Post by San Francisco on Jun 24, 2015 10:46:36 GMT -6
Playoffs PowerPoll
Here it is, all 16 teams ranked with analysis as we head into the playoffs. It is shaping up to be an interesting post season. Team’s are listed from 16 to 1 in the powerpoll.
Key Stats
Only team stats they rank in the top 10 in are Turnovers (9th at 16.1) and FT% (9th at .745)
Outscored by 2.9 ppg this year
Top Three Post Players (Vinko, Brickowski and Baker) combine to put up 54.3 points, 24.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 3.6 blocks per game. They are the strength of this team.
Fun Facts
Their starting backcourt contributes 24.6% of their scoring and 41.1% of their assists.
11-1 in the division, 26-44 outside of the division.
Commentary
Despite finishing 7th in their conference I have them 16th in this power poll, because it kind of feels like they are just kind of stuck in the mud. Part way towards being a solid playoff team and yet still a long ways away. Their backcourt really limits them as they have a solid enough frontcourt. Until they improve their starting guards they will continue to struggle to make any noise in the playoffs. A first round matchup with the London Towers means all will be quiet in Istanbul this year.
15) Moscow CSKA, 36-4, 8th Seed In Eurasian Conference
Key Stats
Worst in the league in Scoring (102.5) and best in the league at points allowed (106.8)
Not tanked in the top 10 in any offensive category
Number 1 in Opponents 3pt% (.333)
Dwayne Wade put 20.3 points 4.6 boards and 4.6 assists as a rookie
Fun Facts
Moscow has improved their record 10+ wins each season since the current GM took over.
Commentary
CSKA has had a steady climb out of a tough situation under their new GM improving each year. Some league execs feel they were misguided to trade for Clifford Robinson and make the playoffs this year, but I liked the aggressiveness and can see a future where this team led by CRob and DWade makes some noise as a playoff team. Make no mistakes they will run into one of the title favorites in round one (hear that buzzsaw?) but the future is markedly better than it was in the past and for that they come in at 15.14)Indiana Pacers, 45-37, 8th Seed In American Conference
Key Stats
9th in Rebounding Margin (2.8)
3rd in the Blocks (7.5)
30th in Offensive Rebounds allowed (14.0)
Starting Perimeter combines for 53.8 points, 17.2 boards, 19.3 assists and 5.7 steals
Fun Facts
24-26 in conference vs. 21-11 out of conference.
Led Division with 8-4 record, which carried them into the playoffs
Commentary
The last team in to the playoffs in a deep American Conference, which has 12 of its 16 teams with a better record than the 8th seed in the Eurasian Conference. Shaq gets the hype but this team is really powered by it’s do it all perimeter which gives the team an edge in passing, rebounding and creating turnovers that few teams have. The problem is there just isn’t enough down low to bang with the big boys although their 15-8 record to close the year means they may push the Knicks
13) Tehran Mahram, 42-40, 5th Seed In Eurasian Conference (Middle East Division Champs)
Key Stats
5th in Assists (33.5)
1st in Turnovers (15.1)
23rd in PPS (1.18)
4 players average 18.9+ ppg but only one other player scores in double figures.
Mookie Blaylock 21.5 points, 5.1 boards, 11.7 dimes and 2.8 Steals is a STUD
Fun Facts
Only team in their division above .500 overall.
9 players played all 82 games.
Commentary
A team on the rise, their potent perimeter of Mookie, Mullin and Drazen is a nightmare of opposing defenses and gives them a punchers chance in their first round matchup against a stronger BCZ team. George McGinnis is a nice PF, but the team needs to upgrade at Center to push into the next tier of playoff teams. Still this team is slowly building into a nice team, I expect better things down the road.
12) Berlin ALBA, 47-35, 6th Seed In Eurasian Conference
Key Stats
5th in Steals (10.6)
9th in Adjusted FG%
26th in Rebounding Margin (-2.7)
Alex English does it all 25.4 points, 9.6 boards, 3.14 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.2 blocks
Fun Facts
Rod Strickland had a higher percentage of the team’s assists (.319) than he shot from 3pt (.278)
Finished the year 16-7
Commentary
It is really hard trying to figure out where to rank the next few teams. All our dangerous teams so by default I ranked the ALBA as the team from the weaker conference with the lowest win total 12th. ALBA has two guys who excel at both ends of the floor in Alex English and Darwin Cook. Unfortunately it is relying on ancient big men in Darrall Imhoff and Jerry Lucas. This makes them one of the slowest teams in the league despite having a few young guys who thrive in transition (Strickland, Vince Carter). This is a transition year for the team and despite some struggled they flirted with another 50 win season. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them push San Miguel in the first round, but I would be surprised if they moved on,
11) Washington Bullets, 49-33, 5th Seed In American Conference (Central Division Champions)
Key Stats
First in the league in Rebounding Margin (5.8)
4th in the league in Blocks (7.2)
28th in the league in turnovers (17.6)
Big Three of Wilkins, McHale and Richmond combine for 74.3 points, 22.6 boards and 11.5 assists.
Fun Facts
They somehow went 4-8 in a pretty weak division and relied upon a 26-6 record vs. Eurasia to get to 49 wins.
Commentary
I play the Bullets in round 1 and they are going to be a rough matchup for us. 2 of their big 3 are wings and very athletic wings which may give us a trouble especially since they will have a big rebounding edge on the Warriors. However, I expect this to be a tough series that sees the Warriors advance in 6 or 7 games. If Norm Nixon really steps his game up and handles youngster Kenny Smith than the team could advance to round 2, but without some added depth this team has a limited ceiling.
10) Los Angeles Lakers, 54-28, 7th Seed In American Conference
Key Stats
2nd in the league in scoring 125.6 PPG
28th in points allowed 118.8 ppg
Ranked in the top 5 in 9 offensive categories
Ranked in the bottom 10 in 6 defensive categories
Hakeem Olajuwon 34.2 points 12 boards 4.2 blocks
Fun Facts
14-7 to close out the year
Eddie Curry has a job…
25-7 vs. Eurasia
Commentary
Everybody says they are a one man team, an easy statement to make with the most dominant player in the league in the Dream. But Ron Harper has really stepped up and turned into a true do it all player this year (18 points, 6 boards, 7.3 assists, 2.2 steals). The problem is the rest of the roster is average; even Fernando Martin who is a nice offensive player isn’t going to scare a team a whole lot. There is also the matchup against the Spurs, who are much deeper and talented overall team. If LA can ever add another key piece or two around Dream/Harper they will be a title favorite. Until then a good team can gameplan them into submission.
9)BC Zalgiris, 53-29, 4th Seed In Eurasian Conference (EuroEast Division Champs)
Key Stats
2nd in the league in turnovers forced (19.2)
5th in the league in PPS (1.24)
Fun Facts
7 players average double figures
They rebound by committee with no player averaging over 8 rebounds a game but 7 players averaging 4+ rebounds.
Commentary
BCZ traded for Isiah Thomas this past off season and turned themselves from a team with a lot of potential to a factor in the race for the Eurasian Crown. They have a balanced offense and a better than expected defense, which relies on forcing turnovers and a low oPPS to win games. Led by vets Isiah Thomas and Bob McAdoo this is a team that is the ideal meld of youth and vets and a team on the rise. I expect them to push Sydney in round 2, although a series win is probably not quite in the cards yet.
8) Golden State Warriors, 4th Seed In American Conference (West Division Champs)
Key Stats
4th in Rebounding Margin (4.2)
6th in Adjusted FG% (.547)
28th in FT% (.702)
7 players average double figures on the year led by Ralph Sampson (25.8 points, 8.8 boards, 2.5 blocks)
Fun Facts
Tied for best division record at 11-1 (BCZ, Istanbul)
Started the year 19-1 and finished the year 13-2. In between went 23-24.
Commentary
8th for the defending champs, but as others have pointed out the trading of Magic Johnson while a long term necessity cap wise, really weakened this team. We have finished strong but assuming we get passed a tough matchup in Washington in Round 1 the New York Knicks will be waiting looking for revenge. If the team is to make another title run, Kenny Smith will have to continue his stellar play (20+ points in 10 of last 13 games)
7) Mexico City Titans, 56-26, 3rd Seed In American Conference
Key Stats
3rd in Rebounding Margin (4.3)
6th in PPG (120.1)
27th in PPS (1.17)
Backcourt combines for 42.4 points, 10.3 boards, 15.1 assists and 5.4 steals
Fun Facts
Finished the year on a league best 10 game winning streak.
One of three teams with a point differential in double digits.
Commentary
Count me converted. I wasn’t a believer in trading Isiah Thomas, I felt a Glove and Zeke backcourt would give the league fits for years to come, but they have made it work. I am still not convinced they will make it out of the first round (I have their series with the Sonics as a close loss giving the edge to the team with a history of post season success) but the Titans are for real and if they can survive round 1 they have a great shot at playing in the conference finals. I think they realistically are one post player away from being a true title contender. Unfortunately this could be another year where they push the eventual conference champ to the brink in round 1.
6) San Antonio Spurs, 64-28, 2nd Seed In American Conference (South Division Champs)
Key Stats
Top 10 in 10 of 13 categories offensively
Top 10 in 7 of 13 categories defensively
5th in oPPG (109.6)
5th in Adjusted FG % (.554)
Bias and Lever combine for 46.9 points, 12.5 boards, 11.7 assists and 3.9 steals
Fun Facts
Ended the season 27-3
Commentary
For several years the Spurs fizzled down the stretch and just missed the playoffs. This off season they added to a talented and athletic core Bill Walton and Eric Beugnot who fit in perfectly with the team. They still have a big question mark at SG with Chris Ford, but they pummels teams behind a trio of effective bigs and one of the most athletic players in the league in the underrated Fat Lever. I expect this team to make it to round 2 or 3 before losing, but they have the depth to deal with Hakeem in round 1 and I think at some point you have to trust the regular season success to a certain degree, especially the end of the year run of 27-3, but I need to see it to believe it with this team.
5) London Towers, 59-23, 2nd Seed In Eurasian Conference (EuroWest Division Champs)
Key Stats
3rd in Steals (11.0)
2nd in o3PT% (.339)
26th in rebounds allowed (45.3)
Jordan; 27.7 points 6.1 rebounds 5.3 assists 1.9 steals
Fun Facts
They had the lowest scoring differential in the league among 50+ win teams
Commentary
It was tough to place London, they benefit from their conference, but are still a title threat due to the prescence of Michael Jordan, Robert Parrish, Karl Malone and Mario Elie. They have a gapping hole at PG which limits them quite a bit and I think ultimately knocks them out of the playoffs in the 2nd round or 3rd round. They should have no problem in round 1 and because of the lack of depth in the conference have a puncher’s chance at the conference title.
4) San Miguel Beermen, 58-24, 3rd Seed In Eurasian Conference
Key Stats
3rd in league in scoring (125.0)
25th in the league in turnovers (17.3)
1st in PPG and Adjusted FG%
Stockton (23points 6.8 boards 13.6 assists, 3.3 steals) and Kemp (29.1 points 9.3 rebounds) are arguably the best players in their positions.
Fun Facts
37-4 at home, 21-20 road
Commentary
This is the team that trade Patrick Ewing this off season to the head scratching of many GM’s. They still are one of the best teams in the league, but have the same problems they have had for a few years, gaping hole at SG, an out of place SF and depth issues in the backcourt. What they do have is sick post depth and the best PG in the game in John Stockton. I fully expect SMB to make a deep playoff run yet again, but it may not be quite enough, I think they didn’t fix any of their flaws in trading Ewing and that means they probably still come up just short.
3) Seattle Supersonics, 55-27, 6th Seed In American Conference
Key Stats
1st in rebounds (50.5)
1st in blocks (9.4)
1st in 3pt% (.415)
1st in opponent’s adjusted FG% (.495)
4 players average 20 points per game. All four also average 6+ rebounds and 3.5+ assists
Fun Facts
JoJo White will still destroy you
Commentary
The Sonics may not be seen as the juggernaut they once were, but they still are the exact same team, with a flashy offense that tends to make teams overlook a great defense and superior rebounding and shot blocking. I would in no way be surprised if they win another title this year.
2) Sydney Kings, 60-22, 1st Seed In Eurasian Conference (FarEast Division Champs)
Key Stats
2nd best point differential (12.6)
2nd in Adjust FG% (.572)
2nd in opponents adjusted FG% (513)
2nd in Rebound Margin (6.0)
25th in FT% (.715)
Their starting forwards combine for 44.2 points, 15.6 boards, 9.6 assists, 2.6 steals
Fun Facts
8-8 last 16 games
IMO best Sydney team to date
Commentary
After a tough 7 game championship loss last year the Kings are back and better than ever. They are the clear favorites to win the Conference title in part due to the killer starting 5 and some quality depth. The biggest weakness I see is their insistence on playing Tracy McGrady big minutes, in my opinion that could haunt them in a 3rd or 4th round matchup. This team does it all and does it all well, but they have stumbled a bit down the stretch. Still I think they have a good shot at making the Finals again and to win it all. I think the toughest matchup for them may come in Round 2 as BCZ has the look of the type of team that would give them trouble with an elite PG and depth in the frontcourt.
1) New York Knicks, 65-17, 1st Seed In American Conference (Northeast Division Champs)
Key Stats
129.7 ppg (1st)
14.1 point differential (1st)
6.9 rebounding margin (1st)
O3PT% .389 (30th)
Their starting perimeter trio accounts for 74.6 points, 14.1 boards, 26.5 assists and 7.5 steals
Fun Facts
23.5 % of their season losses came in the last 10 games of the year (4)
Commentary
NY is going to hate me putting them in the top spot, but they are the best and most complete team in the league. They have a slight weakness at Center, but their top 4 players I would take over any other 4 in the league right now. They do it on both ends and after being snake bitten the last few years in the post season I think this is the year they win it all.
