Post by MeanJoe on May 30, 2011 23:27:49 GMT -5
Western Conference Projected:
MIDWEST DIVISION
Dallas Mavericks
Current Record: 14-10
Projected Record: 51-31
The Dallas Mavericks are a possible team to be CY at the end of next season. I feel that the Mavs will be able to win 42 or Playoffs this year and next to renew it. The front court led by Enes Kanter and followed by Cassius Copeland and Robert Carter have been performing well recently. I changed to an outside based offense and my wings of Pinson and Jakstas have put up points as well as Fredette. McCullough has been a nice pick blocking nearly 2 shots per game at the wing is appreciated. This team needs to play better positional defense and limit the amount of points they give up going forward. A 50 win projected season? I’d much prefer that.
Denver Nuggets
Current Record: 4-19
Projected Record: 6-76
The Nuggets are being outscored by opponents by nearly 20 points per game. This squad is not having any success and is unfortunate that they do not own their next two picks. This teams pick can be considered a high lotto this year and the next. Stephen Curry runs the point for this Nuggets squad and does a great job by averaging 24 points and 7 assists per game. Isaiah Austin has also performed well since being acquired from the Trailblazers. Austin is averaging 17 points and nearly 13 rebounds per game. The rest of the Nuggets are nothing out of the ordinary and they are right below the HC. LOL at this team only getting 2 more wins over the next 75%+ of the season.
Houston Rockets
Current Record: 15-12
Projected Record: 44-38
The Rockets are led by PG John Wall who is scoring over 27 PPG and also getting over 9 dishes. Abram Rogers is averaging a double-double and Daniel Walton is putting up a decent 15 PPG in his second season. Ricardo Ledo has not seen playing time this season which is questionable. The Rockets won the championship in recent season but I do not see this team competing at a higher level right now. May need to make some trades and make a push.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Current Record: 11-15
Projected Record: 38-44
Timberwolves are led by their SF duo of Kyle Wiltjer and Chris Thomas. Both are formidable SF’s by scoring over 20 PPG and Kyle pairs the points with 10 RPG. Minnesota’s Center, Reynaldo Baldwin averages a double-double while blocking over 3 shots per game. Darwin Drake is a SG who averages nearly 20 PPG as well. Their 1st round pick from the most recent draft, PG Reontre Lawrence, has made a big impact early on with the team. This team is near the break even point when comparing points for and points against.
San Antonio Spurs
Current Record: 6-11
Projected Record: 32-50
The Spurs two best scorers also happen to be SF’s. Jordan Hamilton is scoring nearly 30 PPG as well as 13 rebounds per game. Kevin Durant puts up nearly 19 PPG. Jared Sullinger is expiring and is also a major contributor at the Center position scoring over 17 PPG, 12 RPG, and over 2.5 blocks per game. Khadeem Lattin still looks like a great pick in the 2nd round. On major flaw with this squad is the amount of times they turn the ball over as a team, nearly 15 per game. They could also improve on defense considering they give up nearly 115 PPG.
Utah Jazz
Current Record: 17-10
Projected Record: 64-18
The Jazz have one of the best players available in the league in A.J. Hammons. The paid of Hammons and Teague have led this team to a finals appearance and some good playoff runs in recent history. Hammons is averaging nearly 32 PPG while grabbing 14 rebounds and getting defense stats of a combined 4.6 Steals+Blocks per game. Teague puts up a consistent 27/12 at the point and Gilchrist/Hairston round out the top contributors on this squad. The Jazz are outscoring their opponents by over 10 PPG The Jazz have the C, SF, and PG positions covered but they are in need of a PF and a SG, mores o a PF though. This team can still make noise in the Playoffs and would not be surprising to see them in the Finals.
Memphis Grizzlies
Current Record: 15-9
Projected Record: 66-16
The Grizzlies are looking great on the offensive front which is led by Jeremy Hollowell and Patric Young both of which were acquired in previous season. Hollowell is putting up over 27 PPG, Young is adding 22 PPG and over 12 RPG for the team. Larry Austin is another young PG who looks like a good play at the point. Austin is nearing the 20 PPG mark while getting over 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals per game. Hamilton Jr. is also averaging a double-double. Memphis is leading the league in Points For with 121.2 PPG and outscores their opponents by over 11 PPG. This is a well assembled squad and will be enjoyable to see how far this team goes.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Golden State Warriors
Current Record: 15-14
Projected Record: 42-40
The defending champions are not looking like they are going to come any where close to a repeat. They have nearly lost as many games less than a 1/3 into the season than they did over the entire season last year. Nolan Hays is a superstar carrying this team with nearly 33 PPG and 2.4 steals per game. Brandon Jennings has seen a large decline in his stats compared to previous seasons. The Warriors do get stats on defense both on the high end for steals and blocks per game. This team is barely outscoring their opponents by less than one per game. They need to make moves quick in order to turn this squad around and back into a playoff contending team.
Los Angles Clippers
Current Record: 5-17
Projected Record: 13-69
The Clippers are one of many tanking teams in the West. The Clippers are being outscored by over 12 per game. Rudy Gay is the standout on this team and is a very good player despite his age. Gay is scoring 30 PPG and getting nearly 10 RPG for this aging team. Deacon Boyer looks like a decent double-double kind of guy with a few blocks a game. The Clippers have decided to stay on for one more season in order to show what this team is capable of but it does not look promising. Not to mention the Clippers have traded away their picks for a few years and it looks like their successor will not have much to work with. Things are looking bad in California.
**A Change in GM's has the Clippers organization happy but their is a lot of work to be done.
Los Angles Lakers
Current Record: 15-10
Projected Record: 39-43
The Lakers are 5 games above .500 but only narrowly outscoring their opponents by a little over 1 per game. DaKari Johnson and Chace Cabrera fill up the paint and are a great pair upfront. Johnson is a young stud scoring nearly 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Cabrera puts up 16 points and 12 rebounds per game. NPL is an up and coming starter scoring over 16 PPG but his turnovers are a worry leading the league with 3.7 per game. Jordair Jett looks like a great player early on and is already showing his worth. This team is not ready to compete ATM but soon for sure.
Phoenix Suns
Current Record: 3-19
Projected Record: 11-71
The Suns are horrible. They are not going in the right direction but could be soon, it depends on the GM’s approach. Being outscored by over 12 PPG is expected for this squad. They are leading the league in turnovers per game with over 15. Randle, Hartman, and Oliver look like decent players and Biedrins is good at the center but most likely retiring in the next few seasons. The biggest advantage that the Suns have is that they have a large amount of expiring and could make some moves in the offseason. Not much is expected from the Suns the next few seasons but at least they have their picks.
Portland Trailblazers
Current Record: 16-9
Projected Record: 53-29
Portland has made a few significant trades early into the season. Their prized player, Kasey Hill +, was sent packing in return for Shaqquan Aaron, Andrew Wiggins, +. Aaron and Wiggins are great additions to this team with both scoring nearly 18 PPG. Wiggins is dirty on defense putting up some nice numbers in terms of steals and blocks. Quincy Miller plays well at the PF position with over 21 PPG and 7 RPG. The Trailblazers look to need a center that plays on both ends of the court. Portland is outscoring their opponents by over 4.5 PPG. This team recently traded McAdoo for a couple of rookies. The Trailblazers look to be a squad that will be a playoff seed but not much more.
Sacramento Kings
Current Record: 6-15
Projected Record: 20-62
The Kings are a tanking team and they love it. With a 6-15 record early on it looks like this organization will have a top lotto selection. Sacramento is being outscored by over 8 PPG but do have a good amount of youth on the team. Brandon Knight is tearing it up with the Kings averaging nearly 29 PPG and 2.3 SPG. These numbers are inflated due to this team being really poor offensively. SF, Aaron Harrison is also looking good getting over 17 PPG and 2 blocks. Joey Williams was selected in last years draft as a lotto selection and has exploded in TC but he has not simmed up to par with his ratings…probably in the upcoming years we will see the translation. The Kings need help in the paint and it would not surprise many to see a PF/C go early in the upcoming draft for Sacramento.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Current Record: 19-2
Projected Record: 72-10
The Thunder are a complete team. All three of their centers rebound very well, block shots, and play good defense in general. In fact this team does not lack defense. The entire team as great defensive attributes and the Thunder only give up 97.4 PPG which is good for second best in the league. On the offensive side the Thunder put up 112.5 PPG for a variance of over 15. There is a good mix of veteran players as well as great young players. Brad Beal leads the team in points with nearly 26 per game. Tony Farmer is averaging over 20 PPG and nearly 14 RPG. Harrison and Tripp are great scoring and rebound additions. George Hill has also been an active contributor on offense for Oklahoma City. Early on it looks like this team has nothing to complain about and barring substantial injuries should be a top contender to bring home the championship.
Projected Western Conference Standings:
*Thunder 72-10
*Grizzlies 66-16
*Jazz 64-18
*Trailblazers 53-29
*Mavericks 51-31
*Rockets 44-38
*Warriors 42-40
*Lakers 39-43
Timberwolves 38-44
Spurs 32-50
Kings 20-62
Clippers 13-69
Suns 11-71
Nuggets 6-76
*Playoff Bound
______________________________________________________
Projected Lotto Picks:
13- Pistons
12- Wizards
11- Spurs
10- Knicks
9- Bulls
8- Bobcats
7- Celtics
6- Heat
5- Magic
4- Kings
3- Clipper
2- Suns
1- Nuggets
MIDWEST DIVISION
Dallas Mavericks
Current Record: 14-10
Projected Record: 51-31
The Dallas Mavericks are a possible team to be CY at the end of next season. I feel that the Mavs will be able to win 42 or Playoffs this year and next to renew it. The front court led by Enes Kanter and followed by Cassius Copeland and Robert Carter have been performing well recently. I changed to an outside based offense and my wings of Pinson and Jakstas have put up points as well as Fredette. McCullough has been a nice pick blocking nearly 2 shots per game at the wing is appreciated. This team needs to play better positional defense and limit the amount of points they give up going forward. A 50 win projected season? I’d much prefer that.
Denver Nuggets
Current Record: 4-19
Projected Record: 6-76
The Nuggets are being outscored by opponents by nearly 20 points per game. This squad is not having any success and is unfortunate that they do not own their next two picks. This teams pick can be considered a high lotto this year and the next. Stephen Curry runs the point for this Nuggets squad and does a great job by averaging 24 points and 7 assists per game. Isaiah Austin has also performed well since being acquired from the Trailblazers. Austin is averaging 17 points and nearly 13 rebounds per game. The rest of the Nuggets are nothing out of the ordinary and they are right below the HC. LOL at this team only getting 2 more wins over the next 75%+ of the season.
Houston Rockets
Current Record: 15-12
Projected Record: 44-38
The Rockets are led by PG John Wall who is scoring over 27 PPG and also getting over 9 dishes. Abram Rogers is averaging a double-double and Daniel Walton is putting up a decent 15 PPG in his second season. Ricardo Ledo has not seen playing time this season which is questionable. The Rockets won the championship in recent season but I do not see this team competing at a higher level right now. May need to make some trades and make a push.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Current Record: 11-15
Projected Record: 38-44
Timberwolves are led by their SF duo of Kyle Wiltjer and Chris Thomas. Both are formidable SF’s by scoring over 20 PPG and Kyle pairs the points with 10 RPG. Minnesota’s Center, Reynaldo Baldwin averages a double-double while blocking over 3 shots per game. Darwin Drake is a SG who averages nearly 20 PPG as well. Their 1st round pick from the most recent draft, PG Reontre Lawrence, has made a big impact early on with the team. This team is near the break even point when comparing points for and points against.
San Antonio Spurs
Current Record: 6-11
Projected Record: 32-50
The Spurs two best scorers also happen to be SF’s. Jordan Hamilton is scoring nearly 30 PPG as well as 13 rebounds per game. Kevin Durant puts up nearly 19 PPG. Jared Sullinger is expiring and is also a major contributor at the Center position scoring over 17 PPG, 12 RPG, and over 2.5 blocks per game. Khadeem Lattin still looks like a great pick in the 2nd round. On major flaw with this squad is the amount of times they turn the ball over as a team, nearly 15 per game. They could also improve on defense considering they give up nearly 115 PPG.
Utah Jazz
Current Record: 17-10
Projected Record: 64-18
The Jazz have one of the best players available in the league in A.J. Hammons. The paid of Hammons and Teague have led this team to a finals appearance and some good playoff runs in recent history. Hammons is averaging nearly 32 PPG while grabbing 14 rebounds and getting defense stats of a combined 4.6 Steals+Blocks per game. Teague puts up a consistent 27/12 at the point and Gilchrist/Hairston round out the top contributors on this squad. The Jazz are outscoring their opponents by over 10 PPG The Jazz have the C, SF, and PG positions covered but they are in need of a PF and a SG, mores o a PF though. This team can still make noise in the Playoffs and would not be surprising to see them in the Finals.
Memphis Grizzlies
Current Record: 15-9
Projected Record: 66-16
The Grizzlies are looking great on the offensive front which is led by Jeremy Hollowell and Patric Young both of which were acquired in previous season. Hollowell is putting up over 27 PPG, Young is adding 22 PPG and over 12 RPG for the team. Larry Austin is another young PG who looks like a good play at the point. Austin is nearing the 20 PPG mark while getting over 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals per game. Hamilton Jr. is also averaging a double-double. Memphis is leading the league in Points For with 121.2 PPG and outscores their opponents by over 11 PPG. This is a well assembled squad and will be enjoyable to see how far this team goes.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Golden State Warriors
Current Record: 15-14
Projected Record: 42-40
The defending champions are not looking like they are going to come any where close to a repeat. They have nearly lost as many games less than a 1/3 into the season than they did over the entire season last year. Nolan Hays is a superstar carrying this team with nearly 33 PPG and 2.4 steals per game. Brandon Jennings has seen a large decline in his stats compared to previous seasons. The Warriors do get stats on defense both on the high end for steals and blocks per game. This team is barely outscoring their opponents by less than one per game. They need to make moves quick in order to turn this squad around and back into a playoff contending team.
Los Angles Clippers
Current Record: 5-17
Projected Record: 13-69
The Clippers are one of many tanking teams in the West. The Clippers are being outscored by over 12 per game. Rudy Gay is the standout on this team and is a very good player despite his age. Gay is scoring 30 PPG and getting nearly 10 RPG for this aging team. Deacon Boyer looks like a decent double-double kind of guy with a few blocks a game. The Clippers have decided to stay on for one more season in order to show what this team is capable of but it does not look promising. Not to mention the Clippers have traded away their picks for a few years and it looks like their successor will not have much to work with. Things are looking bad in California.
**A Change in GM's has the Clippers organization happy but their is a lot of work to be done.
Los Angles Lakers
Current Record: 15-10
Projected Record: 39-43
The Lakers are 5 games above .500 but only narrowly outscoring their opponents by a little over 1 per game. DaKari Johnson and Chace Cabrera fill up the paint and are a great pair upfront. Johnson is a young stud scoring nearly 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Cabrera puts up 16 points and 12 rebounds per game. NPL is an up and coming starter scoring over 16 PPG but his turnovers are a worry leading the league with 3.7 per game. Jordair Jett looks like a great player early on and is already showing his worth. This team is not ready to compete ATM but soon for sure.
Phoenix Suns
Current Record: 3-19
Projected Record: 11-71
The Suns are horrible. They are not going in the right direction but could be soon, it depends on the GM’s approach. Being outscored by over 12 PPG is expected for this squad. They are leading the league in turnovers per game with over 15. Randle, Hartman, and Oliver look like decent players and Biedrins is good at the center but most likely retiring in the next few seasons. The biggest advantage that the Suns have is that they have a large amount of expiring and could make some moves in the offseason. Not much is expected from the Suns the next few seasons but at least they have their picks.
Portland Trailblazers
Current Record: 16-9
Projected Record: 53-29
Portland has made a few significant trades early into the season. Their prized player, Kasey Hill +, was sent packing in return for Shaqquan Aaron, Andrew Wiggins, +. Aaron and Wiggins are great additions to this team with both scoring nearly 18 PPG. Wiggins is dirty on defense putting up some nice numbers in terms of steals and blocks. Quincy Miller plays well at the PF position with over 21 PPG and 7 RPG. The Trailblazers look to need a center that plays on both ends of the court. Portland is outscoring their opponents by over 4.5 PPG. This team recently traded McAdoo for a couple of rookies. The Trailblazers look to be a squad that will be a playoff seed but not much more.
Sacramento Kings
Current Record: 6-15
Projected Record: 20-62
The Kings are a tanking team and they love it. With a 6-15 record early on it looks like this organization will have a top lotto selection. Sacramento is being outscored by over 8 PPG but do have a good amount of youth on the team. Brandon Knight is tearing it up with the Kings averaging nearly 29 PPG and 2.3 SPG. These numbers are inflated due to this team being really poor offensively. SF, Aaron Harrison is also looking good getting over 17 PPG and 2 blocks. Joey Williams was selected in last years draft as a lotto selection and has exploded in TC but he has not simmed up to par with his ratings…probably in the upcoming years we will see the translation. The Kings need help in the paint and it would not surprise many to see a PF/C go early in the upcoming draft for Sacramento.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Current Record: 19-2
Projected Record: 72-10
The Thunder are a complete team. All three of their centers rebound very well, block shots, and play good defense in general. In fact this team does not lack defense. The entire team as great defensive attributes and the Thunder only give up 97.4 PPG which is good for second best in the league. On the offensive side the Thunder put up 112.5 PPG for a variance of over 15. There is a good mix of veteran players as well as great young players. Brad Beal leads the team in points with nearly 26 per game. Tony Farmer is averaging over 20 PPG and nearly 14 RPG. Harrison and Tripp are great scoring and rebound additions. George Hill has also been an active contributor on offense for Oklahoma City. Early on it looks like this team has nothing to complain about and barring substantial injuries should be a top contender to bring home the championship.
Projected Western Conference Standings:
*Thunder 72-10
*Grizzlies 66-16
*Jazz 64-18
*Trailblazers 53-29
*Mavericks 51-31
*Rockets 44-38
*Warriors 42-40
*Lakers 39-43
Timberwolves 38-44
Spurs 32-50
Kings 20-62
Clippers 13-69
Suns 11-71
Nuggets 6-76
*Playoff Bound
______________________________________________________
Projected Lotto Picks:
13- Pistons
12- Wizards
11- Spurs
10- Knicks
9- Bulls
8- Bobcats
7- Celtics
6- Heat
5- Magic
4- Kings
3- Clipper
2- Suns
1- Nuggets
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