Post by Martinez on Jul 14, 2011 9:47:21 GMT -5
These rankings are a mix of Team Rankings in PPG/OPPG, current roster after recent trades, strength of schedule in the 10 days, and Team Record. My weighting in the rankings is based pretty much in that order.
1.
Team Rankings PPG: 4th (125.1) OPPG:8th (109.8) Team Record: 8-0
Outlook:The Knicks start the season the way they ended the regular season last year completely on fire. On an 8-0 run the Knicks seem unbeatable. If it weren't for a key injury to Tyrone Keane last year the Knicks could very well have been champs. Some will question the recent trade in which saw All-Defensive player George Hall and shut-down specialist Amir Otemzel head to the Clippers for Mitchell Jordan and Brandon Watts but the Knicks continued to make moves and landed Dhelmar Ghedi from the Warriors in exchange for Dexter Rider to someone supplant the abscene of Hall. Only time will tell if the Knicks made the right move but all signs point to yes.
2.
Team Rankings PPG: 3rd (125.2) OPPG 10th (111.2) Team Record: 5-1
Team Outlook:The Suns franchise has been in absolute turmoil ever since former GM Jon Benjamin was involved in a racial scandal and was forced to step down. People were left scratching their heads with Suns management again when they decided to bring in Arroyo, a GM with a horrendous track-record and it showed why. In the small time that Arroyo had the team the Suns dropped from the 2nd seed to almost out of playoffs until BBS Commisioner Spencer Martin decided to step in on behalf the franchise and run it until a suitable GM stepped in. The Suns can now rely on BBS veteran and favorite of many Pig to steer the ship right and they are off to a hot start. They recently acquired Jonas Valenciunas from Minny and paired up once again with superstar Jacquez Knight the Suns seemed destined for greatness this year.
3.
Team Rankings PPG: 11th (117.5) PPG OPPG: 4th (104.6) Team Record: 7-3
Team Outlook: It's an amazement as to how the Bulls are ranked 11th in team scoring but have four guys averaging 20ppg or better, but the Bulls downfall for the past three years has not been their starters it's there lack of significant presence and depth on the bench. With literally no bench to speak of the Bulls are forced to play big minutes to their starters Dickerson, Paulson, McCracken and Purnell are all averaging 40mpg. One key injury to any one of these players and the Bulls go from Elite to an average team. Many people feel the Bulls should make a move for one of their studs to get some talent and depth, Bulls management would rather stick to what they have and go out guns blazing.
4.
Team Rankings PPG: 13th(112) OPPG 3rd(103) Team Record: 5-1
Team Outlook: Personally not a fan of the team or the GM. GM Chipper seems to go from solid to borderline great trades to what the fuck are you thinking trades(see GM Biggie for another example). The Spurs are off to a nice start with a 5-1 record they've beat some solid teams including the Hornets and the Mavericks. I wanted to drop them all the way down to the 6th spot but as of the first sim you can't really make an arguement of anyone else over them. I don't expect them to contend for a title or even a division championship but if they do make a correct move or two they could be top 5 for rest of the season.
5.
Team Rankings PPG:6th (120.8) OPPG: 22nd (116.8) Team Record: 4-4
Team Outlook: Despite a 4-4 record it’s tough not to argue with the Hornets being in top 5 discussion. Off to a rough start mainly due to injuries, the Hornets were involved in a big trade with the Clippers that saw arguably the top 3 player in the league Dean Hollis join the squad. I personally had the Los Angeles Clippers at the 5 over the Hornets to start as I felt that the Clippers were just more balanced and talented on both ends of the field while the Hornets before and after the trades are still weak defensively, especially in the front court though it’s really hard to find a team with so much talent 1 through 5 and have the depth necessary to back it all up. The Hornets still have enough significant assets in which they can make moves to continue to improve defensively. Rumors are JD Quincy may be heading out the door for a more elite defensive presence but only time will tell if the rumors do become true. I think the Hornets will surely make some noise but if they do not continue to make more moves I can not see them winning a championship trophy this year.
6.
Team Rankings PPG: 18th (111.2) OPPG: 16th (113.2) Team Record: 2-3
Team Outlook: Much like the Hornets, the Clippers make these rankings just in the sheer amount of talent they've brought the squad. In just one days worth of time the Clippers dealt all-world Dean Hollis, All-Defensive Second Team Mitchell Jordan and essentially turned them into George Hall, Juno Tremont, Kevin White, and Elgin Baylor. The Clippers arguably on paper have one of the more dangerous teams. The Clippers one glaring weakness is at the Point Guard position but their depth with Demarcus Cousins and Amir Otemzel, their defensive and rebounding presence in Juno Tremont and George Hall and then their scoring prowess in Kevin White and Elgin Baylor it's tough to argue with the Clippers being anything lower than top 5-6. The key will be if GM Martinez will be able to get this team to gel quickly enough and be ready for a championship run Clippers have been dieing for for years.
7.
Team Rankings PPG: 7th (120) OPPG: 15th (112.7) Team Record 4-2
Team Outlook: The Rockets are that team no one talks about every year but they're always at the top of the standings. Many people feel the Rockets are always one or two trades away from being elite but GM Jordan never seems to be active enough to pull the feat off. The acquisition of Christian Gola has been simply phenomenal for them there perhaps isn't a better scoring big men the league has or will ever see again to the likes of Gola and to top it all off he's an elite defender. I do not think the Rockets will be serious contenders without the addition of a more legitimate starting Point Guard but if they do make the move for one they can be a scary team to face come playoff time.
8.
Team Rankings PPG: 1st (130.2) OPPG: 24th(118.2) Team Record: 4-1
Team Outlook: The Pistons are off to a surprising start but most wonder how long this will last. They are currently averaging a mind boggling 130ppg but also are among the worst in the league when it comes to defense. I do not expect the Pistons to hold this pace at all without a legitimate defensive prescence they will need to rely on them somehow outscoring opponents every game and I do not see that happening. I do not see the Pistons even being in top 10 discussion come the end of the year and many will agree. A lack of a defensive 5 will kill them when they start to face the elite teams in the league. I see the Detroit Pistons being playoffs but no where near this high in the rankings for the rest of the season.
9.
Team Rankings PPG: 5th (123.8) OPPG 28th (124.5) Team Record: 5-3
Team Outlook: Another team much like the Pistons that are playing well and above their potential. The Grizzlies are shooting lights out but they can't stop anyone on defense. Ryan Miller is averaging very nearly 20rpg while putting up 20ppg a first perhaps in the history of BBS. Omar Green and IRving are combining both for over 30ppg. Also much like the Pistons I just simply can not see the Grizzlies maintaining this pace for an 82 game season. 8th in the rankings is plausible though as they just have to much talent but that defense is surely atrocious and something needs to be done to shore that up. Ryan Miller is playing surprising well and is making his doubters in New Jersey curse and cringe at them letting him go.
10.
Team Rankings PPG: 8th (118.7) OPPG: 6th (109.0) Team Record: 4-2
Team Outlook: The Nets GM needs to find the right DC and the Nets will be quickly climbing the rankings with defensive powerhouses in Alf Soljberge and Stephen Flint commanding the frontcourt and ageless wonder John Wall still tormenting opposing point guards at the age of 36 the Nets are still contenders. The Nets though are still a move or two away from being elite and are not quit there yet. If they were ever to make a move though this would be the year as even though John Wall is having another superb season you're still left wondering if he really has another year or two left in the tank after this season. No question though, a significant addition at the 2 or the 3 position will move the Nets to elite. The question though is can they accomplish that.
1.
Team Rankings PPG: 4th (125.1) OPPG:8th (109.8) Team Record: 8-0Outlook:The Knicks start the season the way they ended the regular season last year completely on fire. On an 8-0 run the Knicks seem unbeatable. If it weren't for a key injury to Tyrone Keane last year the Knicks could very well have been champs. Some will question the recent trade in which saw All-Defensive player George Hall and shut-down specialist Amir Otemzel head to the Clippers for Mitchell Jordan and Brandon Watts but the Knicks continued to make moves and landed Dhelmar Ghedi from the Warriors in exchange for Dexter Rider to someone supplant the abscene of Hall. Only time will tell if the Knicks made the right move but all signs point to yes.
2.
Team Rankings PPG: 3rd (125.2) OPPG 10th (111.2) Team Record: 5-1Team Outlook:The Suns franchise has been in absolute turmoil ever since former GM Jon Benjamin was involved in a racial scandal and was forced to step down. People were left scratching their heads with Suns management again when they decided to bring in Arroyo, a GM with a horrendous track-record and it showed why. In the small time that Arroyo had the team the Suns dropped from the 2nd seed to almost out of playoffs until BBS Commisioner Spencer Martin decided to step in on behalf the franchise and run it until a suitable GM stepped in. The Suns can now rely on BBS veteran and favorite of many Pig to steer the ship right and they are off to a hot start. They recently acquired Jonas Valenciunas from Minny and paired up once again with superstar Jacquez Knight the Suns seemed destined for greatness this year.
3.
Team Rankings PPG: 11th (117.5) PPG OPPG: 4th (104.6) Team Record: 7-3Team Outlook: It's an amazement as to how the Bulls are ranked 11th in team scoring but have four guys averaging 20ppg or better, but the Bulls downfall for the past three years has not been their starters it's there lack of significant presence and depth on the bench. With literally no bench to speak of the Bulls are forced to play big minutes to their starters Dickerson, Paulson, McCracken and Purnell are all averaging 40mpg. One key injury to any one of these players and the Bulls go from Elite to an average team. Many people feel the Bulls should make a move for one of their studs to get some talent and depth, Bulls management would rather stick to what they have and go out guns blazing.
4.
Team Rankings PPG: 13th(112) OPPG 3rd(103) Team Record: 5-1 Team Outlook: Personally not a fan of the team or the GM. GM Chipper seems to go from solid to borderline great trades to what the fuck are you thinking trades(see GM Biggie for another example). The Spurs are off to a nice start with a 5-1 record they've beat some solid teams including the Hornets and the Mavericks. I wanted to drop them all the way down to the 6th spot but as of the first sim you can't really make an arguement of anyone else over them. I don't expect them to contend for a title or even a division championship but if they do make a correct move or two they could be top 5 for rest of the season.
5.
Team Rankings PPG:6th (120.8) OPPG: 22nd (116.8) Team Record: 4-4Team Outlook: Despite a 4-4 record it’s tough not to argue with the Hornets being in top 5 discussion. Off to a rough start mainly due to injuries, the Hornets were involved in a big trade with the Clippers that saw arguably the top 3 player in the league Dean Hollis join the squad. I personally had the Los Angeles Clippers at the 5 over the Hornets to start as I felt that the Clippers were just more balanced and talented on both ends of the field while the Hornets before and after the trades are still weak defensively, especially in the front court though it’s really hard to find a team with so much talent 1 through 5 and have the depth necessary to back it all up. The Hornets still have enough significant assets in which they can make moves to continue to improve defensively. Rumors are JD Quincy may be heading out the door for a more elite defensive presence but only time will tell if the rumors do become true. I think the Hornets will surely make some noise but if they do not continue to make more moves I can not see them winning a championship trophy this year.
6.
Team Rankings PPG: 18th (111.2) OPPG: 16th (113.2) Team Record: 2-3Team Outlook: Much like the Hornets, the Clippers make these rankings just in the sheer amount of talent they've brought the squad. In just one days worth of time the Clippers dealt all-world Dean Hollis, All-Defensive Second Team Mitchell Jordan and essentially turned them into George Hall, Juno Tremont, Kevin White, and Elgin Baylor. The Clippers arguably on paper have one of the more dangerous teams. The Clippers one glaring weakness is at the Point Guard position but their depth with Demarcus Cousins and Amir Otemzel, their defensive and rebounding presence in Juno Tremont and George Hall and then their scoring prowess in Kevin White and Elgin Baylor it's tough to argue with the Clippers being anything lower than top 5-6. The key will be if GM Martinez will be able to get this team to gel quickly enough and be ready for a championship run Clippers have been dieing for for years.
7.
Team Rankings PPG: 7th (120) OPPG: 15th (112.7) Team Record 4-2Team Outlook: The Rockets are that team no one talks about every year but they're always at the top of the standings. Many people feel the Rockets are always one or two trades away from being elite but GM Jordan never seems to be active enough to pull the feat off. The acquisition of Christian Gola has been simply phenomenal for them there perhaps isn't a better scoring big men the league has or will ever see again to the likes of Gola and to top it all off he's an elite defender. I do not think the Rockets will be serious contenders without the addition of a more legitimate starting Point Guard but if they do make the move for one they can be a scary team to face come playoff time.
8.
Team Rankings PPG: 1st (130.2) OPPG: 24th(118.2) Team Record: 4-1Team Outlook: The Pistons are off to a surprising start but most wonder how long this will last. They are currently averaging a mind boggling 130ppg but also are among the worst in the league when it comes to defense. I do not expect the Pistons to hold this pace at all without a legitimate defensive prescence they will need to rely on them somehow outscoring opponents every game and I do not see that happening. I do not see the Pistons even being in top 10 discussion come the end of the year and many will agree. A lack of a defensive 5 will kill them when they start to face the elite teams in the league. I see the Detroit Pistons being playoffs but no where near this high in the rankings for the rest of the season.
9.
Team Rankings PPG: 5th (123.8) OPPG 28th (124.5) Team Record: 5-3Team Outlook: Another team much like the Pistons that are playing well and above their potential. The Grizzlies are shooting lights out but they can't stop anyone on defense. Ryan Miller is averaging very nearly 20rpg while putting up 20ppg a first perhaps in the history of BBS. Omar Green and IRving are combining both for over 30ppg. Also much like the Pistons I just simply can not see the Grizzlies maintaining this pace for an 82 game season. 8th in the rankings is plausible though as they just have to much talent but that defense is surely atrocious and something needs to be done to shore that up. Ryan Miller is playing surprising well and is making his doubters in New Jersey curse and cringe at them letting him go.
10.
Team Rankings PPG: 8th (118.7) OPPG: 6th (109.0) Team Record: 4-2 Team Outlook: The Nets GM needs to find the right DC and the Nets will be quickly climbing the rankings with defensive powerhouses in Alf Soljberge and Stephen Flint commanding the frontcourt and ageless wonder John Wall still tormenting opposing point guards at the age of 36 the Nets are still contenders. The Nets though are still a move or two away from being elite and are not quit there yet. If they were ever to make a move though this would be the year as even though John Wall is having another superb season you're still left wondering if he really has another year or two left in the tank after this season. No question though, a significant addition at the 2 or the 3 position will move the Nets to elite. The question though is can they accomplish that.
