Post by Spencer on Feb 5, 2009 22:50:36 GMT -8
A look around the Eastern Conference...
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have a legit star in Chris Paul. His presence alone should get them 20-25 wins. Add in Lamar Odom Carlos Boozer and Tracy McGrady and there is no reason this team isn't playoff material. Boozer and McGrady should both average 20 plus and Odom is the type of versatile role player every good team needs. The lack of defense upfront should keep them from getting far in the playoffs though.
Miami Heat
The Heat have possibly the 2nd best point guard in the league in Deron Williams, but they went extremely young after selecting him. Andrea Bargnani and Thaddeus Young are solid players, but wont flourish for a couple of years. The lack of a true center will mean they will lose more then they win, much more.
The Heat are definately more interested in the lotto the the playoffs at this point.
New Jersey Nets
The Nets have a very balanced team that is a great combination of younger and older players. They also have a balance of strong interior play with Yao Ming, along with 2 very good wings in Luol Deng and Rashard Lewis along with a steady point guard in Chauncey Billups. Add in role players Udonis Haslem, Kurt Thomas and Morris Peterson and you're probably looking at a playoff team.
New York Knicks
Kobe Bryant probably guarantees the Knicks 30 wins on his own. Add in solid vets like Vince Carter, Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace and I think youre looking at a 50 win team. Camby and Wallace are both very good defensive bigs that FBB loves. Kobe and VC will light it up from the perimeter. Point guard doesnt look great, but Jarrett Jack and Leandro Barbosa will do enough to make this team elite.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are young and could surprise. This team is way too young to compete deep into the playoffs, but they have an exciting core for the future. Lead by Emeka Okafor and David Lee, the Magic have a very good young front court. Ben Gordon is already an elite shooter. Youngsters Jamario Moon and Julian Wright are intriguing, and Chris Duhon is a solid floor general.
Philadelphia 76ers
Every team would love to have a star like Chris Bosh to build around. He is a special player and should be great for the next decade. The rest of the Sixers squad is all upside. The core for the future for the Sixers includes 6 players 22 or younger. Kevin Love, Anthony Randolph and Jerryd Bayless all look to be nice players in the future.
Washington Bullets
This team is looking to win now. Already in financial troubles, the Bullets should be a championship contender. With inly 1 player under 30, this also happens to be one of the older teams in the league. Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan form probably the best front line in the league. Antawn Jamison and Paul Pierce will both near 20 points a game from the wing positions. Jason Terry, although not a true 1, should be plenty good enough to help this team win 55-60 games this year.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are another team that went for youth and will be waiting for draft notes all year. They picked up 3 extremely promising young players in Michael Beasley, Andris Biedrins and DJ Augustin. Beasley will have a shot at ROY mostly because he'll get most of the shots in Atlanta. These 3 should be their core players in the future.
Charlotte Bobcats
This team is an interesting mix of youth and experience. Al Jefferson is one of the few young big men that should be a perennial 22-12 player. Ray Allen and Andre Miller are solid vets that hopefully wont decline quickly. Gerald Wallace, Ronny Turiaf and Joel Przybilla are valuable role players that should help this team be 500 or better.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have on of the most impressive young back courts around. Brandon Roy and Devin Harris should both average over 20 points and both have the ball handling skills to play either guard spot. Tayhsaun Prince is a wonderful defensive stopper on the wing. The defense that Ben Wallace and Sagana Diop bring should offset the horrible defense by Zach Randolph. This team should be in the playoffs.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have 2 wonderful young players in Greg Oden and Russell Westbrook. Both could become All Stars before its said and done. the rest of the Bulls squad consists of youth that could be nice in the future. Trevor Ariza should be a solid role player at least. Regardless, this team is bound for the lotto.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have a very nice front court with Danny Granger, Pau Gasol and Memo Okur. Granger could be a top 10 player. and Gasol can score and board well enough to keep the Pistons around 500. the back court is pretty weak and should prevent the Pistons from getting passed Round 1.
Indiana Pacers
They have Dwyane Wade, and not much else. Wade should put up some impressive numbers, but the Pacers should also lose a lot. Amir Johnson, Rudy Fernandez and CJ Miles look nice, but for most of the season the box scores wont. Wade 30-5-5. Wins =10.
Milwaukee Bucks
Josh Smith and Rudy Gay are an explosive forward combo that should be absolutely nasty together. Both are exciting players that should only continue to get better. Add in super scorer Michael Redd and solid point guard Mo Williams and the Bucks are talking playoffs.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have more depth then most. With 10 players already, they can pick and choose who will get minutes for them. Monta Ellis and Andre Iguodala are both up and coming players who should be stars in the PWW. Andrei Kirilenko is a defensive monster at SF, and Al Harrington can still flat out score at either forward spot. Then add in super PG combo Jose Calderon and TJ Ford and you have a team that could surprise in the playoffs.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have a legit star in Chris Paul. His presence alone should get them 20-25 wins. Add in Lamar Odom Carlos Boozer and Tracy McGrady and there is no reason this team isn't playoff material. Boozer and McGrady should both average 20 plus and Odom is the type of versatile role player every good team needs. The lack of defense upfront should keep them from getting far in the playoffs though.
Miami Heat
The Heat have possibly the 2nd best point guard in the league in Deron Williams, but they went extremely young after selecting him. Andrea Bargnani and Thaddeus Young are solid players, but wont flourish for a couple of years. The lack of a true center will mean they will lose more then they win, much more.
The Heat are definately more interested in the lotto the the playoffs at this point.
New Jersey Nets
The Nets have a very balanced team that is a great combination of younger and older players. They also have a balance of strong interior play with Yao Ming, along with 2 very good wings in Luol Deng and Rashard Lewis along with a steady point guard in Chauncey Billups. Add in role players Udonis Haslem, Kurt Thomas and Morris Peterson and you're probably looking at a playoff team.
New York Knicks
Kobe Bryant probably guarantees the Knicks 30 wins on his own. Add in solid vets like Vince Carter, Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace and I think youre looking at a 50 win team. Camby and Wallace are both very good defensive bigs that FBB loves. Kobe and VC will light it up from the perimeter. Point guard doesnt look great, but Jarrett Jack and Leandro Barbosa will do enough to make this team elite.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are young and could surprise. This team is way too young to compete deep into the playoffs, but they have an exciting core for the future. Lead by Emeka Okafor and David Lee, the Magic have a very good young front court. Ben Gordon is already an elite shooter. Youngsters Jamario Moon and Julian Wright are intriguing, and Chris Duhon is a solid floor general.
Philadelphia 76ers
Every team would love to have a star like Chris Bosh to build around. He is a special player and should be great for the next decade. The rest of the Sixers squad is all upside. The core for the future for the Sixers includes 6 players 22 or younger. Kevin Love, Anthony Randolph and Jerryd Bayless all look to be nice players in the future.
Washington Bullets
This team is looking to win now. Already in financial troubles, the Bullets should be a championship contender. With inly 1 player under 30, this also happens to be one of the older teams in the league. Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan form probably the best front line in the league. Antawn Jamison and Paul Pierce will both near 20 points a game from the wing positions. Jason Terry, although not a true 1, should be plenty good enough to help this team win 55-60 games this year.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are another team that went for youth and will be waiting for draft notes all year. They picked up 3 extremely promising young players in Michael Beasley, Andris Biedrins and DJ Augustin. Beasley will have a shot at ROY mostly because he'll get most of the shots in Atlanta. These 3 should be their core players in the future.
Charlotte Bobcats
This team is an interesting mix of youth and experience. Al Jefferson is one of the few young big men that should be a perennial 22-12 player. Ray Allen and Andre Miller are solid vets that hopefully wont decline quickly. Gerald Wallace, Ronny Turiaf and Joel Przybilla are valuable role players that should help this team be 500 or better.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have on of the most impressive young back courts around. Brandon Roy and Devin Harris should both average over 20 points and both have the ball handling skills to play either guard spot. Tayhsaun Prince is a wonderful defensive stopper on the wing. The defense that Ben Wallace and Sagana Diop bring should offset the horrible defense by Zach Randolph. This team should be in the playoffs.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have 2 wonderful young players in Greg Oden and Russell Westbrook. Both could become All Stars before its said and done. the rest of the Bulls squad consists of youth that could be nice in the future. Trevor Ariza should be a solid role player at least. Regardless, this team is bound for the lotto.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have a very nice front court with Danny Granger, Pau Gasol and Memo Okur. Granger could be a top 10 player. and Gasol can score and board well enough to keep the Pistons around 500. the back court is pretty weak and should prevent the Pistons from getting passed Round 1.
Indiana Pacers
They have Dwyane Wade, and not much else. Wade should put up some impressive numbers, but the Pacers should also lose a lot. Amir Johnson, Rudy Fernandez and CJ Miles look nice, but for most of the season the box scores wont. Wade 30-5-5. Wins =10.
Milwaukee Bucks
Josh Smith and Rudy Gay are an explosive forward combo that should be absolutely nasty together. Both are exciting players that should only continue to get better. Add in super scorer Michael Redd and solid point guard Mo Williams and the Bucks are talking playoffs.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have more depth then most. With 10 players already, they can pick and choose who will get minutes for them. Monta Ellis and Andre Iguodala are both up and coming players who should be stars in the PWW. Andrei Kirilenko is a defensive monster at SF, and Al Harrington can still flat out score at either forward spot. Then add in super PG combo Jose Calderon and TJ Ford and you have a team that could surprise in the playoffs.