Post by heelsguy25 on Nov 19, 2010 18:23:43 GMT -5
The 2003 season is near the midpoint and things have become clear league wide. The Western Conference is very dominant. This year, the West is best. The Eastern Conference needs to shift things out to even try and compete with the strength of the western conference teams. We are going to take a look at the Western Conference teams as of today and try to predict how the playoffs could look out West.
Current Standings * denotes current playoff team
W L Win % L 10 Home GB
*Vancouvers Grizzlies 20 7 .741 8-2 12-2 -
*Los Angeles Lakers 21 9 .700 8-2 13-5 0.5
*Minnesota Timberwolves 19 9 .679 6-4 10-2 1.5
*San Antonio Spurs 20 11 .645 6-4 11-3 2.0
*Houston Rockets 19 12 .613 4-6 11-6 3.0
*Los Angeles Clippers 20 13 .606 6-4 9-3 3.0
*Golden State Warriors 17 10 .630 5-5 8-2 3.0
*Seattle Supersonics 15 12 .556 5-5 7-7 5.0
Sacramento Kings 13 10 .565 6-4 8-5 5.0
Dallas Mavericks 14 11 .560 5-5 8-4 5.0
Denver Nuggets 15 13 .536 6-4 10-5 5.5
Utah Jazz 13 12 .520 4-6 7-5 6.0
Portland Trailblazers 13 14 .481 6-4 10-6 7.0
Phoenix Suns 5 24 .172 3-7 4-13 16.0
Vancouver Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are the best team in the SSBL. They have been a top team for years now, and could get another ring. They won the title in 01 and look for another piece of jewelry. The Grizz GM has kept the team intact for years, and is doing what any GM should do to always have a competitive team. While other teams rebuild and start over, Vancouver stays the same. For that, they get respect from us. The Grizzlies have a mix of old and new talent, so look for them to be in the title hunt for awhile. They also hold the best home record among all teams. The three-headed monster can be seen in Canada. Leading this squad is Iverson, Jason Kidd and Shaq. Can we say domination? The Grizzlies will be the top seed out West, unless the world ends. The only other team we see taking over the top spot out West are the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers
Speak of the devil, look whose next on the list. The LA Lakers have been to the SSBL Finals, but always come up short. Many GMs around the league last year thought LA had the title in the bag, until Show Time was ended abruptly by the Bucks. The Lakers look a bit different this year, but they still should be a top team to grab a title. The Lakers GM has been quoted as saying he is shocked how his team is doing. We must agree with him on that. Grant Hill was shipped out of LA earlier this season, and many thought it was a bold move by the GM. This team is led by the 1-2 punch of Turkoglu and Crawford. Look for the Lakers to make a hard push at a title again, or else they could be in a different scenario come next season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
This team is solid, but do they have enough to contend? They are led by Kevin Garnett, but could use more solid depth. They have a good starting 5, but after that things get murky. The Gm is trying to move some pieces, but to no avail. The Wolves should stay a top 4 team come playoff team, but do they have enough to stay away from a 1st round upset? The will have some decisions to make come free agency time if some of their players decide to bolt.
San Antonio Spurs
This team is quietly sneaking into the top 3 out West. The Spurs have a very solid backcourt duo of Nash and Mobley. The Spurs need depth some more depth help to really get over the top. We feel they could take over the 3rd spot come playoff time.
Houston Rockets
Seeing Houston as the 5th seed is a bit surprising. They lack a solid starting 5, yet still are in the middle of the hunt. They have tapered off as late and could slide out of the playoffs if they are not careful. Vince Carter leads this team for sure, and needs help all around to make this team a legit playoff team.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are one of those teams who could knock off a top team in the playoffs. Led by the young guard Jaric and the Kandi Man. The Clippers have a solid starting 5 and could knock of a Timberwolves team if they met in the playoffs. The Clippers GM has been quiet this year in moves, and it seems to be paying off.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have made several moves this year, and it is still unclear how well they will pay off. Golden State was a 5 seed last sim, now a 7. Will they slide out of the playoffs? They have a solid starting 5 and good depth, so they could improve over the course of the season. If they fall off the playoff hunt, look for a team like the Dallas Mavericks to overtake their slot. The Warriors are led by the newly acquired Sprewell and Antawn Jamison.
Seattle Supersonics
The Sonics are clinging onto their playoff lives. They have the potential league MVP Kobe Bryant, but is that enough? The Sonics are trying to make moves to acquire more solid depth, but no luck. The Sonics could see their playoff hopes dwindle over time and a team like the Kings could take over the 8th spot.
Teams that could make the playoffs
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is always a tough team, and this year should be no different despite the slow start. The GM is trying to retool the team, but should just try and stay strong. This team is led by Rasheed Wallace. Not too sure why the team is struggling, but we are sure the Dallas GM will right the ship soon.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings won the title not too long ago, but have fallen on hard time since. They find themselves close to a playoff berth and could sneak in. Chris Webber is the leader of this team, but could be shipped. The Kings need to keep their team intact, not destroy it.
Current Standings * denotes current playoff team
W L Win % L 10 Home GB
*Vancouvers Grizzlies 20 7 .741 8-2 12-2 -
*Los Angeles Lakers 21 9 .700 8-2 13-5 0.5
*Minnesota Timberwolves 19 9 .679 6-4 10-2 1.5
*San Antonio Spurs 20 11 .645 6-4 11-3 2.0
*Houston Rockets 19 12 .613 4-6 11-6 3.0
*Los Angeles Clippers 20 13 .606 6-4 9-3 3.0
*Golden State Warriors 17 10 .630 5-5 8-2 3.0
*Seattle Supersonics 15 12 .556 5-5 7-7 5.0
Sacramento Kings 13 10 .565 6-4 8-5 5.0
Dallas Mavericks 14 11 .560 5-5 8-4 5.0
Denver Nuggets 15 13 .536 6-4 10-5 5.5
Utah Jazz 13 12 .520 4-6 7-5 6.0
Portland Trailblazers 13 14 .481 6-4 10-6 7.0
Phoenix Suns 5 24 .172 3-7 4-13 16.0
Vancouver Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are the best team in the SSBL. They have been a top team for years now, and could get another ring. They won the title in 01 and look for another piece of jewelry. The Grizz GM has kept the team intact for years, and is doing what any GM should do to always have a competitive team. While other teams rebuild and start over, Vancouver stays the same. For that, they get respect from us. The Grizzlies have a mix of old and new talent, so look for them to be in the title hunt for awhile. They also hold the best home record among all teams. The three-headed monster can be seen in Canada. Leading this squad is Iverson, Jason Kidd and Shaq. Can we say domination? The Grizzlies will be the top seed out West, unless the world ends. The only other team we see taking over the top spot out West are the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers
Speak of the devil, look whose next on the list. The LA Lakers have been to the SSBL Finals, but always come up short. Many GMs around the league last year thought LA had the title in the bag, until Show Time was ended abruptly by the Bucks. The Lakers look a bit different this year, but they still should be a top team to grab a title. The Lakers GM has been quoted as saying he is shocked how his team is doing. We must agree with him on that. Grant Hill was shipped out of LA earlier this season, and many thought it was a bold move by the GM. This team is led by the 1-2 punch of Turkoglu and Crawford. Look for the Lakers to make a hard push at a title again, or else they could be in a different scenario come next season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
This team is solid, but do they have enough to contend? They are led by Kevin Garnett, but could use more solid depth. They have a good starting 5, but after that things get murky. The Gm is trying to move some pieces, but to no avail. The Wolves should stay a top 4 team come playoff team, but do they have enough to stay away from a 1st round upset? The will have some decisions to make come free agency time if some of their players decide to bolt.
San Antonio Spurs
This team is quietly sneaking into the top 3 out West. The Spurs have a very solid backcourt duo of Nash and Mobley. The Spurs need depth some more depth help to really get over the top. We feel they could take over the 3rd spot come playoff time.
Houston Rockets
Seeing Houston as the 5th seed is a bit surprising. They lack a solid starting 5, yet still are in the middle of the hunt. They have tapered off as late and could slide out of the playoffs if they are not careful. Vince Carter leads this team for sure, and needs help all around to make this team a legit playoff team.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are one of those teams who could knock off a top team in the playoffs. Led by the young guard Jaric and the Kandi Man. The Clippers have a solid starting 5 and could knock of a Timberwolves team if they met in the playoffs. The Clippers GM has been quiet this year in moves, and it seems to be paying off.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have made several moves this year, and it is still unclear how well they will pay off. Golden State was a 5 seed last sim, now a 7. Will they slide out of the playoffs? They have a solid starting 5 and good depth, so they could improve over the course of the season. If they fall off the playoff hunt, look for a team like the Dallas Mavericks to overtake their slot. The Warriors are led by the newly acquired Sprewell and Antawn Jamison.
Seattle Supersonics
The Sonics are clinging onto their playoff lives. They have the potential league MVP Kobe Bryant, but is that enough? The Sonics are trying to make moves to acquire more solid depth, but no luck. The Sonics could see their playoff hopes dwindle over time and a team like the Kings could take over the 8th spot.
Teams that could make the playoffs
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is always a tough team, and this year should be no different despite the slow start. The GM is trying to retool the team, but should just try and stay strong. This team is led by Rasheed Wallace. Not too sure why the team is struggling, but we are sure the Dallas GM will right the ship soon.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings won the title not too long ago, but have fallen on hard time since. They find themselves close to a playoff berth and could sneak in. Chris Webber is the leader of this team, but could be shipped. The Kings need to keep their team intact, not destroy it.
