Post by heelsguy25 on Mar 7, 2011 20:36:55 GMT -5
The 07-08 season is nearing it's end and some teams have made great strides since the last edition, while others remain the Beasts of the East.
1. Boston Celtics
Previous Rank: 3 Change: +2
current record: 45-17
Top Player: Allen Iverson
Winners of 22 of their last 29 games. impressive. This team has been in a battle of words via Twitter and other media outlets with the Raptors GM for supremacy of the East. The Celtics are stacked, as are the Raptors. This team has veteran guys and could be the factor. Our experts are torn as to who will lead the East in the playoffs. Time will tell who is the top dog.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Previous Rank: 2 Change: N/A
current record: 42-23
Top Player: Carmelo Anthony
We were worried the Bucks would top off and eventually fade, but they have not done that. We are super proud of this team and they could dethrone the Celtics and Raptors in the playoffs. That would be quite the scene huh?
3. Toronto Raptors
Previous Rank: 1 Change: -2
current record: 42-21
Top Player: Kobe Bryant
The Raptors and Celtics are in a war of words for supremacy. The Raptors have slipped and the Bucks are charging. Is it time to hit the big red PANIC button above the border?
4. Miami Heat
Previous Rank: 5 Change: +1
current record: 35-25
Top Player: Al Jefferson
Can the Heat make a serious run for a title? Most writers around here don't believe so. The scoring from Jason Richardson has been a big disappointment this season, and could be the reason they wont be a force come playoff time.
5. Charlotte Hornets
Previous Rank: 7 Change: -2
current record: 17-18
Top Player: Monta Ellis
The Hornets are in the middle of the race as the season nears the end. This team has a decent scoring punch, but lack scorers in the frontcourt. That could be their main weakness as they face a tougher playoff opponent.
6. Detroit Pistons
Previous Rank: 13 Change: +7
current record: 33-27
Top player: Leandro Barbosa
Detroit's frontline has come up big time since our last read, and this team is in the hunt for a top 4 seed. This team started out slow, but strong [play has helped propelled them to a legit team in the East. They may take the title away from Denver this year as the hot streak club.
7. Philadelphia 76ers
Previous Rank: 12 Change: +5
current record: 29-32
Top Player: Ray Allen
Te bright spots in Philadelphia have appeared sooner than most thought in Philly. The 76ers are 7th, but can they stick there? The team is young, but they are gelling quite nicely as of late.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Previous Rank: 6 Change: -2
current record: 15-16
Top Player: Antoine Walker
The hawks wings have been clipped abt as of late, but they are a veteran club and should be able to fend off the younger, and maybe hungrier teams for the final playoff spot.
9. Orlando Magic
Previous Rank: 8 Change: -1
current record: 15-19
Top Player: Chris Webber
Sticking around the playoff bubble are the Magic. 2 games doesn't seem like alot for this veteran club. We are sure they will sneak and could give a top team some trouble.
10. Indiana Pacers
Previous Rank: 4 Change: -6
current record: 28-34
Top Player: Trevor Ariza
things were going well in Indiana, not now. This team has struggled mightily and may just need to retool for next season. They are in the hunt for the 8th spot, but we are unsure how things will shake out.
11. New Jersey Nets
Previous Rank: 10 Change: -1
current record: 25-36
Top Player: Stephon Marbury
Nothing has changed since we last saw the Nets in the rankings. The Nets seem to be hindering this season, which may not sit well with the GM. Wait, who is the GM these days?
12. Chicago Bulls
Previous Rank: 11 Change: -1
current record: 28-41
Top Player: Shelden Williams
Another pretty young team. The Bulls have some one year rentals, so will have to go back to the drawing board come FA time. Looking towards the off-season is the focus for the GM it appears.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous Rank: 14 Change: -1
current record: 21-26
Top Player: Gilbert Arenas
Still at the bottom for this team. Acquiring Gilbert Arenas seems like a good move, but in the process they dealt a franchise PG away. Things may be messy in Cleveland for a few years.
14. Washington Wizards
Previous Rank: 9 Change: -5
current record: 24-42
Top Player: Deron Williams
A major slide downwards for this club. Things were looking good, now just gray in the capital city. This team is young, but do they have the pieces to build and move forward?
15. New York Knicks
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 16-44
Top Player: Amare Stoudemire
Nothing big going on in the Big Apple. the Knicks have won 5 games out of their last 25 games. That's terrible. This team has some serious work ahead of them. They do have a title though..Worst Team in SSBL. Congrats.
We will continue to update the rankings as the season progresses, so stay tuned to see how this all plays out.
