor that keeps this team from making the playoffs. With close to $20 million invested in a 32 year old Antonio Daniels, we're hoping it will somewhat pay off. Oh, and, it's nice to see Monta Ellis will finally get an opportunity to show off his stuff.
Best Case Scenario - A very surprising 2nd round appearance of Ellis plays well
Worst Case Scenario - A disappointing 10th place in the East
Cleveland Cavaliers - Why? Why mess with a good thing? Keep the pieces you had from last season and you're guaranteed at least the no.2 seed. But, I do like what the Cavs did in adding pieces. Yi looks like a stud in the making and will compliment with D-12 to form the league's best frontcourt for years to come. Jason Terry is capable of taking over games, as well as Joe Johnson but the lack of a true go-to-guy might make this team suffer.
Best Case Scenario - 7 games in the Semi-Finals, wouldn't be surprising if they made the ECF
Worst Case Scenario - 1st round exit
Detroit Pistons - These aren't your parents Pistons. These aren't even the Pistons of '04 but they are a playoff team. With near All-Star caliber players rotating on this team, it would not be surprising to see this team win 50 games but it won't be surprising to see them lose 50 games also. Wallace is getting older and won't be able to carry this team and Varajeo is not threat downlow. Butler looks like the next star in DET but don't be surprised if Sean Singletary wins ROY or is up for consideration. He's stepping into a role where he will be expected to perform above expectations.
Best Case Scenario - 2nd round
Worst Case Scenario - Narrowly missing the playoffs because Prince went AWOL
Indiana Pacers - The league's most active non-staff GM. This Pacers team is hella young and well, at least the Indiana fans aren't mad because they still have the Colts. With 4 good PG's, you have to expect one or two to be dealt to teams that can help give the Pacers some more quality wing players. Putting the pressure on Luol Deng to become the franchise player is tough because Deng was never drafted to be "that" type of guy.
Best Case Scenario - 10th in the East
Worst Case Scenario - Fighting with the Hawks for OJ2
Milwaukee Bucks - If Josh Smith, Sean May, & Andris Biedrins become Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, & Robert Parrish overnight, this Bucks team would have a chance. Unfortunately this team might be battling out for the #1 pick for 2009 and giving CLE the #1 pick in '10. Smith will put up ridiculous numbers though being the 1st option here though. And look for for Rajon Rondo to explode this upcoming season giving the Bucks some chance.
Best Case Scenario - 13th place in East
Worst Case Scenario - Joining ATL & IND for OJ2
Toronto Raptors - Put Livingston back at PG, hope Bargnani continues to improve, and pray, pray, pray that Webster finally breaks out and makes strides in his game like most HSers did after years 3/4. This team has talent and can make the playoffs as long as those 3 things happen for them. Bosh is a stud and should be surrounded with a good supporting cast. Don't waste his talents.
Best Case Scenario - 6, 7, or 8 seed
Worst Case Scenario - If Livingston fails at PG and Webster doesn't pan out still, then....................they're in the top 7 for the lottery
Expect the Western Conference tomorrow folks. Around 9-10ish.
Hope you guys enjoy.