Post by runngunallday on Jan 10, 2011 13:05:47 GMT -5
Mid Season Power Rankings Top 8
1. Toronto Raptors
34-8
The Raptors got off to a great start to the season as their GM managed to get Dwayne Wade much needed help. They are leading a well balanced attack scoring a league high 115 points per game. The team MVP is clearly Jason Kidd who is filling up in the stat sheet in just about every category. Look for the Raptors to finish the season strong and go into the post season with home court advantage over the rest of the league.
1-2 Punch: Jason Kidd/Dwayne Wade
2. Boston Celtics
29-13
It took a while for the Celtics to assemble the right roster around Lebron James but the dust has finally settled and they are on a 10 game win streak. The fans in Boston are jumping out their seats as the big 3 fight for what will be the first championship for the Celtics since the Larry Bird era. Due to a slow start to the season and a few injuries to the green giant Shaq, they are a whole 5 games behind the first seed. Expect the Celtics to remain top 3 however for the remainder of the season as they battle for a championship, anything less would be a colossal disappointment for this storied franchise.
1-2 Punch: Lebron James/Shaq O Neal
3. Orlando Magic
23-10
The Magic's GM has made significant moves lately to move the team into a new direction. First came the departure of Paul Pierce for superstar PF Chris Webber. The Magic have also employed an interesting backcourt of sharp shooter Dan Dickau who is back in top form and Derrick Zimmerman who can get the ball down the court just as fast as anyone in the league. Erick Strickland was also brought in to maintain this team's deadly outside shooting and the latest addition of Peja will made this team very difficult to defend. Giving up Alonzo Mourning may bite however, as he was leading the team in rebounds as well as blocks.
1-2 Punch: Dan Dickau/Chris Webber
4. Miami Heat
28-15
The Miami Heat have maintained their momentum from last season and have had a very impressive first half to the season. Jermaine O Neal is averaging a career high 21 ppg and Jameer Nelson is leading the team at PG after coming off a strong rookie season. The addition of Eddie Jones to this team can be a game changer as they now have 5 players that are averaging 15 ppg. The heat will be a team to fear this postseason as they have many different scoring threats.
1-2 Punch: Eddie Jones/Jermaine O' Neal
5. Atlanta Hawks
22-18
The defending champions have had a disappointing first half to the season. Perhaps it is the teams aging core, or perhaps its just the fact that the East got stronger. Either way the Hawks will look to contend for a top 4 spot this season as they have brought in Antoine Walker to play the 3 and shifted Stephen Jackson to the 2. Time will tell if this move will pay off for them, look for their GM to try to bring in some more scoring.
1-2 Punch: Steve Nash/Antoine Walker
6. NJ Nets
22-22
Sitting at .500 the Nets can't be too disappointed with their season. Stephon Marbury is having a great season putting up 25ppg on 48% shooting, but where is his help? Ron Artest is quietly scoring 18ppg and Tim Thomas is contributing 16ppg but will their play be consistent against the power house teams in the playoffs. The Nets do have Gerald Wallace who has improved his game tremendously, except for the fact that he has absolutely no outside shot. If the Nets can send him to a shooting camp, or shift him to PF and run a fast pace - they could make some noise. Cambyman is doing it all in the frontcourt averaging 11rbs and 3blks.
1-2 punch: Stephon Marbury/Gerald Wallace
7. Detroit Pistons
18-20
The Pistons started off the season quite well but then fell off the map at some point due to their team refusing to play defense. Barbosa has established himself as one of the league's premier PGs however, and the play of Hedo Turkoglu has given this team a legitimate scoring option. The Pistons still don't have a frontcourt that will enable them to contend however, Brian Grant will not be able to carry the load all by himself. Rookie center Marcin Gortat has come into the league as a promising defender but still has much work to do on his all around game. The Pistons have also yet to find an offer for Michael Finley aka Findawg who is humbly doing his job scoring 19ppg on 50% from both the field and the 3.
1-2 Punch: Leandro Barbosa/Hedo Turkoglu
8. Chicago Bulls
18-23
You would think that a team with Carmelo Anthony as its main piece would be a key player in the playoff race but the Bulls are barely there. Ray Allen is scoring his ass off averaging 28ppg, and Marcus Banks has had a great season thus far putting up great all around numbers - but outside of that the Bulls have no help what so ever. Their frontcourt is possibly on of the worst in the league with big Z hardly making an impact and Nene and Perkins still stuck in development mode. If the Bulls can find themselves a big man they should be a sizable threat, but as of now they are on the fringe of being in the lottery.
1-2 Punch: Carmelo Anthony/Ray Allen
1. Toronto Raptors
34-8
The Raptors got off to a great start to the season as their GM managed to get Dwayne Wade much needed help. They are leading a well balanced attack scoring a league high 115 points per game. The team MVP is clearly Jason Kidd who is filling up in the stat sheet in just about every category. Look for the Raptors to finish the season strong and go into the post season with home court advantage over the rest of the league.
1-2 Punch: Jason Kidd/Dwayne Wade
2. Boston Celtics
29-13
It took a while for the Celtics to assemble the right roster around Lebron James but the dust has finally settled and they are on a 10 game win streak. The fans in Boston are jumping out their seats as the big 3 fight for what will be the first championship for the Celtics since the Larry Bird era. Due to a slow start to the season and a few injuries to the green giant Shaq, they are a whole 5 games behind the first seed. Expect the Celtics to remain top 3 however for the remainder of the season as they battle for a championship, anything less would be a colossal disappointment for this storied franchise.
1-2 Punch: Lebron James/Shaq O Neal
3. Orlando Magic
23-10
The Magic's GM has made significant moves lately to move the team into a new direction. First came the departure of Paul Pierce for superstar PF Chris Webber. The Magic have also employed an interesting backcourt of sharp shooter Dan Dickau who is back in top form and Derrick Zimmerman who can get the ball down the court just as fast as anyone in the league. Erick Strickland was also brought in to maintain this team's deadly outside shooting and the latest addition of Peja will made this team very difficult to defend. Giving up Alonzo Mourning may bite however, as he was leading the team in rebounds as well as blocks.
1-2 Punch: Dan Dickau/Chris Webber
4. Miami Heat
28-15
The Miami Heat have maintained their momentum from last season and have had a very impressive first half to the season. Jermaine O Neal is averaging a career high 21 ppg and Jameer Nelson is leading the team at PG after coming off a strong rookie season. The addition of Eddie Jones to this team can be a game changer as they now have 5 players that are averaging 15 ppg. The heat will be a team to fear this postseason as they have many different scoring threats.
1-2 Punch: Eddie Jones/Jermaine O' Neal
5. Atlanta Hawks
22-18
The defending champions have had a disappointing first half to the season. Perhaps it is the teams aging core, or perhaps its just the fact that the East got stronger. Either way the Hawks will look to contend for a top 4 spot this season as they have brought in Antoine Walker to play the 3 and shifted Stephen Jackson to the 2. Time will tell if this move will pay off for them, look for their GM to try to bring in some more scoring.
1-2 Punch: Steve Nash/Antoine Walker
6. NJ Nets
22-22
Sitting at .500 the Nets can't be too disappointed with their season. Stephon Marbury is having a great season putting up 25ppg on 48% shooting, but where is his help? Ron Artest is quietly scoring 18ppg and Tim Thomas is contributing 16ppg but will their play be consistent against the power house teams in the playoffs. The Nets do have Gerald Wallace who has improved his game tremendously, except for the fact that he has absolutely no outside shot. If the Nets can send him to a shooting camp, or shift him to PF and run a fast pace - they could make some noise. Cambyman is doing it all in the frontcourt averaging 11rbs and 3blks.
1-2 punch: Stephon Marbury/Gerald Wallace
7. Detroit Pistons
18-20
The Pistons started off the season quite well but then fell off the map at some point due to their team refusing to play defense. Barbosa has established himself as one of the league's premier PGs however, and the play of Hedo Turkoglu has given this team a legitimate scoring option. The Pistons still don't have a frontcourt that will enable them to contend however, Brian Grant will not be able to carry the load all by himself. Rookie center Marcin Gortat has come into the league as a promising defender but still has much work to do on his all around game. The Pistons have also yet to find an offer for Michael Finley aka Findawg who is humbly doing his job scoring 19ppg on 50% from both the field and the 3.
1-2 Punch: Leandro Barbosa/Hedo Turkoglu
8. Chicago Bulls
18-23
You would think that a team with Carmelo Anthony as its main piece would be a key player in the playoff race but the Bulls are barely there. Ray Allen is scoring his ass off averaging 28ppg, and Marcus Banks has had a great season thus far putting up great all around numbers - but outside of that the Bulls have no help what so ever. Their frontcourt is possibly on of the worst in the league with big Z hardly making an impact and Nene and Perkins still stuck in development mode. If the Bulls can find themselves a big man they should be a sizable threat, but as of now they are on the fringe of being in the lottery.
1-2 Punch: Carmelo Anthony/Ray Allen
