Post by heelsguy25 on Dec 16, 2010 9:49:29 GMT -5
The 04-05 season is half over and better late than never are the rankings. Some teams have done a complete turn around, while others have slipped off their throne. The West is still the better conference, but some new teams are leading the way out West.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 35-15
Top Player: Kevin Garnett
The Timberwolves hold the top spot in the first edition of this year's rankings. Minnesota has entrenched itself as a top team in the entire league and should challenge for the title. With 4 players that average over 16 ppg, this team should have no problems scoring each and every night. Having a super sub like Lamar Odom doesn't hurt either. This team is a tough team to face every night, and will be on top of the rankings unless others decide to get on their level.
2. Portland Trailblazers
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 32-15
Top Player: Joe Johnson
Quite the turn around fro this club from last season. They drafted a young PG in Livingston but saw better options and ended up with Steve Francis. What a move by this GM. Ever since that trade, this club has been on fire. With Joe Johnson manning the scoring duties, this club has a lethal backcourt duo. Their frontcourt could use more firepower, but with Johnson lighting it up, does it matter? This team should hang around the top 3 in the West and could surprise some teams come playoff time.
3. Vancouver Grizzlies
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 28-14
Top Player: Allen Iverson
You see this correct, Vancouver not a top 2 team in the rankings. The Grizzlies have slipped a bit this year, some may think. We think it is because the West has become more than a 2 horse race like in past seasons. The Grizzlies are still a very very good team, but can they get past these other top teams and lead the West? A combo of Kidd and Iverson should be enough in itself. Iverson is leading the league in scoring, as usual, and Kidd is not only scoring the ball, but dishing it very well as always. The three headed monster in Canada should knock out the other competition come playoff time.
4. Seattle Supersonics
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 29-15
Top Player: Kobe Bryant
Another team that has done a 180 since last season. Seattle is led by MVP caliber player Kobe Bryant. Bryant can do it all, and has for this team all season. Resigning Eddie House was huge for this team as he is a great backup for Kobe and Stackhouse. The backcourt is very solid in Seattle, as the shots are raining, no pun intended, all night. Frontcourt issues may present themselves against bigger teams, but scoring will never be an issue with this team. The addition of Vladimir Stepania was huge, again no pun intended, as he is a double double guy every night. Look for Seattle to be among the top teams come playoff team. Kobe could lead this team deep into the playoffs.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 27-17
Top Player: Michael Olowokandi
In the middle of the pack are the Clippers. LA has gotten strong play from their top player, per usual. Jaric is coming along nicely, and should be considered a top PG in this league in another season or two. Michael Olowokandi is the man in the middle for this club, and is a big asset in their hopes of bring a title back to LA. Look for the Clippers to hang around the playoff picture and possibly make a small splash come playoff time. A solid starting five should get this team more wins then expected.
6. Golden State Warriors
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 22-19
Top Player: Robert Traylor
This club's GM has made some questionable moves this season thus far, but none bigger than the recent one. Bringing in the scoring of Jamal Mashburn should help this team stick around come playoff time. They started the year on a horrid pace, but have quickly battle back and stuck in the playoff race. The Warriors are led by the trio of Mashburn, Jamison and Robert Traylor. Traylor has been a very nice addition to this team, and should see another year in a Warrior uniform if the GM has anything to say about it. The frontcourt player of Biedrins and Pavel has been a nice addition as well.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 17-18
Top Player: Tim Duncan
Another double take kind of situation out West. The Lakers not a top team, what! LA may be in experiment mode this season. They have some young guys that they are trying to see how they fit, so far not the way they would have liked. This team is led by super big man Tim Duncan. Below .500 is not where the GM would have hoped this team would be halfway through the season, and may not get any better. This team needs to figure things out quick if they want to stick around in the playoff picture. The GM isn't a dummy and should right the ship ASAP.
8. Denver Nuggets
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 17-19
Top Player: Antonio McDyess
Sitting at #8 out West is the pesky Nuggets. This team had a hot start to the season last season, but faded a bit. Could another hot streak be in the works for this team? Denver is led by super forward Antonio McDyess. Getting some good play out of PG Billups is also key for this team to stick come playoff time.
9. Utah Jazz
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 17-19
Top Player: Chris Webber
The jJzz were once a basement team out West and have quickly become a serious threat for some top teams. New management was the best remedy for this club. With the latest additions to this club. Look for Utah to be a pesky out for some top team come playoff time. Chris Webber has been a nice addition thus far in Mormon country. The deal between the Jazz and Kings has so far played big dividends for one of those team, that being the Jazz.
10. Sacramento Kings
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 19-22
Top Player: Antoine Walker
Was moving Webber and Bibby the best move for this club? So far, hard to tell. they are not far off of the playoff race, but may slip further away if Yao and Parker don't step up. Their best player in Webber has been on the trade block for some time now, and front office personnel say he will be gone sooner than later. If that happens, this team may be back in its shambles state they were in not too long ago.
11. Dallas Mavericks
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 19-23
Top player: Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Dallas has made some moves, some better than others. Losing Francis may hurt this team this year, and could prevent them from making the playoffs. Adding Derek Anderson recently should help with the scoring though. the frontcourt of this team isn't very strong and likely will get outmatched by other frontocurts in the West. The Mavericks are in a transition period it seems and should be in one for a season or two. A new GM has taken over and will try and shape up things in Dallas sooner than later.
12. San Antonio Spurs
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 18-22
Top Player: Gary Payton
A team that was a middle of the road team last season that has fallen off the West wagon. Like the Mavericks this team lacks a dominant frontcourt. A solid backcourt is keeping this team afloat for sure. Look for this team to try and make a push for a playoff spot, but may come up short.
13. Houston Rockets
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 14-23
Top Player: Vince Carter
This team is young, enough said. led by a veteran player in Vince Carter. this team will be looking to better itself via the draft once again. They are a few years away from being a threat out West, if at all.
14. Phoenix Suns
Previous Rank: N/A
current record: 12-25
Top Player: Gilbert Arenas
This team landed the #1 pick in last year's draft and could do it again. Ouch. this team has almost won as many games as all of last season, so thats a bright spot. things will be very cloudy in Phoenix for years, unless the GM gets his act together.
The race for the 8th spot is tight and should not be decided until near the end of the season. Stay tuned for the next edition of the Western Conference rankings.
