Post by Stannis Baratheon on Apr 6, 2010 19:47:59 GMT -5
1. 
New York Knicks
Record:[/i] 20-4
Team MVP:[/i] Dan Majerle 26 PPG 7 RPG 2 SPG 51% FG 45% 3FG
Skillz did a great job over the off season, turning one of the worst teams in the league into the juggernaut you see now. Powered on one end of the floor by Dan Majerle's best statistical offensive season to date, the Knicks boast the third most potent offense in the league. I hate to use sports cliches, but the saying goes that defense wins championships, and the Knicks have that in spades. Skillz revamped his frontcourt, bringing in under rated double-double guys in Dale Davis and Mark Bryant for cheap. Not only do teams have to contend with the Knicks' stifling perimeter ballhawks in Kobe Bryant, Dan Majerle and Muggsy Bogues, once they get past those three, New York has two shot blocking machines in the paint to swat and alter shots. In a down year, the Knicks are the most complete team in the league and they've been proving it by romping through their competition.
2.
Portland Trailblazers
Record:[/i] 19-5
Team MVP:[/i] Shaquille O'Neal 25 PPG 12 RPG 3 BPG 55% FG
Another season of GM Basone trotting out the same old lineup. Nothing wrong with his formula, because with Shaq and Mourning up front, regular season success is all but guaranteed, and their style of pounding it inside is tried, tested and true in the playoffs. Obviously with Shaq and Zo dunking it all day down low, one would expect Portland to be a highly efficient team. However, without Danny Manning and Steve Smith putting in work, combining for just about thirty eight points a game on great percentages, it is doubtful that Portland would be leading the league in offensive efficiency at the moment. Portland's weakness would be their lack of depth, as they really do not have any impact players coming off the bench. This problem should be easily remedied because of the amount of tanking teams in BBS, Dan should have no problem picking up some quality players for cheap at the deadline.
3.
Utah Jazz
Record:[/i] 13-6
Team MVP:[/i] David Robinson 30 PPG 14 RPG 4 BPG 49% FG
The first time that I will deviate from the winning percentages in formulating this set of power rankings. Nova did a stellar job turning his young talent and picks into proven veterans, and it will be a tough decision when it comes time to vote for GM of the Year between Nova and Skillz. Actually, saying Nova traded for proven veterans is an understatement, as he got arguably two of the best players in this version of BBS in the Dream and the Admiral. Not only this, but hours before the writing of this article, he parlayed McGrady and Ben Wallace for Allen Iverson, the best young guard in BBS. This team looks amazing with three big-time scorers that are threats to go off on any given night. Bobby Hurley is a great point guard to have on this team, as he is the pass first type that will feed the big 3 and rack up the assists. The one weak spot of this team could be Rasheed Wallace and the bench, as Rasheed is quite young, and it is uncertain whether they will be able to hold up under the scrutiny of the bright lights of the playoffs. If I absolutely had to pick a team to win the title, it would be the Jazz, as they have a suffocating D and an embarrassment of riches when it comes to star power.
4.
Phoenix Suns
Record:[/i] 15-5
Team MVP:[/i] Michael Jordan 27 PPG 6 RPG 3 SPG 48% FG 37% 3FG
MJ, Pippen, and Hardaway are back for what many believe to be their last kick at the can. Their best years are clearly behind them, yet they still somehow manage to stay atop the BBS for one reason: defense. They are quite easily the best defensive team in BBS, holding opponents to about 40% shooting from the field. Any time you are able to do that night in and night out, you have a chance to win. With Mutumbo and Causwell holding it down inside, I will be rooting for a playoff matchup of Jazz-Suns, pitting the defensive juggernauts against Hakeem and Robinson. With this possibly being the last season of competing at an elite level for this team, it will be interesting to see if they can use their veteran wiles to stop younger teams like the Blazers and Jazz in their tracks. However, I would bet against them doing so, as they are severely lacking a bench and within inches of the hard cap, effectively forcing Mark to roll with his current lineup and hope for no significant injuries to an old squad logging heavy minutes.
5.
Chicago Bulls
Record:[/i] 19-7
Team MVP:[/i] Penny Hardaway 26 PPG 7 RPG 11 APG 46% FG 36% 3FG
It was only a matter of time before Chicago made the leap to become one of the powerhouse teams of BBS. Play was criticized for drafting Glenn Robinson over Rasheed Wallace against conventional wisdom, but that move has paid off as Big Dog has transformed into one of the absolute top end scorers in BBS. Name any type of basketball shot, and Robinson is able to create and splash it at an abnormally high clip. Glenn wasn't his only criticized move, as Play was dogged for trading Kemp for what many viewed as a bust in Penny Hardaway. Kemp has flourished in Indiana, but this season, Penny is putting up a statistical season that blows Kemp's whole career out of the water. An absolute stat sheet stuffer, with 26 PPG, 7 RPG, and 11 RPG, probably the best point guard in the league if I had to pick one. The Bulls are not without flaws, because ultimately, they rely on perimeter scoring, and that will get stifled in the playoffs. Their bigs are good post defenders and rebound well, but not having a true threat down low will be their undoing, in my opinion.
6.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Record:[/i] 13-7
Team MVP:[/i] Tim Duncan 22 PPG 13 RPG 4 APG 4 BPG
The Cavs are who I believe to be the true challenger to the Eastern crown in the face of the juggernaut Knicks. To this date, Duncan has turned out to be the best player out of his loaded draft class, eclipsing Garnett and Iverson. If ever there was a team that was built for the playoffs, the Cavs are it. Most teams don't even have one stud post player, well, the Cavs have three, with Derrick Coleman of all people coming off the bench putting up 27 PPG and 10 RPG. The stumbling block for the Cavs will be weak guard play, as Bobby Phills and Jason Kidd aren't doing so hot with all the focus in Cleveland based on pounding it inside. Kidd isn't able to get out and run in the free flowing style that would suit his skill set the best.
7.
Denver Nuggets
Record:[/i] 13-5
Team MVP:[/i] Gary Payton 19 PPG 6 RPG 11 APG 3 SPG 46% FG 40% 3FG
The champions from two seasons ago have stood pat, hoping to recapture the magic. This is a team full of players in their athletic prime, with championship experience. They know what it takes to win, so I would never count them out or disrespect them. Though it looks like a few teams have leapfrogged them in the overall list of contenders. They do all the things you need to win, yet, there seems to be something missing. They can D up, rebound, steal, and block, but their offense is sub par, ranking somewhere in the bottom half of the league in offensive efficiency. With them being so close to the hard cap, and their core pieces locked up to long deals, there isn't much Ducky can do but sit and ride out this team, hoping that they can ratchet it up in the playoffs.
8.
Charlotte Bobcats
Record:[/i] 11-15
Team MVP:[/i] Glen Rice 25 PPG 6 RPG 2 SPG 50% FG 46% 3FG
Similar to the Suns, the Bobcats are going to be relying on some aged players to get it done in the clutch. With the acquisition of Hawkins and Ewing, it should give them enough juice to make some noise in the playoffs, and possibly a puncher's chance at the title if the matchups fall in their favor. Unlike the Suns, it is not known how the Bobcats core will perform together, so this ranking is based on their foreseen potential rather than what they have done in the past, or even what they have done up to now. What we do know is that Hype now possesses two seasoned, skilled wings that can create in the clutch, as well as a veteran that can protect the rim decently and present a threat on the low block. How far they go depends on the young scoring phenom Stackhouse and floor general Eric Snow. They will need to perform well in the playoffs if the Bobcats are to stand a chance against the best.
9.
Golden State Warriors
Record:[/i] 13-7
Team MVP:[/i] Mitch Richmond 25 PPG 7 RPG 2 SPG 47% FG 42% 3FG
After listing 8 teams that actually have some sort of shot at winning it all, we get into the realm of teams that are okay, but realistically will not win anything when April comes. First of all, their 5th best player is making as much as their best player, which is just completely wrong on every level. Richmond is still a top shooting guard, but I don't think he can be the type to carry a team on his back like he did earlier in his career. Van Exel and Webber are putting up some nice numbers, but the Warriors need a true 1B or 2nd option to really do some damage. The Warriors do a lot of things well, but they simply lack the juice to compete in the playoffs.
10.
Toronto Raptors
Record:[/i] 15-9
Team MVP:[/i] Shawn Respert 22 PPG 5 RPG 4 APG 2 SPG 49% FG 45% 3FG
The Raptors are a cohesive unit that plays well because DJ is such a great tactician. They have no true point guard, post threat, or really anything that should be a main component of a good team, yet they come together as the scraps of the rest of the league, finding a way to win somehow. Looking at this team, with a lesser tactician at the helm, they would be struggling to make the playoffs, yet they are somehow in the top half of the league. The Raptors' success could be seen as one of the results of the massive tanking going on in BBS.
New York KnicksRecord:[/i] 20-4
Team MVP:[/i] Dan Majerle 26 PPG 7 RPG 2 SPG 51% FG 45% 3FG
Skillz did a great job over the off season, turning one of the worst teams in the league into the juggernaut you see now. Powered on one end of the floor by Dan Majerle's best statistical offensive season to date, the Knicks boast the third most potent offense in the league. I hate to use sports cliches, but the saying goes that defense wins championships, and the Knicks have that in spades. Skillz revamped his frontcourt, bringing in under rated double-double guys in Dale Davis and Mark Bryant for cheap. Not only do teams have to contend with the Knicks' stifling perimeter ballhawks in Kobe Bryant, Dan Majerle and Muggsy Bogues, once they get past those three, New York has two shot blocking machines in the paint to swat and alter shots. In a down year, the Knicks are the most complete team in the league and they've been proving it by romping through their competition.
2.
Portland TrailblazersRecord:[/i] 19-5
Team MVP:[/i] Shaquille O'Neal 25 PPG 12 RPG 3 BPG 55% FG
Another season of GM Basone trotting out the same old lineup. Nothing wrong with his formula, because with Shaq and Mourning up front, regular season success is all but guaranteed, and their style of pounding it inside is tried, tested and true in the playoffs. Obviously with Shaq and Zo dunking it all day down low, one would expect Portland to be a highly efficient team. However, without Danny Manning and Steve Smith putting in work, combining for just about thirty eight points a game on great percentages, it is doubtful that Portland would be leading the league in offensive efficiency at the moment. Portland's weakness would be their lack of depth, as they really do not have any impact players coming off the bench. This problem should be easily remedied because of the amount of tanking teams in BBS, Dan should have no problem picking up some quality players for cheap at the deadline.
3.
Utah JazzRecord:[/i] 13-6
Team MVP:[/i] David Robinson 30 PPG 14 RPG 4 BPG 49% FG
The first time that I will deviate from the winning percentages in formulating this set of power rankings. Nova did a stellar job turning his young talent and picks into proven veterans, and it will be a tough decision when it comes time to vote for GM of the Year between Nova and Skillz. Actually, saying Nova traded for proven veterans is an understatement, as he got arguably two of the best players in this version of BBS in the Dream and the Admiral. Not only this, but hours before the writing of this article, he parlayed McGrady and Ben Wallace for Allen Iverson, the best young guard in BBS. This team looks amazing with three big-time scorers that are threats to go off on any given night. Bobby Hurley is a great point guard to have on this team, as he is the pass first type that will feed the big 3 and rack up the assists. The one weak spot of this team could be Rasheed Wallace and the bench, as Rasheed is quite young, and it is uncertain whether they will be able to hold up under the scrutiny of the bright lights of the playoffs. If I absolutely had to pick a team to win the title, it would be the Jazz, as they have a suffocating D and an embarrassment of riches when it comes to star power.
4.
Phoenix SunsRecord:[/i] 15-5
Team MVP:[/i] Michael Jordan 27 PPG 6 RPG 3 SPG 48% FG 37% 3FG
MJ, Pippen, and Hardaway are back for what many believe to be their last kick at the can. Their best years are clearly behind them, yet they still somehow manage to stay atop the BBS for one reason: defense. They are quite easily the best defensive team in BBS, holding opponents to about 40% shooting from the field. Any time you are able to do that night in and night out, you have a chance to win. With Mutumbo and Causwell holding it down inside, I will be rooting for a playoff matchup of Jazz-Suns, pitting the defensive juggernauts against Hakeem and Robinson. With this possibly being the last season of competing at an elite level for this team, it will be interesting to see if they can use their veteran wiles to stop younger teams like the Blazers and Jazz in their tracks. However, I would bet against them doing so, as they are severely lacking a bench and within inches of the hard cap, effectively forcing Mark to roll with his current lineup and hope for no significant injuries to an old squad logging heavy minutes.
5.
Chicago BullsRecord:[/i] 19-7
Team MVP:[/i] Penny Hardaway 26 PPG 7 RPG 11 APG 46% FG 36% 3FG
It was only a matter of time before Chicago made the leap to become one of the powerhouse teams of BBS. Play was criticized for drafting Glenn Robinson over Rasheed Wallace against conventional wisdom, but that move has paid off as Big Dog has transformed into one of the absolute top end scorers in BBS. Name any type of basketball shot, and Robinson is able to create and splash it at an abnormally high clip. Glenn wasn't his only criticized move, as Play was dogged for trading Kemp for what many viewed as a bust in Penny Hardaway. Kemp has flourished in Indiana, but this season, Penny is putting up a statistical season that blows Kemp's whole career out of the water. An absolute stat sheet stuffer, with 26 PPG, 7 RPG, and 11 RPG, probably the best point guard in the league if I had to pick one. The Bulls are not without flaws, because ultimately, they rely on perimeter scoring, and that will get stifled in the playoffs. Their bigs are good post defenders and rebound well, but not having a true threat down low will be their undoing, in my opinion.
6.
Cleveland CavaliersRecord:[/i] 13-7
Team MVP:[/i] Tim Duncan 22 PPG 13 RPG 4 APG 4 BPG
The Cavs are who I believe to be the true challenger to the Eastern crown in the face of the juggernaut Knicks. To this date, Duncan has turned out to be the best player out of his loaded draft class, eclipsing Garnett and Iverson. If ever there was a team that was built for the playoffs, the Cavs are it. Most teams don't even have one stud post player, well, the Cavs have three, with Derrick Coleman of all people coming off the bench putting up 27 PPG and 10 RPG. The stumbling block for the Cavs will be weak guard play, as Bobby Phills and Jason Kidd aren't doing so hot with all the focus in Cleveland based on pounding it inside. Kidd isn't able to get out and run in the free flowing style that would suit his skill set the best.
7.
Denver NuggetsRecord:[/i] 13-5
Team MVP:[/i] Gary Payton 19 PPG 6 RPG 11 APG 3 SPG 46% FG 40% 3FG
The champions from two seasons ago have stood pat, hoping to recapture the magic. This is a team full of players in their athletic prime, with championship experience. They know what it takes to win, so I would never count them out or disrespect them. Though it looks like a few teams have leapfrogged them in the overall list of contenders. They do all the things you need to win, yet, there seems to be something missing. They can D up, rebound, steal, and block, but their offense is sub par, ranking somewhere in the bottom half of the league in offensive efficiency. With them being so close to the hard cap, and their core pieces locked up to long deals, there isn't much Ducky can do but sit and ride out this team, hoping that they can ratchet it up in the playoffs.
8.
Charlotte BobcatsRecord:[/i] 11-15
Team MVP:[/i] Glen Rice 25 PPG 6 RPG 2 SPG 50% FG 46% 3FG
Similar to the Suns, the Bobcats are going to be relying on some aged players to get it done in the clutch. With the acquisition of Hawkins and Ewing, it should give them enough juice to make some noise in the playoffs, and possibly a puncher's chance at the title if the matchups fall in their favor. Unlike the Suns, it is not known how the Bobcats core will perform together, so this ranking is based on their foreseen potential rather than what they have done in the past, or even what they have done up to now. What we do know is that Hype now possesses two seasoned, skilled wings that can create in the clutch, as well as a veteran that can protect the rim decently and present a threat on the low block. How far they go depends on the young scoring phenom Stackhouse and floor general Eric Snow. They will need to perform well in the playoffs if the Bobcats are to stand a chance against the best.
9.
Golden State WarriorsRecord:[/i] 13-7
Team MVP:[/i] Mitch Richmond 25 PPG 7 RPG 2 SPG 47% FG 42% 3FG
After listing 8 teams that actually have some sort of shot at winning it all, we get into the realm of teams that are okay, but realistically will not win anything when April comes. First of all, their 5th best player is making as much as their best player, which is just completely wrong on every level. Richmond is still a top shooting guard, but I don't think he can be the type to carry a team on his back like he did earlier in his career. Van Exel and Webber are putting up some nice numbers, but the Warriors need a true 1B or 2nd option to really do some damage. The Warriors do a lot of things well, but they simply lack the juice to compete in the playoffs.
10.
Toronto RaptorsRecord:[/i] 15-9
Team MVP:[/i] Shawn Respert 22 PPG 5 RPG 4 APG 2 SPG 49% FG 45% 3FG
The Raptors are a cohesive unit that plays well because DJ is such a great tactician. They have no true point guard, post threat, or really anything that should be a main component of a good team, yet they come together as the scraps of the rest of the league, finding a way to win somehow. Looking at this team, with a lesser tactician at the helm, they would be struggling to make the playoffs, yet they are somehow in the top half of the league. The Raptors' success could be seen as one of the results of the massive tanking going on in BBS.
