Post by Phoenix Suns on Jul 13, 2008 21:15:00 GMT -5
Ranking | Last Month | Team | MVP | Skinny |
20W-6L [1L] | Ray Allen 20.5 PPG 4.3 APG 3.2 APG | December treated the Suns well, they still sit on top of the RimRocker standings. December saw the Suns deal away long time fan favourite Shawn Marion, David Lee and Grant Hill to bring back Amare Stoudemire, Caron Butler, Antonio McDyess and two blue chip prospects in Danilo Gallinari and Brandon Rush. The new lineup seems to be playing well with the Suns only losing one game since the trade. A true testament to the definition of star power, Phoenix has 4 players rated 87 and higher as they continue their reign of domination | ||
21W-10L [4W] | Mike Miller 19.5 PPG 4.2 RPG 50.4 FG% 46.6 3P% | San Antonio had a nice month jumping up two spots. Despite trading away MVP candidate Dirk Nowtizki and rookie stud Brook Lopez, the Spurs have managed to hold onto the second spot in the league behind the Suns. Although Dwight Howard has struggled, Mike Miller has benefited from his presence. With most teams double teaming D12 down low, Miller now has a lot of open oppurtunities. He has made no mistake leading the Spurs in scoring since the departure of Dirk. If Miller can keep up this type of numbers, don't be surprised yo see him in the All-Star game. | ||
20W-10L [1L] | Kevin Garnett 23.0 PPG 10.0 RPG 5.0 APG 1.87 BPG .57 FG% | At number 3 we find the Celtics. Despite trading away two of their biggest stars in the off-season (Paul Pierce and Jason Kidd), the Celtics have managed to stay afloat atop the Eastern Conference rankings. KG has been KG, a MVP candidate and undisputed MVP of the team, the supporting cast is a lot more balanced with the likes of Mike Dunleavy, TJ Ford, Udonis Haslem and Rashard Lewis. Lewis and Dunleavy have provided the Celtics with scoring in the wing, Haslem toughness, rebounding and hustle and Ford speed and playmaking at the helm. | ||
20W-10L [1L] | Pau Gasol 15.8 PPG 9.0 RPG 1.97 BPG | This team is one to definitely one to keep an eye on. Considering the Heat are tied for the top spot in the East without much production of LeBron James, you can't help but wonder how good this team can really be if James played to his full potential? Regardless, the frontcourt is stacked with Camby, Gasol and Big Z. Expect Big Z to be shipped out of town for a shooter who can spread the floor. | ||
19W-12L [1W] | Chris Bosh 25.6 PPG 9.5 RPG 2.03 BPG .51 FG% | Many questioned playing Dirk at SF. However, the move has paid off. Since trading for Dirk, Dallas has looked better than ever. The acqusition of Dirk has re-ignited Manu Ginobili. With Ginobili playing to his potential, the Mavs finally found the backcouty scorer that were lacking early on in the season. The bench has been stellar also, since being moved to the bench in favor of Dirk, James Posey has been nothing short of great. He's providing some clutch outside shooting and lockdown defence. Flip Murray has filled the scoring void off the bench left by Earl Boykins, Landry and Varejao are providing energy and rebounding off the bench. Maybe defending the WC title isn't out of reach after all? | ||
19W-12L [1L] | Mehmet Okur 22.7 PPG 8.5 RPG 4.1 APG 52.6 FG% 47.3 3P% | Despite having an injury-riddled season, the Rockets have managed to stay afloat in the Western Conference, leading their division and sitting at the 4th seed with maximum production coming from Mehmet Okur. Okur is surprisingly leading all centers in PPG before going down with his injury. Shawn Marion has dissapointed since arriving from Phoenix but is slowly seeing the light as he plays more games with the Rockets. | ||
18W-13L [3L] | Chris Webber 17.2 PPG 7.9 RPG 4.5 APG 1.8 SPG | No, you're not seeing things. This is Golden State with one of the top records in the West and Chris Webber leading the charge. Golden State has been a big man's paradise this season, first Yao, then Dice and now Webber. It certainly helps playing with two great playmakers in backcourt in Chris Paul and Mo Williams. If I were Golden State I'd be looking to trade one of their 4 PG's (Paul, Williams, Alston, Lowry) for a starting C so Webber and Tyrus Thomas can move back to their natural position. | ||
16W-10L [1L] | Kobe Bryant 19.9 PPG 5.4 RPG 5.5 APG 2.04 SPG | Another team to keep an eye on as we head into January. With all their starters finally healthy, the Hawks can finally see how they stack up against the other teams in the East. Kobe- Wade is a dream backcourt, frontcourt could use a little help but it's solid. I think Peja is gonna play a huge role for this team. He's one of the top shooters in the league and will punish teams that leave him open. | ||
17W-13L [4L] | Vince Carter 20.1 PPG 5.8 RPG 4.1 APG 2.07 SPG 51.2 FG% | Let's be honest here, Stephan Jackson and Al Harrington as your front court? Chicago needs some serious help up front, one of Jackson, Rip needs to be moved for a center. In my opinion, Miami would be the perfect trading partner for the Bulls. Miami needs a SG to spread the floor and Chicago needs a big body up front. Richard Hamilton, say hi to Miami. Z, say hi to Chicago. I'd be surprised if this deal doesn't go down. | ||
15W-12L [2W] | Al Jefferson 18.7 PPG 9.8 RPG 1.96 BPG 53.3 FG% | I think the proper way to start this would be YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. Okay now that that's out of the way, we can talk about the Wolves. No doubt the Wolves have an incredibly deep, young and talented core. Deron, AJ, Young, Koufos, Deng and of course, YIIIII. But I don't think they have enough experience to make a lot of noise in the playoffs. However, if I had to pick a team that had the best shot of being a dynasty, the Wolves are on top of my list. | ||
15W-14L [5W] | Ron Artest 16.8 PPG 6.6 RPG 1.8 BPG 1.4 SPG 53.3 FG% | This team is starting to put all the pieces together. The defence has finally lived up to their potential surprisingly since trading away defensive studs Raja Bell and Devin Harris. Jamal Crawford, although his 3pt shooting selection is questionable, has injected offence into this team at the starting point guard position. Okafor has finally decided to wake up from his sleep and Artest has been solid on both ends of the floor. This team has the experience and defence to make some noise in the playoffs. | ||
15W-14L [4W] | Rudy Gay 19.2 PPG 3.6 RPG 2.6 APG | Who would have thought? If trading away Marcus Camby was an indication of re-building, I wouldn't have known looking at the Grizzlies record since the move. Since the departure of Camby, Rudy Gay has been one the league's most prolific scorers. He's already scored over 30+ pts 5 times in December. Another reason for the Grizzlies success is Shane Battier. Battier is the ultimate roleplayer, he's played great defence and provided some much needed offence. However, I just don't see them holding on to a playoff spot. With Jermaine O'Neal now traded, the Grizzlies lack a low post scorer and his interior defence will be missed. | ||
14W-14L [1W] | Michael Redd 23.4 PPG 4.5 RPG 4.9 APG 51.3 FG% | Things are looking bright in DC. Kevin Love and Andrei Kirilenko have come full circle coming back to the team they started the season with. Michael Redd has been lights out, arguably the best shooting guard this season. A core of Felton- Redd- AK- Love is solid but still missing that last piece of the puzzle. That last piece is a legit center. Love is undersized to play center and won't be as effective playing center as he would playing power forward. Word is the Wizards are dangling around Mobley but nobody is biting due to the monster contract of Mobley. | ||
13W-13L [4W] | Allen Iverson 19.5 PPG 6.2 APG 1.8 SPG | Another surprise team. I thought this team was supposed to suck after trading Josh Howard? Guess not, don't look now but the Raptors are 7th in the East and rising. However, the Raptors GM is in a sticky situation. With Allen Iverson expiring at the end of the season, Toronto has a few options. Keep Iverson, try to their luck in the playoffs and lose him for nothing in free agency or trade him while is value is still high. Toronto has to make a decision fast with the trade deadline approaching. | ||
15W-16L [6L] | Steve Nash 28.4 PPG 4.5 RPG 9.8 APG 2.3 SPG 51.2 FG% | Looking at this team on paper, I'd say they're a top 5 team in the West with the amount of firepower they have. You don't get to see a Tim Duncan- Steve Nash combo too often. And they'd probably be a top 5 team if it wasn't for injuries. Nash has been battling with a bad back for most of the season. With their MVP finally healthy, this team should be able to live up to the offensive jagernaut label. | ||
15W-16L [1L] | Carlos Boozer 18.3 PPG 10.8 RPG 9.8 APG 2.3 SPG 51.2 FG% | The Jazz are a true testament to why games aren't won on paper. Looking on paper this team should be a bottom 5 team with only Boozer and Beasley and a bunch of unproven young players and past their primes vets. But like the saying go's "Game aren't won on paper". The Jazz have played gritty defence and aggressively on offence. They're doing all the little things to win games in the tough Western Conference. Boozer could be a darkhouse to win MVP if the Jazz manage to make the playoffs. Although Beasley has been disappointing, fans shouldn't worry too much as he's starting to turn the curb. His numbers have been looking a lot better the past few weeks. Playing key roles on defence are Ben Wallace and Larry Hughes, both are know defensive fiends but age and health seems to have caught up to them over the years. Both have rejuvenated their careers in Utah. |
The Rest of the League
Ranking | Last Month | Team | MVP |
15W-16L [1L] | Gilbert Arenas 20.8 PPG 6.3 APG 2.5 SPG | ||
15W-16L [1W] | Hedo Turkoglu 20.7 PPG 6.1 RPG .505 FG% | ||
12W-14L [1W] | Kevin Martin 18.7 PPG 4.6 RPG 3.3 APG | ||
14W-17L [1W] | Antawn Jamison 22.2 PPG 8.2 RPG 1.3 SPG | ||
13W-16L [1W] | Chauncey Billups 23.1 PPG 3.9 RPG 7.2 APG 2.4 SPG | ||
14W-18L [4L] | Andre Igoudala 21.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 5.1 APG 2.03 SPG .50 FG% | ||
13W-17L [1L] | David West 15.6 PPG 7.4 RPG 5.1 APG .49 FG% | ||
12W-16L [1W] | Josh Howard 17.1 PPG 7.7 RPG 4.0 APG 1.63 SPG | ||
13W-18L [2W] | Jose Calderon 19.2 PPG 3.3 RPG 5.4 APG 1.4 SPG | ||
12W-17L [2W] | Jason Terry 18.0 PPG 5.2 APG 1.52 SPG | ||
11W-19L [1W] | LaMarcus Aldridge 17.4 PPG 9.3 RPG 3.0 APG 1.5 BPG | ||
10W-18L [5L] | Paul Pierce 20.7 PPG 4.5 RPG 3.8 APG 54.1 FG% | ||
9W-22L [2W] | Eddy Curry 20.8 PPG 9.4 RPG 50.4 FG% | ||
7W-24L [2W] | Nicolas Batum 20.8 PPG 5.9 RPG 3.7 APG |