Preseason Playoff Predictions: Eurasia
Apr 5, 2015 12:33:14 GMT -6
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Post by Beijing on Apr 5, 2015 12:33:14 GMT -6
This is a very early prediction of what I see in happening in Eurasia this season. These are not conference power rankings, they are playoff seeding predictions. I get that many trades will happen between now and the deadline but I don't think any will be drastic enough to completely alter my predictions. I am doing this on my phone in a car so I apologize for any funky formatting in advance. So without further adieu...
1) Sydney Kings (65-17): This team looks pretty ridiculous after a very generous TC and some very calculated offseason moves. The trades for Frank Johnson and Jay Humphries seriously bolstered this backcourt which won't really miss a step regardless of who touches the ball. The maturation of LJ, signing of Hot Rod, and trade for Alvan Adams has given this squad a nice rotation up front. Drexler might have taken a TC hit but with his versatility and athleticism, he'll be just fine along with Aguirre on the wings. I am also a fan of the cheap McCray signing for some extra depth. The only potential weakness I see in this team is their defensive efforts in the post. While they may be prone to lose the rebounding battles and may get beat up inside by the elite bigs in the game, I think the overall build of this team will lead them to a Finals appearance.
2) ALBA Berlin (62-20): This squad won't be a high flying 120ppg offensive juggernaut. Instead, they will slowly and methodically destroy any hopes you have of scoring points. This defense will be a top 3 defense in the league if Plossl plays it right. The strengths of this squad are its big man depth which is likely the deepest rotation in the league led by likely the greatest recovery story in ABCA history in Oscar Schmidt AND its perimeter defense which is comparable to that of Sydney. With Cheeks looking to be more involved as a scorer than he has in the past, the duo of Cheeks and MRR are one of the more formidable guard tandems in the league because they do it all, and they do it well. I wouldn't be surprised to see ALBA and Sydney duke it out in the lowest scoring conference finals ever.
3) KK Partizan (57-25): KK comes in at the 3 seed not because they are third best, but because playoff seeding rules deem it so and I don't see a better team yet despite this team being vacant. If filled, this team holds here. If not, then we could see BCZ but I don't think they are quite ready to take the division. Partizan still sports a very strong duo of Pistol Pete Maravich and the ever improving Charles Barkley. The supporting cast of the reigning champs isn't what it was last year but it's still good enough to win the division.
4) Anadolous Efes Istanbul (50-32): This is another case of seeding rules dictating position because there are a few teams I'd definitely put ahead of them and even KK. This team returns a strong tandem of Vinko Jelovac and Tiny Archibald. The supporting cast is pretty solid too and young so there is room for improvement for guys like Larry Hughes, JJC, and Vin Baker. The addition of Terry Porter also adds some nice guard depth. I think this will really come down to whether or not the GM can put together a Gameplan strong enough to make the push for the division title even with the loss of John Havlicek (forever will I hate you). Let's see if Vinko can carry again as he has done before.
5) San Miguel Beermen (62-20): Here is the first team shafted by the divisional seeding. Stockton Kemp and Ewing all return stronger than ever with the promising addition of Rasheed Wallace. This GM did a very nice job of answering his biggest question mark from last season's squad: Shooting. The additions of TVA, Petrie, and Ehlo will definitely help this squad space the floor which many think was the demise of this team last year after the departure of Cook and Hornacek. This team will fight like hell to win the division but will likely fall a tad short and then have a cruise of a first round series. Aside from Wallace, the Beermen also added another rookie who could provide explosive offense off the bench in Jalen Rose, however don't expect him to defend anything.
6) London Towers (58-24): I could be underestimating John, MJ & Co. But I just don't see this team as a real title threat this season. JScott will undoubtedly make the playoffs and be a team that could take on KK in the first round and win. MJ will be MJ, Bird looks improved, and Walton is still a force. But after that is Eddie Johnson x2 enough to really push this team passed ALBA, probably not. London will have another nice season but barring any drastic moves, they aren't really going to challenge for the division title without a better PF in the mix. But after the season, London will have a top 6 selection in the draft with the Milan pick so he'll be happy regardless.
7) Beijing Aoshen (57-25): While I hope to finish better than this, Beijing is still the third best team in a stacked division. The additions of Allen Iverson, Rick Barry, Terry Furlow, Mychal Thompson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Michael Adams have added much needed depth and offensive firepower compared to last years squad. The team is also much improved defensively and will be strong on the glass than last year. Unfortunately for the Aoshen fans, they will watch ROY candidate Iverson go ham right into a 7th seed, maybe the 6th seed. The 6th spot would be ideal for a team I think could beat the currently GMless KK but at the 7th spot facing ALBA will make for one hell of a series that ALBA likely takes in 7 games.
8) BC Zaligris (51-31): This team is ridiculously young with new point guard Steve Nash alongside Kevin Garnett, Alonzo Mourning, Arvydas Sabonis and Hershey Hawkins. This team has a very deep front court but will struggle mightily when trying to defend the perimeter. Ball movement could be another issue for this very young team. This team could challenge KK for the division title but I think they are one year away from really being a threat. Antonio Daniels could be a diamond in the rough that helps make a push. I could be underestimating BCZ as it is still preseason but hey, it's my article so I can do what I want.
So there you have it, arguably the deepest year Eurasia has seen in some time. Eurasia media coverage at last. Go us.
1) Sydney Kings (65-17): This team looks pretty ridiculous after a very generous TC and some very calculated offseason moves. The trades for Frank Johnson and Jay Humphries seriously bolstered this backcourt which won't really miss a step regardless of who touches the ball. The maturation of LJ, signing of Hot Rod, and trade for Alvan Adams has given this squad a nice rotation up front. Drexler might have taken a TC hit but with his versatility and athleticism, he'll be just fine along with Aguirre on the wings. I am also a fan of the cheap McCray signing for some extra depth. The only potential weakness I see in this team is their defensive efforts in the post. While they may be prone to lose the rebounding battles and may get beat up inside by the elite bigs in the game, I think the overall build of this team will lead them to a Finals appearance.
2) ALBA Berlin (62-20): This squad won't be a high flying 120ppg offensive juggernaut. Instead, they will slowly and methodically destroy any hopes you have of scoring points. This defense will be a top 3 defense in the league if Plossl plays it right. The strengths of this squad are its big man depth which is likely the deepest rotation in the league led by likely the greatest recovery story in ABCA history in Oscar Schmidt AND its perimeter defense which is comparable to that of Sydney. With Cheeks looking to be more involved as a scorer than he has in the past, the duo of Cheeks and MRR are one of the more formidable guard tandems in the league because they do it all, and they do it well. I wouldn't be surprised to see ALBA and Sydney duke it out in the lowest scoring conference finals ever.
3) KK Partizan (57-25): KK comes in at the 3 seed not because they are third best, but because playoff seeding rules deem it so and I don't see a better team yet despite this team being vacant. If filled, this team holds here. If not, then we could see BCZ but I don't think they are quite ready to take the division. Partizan still sports a very strong duo of Pistol Pete Maravich and the ever improving Charles Barkley. The supporting cast of the reigning champs isn't what it was last year but it's still good enough to win the division.
4) Anadolous Efes Istanbul (50-32): This is another case of seeding rules dictating position because there are a few teams I'd definitely put ahead of them and even KK. This team returns a strong tandem of Vinko Jelovac and Tiny Archibald. The supporting cast is pretty solid too and young so there is room for improvement for guys like Larry Hughes, JJC, and Vin Baker. The addition of Terry Porter also adds some nice guard depth. I think this will really come down to whether or not the GM can put together a Gameplan strong enough to make the push for the division title even with the loss of John Havlicek (forever will I hate you). Let's see if Vinko can carry again as he has done before.
5) San Miguel Beermen (62-20): Here is the first team shafted by the divisional seeding. Stockton Kemp and Ewing all return stronger than ever with the promising addition of Rasheed Wallace. This GM did a very nice job of answering his biggest question mark from last season's squad: Shooting. The additions of TVA, Petrie, and Ehlo will definitely help this squad space the floor which many think was the demise of this team last year after the departure of Cook and Hornacek. This team will fight like hell to win the division but will likely fall a tad short and then have a cruise of a first round series. Aside from Wallace, the Beermen also added another rookie who could provide explosive offense off the bench in Jalen Rose, however don't expect him to defend anything.
6) London Towers (58-24): I could be underestimating John, MJ & Co. But I just don't see this team as a real title threat this season. JScott will undoubtedly make the playoffs and be a team that could take on KK in the first round and win. MJ will be MJ, Bird looks improved, and Walton is still a force. But after that is Eddie Johnson x2 enough to really push this team passed ALBA, probably not. London will have another nice season but barring any drastic moves, they aren't really going to challenge for the division title without a better PF in the mix. But after the season, London will have a top 6 selection in the draft with the Milan pick so he'll be happy regardless.
7) Beijing Aoshen (57-25): While I hope to finish better than this, Beijing is still the third best team in a stacked division. The additions of Allen Iverson, Rick Barry, Terry Furlow, Mychal Thompson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Michael Adams have added much needed depth and offensive firepower compared to last years squad. The team is also much improved defensively and will be strong on the glass than last year. Unfortunately for the Aoshen fans, they will watch ROY candidate Iverson go ham right into a 7th seed, maybe the 6th seed. The 6th spot would be ideal for a team I think could beat the currently GMless KK but at the 7th spot facing ALBA will make for one hell of a series that ALBA likely takes in 7 games.
8) BC Zaligris (51-31): This team is ridiculously young with new point guard Steve Nash alongside Kevin Garnett, Alonzo Mourning, Arvydas Sabonis and Hershey Hawkins. This team has a very deep front court but will struggle mightily when trying to defend the perimeter. Ball movement could be another issue for this very young team. This team could challenge KK for the division title but I think they are one year away from really being a threat. Antonio Daniels could be a diamond in the rough that helps make a push. I could be underestimating BCZ as it is still preseason but hey, it's my article so I can do what I want.
So there you have it, arguably the deepest year Eurasia has seen in some time. Eurasia media coverage at last. Go us.
