Post by heelsguy25 on Nov 23, 2010 4:56:56 GMT -5
We are a tad more than halfway through the 2003 SSBL season, and with that we look at the Western Conference. The Western Conference has always been known as a tough conference, and this year is no different. There is quite the difference of parity between the two conferences. Some Western Conference teams only hoped they were in the other division to improve their playoff status. We will look at each team and rank them accordingly. We will take a look at how each team did every sim until season's end.
The rankings provided are based on different factors. All opinions are just that, opinions.
*Minnesota Timberwolves 35 13 -
*Los Angeles Lakers 30 15 3.5
*Vancouvers Grizzlies 33 11 0.0
*Sacramento Kings 25 17 7.0
*Golden State Warriors 29 21 7.0
*Los Angeles Clippers 30 24 8.0
*Portland Trailblazers 25 20 8.5
*San Antonio Spurs 24 19 8.5
Seattle Supersonics 27 22 8.5
Houston Rockets 28 23 8.5
Dallas Mavericks 25 21 9.0
Denver Nuggets 24 21 9.5
Utah Jazz 22 26 13.0
Phoenix Suns 9 42 27.5
Power Rankings
1. Vancouver Grizzlies
current record: 33-11
Top Player: Jason Kidd
Playoff Status: In the playoffs
The Grizzlies have led the Western Conference all season, until recently. Minnesota overtook the Grizzlies for 1st out West. The Grizzlies get the top spot in our first rankings due to their impressive home record. They dominate at home and should find themselves on top out West shortly. They are led by the three-headed monster. Kidd, O'Neal and Iverson. How can anyone compete against that?
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
current record: 35-13
Top Player: Kevin Garnett
Playoff Status: In the playoffs
The Timberwolves are clawing their way into the hearts of us here at the SSBL Times. They have come out of the 2nd half gate ablazing. They were once the 3rd seed and now have overtaken Vancouver as the top team. The Timberwolves may have a game of tug o war with Vancouver for the top spot, but in our rankings they get #2. Some say #2 is the first loser, but not here in the SSBL. Kevin Garnett has been playing great, except for a horrendous game against Golden State lately. Some have claimed the Wolves lack depth, the Minnesota GM has responded by getting his team motivated for a 2nd half splurge. Look for Minnesota to hang around and be a threat once the playoffs come around.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
current record: 30-15
Top Player: Jamal Crawford
Playoff Status: In the playoffs
The Lakers made it to the big show last season. They have always contended come playoff time. The GM went in a different route this season, and despite the moves, the team still is a contender. Look for LA to be a top 3 seed come playoff time. If they want to make a push for a top 2 seed they need to put together solid sims from here on out. They only face Minnesota until season's end. They recently slipped past Vancouver, which surely helped their cause. That victory was the only that they have recorded this year against Vancouver. Against Minnesota, LA holds a 2-1 record.
4. Sacramento Kings
current record: 25-17
Top Player: Chris Webber
Playoff Status: In the playoffs
The Kings nab the 4th spot in the rankings. They have really come on as of late. In their last 20 games they have gone 14-6. The Kings are led by the 1-2 punch of Chris Webber and Al Harrington. This team seems to be lacking the proper managerial activity, but it may not affect them too much. They should find themselves in the middle of the pack come playoff time. The Warriors are close on their heels for the 4th spot, so the Kings need to send out more of their rooks to defend the spot.
5. Golden State Warriors
current record: 29-21
Top Player: Antawn Jamison
Playoff Status: In the playoffs
The Warriors have played a good chunk of their games to date. Their schedule should lighten up, but that puts more pressure on them to win more frequently. They need to scrape together more wins to even have a chance at a top 3 spot come playoff time. They have come out of the gate on a high note. They ended the season on a bad note, slipping to 7th out West. They will need the play of Larry Hughes and Aaron Williams to continue to stay in the playoffs.
6. Portland Trailblazers
current record: 25-20
Top Player: Joe Johnson
Playoff Status: In the playoffs
All Star Joe Johnson leads this darkhorse team. The Blazers GM has repeatedly been heard scoffing outloud about how his team has been performing this season. They have been overachieving, and that's never a bad thing. They could give a top team trouble come playoff team. They have gone on a hot streak the last 10 games, going 7-3. The Blazers have a tough stretch of games coming up. They will be battle tested and could come out of the mess out of the playoff hunt, if they don't play their cards right.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
current record: 30-24
Top Player: Marko Jaric
Playoff Status: In the playoffs
The Clippers have been peddling along all season around the playoff cut line. They find themselves planted at the 6 spot. They have won 5 of their last 6 games. They have some key games coming up and need to win them to stay in the playoff race. Look for Jaric to continue to man this club to a potential playoff berth.
8. Denver Nuggets
current record: 24-21
Top Player: Antonio McDyess
Playoff Status: On the playoff bubble
The Nuggets could be the feel good story out West. they have been playing great ball as of late, going 8-2 in their last ten games. They are currently 1 game out of the playoff race, and with the West being so tight why not put them this high in the rankings. The are currently the hottest team in the West. They acquired Glenn Robinson from Milwaukee not too long ago, and he has greatly improved this club. Look for the Nuggets to sneak into the playoffs, and potentially cause havoc. They are our sleeper team out West.
9. Seattle Supersonics
current record: 27-22
Top player: Kobe Bryant
Playoff Status: On the playoff bubble
Bryant leads this team, but will it be enough to make the playoffs? The GM is trying to move pieces to better their chance, but having no luck. Outside of House and Bryant, the Sonics lack any firepower that could challenge others come playoff time. The Sonics might sneak in, but they need to win some big games that are upcoming on their schedule.
10. Houston Rockets
current record: 28-23
Top Player: Vince Carter
Playoff Status: On the playoff bubble
This team has been up and down all season long. Not long ago they were in the middle of the pack, now they are on the outside looking in. Will they have enough left in the tank to sneak into the playoffs? Vince Carter leads this young club, but he needs more help. The Rockets have not done themselves any favors by losing games they should have won recently. The Rockets may need some luck to get their season going in the right direction.
11. San Antonio Spurs
current record: 24-19
Top Player: Tracy McGrady
Playoff Status: In the playoffs
The Spurs are going in and out of the playoff hunt. They snuck in this past sim, but may fall out come next go round of these rankings. They have a solid team, but find themselves short when it comes to winning games. They need to get more out of their frontcourt to battle with other top frontcourts in the West. We think they will miss the playoffs, but not by much. Word is the Gm has resigned, which also causes the Spurs to be so low in the rankings. Without a front office, you have no team.
12. Dallas Mavericks
current record: 25-21
Top Player: Rasheed Wallace
Playoff Status: On the playoff bubble
The Mavericks are a pure playoff bubble team. They have enough talent to be a playoff team, yet find themselves on the bubble. They find themselves facing some playoff teams in their next string of games, so look for them to predict their future by the outcome of those games. The Mavericks GM is in the frame of mind this is a rebuilding year, but why? They are a good team, and we see them giving some teams trouble if they make the playoffs.
13. Utah Jazz
current record: 22-26
Top Player: Yao Ming
Playoff Status: On a Ping Pong Paradise
The Jazz are one of those teams that wish they were not in the West. If the Jazz were in the Eastern Conference, they would be knocking on the playoff door loudly. However, out West, they are only hoping their ping pong balls bounce their way. The jazz are a young team, and may not contend for a few seasons. They are led by 2nd year big Yao Ming. Ming cant do it alone, and the Jazz need to find him better help. The Jazz have some pieces that could contribute, but they just are not this season. The Jazz will most likely find help via the draft, but it may not be enough.
14. Phoenix Suns
current record: 9-42
Top Player: Gilbert Arenas
Playoff Status: On a Ping Pong Paradise
The Suns have chalked this season up as a lost one. They most likely have been looking forward to the draft for some time now. They are led by a rookie in Arenas. Some think Arenas could win ROY, but would that mean anything? The Suns need to get things together soon, or it may never get better. With the projected #1 pick in the draft, help could come in the form of Dwight Howard. The fans in phoenix hope that the days ahead or sunny, because so far the skies are dark.
As you can see the West is a stuffy place to be nowadays. The playoff picture is murky, unlike in the East. There are several teams who could be in the playoff come season's end. We will update the rankings and standings after each sim. Stay tuned.