Post by MeanJoe on May 30, 2011 10:18:04 GMT -5
Utilizing the Pythagorean Win Theorem you can project the number of games a team will win by using the Points For and Points Against stats. These are the results:
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Celtics
Current Record: 11-15
Projected Record: 27-55
The Celtics have made some runs the past few seasons but it seems that has come to a halt. Boston traded a good PF in Patrick Young after their post season came to a close. Shabazz Muhamad, Sheldon McClellan, and rookie standout Miles Baggett are the top scorers in Boston. They need help on the defensive end of the game. Boston is being outscored by opponents by more than 6 points per game and only accumulating 3.6 blocks per game. The Celtics have openly said that they will be fielding offers in order to get their almost certain lotto pick back for the upcoming draft.
Miami Heat
Current Record: 8-17
Projected Record: 26-56
The Miami Heat are actively tanking. They recently traded SG Deandre Liggins in order to take an even sharper turn for the worse. The Heat had a stockpile of picks in the previous draft and selected a number of decent players. This team is all about youth at the moment having only a handful of players over the age of 25 on their roster. I expect them to lose more games than projected due to their recent trade of Liggins and have secured their spot as a top lotto pick.
New Jersey Nets
Current Record: 14-11
Projected Record: 41-41
The Nets GM is in his final year of the contract agreement. The owners have made it public that if he does not bring this team to 50 wins he will be fired. For his sake let’s hope this projection is inaccurate. The Nets have Gentile and Turner leading the way in points followed closely by Brooks. Some of their players are not playing up to par and have seen a decline in stats. If they can right this ship we will see him around next season if not I am sure there will be an opening in another city.
New York Knicks
Current Record: 7-15
Projected Record: 30-52
The fans are not happy in New York. This franchise has won two championships to date and the organization is not accustomed to this type of play. The Knicks are being outscored by opponents by over 4 points per game. Their leading scorers are veterans, Derrick Williams & Ty Lawson, as well as an older rookie who is making an early impact, Jack Popp. This is another team with youth as the majority of their roster, having only 2 players over the age of 25. This franchise can be turned around fast and is expected to within the next few seasons.
Orlando Magic
Current Record: 7-17
Projected Record: 24-58
The Orlando Magic was taken over by UOSL4 newcomer, kyamamoto333, in the offseason. This team needs to be ripped apart and start over again. Not one player is averaging over 20 PPG and their auto 1st round draft pick this year, Miquan Patton, looks to be mediocre ATM. The Magic need a top selection out of this year’s draft and to rebuild desperately in order to get this team up to contender status.
Philadelphia 76ers
Current Record: 14-13
Projected Record: 47-53
The 76er’s are better than their 14-13 record suggests. Their two top players, Shaquille Cleare and Perry Jones, are leading the team in scoring as well as rebounding. IMO Perry is one of if not the best PF’s in the league scoring 33 points and grabbing 13 rebounds over 38 minutes of play. The blatant weakness for Philadelphia is at the PG. An aging Chris Paul starts for the 76er’s and Myck Kabongo also plays the point. Both players have TO troubles and subpar scoring. SG also could be some trouble going forward. Shaw and Perry need some reputable teammates around them in order to return to previous form.
Washington Wizards
Current Record: 10-12
Projected Record: 34-48
The Wizards look to be stuck in the middle this season. Top scorers in Washington consist of Center, Tanveer Bhullar, as well as Shooting Guard, Gordon Hayward. Both players are averaging over 23 PPG. Hayward has been an incredible 6th man for the Wizards in the past. Lucas Nogueira has been injured for the majority of the season so far and his defensive abilities are missed. Their sole 1st round pick in the 2021 draft was Center, Riki Kodanko, and it was a pick based strictly on potential. After his first TC the future is not looking good for this rookie. The future of this franchise is uncertain.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Atlanta Hawks
Current Record: 17-7
Projected Record: 61-21
The Atlanta Hawks are a well put together team. They are lead by their SG duo of Wayne Blackshear & Tyreke Evans who are scoring 34 and 20 PPG, respectively. CJ Leslie at the SF position is also a heavy contributor with 17 PPG and puts up defensive stats as well. The majority of their success can be attributed to their dominance on defense. Every player has at least a B rating in the defensive category. That is not every starter, that is EVERY player on the roster. The Hawks are outscoring their opponents by an average of 8 points per game.
Charlotte Bobcats
Current Record: 12-13
Projected Record: 28-54
The Bobcats do not have any standout players. It is more of a team effort than a few major contributors. Cole Aldrich, Anthony Davis, and Caiden Garner lead the team in points per game with around 15 each. Vijay Blackmon was selected in the most recent draft and looks to be an up and coming starter. The Bobcats need some direction. They should dump a majority of these players and look to the future by trying to get a top lotto.
Chicago Bulls
Current Record: 12-15
Projected Record: 29-53
Chicago is led by a soon to retire LeBron James and an aging star in Derrick Rose. The Bulls are being outscored by over 4 points per game. They currently have a high payroll, $76,931,508, to be exact. At the end of this season 11 out of 12 players are expiring and it will free up over 34 million in cap space. The only player not expiring is standout Brandon Ashley who does it all. It would be ideal to resign Rose, make some good FA pickups and get a top pick in the draft but it is hard to dump these large salaries. The Bulls need a sense of direction and they need it fast.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Current Record: 12-12
Projected Record: 41-41
The Cavaliers are scoring the same amount as they give up, 107. They are on their way to the mediocre season getting to exactly .500. Johnny O’Bryant, Dwight Howard, and Kemba Walker lead this team in the main categories. This team should be over .500 at this point and could turn it around in the future. Ricky Council is starting to impress this season with over 17 PPG and 6 rebounds. The Cavs have had around 5 close loses which attribute to their 12-12 record. I think they will finish the season above .500.
Detroit Pistons
Current Record: 12-15
Projected Record: 37-45
What happened to this Piston’s squad? They were once a formidable contender and now they are looking to tank. Drummond and Joseph are the standouts on this team followed closely by Hairston and Egwu. Their pick this year was owed to the Bulls but forfeited due to the HC penalty. The Pistons need to make some moves to improve their direction. We’ll see if Detroit’s future can be turned around and how quickly.
Indiana Pacers
Current Record: 16-9
Projected Record: 49-33
The Pacer’s star is SG Will Barton who leads this team with 34 PPG and adding in 2 SPG. Shlevin Mack puts up good stat lines as well averaging a double double with 23 PPG / 10 APG. Harrison Barnes rounds out this scoring trio with 18 PPG. The Pacers roster is full of good players, especially on defense which is why I am surprised they are giving up only 3 points less than what they score. The Pacer’s will make some noise in the playoffs as they did last year.
Milwaukee Bucks
Current Record: 21-9
Projected Record: 63-19
The Bucks started off incredibly hot with a 9-0 first sim. Jabrai Parker is a young stud that does it all. He scores, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks at amazing numbers to have a complete game. Parker and Batum lead the team in scoring and Ian Miller is not far behind. The Bucks are outscoring their opponents by 9 points per game. A large margin compared to most teams. Milwaukee looks like a top contender in the Eastern Conference and second to the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors
Current Record: 21-3
Projected Record: 74-8
The Raptors are off to a hell of a start over the first few sims. They have a lot of the right pieces on their roster. Newly acquired Kasey Hill & James Harden have not failed to impress. Antonio Prince at the SG is an excellent addition as well scoring a team high 28 points and a league leading 3.1 steals per game. Patterson and Monroe contribute in the paint grabbing rebounds and scoring when needed. Deandre Liggins is also new to the team and his impact has yet to be seen. All of the major pieces are locked into deals that could see Toronto winning championships for a few years to come. A final record of 74-8 is unlikely but when you are outscoring your opponents by 18 points anything is possible.
Projected Eastern Conference Standings:
*Raptors 74-8
*Bucks 63-19
*Hawks 61-21
*Pacers 49-33
*76ers 47-35
*Cavaliers 41-41
*Nets 41-41
*Pistons 37-45
Wizards 34-48
Knicks 30-52
Bulls 29-53
Bobcats 28-54
Celtics 27-55
Heat 26-56
Magic 24-58
*Playoff Bound
Boston Celtics
Current Record: 11-15
Projected Record: 27-55
The Celtics have made some runs the past few seasons but it seems that has come to a halt. Boston traded a good PF in Patrick Young after their post season came to a close. Shabazz Muhamad, Sheldon McClellan, and rookie standout Miles Baggett are the top scorers in Boston. They need help on the defensive end of the game. Boston is being outscored by opponents by more than 6 points per game and only accumulating 3.6 blocks per game. The Celtics have openly said that they will be fielding offers in order to get their almost certain lotto pick back for the upcoming draft.
Miami Heat
Current Record: 8-17
Projected Record: 26-56
The Miami Heat are actively tanking. They recently traded SG Deandre Liggins in order to take an even sharper turn for the worse. The Heat had a stockpile of picks in the previous draft and selected a number of decent players. This team is all about youth at the moment having only a handful of players over the age of 25 on their roster. I expect them to lose more games than projected due to their recent trade of Liggins and have secured their spot as a top lotto pick.
New Jersey Nets
Current Record: 14-11
Projected Record: 41-41
The Nets GM is in his final year of the contract agreement. The owners have made it public that if he does not bring this team to 50 wins he will be fired. For his sake let’s hope this projection is inaccurate. The Nets have Gentile and Turner leading the way in points followed closely by Brooks. Some of their players are not playing up to par and have seen a decline in stats. If they can right this ship we will see him around next season if not I am sure there will be an opening in another city.
New York Knicks
Current Record: 7-15
Projected Record: 30-52
The fans are not happy in New York. This franchise has won two championships to date and the organization is not accustomed to this type of play. The Knicks are being outscored by opponents by over 4 points per game. Their leading scorers are veterans, Derrick Williams & Ty Lawson, as well as an older rookie who is making an early impact, Jack Popp. This is another team with youth as the majority of their roster, having only 2 players over the age of 25. This franchise can be turned around fast and is expected to within the next few seasons.
Orlando Magic
Current Record: 7-17
Projected Record: 24-58
The Orlando Magic was taken over by UOSL4 newcomer, kyamamoto333, in the offseason. This team needs to be ripped apart and start over again. Not one player is averaging over 20 PPG and their auto 1st round draft pick this year, Miquan Patton, looks to be mediocre ATM. The Magic need a top selection out of this year’s draft and to rebuild desperately in order to get this team up to contender status.
Philadelphia 76ers
Current Record: 14-13
Projected Record: 47-53
The 76er’s are better than their 14-13 record suggests. Their two top players, Shaquille Cleare and Perry Jones, are leading the team in scoring as well as rebounding. IMO Perry is one of if not the best PF’s in the league scoring 33 points and grabbing 13 rebounds over 38 minutes of play. The blatant weakness for Philadelphia is at the PG. An aging Chris Paul starts for the 76er’s and Myck Kabongo also plays the point. Both players have TO troubles and subpar scoring. SG also could be some trouble going forward. Shaw and Perry need some reputable teammates around them in order to return to previous form.
Washington Wizards
Current Record: 10-12
Projected Record: 34-48
The Wizards look to be stuck in the middle this season. Top scorers in Washington consist of Center, Tanveer Bhullar, as well as Shooting Guard, Gordon Hayward. Both players are averaging over 23 PPG. Hayward has been an incredible 6th man for the Wizards in the past. Lucas Nogueira has been injured for the majority of the season so far and his defensive abilities are missed. Their sole 1st round pick in the 2021 draft was Center, Riki Kodanko, and it was a pick based strictly on potential. After his first TC the future is not looking good for this rookie. The future of this franchise is uncertain.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Atlanta Hawks
Current Record: 17-7
Projected Record: 61-21
The Atlanta Hawks are a well put together team. They are lead by their SG duo of Wayne Blackshear & Tyreke Evans who are scoring 34 and 20 PPG, respectively. CJ Leslie at the SF position is also a heavy contributor with 17 PPG and puts up defensive stats as well. The majority of their success can be attributed to their dominance on defense. Every player has at least a B rating in the defensive category. That is not every starter, that is EVERY player on the roster. The Hawks are outscoring their opponents by an average of 8 points per game.
Charlotte Bobcats
Current Record: 12-13
Projected Record: 28-54
The Bobcats do not have any standout players. It is more of a team effort than a few major contributors. Cole Aldrich, Anthony Davis, and Caiden Garner lead the team in points per game with around 15 each. Vijay Blackmon was selected in the most recent draft and looks to be an up and coming starter. The Bobcats need some direction. They should dump a majority of these players and look to the future by trying to get a top lotto.
Chicago Bulls
Current Record: 12-15
Projected Record: 29-53
Chicago is led by a soon to retire LeBron James and an aging star in Derrick Rose. The Bulls are being outscored by over 4 points per game. They currently have a high payroll, $76,931,508, to be exact. At the end of this season 11 out of 12 players are expiring and it will free up over 34 million in cap space. The only player not expiring is standout Brandon Ashley who does it all. It would be ideal to resign Rose, make some good FA pickups and get a top pick in the draft but it is hard to dump these large salaries. The Bulls need a sense of direction and they need it fast.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Current Record: 12-12
Projected Record: 41-41
The Cavaliers are scoring the same amount as they give up, 107. They are on their way to the mediocre season getting to exactly .500. Johnny O’Bryant, Dwight Howard, and Kemba Walker lead this team in the main categories. This team should be over .500 at this point and could turn it around in the future. Ricky Council is starting to impress this season with over 17 PPG and 6 rebounds. The Cavs have had around 5 close loses which attribute to their 12-12 record. I think they will finish the season above .500.
Detroit Pistons
Current Record: 12-15
Projected Record: 37-45
What happened to this Piston’s squad? They were once a formidable contender and now they are looking to tank. Drummond and Joseph are the standouts on this team followed closely by Hairston and Egwu. Their pick this year was owed to the Bulls but forfeited due to the HC penalty. The Pistons need to make some moves to improve their direction. We’ll see if Detroit’s future can be turned around and how quickly.
Indiana Pacers
Current Record: 16-9
Projected Record: 49-33
The Pacer’s star is SG Will Barton who leads this team with 34 PPG and adding in 2 SPG. Shlevin Mack puts up good stat lines as well averaging a double double with 23 PPG / 10 APG. Harrison Barnes rounds out this scoring trio with 18 PPG. The Pacers roster is full of good players, especially on defense which is why I am surprised they are giving up only 3 points less than what they score. The Pacer’s will make some noise in the playoffs as they did last year.
Milwaukee Bucks
Current Record: 21-9
Projected Record: 63-19
The Bucks started off incredibly hot with a 9-0 first sim. Jabrai Parker is a young stud that does it all. He scores, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks at amazing numbers to have a complete game. Parker and Batum lead the team in scoring and Ian Miller is not far behind. The Bucks are outscoring their opponents by 9 points per game. A large margin compared to most teams. Milwaukee looks like a top contender in the Eastern Conference and second to the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors
Current Record: 21-3
Projected Record: 74-8
The Raptors are off to a hell of a start over the first few sims. They have a lot of the right pieces on their roster. Newly acquired Kasey Hill & James Harden have not failed to impress. Antonio Prince at the SG is an excellent addition as well scoring a team high 28 points and a league leading 3.1 steals per game. Patterson and Monroe contribute in the paint grabbing rebounds and scoring when needed. Deandre Liggins is also new to the team and his impact has yet to be seen. All of the major pieces are locked into deals that could see Toronto winning championships for a few years to come. A final record of 74-8 is unlikely but when you are outscoring your opponents by 18 points anything is possible.
Projected Eastern Conference Standings:
*Raptors 74-8
*Bucks 63-19
*Hawks 61-21
*Pacers 49-33
*76ers 47-35
*Cavaliers 41-41
*Nets 41-41
*Pistons 37-45
Wizards 34-48
Knicks 30-52
Bulls 29-53
Bobcats 28-54
Celtics 27-55
Heat 26-56
Magic 24-58
*Playoff Bound
