Post by heelsguy25 on Feb 1, 2011 20:23:42 GMT -5
The following article is pretty self explanatory. We will take a look at teams who are playing good ball, and teams who need to go back to the drawing board. We will take a look at both conferences. We will have a new issue of this after every couple of sims. The opinions in this article are purely based on what our staff sees. This may be more than simple cooler talk around the league.
Who's Hot
New Jersey Nets
Record: 8-5 (T-4th in East)
Last 10 games: 8-2 (7 game win streak)
Starting Lineup: Stephon Marbury, Ron Artest, Gerald Wallace, Stromile Swift, Anderson Varejao
The Nets have been playing superb ball as of late. they have won 8 of their last 10. they started the season 0-3, but have since earned 8 victories. In their 3 opening losses they only averaged 88 pts per game. they went on a 7 game winning streak and in that time averaged 11 points per game. The play of Stephon Marbury and Tim Thomas was a big reason for the spike in wins for this team. Unfortunately, Tim Thomas has gone down with an extensive hernia injury and will be out for another 37 days. The nets may have a hard time finding a solid replacement for the energy Thomas brings every night. It looks like the Nets GM will plan to shift Stromile Swift to PF. Swift has played well as the starting C, but can Varejao step in as a viable replacement for Swift at C? The Nets are currently tied with Miami for 4th in the East. They have a tough stretch next sim. They will be facing 4 teams with above .500 records. Their hot streak as of late could carry over.
Seattle Supersonics
Record: 10-5 (3rd in West)
Last 10 games: 7-3 (currently on 4 game win streak)
Starting Lineup: Jason Kidd, Jerry Stackhouse, Shawn Marion, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vladimir Stepania
It has been heavily documented that the Sonics could be in for changes since they unloaded Kobe Bryant. The Sonics GM has stuck to his guns about how good this team is, and so far, he is looking like a genius. If we had to vote early for GM of the Year, he would surely get our vote. He has made this team a serious contender. The play of Jason Kidd and Jerry Stackhouse are largely accountable for their success. The Sonics were near the bottom of the standing after sim 1, but have gotten their act together and are one of the best teams in the league now. The only things holding the Sonics back could be the lack of scoring from Stepania and Marion.
New York Knicks
Record: 9-4 (1st in East)
Last 10 games: 7-3 (3 game win streak)
Starting Lineup: Chris Paul, Manu Ginobili, Tracy McGrady, Udonis Haslem, Amare Stoudamire
The Knicks have been a pleasant surprise this season. The Knicks GM is happy with the start, except for the play from Chris Paul. Paul was touted as superstar in the making, but as yet to show it. Thankfully for the Knicks, Tracy McGrady is playing superb. Some wonder why he isn't being mentioned as a MVP candidate. It seems that Manu Ginboli is clearly a bust. Some thought he would shine in a new setting, but has not impressed. The Knicks are a very good rebounding team, currently 2nd in the entire league. The play of Amare Stoudemire is what we expected. Look for New York to continue its hot play, unless a major injury hits. Its not normal to see New York at the top of the mountain, but for now, we will take it.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 12-2 (1st in West)
Last 10 games: 8-2 (5 game win streak)
Starting Lineup: Steve Blake, Lenny Cooke, Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin Garnett, Adonal Foyle
The Timberwolves are scorching hot. They have regained their title as ruler in the Western Conference. We can not say we are shocked by this. The one uber bright spot of this team is Lenny Cooke. Cooke is the type of player most teams wish to have. he fought tooth in nail while in the D League for 2 seasons, and is getting rewarded with starter minutes. He has done nothing but impress thus far. KG is KG, so no need to talk much about him. Minnesota should remain hot all year and stat atop the standings out West.
Who's Not
Sacramento Kings
Record: 2-7 (13th in West)
Last 10 games: 2-7 (5 game losing streak)
Starting Lineup: Sebastian Telfair, Brandon Roy, Josh Smith, Amir Johnson, Alonzo Mourning
this team has not played as many games as most teams, so not sure a full grade can be given on their play. We don't like what we see thus far though. this team is young, despite one flaw. Big (bo)Zo. It seems that Mourning is trying to fit in with the younger guys, with no success. this team is being led by Josh Smith, who is playing out of his mind this ear. Brandon Roy, suggested by many to be ROY has not lived up to the hype. this team lacks energy and should struggle unless we believe in miracles.
Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 3-12 (15th in East)
Last 10 games: 3-7 (2 game losing streak)
Starting Lineup: Devin Harris, Kelena Azubuike, Rudy Gay, David Lee, Marc Gasol
The following comes straight form the horse's mouth "We are awful". That is the words uttered recently by the 76ers GM. He doesn't see this team competing this season, but loves its future outlook. The team traded away what we considered their best scoring threat in Eddy Curry. The 76ers have tons of young talent, but they cant seem to find a consistency. We hate to put them in this category, but as the title stats, they are not playing hot.
Denver Nuggets
Record: 6-10 (12 in West)
Last 10 games: 3-7 (3 game losing streak)
Starting Lineup: Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Antawn Jamison, Antonio McDyess, Jerome James
Okay, so we have said it before, but why is this team bad? If we only made the standings up by what the team looked like on paper, this team would not be this bad. They are full of veterans, which usually relates to wins. Not for this team. The main issue may be their defense. According to our statisticians, the Nuggets are the 4th worst team in opponent's points per game. That will not win you many games. On the flip side, they are 9th in points per game. if the GM can find a spark to get the defense playing better a hot streak could be in the cards for this club. They play hot come mid-season, but we are doubting that this season.
Charlotte Hornets
Record: 4-10 (14th in East)
Last 10 games: 3-7
Starting Lineup: Shaun Livingston, Monta Ellis, Hedo Turkoglu, Eddy Curry, Erick Dampier
The Hornets are another up and coming team. The play of rookie Monta Ellis has been impressive. As mentioned earlier, the Hornets were apart of a deal with fellow Eastern Conference foe Philadelphia. Acquiring Eddy Curry seems to be a questionable move. They had a young stud in Chris Bosh at PF, but were not content with him. The play of this team may pick up once the team gels more. The GM is trying to move other pieces to make that transition faster. Like Denver, the Hornets are an awful defensive team, giving up over 106 points per contest.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Who's Hot/Who's Not..
Who's Hot
New Jersey Nets
Record: 8-5 (T-4th in East)
Last 10 games: 8-2 (7 game win streak)
Starting Lineup: Stephon Marbury, Ron Artest, Gerald Wallace, Stromile Swift, Anderson Varejao
The Nets have been playing superb ball as of late. they have won 8 of their last 10. they started the season 0-3, but have since earned 8 victories. In their 3 opening losses they only averaged 88 pts per game. they went on a 7 game winning streak and in that time averaged 11 points per game. The play of Stephon Marbury and Tim Thomas was a big reason for the spike in wins for this team. Unfortunately, Tim Thomas has gone down with an extensive hernia injury and will be out for another 37 days. The nets may have a hard time finding a solid replacement for the energy Thomas brings every night. It looks like the Nets GM will plan to shift Stromile Swift to PF. Swift has played well as the starting C, but can Varejao step in as a viable replacement for Swift at C? The Nets are currently tied with Miami for 4th in the East. They have a tough stretch next sim. They will be facing 4 teams with above .500 records. Their hot streak as of late could carry over.
Seattle Supersonics
Record: 10-5 (3rd in West)
Last 10 games: 7-3 (currently on 4 game win streak)
Starting Lineup: Jason Kidd, Jerry Stackhouse, Shawn Marion, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vladimir Stepania
It has been heavily documented that the Sonics could be in for changes since they unloaded Kobe Bryant. The Sonics GM has stuck to his guns about how good this team is, and so far, he is looking like a genius. If we had to vote early for GM of the Year, he would surely get our vote. He has made this team a serious contender. The play of Jason Kidd and Jerry Stackhouse are largely accountable for their success. The Sonics were near the bottom of the standing after sim 1, but have gotten their act together and are one of the best teams in the league now. The only things holding the Sonics back could be the lack of scoring from Stepania and Marion.
New York Knicks
Record: 9-4 (1st in East)
Last 10 games: 7-3 (3 game win streak)
Starting Lineup: Chris Paul, Manu Ginobili, Tracy McGrady, Udonis Haslem, Amare Stoudamire
The Knicks have been a pleasant surprise this season. The Knicks GM is happy with the start, except for the play from Chris Paul. Paul was touted as superstar in the making, but as yet to show it. Thankfully for the Knicks, Tracy McGrady is playing superb. Some wonder why he isn't being mentioned as a MVP candidate. It seems that Manu Ginboli is clearly a bust. Some thought he would shine in a new setting, but has not impressed. The Knicks are a very good rebounding team, currently 2nd in the entire league. The play of Amare Stoudemire is what we expected. Look for New York to continue its hot play, unless a major injury hits. Its not normal to see New York at the top of the mountain, but for now, we will take it.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 12-2 (1st in West)
Last 10 games: 8-2 (5 game win streak)
Starting Lineup: Steve Blake, Lenny Cooke, Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin Garnett, Adonal Foyle
The Timberwolves are scorching hot. They have regained their title as ruler in the Western Conference. We can not say we are shocked by this. The one uber bright spot of this team is Lenny Cooke. Cooke is the type of player most teams wish to have. he fought tooth in nail while in the D League for 2 seasons, and is getting rewarded with starter minutes. He has done nothing but impress thus far. KG is KG, so no need to talk much about him. Minnesota should remain hot all year and stat atop the standings out West.
Who's Not
Sacramento Kings
Record: 2-7 (13th in West)
Last 10 games: 2-7 (5 game losing streak)
Starting Lineup: Sebastian Telfair, Brandon Roy, Josh Smith, Amir Johnson, Alonzo Mourning
this team has not played as many games as most teams, so not sure a full grade can be given on their play. We don't like what we see thus far though. this team is young, despite one flaw. Big (bo)Zo. It seems that Mourning is trying to fit in with the younger guys, with no success. this team is being led by Josh Smith, who is playing out of his mind this ear. Brandon Roy, suggested by many to be ROY has not lived up to the hype. this team lacks energy and should struggle unless we believe in miracles.
Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 3-12 (15th in East)
Last 10 games: 3-7 (2 game losing streak)
Starting Lineup: Devin Harris, Kelena Azubuike, Rudy Gay, David Lee, Marc Gasol
The following comes straight form the horse's mouth "We are awful". That is the words uttered recently by the 76ers GM. He doesn't see this team competing this season, but loves its future outlook. The team traded away what we considered their best scoring threat in Eddy Curry. The 76ers have tons of young talent, but they cant seem to find a consistency. We hate to put them in this category, but as the title stats, they are not playing hot.
Denver Nuggets
Record: 6-10 (12 in West)
Last 10 games: 3-7 (3 game losing streak)
Starting Lineup: Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Antawn Jamison, Antonio McDyess, Jerome James
Okay, so we have said it before, but why is this team bad? If we only made the standings up by what the team looked like on paper, this team would not be this bad. They are full of veterans, which usually relates to wins. Not for this team. The main issue may be their defense. According to our statisticians, the Nuggets are the 4th worst team in opponent's points per game. That will not win you many games. On the flip side, they are 9th in points per game. if the GM can find a spark to get the defense playing better a hot streak could be in the cards for this club. They play hot come mid-season, but we are doubting that this season.
Charlotte Hornets
Record: 4-10 (14th in East)
Last 10 games: 3-7
Starting Lineup: Shaun Livingston, Monta Ellis, Hedo Turkoglu, Eddy Curry, Erick Dampier
The Hornets are another up and coming team. The play of rookie Monta Ellis has been impressive. As mentioned earlier, the Hornets were apart of a deal with fellow Eastern Conference foe Philadelphia. Acquiring Eddy Curry seems to be a questionable move. They had a young stud in Chris Bosh at PF, but were not content with him. The play of this team may pick up once the team gels more. The GM is trying to move other pieces to make that transition faster. Like Denver, the Hornets are an awful defensive team, giving up over 106 points per contest.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Who's Hot/Who's Not..
