Post by London on Apr 30, 2013 13:56:04 GMT -6
LONDON [AP] -- With no games being played and a bunch of players on paper I thought this made the best time to guess at what the Power Rankings will be heading into 2013.
Feel free to debate the positioning and thinking behind the picks.
1) Toronto Huskies
Wilt and Howell are too tough to topple this year for Toronto.
2) Chicago Bulls
Bulls were able to trade out of a top pick and continued to rack up picks leading to one of the deepest teams in the league.
3) Tokyo Samurai
Tokyo has Mikan and some other solid players.
4) Mahram Tehran
Another team built on depth. I like what Tehran has put together.
5) Zamalek Cairo
They have Bill Russell and a well above average PG. Sounds like they're in good shape for a while.
6) Boston Celtics
Elgin might destroy the Americas. Krumins, Sears, Jones and others round out a very balanced team.
7) Beijing Aoshen
The 3-point shooting Aoshen should be fun to watch. I think they'll own the regular season but might find it tougher if they get cold during a series.
8) ALBA Berlin
Solid team. Ass for a GM.
9) New York Knicks
He had your PP. He traded it for Dolph Schayes and a playoff birth according to these rankings.
10) CSKA Moscow
I really like Volnov right off the bat. Should be fun to see what he can do against the league.
11) Lagos Islanders
Bob Pettit should be a star for years to come. They have a couple of solid guards but Bob will need to do the heavy lifting.
12) London Towers
This team is young and not built for this year. Excells in post defense and youth but that's about it.
13) Maccabi Tel Aviv
Beckman is better than you think. Share is better than you think. Pstronski and Ozturk were incredible value picks. I hope they can come together and win but I'm not sure. Could miss the playoffs but I think they've got a solid team.
14) REAL Madrid
Real good back court combo but some questions up front. Will probably make the playoffs this year but not 100% sure.
15) Atenas de Cordoba
I like this team. Maybe I like them more for the future but I ranked them in the playoffs. If I were betting right now I think that a team with older players on their roster will get in for Cordoba but having Dukes and Twyman is a nice place to be - even if you're cursed.
16) Sydney Kings
The Kings have 4 out of 5 starters that are really good. They maybe have the best all-around Front Court in the league but they really need a Point Guard.
17) San Antonio Spurs
They have Cousy and I think that'll be enough to carry them into the post season. It'll be tough though, might not be a bad idea to add some talent to help Bob out.
18) Philadelphia 76ers
You know, I think I ranked the 76ers too low here. They have more "now talent" than a lot of teams do. Looks like a lot of squads want to make the postseason the first year.
19) Washington Bullets
Bullets look good going forward but I am not sure that Lovellette and Nikolic have reached their primes yet. Next year will be a better season for them.
20) Olimpia Milano
This team needs some help. Sam Jones won't be enough to win games but he's a good piece to build around going forward.
21) Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers are in a tough spot. I think they CAN make the playoffs but I think they might do better long term to make some moves for youth and picks. Not sure where to put them so I left them here in purgatory.
22) Athens Panathinaikos
This is another team that I think can make the post-season. It's going to be a dogfight this year. Athens has good balance of the roster except that they don't have a Center. That's why they are this low. Without legit size you can't win in the post season.
23) Atlanta Hawks
Walt Bellamy is really good but they gave Chicago the keys to a top team by trading with them. They lost a lot in that deal and haven't been able to recoup that talent yet.
24) Seattle Sonics
Solid team, not super old, just directionless right now.
25) Mexico City Titans
Built for the future - in a good spot to get a top pick in the upcoming draft while having youth on the squad to build around. Great strategy.
26) Buenos Aires Boca Juniors BC
Tanking.
27) KK Partizan
Tanking.
28) Brasil Franca BC
Tanking.
29) CSP Limoges
Tanking.
30) Detroit Pistons
Tanking.
Feel free to debate the positioning and thinking behind the picks.
1) Toronto Huskies
Wilt and Howell are too tough to topple this year for Toronto.
2) Chicago Bulls
Bulls were able to trade out of a top pick and continued to rack up picks leading to one of the deepest teams in the league.
3) Tokyo Samurai
Tokyo has Mikan and some other solid players.
4) Mahram Tehran
Another team built on depth. I like what Tehran has put together.
5) Zamalek Cairo
They have Bill Russell and a well above average PG. Sounds like they're in good shape for a while.
6) Boston Celtics
Elgin might destroy the Americas. Krumins, Sears, Jones and others round out a very balanced team.
7) Beijing Aoshen
The 3-point shooting Aoshen should be fun to watch. I think they'll own the regular season but might find it tougher if they get cold during a series.
8) ALBA Berlin
Solid team. Ass for a GM.
9) New York Knicks
He had your PP. He traded it for Dolph Schayes and a playoff birth according to these rankings.
10) CSKA Moscow
I really like Volnov right off the bat. Should be fun to see what he can do against the league.
11) Lagos Islanders
Bob Pettit should be a star for years to come. They have a couple of solid guards but Bob will need to do the heavy lifting.
12) London Towers
This team is young and not built for this year. Excells in post defense and youth but that's about it.
13) Maccabi Tel Aviv
Beckman is better than you think. Share is better than you think. Pstronski and Ozturk were incredible value picks. I hope they can come together and win but I'm not sure. Could miss the playoffs but I think they've got a solid team.
14) REAL Madrid
Real good back court combo but some questions up front. Will probably make the playoffs this year but not 100% sure.
15) Atenas de Cordoba
I like this team. Maybe I like them more for the future but I ranked them in the playoffs. If I were betting right now I think that a team with older players on their roster will get in for Cordoba but having Dukes and Twyman is a nice place to be - even if you're cursed.
16) Sydney Kings
The Kings have 4 out of 5 starters that are really good. They maybe have the best all-around Front Court in the league but they really need a Point Guard.
17) San Antonio Spurs
They have Cousy and I think that'll be enough to carry them into the post season. It'll be tough though, might not be a bad idea to add some talent to help Bob out.
18) Philadelphia 76ers
You know, I think I ranked the 76ers too low here. They have more "now talent" than a lot of teams do. Looks like a lot of squads want to make the postseason the first year.
19) Washington Bullets
Bullets look good going forward but I am not sure that Lovellette and Nikolic have reached their primes yet. Next year will be a better season for them.
20) Olimpia Milano
This team needs some help. Sam Jones won't be enough to win games but he's a good piece to build around going forward.
21) Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers are in a tough spot. I think they CAN make the playoffs but I think they might do better long term to make some moves for youth and picks. Not sure where to put them so I left them here in purgatory.
22) Athens Panathinaikos
This is another team that I think can make the post-season. It's going to be a dogfight this year. Athens has good balance of the roster except that they don't have a Center. That's why they are this low. Without legit size you can't win in the post season.
23) Atlanta Hawks
Walt Bellamy is really good but they gave Chicago the keys to a top team by trading with them. They lost a lot in that deal and haven't been able to recoup that talent yet.
24) Seattle Sonics
Solid team, not super old, just directionless right now.
25) Mexico City Titans
Built for the future - in a good spot to get a top pick in the upcoming draft while having youth on the squad to build around. Great strategy.
26) Buenos Aires Boca Juniors BC
Tanking.
27) KK Partizan
Tanking.
28) Brasil Franca BC
Tanking.
29) CSP Limoges
Tanking.
30) Detroit Pistons
Tanking.