Post by repole on Oct 17, 2005 15:05:56 GMT -5
1. Washington Wizards
Record: 16-8
Comments: Their schedule to start the season certainly hasn't been easy, but they've managed to stay near the top of the East. We all know what the Wizards can do, and as long as Daniels is putting up 8-1 assist to turnover ratios, and Arenas and Jamison are putting up 20 plus points per game, this team will be the favorite to win the East. I know they're record isn't as great as teams like the Heat, but the Wizards have proven that they have what it takes to win already.
2. Miami Heat
Record: 19-8
Comments: No one player stands out as having a great season when you look at the Heat roster. Shaq is only scoring 21 per game, Vince only scoring 19 per game, but the Heat have seemed to have adapted the team concept. Every player is contributing in a large way for Miami, as they lead the league with the highest win percentage. Frontcourt defense will keep this team near the top of the league all year long. Oh, and that Shaq guy.
3. New Orleans Hornets
Record: 19-9
Comments: I can't say I expect the Hornets to truely contend, but they sure are playing great right now. They've played 16 of their 27 games at home (compared to the Rockets for example who have played just 8 home games), completing a fairly easy schedule to start off the season. Brad Miller has been absolutly dominant, but he needs to stay on the court more, as he's putting up 19 and 9 in just 29 minutes of action each game. Chris Paul's scoring averages have shocked many, as he's scoring over 20 points a game, he's looking like an absolute stud. Though Morrison and Horford have struggled offensivly, the team's overall fire power should keep them near the top of the East for years to come.
4. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 20-10
Comments: It seems that young teams are beggining to take over the league. Along with the Hornets, the Hawks are playing way over their heads right now. The Hawks have a solid mix of offense in Louis Williams, Telfiar, and Marvin Williams, to go along with the defensive Tyson Chandler and Torin Francis. I'm not sure how long the Hawks can keep this pace up, but for now they look to be one of the better teams in the league. How long they can survive with questionable defense from Marvin and Louis and poor offense from Tyson and Francis is yet to be seen.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 19-12
Comments: They'd be #1 if it weren't for injuries to Kidd, his backup Alston, and Marion. However, with just a few more days left on the injured list for those three, the Bucks should make a hard push at the #1 seed in the East these next few sims. With stars at four positions, an A+ defender at the only position they don't have a true star at, and solid depth the Bucks are probably the most talented team in the league.
6. Utah Jazz
Record: 15-10
Comments: The Jazz have had a very tough schedule to start the year, playing just 9 of their first 25 games at home. However winners of their last 7, the Jazz have stormed towards the top of the West after an 8 and 10 start. Kirilenko leads the way, putting up 18.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 5.3 apg, and nearly 3.4 spg while Boozer chips in with 22 and 11 each night. With a very good center next to Boozer in Eddy Curry, and one of the better pure PGs in the league in Deron Williams throwing passes to AK, Boozer, and Curry, the Jazz form one scary team.
7. Denver Nuggets
Record: 18-11
Comments: KG is leading the way for a Nuggets team which has taken care of buisness at home, going 13 and 2 in their house. With Nash throwing him passes KG has been just about unstoppable. Petro has chipped in with solid rebounding and defense, however outside of these three there isn't much to rave about. A lack of depth makes me wonder how far the Nuggets can go. One 10 day injury to KG and they'll be on an 0 and 7 slide.
8. Dallas Mavs
Record: 15-10
Comments: Ricky Davis is playing way over his head, but as long as he's averaging 22 points per game the Mavs are in good shape. Led by Davis and the dominant front court defense of Ben Wallace and Kwame Brown, the Mavs present a challenge for every frontcourt on the league. Even Jason Maxiel who serves as the backup PF and C is able to come in and play very good defense. Tony Parker has been very solid at the point, and Simmons is a perfect role player scoring 15 points per game and contributing solid defense. I really have no idea what to expect from the Mavs, gaging a player like Ricky Davis for the rest of the season is impossible to do.
9. Indiana Pacers
Record: 16-10
Comments: The Pacers are just a real solid team plain and simple. O'Neal, Marbury, and Granger lead the way for a very talented Indiana team which has a legit shot at contending in the East. However, as always, I think they're lacking someting to put them over the edge to contend with Miami and Milwuakee's star power.
10. Portland Trailblazers
Record: 14-10
Comments: A 3-8 record on the road is hurting the Blazers a good amount right now, but at home they've been near unstoppable. LeBron and Finley lead the way for the Blazers, as they both are scoring over 22 points per contest and both have shot above 47%. Efficiency has been key for the Blazers, though Chauncy Billup's near 5 turn overs per game and Big Z's poor field goal percentage raise some red flags. It may be a good idea for Portland to find a new PG, though his assists are high, those turn overs must be killing the Blazers.
11. Phoenix Suns
Record: 12-10
Comments: The Suns have been dissapointing to say the least, as the defending champs are barely staying above .500. However it's hard to expect they'll play this poorly all year, though the loss of Camby to a defense already giving up over 100 points per game is going to hurt the Suns big time over the next 12 days. A few changes may be needed, but expect the Suns to be back in contention soon.
"i'll give em two more sims to straigten it out before i change it up" said Seer in response to his team's poor play.
12. Sacremento Kings
Record: 14-11
Comments: The addition of Duncan makes them immediate contenders, though they're yet to really prove anything yet. However with the frontcourt defense of Frye and Duncan to go along with a backcourt featuring Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon, the Kings should be near the top of the West in no time despite a lack of depth.
13. New Jersey Nets
Record: 13-9
Comments: Depth and defense should be large problems for the Nets as the season progresses, but strong play from Francis, Hughes, and Richardson should keep them afloat. The Nets would be wise to pick up a defensive PF or C, as SARs 10 points per game doesn't come close to making up for his terrible defense, and the combo of SAR and Kenny Thomas must be the worst in the league defensivly at PF.
14. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 16-13
Comments: Outside of Kobe they don't have a whole lot. Felton has been solid but not spectacular, and Ginobili and QRich at this point are no more than solid starters. I have a rule, as long as Rafael Araujo is starting at center, a team won't go anywhere anytime fast.
15. Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 12-12
Comments: A team with Pierce, Baron, Peja, and even Gooden should be doing far better than .500. I don't know what's wrong with this team, but something needs to be done. Giving up over 100 points per game with three top tier defenders just doesn't make sense. This team shows just how important depth is.
There, the top 15 and all the teams .500 or better...maybe i'll do the rest, but probably not.
