Who Will be The Top 8 In The American Conference?
Aug 3, 2015 8:04:21 GMT -6
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Post by San Miguel on Aug 3, 2015 8:04:21 GMT -6
Who Will be The Top 8 In the American Conference?
Just my take on where the current playoff teams rank and where they may end up. So, here we go...
1) New York Knicks (31-8)
The New York Knicks to nobody’s surprise are ranked number one in the conference. Adrian Dantley is having the season of his career at the age of 29 averaging 31.7 PPG on 53% shooting and a ridiculous 47% from beyond the arc anchoring the leagues number one offense. Zoran Slavnic is the quarterback of the offense putting up great assist and steals numbers again in a rather down year for him scoring wise, maybe his age is starting to catch up with him? Having said that, age does not seem to be effecting Elvin Hayes who is putting up 18 and 10 with 3 BPG. Look for the Knicks to continue their impressive play and enter the post season as the number one seed barring any major injuries.
2) San Francisco Warriors (32-9)
As expected, the Warriors have done very well this season lead by the best PG in the league John Stockton. Stockton has put up 24.6 PPG, 12.6 APG with 3.5 SPG and as he has throughout his career elite defense on the perimeter. Stockton and Sampson have complemented each other well and the additions of George McGinnis and Chris Mullin a few days ago have really rounded this team out nicely. Alvin Robertson was thrust into the lineup this season and although his offense has a long way to go, there won’t be much success for many shooting guards out there going against him. Look for the Warriors to contend for the top seed all season long finishing with one of the top 3 records in the conference.
3) Brazil Franca (32-9)
A surprise to say the least have been the Brazil Franca through the first half of the season. Coming at you with a very balanced attack, they have 4 scorers in the starting lineup averaging 18.5 PPG or more. David Robinson seems to have finally put the bad training camps behind him and is having his best scoring season averaging 23 PPG on a career high 57% shooting. Clark Kellogg continues to surprise having an even better year than his breakout season last year averaging 22.0 PPG on 55% shooting. Joe Dumars and Mark Price continue to provide elite shooting with awesome perimeter defense in the back court. The only drawback of this team is the bench as they have a 35 year old Nate Thurmond and a not so ready for a big role Al Harrington. Still, if the starters can remain healthy, they have a good shot to remain in the top 3.
4) Los Angeles Lakers (32-9)
The Lakers are a team that should at least contend for the next few seasons while Hakeem is still in his prime. This year is no different as Hakeem continues to put up gaudy numbers averaging 35-13 to go along with almost 3 and a half blocks a game. Ron Harper has really become a great all around wing player after he visited Reggie Miller a few times a couple of seasons ago to work on his shot from beyond the arc. Andre Iguodala has filled a nice role off the bench alongside Darrall Imhoff who continues to put up good rebounding and blocking numbers. The defense has really stepped it up this season allowing a second best 106.8 PPG. Thus far I think their schedule has been light in comparison to other contenders but no doubt this is a top tier team.
5) Mexico City Titans (30-11)
The Titans have started strong again on the strength of their elite back court. Gary Payton is having his best season to date putting up 22-9.5-5 with 3.2 steals per game. The Glove has really stepped it up shooting wise with improvements across the board including his three point shooting, free throw percentage and overall field goal percentage. The surprise has been Steve Smith who was finally thrown into the starting lineup this season and has not disappointed after working hard the past couple of training camps. The second unit on this team are nothing to take lightly with Long, Bodiroga and Willis providing a punch when the starters are resting. The front court could use some work but thus far English and Chandler have done an admirable job.
6) Chicago Bulls (26-15)
Another surprise team with a strong start, the Bulls have come rushing out of the gates to a very respectable record half way through the season. The young core was written off to not be ready for another couple seasons but they have stepped up to make this team a playoff contender. The great thing about this team is the number of guys contributing to their success. They have 6 guys scoring 13.2 PPG or more. The athleticism of this team has really provided a lot of easy baskets with 3 or 4 guys who can straight jump out of the gym. The surprise has been Tracy McGrady who has all the potential in the world and finally seems to be realizing some of it putting up a respectable 17-5-4 on 54% shooting. He still has a long way to go in filling out his potential but that is the scary part, who knows how good he might be when he does. The drawback of the Bulls is that after trading Kareem, they lack a true center and rim protector. Still, they look poised to make the playoffs for the first time in 3 seasons.
7) San Antonio Spurs (25-16)
The Spurs were shunned by Bill Walton in the off season who decided to sign with Real Madrid. He may regret that decision after all but that has left left a big hole in the front court for the Spurs that they were not adequately able to fill. Still the Spurs have an impressive 25 and 16 record thanks to their leading scorer Len Bias. Bias has put up 32 PPG on 60% shooting having the best season of his career. Fat Lever has continued to provide the all-around spark since he joined the Spurs and still providing elite defense. These two are undoubtedly the ones doing the heavy lifting for the Spurs and must continue to play at this level if the Spurs have any chance of keeping up with this pace. But the Spurs GM has done it in the past when they have been counted out with his savvy game planning and making the right additions to the team and expect them to win 50 plus games again this season.
8) Indiana Pacers (20-23)
The Indiana Pacers will make the playoffs just because the rest of their division is just terrible. There are probably a couple teams more deserving then the Pacers such as the Globetrotters and maybe even the Sonics and Celtics but the Pacers have the advantage of the Central division at this point in time. Shaq has played well in his fifth season putting up 20-10-4 to go along with 3 BPG and should get some all-star consideration. Dennis Johnson and Oscar Schmidt have also played well. The Pacers have actually done a great job adding talent such as the aforementioned Schmidt and recently acquired Martin. They just have not been able to translate those acquisitions into wins. Maybe they need to change up the game plan but they definitely have the talent to make noise even in the American conference. I think as the team gels together as the season wears on they will only get stronger.
Just my take on where the current playoff teams rank and where they may end up. So, here we go...
1) New York Knicks (31-8)
The New York Knicks to nobody’s surprise are ranked number one in the conference. Adrian Dantley is having the season of his career at the age of 29 averaging 31.7 PPG on 53% shooting and a ridiculous 47% from beyond the arc anchoring the leagues number one offense. Zoran Slavnic is the quarterback of the offense putting up great assist and steals numbers again in a rather down year for him scoring wise, maybe his age is starting to catch up with him? Having said that, age does not seem to be effecting Elvin Hayes who is putting up 18 and 10 with 3 BPG. Look for the Knicks to continue their impressive play and enter the post season as the number one seed barring any major injuries.
2) San Francisco Warriors (32-9)
As expected, the Warriors have done very well this season lead by the best PG in the league John Stockton. Stockton has put up 24.6 PPG, 12.6 APG with 3.5 SPG and as he has throughout his career elite defense on the perimeter. Stockton and Sampson have complemented each other well and the additions of George McGinnis and Chris Mullin a few days ago have really rounded this team out nicely. Alvin Robertson was thrust into the lineup this season and although his offense has a long way to go, there won’t be much success for many shooting guards out there going against him. Look for the Warriors to contend for the top seed all season long finishing with one of the top 3 records in the conference.
3) Brazil Franca (32-9)
A surprise to say the least have been the Brazil Franca through the first half of the season. Coming at you with a very balanced attack, they have 4 scorers in the starting lineup averaging 18.5 PPG or more. David Robinson seems to have finally put the bad training camps behind him and is having his best scoring season averaging 23 PPG on a career high 57% shooting. Clark Kellogg continues to surprise having an even better year than his breakout season last year averaging 22.0 PPG on 55% shooting. Joe Dumars and Mark Price continue to provide elite shooting with awesome perimeter defense in the back court. The only drawback of this team is the bench as they have a 35 year old Nate Thurmond and a not so ready for a big role Al Harrington. Still, if the starters can remain healthy, they have a good shot to remain in the top 3.
4) Los Angeles Lakers (32-9)
The Lakers are a team that should at least contend for the next few seasons while Hakeem is still in his prime. This year is no different as Hakeem continues to put up gaudy numbers averaging 35-13 to go along with almost 3 and a half blocks a game. Ron Harper has really become a great all around wing player after he visited Reggie Miller a few times a couple of seasons ago to work on his shot from beyond the arc. Andre Iguodala has filled a nice role off the bench alongside Darrall Imhoff who continues to put up good rebounding and blocking numbers. The defense has really stepped it up this season allowing a second best 106.8 PPG. Thus far I think their schedule has been light in comparison to other contenders but no doubt this is a top tier team.
5) Mexico City Titans (30-11)
The Titans have started strong again on the strength of their elite back court. Gary Payton is having his best season to date putting up 22-9.5-5 with 3.2 steals per game. The Glove has really stepped it up shooting wise with improvements across the board including his three point shooting, free throw percentage and overall field goal percentage. The surprise has been Steve Smith who was finally thrown into the starting lineup this season and has not disappointed after working hard the past couple of training camps. The second unit on this team are nothing to take lightly with Long, Bodiroga and Willis providing a punch when the starters are resting. The front court could use some work but thus far English and Chandler have done an admirable job.
6) Chicago Bulls (26-15)
Another surprise team with a strong start, the Bulls have come rushing out of the gates to a very respectable record half way through the season. The young core was written off to not be ready for another couple seasons but they have stepped up to make this team a playoff contender. The great thing about this team is the number of guys contributing to their success. They have 6 guys scoring 13.2 PPG or more. The athleticism of this team has really provided a lot of easy baskets with 3 or 4 guys who can straight jump out of the gym. The surprise has been Tracy McGrady who has all the potential in the world and finally seems to be realizing some of it putting up a respectable 17-5-4 on 54% shooting. He still has a long way to go in filling out his potential but that is the scary part, who knows how good he might be when he does. The drawback of the Bulls is that after trading Kareem, they lack a true center and rim protector. Still, they look poised to make the playoffs for the first time in 3 seasons.
7) San Antonio Spurs (25-16)
The Spurs were shunned by Bill Walton in the off season who decided to sign with Real Madrid. He may regret that decision after all but that has left left a big hole in the front court for the Spurs that they were not adequately able to fill. Still the Spurs have an impressive 25 and 16 record thanks to their leading scorer Len Bias. Bias has put up 32 PPG on 60% shooting having the best season of his career. Fat Lever has continued to provide the all-around spark since he joined the Spurs and still providing elite defense. These two are undoubtedly the ones doing the heavy lifting for the Spurs and must continue to play at this level if the Spurs have any chance of keeping up with this pace. But the Spurs GM has done it in the past when they have been counted out with his savvy game planning and making the right additions to the team and expect them to win 50 plus games again this season.
8) Indiana Pacers (20-23)
The Indiana Pacers will make the playoffs just because the rest of their division is just terrible. There are probably a couple teams more deserving then the Pacers such as the Globetrotters and maybe even the Sonics and Celtics but the Pacers have the advantage of the Central division at this point in time. Shaq has played well in his fifth season putting up 20-10-4 to go along with 3 BPG and should get some all-star consideration. Dennis Johnson and Oscar Schmidt have also played well. The Pacers have actually done a great job adding talent such as the aforementioned Schmidt and recently acquired Martin. They just have not been able to translate those acquisitions into wins. Maybe they need to change up the game plan but they definitely have the talent to make noise even in the American conference. I think as the team gels together as the season wears on they will only get stronger.
