Post by Skillz on Aug 24, 2010 18:06:27 GMT -5
BBS POWER RANKINGS. PART 2
# 15 Los Angeles Clippers (8-7)
Kicking off the top 15 teams is the Los Angeles Clippers. Even though the team is dealing with an idle GM, it has amassed a number of pieces that could make the Clipps a force to be reckoned with for a number of years to come. David West is one of the league’s premiere post scorers and Carmelo Anthony is on the brink of superstardom. The only thing slowing this team down is poor point guard play and a lack of a shot blocker.
# 14 Indiana Pacers (8-8)
Led by a strong backcourt of TJ Ford and Jimmy King, the Indiana Pacers can beat a lot of teams when they are playing well. However, the team is very inconsistent and doesn’t have a frontcourt presence to speak of. They could pose a difficult match up in the playoffs depending on whom they face.
# 13 Boston Celtics (6-11)
At 6-11, the Celtics have the worst record among the teams in the top 15. However, we have to cut Boston some slack because of its talent. Zach Randolph is one of the league’s best post scorers and Antawn Jamison is one of the most talented players in the league when he decides he wants to play well. Even though the team is not meshing, they have enough talent to use in trades to eventually become a contender.
# 12 New York Knicks (8-10)
After a 56 win season last year, the Knicks now look totally different. Led by Jason Richardson, New York has a lot of shot blocking and solid scoring at the wings. The team, however, has struggled on the road and needs to add more depth if it plans on making any type of push in the playoffs.
# 11 New Orleans Hornets (8-6)
Lebron James is sick but the Hornets don’t have much else. Surrounded by a meager group of big men and a good but not great backcourt, James has to do too much himself. Davis and McGrady are good complementary players but they aren’t enough support when New Orleans is relying on Samuel Dalembert and Aleksander Radjovecic as defense bigs.
# 10 Washington Wizards (9-10)
The Wizards are one player away from being a legitimate contender. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli have formed one of the best backcourts in the league and Ben Wallace is one of the best defensive big men in the game himself. The emergence of Rashad McCants should give Ashes the trade bait he needs to get his team to the next level.
# 9 Cleveland Cavaliers (7-7)
The Cavs seem to be in the same position every year: good enough to get a decent seed in the playoffs, but not talented enough to make any noise. While Tim Duncan is still one of the best players in the league, Tiger has only assembled an average supporting cast to surround him. The team doesn’t have a point guard and Allan Houston and Rasheed Wallace are getting old.
# 8 San Antonio Spurs (10-7)
The Spurs are one of the most talented teams in the league with the potential to get even better with a couple of trades. Pau Gasol and Elton Brand form an intimidating front court and Dujuan Wagner has all-star potential at point guard. While the Spurs have a lot of nice young players at the 2/3, they might want to invest in a proven veteran to put them over the top.
# 7 Oklahoma City Thunder (9-5)
The Thunder just acquired stud small forward Paul Pierce in hopes to make a legitimate effort to contend. Along with Gerald Wallace, Pierce should star for the Thunder and put them in position to win 50 or more games this year. The team also has a strong supporting cast with Big Z, Qyntel Wood and Cuttino Mobley but doesn’t have the star power to contend with the West’s elite.
# 6 Milwaukee Bucks (10-7)
Jamal Mashburn gets buckets. Or at least that’s what he’s done lately. Averaging over 35 ppg after almost single handedly winning the Bucks a championship, Mashburn has been spectacular as Milwaukee’s starting small forward. While the Bucks have some serious holes, strong defense and good rebounding keep the team in contention in the East. Jason Kidd has also emerged into a top point guard late into his career.
# 5 Orlando Magic (10-4)
Led by the reigning MVP Kevin Garnett, the Orlando Magic are back among the top teams in the league. While Orlando lacks an identity right now, they are good enough to get by on just talent alone. In addition to KG, Brian Cardinal has turned into a scoring machine and Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer are two very solid big men. The team could use a point guard to get them to the next level.
# 4 Utah Jazz (10-2)
Always among the West’s top teams, the Utah Jazz are once again ready to contend. While Nova’s team might be slightly worse than they were last year, the Jazz still pose a number of problems to opposing teams. Chris Kaman and Andrei Kirilenko form a great defensive frontcourt and Michael Redd is one of the better players in the league.
# 3 Phoenix Suns (9-6)
The Suns don’t really seem to be clicking just yet, but they clearly have one of the most complete starting lineups in the league. While Phoenix has plenty of star power and doesn’t have a hole to speak of in its starting lineup, its hard to see the Suns winning a championship without any depth. It might be smart to trade Blount for some lesser pieces who make less money.
# 2 Denver Nuggets (10-8)
Even though the Nuggets haven’t made much noise yet, they have by far the scariest team in the league. AI-Stack-Kobe is absolutely insane, and that’s forgetting that they have a former DPOY in the frontcourt. If the Nuggets find the right DC, I could see a 54-10 finish.
# 1 MinnesotaTimberwolves (12-3)
A team that is built for the playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves have by far the best defensive team in the league. Shaquille O’Neal and Vince Carter form the BBS version of Shaq and Kobe and Jason Terry is probably a star point guard who is just being under utilized. Also, Bruce Bowen might be one of the coolest players in the league. What a stud.
# 15 Los Angeles Clippers (8-7)
Kicking off the top 15 teams is the Los Angeles Clippers. Even though the team is dealing with an idle GM, it has amassed a number of pieces that could make the Clipps a force to be reckoned with for a number of years to come. David West is one of the league’s premiere post scorers and Carmelo Anthony is on the brink of superstardom. The only thing slowing this team down is poor point guard play and a lack of a shot blocker.
# 14 Indiana Pacers (8-8)
Led by a strong backcourt of TJ Ford and Jimmy King, the Indiana Pacers can beat a lot of teams when they are playing well. However, the team is very inconsistent and doesn’t have a frontcourt presence to speak of. They could pose a difficult match up in the playoffs depending on whom they face.
# 13 Boston Celtics (6-11)
At 6-11, the Celtics have the worst record among the teams in the top 15. However, we have to cut Boston some slack because of its talent. Zach Randolph is one of the league’s best post scorers and Antawn Jamison is one of the most talented players in the league when he decides he wants to play well. Even though the team is not meshing, they have enough talent to use in trades to eventually become a contender.
# 12 New York Knicks (8-10)
After a 56 win season last year, the Knicks now look totally different. Led by Jason Richardson, New York has a lot of shot blocking and solid scoring at the wings. The team, however, has struggled on the road and needs to add more depth if it plans on making any type of push in the playoffs.
# 11 New Orleans Hornets (8-6)
Lebron James is sick but the Hornets don’t have much else. Surrounded by a meager group of big men and a good but not great backcourt, James has to do too much himself. Davis and McGrady are good complementary players but they aren’t enough support when New Orleans is relying on Samuel Dalembert and Aleksander Radjovecic as defense bigs.
# 10 Washington Wizards (9-10)
The Wizards are one player away from being a legitimate contender. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli have formed one of the best backcourts in the league and Ben Wallace is one of the best defensive big men in the game himself. The emergence of Rashad McCants should give Ashes the trade bait he needs to get his team to the next level.
# 9 Cleveland Cavaliers (7-7)
The Cavs seem to be in the same position every year: good enough to get a decent seed in the playoffs, but not talented enough to make any noise. While Tim Duncan is still one of the best players in the league, Tiger has only assembled an average supporting cast to surround him. The team doesn’t have a point guard and Allan Houston and Rasheed Wallace are getting old.
# 8 San Antonio Spurs (10-7)
The Spurs are one of the most talented teams in the league with the potential to get even better with a couple of trades. Pau Gasol and Elton Brand form an intimidating front court and Dujuan Wagner has all-star potential at point guard. While the Spurs have a lot of nice young players at the 2/3, they might want to invest in a proven veteran to put them over the top.
# 7 Oklahoma City Thunder (9-5)
The Thunder just acquired stud small forward Paul Pierce in hopes to make a legitimate effort to contend. Along with Gerald Wallace, Pierce should star for the Thunder and put them in position to win 50 or more games this year. The team also has a strong supporting cast with Big Z, Qyntel Wood and Cuttino Mobley but doesn’t have the star power to contend with the West’s elite.
# 6 Milwaukee Bucks (10-7)
Jamal Mashburn gets buckets. Or at least that’s what he’s done lately. Averaging over 35 ppg after almost single handedly winning the Bucks a championship, Mashburn has been spectacular as Milwaukee’s starting small forward. While the Bucks have some serious holes, strong defense and good rebounding keep the team in contention in the East. Jason Kidd has also emerged into a top point guard late into his career.
# 5 Orlando Magic (10-4)
Led by the reigning MVP Kevin Garnett, the Orlando Magic are back among the top teams in the league. While Orlando lacks an identity right now, they are good enough to get by on just talent alone. In addition to KG, Brian Cardinal has turned into a scoring machine and Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer are two very solid big men. The team could use a point guard to get them to the next level.
# 4 Utah Jazz (10-2)
Always among the West’s top teams, the Utah Jazz are once again ready to contend. While Nova’s team might be slightly worse than they were last year, the Jazz still pose a number of problems to opposing teams. Chris Kaman and Andrei Kirilenko form a great defensive frontcourt and Michael Redd is one of the better players in the league.
# 3 Phoenix Suns (9-6)
The Suns don’t really seem to be clicking just yet, but they clearly have one of the most complete starting lineups in the league. While Phoenix has plenty of star power and doesn’t have a hole to speak of in its starting lineup, its hard to see the Suns winning a championship without any depth. It might be smart to trade Blount for some lesser pieces who make less money.
# 2 Denver Nuggets (10-8)
Even though the Nuggets haven’t made much noise yet, they have by far the scariest team in the league. AI-Stack-Kobe is absolutely insane, and that’s forgetting that they have a former DPOY in the frontcourt. If the Nuggets find the right DC, I could see a 54-10 finish.
# 1 MinnesotaTimberwolves (12-3)
A team that is built for the playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves have by far the best defensive team in the league. Shaquille O’Neal and Vince Carter form the BBS version of Shaq and Kobe and Jason Terry is probably a star point guard who is just being under utilized. Also, Bruce Bowen might be one of the coolest players in the league. What a stud.
