Post by Belgrade on Jul 30, 2015 22:22:26 GMT -6
American
1. New York Knicks
The reigning champs have what it takes to go on a mini-dynasty run. The only thing they have to worry about is age. If they hold their current roster, they're the favourites again. But will we see the retool begin before this season's trade deadline? If not, they'll finish first in America. If so, they could be surpassed by some of the other great American talents.
2. San Fransisco Warriors
After winning the title 2 seasons ago, and then trading their finals MVP, we weren't sure where exactly SF was going. We knew they'd be competitive, but how competitive? The question was answered with the acquisition of Stockton in the offseason: very competitive. They practically stole one of the best players in the league from Berlin in exchange for depth pieces. Then recently acquired McGinnis and Mullin to show that they weren't playing around. The only achilles heel for the team might be management's love-affair with Alvin Robertson.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
With the best scorer in the league, a great 2 punch in Harper, and an exceptional PG duo of Williams and Giannakis, the Lakers can't do much wrong right now. It's just a matter of whether Hakeem can finally carry the team to a championship. Rumours have it that Lakers management is getting concerned that Hakeem is all stats and nothing more. If he doesn't win a championship soon, it'll be clear that he is not a winner. Fans around the league were also disappointed when the team shipped Aguirre off for a young Iguodala. With Aguirre on this team, it looked really special. Management opted for some youth instead of giving Hakeem support during his prime.
4. Mexico City Titans
The acquisition of English put the Titans over the top - from a competitive team to a serious contender. If management can find a way to upgrade their post position before the trade deadline, there will be no questions about GM of the Year votes this time around.
5. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have talent, and a GM that isn't afraid to make gutsy moves. The team will win their division, and will secure the 5th spot for doing so - but don't expect a stellar record given the competition in America. We'll have to see how the Shaq-Schmidt-Martin experiment goes upfront, and I like Dennis Johnson facilitating the offence. Note: Gerald Wilkins is averaging 14-5-3 on the season.
6. Brazil Franca BC
Brazil is off to a phenomenal start, but I expect they'll slow down a bit. Their roster is strong, but it's lacking a wow-factor. Although they have 5 very capable starters, we don't think they have what it takes to play with the big boys.
7. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are off to a slow start after their stellar season a year ago. The good new is that Bias is turning into an elite player, and Lever is a guy any GM would want on their team. They'll pick it up a bit and land a playoff spot.
8. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls will go from dead-last last season to a playoff birth in a competitive American conference*. There's a ton of talent on this team, but we hope management is aware they can only play 5 players on the court at once. If they can make a few moves to consolidate talent, they could end up even higher in the standings (*please note this comment was made based on the roster at the time this article was written. Major roster changes could occur any minute without warning)
On the brink: Harlem Globetrotters - If Chicago makes moves that pushes them towards more youth, this will benefit Harlem and they could sneak in. As it stands, while a very solid team, we think Harlem is missing that one elite player to make them a serious contender.
Eurasian
1. San Miguel Beermen
Losing Stockton was huge. But San Miguel was able to grab JoJo, and Rasheed has completely exploded this season. With Gasol having a terrible training camp, Kemp is now at C. It's a questionable move for me, but with Rasheed killing it at PF I'm not sure what the options are. With Carter and Cook, the team has a lot of fire-power. We believe they are a better team than their record so far, and they will finish as the #1 team in Eurasia
2. Sydney Kings
To be honest I'm not entirely sure how the seedings work, but Sydney will finish with the second best record in the conference, which I believe will land then in 2 spot under the new format. Ewing is a beast, and the team is rounded out very nicely. Even with LJ regressing a bit from last year, they have more than enough talent to be a top team in Eurasia.
3. London Towers
I've said it many times and I'll say it again - MJ deserves more credit in this league. He is one of the least talked about superstars in the game. Super versatile, super athletic, super gifted - there are few like him. The team is rounded out nicely with fundamentally strong players like Parish, and the newly acquired Green and Hurley. The Hurley addition specifically was brilliant. While this team lacks edge outside of MJ, it's very strong. The lack of edge could be their downfall.
4. Belgrade KK Partizan
Love this team. Barkley is the man, and Aguirre, Pippen and Penny can cause havoc on both ends of the floor with their size and athleticism. Tree and Bradley are sharing time at the 5, anchoring the team with stellar blocking on one end and efficient baskets on the other end.
5. Tel Aviv Maccabi
Apologies to all the teams in the American conference that will finish with a better record then Tel Aviv, but they will win their division with a terrible record and finish 5th. Tehran was going to cruise to a division title before blowing it up this week. With guys like Dirk, Arenas, Gilmore and Artest, the team should pass Tehran by season's end.
6. Bayi Rockets
Bayi could end up with the 3rd best record in the conference. Problem is, it might also be the 3rd best record in their division (which I think will land them 6th). This is a brilliantly built team, from Duncan at the 5 to Brandon at the 1, and Magic, Clyde and Salley in between. With a strong bench, Bayi could surprise everyone come playoffs and make a Finals appearance.
7. Lithuania BC Zalgiris
BCZ has a ton of talent, however, I'm just not convinced the team has any flow to it. IT is a stud, and guys like Zo, KG, McAdoo, Benji and Daniels are all very nice. But ultimately I think the talent is spread too wide. If they made a trade that consolidated their assets, they would instantly become a top contender in the conference. But for now, they will sit as a 2nd tier team in Eurasia.
8. REAL Madrid
Loads of talent and youth, and being led in the locker room by the veteran Bill Walton, REAL will go from a lottery team the last few seasons to a playoff team for the foreseeable future. They are just too young and inexperienced to do any serious damage this season. REAL should also look to consolidating assets, especially as their rookie contracts turn over. Management will have some very big decisions to make going forward regarding who they keep and who they trade - these decisions could turn them into an elite organization or set them back.
1. New York Knicks
The reigning champs have what it takes to go on a mini-dynasty run. The only thing they have to worry about is age. If they hold their current roster, they're the favourites again. But will we see the retool begin before this season's trade deadline? If not, they'll finish first in America. If so, they could be surpassed by some of the other great American talents.
2. San Fransisco Warriors
After winning the title 2 seasons ago, and then trading their finals MVP, we weren't sure where exactly SF was going. We knew they'd be competitive, but how competitive? The question was answered with the acquisition of Stockton in the offseason: very competitive. They practically stole one of the best players in the league from Berlin in exchange for depth pieces. Then recently acquired McGinnis and Mullin to show that they weren't playing around. The only achilles heel for the team might be management's love-affair with Alvin Robertson.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
With the best scorer in the league, a great 2 punch in Harper, and an exceptional PG duo of Williams and Giannakis, the Lakers can't do much wrong right now. It's just a matter of whether Hakeem can finally carry the team to a championship. Rumours have it that Lakers management is getting concerned that Hakeem is all stats and nothing more. If he doesn't win a championship soon, it'll be clear that he is not a winner. Fans around the league were also disappointed when the team shipped Aguirre off for a young Iguodala. With Aguirre on this team, it looked really special. Management opted for some youth instead of giving Hakeem support during his prime.
4. Mexico City Titans
The acquisition of English put the Titans over the top - from a competitive team to a serious contender. If management can find a way to upgrade their post position before the trade deadline, there will be no questions about GM of the Year votes this time around.
5. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have talent, and a GM that isn't afraid to make gutsy moves. The team will win their division, and will secure the 5th spot for doing so - but don't expect a stellar record given the competition in America. We'll have to see how the Shaq-Schmidt-Martin experiment goes upfront, and I like Dennis Johnson facilitating the offence. Note: Gerald Wilkins is averaging 14-5-3 on the season.
6. Brazil Franca BC
Brazil is off to a phenomenal start, but I expect they'll slow down a bit. Their roster is strong, but it's lacking a wow-factor. Although they have 5 very capable starters, we don't think they have what it takes to play with the big boys.
7. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are off to a slow start after their stellar season a year ago. The good new is that Bias is turning into an elite player, and Lever is a guy any GM would want on their team. They'll pick it up a bit and land a playoff spot.
8. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls will go from dead-last last season to a playoff birth in a competitive American conference*. There's a ton of talent on this team, but we hope management is aware they can only play 5 players on the court at once. If they can make a few moves to consolidate talent, they could end up even higher in the standings (*please note this comment was made based on the roster at the time this article was written. Major roster changes could occur any minute without warning)
On the brink: Harlem Globetrotters - If Chicago makes moves that pushes them towards more youth, this will benefit Harlem and they could sneak in. As it stands, while a very solid team, we think Harlem is missing that one elite player to make them a serious contender.
Eurasian
1. San Miguel Beermen
Losing Stockton was huge. But San Miguel was able to grab JoJo, and Rasheed has completely exploded this season. With Gasol having a terrible training camp, Kemp is now at C. It's a questionable move for me, but with Rasheed killing it at PF I'm not sure what the options are. With Carter and Cook, the team has a lot of fire-power. We believe they are a better team than their record so far, and they will finish as the #1 team in Eurasia
2. Sydney Kings
To be honest I'm not entirely sure how the seedings work, but Sydney will finish with the second best record in the conference, which I believe will land then in 2 spot under the new format. Ewing is a beast, and the team is rounded out very nicely. Even with LJ regressing a bit from last year, they have more than enough talent to be a top team in Eurasia.
3. London Towers
I've said it many times and I'll say it again - MJ deserves more credit in this league. He is one of the least talked about superstars in the game. Super versatile, super athletic, super gifted - there are few like him. The team is rounded out nicely with fundamentally strong players like Parish, and the newly acquired Green and Hurley. The Hurley addition specifically was brilliant. While this team lacks edge outside of MJ, it's very strong. The lack of edge could be their downfall.
4. Belgrade KK Partizan
Love this team. Barkley is the man, and Aguirre, Pippen and Penny can cause havoc on both ends of the floor with their size and athleticism. Tree and Bradley are sharing time at the 5, anchoring the team with stellar blocking on one end and efficient baskets on the other end.
5. Tel Aviv Maccabi
Apologies to all the teams in the American conference that will finish with a better record then Tel Aviv, but they will win their division with a terrible record and finish 5th. Tehran was going to cruise to a division title before blowing it up this week. With guys like Dirk, Arenas, Gilmore and Artest, the team should pass Tehran by season's end.
6. Bayi Rockets
Bayi could end up with the 3rd best record in the conference. Problem is, it might also be the 3rd best record in their division (which I think will land them 6th). This is a brilliantly built team, from Duncan at the 5 to Brandon at the 1, and Magic, Clyde and Salley in between. With a strong bench, Bayi could surprise everyone come playoffs and make a Finals appearance.
7. Lithuania BC Zalgiris
BCZ has a ton of talent, however, I'm just not convinced the team has any flow to it. IT is a stud, and guys like Zo, KG, McAdoo, Benji and Daniels are all very nice. But ultimately I think the talent is spread too wide. If they made a trade that consolidated their assets, they would instantly become a top contender in the conference. But for now, they will sit as a 2nd tier team in Eurasia.
8. REAL Madrid
Loads of talent and youth, and being led in the locker room by the veteran Bill Walton, REAL will go from a lottery team the last few seasons to a playoff team for the foreseeable future. They are just too young and inexperienced to do any serious damage this season. REAL should also look to consolidating assets, especially as their rookie contracts turn over. Management will have some very big decisions to make going forward regarding who they keep and who they trade - these decisions could turn them into an elite organization or set them back.
