Post by Skillz on May 5, 2011 22:25:35 GMT -5
Mid-Season Power Rankings
With over 1/3 of the season through, it is time for a new edition of the power rankings. After a week filled with trading, the league looks significantly different than it did at the start of the season--new contenders, new bottom dwellers, and a lot of new uniforms. Without further ado, here are my power rankings. (NOTE: only ranked relevant teams.)
Breaking Down the Top 10:
Title Contenders:
1. Orlando Magic (28-4)--Quite simply, the Magic are a scary team. They have it all: offense, defense, a true stud, and a great TOPG/OTOPG ratio. Perry Jones is a legitimate superstar, and Orlando has lots of scoring in the backcourt and great shot blocking in the frontcourt to complement their star. Orlando should be the favorite to come out of the East, and has an excellent chance at winning a title this year.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-9)--The Thunder have not lost a game with its new team. Habes team has finally bounced back from mediocrity and is now probably the best team he has ever assembled. AR/Cousins is a formidable front court, but the Thunder really excel in the backcourt, with Kyrie Irving and Travis Leslie forming an unbelievably talented and stupidly efficient 1/2 tandem. The Thunder have the recipe for success with their current roster and should contend for a title.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves (24-7)--Thought to be title favorites at the beginning of the year, the Wolves have played as well as expected to begin this season. The Thunder are the more complete team, but Minnesota rebounds the ball incredibly well and has two great guards in Wall and Walker. Should be a great WCF.
On the Cusp:
4. Denver Nuggets (21-10)--Greeme has finally made some strides, as the Nuggets are in the best shape they have been in during Greeme's tenure. Melo and Lopez form a top-5 frontcourt, and they are complemented by three great shooters in Harrow, Jordan, and Wesley. This team is well put together, but lacks the depth and star power to compete with the big three.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (19-8)--The Bucks were screwed in free agency, but they still managed to form a solid team this year. Sjoberg has blossomed into an incredible shot blocker, as he and AR form a dynamic front court. Chris Paul is getting up their in age, but he can still play, and the Bucks are slightly better than the other comparatively mediocre playoff teams.
6. New York Knicks (17-12)--A system oriented team, the Knicks have amassed what seems to be every inside scorer in the league. Derrick Williams and Blake Griffin combine to score 45 points per game, and the Knicks have all B+/A- inside scorers to round out their depth chart. The question with the Knicks is whether Maalik Wayns and/or Terrel Devereaux will be able to handle the platoon PG spot--the team's only real weakness.
7. Toronto Raptors (20-12)--Overachieving again, the Raptors always seem to be in the thick of things during the regular season. LeDaniel Grahm is one of the more underrated players in the league, and the Raptors have loads of scoring coming from Ben Rollins and Terrico White. Though they have decent interior defense, Toronto's lack of post scoring will hurt them again come playoff time; the Raptor's starting bigs combine to average just 6 points per game.
Not There Yet:
8. New Orleans Hornets (15-15)--The Hornets have the most valuable player in the league but not much else. While New Orleans looked poised to make a title run before the season started, the team has decided to retool around Jacquez Knight. This move may be worth it, but the team as it is currently constructed has some problems. Knight is surrounded by a mis-mosh of good talent that do not fit together well. New Orleans needs an identity.
9. Chicago Bulls (10-13)--The Bulls have not gotten it going yet, but Chicago has more potential than any other potential contender. Stephen Flint and Andre Drummond are excellent bigs, and Vince McCracken is a superstar shooting guard. This team plays great defense and really should not be 10-13. With a trade or two, Chicago could be a top 2/3 team in the East.
10. Miami Heat (17-13)--Pig made a great move by acquiring McCallum and Hixon, but this team still is not clicking. Miami is surrendering more points than it gives up, and does not seem to have an answer for anyone defensively. McCallum is great, but the Heat do not have the players around him to contend for a title. They really need a secondary, 22-25 point scorer to help out.
Moral of the story: This is really a three team race. There are some decent teams, but the league is really thin right now and we have three 60+ calibre teams, and no other ball clubs that really come close.
With over 1/3 of the season through, it is time for a new edition of the power rankings. After a week filled with trading, the league looks significantly different than it did at the start of the season--new contenders, new bottom dwellers, and a lot of new uniforms. Without further ado, here are my power rankings. (NOTE: only ranked relevant teams.)
Breaking Down the Top 10:
Title Contenders:
1. Orlando Magic (28-4)--Quite simply, the Magic are a scary team. They have it all: offense, defense, a true stud, and a great TOPG/OTOPG ratio. Perry Jones is a legitimate superstar, and Orlando has lots of scoring in the backcourt and great shot blocking in the frontcourt to complement their star. Orlando should be the favorite to come out of the East, and has an excellent chance at winning a title this year.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-9)--The Thunder have not lost a game with its new team. Habes team has finally bounced back from mediocrity and is now probably the best team he has ever assembled. AR/Cousins is a formidable front court, but the Thunder really excel in the backcourt, with Kyrie Irving and Travis Leslie forming an unbelievably talented and stupidly efficient 1/2 tandem. The Thunder have the recipe for success with their current roster and should contend for a title.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves (24-7)--Thought to be title favorites at the beginning of the year, the Wolves have played as well as expected to begin this season. The Thunder are the more complete team, but Minnesota rebounds the ball incredibly well and has two great guards in Wall and Walker. Should be a great WCF.
On the Cusp:
4. Denver Nuggets (21-10)--Greeme has finally made some strides, as the Nuggets are in the best shape they have been in during Greeme's tenure. Melo and Lopez form a top-5 frontcourt, and they are complemented by three great shooters in Harrow, Jordan, and Wesley. This team is well put together, but lacks the depth and star power to compete with the big three.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (19-8)--The Bucks were screwed in free agency, but they still managed to form a solid team this year. Sjoberg has blossomed into an incredible shot blocker, as he and AR form a dynamic front court. Chris Paul is getting up their in age, but he can still play, and the Bucks are slightly better than the other comparatively mediocre playoff teams.
6. New York Knicks (17-12)--A system oriented team, the Knicks have amassed what seems to be every inside scorer in the league. Derrick Williams and Blake Griffin combine to score 45 points per game, and the Knicks have all B+/A- inside scorers to round out their depth chart. The question with the Knicks is whether Maalik Wayns and/or Terrel Devereaux will be able to handle the platoon PG spot--the team's only real weakness.
7. Toronto Raptors (20-12)--Overachieving again, the Raptors always seem to be in the thick of things during the regular season. LeDaniel Grahm is one of the more underrated players in the league, and the Raptors have loads of scoring coming from Ben Rollins and Terrico White. Though they have decent interior defense, Toronto's lack of post scoring will hurt them again come playoff time; the Raptor's starting bigs combine to average just 6 points per game.
Not There Yet:
8. New Orleans Hornets (15-15)--The Hornets have the most valuable player in the league but not much else. While New Orleans looked poised to make a title run before the season started, the team has decided to retool around Jacquez Knight. This move may be worth it, but the team as it is currently constructed has some problems. Knight is surrounded by a mis-mosh of good talent that do not fit together well. New Orleans needs an identity.
9. Chicago Bulls (10-13)--The Bulls have not gotten it going yet, but Chicago has more potential than any other potential contender. Stephen Flint and Andre Drummond are excellent bigs, and Vince McCracken is a superstar shooting guard. This team plays great defense and really should not be 10-13. With a trade or two, Chicago could be a top 2/3 team in the East.
10. Miami Heat (17-13)--Pig made a great move by acquiring McCallum and Hixon, but this team still is not clicking. Miami is surrendering more points than it gives up, and does not seem to have an answer for anyone defensively. McCallum is great, but the Heat do not have the players around him to contend for a title. They really need a secondary, 22-25 point scorer to help out.
Moral of the story: This is really a three team race. There are some decent teams, but the league is really thin right now and we have three 60+ calibre teams, and no other ball clubs that really come close.