Post by heelsguy25 on Mar 2, 2011 15:59:20 GMT -5
The 07-08 season is a third of the way complete and some teams have shown improvements since last season, while others remain the Beasts of the East.
1. Toronto Raptors
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 26-9
Top Player: Kobe Bryant
The best team in the entire league, and their record shows it. One player makes them the best team..Kobe Bryant. Playing PG hasn't hurt Bryant has he can score and isn't afraid to dish the ball. This team from starters to bench are the best and there is no reason, in our eyes, why they shouldn't bring home a title to Canada. Yao Ming is hurt, but will only mis one game. This team should survive, seeing as it is against the Wizards.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 21-10
Top Player: Carmelo Anthony
Meet the Eastern Conference's version of the Utah Jazz. this team is pretty young and could be atop the rankings next time around. This team is led by a vet PG in Billups, but have this other guy we all know. Carmelo Anthony is a big key to their success. Anthony is hurt, which may hurt their sim record. He will miss the first 4 games of their 8 game sim. The Bucks GM would rather have his miss time now, rather than later on as they fight for a top seed. Alot of our writers are jumping on the Milwaukee bandwagon. I wonder if they will have enough cheese to to go around.
3. Boston Celtics
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 23-10
Top Player: Allen Iverson
Boston is where they have been for a couple season, near the top. They are led by the 4 headed monster. The GM has tinkered with their lineup, which results in LeBron James being the backup guy for all spots. This team is strong from top to bottom, but can they out-duel the Bucks and Raptors for that top spot?
4. Indiana Pacers
Previous Rank: N/A Change:N/A
current record: 18-15
Top Player: Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza is a beast. He has been quite a surprise this season, which has led to Indiana's success thus far. A young team, but contending. They need more firepower than just Ariza. The frontcourt is deep, but lacks the scoring other teams possess. Andray Baltche needs to up his scoring for this team to succeed. Indiana might be a team to reckon with come playoff time, but surely next season they will be a force. Ariza is a FA, and the Pacers GM needs to do everything short of selling his soul to get that guy back to Indiana.
5. Miami Heat
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 16-14
Top Player: Al Jefferson
The one glaring weakness of this club is at center. Ben Wallace is a defensive guy, but cant score as well as other centers in the East. The starting 5 of this club is solid, but they seem to be missing that one factor to get them atop the rankings. They will be a strong team come playoff time, barring injuries.
6. Atlanta Hawks
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 15-16
Top Player: Antoine Walker
Atlanta may be the oldest team in the East, but it isn't helping their cause. Led by Steve Francis and Antoine Walker, this club is struggling to get over .500 They may improve a bit, but we don't see this team being a top 4 team come playoff time. Pau Gasol and Michael Redd may be the cancers of this team. Gasol hasn't played up to what most thought when he was drafted. Redd is a scorer, but hasn't shown that as well as he should this season.
7. Charlotte Hornets
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 17-18
Top Player: Monta Ellis
This team has one of the youngest backcourts in the league, but they are playing solid. Monta Ellis and Shaun Livingston lead the charge, but they need more help up front. They have good option in the frontcourt, but may not have enough to contend with other teams. They should stick near the bottom of the standings, but could cause problems come playoff time.
8. Orlando Magic
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 15-19
Top Player: Chris Webber
Is this team tanking?? Rumors are they are trying haha This team is too good to be bad. They have been near the top of the Eastern standings, until this season. A jumbled mess in the backcourt may be the main reason for their falling. This team is a mix of young and old, but the vets clearly lead this team. Chris Webber is playing like the all star he is, and should continue to do so. This team will be in the playoffs come season end, but where?
9. Washington Wizards
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 16-21
Top Player: Deron Williams
This team's total salaries equal less than 20 million, and they are nearing a playoff spot. Impressive. This team has a good young core, their backcourt being a strong suit. They need to shore up their bench and even their frontcourt come the off-season. Washington will be a very strong team next year, if things work out. If not, than they will be lottery bound, once again.
10. New Jersey Nets
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 14-19
Top Player: Stephon Marbury
The Nets are an older club, that just can't seem to reach the .500 mark and may struggle to do so. Without their first, they better hope their vets turn on the jets ASAP.
11. Chicago Bulls
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 16-23
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. We feel the Bulls will be on the playoff bubble but may not have enough scoring punch to stick.
12. Philadelphia 76ers
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 15-21
Top Player: Ray Allen
Things are bright in Philadelphia, just not now. This club is the Eastern version of the Utah Jazz in our eyes. They are stocked with youth and have more coming in, in the form of 4 2008 1sts. Things should turn around quickly, if the GM plays his cards right. Only one game out of 8th place, this team could sneak in, but will they last long come playoff time?
13. Detroit Pistons
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 13-19
Top player: Leandro Barbosa
The Pistons had to resign Barbosa in FA, but did so without hesitation. We feel this team would be worse off if he didn't resign. The Pistons landed Greg Oden in the draft, and now have 2 pieces to build around. A good start for sure. They will struggle all year, but should only turn the corner come next season, with a new draftee and some cap.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 12-22
Top Player: Rajon Rondo
The Cavaliers always seem to be near the bottom. They have a mix of young and old, but cant seem to find their niche. Rajon Rondo is the leader of this team, but this team needs more firepower. Jermaine O'Neal mans the middle, but is declining, but on a big contract. This team will have cap, and if they land some FA this off-season they could find themselves out of the basement.
15. New York Knicks
Previous Rank: N/A Change: N/A
current record: 11-24
Top Player: Amare Stoudemire
The Big Apple is buzzing about the weak play of the Knicks. New York had two faces of the franchise last season in Amare Stoudemire and Chris Paul. One remains, and the other seems to be the missing link in this puzzle. The Knicks GM dealt Chris Paul to Philadelphia, and he must be regretting the move now. The Knicks are young, but need to show big improvements if the want to contend in the East. This team is nearing the hardcap, but do have some picks for the upcoming draft. Things are gloomy, but the sun may be peeking out in NYC.
We will continue to update the rankings as the season progresses, so stay tuned to see how this all plays out.
