Post by kobe on Sept 27, 2011 17:25:14 GMT -5
BBS POWER RANKINGS
1. Minnesota Timberwolves (42-9)
Since drafting Wilt 4 years ago, everyone knew this team would be dominating in no time, especially with DBW as GM. The Twolves are dominating the Western Conference and only the Lakers, just barely, are keeping up with them. This team has no real weaknesses, but they haven't been able to get it done in the playoffs the past couple of years, but this could finally be their year.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (35-11)
The Lakers have arguably the best player in the league in Jerry West and he is only in his third year, so it's safe to say this team has a bright future ahead of them. They have question marks long term with Rollins and Flint but this year they have been great. The Lakers are the only one's staying close to the Wolves record wise and in past year's could be leading the West right now. I wouldn't be surprised if this team went all the way with a player like Jerry West at PG.
3. Orlando Magic (37-14)
The Magic are the defending champs and maybe should get some more love since they have improved their team from last year. This team could easily repeat, but they will have some obstacles in the East to overcome before they make it back to the finals. The Magic will be extremely hard to beat though as they have as much talent on offense as anyone in the league and their defense is really good as well.
4. Chicago Bulls (34-13)
The Bulls don't have Bruton for 44 more days so they might not win the Conference this year, but they will be a force to reckon with in the playoffs like always. The Bulls made a big trade earlier in the season when they traded away Langston for Willie Jones and picks, but that shouldn't hurt them too much and when Bruton comes back they should be the dominating team they were last year.
5. Boston Celtics (34-14)
The emergence of Al Attles has made the Celtics a contender in the East this year, along with the trade for Si Green in the off-season. The Celtics have a well-rounded team that has been clicking as of late heading down the stretch. Attles will have to hold his own against Jackson and Francis if the Celtics expect to make it to the Finals this year. Hollis will also have to carry this team scoring wise come playoff time.
6. Houston Rockets (29-14)
The Rockets are scary good and scary young which leads many to believe that this team could be winning many titles in the near future. I would have kept Wilkens if I were them and hoped he had a great TC and with a few RCs would be a stud. But the addition of Sam Jones is great and helps this team immediately. Dickerson at PG could hurt them in the playoffs, but maybe Hot Rod can play PG.
7. Atlanta Hawks (27-19)
The Hawks would have a better record if it wasn't for Cousy being out, so I have them ahead of a few teams with better records. This team is supremely talented on the offensive end and were flat out dominant early in the season. When Cousy comes back, their 1-4 could be the best in the league. This team will make some noise come playoff time just as they did last year.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (26-18)
Clippers are here because of Baylor, they don't have a great supporting cast around him, but good enough when healthy to be better than the Jazz.
As currently constructed I don't really see this team being any threat in the playoffs, but we will see what they can do when fully healthy. Definitely need a upgrade at PG if they want to make a run in the playoffs though. First round exit most likely.
9. Utah Jazz (31-20)
This team is solid and actually playing pretty well this year, but I don't see them as a true threat with Talley at PG. They have some nice pieces but they need to make a big move to take the next step and be a great team. Jazz are one of the better teams in the West though, and deserve some love but they won't make it past the second round and could be going home early if someone besides Twyman decides to score 20+
10. Miami Heat (25-18)
Having Barker pretty much guarantees a good season and along with Jay and Irish the Heat have one of the best outside shooting teams in the league. They don't get much production out of their bigs and that hurts them a lot, but if they can bring in an upgrade down low then there's no reason why they can't make some noise in the playoffs, especially with Barker, but he could be on his way out.
11. Memphis Grizzlies (26-20)
The Grizzlies lead the league in scoring, but they also have one of the worst defenses in the league which keeps them from being elite. They have arguably the best player in the league in KC Jones and a pretty good supporting cast, but giving up 118 ppg you are going to lose your share of games. Not much the Grizz can do trade wise so they just have to hope KC can get hot come playoff time and lead them to the finals.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-20)
The Thunder have been sort of forced to win without their pick this year and not being able to get anything they want for Valentine, who has been a beast. They added some nice vets to this team and Ho Walker is an absolute stud. This team was just thrown together but they have been semi-effective it will be interesting to see whether or not they trade Walker away or not and what they get back.
13. Golden State Warriors (28-23)
Warriors are 5 games over .500 well into the season, that is an impressive feat for this team, especially with Drummond out a lot of the season. Kerr and Juno are a nice 1-2 punch but they don't have much offense after them. Their PPG differential is negative, but they are winning games. Drummond should help with the defense, so who knows this team could win quite a few games this year.
14. Detroit Pistons (26-27)
The Pistons had high hopes for their team last year but after a disappointing season and TC, they traded away two of their main players in Slick and Gola. They still have a pretty solid team, but 1 game under .500 is not where they expected to be right now I'm sure. We will see if they can turn it around and salvage the season when Knight returns in a couple of days.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (20-22)
The 76ers are having a disappointing season thus far after winning this division last year, but there is still hope in philly that they can turn it around for another playoff run. They only lost Jordan from last year's team, but TC wasn't too kind to them. They thought Ebben could replace Jordan's production, but he hasn't so far. They need to find an upgrade at SG and maybe down low if they want to make it out of the first round.