Who will be the top 8 in the Eurasian conference?
Aug 4, 2015 20:01:27 GMT -6
London, Portland, and 1 more like this
Post by San Miguel on Aug 4, 2015 20:01:27 GMT -6
Who will be the top 8 in the Eurasian conference?
Just my take on where the teams representing Eurasia rank...
1) BC Zalgaris (34-13)
BC Zalgaris have finally put it together and become a legit title contender. It took a while but lead by Kevin Garnett, Isiah Thomas and Alonzo Mourning, the team from Lithuania has the best record in the Eurasian conference. Isiah Thomas is the leader of this team putting up 20-9-4 to go along with nearly 2 SPG. The greatest advantage this team has over others is the balanced attack they present on the court every night. They have 6 players averaging 13.2 PPG or more and that means when one or two are having an off night they have others picking them up. BCZ have been consistent throughout the year and barring multiple injuries (I believe with their depth they could handle 1) they should finish with 55 plus wins.
2) London Towers (34-13)
Just when it seems like London is ripe for a rebuild they just continue on chugging to winning seasons. Lead by the immortal Michael Jordan who is having another memorable season putting up 27.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 4.6 APG the Towers are in great position for a top 3 seed with 35 games remaining. To be honest, I did not like the deal they made to move Karl Malone because I think he provided a nice second option on the rare occasion when MJ is having an off night but Green is a much cheaper option that basically provides equal defense and rebounding. Hurley was a nice upgrade for the point guard spot where London has been weak in recent years. I think the Towers as usual will be a contender all the way and another team that should finish with 55 plus wins.
3) Sydney Kings (31-14)
The Kings are not as strong as years past but still an upper echelon elite squad who is still a title contender. Patrick Ewing is undoubtedly the leader of this team averaging a career high 28.4 PPG to go along with 10.5 RPG and nearly 3 blocks per game shooting a career high 57.4% from the field. Like the trade they made for Allan Houston who is an elite shooter that will space the floor nicely along with back court mate Frank Johnson. Larry Johnson had a bit of a setback in training camp but he is still having a fine season as the starting power forward for the Kings. They are in a very tough division probably the toughest in the league but they will likely finish as a top 3 seed.
4) Bayi Rockets (31-16)
The Bayi Rockets have surprised no one with their turnaround after the changes the GM made over the off season. Lead by young Tim Duncan who is having another strong season averaging 22.6 PPG to go along with 10 RPG and 2.6 BPG the Rockets have almost assured themselves a playoff seed barring an epic collapse. The additions of Clyde Drexler, John Salley, Magic Johnson and Terrell Brandon to the starting lineup have been the key to getting this team from the cellar to one of the top teams in the league. The only thing going against this team is that they probably cannot keep this team together for many more years as both Clyde and Magic will be looking for big money in the off season and Duncan also coming up on his second contract after next season.
5) San Miguel Beermen (29-18)
This is a team that surprisingly has not totally collapsed after trading away Patrick Ewing two seasons ago and John Stockton just this past off season. They have a lot of assets that can play and it seems they can keep them together for a few years. 35 year old Jo Jo White has been rejuvenated this season averaging 19-8-6.5 on 53% shooting and a ridiculous 49% from beyond the arc. Despite the remaining talent this is Rasheed Wallace's team moving forward. The power forward has averaged 26 PPG on 55% shooting in his breakout year as the main man in San Miguel and at 24, he will only get better. They have a top 3 offense in the league and if they can put it together on defense, look out.
6) KK Partizan (28-19)
The Belgrade Partizan have been a surprise to start the season after it seemed the GM was leading the team into rebuilding mode. The addition of Mark Aguire has been the key in the turnaround of the team. Aguire is putting up 19-5.5-5 in a career high 37.1 MPG. Having said that, the heart and soul of this team is Sir Charles who is having another magnificent season averaging nearly 31 PPG, 11 RPG and 4.5 APG. If KK can put together a good season as a team, Barkley could get some consideration for MVP of the ABCA. For now the team is in okay shape but they definitely need more help for Barkley if this team will be true championship contenders. Al Horford looks great but he will not be able to contribute valuable minutes for at
least another season but a lineup of Aguire-Barkley-Horford at the 3, 4 and 5 sound pretty nice.
7) Real Madrid (28-19)
When Madrid drafted Lebron James the thought was they finally had the building blocks to be able to compete in couple seasons. Nobody could have predicted they would be almost 10 games over .500 through 47 games. Tony Parker has made strides this season to average 18.5-4.4-7.7 with nearly 2 steals per game and looks like he might be a top 5 point guard in the league a few seasons down the line. As for Lebron James, he did take a slight dip in training camp but has still put up Rookie of The Year capable numbers 18.3 PPG on 57% couple with 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game showing off that all round game everybody thought he would possess. Bill Walton was the big signing this off season when he was snatched away from the Spurs and now leads a formidable front court alongside 7’4 Rik Smits. I think their success this year might be a bit premature but if they run into some nice training camps for their youngsters, they could be a championship contender for an extended period.
8) Tel Aviv Maccabi (20-27)
This spot is similar to the position the Indiana Pacers hold in the American conference. With no real competition in their division Tel Aviv should take the division over Mahram after they traded away all their assets in hopes for the future. Tel Aviv is another team that has a few players that are still growing and not quite ready for the big stage but the experience should help them for future runs in the playoffs. Gilbert Arenas and Dirk Nowitzki have a stronghold over the offense both averaging over 21 points per night. What this team lacks is a stronger effort on the defensive end which will be readily available when guys like Artest and Roy fill out more on that end. Having said that, this season has proven Tel Aviv is not far from being regular competitors in the Eurasian playoff picture.
Just my take on where the teams representing Eurasia rank...
1) BC Zalgaris (34-13)
BC Zalgaris have finally put it together and become a legit title contender. It took a while but lead by Kevin Garnett, Isiah Thomas and Alonzo Mourning, the team from Lithuania has the best record in the Eurasian conference. Isiah Thomas is the leader of this team putting up 20-9-4 to go along with nearly 2 SPG. The greatest advantage this team has over others is the balanced attack they present on the court every night. They have 6 players averaging 13.2 PPG or more and that means when one or two are having an off night they have others picking them up. BCZ have been consistent throughout the year and barring multiple injuries (I believe with their depth they could handle 1) they should finish with 55 plus wins.
2) London Towers (34-13)
Just when it seems like London is ripe for a rebuild they just continue on chugging to winning seasons. Lead by the immortal Michael Jordan who is having another memorable season putting up 27.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 4.6 APG the Towers are in great position for a top 3 seed with 35 games remaining. To be honest, I did not like the deal they made to move Karl Malone because I think he provided a nice second option on the rare occasion when MJ is having an off night but Green is a much cheaper option that basically provides equal defense and rebounding. Hurley was a nice upgrade for the point guard spot where London has been weak in recent years. I think the Towers as usual will be a contender all the way and another team that should finish with 55 plus wins.
3) Sydney Kings (31-14)
The Kings are not as strong as years past but still an upper echelon elite squad who is still a title contender. Patrick Ewing is undoubtedly the leader of this team averaging a career high 28.4 PPG to go along with 10.5 RPG and nearly 3 blocks per game shooting a career high 57.4% from the field. Like the trade they made for Allan Houston who is an elite shooter that will space the floor nicely along with back court mate Frank Johnson. Larry Johnson had a bit of a setback in training camp but he is still having a fine season as the starting power forward for the Kings. They are in a very tough division probably the toughest in the league but they will likely finish as a top 3 seed.
4) Bayi Rockets (31-16)
The Bayi Rockets have surprised no one with their turnaround after the changes the GM made over the off season. Lead by young Tim Duncan who is having another strong season averaging 22.6 PPG to go along with 10 RPG and 2.6 BPG the Rockets have almost assured themselves a playoff seed barring an epic collapse. The additions of Clyde Drexler, John Salley, Magic Johnson and Terrell Brandon to the starting lineup have been the key to getting this team from the cellar to one of the top teams in the league. The only thing going against this team is that they probably cannot keep this team together for many more years as both Clyde and Magic will be looking for big money in the off season and Duncan also coming up on his second contract after next season.
5) San Miguel Beermen (29-18)
This is a team that surprisingly has not totally collapsed after trading away Patrick Ewing two seasons ago and John Stockton just this past off season. They have a lot of assets that can play and it seems they can keep them together for a few years. 35 year old Jo Jo White has been rejuvenated this season averaging 19-8-6.5 on 53% shooting and a ridiculous 49% from beyond the arc. Despite the remaining talent this is Rasheed Wallace's team moving forward. The power forward has averaged 26 PPG on 55% shooting in his breakout year as the main man in San Miguel and at 24, he will only get better. They have a top 3 offense in the league and if they can put it together on defense, look out.
6) KK Partizan (28-19)
The Belgrade Partizan have been a surprise to start the season after it seemed the GM was leading the team into rebuilding mode. The addition of Mark Aguire has been the key in the turnaround of the team. Aguire is putting up 19-5.5-5 in a career high 37.1 MPG. Having said that, the heart and soul of this team is Sir Charles who is having another magnificent season averaging nearly 31 PPG, 11 RPG and 4.5 APG. If KK can put together a good season as a team, Barkley could get some consideration for MVP of the ABCA. For now the team is in okay shape but they definitely need more help for Barkley if this team will be true championship contenders. Al Horford looks great but he will not be able to contribute valuable minutes for at
least another season but a lineup of Aguire-Barkley-Horford at the 3, 4 and 5 sound pretty nice.
7) Real Madrid (28-19)
When Madrid drafted Lebron James the thought was they finally had the building blocks to be able to compete in couple seasons. Nobody could have predicted they would be almost 10 games over .500 through 47 games. Tony Parker has made strides this season to average 18.5-4.4-7.7 with nearly 2 steals per game and looks like he might be a top 5 point guard in the league a few seasons down the line. As for Lebron James, he did take a slight dip in training camp but has still put up Rookie of The Year capable numbers 18.3 PPG on 57% couple with 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game showing off that all round game everybody thought he would possess. Bill Walton was the big signing this off season when he was snatched away from the Spurs and now leads a formidable front court alongside 7’4 Rik Smits. I think their success this year might be a bit premature but if they run into some nice training camps for their youngsters, they could be a championship contender for an extended period.
8) Tel Aviv Maccabi (20-27)
This spot is similar to the position the Indiana Pacers hold in the American conference. With no real competition in their division Tel Aviv should take the division over Mahram after they traded away all their assets in hopes for the future. Tel Aviv is another team that has a few players that are still growing and not quite ready for the big stage but the experience should help them for future runs in the playoffs. Gilbert Arenas and Dirk Nowitzki have a stronghold over the offense both averaging over 21 points per night. What this team lacks is a stronger effort on the defensive end which will be readily available when guys like Artest and Roy fill out more on that end. Having said that, this season has proven Tel Aviv is not far from being regular competitors in the Eurasian playoff picture.
