Post by heelsguy25 on Nov 25, 2010 10:24:51 GMT -5
Edition #3 is upon us of the Western Conference Power Rankings. The West is all but settled. Teams are starting to separate themselves from one another. things near the bottom of the standings are still up for grabs. The next couple sims are huge for several teams.
The rankings provided are based on different factors. All opinions are just that, opinions.
1. Vancouver Grizzlies
Previous Rank: 1 Change: NA
current record: 43-16
previous record: 38-13
Top Player: Jason Kidd
Vancouver stays atop the rankings based on another solid sim and the play of Kidd and Shaq. Vancouver currently sits in 3rd again in the standings, but they are shifting back and forth from 3 and 1 every sim. Even if they land as the 3 seed, look for them to be heavy favorites to win it all.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
Previous Rank: 2 Change: NA
current record: 44-17
previous record: 38-16
Top Player: Kevin Garnett
The T-Wolves remain at 2, despite moving back atop the Western Conference. A near perfect sim has helped them propel atop the standings. We may need to start giving the Wolves more love, since they do nothing but win games. They go back and forth with Vancouver for the top spot in the Midwest Division. Lamar Odom playing multiple spots as a 6th man is a big reason for their success.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Previous Rank: 5 Change +2
current record: 39-18
previous record: 32-18
Top Player:
There is the Lakers team we know and love. A perfect sim has vaulted them to #3 out West. They are a very good team and proved it last sim. look for the Lakers strong play to continue next sim. They face some other playoff teams, but their only true test should come against Minnesota.
4. Dallas Mavericks
Previous Rank: 9 Change: +5
current record: 37-28
previous record: 30-25
Top Player: Rasheed Wallace
Another upward climb in the ranking by the Mavericks. Dallas had a very solid sim and have vaulted to #5 in the playoff race. Dallas is playing very good ball, at the right time. Look fore the strong play to continue from this club heading into the playoffs.
5. San Antonio Spurs
Previous Rank: 5 Change: -1
current record: 36-24
previous record: 29-21
Top Player: Tracy McGrady
The Spurs did what they needed to do to stat in the middle of the payoff hunt. They have separated themselves a bit form the other teams and should be locked in as the #4 team come playoff time. There is new management in town, and look for the new GM to continue to improve this team has the days count down this season.
6. Denver Nuggets
Previous Rank: 3 Change: -3
current record: 34-25
previous record: 31-22
Top Player: Antonio McDyess
The hot play of the Nuggets cooled down this previous sim. The Nuggets have slid down the playoff standings, and need to continue to play above average ball, or they could slide even further. Their hot play was an unseen thing, but they have come back to earth quickly.
7. Sacramento Kings
Previous Rank: 6 Change: -1
current record: 31-24
previous record: 28-20
Top Player: Chris Webber
Sacramento is hanging on. They had an average sim,. but still find themselves alive and kicking. They aren't apart of that jumbled mess, but could be if they don't win more big games. They face the Mavericks twice this upcoming sim, and they need to win to avoid being apart of a tangled playoff picture.
8. Houston Rockets
Previous Rank: 11 Change: +3
current record: 35-29
previous record: 31-26
Top Player: Vince Carter
The Rockets had an above average sim which finds them in the playoffs. Can they stick around long enough to potentially face the Grizzlies round one, or will they lose crucial games. Time will tell the fate of this up an down club.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
Previous Rank: 10 Change: +1
current record: 33-27
previous record: 32-27
Top Player: Marko Jaric
The Clippers are on the outside looking when it comes to the playoffs, but barely. They played one game this last sim, and it was a win. They face the Lakers 2 times next sim, but other than that have a what seems to be easy sim. Marko Jaric needs to step up big time this time of the ear.
10. Portland Trailblazers
Previous Rank: 8 Change: -2
current record: 31-27
previous record: 29-24
Top Player: Joe Johnson
The Blazers didn't do themselves any favor, by losing more games then they should have. They still look like a team that could nab the final playoff spot, but they need to have others step up. Joe Johnson can not be the only option for tis team to be successful.
11. Golden State Warriors
Previous Rank: 12 Change: +1
current record: 33-30
previous record: 30-26
Another disappointing sim from the Warriors. They lost more games by less than 2 pts. This team needs to get over the hump and finally get past teams this late in the season. The are a playoff team, but why are they not showing it? They moved up 1 spot in the rankings, but only because the Sonics played worse ball last sim.
12. Seattle Supersonics
Previous Rank: 7 Change: -5
current record: 34-32
previous record: 31-26
Top player: Kobe Bryant
The previous sim is one the Sonics hope to not remember. They have made their chances of earning a playoff spot seem even more of a challenge. The picture out West is becoming more clearer, and the Sonics look like a team that could miss the bus.
13. Utah Jazz
Previous Rank: 13 Change: NA
current record: 26-34
previous record: 23-31
Top Player: Yao Ming
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A better sim this go round for the Jazz. They are still awaiting the lottery however. This team could be under new management come next season.
14. Phoenix Suns
Previous Rank: 14 Change: NA
current record: 14-50
previous record: 14-45
Top Player: Gilbert Arenas
A winless sim. Could things get any worse for this team. Earth to the Suns GM, you need to start winning games pronto.
As you can see the West is a stuffy place to be nowadays. Things are becoming more clear out West,. but the final 3 spots are still up for grabs. Stay tuned for edition #4 in a short time.
