Post by ib4 on Oct 22, 2010 13:48:20 GMT -5
Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers 51-31 last season, 1st Atlantic
Key additions: Ed Cota
Key losses: Eric Snow
Pretty much the same roster. Every year GMs think Malone has lost his step, but at 39 and still trucking, he keeps proving doubters wrong. The Sixers have won the Atlantic Division 3 straight years led by the duo of MVP candidate Allen Iverson and the Old Mailman himself, Karl Malone. They let veteran PG Eric Snow walk in FA, but look for his replacement, FA pickup Ed Cota, to provide some nice scoring off the bench.
New Jersey Nets 47-35 last season, 2nd Atlantic
Key additions: none
Key losses: Kelvin Cato
Verysilentone had a verysilentoffseason, not picking up any FA's. The Nets though did make the playoffs this year but were bounced in the 1st round by the Raptors…losing Cato in FA kinda sucks but this could mean extra Playing time for second-year-man Troy Murphy.
Washington Wizards 37-45 last season, 3rd Atlantic
Key additions: Bryon Russell, Vlad Stepania, John Salmons, Juan Carlos Navarro
Key losses: Ike Austin.
Gary Payton, 34 and still does it all
Russell is a nice pick up from FA and had a nice TC. Losing Austin in FA could mean more minutes at C for Battie and more minutes at PF for Walker. But rookies John Salmons, JCN, and Chris Jeffries look to crack the rotation and have a good chance of receiving valuable PT this year. But it still looks like a year of Gary Payton and not much else. Maybe the Wizards can prove me wrong.
Orlando Magic 35-47 last season, 4th Atlantic
Key additions: Joel Przybilla, Robert Traylor, Kelvin Cato
Key losses: Dikembe Mutumbo, Rod Strickland, Steve Smith, Bryon Russell
The team is rebuilding and looking to stay young. Przybilla is improving on Defense and so is O'Neal. Crawford is still a shoot-first PG. Kasun looks good playing overseas.
Boston Celtics 34-48 last season, 5th Atlantic
Key additions: Caron Butler, Jay Williams
Key Losses: Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace, Speedy Claxton, Jud Buchler
Pierce arriving in Seattle all smiles
Some big trades so far for the Boston Celtics, as "The Truth" and other players were sent packing for rookie PG Jay Williams and two maybe-good 1sts. Not too many season ticket packages were sold this summer.
New York Knicks 34-48 last season, 6th Atlantic
Key additions: Darius Songaila
Key losses: Mo Taylor, AJ Guyton
Not having their pick and not having capspace in the summer kind of crippled any kind of headway for any moves this summer. The Knicks enter the season with almost the same roster as last year. Spree and Stack are the lone stars in NY and if the team doesn't make the playoffs yet again, the NY fans will surely let the players know how they feel at The Garden.
Miami Heat 20-62 last season, 7th Atlantic
Key additions: Jason Richardson, Steve Smith, Luis Scola, Rik Smits
Key Losses: Elden Campbell
After a forgettable 2001 season and losing the lottery, the Heat were able to draft high-flyer Jason Richardson and Argentinean forward Luis Scola. This staying young but added veterans Rik Smits and Steve Smith to help out Tim Hardaway bring some veteran leadership for this young squad.
Central Division
Milwaukee Bucks 57-25 last season, 1st Central
Key additions: Jason Williams, Jerome James, Reggie Evans
Key losses: Rafer Alston
Jason Williams is a great upgrade at PG for the sharp-shooting Bucks
A nice offseason, Bucks were on top of the Division and have only improved. Upgrading at PG was a good move...now the question is how satisfied is Ollie with KVH remaining as the starting PF?
Indiana Pacers 53-29 last season, 2nd Central
Key additions: Eric Snow, Marcus Haislip
Key losses: Primoz Prezec
The Pacers breathe a sigh of relief because none of their older players (Penny, Kemp) declined in TC and their youngsters (most especially, Duncan) improved or stayed about the same. DerMarr had a nice TC too but has slowed down a bit defensively, it seems. Snow was a good FA signing, providing leadership and depth at PG.
Toronto Raptors 45-37 last season, 3rd Central
Key additions: Matt Barnes, Mo Taylor, Primoz Prezec, Andy Ellis
Key Losses: Vince Carter, Ron Mercer
Toronto fans despise the name Vince Carter. The only thing going for this team now is Abdur-Rahim, though Jason Terry had a solid TC entering his 4th season. Rookie Matt Barnes looks promising too. But expect the Raptors head for the lotto if they dont make some moves asap.
Cleveland Cavaliers 44-38 last season, 4th Central
Key additions: Rafer Alston, DeAngelo Collins, Kirk Haston
Key Losses: Jason Williams, Dana Barros, Michael Doleac, JR Reid
The Cavs have a plethora of first round picks for the upcoming draft, so expect a lotto-type season. A bright spot in TC was 2nd-rounder DeAngelo Collins, but too bad wcubmac didn't give him a third-year extension.
Chicago Bulls 39-43 last season, 5th Central
Key additions: Raul Lopez, Alvin Williams, Jon Barry
Key Losses: Eric Montross, Jim Jackson, Mark Jackson, Muggsy Bogues
The Bulls snuck into the playoffs despite a losing record last year, and didn't really improve their roster at all in the offseason. Raul Lopez, the 21st overall pick in the '01 draft is a promising young PG who joins the team after playing in Spain, though he will compete for minutes at PG with Alvin Williams and possibly Jon Barry too.The team is expected to flirt with a .500 record again and could sneak into the playoffs for another straight year, if cooper is content with just-making-the-playoffs year-in, year-out.
Charlotte Hornets 38-44 last season, 6th Central
Key additions: Nenad Krstic, DJ Mbenga, Vincent Yarbrough
Key losses: Robert Traylor, Tyronn Lue
The biggest "key addition" would have to be that they seem to have finally found a steady GM instead of these flaking GMs every single year, seemingly. Letting go of Traylor was meh, but they drafted Yugoslavian Center Nenad Krstic who has a sweet mid-range jumper and DJ Mbenga who spins tracks at Hot 97. The Hornets are looking to make moves and are even looking into dealing star PG Steve Francis if the deal is right.
Atlanta Hawks 37-45 last season, 7th Central
Key additions: Andre Miller, AJ Guyton
Key losses: Jimmie Hunter, Damon Jones
Will Miller help JCarter avoid the CY?
A good TC was what the doctor ordered in Atlanta. Erick Dampier looks like a beast now. Elton Brand looks more aggressive on the boards. Mash stayed the same so that's good. JCarter enters his CY so they need to make playoffs or win 41, but making the move for a PG and a leader like Andre Miller was the right move for the Hawks.
Detroit Pistons 35-47 last season, 8th Central
Key additions: Tayshaun Prince
Key Losses: PJ Brown, Allan Houston, Vagissil Evtimov
The Pistons were last in the division, good enough for the 9th overall pick which landed the versatile Tayshaun Prince from Kentucky. An overall "meh" TC for Detroit as several players stayed same or went down, but at least their franchise player Dirk Nowitzki didn't lose his step.
Midwest Division
Vancouvers Grizzlies 64-18 last season, 1st Midwest
Key additions: Rod Gizzard?
Key losses: Kerry Kittles, Eric Piatkowski, Walt Williams, Darrick Martin
The champs' TC was good and bad....The bad: a lot of guys went down in TC. The good: They were nasty to begin with so it almost doesn't even matter.
Minnesota Timberwolves 57-25 last season, nd Midwest
Key additions: Kwame Brown, Tito Maddox, Dana Barros,
Key losses: Roberto Javtokas, Tom Gugliotta
R.O.Y. snub last year?
Len was happy to trade up for the youngster Kwame Brown, who can learn a thing or two playing with Kevin Garnett every day at practice. Oh and look at that...Andrei Kirilenko got EVEN BETTER this TC. Tito Madox had a nice TC too, he was a solid late-1st-round selection. A nice TC for SJax and he could get the starting nod over RJ this year.
Denver Nuggets 50-32 last season, 3rd Midwest
Key additions: Dan Gadzuric
Key losses: Jerome Wililams, Todd Fuller
They should compete again this year with their leader, Chauncey Billups and his rediculous A+ outside scoring. McDyess is still a beast too and quintero is thanking the TC gods that Jalen Rose improved his scoring this year.
San Antonio Spurs 46-36 last season, 4th Midwest
Key additions: Drew Gooden, Roger Mason Jr
Key losses: Dean Garrett, Jason Collier, Rex Chapman
Robinson is on the decline, but the main core of Nash, Mobley, and Tmac had interesting traning camps. Tmac looks more versatile....Mobley improved his defense but went down in scoring a bit, and their leader Steve Nash went down in def a bit. Another bright spot would be Jamario Moon who improved his hustle on defense and will be a key guy off the bench this year.
Dallas Mavericks 34 48 last season, 5th Midwest
Key additions: Carlos Boozer, Nene, Ron Mercer, Ike Austin, Kareem Rush, Tyronn Lue
Key losses: John Wallace, Rik Smits, Stacey Augmon, Brian
Skinner, Dan Majerle, Felton Spencer, Moochie Norris
The Mavs were another team that lost out on the VC/PP sweepstakes, but were able to pick up a pair of promising big men in Nene and Boozer. Harrington didnt decrease that much in TC either. This lotto team is still young and Nick wisely signed a bunch of servicable players as trade bait to improve his squad in the long run.
Utah Jazz 29-53 last season, 6th Midwest
Key additions: Michael Jordan, Yao Ming, Rasual Butler, Toby Bailey
Key Losses: Anthony Parker, meh
USA's GOAT teaming up with China's GOAT
It's not often a team gets to sign the best player ever to play in China and the best (former) player to ever play in America in the same offseason. The Jazz did just that signing His Airness Michael Jordan to a 2 year deal as he attempts a comeback. The aging Legend still thinks he has what it takes to get any team over that hump and the Jazz look like they can actually compete this year. Some nice TC's from Parker and Reeves also helps the case.
Houston Rockets 28-54 last season, 7th Midwest
Key additions: Vince Carter, Dajaun Wagner, Mehmet Okur
Key Losses: Darrell Armstrong, Dee Brown, Michael Dickerson
VC taking his talents to SouthEastTeaxs
They acquired the most saught-after FA in SSBL4 history in Vince Carter, and were able to draft rookie Dajaun Wagner from Memphis, who had a meh TC but really improved his defense. Another bright spot is that big man Mehmet Okur has arrived in the US so there's another rookie for this young Rockets squad. Houston was also able to re-sign Brent Price to a lucrative 1 year deal which will be valuable trade bait so expect some changes.
Philadelphia 76ers 51-31 last season, 1st Atlantic
Key additions: Ed Cota
Key losses: Eric Snow
Pretty much the same roster. Every year GMs think Malone has lost his step, but at 39 and still trucking, he keeps proving doubters wrong. The Sixers have won the Atlantic Division 3 straight years led by the duo of MVP candidate Allen Iverson and the Old Mailman himself, Karl Malone. They let veteran PG Eric Snow walk in FA, but look for his replacement, FA pickup Ed Cota, to provide some nice scoring off the bench.
New Jersey Nets 47-35 last season, 2nd Atlantic
Key additions: none
Key losses: Kelvin Cato
Verysilentone had a verysilentoffseason, not picking up any FA's. The Nets though did make the playoffs this year but were bounced in the 1st round by the Raptors…losing Cato in FA kinda sucks but this could mean extra Playing time for second-year-man Troy Murphy.
Washington Wizards 37-45 last season, 3rd Atlantic
Key additions: Bryon Russell, Vlad Stepania, John Salmons, Juan Carlos Navarro
Key losses: Ike Austin.
Gary Payton, 34 and still does it all
Russell is a nice pick up from FA and had a nice TC. Losing Austin in FA could mean more minutes at C for Battie and more minutes at PF for Walker. But rookies John Salmons, JCN, and Chris Jeffries look to crack the rotation and have a good chance of receiving valuable PT this year. But it still looks like a year of Gary Payton and not much else. Maybe the Wizards can prove me wrong.
Orlando Magic 35-47 last season, 4th Atlantic
Key additions: Joel Przybilla, Robert Traylor, Kelvin Cato
Key losses: Dikembe Mutumbo, Rod Strickland, Steve Smith, Bryon Russell
The team is rebuilding and looking to stay young. Przybilla is improving on Defense and so is O'Neal. Crawford is still a shoot-first PG. Kasun looks good playing overseas.
Boston Celtics 34-48 last season, 5th Atlantic
Key additions: Caron Butler, Jay Williams
Key Losses: Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace, Speedy Claxton, Jud Buchler
Pierce arriving in Seattle all smiles
Some big trades so far for the Boston Celtics, as "The Truth" and other players were sent packing for rookie PG Jay Williams and two maybe-good 1sts. Not too many season ticket packages were sold this summer.
New York Knicks 34-48 last season, 6th Atlantic
Key additions: Darius Songaila
Key losses: Mo Taylor, AJ Guyton
Not having their pick and not having capspace in the summer kind of crippled any kind of headway for any moves this summer. The Knicks enter the season with almost the same roster as last year. Spree and Stack are the lone stars in NY and if the team doesn't make the playoffs yet again, the NY fans will surely let the players know how they feel at The Garden.
Miami Heat 20-62 last season, 7th Atlantic
Key additions: Jason Richardson, Steve Smith, Luis Scola, Rik Smits
Key Losses: Elden Campbell
After a forgettable 2001 season and losing the lottery, the Heat were able to draft high-flyer Jason Richardson and Argentinean forward Luis Scola. This staying young but added veterans Rik Smits and Steve Smith to help out Tim Hardaway bring some veteran leadership for this young squad.
Central Division
Milwaukee Bucks 57-25 last season, 1st Central
Key additions: Jason Williams, Jerome James, Reggie Evans
Key losses: Rafer Alston
Jason Williams is a great upgrade at PG for the sharp-shooting Bucks
A nice offseason, Bucks were on top of the Division and have only improved. Upgrading at PG was a good move...now the question is how satisfied is Ollie with KVH remaining as the starting PF?
Indiana Pacers 53-29 last season, 2nd Central
Key additions: Eric Snow, Marcus Haislip
Key losses: Primoz Prezec
The Pacers breathe a sigh of relief because none of their older players (Penny, Kemp) declined in TC and their youngsters (most especially, Duncan) improved or stayed about the same. DerMarr had a nice TC too but has slowed down a bit defensively, it seems. Snow was a good FA signing, providing leadership and depth at PG.
Toronto Raptors 45-37 last season, 3rd Central
Key additions: Matt Barnes, Mo Taylor, Primoz Prezec, Andy Ellis
Key Losses: Vince Carter, Ron Mercer
Toronto fans despise the name Vince Carter. The only thing going for this team now is Abdur-Rahim, though Jason Terry had a solid TC entering his 4th season. Rookie Matt Barnes looks promising too. But expect the Raptors head for the lotto if they dont make some moves asap.
Cleveland Cavaliers 44-38 last season, 4th Central
Key additions: Rafer Alston, DeAngelo Collins, Kirk Haston
Key Losses: Jason Williams, Dana Barros, Michael Doleac, JR Reid
The Cavs have a plethora of first round picks for the upcoming draft, so expect a lotto-type season. A bright spot in TC was 2nd-rounder DeAngelo Collins, but too bad wcubmac didn't give him a third-year extension.
Chicago Bulls 39-43 last season, 5th Central
Key additions: Raul Lopez, Alvin Williams, Jon Barry
Key Losses: Eric Montross, Jim Jackson, Mark Jackson, Muggsy Bogues
The Bulls snuck into the playoffs despite a losing record last year, and didn't really improve their roster at all in the offseason. Raul Lopez, the 21st overall pick in the '01 draft is a promising young PG who joins the team after playing in Spain, though he will compete for minutes at PG with Alvin Williams and possibly Jon Barry too.The team is expected to flirt with a .500 record again and could sneak into the playoffs for another straight year, if cooper is content with just-making-the-playoffs year-in, year-out.
Charlotte Hornets 38-44 last season, 6th Central
Key additions: Nenad Krstic, DJ Mbenga, Vincent Yarbrough
Key losses: Robert Traylor, Tyronn Lue
The biggest "key addition" would have to be that they seem to have finally found a steady GM instead of these flaking GMs every single year, seemingly. Letting go of Traylor was meh, but they drafted Yugoslavian Center Nenad Krstic who has a sweet mid-range jumper and DJ Mbenga who spins tracks at Hot 97. The Hornets are looking to make moves and are even looking into dealing star PG Steve Francis if the deal is right.
Atlanta Hawks 37-45 last season, 7th Central
Key additions: Andre Miller, AJ Guyton
Key losses: Jimmie Hunter, Damon Jones
Will Miller help JCarter avoid the CY?
A good TC was what the doctor ordered in Atlanta. Erick Dampier looks like a beast now. Elton Brand looks more aggressive on the boards. Mash stayed the same so that's good. JCarter enters his CY so they need to make playoffs or win 41, but making the move for a PG and a leader like Andre Miller was the right move for the Hawks.
Detroit Pistons 35-47 last season, 8th Central
Key additions: Tayshaun Prince
Key Losses: PJ Brown, Allan Houston, Vagissil Evtimov
The Pistons were last in the division, good enough for the 9th overall pick which landed the versatile Tayshaun Prince from Kentucky. An overall "meh" TC for Detroit as several players stayed same or went down, but at least their franchise player Dirk Nowitzki didn't lose his step.
Midwest Division
Vancouvers Grizzlies 64-18 last season, 1st Midwest
Key additions: Rod Gizzard?
Key losses: Kerry Kittles, Eric Piatkowski, Walt Williams, Darrick Martin
The champs' TC was good and bad....The bad: a lot of guys went down in TC. The good: They were nasty to begin with so it almost doesn't even matter.
Minnesota Timberwolves 57-25 last season, nd Midwest
Key additions: Kwame Brown, Tito Maddox, Dana Barros,
Key losses: Roberto Javtokas, Tom Gugliotta
R.O.Y. snub last year?
Len was happy to trade up for the youngster Kwame Brown, who can learn a thing or two playing with Kevin Garnett every day at practice. Oh and look at that...Andrei Kirilenko got EVEN BETTER this TC. Tito Madox had a nice TC too, he was a solid late-1st-round selection. A nice TC for SJax and he could get the starting nod over RJ this year.
Denver Nuggets 50-32 last season, 3rd Midwest
Key additions: Dan Gadzuric
Key losses: Jerome Wililams, Todd Fuller
They should compete again this year with their leader, Chauncey Billups and his rediculous A+ outside scoring. McDyess is still a beast too and quintero is thanking the TC gods that Jalen Rose improved his scoring this year.
San Antonio Spurs 46-36 last season, 4th Midwest
Key additions: Drew Gooden, Roger Mason Jr
Key losses: Dean Garrett, Jason Collier, Rex Chapman
Robinson is on the decline, but the main core of Nash, Mobley, and Tmac had interesting traning camps. Tmac looks more versatile....Mobley improved his defense but went down in scoring a bit, and their leader Steve Nash went down in def a bit. Another bright spot would be Jamario Moon who improved his hustle on defense and will be a key guy off the bench this year.
Dallas Mavericks 34 48 last season, 5th Midwest
Key additions: Carlos Boozer, Nene, Ron Mercer, Ike Austin, Kareem Rush, Tyronn Lue
Key losses: John Wallace, Rik Smits, Stacey Augmon, Brian
Skinner, Dan Majerle, Felton Spencer, Moochie Norris
The Mavs were another team that lost out on the VC/PP sweepstakes, but were able to pick up a pair of promising big men in Nene and Boozer. Harrington didnt decrease that much in TC either. This lotto team is still young and Nick wisely signed a bunch of servicable players as trade bait to improve his squad in the long run.
Utah Jazz 29-53 last season, 6th Midwest
Key additions: Michael Jordan, Yao Ming, Rasual Butler, Toby Bailey
Key Losses: Anthony Parker, meh
USA's GOAT teaming up with China's GOAT
It's not often a team gets to sign the best player ever to play in China and the best (former) player to ever play in America in the same offseason. The Jazz did just that signing His Airness Michael Jordan to a 2 year deal as he attempts a comeback. The aging Legend still thinks he has what it takes to get any team over that hump and the Jazz look like they can actually compete this year. Some nice TC's from Parker and Reeves also helps the case.
Houston Rockets 28-54 last season, 7th Midwest
Key additions: Vince Carter, Dajaun Wagner, Mehmet Okur
Key Losses: Darrell Armstrong, Dee Brown, Michael Dickerson
VC taking his talents to SouthEastTeaxs
They acquired the most saught-after FA in SSBL4 history in Vince Carter, and were able to draft rookie Dajaun Wagner from Memphis, who had a meh TC but really improved his defense. Another bright spot is that big man Mehmet Okur has arrived in the US so there's another rookie for this young Rockets squad. Houston was also able to re-sign Brent Price to a lucrative 1 year deal which will be valuable trade bait so expect some changes.
