Post by getbeard on Jul 25, 2014 5:20:05 GMT
Almost every year, someone draws up a Power Ranking of some sort, but I wanted to try and do something that would be interesting league that could get people involved and take the power rankings idea to the next step. I've asked 3 GM's, whom along with myself represent each of the four divisions. I asked each GM to give a breakdown of one division in the league, excluding there own. I first of all want to thank these other GM's, they did good, quick work and hopefully you'll all enjoy the finished product.
There was no method to picking the conferences, just made sure the 2 Western Conference GM's looked at the Eastern Conference, and vice versa. Without further adieu, here is your 2017 Season Preview!
First up, the Eastern Conference, starting with myself taking down the Atlantic, and BrazilianDude analyzing the Central
***ATLANTIC DIVISION***
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Key Players: Steph Curry, Brook Lopez, Dion Waiters, Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Sanders
Strengths: Scoring, Balance, Big Man Depth
Weakness: Wing Depth
Team Overview:
Saric has done nothing but good with the 76ers since coming to the league. He inherited a few nice players, but has continued to build around them into a contender. The 76ers look solid in most aspects of the game, though they could run into problems if injuries occur because they dont have a very deep bench. Steph Curry will continue to do his thing on the perimeter while the 3 headed monster of Lopez, Vala, and Sanders just destroy people in the paint. Tough match up for anyone because of the balance they have for inside and outside scoring.
Team MVP: Steph Curry
Record Prediction: 54-28
2. Miami Heat
Key Players: Anthony Davis, James Harden, Deron Williams, Eddy Curry
Strength: Good Balance, Strong in the post all-around
Weakness: Depth, Wing Defense
Team Overview:
The Heat will come into the season with one of the best starting 5's in the league. A great scoring balance both inside and out, along with great post play from Anthony Davis and Eddy Curry. They will need to make moves to acquire some depth. Jahlil Okafor looks like a stud and will round out the big man rotation as a solid 6th man in rotation, but they will need some help on the wings, and probably back up PG as well, especially defensively at both of those spots.
Team MVP: Anthony Davis
Record Prediction: 50-32
3. Orlando Magic
Key Players: Dwayne Wade, Ty Lawson, Jabari Parker, Anthony Randolph, Thad Young
Strength: Offense, Efficiency
Weakness: Post Presence
Team Overview:
Orlando comes into this season with a high powered, up-tempo offense. Ty Lawson and Dwayne Wade will be the veteran leaders in the backcourt, and figure to log heavy minutes and have the ball in there hands a ton. Jabari Parker will serve as both an impact player of the now and a link to the future in Orlando. If the team can find a nice rotation of big men that can provide defense and rebounding, there perimeter players should be able to carry them pretty far, question is who else aside from Randolph will step up this year in the post?
Team MVP: Dwayne Wade
Record Prediction: 48-34
4. New York Knicks
Key Players: Lebron James, Blake Griffin, Greg Monroe, Tyus Jones
Strengths: Inside scoring, Lebron James
Weakness: Soft Big Men, 1 Man Show
Team Overview:
The New York Lebrons may not quite live up to the expectations that New Yorkers may have placed on them. Lebron is a fuckin monster, but can't do it alone. Aside from him they are not great defensively, especially down low. Monroe and Griffin are capable of scoring but both have major deficiencies on the defensive end. Lebron may have the best season of his career number wise though without many scoring options around him. Can the King reclaim his throne, and prove he doesn't need much help to do it?
Team MVP: Lebron James
Record Prediction: 37-45
5. Washington Wizards
Key Players: Rajon Rondo, Bradley Beal, Chandler Parsons, Joakim Noah
Strengths: Balanced, Scoring
Weakness: Defense, Post Presence
Team Overview:
The Wiz kids will be looking to score in bunches this season. Bradley Beal and Chandler Parsons can both fill it up from the wing spots, and Rajon Rondo can distribute. The question is can they stop anyone? Other than Rondo nobody else has much to offer on that end of the court. Noah is not close to what he once was and is still easily the next best defender on the squad. Celticfan will need to hope the offense can score more than their opponents on a nightly basis, they will probably be in a lot of shoot outs.
Team MVP: Bradley Beal
Record Prediction: 35- 47
6. Boston Celtics
Key Players: Trey Burke, Julius Randle, Yi Jianlian, Emeka Okafor
Strengths: Size, Rebounding
Weakness: Scoring, Defense
Team Overview:
BTown brings Boston into his CY, and he's going to have some work to do. Trey Burke is a great PG and perfect player to build around, and Randle also looks to be coming around quickly. Problem is they aren't ready to do it without much of a supporting cast. Yi has somehow been solid throughout his career, but Boston will be putting a lot of pressure on both him and the old deteriorating shoulders of Emeka Okafor. Hopefully for Btown Trey Burke can score through the roof, and when he misses all of those big bodies will be able to clean up the mess.
Team MVP: Trey Burke
Record Prediction: 30-52
7. Brooklyn Nets
Key Players: Demar Derozan, George Hill, Al-Farouq Aminu
Strengths: Defense
Weakness: Scoring, Star-Factor
Team Overview:
The Nets seriously lack star-power and offense. George Hill is easily there best offensive player and he's probably a non-option on lots of other teams in this league. That being said, there defense is stronger than what is seen on paper. Robin Lopez and Hill are both sound defenders, and both Aminu and Green have been very good defensively throughout their careers despite average to low ratings. Don't see a very high ceiling from this team, but a potentially pretty low floor unless a lot is changed.
Team MVP: George Hill
Record Prediction: 25-57
Division MVP:
Stephen Curry; can he keep the title in Philly?
***CENTRAL DIVISION***
1. Toronto Raptors
Key Players: Roy,Roy,Roy and I guess Oden and Batum
Strength: As long as Roy can live up to his contract this team will be good. Oden’s amazing TC will definitely also help his team this year.
Weakness: If anything were to slow this team down it would be the PG and PF spots and lack of bench
Team Overview:
The Raptors will be heavily relying on the offensive fire power of Roy to put up 30 plus a game and then a stable defensive effort from oden and batum.
Team MVP: Roy, he is a lights out scorer who can also play D
Record Prediction: 50-22
2. Indiana Pacers
Key Players: George, Barnes, Carter-Williams
Strength: One of the best young perimeters in the league
Weakness: Too many old, unreliable guys down low
Team Overview:
I think this team can be one of the best in the league If Barnes and George keep up the good work. They need a little more help on D and it could be scary to face them in the playoffs.
Team MVP: George
Record Prediction: 48-24
3. Charlotte Hornets
Key Players: Macvan, Lamb, Faried
Strength: Defense, Macvan, Youth, Low salary
Weakness: No true star, offensive fire power
Team Overview:
This team is led by Do it all white boy Milan Macvan. For no reason this guy is 20/10 with a few blocks a game. This team could be good if they decided to move a few of these under developed young guys for a true superstar.
Team MVP: Macvan
Record Prediction: 46-36
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Key Players: Irving, Thompson, Hawes
Strength: Kyrie putting the team on his back
Weakness: Not having 100% reliable second and third options or great D
Team Overview:
This team seems that they will rely on a fast paced outside offense with many good perimeter playoffs hoping to outscore the opponent to death.
Team MVP: Irving
Record Prediction: 44-38
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Key Players: Ibaka, Iggy, Kane
Strength: This team has been one that seems to have thrived off defense for a few seasons. Adding a ready rookie like Kane will help in other catigories
Weakness: Bench, health
Team Overview:
This team is a tweener right now, could be a win now team if they made moves in that direction or could be a good rebuild team around saric, kane and a few other guys if that was the direction they decided to go.
Team MVP: Ibaka
Record Prediction: 42-40
6. Chicago Bulls
Key Players: Favors, Noah, Newman
Strength: youth, scoring power
Weakness: youth, defense and desire to rebuild
Team Overview:
Will be interesting to see how the bulls rebuild after moving lebron for two high potential young guys. I expect to see a few more moves before the deadline and if Newman and Noah can turn it up sooner then later we may have a retool rather then rebuild in Chitown
Team MVP: Newman
Record Prediction: 36-46
7. Detroit Pistons
Key Players: Lance, Hickson, Anderson
Strength: Lance and only lance
Weakness: No reliable second option, Poor Defense. This team looks lotto bound
Team Overview:
Unless the GM thinks Lance Stephenson is ready to carry a team to playoffs alone he better start scouting now for the draft.
Team MVP:Lance
Record Prediction: 28-54
8. Atlanta Hawks
Key Players: Hump, Smart, Lyles
Strength: A miracle would make this team better
Weakness: No true 1 option, no depth
Team Overview:
Lotto bound. This team will need the GM to have a Fa and draft or two to get it how he wants and then maybe we will see some results.
Team MVP: Lyles
Record Prediction: 20-62
Division MVP:
Kyrie Irving; Can the defending MVP take his team to the next level?
And now onto the Western Conference, as seen by shorty who had the Midwest, and tyfreak who had the Pacific.
***MIDWEST DIVISION***
1A. Memphis Grizzlies
Key Players: Andre Drummond, Russell Westbrook, Dante Exum, MKG
Strength: Abundance of young talent
Weakness: Too young
Team Overview:
The GM Brazilliandude did a fantastic job turning a fading team around and being better off than before. They swapped veterans for 1sts, and 1sts to young stars. They ended up with the scariest future team in the league. What’s holding them and Russell Westbrook from running away with it is the youth and inexperience of the team. The young bloods might not be ready to help carry Westbrook to the promise land.
Team MVP: Russell Westbrook
Record Prediction: 54 - 28
1B. Utah Jazz
Key Players: Nicola Mirotic, Perry Jones, Shabazz Mohammed, Kyle Lowry
Strength: Strong outside offense
Weakness: Rebounding
Team Overview:
The Jazz are better now after acquiring Perry Jones who will add many new dimensions to their offense. Shabazz will need to step up after he was acquired in exchange for budding supercenter Andre Drummond. Lowrly and Mirotic will need to play to form in order for the Jazz to go deep into the playoffs again.
Team MVP: Nikolas Mirotic
Record Prediction: 54 - 28
3. Houston Rockets
Key Players: Tyson Chandler, John Wall, KCP, Josh Selby
Strength: Veteran starpower
Weakness: Regression of current roster
Team Overview:
The Rockets have long been one of the main threats in the league, however this season they might have to work a little harder to retain that status. While their core roster remains in play, nobody on the team got any better, just a year old. KCP is still a great all-around player, but he spent more time in the summer chasing females, rather than loose balls. Tyson Chandler will continue to be one of the elite big men in the league, however father time is starting to catch up on the late-blooming superstar. The Rockets will still a tough team to play against for everyone. They do have John Wall and Tyson Chandler leading their attack after all, but cracks are starting to show in the armor.
Team MVP: John Wall
Record Prediction: 52- 30
4. San Antonio Spurs
Key Players: Carmelo Anthony, Tony Parker, Lamarcus Aldridge, Nerlens Noels
Strength: Star scoring power
Weakness: Rebounding
Team Overview:
Nerlens Noels so far has coasted on athleticism and will need to step up. The big 3 scoring trio coming off two disappointing playoffs have a larger load to carry with fan favorite Luol Deng gone, but they are now older and a step slower. Spurs will need to conjured some additional scoring to regain their former magic, and to cover up their glaring lack of rebounding talent.
Team MVP: Carmelo Anthony
Record Prediction: 51 - 31
5. Dallas Mavericks
Key Players: Dwight Howard, Darren Collison, Chase Budinger, Chris Kaman
Strength: Well balance of offense
Weakness: Lack of strong perimeter scoring
Team Overview:
After questionably waiving long time franchise lynchpin Danny Granger, the Mavs suddenly face an unfamiliar vacuum in their perimeter scoring once the familiar and reliable offense of Granger is now removed. Chris Kaman brings effective paint impact along with Dwight’s usual performances, however the lack of a second strong perimeter scorer (sorry Darren Collison, your 14points/38min isn’t enough scoring), is hurting both Chase Budinger’s play and the performance of the team.Now after taking a step forward with adding Kaman’s offense, they take 2 steps back losing Danny Granger. With limited assets available, Swish will need to do some clever GMing to get the Mavs back in the 2nd round.
Team MVP: Dwight Howard
Record Prediction: 50 - 32
6. Minnesota Timerwolves
Key Players: Derrick Rose, Demarcus Cousins, Iman Shumpert, Eric Bledsoe
Strength: Derrick Fucking Rose…
Weakness: Power Forward position + Eric Bledsoe’s disappointment so far
Team Overview:
The Wolves are in limbo right now after the departure of former GM supermaor for family reasons. Everyone here at NBADSL gives their condolences and well wishes to supermaor through these tough times of course, and the lack of his presence left the Wolves with a tough offseason. Shedding some salary in the offseason was great, but losing the franchise project Perry Jones will be hard to swallow. The Wolves could use him right now now as Iman Shumpert looks like he’s doing jack shit for his team statistically. Eric Bledsoe so far in the preseason has disappointed everyone after showing such promising signs in TC, and he’ll need to step up if his team is going to get better. But with Derrick Rose on the team and Cousins showing new signs of life, the Wolves can be a move or two away from being amongst the contenders.
Team MVP: Derrick (fucking) Rose
Record Prediction: 48 - 34
7. Denver Nuggets
Key Players: Paul Millsap, Luol Deng, Chase Jeter
Strength: Young players who will show their mettle
Weakness: Lack of Talent (kind of general statement.. but it was hard to pick just one lol)
Team Overview:
After a tumultuous offseason in which former GM Springs was finally fired, Waxy takes over a young team with cap flexibility, and not a lot of current talent. Luol Deng and Paul Millsap are the two veterans who will lead this team, but neither are players who can lead a franchise to glory, especially with all the unproven youth the Nuggets have. Don’t expect the team to make the playoffs or to give any headaches to the Midwest division. A proper rebuild is needed. They are on the right track for that.
Team MVP: Luol Deng
Record Prediction: 28 - 54
Division MVP:
Derrick Rose
; Can the former MVP turn superhuman and get the Wolves back into contention?
***PACIFIC DIVISION***
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Key Players: Andris Biedrins, Andrew Wiggins, Damian Lillard
Strength: Rebounding, Balanced scoring, depth on the wings
Weakness: Post defense, post depth
Team Overview:
As evident by preseason, the Lakers are one of the best teams in the league. Zach Randolph is atrocious on defense, but being next to Biedrins will cover that up a bit. Randolph will be valuable to the team as he adds a post scorer, and a rebounding machine. Team is stacked on the wings, most notably with Andrew Wiggins. Despite Wiggins struggling in Preseason, Lakers went 13-1. Lillard improved vastly during the offseason, and is now looking like he can grow into a top five Point Guard in the league.
Team MVP: Andrew Wiggins
Record Prediction: 60-22
2. Los Angeles Clippers
Key Players: Joel Embiid, Kevin Love, Rudy Gay, Danny Granger, Chris Paul
Strength: Rebounding, Offense, Passing
Weakness: Depth
Team Overview:
Very sound starting lineup. Has post defense with Embiid, Love who can space the floor and grab rebounds at a high rate, two wings (who they acquired for pennies on the dollar) who can light it up on any given night, but what really brings this team together is Chris Paul. Team should have no problem offensively, and despite a few poor defenders, they have done pretty well holding teams to 95.2 Points Per Game on 44%. Look for this team to be a title contender.
Team MVP: Chris Paul
Record Prediction: 59-23
3. Phoenix Suns
Key Players: Amare Stoudemire, Josh Smith, Danilo Gallinari
Strength: Offense, Post Defense
Weakness: Lack of Legit PG, Inside Scoring
Team Overview:
This team is a season removed from an incredible playoff run, although they unfortunately lost in the Finals. This team starts and ends with Danilo Gallinari. He's an elite first option, solid rebounder for his position, and is above average defensively. No real weaknesses across the board. Gonna be tough winning a championship with Brandon Jennings as your starting PG.
Team MVP: Danilo Gallinari
Record Prediction: 48-34
4. Portland Trailblazers
Key Players: Andrea Bargnani, Wayne Ellington, D.J Augustin
Strength: Perimeter Shooting, Low Turnovers
Weakness: Rebounding, Starting SF, depth at C/PF
Team Overview:
I think we should rename them the Portland Bargnani's. Bargnani is a monster, and one of the reasons they will be relevant. His weakness coming into the league has been defense and rebounding, but even he has made his defense and rebounding respectable in this league. Portland really needs to find a way to acquire a big that does all the dirty work. Wayne Ellington is a great second option who can light it up from outside, and has improved his game all around since signing with Portland. They have a PG that doesn't turn the ball over so he will be very important to their success, but after that the team is gonna struggle to score unless someone steps up. Doesn't look like a title contender, but I've been wrong before.
Team MVP: Andrea Bargnani
Record Prediction: 46-36
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Key Players: Andrew Bynum, Chris Bosh, Kevin Durant
Strength: Post Defense, Post Scoring, Rebounding, elite wing
Weakness: Big man depth, starting SG
Team Overview:
Seems like the Thunder have always had talent, but never been able to put it all together. They offer one of the leagues finest players in Kevin Durant, but year after year it seems like OKC isn't contending for a championship ring. With Kevin Durant and Chris Bosh hitting FA after this season, it may be the right time to call panic mode. Will be interesting to see how the Thunder put it all together and if Justin Jackson call fill in at SG.
Team MVP: Kevin Durant
Record Prediction: 41-41
6. Sacramento Kings
Key Players: Devin Harris
Strength: Cap Flexibility, Potentially high lotto
Weakness: Offense, Defense, Rebounding, Passing
Team Overview:
This team is gonna be hard to watch on TV this season. Devin Harris and Marc Gasol are above average players, but gonna be another long season in Sactown. This team, however has set themselves up for perhaps the best FA in the history of the league. They are projected to have a little under 50M to spend, and a good offseason will generate buzz in Sacramento.
Team MVP: Devin Harris
Record Prediction: 24-58
7. Golden State Warriors
Key Players: Ekpe Udoh, Ben McLemore, Tyreke, Rubio, Harrison
Strength: Depth
Weakness: Offense, Defense, Rebounding
Team Overview:
This team is just not headed in the right direction. They have a couple nice prospects in Ben McLemore and Andrew Harrison, but they have guys like Tyreke and Rubio who will get in the way of playing time and will make this team extremely average. They should ship out their veterans for prospects and fully commit to the tank, and hope this draft has some nice bigs. This team is years from competing.
Team MVP: Tyreke Evans
Record Prediction: 23-59
Division MVP:
Chris Paul; Now the veteran to a young, but talented team, can he lead his pack of young guns to the finals?
And that's all Folks! Again, a huge thanks to the participating GM's; BrazilianDude, tyfreak, and shorty. Great job all of you!
bundybastard/thecommish not sure how you guys wants to grade this, setup wise this was comparable to the roundtable, but probably required a little more work from each of the participants, so up to you guys how you want it to be graded/rewards handed out.
