Post by aar on Aug 25, 2010 10:37:49 GMT -5
In this edition of Contender or Pretender, we'll take a look at the top-4 teams in each conference and determine whether or not they are legit and why.
Let's get started with the top-4 teams in the Eastern Conference:
The Orlando Magic
Best starter: Kevin Garnett, PF
Worst starter: Antonio Daniels, PG
Carlos Boozer was an All-League Third Team player last season, but his weakness on defense is a very apparent problem that the Magic will need to play through.
Opposing centers could potentially eat Boozer alive.
Their other key weakness comes at the point guard position with Antonio Daniels, who, while efficient, has no business running the point on a contending team.
Brian Cardinal is a stud on offense, but his lack of athleticism could hurt him when guarding opposing shooting guards.
Chris Bosh is an improving player, but hardly an all-star and playing out of position.
Kevin Garnett is the real deal as a franchise player, but is being utilized improperly in a balanced offense and could have his talents maximized.
Status: Contender
Plan of Action: Attempt to move Brian Cardinal, Deshawn Stevenson's contract and picks for a legit starting point guard and solid shooting guard OR trade Chris Bosh while his value is high for a starting small forward who is more versatile offensively. Someone in the mold of Jason Richardson.
Milwaukee Bucks
Best starter: Jason Kidd, PG
Worst starter: Emeka Okafor, C
This Bucks team has very solid pieces with a nice combination of young and old.
The old heads, Jason Kidd and Jamal Mashburn are as good a combo as you can find in the 30+ category. They've obviously put their differences aside in the Toni Braxton department and are recreating the magic of the old Mavericks days.
The supporting cast is also skilled with a solid frontcourt defense and rebounding tandem in Nene and Emeka Okafor. Nene's shooting percentage is weak, but he gets most of his points on second chance opportunities and is an elite rebounder.
The emergence of Xue Yuyang is a positive one, but he is something of a black hole on offense. Shooting 44%, that's hardly a concern.
Luis Flores is a great, efficient sixth man who shoots great percentages.
Status: Contender
Plan of Action: Very little needs to change here. They might want to tinker with moving Okafor to PF and Nene to C and see if it helps the team.
Philadelphia 76ers
Best starter: Rashard Lewis, SF
Worst starter: David Vaughn, PF
This 76ers team relies on an exciting backcourt and its outside shooting prowess, but they are equally hindered by their razor thin frontcourt skill.
Percentage-wise, this outside-oriented backcourt is going to be hard to stop. Tyronn Lue is exceptionally efficient and shoots the lights out. Rashard Lewis is one of the best shooters in the league with sick percentages and the ability to create. Stephen Jackson is the defensive anchor here and fits in well with the offensive system.
Up front, this team leaves much to be desired. The once-homeless David Vaughn has no business starting in this league. They'd be better off starting Luke Walton.
Shawn Kemp is a shell of his former self, but he doesn't hurt the team, averaging a near double-double on high percentages.
Status: Pretender
Plan of Action: This frontcourt needs massive improvement. Give Walton a shot at PF and if that fails, make the appropriate moves to land a PF with C or higher outside shooting to fit the system.
Toronto Raptors
Best starter: Dwyane Wade, PG
Worst starter: Brad Miller, C
This Raptors team has one of the league's best players in Wade and his play speaks for itself. He is a force to be reckoned with.
His supporting cast, however, does not include the second star required to win a championship.
Hubert Davis has been a stud in this league, but his lack of a complete game makes him a high level role player and nothing more.
Nenad Krstic is a solid starter, blocking shots left and right and compiling a great field goal percentage, but he too is a high level role player.
Josh Childress is an ideal starting small forward in terms of intangibles and will be a starter for the rest of his career barring a TC collapse.
Status: Pretender
Plan of Action: No rush. Watch Childress develop and hope that the Wizards pick pans out. It may be a better bet for the Raptors to sit this year out. Trade Hubert Davis and don't bother competing. This team is just above .500 and could easily decide to make a U-Turn and hope for a top-5 pick.
Let's get started with the top-4 teams in the Eastern Conference:
The Orlando Magic
Best starter: Kevin Garnett, PF
Worst starter: Antonio Daniels, PG
Carlos Boozer was an All-League Third Team player last season, but his weakness on defense is a very apparent problem that the Magic will need to play through.
Opposing centers could potentially eat Boozer alive.
Their other key weakness comes at the point guard position with Antonio Daniels, who, while efficient, has no business running the point on a contending team.
Brian Cardinal is a stud on offense, but his lack of athleticism could hurt him when guarding opposing shooting guards.
Chris Bosh is an improving player, but hardly an all-star and playing out of position.
Kevin Garnett is the real deal as a franchise player, but is being utilized improperly in a balanced offense and could have his talents maximized.
Status: Contender
Plan of Action: Attempt to move Brian Cardinal, Deshawn Stevenson's contract and picks for a legit starting point guard and solid shooting guard OR trade Chris Bosh while his value is high for a starting small forward who is more versatile offensively. Someone in the mold of Jason Richardson.
Milwaukee Bucks
Best starter: Jason Kidd, PG
Worst starter: Emeka Okafor, C
This Bucks team has very solid pieces with a nice combination of young and old.
The old heads, Jason Kidd and Jamal Mashburn are as good a combo as you can find in the 30+ category. They've obviously put their differences aside in the Toni Braxton department and are recreating the magic of the old Mavericks days.
The supporting cast is also skilled with a solid frontcourt defense and rebounding tandem in Nene and Emeka Okafor. Nene's shooting percentage is weak, but he gets most of his points on second chance opportunities and is an elite rebounder.
The emergence of Xue Yuyang is a positive one, but he is something of a black hole on offense. Shooting 44%, that's hardly a concern.
Luis Flores is a great, efficient sixth man who shoots great percentages.
Status: Contender
Plan of Action: Very little needs to change here. They might want to tinker with moving Okafor to PF and Nene to C and see if it helps the team.
Philadelphia 76ers
Best starter: Rashard Lewis, SF
Worst starter: David Vaughn, PF
This 76ers team relies on an exciting backcourt and its outside shooting prowess, but they are equally hindered by their razor thin frontcourt skill.
Percentage-wise, this outside-oriented backcourt is going to be hard to stop. Tyronn Lue is exceptionally efficient and shoots the lights out. Rashard Lewis is one of the best shooters in the league with sick percentages and the ability to create. Stephen Jackson is the defensive anchor here and fits in well with the offensive system.
Up front, this team leaves much to be desired. The once-homeless David Vaughn has no business starting in this league. They'd be better off starting Luke Walton.
Shawn Kemp is a shell of his former self, but he doesn't hurt the team, averaging a near double-double on high percentages.
Status: Pretender
Plan of Action: This frontcourt needs massive improvement. Give Walton a shot at PF and if that fails, make the appropriate moves to land a PF with C or higher outside shooting to fit the system.
Toronto Raptors
Best starter: Dwyane Wade, PG
Worst starter: Brad Miller, C
This Raptors team has one of the league's best players in Wade and his play speaks for itself. He is a force to be reckoned with.
His supporting cast, however, does not include the second star required to win a championship.
Hubert Davis has been a stud in this league, but his lack of a complete game makes him a high level role player and nothing more.
Nenad Krstic is a solid starter, blocking shots left and right and compiling a great field goal percentage, but he too is a high level role player.
Josh Childress is an ideal starting small forward in terms of intangibles and will be a starter for the rest of his career barring a TC collapse.
Status: Pretender
Plan of Action: No rush. Watch Childress develop and hope that the Wizards pick pans out. It may be a better bet for the Raptors to sit this year out. Trade Hubert Davis and don't bother competing. This team is just above .500 and could easily decide to make a U-Turn and hope for a top-5 pick.
