Post by ballislife on Sept 14, 2015 17:52:18 GMT
These aren't exactly power rankings, but an in-depth analysis of the teams in the West and what is to be expected of them now and in the future. And no, I don't know how to edit this with fancy pictures and shit. Colors are nice though. Enjoy the read.
1. Los Angeles Clippers (35-11)
a. It is easy to say that the LA Clippers, the team with the dreadful logo, is the best team in the West and probably is the team to beat this year. Chris Webber has certainly come to life scoring an insane 27ppg in only 33 minutes. He is also having an excellent time rebounding and blocking with a relatively low turnover rate for a big. Jason Kidd is also playing lights out, averaging 23/11/3, but those turnovers can be costly. Even though it hasn’t been much of a problem, the Clippers should try to focus on bringing those numbers down to be the true favorite to win it all this season
2. Memphis Grizzlies (25-18)
a. The Memphis Grizzlies were my team to beat in the beginning of the year, but that team was way different. They traded some future stars to get win-now players in Mitch Richmond (which they had before) and LaPhonso Ellis. These 2 bring a whole new dynamic, as they can complement DWade and Artest enough to make up for their lack of experience. If the Grizzlies can find that one magical DC, they can give the Clippers a run for their money.
3. Phoenix Suns (25-17)
a. A definite surprise team, the Suns are playing very well in what is known as the lesser conference in this league. Stackhouse is a stud and is scoring lights out, though he does not do much else. Also with 2 capable bigs and Pee Wee leading the charge, they are balanced enough to keep up with the best of the West. My only concern is their lack of rebounding, which they are in the bottom half of the league. If they find a way to boost those numbers, the Suns have the balance to make a decent run in the Western playoff run.
4. Golden State Warriors (26-18)
a. This team was in my prediction to face the Grizzlies in the WCF. While they are not exactly playing like I thought they could, they do have that balance that you need to become a contender in the west. Old man Stockton and Johnson haven’t missed a beat, as they are playing their hearts out. It would have been nice however if Jermaine O’Neil would have developed to help out in the paint. If they can get help down low, this team will be just fine moving forward to make a run in the West.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (23-16)
a. This team has balance at the 3,4 and 5 positions, but is in desperate need of getting some production outta their 2 guard. Finding a chucking SG would help this team tremendously. Strickland however, while not chucking, is doing all they need him to do…pass the damn ball. If this team can get some more scoring from their guard play, they can be a sneaky team to upset the big guns in the West.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (22-18)
a. Everybody’s favorite GM, super has put together a pretty decent squad. Overvaluing all his players like usual, he is in a good spot to make the tail end of the playoffs. KG is playing very well, but they need more star production out of him if they want to see a deep playoff run. Marbury is playing very well and created his own shit sneaker line at K-Mart. Hopefully he doesn’t turn to shit, cause that’ll fuck this team up.
7. Portland Trailblazers (21-19)
a. After being one of the worst teams in the league, hyperyellow has made the moves to make this squad at least a .500 team and a somewhat contender. Having 2 white bigs does not help much to make you a contender though. This team will have to find some balance in their guard play as well as more consistency on the boards (white man can’t jump) to see any improvement from a .500 team.
8. Denver Nuggets (18-18)
a. My buddy springs, us CY fellas have to stick together. He made an excellent trade, giving up the younger, still developing Joe Johnson for the more proven Javone Bess. He will give springs that much needed scoring to keep up with the brutes of the league. While I think his team is playing poorer than they should be, I think they can find a DC that will save them from CY and squeak them into the playoff hunt.
9. Dallas Mavericks (17-19)
a. Now we get to the weaker teams in the West. While this team isn’t bad at all, there lack of bigs is a true killer. They have no scoring and barely and rebound production from them (though as a team they are rebounding well). To be a contender, swish must find a way to get some bigs to complement there fine rotational guard play.
10. Houston Rockets (16-21)
a. Call me crazy, but I like this team. They have Nash, SJax and McGrady. If SJax can develop, and they find some quality bigs, this team has a very bright future. But its clear why they are where they are. In this league, quality bigs gets you the rings.
11. San Antonio Spurs (16-24)
a. A franchise that I forgot existed, they have fantastic guard play with Cassel and Williams. Mashburn is also holding his own at the 3. The problem, like most mediocre teams is the poor play from the bigs. If they can get there hands on some quality bigs, they would be a decent team. However, guins is just not active enough to make this team relevant again. Then again, were they ever relevant?
12. Seattle Supersonics
(18-27)
a. A team with Benji, Kobe and the great Christian Laettner, you’d think they’d be in the playoff hunt, but there not. Why you may ask? Depth, turnovers and poor PG play plagued this team. While they traded to get Porter, in theory it’s a nice trade, but it just doesn’t fit from what I’m seeing. If they can get quality bigs and a PG, they’ll be in good shape for years to come.
13. Sacramento Kings
(15-26)
a. Is this the real Sacramento Kings? They suck, sitting pretty to get another lotto. The only real bright spot is Pierce, which he should trade to getbeard for his whole team, but that’s another story. The rebuild in Sac town is on, lets hope basenoc knows what he’s doing
14. Utah Jazz (15-28)
a. Sitting pretty in dead last is the Jazz. Where is Utah anyway? They are also a dry state, meaning there’s massive restrictions on LQ. Depressed fans and nothing to look forward too, the rebuild behind Daniels and Bender (which is a good core) seems prom
1. Los Angeles Clippers (35-11)
a. It is easy to say that the LA Clippers, the team with the dreadful logo, is the best team in the West and probably is the team to beat this year. Chris Webber has certainly come to life scoring an insane 27ppg in only 33 minutes. He is also having an excellent time rebounding and blocking with a relatively low turnover rate for a big. Jason Kidd is also playing lights out, averaging 23/11/3, but those turnovers can be costly. Even though it hasn’t been much of a problem, the Clippers should try to focus on bringing those numbers down to be the true favorite to win it all this season
2. Memphis Grizzlies (25-18)
a. The Memphis Grizzlies were my team to beat in the beginning of the year, but that team was way different. They traded some future stars to get win-now players in Mitch Richmond (which they had before) and LaPhonso Ellis. These 2 bring a whole new dynamic, as they can complement DWade and Artest enough to make up for their lack of experience. If the Grizzlies can find that one magical DC, they can give the Clippers a run for their money.
3. Phoenix Suns (25-17)
a. A definite surprise team, the Suns are playing very well in what is known as the lesser conference in this league. Stackhouse is a stud and is scoring lights out, though he does not do much else. Also with 2 capable bigs and Pee Wee leading the charge, they are balanced enough to keep up with the best of the West. My only concern is their lack of rebounding, which they are in the bottom half of the league. If they find a way to boost those numbers, the Suns have the balance to make a decent run in the Western playoff run.
4. Golden State Warriors (26-18)
a. This team was in my prediction to face the Grizzlies in the WCF. While they are not exactly playing like I thought they could, they do have that balance that you need to become a contender in the west. Old man Stockton and Johnson haven’t missed a beat, as they are playing their hearts out. It would have been nice however if Jermaine O’Neil would have developed to help out in the paint. If they can get help down low, this team will be just fine moving forward to make a run in the West.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (23-16)
a. This team has balance at the 3,4 and 5 positions, but is in desperate need of getting some production outta their 2 guard. Finding a chucking SG would help this team tremendously. Strickland however, while not chucking, is doing all they need him to do…pass the damn ball. If this team can get some more scoring from their guard play, they can be a sneaky team to upset the big guns in the West.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (22-18)
a. Everybody’s favorite GM, super has put together a pretty decent squad. Overvaluing all his players like usual, he is in a good spot to make the tail end of the playoffs. KG is playing very well, but they need more star production out of him if they want to see a deep playoff run. Marbury is playing very well and created his own shit sneaker line at K-Mart. Hopefully he doesn’t turn to shit, cause that’ll fuck this team up.
7. Portland Trailblazers (21-19)
a. After being one of the worst teams in the league, hyperyellow has made the moves to make this squad at least a .500 team and a somewhat contender. Having 2 white bigs does not help much to make you a contender though. This team will have to find some balance in their guard play as well as more consistency on the boards (white man can’t jump) to see any improvement from a .500 team.
8. Denver Nuggets (18-18)
a. My buddy springs, us CY fellas have to stick together. He made an excellent trade, giving up the younger, still developing Joe Johnson for the more proven Javone Bess. He will give springs that much needed scoring to keep up with the brutes of the league. While I think his team is playing poorer than they should be, I think they can find a DC that will save them from CY and squeak them into the playoff hunt.
9. Dallas Mavericks (17-19)
a. Now we get to the weaker teams in the West. While this team isn’t bad at all, there lack of bigs is a true killer. They have no scoring and barely and rebound production from them (though as a team they are rebounding well). To be a contender, swish must find a way to get some bigs to complement there fine rotational guard play.
10. Houston Rockets (16-21)
a. Call me crazy, but I like this team. They have Nash, SJax and McGrady. If SJax can develop, and they find some quality bigs, this team has a very bright future. But its clear why they are where they are. In this league, quality bigs gets you the rings.
11. San Antonio Spurs (16-24)
a. A franchise that I forgot existed, they have fantastic guard play with Cassel and Williams. Mashburn is also holding his own at the 3. The problem, like most mediocre teams is the poor play from the bigs. If they can get there hands on some quality bigs, they would be a decent team. However, guins is just not active enough to make this team relevant again. Then again, were they ever relevant?
12. Seattle Supersonics
(18-27)
a. A team with Benji, Kobe and the great Christian Laettner, you’d think they’d be in the playoff hunt, but there not. Why you may ask? Depth, turnovers and poor PG play plagued this team. While they traded to get Porter, in theory it’s a nice trade, but it just doesn’t fit from what I’m seeing. If they can get quality bigs and a PG, they’ll be in good shape for years to come.
13. Sacramento Kings
(15-26)
a. Is this the real Sacramento Kings? They suck, sitting pretty to get another lotto. The only real bright spot is Pierce, which he should trade to getbeard for his whole team, but that’s another story. The rebuild in Sac town is on, lets hope basenoc knows what he’s doing
14. Utah Jazz (15-28)
a. Sitting pretty in dead last is the Jazz. Where is Utah anyway? They are also a dry state, meaning there’s massive restrictions on LQ. Depressed fans and nothing to look forward too, the rebuild behind Daniels and Bender (which is a good core) seems prom
