Post by styro on Feb 3, 2011 23:16:54 GMT -5
Team Age Breakdown
These are the teams listed in order, from youngest to oldest. I will be grading teams based on their ability to win now (present) and their future outlook, good or bad.
![](http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/8917/26536865.png)
Average Age: 23.9 years old
Key Players: Al Horford 29, Ryan Miller 19, Alec Burks 24, Austin Rivers 22
The Present: The Rockets are surprisingly in the playoffs. Considering they're the youngest team in the Western Conference, that's pretty impressive. They are getting contributions from two of the youngest studs in the league and Horford seems to be a good complement. The Rockets don't have a lot of debt at the moment so it's uncertain as to whether they'll be in the playoffs at the end of the year. If they do make it, they'll probably be an early exit. Grade: B-
The Future: Their future is amongst the brightest in the league. They already have two stars that are 24 and 22 in Alec Burks and Austin Rivers. Rivers looked like a semi-bust after his first tc but he bounced back nicely this past off-season. The x-factor from here on out will probably be Ryan Miller. He hasn't contributed much yet, but he has nice ratings and some nice upside considering he's only 19. If Ryan Miller becomes a star, watch out. Plus, Horford hasn't even hit 30 yet. Grade: A-
![](http://feeds2.yourstorewizards.com/2522/images/200x200/new-orleans-hornets-nba-team-belt-buckle.jpg)
Average Age: 24.4 years old
Key Players: Rakeem Christmas 23, Gordon Hayward 25, Kemba Walker 25, Russel Westbrook 26
The Present: At the moment, they're pretty mediocre. They are probably playing below their talent level and they could be left out of the playoff picture. They're pretty young and Christmas has yet to reach his potential, i don't think. Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward have formed a great 1-2 punch, but they won't fulfill their potential this season unless Westbrook steps it up. It's surprising to see Westbrook struggle so much when you take a look at his ratings, but it's nothing new as he has yet to play up to those ratings for a while now. Probably a late lotto team. Grade: B
The Future: The future looks good for the Hornets. They have two young studs in Hayward and Kemba and another emerging one in Rakeem Christmas. Westbrook is also considerably young, but no one expects him to ever become a legit star. If Westbrook ever plays up to his ratings, this team could be real good. If he doesn't, well they have Brad Beal as a backup plan. Beal has the potential to emerge into a nice 3rd scorer behind Gordon and Kemba. I like the future of this team. Grade: B+
![](http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/object2/640/46/n10968186514_3910.jpg)
Average Age: 25.1 years old
Key Players: Martynas Andriuskevicius 29, Terrence Williams 28, Dajuan Wagner 32, Patrick Young 24
The Present: They seem to be mediocre year in and year out. At least this year, they seem to be in the lotto convincingly. Their core players are considerably old considering they aren't expected to play a role in the playoff picture. Martynas and Terrence are still in their primes and performing well, but there doesn't seem to be much around them to build on in order for them to win this season.Patrick Young can probably be that guy to emerge and inject some life into the team mid-season if he's camped or something. Otherwise, it's just going to be a season where they're not good enough to be in playoffs and not bad enough to tank properly. Grade: B-
The Future: The future is uncertain. No one knows whether these players will be on the roster much longer considering Jah would be better off just blowing this thing up already. Jah doesn't seem to be actively pursuing a tank job though so that's why their future is uncertain. The Spurs would be better off trading their assets for rebuilding pieces at this point while utilizing their own tanking picks to build a brighter future. Jah has to pick a direction asap though.Grade: C+
![](http://incitebusinesssolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/grizzlies-memphis.jpg)
Average Age: 25.2 years old
Key Players: Demarcus Cousins 24, Harrison Barnes 23, Stephen Curry 27
The Present: Right now it looks as though they are an early round exit in the playoffs. Insane probably won't mind though, considering his team his amongst the youngest in the league and their young guys are producing. It has to be very encouraging to have a young team in the playoff picture when you know they're probably going to improve. They have one of the best Point Guards in the league and one of the best Wing player in the league and if they can squeeze a little more production out of Pau, they could maybe move up a few slots. For right now, they're a solid playoff team. Grade: B
The Future: They have one of the best young Point Guards barely entering his prime and they have another 23 year old stud wing putting up sick numbers without yet reaching his prime. There's no doubt, the Grizzlies have a lot to look forward too and i haven't even mentioned Cousins yet. Yea, he's a bit old for a rookie but he has already made improvements since being drafted and there's no reason to think he won't continue the trend. They'd probably benefit from a tank job, but their future is in good hands regardless with those 3. Grade: A-
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/oc/thumb/0/0f/Golden_State_Warriors_logo.png/200px-Golden_State_Warriors_logo.%20png)
Average Age: 25.3 years old
Key Players:
The Present: They have to win and they have to win now. They are in their cy, yet they seem content with staying two games over .500. Unless they make some trades, this could go down to the wire. They have one of the best scorers in the league in Carmelo and they have an emerging Point Guard in Teague. I'm not sure that will be enough though. Derrick Williams has the talent of a potential franchise player but he has been a major disappointment with his production this year. If they want to secure a playoff spot or 42 win season, Derrick might have to go. The GM seems reluctant to do so though. Grade: B
The Future: It looks decent. It doesn't look great. Carmelo definitely won't be someone the Warriors can count on in the long run and even though Mayo is young at 27, i'm not sure he's a top 3 player on a great team like he currently is. Teague looks like the only reliable asset Game has going forward. Derrick looks promising no doubt, but his ratings could be very deceiving and very dangerous when it comes to resigning him, as he has yet to put up the production his ratings indicate he should be putting up.Grade: B-
![](http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/profile-ak-snc1/object2/518/120/n20214931136_918.jpg)
Average Age: 26.5 years old
Key Players: Chris Kaman 33, Eric Gordon 26, Paul George 25
The Present: Their record could be a bit deceiving at this stage in the season. They have nice talent, but it's hard to imagine them keeping up this same pace. They're definitely a playoff team though. Eric Gordon has taken off this season, he's almost 10 points above his average from last year. This team is still kind of young and Kaman seems to be the only veteran playing a key role on this team. They have a bunch of good pieces, but they're probably missing that superstar to put them in the upper echelon of the conference. Gordon seems to be emerging as one though. Grade: B+
The Future: They have some nice pieces with room to go but for the most part, aside from Gordon there's a bunch of question marks. Paul George isn't playing up to his contract at this point and Quin Cook probably won't ever be a scorer. If they can surround Cook with other scorers other than Gordon in the future, this team could be great. Cook is the perfect distributor and Kaman probably won't be around for too much longer. Quincy Miller seems like a long shot to become a star, but if he does, he could make this team something special. They'll need one more stud alongside Gordon in the future.Grade: B
Average Age: 26.7 years old
Key Players: Andrew Bynum 28, Gerald Wallace 33, Rodrigue Beaubois 27
The Present: The West is just too competitive at this point. They have the best player in Wallace, but no other legit star besides him. Andrew Bynum is a heck of a defensive stud, but Wallace needs someone to help him carry the load of the scoring. Their key players are getting up their in age, Wallace included and it seems as if they're topped out as far as winning goes. I know they just acquired Gerald Wallace ina deal last year, in a good deal might i add, but it looks as though the Mavericks might have to blow this up pretty soon. It doesn't look as if though they'll be contending for anything. Grade: B-
The Future: It doesn't looks as if there is much of a future for them right now. They don't really have a young player they can build on for the next 10 years and their youngest players, Bynum and Rodrigue seem to be career long role players. They don't have their picks for the next couple years though so they might have to just bite the bullet and remain mediocre over the next couple seasons. They'll struggle to make the playoffs and if they do, they're probably a first round exit waiting to happen. Too bad they'll probably have to hold off on the rebuild for a bit. Grade: C
![](http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/6558/lac.png)
Average Age: 26.9 years old
Key Players: Brook Lopez 27, Lamarcus Aldridge 33, Jonas Valanciunas 22, Will Barton 24
The Present: I'm not going to lie, Marty has done a solid job with this team. They probably aren't a championship caliber team at the moment but they could be if they add a nice piece or too. They have the core to do it, but losing Lebron hurt a little. If they can upgrade over Calathes at Point Guard, that could go a long ways into making deep advances in the playoffs. Even if they don't win a championship or make a deep run it has to be encouraging when your three best players are 27 and younger and your best one is only 22. Grade:B+
The Future: I love their future. They have one of the best young bigs in the league in Jonas and he's good for another 10 years of 25/10 production at the very least. Brook is still a beast at only 27 and bigs are hard to come by in this league so they have two great pieces to have a future with. If Barton improves over the next few years and turns into an elite scorer, the Clippers will be very dangerous. If he can keep emerging as Diaw declines, the Clippers will be in very good shape. I love Jonas and Brook, could be one of the best combination of playres to have for the next 5-7 years. Grade: A-
![](http://product.images.fansedge.com/32-02/32-02205-1-P.jpg)
Average Age: 27.2 years old
Key Players: Trey Thompkins 25, Landry Fields 27, Ray McCallum 22
The Present: They are no doubt a rebuilding team. This is the first tanking team i've mentioned so far. I'm sure the Thunder GM would be pleased if his team continues to lose at this rate. The probably won't catch up to the Knicks as far as worst record but it's nice to have the ability to lose while having one of the best young players in the game in McCallum. Having a sick young Point Guard and tanking is a great combination to have. Landry Fields is a rookie but he's not someone to have for the next 10 years so that's kind of weird. Should be great for the next 5-7 though. Grade: C
The Future: You can't knock their future. They have the best young Point Guard in the game and they'll probably have a top 5 or 7 pick in the upcoming draft, if not top 3. It's a great luxury to have when you can just add to a stud like McCallum. Tobias was a major disappointment, if he would have developed into a stud like we were expecting, they'd have a sick future right now. Terrence could become what Tobias didn't though so not all is lost. I love their future at this point.Grade: B+
![](http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/662/90915497.png)
Average Age: 27.6 years old
Key Players: Donta Smith 31, JR Smith 29, Kyrie Irving 23
The Present: Another team kind of on the fringe of being in the lotto or playoffs, whichever way you want to look at it and without any real direction right now. They have the best young Point Guard in the game outside of Wall, but nothing else really besides him. It's not a good thing when Donta Smith is your second best player and JR Smith is your third. Irving is almost single handedly hovering this team around the .500 mark. They're probably a first round exit team at best. Grade: B-
The Future: Thank god for Irving. He's an mvp caliber player already, but unfortunately there's nothing else too look forward to. You can argue they don't need much else to look forward to when you have Irving, but adding some tanking lotto picks or something else you can build around for the future would be nice to see. They don't have their pick this year so i expect them to make the best out of this situation at this point, but he rebuild might be in the cards for them in the near future. Grade: B-
![](http://img11.nnm.ru/3/c/9/6/5/0e1f2c4568da5da29f742406cb6.png)
Average Age: 27.7 years old
Key Players: Amir Johnson 28, Jordan Sibert 23, Brandon Roy 31, Brandon Knight 24
The Present: Ehhh. The Nuggets are in a troubling situation right now. They look like a tanking team except they don't have their pick. It looks as if they improved themselves a bit with their acquisition of Roy but was it worth losing a young stud like Honeycutt? It's hard to imagine the nuggets overcoming the whole they put themselves in early in order to make the playoffs. At the very least, it looks as though they made their pick worse for the Celtics. It's going to be interesting to see how Roy will affect their win total by the end of the season. I still think they're a lotto team. Grade: C+
The Future: Their future looks good, but they probably chose a bad time to rebuild. They are without their picks for this season and next and they don't really have that franchise player they can build on yet. Maybe Brandon Knight can emerge into one, but that has yet to be seen. I know I'd like their future considerably more if they had Tyler Honeycutt. If they had their picks and held onto Honeycutt there's no doubt they'd have one of the brightest futures in the league, but they don't. If they don't make playoffs this year, they could be in danger of getting cy'd down the line. Grade: C+
![](http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/7462/31218508.png)
Average Age: 28.1 years old
Key Players: Dejaun Blair 26, Monta Ellis 29, John Wall 25
The Present: Yep, they definitely raped the Pacers in that Wall deal. They have two of the best players in the league. Yea, they don't have much else around them but how much do you need when two of your players are getting sixty PPG. Blair is a decent third option, but not one you expect from a team that's 15-5 and among the leaders in the West. I doubt the Wolves are looking to make a big move right now, but if they did make one to land a legit 3rd wheel, they'd be sick. Grade: A-
The Future: Their present is their future. Monta has yet to hit 30 and John Wall is the best young player in the league at arguably the most valuable position in the league and they probably won't be slowing down anytime soon. Expect to get 60 ppg from these guys in the forseeable future. For everyone's sake, let's just hope they don't add any other stud to these two. It's easy to build a team around two guys getting such a high volume a points so the future definitely looks good. Grade: A-
![](http://img15.nnm.ru/a/5/6/0/7/43259a04ad37bbf54f27fd0f92e.png)
Average Age: 29.4 years old
Key Players: Amare Stoudemire 32, Josh Smith 29, Thaddeus Young 27, Michael Gilchrist 22, Alexey Shved 27
The Present: Great team with good players everywhere you look. They have a great combination of guys barely hitting their primes and guys a little older who still perform great. And then they have a sick young prospect who probably be one of the best players in the near future. It's hard to find a glaring weakness with this team. They have a good player everywhere and they can expose you from any position on the floor. They have great pieces that complement each other and I expect them to be conference finalists when it's all said and done. They might need a little depth, but they're in great position either way. I love their balance. Grade: A
The Future: Even though they''re the second oldest team in the conference, they still have a core that should keep them good for a good while. Gilchrist has yet to reach his prime and Thaddeus Young will probably be performing at his peak for another 5-7 seasons to go along with Shved. Jsmoove is another player who hasn't even hit 30 yet. The only hole they might have to fill is the one Amare might leave empty, either by declining or departure.Grade: A
![](http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5003/33801626.png)
Average Age: 29.6 years old
Key Players: Derrick Favors 24, Martell Webster 28, Deron Williams 31
The Present: They're probably the best team in the league right now. Yea, they're the oldest, but who cares when you're a title contender. They probably have the second best backcourt in the league behind the Timberwolves but they have a sick young post players, which is what i think puts them above everyone in the West. Favors, Webster, and Favors to go along with a sick defender in PJ is a scary team to meet up with in the playoffs. The West is super competitive though so it won't be easy. I still expect them to make the conference finals at the very least though. Grade: A
The Future: They're a championship contending team, so the future really isn't a priority for them but if they ever did decide to start from scratch and blow this core up, they'll still have Favors so they have a big for the next decade if they choose to hold on to him. There's not much to say about their future since it's a team primarily build for the present. Favors is great though. Grade: B