Post by Miami Heat on Jul 30, 2008 17:57:22 GMT -5
ESPN
As the weather starts to get colder, The Superbowl Champion has been crowned, and everyone is just starting to shake off the holidays. The NBA Teams with decent records starting look at the playoffs, it's about time to start peaking. Only 4 months left (Really 3 because of March Madness) are left before the playoffs. Let's see who is getting hot, getting cold, turning ice cold, or staying the same.
1. Miami Heat: What? The Miami Heat are the number one team in this league? Weren't they a laughing stock last year? Oh that's right GM Charles Boen has made some huge deals to get this team back to the promiseland. Lebron James, Pau Gasol and Jason Kidd are teamed up with Ruben Patterson and Marcus Camby to fulfill a lineup that is one of the scariest in the league..
2. Phoenix Suns: Even though they let Miami over take them for the best record in the league, this is still hands down the best team in the league. With a starting 5 of Bdiddy, Ray Allen, Butler, Amare, and Dyess they strike fear into the hearts of opponents. The most over looked thing about Phoenix though is there bench which is just stacked with talent. Brent Barry, Dikemba Mutombo, and Sam Cassell bring experience while Brandon Rush, Danilo Gallinari, and Darko Milicic will only get better. Folk this is still the team to beat no matter what Miami or anyone else does.
3. Dallas Mavericks: Dirk has returned home to Dallas and been playing super at his natural SF spot. Pairing him with Chris Bosh and Manu makes the "Dallas Big 3" as good as any in the league. The life has been brought back to Manu and the team is starting to click. Jamar Nelson, Brock Lopez, James Posey, Anderson Vareajo, and Flip Murray gives this team tons of depth. The Mavericks look very much like the real life Champion Boston Celtics and if the rest of the league isn't careful and takes this team lightly the same results will happen.[/color]
4. Houston Rockets: Houston, we have lift off! The Rockets are chasing 2 of the top teams in the Western Conference and they are not that far behind. A huge trade sent Shawn Marion to the Rockets earlier this year and now he has been teamed up with AK47, Mehmet Okur, Ricky Davis and Raymond Felton. The only true question is.. who will be in Houston after this season, as of now though, they are shooting the lights out as one of the best shooting teams in the league.
5. Boston Celtics: The rest of the East has gotten better and the once hot Celtics look to be falling apart. Not all that long ago Phoenix, Miami, and Boston had practically the same record, now Boston is just a half game ahead of Dallas and Houston for the 3rd spot in the league. Now trailing Miami by 3 games in the Eastern Conference the once Mighty Celtics look weak. The other teams in the division are even catching them, which not that long ago looked impossible. KG can't do it all, Hasslem is finally being exposed at center, and everyone else is struggling. This team needs to make a move, most likely with veteran reserve swingman Michael Finley to get better in there starting 5 because they are fading fast in the Eastern Race.
6. San Antonio Spurs: Dwight Howard and Company have the 6th best record but things may be getting worse in San Antonio. The recent trade of Jason Kidd has left them without their star studded point guard but merely with the overachieving Stephon Marbury. Mike Miller and Zydrunas Ilgasukas along with Danny Granger complete this team. I look for the Spurs to make another deal to complete this team before the deadline. The depth that is in San Antonio is scary so watch out for a major deal.
7. Atlanta Hawks: Grassy is scratching his head at his by team. Peja is back? What is wrong? He recently said " we lose to Kitty Kats and T-Dawgs , Peja needs to his find his ass and start playing ." He couldn't be more right and it is puzzling why this team is struggling. I think a change is need, either Kobe or Dwade need to leave town. Wade is the obvious choice to keep since he has out played Kobe but I guess we will see what Grassy has up his sleeve. For now he is watching the Heat leave him, and everyone else catch him in the Southeast.[/color]
8. Detroit Pistons: The most talented team in the league may be the Phoenix Suns, but the the most star studded team in the league is the Detroit Pistons. One may ask why they're down so low in the rankings though? They lack a center/power forward to go along with their big 4. However, if a decent PF/C is found, then watch out league. This team is a sleeper in the eastern conference and garners very little attention. They could surprise the league and get to the title and shock the world.[/color]
9. Utah Jazz: Is this a typo? The Utah Jazz, well don't get too excited people of Salt Lake City, SOMEONE has to win the Northwest division (which other than Portland they trade positions more than Horse Jockey's.) The Jazz look solid with Beasley and Boozer as the core of the team for years to come. I expect Big Ben out Utah before the deadline due to contracts and maybe Hughes. Don't expect Utah to finish this high, they may make the playoffs but I don't think they are as good as Seattle, Minny, or Denver at this point.
10. Chicago Bulls: Kblack has found his all 80 lineup but where is he? Arrested for breaking and entering.. The GM of the Bulls is being an idiot while his team is trying to complete a chase in the East. The Bulls are led by Rasheed Wallace as he was recently acquired in a trade with the Wizards for Superstar Jason Richardson. The Bulls were looking for that center and they finally got him. They may now be looking to make a run at the Heat with their "all 80" lineup as kblack would say.
11. Washington Wizards: Washington keeps making huge moves, the latest new stars are Jason Richardson and Mike Bibby. The Wizards (like a lot of the time) are stacked on the outside and really weak inside. When you have to face Yao Ming, Pau Gasol, Zach Randolph, Tyson Chandler, Marcus Camby, Chris Wilcox, and Brad Miller on the boards in your own division it might help if you had some snot blowers. Right now all the Wizards have is Kleiza (more of a Shooter/Combo Forward) and Kevin Love who is young and still thinks he can play outside. Good news for this time though, Cuttion Mobley is still on the bench and if someone needs a 2 guard he has to be one of the best available value wise on the market.
12. Denver Nuggets: Steve Nash and Tim Duncan should be higher than this. However the pieces around them are not letting the MVPs play up to their level. Andrew Bogut is high fiving nobody because his play has been subpar. Jeff Green and Joakim Noah have to step up for this team and play well to get the Nuggets into a prime playoff position.
13. Golden State Warriors: The Warriors have been very quiet lately, they seem to be struggling a bit. Same team with Paul, Mo Williams, Hill, Tyrus Thomas, and Webber starting. I've always thought this team was a bit overrated so no shocker they are slipping to where they need to be. They will probably make the playoffs but lose in the 1st round, but I think people in Golden State are more interested to see if the team can keep Chris Paul. There have been huge reports that if Paul leave Golden States a few teams would offer him the max. Lots of pressure on Golden State GM at this point, bringing in another star to help Paul might help, maybe a Josh Smith?
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Durant was traded but this team has the likes of Shaq and Lamar Odom to compete with now and not worry about the future. Tracy Mcgrady has made this year a little bit easier taking over games for the Thunder. They had struggled earlier in the year but with the recent addition of Lamar Odom maybe Oklahoma City will see it's first championship
PS. I don't know there colors?
15. Orlando Magic: In the big mess that is the SE Division you forget about the Orlando Magic. There a nice team with Zach Randolph, Hedo, Tony Parker, and Ben Gordon. I without a doubt believe this team could win a few divisions in the league, but with names like Atlanta, Miami, Washington, and Charlotte in the division few people talk about Orlando. Come playoff time Orlando is another team that could shock some people in the playoffs, The whole SE Divison is battle harden and I could see anyone of them winning the East.
16. Toronto Raptors: Every since the controversial trade with the T-wolves that sent Josh Howard to Minny for what some people said was "a bunch of crap" the Raptors have actually been good. As shocking as it is they aren't far behind Boston for the Atlantic Division lead (4 games.) Allen Iverson is leading this team and all that young talent is rallying around him. Guys like Deandre Jordan, Ty Lawson, Baragani, Anthony Randolph, and Channing Frye have taken Iverson's example to heart and maybe just maybe this team could be the Cinderella story of this Rim Rocker season.[/color]
17. Sacramento Kings: Does anyone even remember that the New Kings GM won the title with the Raptors last year? He has laid very low since returning but quietly The Kings are playing .500 ball. The question has to be asked is the GM Magic? Is he good at doping and not getting caught? His team is pretty good this year with RJ, Kevin Martin, and Captain Kirk scoring from the outside. Tim Thomas can space the floor at the 4 so the real question is there inside post defense. If they can defend some of the elite West Conference bigs this team could be a sleeper come playoff time.
18. Charlotte Bobcats: Here Kitty Kitty Kitty! Where the hell are you? This team on paper is very good with Yao, Prince, Terry, and Tyson Chandler being a very good 4 some. Add in David Lee, Raja Bell, David West, with some young role players and this team should be at least in the playoffs. True they are in the SE Division but still no excuse for them to be playing the way they have been. After seeing Washington and Miami go from rags to riches, I'm sure the people of Charlotte are ready to see something out of the Bobcats.
19. Philadelphia 76ers: Talking about falling off the map, the 76ers GM now just wants to win the Dleague championship next year. Another team that came down to earth, the 76ers have placed Andre Miller on the trade blocking which is probably a good move. The 76ers are now in rebuilding mood officially and should probably be more interested in Dleague, Scouting Rookies, and Clearing Cap Space than actually trying to win at this point. Philly should just hope the lotto balls go there way, even though this is a weak draft.
20. Indiana Pacers: This team has to make a move soon, Josh Smith is not working out and the team spent LOTS of money to sign him. The Pacers GM has yet to find a place to send, and though The Pacers GM is firm unless he gets his way he may have to give into to something. No one is going to give proper value for Josh Smith with that contract, at this point if he would trade him for an expiring contract and lose this year he would a lot better off. With his cap space back and another high pick the Pacers could be a contender next year, but it isn't happening this year.
21. Minnesota T-wolves: YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII, we have a problem. This is a good basketball team people so how are they stuck in the middle of the lottery? I'm not really sure and that is the question the T-wolves GM needs to ask himself. Maybe it's time for a change? Maybe YI should leave town? I guess we will see what the Minnesota GM does, the ball is for sure in his court. If he can't get the team into the playoffs I think this year is a HUGE disappointment with the talent he has on this roster.
22. New Orleans Hornets: New GM made a quick trade with the Chicago Bulls that sent Jason Richardson, Chauncey Billups, and Jason Maxiell to Chicago for Drew Gooden, Vince Carter, and Devin Harris. I like the move for them but thus far it hasn't really worked out well for them. Hornets may need to start rebuliding fast, and Carter would have to go for this to happen.
23. Milwaukee Bucks: I think Ron Artest has somehow gotten into his team mates heads because the whole team is as fickle as him now. Sometimes they are awesome and beat the shit out of people, but sometimes they just suck. I personally they need a new leader, they don't have to trade Artest but they need someone who can get them playing every single night. If the Bucks don't find away to make the playoffs this is a huge disappointment and GM Ballinboy has to be on the block. Hope his Wielding skills are still good because he maybe out of a job soon.
24. LA Clippers: Another Cinderella, The Clippers started trying to rebulid and all of a sudden started winning. Last time we did the power rankings the Clippers only had 8 wins, now they have 18! Look for this team in the future to be good, and maybe this year? Don't tell them that they suck because if they keep there pace up they could finish as a low seed in the Western Conference.
25. Portland Trailblazers: This is like the real life Blazers with Rondo and Thorton as the role players instead of Outlaw and Webster. They drafted Jared Bayless and still have Oden, Aldridge, and Roy. It's kind of weird really, and we'll see how this team does in the next few years (real life and in the league) but right now it wouldn't shock me if they were tanking games. If they get another stud through FA (tons of cap space) and one through the draft and this team could be the champs next year!
26. Cleveland Cavailers: This team has declined more than any other in the league. It's sad for Cavs fans to watch Lebron in Miami dominating and knowing that it wouldn't have taken a lot to have the same results with him in Cleveland. The fans rallied to keep there new stud, PF David West in town after he was almost shipped to Boston AND New York for crap. Tough times in Cleveland and baring a miracle the Cavs GM should be looking at losing his job this off season. The only that might could save him is if Derrick Rose is the greatest PG in the history of the NBA.
27. Memphis Grizzles: This team has added a few players such as Bruce Bowen, Eddie Curry, and Rip Hamilton but really this is the same Memphis team as before. There rebuilding and there isn't a lot to say about them this year. The Josh Childress situation will be interesting to see play out because he has a huge contract and went to Europe in real life, so it appears the Grizzles are stuck with him though the Heat did have trade talks about bringing him to Miami earlier in the week though that appears to have cooled off.
28. LA Lakers: Not much going on in Laker Land other than waiting for next year. There was that one little rumor about Pierce to Detroit for Bobby Jackson and Agent 0 but nothing has happened thus far. Al Hortford and Andrew Bynum form an insane low post combo for years to come, package that with Paul Pierce, cap space out the ass in 2009/2010, a very high pick in this years draft, and this team could return to it's former glory in 2009/2010.
29. New York Knicks: Kevin Durant to the Knicks, it's the break the Knicks GM has been waiting for. He has a nice core to be competitive for the next 10 years. We will see how quickly the Knicks grow up but I have to tell you they look very very impressive on paper going into the 2009/2010 season. Losing there pick will hurt but lots of cap space, Kevin Durant, CV31, and DJ Augustine seems like something to look forward too for New York City.
30. New Jersey Nets: The Nets are the worst of the rebuilding teams, but that's not a bad place to be really. They have the best chance of winning the lottery next year, a butt load of cap space, and some nice young swingmen on there team. OJ Mayo, Nicholas Batum, Randy Foye (though he's playing PG I think of him more as a 2), Travis Outlaw, Mikel Pietrus, and Thabo Sefolosha make this team scary in the future. Imagine if they win the lottery and draft Griffin to be there PF, and say they signed Warriors Guard Chris Paul! With the swingmen they have this team would be insane.