Post by gregspechtismyhero on May 17, 2009 20:54:57 GMT -8
Well we have reached the All-Star break, and it's time to check in on the how the teams have improved or deproved (is that a word?) since last year
#1 Seed: New York Knicks
W:34 L:14
The Knicks were a bit of a disappointment last year and in the beginning of the year, but have now lived up to their considerably high expectations. With the best record in the last 10 games (9-1) the Knicks have taken control of the Eastern Conference and look to be a serious contender in the playoffs.
Go-To Guy: None other than the great Patrick Ewing. Ewing is averaging 25.6 points and 11 rebounds. He is shooting .508, and is .697 from the line.
#2 Seed: Chicago Bulls
W:30 L:13
The Bulls have made many questionable trades in the past few days, trading away players such as MJ and Parish, but in return have freed up some much needed cap space and two first round picks in the 94 draft. With 19.5 mil in expiring contracts, the Bulls will most likely be able to sign a big FA next year, and re-sign some Wilkins. Jhopduck has traded very smartly, and it doesn't look like the Bulls will go away for a long, long time.
Go-To Guys:The Bulls have three absolute horses driving this team. David Robinson is a big body down low who averages 24.5 points and 12.8 rebounds. They also have Pippen and Wilkins who are averaging 24.1 and 24.4 points per game and 8 and 8.1 rebounds per game. All three players are over .700 from behind the line.
#3 Seed: Charlotte Hornets
W:32 L:15
The Hornets are constantly plagued with injuries. It seems like every week another star of theirs is out for the next few sims. But they have battled. They haven't let those injuries get keep them down, and because of that they are tied with the Bulls for second place in the East. With five players averaging points in the double-digits, the Hornets are going to be a very serious contender during the playoff...IF they stay healthy. Right now, their star shooting guard Dell Curry is out with a pulled hamstring, but will be back for the last few days of the next sim.
Go-To Guys:The Hornets look for center Alonzo Mourning and power forward Larry Johnson to carry their offense. Mourning averages 20.6 points with 10 boards while Johnson is averaging 22.5 points with 9 rebounds.
#4 Seed: Orlando Magic
W:25 L:13
The Magic did a beautiful job of building their team around Shaq last year. They have surrounded him with such stars as Duckworth, Drexler, Rodman, and Brown. This year, they are reaping the benefits of these stars. They skyrocketed up the standings last year, and have stayed within the top five seeds since. Even though they do not have a 1st round pick next year, they free up 14 mil in expired contracts and will most likey be in the running for a big FA who would push them to the top.
Go-To Guy:While there are very productive players around him, none can match the kind of numbers being put up by the Diesel. ROY last year, Shaq is averaging 31.7 points and 14.9 rebounds...and oh ya, is shooting .655 from the line. Right now, he is heads and shoulders above the other candidates for league MVP.
#5 Seed: Indiana Pacers
W:25 L:17
The Pacers have struggled against the top three seeds (only one win this season:94-93 vs Bulls) But find themselves in a close race for the top half of the league. This team has incredible potential and has all the tools they need to break into the top 4 (5 players averaging double-digits) But cannot keep Reggie Miller from being injured. Miller, who averages almost 24 points per game, is now out for 18 days with a dislocated knee. Once he is back, look for the Pacers to make another run at the top. The best move they have made is moving Joe Dumars to PG. He is a serious offensive threat (19.7 ppg) and create offense as well (7.2 apg) Without a 1st round pick next year, the Pacers will look to use their 16 mil in expiring contracts to re-sign some players, and have the opportunity to sign a big name to push them to become a serious threat in the Eastern Conference.
Go-To Guy:He may be shooting under .400 from behind the arc, but Reggie Miller still carries this Pacer offense. If he can stay healthy, he could carry this team to do great things.
#6 Seed: Boston Celtics
W:26 L:19
The Celtics got off to a rough start, but have found their stride and are now a half game back from the #5 seed in the East. With ROY candidate Nick Van Exel and Nick Anderson controlling this team's offense, they have been able to find their stride, and have gone 5-3 against the conference's top three teams. Three of those wins coming against the #1 seed Knicks. The Celtics have 19 mil of expiring contracts, only one of whom (Morgan Heinsohn) is a real contributor to the team. Next year, they will have the most barganing power with the FA's out of the top seeds in the East.
Go-To Guy:Shooting Guard Nick Anderson is putting up 27.7 ppg and is grabbing 8.4 rpg. He is also .737 from behind the line, and .437 from behind the arc. With 7 years left on this 25 year old's contract, he looks to be the leader for this Celtic's team for a long time.
#7 Seed: Miami Heat
W:23 L:24
The Heat have a lot of mid-level talent and have faired well for having a GM with no experience. After a rough start, the Heat have clawed back to one game below .500 and are 4 games back from moving up to the 6th seed. When they moved their focus from balanced to outside, they needed a experienced body down low who can scoop up a lot of rebounds, and they found that in Robert Parish. The Heat have seven players averaging in the double digits, including newcomer Phillip Magliore. He was originally signed as a capable backup who can shoot outside and play defense. But since the injury to Michael Adams, Phillip has stepped up in the best way possible. He scored 17, 28, 29, and 17 in the last four games for the Heat. The Heat will not be a big part of the draft or FA signings next year due to no 1st round picks and only 3 expiring contracts and -4 mil in cap space.
Go-To Guy:Terry Mills has been a big part of the Heat's offense averaging 19.7 ppg, and grabbing 7.9 rpg. He is also .755 from behind the line, and is out with a dislocated finger for 3 more days.
#8 Seed: Philadelphia 76ers
W:20 L:22
The Cinderella of the 92-93 season has had some trouble living up to the expectations put in place by last year's team. After starting out strong, the 76ers have gone 2-8 in their last 10, and have struggled to make a name for themselves. The 76ers will have an interesting offseason because they have -15 mil in cap space, and 11 mil in expiring contracts. If the 76ers want to be in the race to re-sign Hawkins and Ferry, they'll have to make some changes. Otherwise, it could be a while before they get someone who can take this program to the next level.
Go-To Guy:Larry Nance has been a huge part of the 76ers success this season. He is averaging 21.3 points per game, and 10 boards. Unfortunately, he is out for the rest of the season with a broken skull, so someone else is going to have to step up if the Sixers want a shot at the playoffs.
Thanks for reading, I'll try to do the West tomorrow
5!!!!
#1 Seed: New York Knicks
W:34 L:14
The Knicks were a bit of a disappointment last year and in the beginning of the year, but have now lived up to their considerably high expectations. With the best record in the last 10 games (9-1) the Knicks have taken control of the Eastern Conference and look to be a serious contender in the playoffs.
Go-To Guy: None other than the great Patrick Ewing. Ewing is averaging 25.6 points and 11 rebounds. He is shooting .508, and is .697 from the line.
#2 Seed: Chicago Bulls
W:30 L:13
The Bulls have made many questionable trades in the past few days, trading away players such as MJ and Parish, but in return have freed up some much needed cap space and two first round picks in the 94 draft. With 19.5 mil in expiring contracts, the Bulls will most likely be able to sign a big FA next year, and re-sign some Wilkins. Jhopduck has traded very smartly, and it doesn't look like the Bulls will go away for a long, long time.
Go-To Guys:The Bulls have three absolute horses driving this team. David Robinson is a big body down low who averages 24.5 points and 12.8 rebounds. They also have Pippen and Wilkins who are averaging 24.1 and 24.4 points per game and 8 and 8.1 rebounds per game. All three players are over .700 from behind the line.
#3 Seed: Charlotte Hornets
W:32 L:15
The Hornets are constantly plagued with injuries. It seems like every week another star of theirs is out for the next few sims. But they have battled. They haven't let those injuries get keep them down, and because of that they are tied with the Bulls for second place in the East. With five players averaging points in the double-digits, the Hornets are going to be a very serious contender during the playoff...IF they stay healthy. Right now, their star shooting guard Dell Curry is out with a pulled hamstring, but will be back for the last few days of the next sim.
Go-To Guys:The Hornets look for center Alonzo Mourning and power forward Larry Johnson to carry their offense. Mourning averages 20.6 points with 10 boards while Johnson is averaging 22.5 points with 9 rebounds.
#4 Seed: Orlando Magic
W:25 L:13
The Magic did a beautiful job of building their team around Shaq last year. They have surrounded him with such stars as Duckworth, Drexler, Rodman, and Brown. This year, they are reaping the benefits of these stars. They skyrocketed up the standings last year, and have stayed within the top five seeds since. Even though they do not have a 1st round pick next year, they free up 14 mil in expired contracts and will most likey be in the running for a big FA who would push them to the top.
Go-To Guy:While there are very productive players around him, none can match the kind of numbers being put up by the Diesel. ROY last year, Shaq is averaging 31.7 points and 14.9 rebounds...and oh ya, is shooting .655 from the line. Right now, he is heads and shoulders above the other candidates for league MVP.
#5 Seed: Indiana Pacers
W:25 L:17
The Pacers have struggled against the top three seeds (only one win this season:94-93 vs Bulls) But find themselves in a close race for the top half of the league. This team has incredible potential and has all the tools they need to break into the top 4 (5 players averaging double-digits) But cannot keep Reggie Miller from being injured. Miller, who averages almost 24 points per game, is now out for 18 days with a dislocated knee. Once he is back, look for the Pacers to make another run at the top. The best move they have made is moving Joe Dumars to PG. He is a serious offensive threat (19.7 ppg) and create offense as well (7.2 apg) Without a 1st round pick next year, the Pacers will look to use their 16 mil in expiring contracts to re-sign some players, and have the opportunity to sign a big name to push them to become a serious threat in the Eastern Conference.
Go-To Guy:He may be shooting under .400 from behind the arc, but Reggie Miller still carries this Pacer offense. If he can stay healthy, he could carry this team to do great things.
#6 Seed: Boston Celtics
W:26 L:19
The Celtics got off to a rough start, but have found their stride and are now a half game back from the #5 seed in the East. With ROY candidate Nick Van Exel and Nick Anderson controlling this team's offense, they have been able to find their stride, and have gone 5-3 against the conference's top three teams. Three of those wins coming against the #1 seed Knicks. The Celtics have 19 mil of expiring contracts, only one of whom (Morgan Heinsohn) is a real contributor to the team. Next year, they will have the most barganing power with the FA's out of the top seeds in the East.
Go-To Guy:Shooting Guard Nick Anderson is putting up 27.7 ppg and is grabbing 8.4 rpg. He is also .737 from behind the line, and .437 from behind the arc. With 7 years left on this 25 year old's contract, he looks to be the leader for this Celtic's team for a long time.
#7 Seed: Miami Heat
W:23 L:24
The Heat have a lot of mid-level talent and have faired well for having a GM with no experience. After a rough start, the Heat have clawed back to one game below .500 and are 4 games back from moving up to the 6th seed. When they moved their focus from balanced to outside, they needed a experienced body down low who can scoop up a lot of rebounds, and they found that in Robert Parish. The Heat have seven players averaging in the double digits, including newcomer Phillip Magliore. He was originally signed as a capable backup who can shoot outside and play defense. But since the injury to Michael Adams, Phillip has stepped up in the best way possible. He scored 17, 28, 29, and 17 in the last four games for the Heat. The Heat will not be a big part of the draft or FA signings next year due to no 1st round picks and only 3 expiring contracts and -4 mil in cap space.
Go-To Guy:Terry Mills has been a big part of the Heat's offense averaging 19.7 ppg, and grabbing 7.9 rpg. He is also .755 from behind the line, and is out with a dislocated finger for 3 more days.
#8 Seed: Philadelphia 76ers
W:20 L:22
The Cinderella of the 92-93 season has had some trouble living up to the expectations put in place by last year's team. After starting out strong, the 76ers have gone 2-8 in their last 10, and have struggled to make a name for themselves. The 76ers will have an interesting offseason because they have -15 mil in cap space, and 11 mil in expiring contracts. If the 76ers want to be in the race to re-sign Hawkins and Ferry, they'll have to make some changes. Otherwise, it could be a while before they get someone who can take this program to the next level.
Go-To Guy:Larry Nance has been a huge part of the 76ers success this season. He is averaging 21.3 points per game, and 10 boards. Unfortunately, he is out for the rest of the season with a broken skull, so someone else is going to have to step up if the Sixers want a shot at the playoffs.
Thanks for reading, I'll try to do the West tomorrow
5!!!!
