Post by Haberino on Aug 16, 2011 13:23:48 GMT -5
1. New Orleans Hornets, 47-16
A proven playoff success and first place in the West be damned, Aar decided it was time to shake things up. But an itchy finger didn't get the best of him; he replaced Rickey Francis with a wonderfully efficient shooter, upgraded his bench, and landed not just any, but probably the best scoring center in BBS. The Hornets aren't dominant, but they asserted themselves on the road against the only team with a better record than their own, and there's no doubting they boast the league's best offense. They'll have to lose a playoff series to the Clippers before they fall below them in the power rankings.
2. Los Angeles Clippers, 41-13
It's hard to call the Clippers red hot considering how prolonged their tear has been. Maybe they're just that good. I won't nitpick about their flaws, but rather just say that it would really surprise me if a team with this weak of a scoring frontcourt and a pretty bad bench can win a title. They're obviously very good, but to my eyes, other teams have formulas better suited for playoff success in FBB.
3. Chicago Bulls, 39-17
The Bulls are going to win the East this year, and here's why. Their PG and C play is unmatched by most of their main competitors. They have the best defense in the league. And their path just isn't very difficult. The Knicks' have a balanced attack that's certainly deeper, but made up of inferior pieces, and not only will their backcourt get trounced by Chicago's, but they're outclassed at Center by a wide margin, too. The Magic have made the step up to finally contending this year, and I think they're more of a threat than the Knicks are, but they'll have to snag home court from the Bulls, and Omar Green will need to do a better job than he has against Chicago thus far.
4. Orlando Magic, 38-17
The Magic are really close, and a lot of that is thanks to the drastic improvement in Vince King's play. He's gone from a detriment to Orlando's system to being the piece (aided by Quinn Barnes off the bench) that solidifies their offensive dominance. Of course, offense wasn't generally Orlando's biggest concern, and Maurice Stokes' added rebounding and defense can't be overlooked. A perfectly designed system team. Will they need Bobby Cook and Omar Green return to their unstoppable ways in a playoffs series? I know the duo are capable of a bit more production.
5. New York Knicks, 37-19
They're hot, but their offense is a step below LAC, ORL, and NO, and their defense is good, but not on par with Chicago's or Orlando's. Their backcourt production doesn't pack enough punch, and they've benched their only volume scorer. They're not particularly strong at the positions I consider most important, and I'm as convinced as ever that FBB is biased towards top option, volume scorers in the playoffs. A really nice team with a lot of underrated players, but I can't see them winning it all.
6. Denver Nuggets, 43-21
They're easy to sleep on, but they're also excellent. Perry Jones has been around so long that he's mostly been forgotten. Ed Macauley is a no-name with elite production. Julian Rooks has rediscovered his midrange game and is back among the top point guards. And Marcus Jay has made laughable any questions about whether or not he could produce as a top option. Lots of rebounding, great percentages, and a top defense. There's nothing fluky here.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves, 37-21
To my eyes, the Wolves are first clear non-contender on this list. They just don't appear to be ready. If they could do a bit more to force turnovers, those extra few stops could make them a powerhouse, but for now they're just a very good squad. I do wonder if they might just be better off handing the offense to the guards. The bigs are nice, but too turnover prone to handle an offense, and Arizin and Hagan are certainly both capable of scoring more (specifically, doing more damage from beyond the arc).
8. Oklahoma City Thunder, 31-24
The Thunder are 6-2 since the big move for Rickey Francis, and one of the losses came by a point on the road. Granted, their rebounding has been atrocious and they don't defend well at all, but of the teams yet to be listed, are there any factors as scary as a 60 point per game backcourt? With two of the top four scorers in the league and two double-double big men, the Thunder are better than their record indicates. That said, they don't figure to be much better than an also ran with pretty bad defense and rebounding.
9. Memphis Grizzlies, 37-25
They're not as good as their record suggests, but the Grizzlies can play. They have one superstar, a supporting cast of very nice scorers, and a bright future. For now, though, they don't defend too well and they get outrebounded. I think they'll get bounced pretty easily in the first round of the playoffs.
10. Dallas Mavericks, 30-27
I think moving Slick to the 1 was a miscalculation, having checked his boxes. Next season, when the turnover column reflects Leonard's performance exclusively at the position, his value will suffer. He did more than three a night last sim, and he goes from a huge plus in net turnovers (blocks included) forced to possibly a negative in that category. I have to think Greg should've waited out the season and tried his hardest to get a PG before jeopardizing Slick's value and performance. The Mavs are a middling team that previously kept insanely low turnovers and played great defense. The former seems due for a change. Greg's next move from here seems like it will make or break his future. With Paulson on board, does he try to get a good veteran for the disappointing Tommy Heinsohn? Or with Hall aging and a non-contender, is he forced to rebuild?
A proven playoff success and first place in the West be damned, Aar decided it was time to shake things up. But an itchy finger didn't get the best of him; he replaced Rickey Francis with a wonderfully efficient shooter, upgraded his bench, and landed not just any, but probably the best scoring center in BBS. The Hornets aren't dominant, but they asserted themselves on the road against the only team with a better record than their own, and there's no doubting they boast the league's best offense. They'll have to lose a playoff series to the Clippers before they fall below them in the power rankings.
2. Los Angeles Clippers, 41-13
It's hard to call the Clippers red hot considering how prolonged their tear has been. Maybe they're just that good. I won't nitpick about their flaws, but rather just say that it would really surprise me if a team with this weak of a scoring frontcourt and a pretty bad bench can win a title. They're obviously very good, but to my eyes, other teams have formulas better suited for playoff success in FBB.
3. Chicago Bulls, 39-17
The Bulls are going to win the East this year, and here's why. Their PG and C play is unmatched by most of their main competitors. They have the best defense in the league. And their path just isn't very difficult. The Knicks' have a balanced attack that's certainly deeper, but made up of inferior pieces, and not only will their backcourt get trounced by Chicago's, but they're outclassed at Center by a wide margin, too. The Magic have made the step up to finally contending this year, and I think they're more of a threat than the Knicks are, but they'll have to snag home court from the Bulls, and Omar Green will need to do a better job than he has against Chicago thus far.
4. Orlando Magic, 38-17
The Magic are really close, and a lot of that is thanks to the drastic improvement in Vince King's play. He's gone from a detriment to Orlando's system to being the piece (aided by Quinn Barnes off the bench) that solidifies their offensive dominance. Of course, offense wasn't generally Orlando's biggest concern, and Maurice Stokes' added rebounding and defense can't be overlooked. A perfectly designed system team. Will they need Bobby Cook and Omar Green return to their unstoppable ways in a playoffs series? I know the duo are capable of a bit more production.
5. New York Knicks, 37-19
They're hot, but their offense is a step below LAC, ORL, and NO, and their defense is good, but not on par with Chicago's or Orlando's. Their backcourt production doesn't pack enough punch, and they've benched their only volume scorer. They're not particularly strong at the positions I consider most important, and I'm as convinced as ever that FBB is biased towards top option, volume scorers in the playoffs. A really nice team with a lot of underrated players, but I can't see them winning it all.
6. Denver Nuggets, 43-21
They're easy to sleep on, but they're also excellent. Perry Jones has been around so long that he's mostly been forgotten. Ed Macauley is a no-name with elite production. Julian Rooks has rediscovered his midrange game and is back among the top point guards. And Marcus Jay has made laughable any questions about whether or not he could produce as a top option. Lots of rebounding, great percentages, and a top defense. There's nothing fluky here.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves, 37-21
To my eyes, the Wolves are first clear non-contender on this list. They just don't appear to be ready. If they could do a bit more to force turnovers, those extra few stops could make them a powerhouse, but for now they're just a very good squad. I do wonder if they might just be better off handing the offense to the guards. The bigs are nice, but too turnover prone to handle an offense, and Arizin and Hagan are certainly both capable of scoring more (specifically, doing more damage from beyond the arc).
8. Oklahoma City Thunder, 31-24
The Thunder are 6-2 since the big move for Rickey Francis, and one of the losses came by a point on the road. Granted, their rebounding has been atrocious and they don't defend well at all, but of the teams yet to be listed, are there any factors as scary as a 60 point per game backcourt? With two of the top four scorers in the league and two double-double big men, the Thunder are better than their record indicates. That said, they don't figure to be much better than an also ran with pretty bad defense and rebounding.
9. Memphis Grizzlies, 37-25
They're not as good as their record suggests, but the Grizzlies can play. They have one superstar, a supporting cast of very nice scorers, and a bright future. For now, though, they don't defend too well and they get outrebounded. I think they'll get bounced pretty easily in the first round of the playoffs.
10. Dallas Mavericks, 30-27
I think moving Slick to the 1 was a miscalculation, having checked his boxes. Next season, when the turnover column reflects Leonard's performance exclusively at the position, his value will suffer. He did more than three a night last sim, and he goes from a huge plus in net turnovers (blocks included) forced to possibly a negative in that category. I have to think Greg should've waited out the season and tried his hardest to get a PG before jeopardizing Slick's value and performance. The Mavs are a middling team that previously kept insanely low turnovers and played great defense. The former seems due for a change. Greg's next move from here seems like it will make or break his future. With Paulson on board, does he try to get a good veteran for the disappointing Tommy Heinsohn? Or with Hall aging and a non-contender, is he forced to rebuild?