Post by gp on Mar 20, 2010 17:10:01 GMT -5
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The reigning champions should have a relatively strong chance of repeating this season. Back are the core that took them to the BBS crown including Finals MVP Gary Payton and superstar forward Larry Johnson. The Nuggets may not have the same depth it had last season during their magical run but they still will have enough firepower to compete with the league's best.
2-
The 1994 champions are looking for vengeance after a hard fought Western Conference finals matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The Suns still have the league's best player in Michael Jordan and his running mates Tim Hardaway, Scottie Pippen and Dikembe Mutumbo. But, do the Suns have the killer instinct to take out teams like the Blazers and Nuggets with regularity come playoff time? We shall see.
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The Portland Blazers like the Suns and Nuggets are having a tough time retaining valuable bench pieces and still being under the league's hard cap. Still, the Blazers nearly unstoppable big man combo of Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning can surely deliver another championship as they beging to enter the primes of their careers. They will have to compete with the Nuggets and Suns, who pose the biggest threats to a BBS Finals trip.
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Tiger enters this season with expectations of eliminating the threat of the Contract Year early. The Cavs have plenty of veteran experience in Charles Oakley, Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman and youth in Tim Duncan and Jason Kidd. The depth on this team is also better than advertised which should allow the Cavs to cruise to a high berth in the playoffs.
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Center David Robinson is still only 31 and at the height of his career. His game along with Magic Johnson and Hershey Hawkins should continue to deliver another 50 win season. However, the Sixers do not have much depth on the bench and could be at risk of a below average season if injury strikes.
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After scoring the No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft, the Heat turned their sights on competing this season. Along with rookie point guard Steve Nash, the Heat bolstered their lineup with Mitch Richmond, Dan Majerle and Stanley Roberts to join 1995 Rookie of the Year, Kevin Garnett. The Heat should make enough noise to be one of the best teams in the East.
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Under new ownership, the Hawks enter the season with a seasoned team that could be seeing its final days together. Both Hakeem Olajuwon and John Stockton have tons of money left on their contract but both are on the wrong sides of 30. They should get at least 2 to 3 more seasons of spectacular play and it may be time to call it quits.
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The Wizards shocked the New York Knicks in last season's playoffs and were able to give the Pistons everything they had in round 2. This season the Wizards hope to build on that momentum and capture the Atlantic division with teams like the Knicks, Sixers and Magic all sputtering in prowess.
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After the departure of legendary GM Nanz, the Lakers got local flavor in their ownership by inheriting Styro as their new owner. Through savvy moves, he has revitalized the Lakers with the acquisitions of Charles Barkley, John Starks and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The Lakers should be one of the most improved teams in the entire league.
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The Mavericks also beat their Contract Year last season but are missing Kenny Anderson, an intregal part of last year's success. They will rely on a combination of Anthony Peeler and Sam Cassell in order to guide them to success this season. If not, the Mavs may be forced to move either Patrick Ewing or Rik Smits for a veteran floor general.
11-
The Raptors had the most memorable run of any BBS team in recent memory to take an underrated team all the way to the Finals. Now, Dell Curry is gone but Toronto retained Chuck Person and improved their own homegrown products (Bobby Hurley, Oliver Miller, Shawn Respert). The Raptors seem to develop more under the radar talent than anyone and should still have a good season.
12-
Chicago's Glenn Robinson continues to get better and should be an absolute terror for opposing small forwards this season. Guard Jimmy King also continues to improve while Vin Baker looks to be a great pickup for this team. The X-Factor for this team might be the play of Penny Hardaway who served as the team's sixth man last season.
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The Celtics recently made a big move by trading a flurry of picks to Milwaukee for the services of Kendall Gill. Boston finally has that big-time scorer they needed last season when they narrowly missed the playoffs while not losing any defense. The Celtics return nearly everyone from last season and could be a force in the Atlantic division.
14-
The Rockets are facing their contract year this season and so far haven't had the luxury of a good training camp. After trading for superstar Derrick Coleman and big man Vlade Divac, the Rockets only have strong contributors in Joe Dumars and former Raptors guard Dell Curry. Will Houston have enough to make the playoffs in a weak Western Conference?
15-
The Pacers return most of the regulars from their 43-win season last year with exception of Mahmouf Abdul-Rauf and Dale Davis who were shipped to Atlanta for Reggie Miller. Shawn Kemp is coming off his best statistical season in his young career and guard Rod Strickland is emerging as one of the top 5-8 point guards in the league. Look for the Pacers to make another run at the playoffs this year.
16-
The Grizzlies were fortunate to make the playoffs last season despite a losing record. They still have Allen Iverson leading this team in scoring and steals and have added Mario Elie from Detroit and Kevin Edwards from New York. Yet, Memphis has no real post threat and makes them a liability to being exposed in the paint.
17-
Commissioner Spencer Martin has now fully immersed himself into the Magic job by nearly completing gutting the roster and retooling with a unique lineup. Gone is Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle in are Dennis Scott and Pervis Ellison. Although it may be a temporary experiment, Martin could engineer this team into a possible winner.
18 -
Minny is another team that is on the cusp of the playoffs but has not made any moves to decide whether they are contenders or pretenders. The T-Wolves have valuable guards in Kevin Johnson and Nick Anderson but do not really have a superstar talent to lean on. They may be hard pressed to get the 48 wins they had last season with the Lakers and Rockets all looking to win.
19-
Like the T-Wolves, the Thunder haven't made a lot of moves and are continue to prolong rebuilding. Grant Hill hasn't really blossomed into the player he is expected to be while Muggsey Bogues and Vernon Maxwell have stayed the same as far as ratings. The Thunder might be narrowly shut out of the playoffs with more teams emerging with stronger clubs.
20-
The Bobcats surprisingly were in the playoff mix for a majority of the season last year. This year, the improving play of Jerry Stackhouse and company make them a darkhorse candidate to make the playoffs. Yet, new GM hype will look to cash into a possible lottery pick this year and build on the core of Stackhouse, Eric Snow and Peja Stojakovic.
21-
Utah may have the finest collection of young talent right now, especially with the emergence of Alphonso Ford. The Jazz have a core of two Wallaces (Ben and Rasheed) as well as Antoine Walker and Ford. The Jazz would be delighted to add Kobe Bryant to this but may find it difficult to tank with the ease of last season.
22-
Outside of Glenn Robinson, the Nets may have the best young small forward in the game. Jamal Mashburn is talented and is the lone superstar talent on a team that features Bryant Reeves, Zydraunas Illgauskas and Mookie Blaylock. Look for the Nets to take hard for Kobe Bryant or Tracy McGrady.
23-
The Hornets went with what was considered a relatively safe pick in Stephon Marbury, only to see his ratings drop in training camp. Now, it's all systems towards the lottery next year. Latrell Spreewell and Terrell Brandon may lead this team to some wins but are destined to the top of the lotto next year.
24-
After being swept by the Raptors in the East Finals, Andy switched it up and shipped everyone for rebuilding pieces. The Pistons are primed for a top-5 pick and positioned themselves to rebuild for the immediate future. Only Sam Perkins and Sherman Douglas have contracts lasting past this season.
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The Bucks are also starting over after beating their contract year two seasons ago. Gone are Kendall Gill, Ronny Seikaly and others who led this team to a playoff berth. Now, the Bucks are looking into another lotto pick after Jermaine O'Neal seems to have fizzled in his talent.
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Skillz is beginning his rebuild after making the playoffs for 5 seasons. The Knicks should have some cap to play with after next season and have young shooting guard Allan Houston to build around. Otherwise, the Knicks are hoping for T-Mac for Kobe in the lottery.
27-
Golden State is entering their second season of rebuilding with Chris Webber and Marcus still expected to help this team in the future. However, this team is still aiming for the lottery and the services of Mr. Bryant or McGrady. Until that time, the Warriors will ship out talent in order to tank better.
28-
The Spurs are another team building around a budding superstar in Vince Carter. They should also have financial flexibility to build a winner in the next two seasons and score a some big talents in the draft. It should be a season of transition for the Spurs this year.
29-
The Clippers are undoubtedly the worse team in the league right now. Only UConn guard Ray Allen is the feature piece of this team while guards Terry Porter and Michael Adams are nothing but expiring contracts for the Clippers. Los Angeles is going for the No. 1 pick or bust.
The reigning champions should have a relatively strong chance of repeating this season. Back are the core that took them to the BBS crown including Finals MVP Gary Payton and superstar forward Larry Johnson. The Nuggets may not have the same depth it had last season during their magical run but they still will have enough firepower to compete with the league's best.
2-
The 1994 champions are looking for vengeance after a hard fought Western Conference finals matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The Suns still have the league's best player in Michael Jordan and his running mates Tim Hardaway, Scottie Pippen and Dikembe Mutumbo. But, do the Suns have the killer instinct to take out teams like the Blazers and Nuggets with regularity come playoff time? We shall see.
3-
The Portland Blazers like the Suns and Nuggets are having a tough time retaining valuable bench pieces and still being under the league's hard cap. Still, the Blazers nearly unstoppable big man combo of Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning can surely deliver another championship as they beging to enter the primes of their careers. They will have to compete with the Nuggets and Suns, who pose the biggest threats to a BBS Finals trip.
4-
Tiger enters this season with expectations of eliminating the threat of the Contract Year early. The Cavs have plenty of veteran experience in Charles Oakley, Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman and youth in Tim Duncan and Jason Kidd. The depth on this team is also better than advertised which should allow the Cavs to cruise to a high berth in the playoffs.
5-
Center David Robinson is still only 31 and at the height of his career. His game along with Magic Johnson and Hershey Hawkins should continue to deliver another 50 win season. However, the Sixers do not have much depth on the bench and could be at risk of a below average season if injury strikes.
6-
After scoring the No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft, the Heat turned their sights on competing this season. Along with rookie point guard Steve Nash, the Heat bolstered their lineup with Mitch Richmond, Dan Majerle and Stanley Roberts to join 1995 Rookie of the Year, Kevin Garnett. The Heat should make enough noise to be one of the best teams in the East.
7-
Under new ownership, the Hawks enter the season with a seasoned team that could be seeing its final days together. Both Hakeem Olajuwon and John Stockton have tons of money left on their contract but both are on the wrong sides of 30. They should get at least 2 to 3 more seasons of spectacular play and it may be time to call it quits.
8-
The Wizards shocked the New York Knicks in last season's playoffs and were able to give the Pistons everything they had in round 2. This season the Wizards hope to build on that momentum and capture the Atlantic division with teams like the Knicks, Sixers and Magic all sputtering in prowess.
9-
After the departure of legendary GM Nanz, the Lakers got local flavor in their ownership by inheriting Styro as their new owner. Through savvy moves, he has revitalized the Lakers with the acquisitions of Charles Barkley, John Starks and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The Lakers should be one of the most improved teams in the entire league.
10-
The Mavericks also beat their Contract Year last season but are missing Kenny Anderson, an intregal part of last year's success. They will rely on a combination of Anthony Peeler and Sam Cassell in order to guide them to success this season. If not, the Mavs may be forced to move either Patrick Ewing or Rik Smits for a veteran floor general.
11-
The Raptors had the most memorable run of any BBS team in recent memory to take an underrated team all the way to the Finals. Now, Dell Curry is gone but Toronto retained Chuck Person and improved their own homegrown products (Bobby Hurley, Oliver Miller, Shawn Respert). The Raptors seem to develop more under the radar talent than anyone and should still have a good season.
12-
Chicago's Glenn Robinson continues to get better and should be an absolute terror for opposing small forwards this season. Guard Jimmy King also continues to improve while Vin Baker looks to be a great pickup for this team. The X-Factor for this team might be the play of Penny Hardaway who served as the team's sixth man last season.
13-
The Celtics recently made a big move by trading a flurry of picks to Milwaukee for the services of Kendall Gill. Boston finally has that big-time scorer they needed last season when they narrowly missed the playoffs while not losing any defense. The Celtics return nearly everyone from last season and could be a force in the Atlantic division.
14-
The Rockets are facing their contract year this season and so far haven't had the luxury of a good training camp. After trading for superstar Derrick Coleman and big man Vlade Divac, the Rockets only have strong contributors in Joe Dumars and former Raptors guard Dell Curry. Will Houston have enough to make the playoffs in a weak Western Conference?
15-
The Pacers return most of the regulars from their 43-win season last year with exception of Mahmouf Abdul-Rauf and Dale Davis who were shipped to Atlanta for Reggie Miller. Shawn Kemp is coming off his best statistical season in his young career and guard Rod Strickland is emerging as one of the top 5-8 point guards in the league. Look for the Pacers to make another run at the playoffs this year.
16-
The Grizzlies were fortunate to make the playoffs last season despite a losing record. They still have Allen Iverson leading this team in scoring and steals and have added Mario Elie from Detroit and Kevin Edwards from New York. Yet, Memphis has no real post threat and makes them a liability to being exposed in the paint.
17-
Commissioner Spencer Martin has now fully immersed himself into the Magic job by nearly completing gutting the roster and retooling with a unique lineup. Gone is Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle in are Dennis Scott and Pervis Ellison. Although it may be a temporary experiment, Martin could engineer this team into a possible winner.
18 -
Minny is another team that is on the cusp of the playoffs but has not made any moves to decide whether they are contenders or pretenders. The T-Wolves have valuable guards in Kevin Johnson and Nick Anderson but do not really have a superstar talent to lean on. They may be hard pressed to get the 48 wins they had last season with the Lakers and Rockets all looking to win.
19-
Like the T-Wolves, the Thunder haven't made a lot of moves and are continue to prolong rebuilding. Grant Hill hasn't really blossomed into the player he is expected to be while Muggsey Bogues and Vernon Maxwell have stayed the same as far as ratings. The Thunder might be narrowly shut out of the playoffs with more teams emerging with stronger clubs.
20-
The Bobcats surprisingly were in the playoff mix for a majority of the season last year. This year, the improving play of Jerry Stackhouse and company make them a darkhorse candidate to make the playoffs. Yet, new GM hype will look to cash into a possible lottery pick this year and build on the core of Stackhouse, Eric Snow and Peja Stojakovic.
21-
Utah may have the finest collection of young talent right now, especially with the emergence of Alphonso Ford. The Jazz have a core of two Wallaces (Ben and Rasheed) as well as Antoine Walker and Ford. The Jazz would be delighted to add Kobe Bryant to this but may find it difficult to tank with the ease of last season.
22-
Outside of Glenn Robinson, the Nets may have the best young small forward in the game. Jamal Mashburn is talented and is the lone superstar talent on a team that features Bryant Reeves, Zydraunas Illgauskas and Mookie Blaylock. Look for the Nets to take hard for Kobe Bryant or Tracy McGrady.
23-
The Hornets went with what was considered a relatively safe pick in Stephon Marbury, only to see his ratings drop in training camp. Now, it's all systems towards the lottery next year. Latrell Spreewell and Terrell Brandon may lead this team to some wins but are destined to the top of the lotto next year.
24-
After being swept by the Raptors in the East Finals, Andy switched it up and shipped everyone for rebuilding pieces. The Pistons are primed for a top-5 pick and positioned themselves to rebuild for the immediate future. Only Sam Perkins and Sherman Douglas have contracts lasting past this season.
25-
The Bucks are also starting over after beating their contract year two seasons ago. Gone are Kendall Gill, Ronny Seikaly and others who led this team to a playoff berth. Now, the Bucks are looking into another lotto pick after Jermaine O'Neal seems to have fizzled in his talent.
26-
Skillz is beginning his rebuild after making the playoffs for 5 seasons. The Knicks should have some cap to play with after next season and have young shooting guard Allan Houston to build around. Otherwise, the Knicks are hoping for T-Mac for Kobe in the lottery.
27-
Golden State is entering their second season of rebuilding with Chris Webber and Marcus still expected to help this team in the future. However, this team is still aiming for the lottery and the services of Mr. Bryant or McGrady. Until that time, the Warriors will ship out talent in order to tank better.
28-
The Spurs are another team building around a budding superstar in Vince Carter. They should also have financial flexibility to build a winner in the next two seasons and score a some big talents in the draft. It should be a season of transition for the Spurs this year.
29-
The Clippers are undoubtedly the worse team in the league right now. Only UConn guard Ray Allen is the feature piece of this team while guards Terry Porter and Michael Adams are nothing but expiring contracts for the Clippers. Los Angeles is going for the No. 1 pick or bust.
