Post by amanuel0620 on Jul 25, 2011 14:04:41 GMT -5
MVP candidate Deron Williams has the Mavericks sitting atop the western conference.
New Jersey Nets 16-3
Key Player Amare Stoudamire
The defending champs come in number one in our first power rankings. Lead by the deadly duo of Amare Stoudamire and Danny Granger, the New Jersey Nets are off to their best start in nearly 5 years. Although their schedule isn't the hardest to go through, it is balanced off with an injury to one of their key starters. Missing Barbosa for nearly 2 weeks and maintaing thier play speaks alot about this franchise. One player to focus on is their leader Amare Stoudamire, who is going ape shit on teams this year. Nearly averaging 29 point per game and grabbing 9 rebounds per game, Amare wants to let it be known the Nets wont just settle for one ring. He's also letting the Nets management know that, he wants a new 7 year extension. And with the addition of Barbosa to the team, look for them to stay atop of the league.
Atlanta Hawks 14-5
Key Player Caio Torres
Last years eastern conference losers come in at number 2. With a bolstered front-court which features 6 players over 6'10 the Hawks figured out their weakness from the past 2 years. With the addition of the extra bodies inside the Hawks are giving their opponents a hard time trying to put the ball in the basket. Going from one of the worst defenses to one of the best is why the Hawks are number 2 this early in the season. But another reason why the Hawks are here is because of Caio Torres. In the past couple of years the young PF from Spain has had a hard time finding his way, especially playing off a superstar like Joe Johnson. But entering his fourth season in Atlanta, he may finally be finding his identity.
Dallas Mavericks 13-6
Key Player Deron Williams
With the offseason addition of Ron Artest the Mavericks have jumped from an average team to a team that could potentially play in the finals and win it all. With Bogut and Deron Williams running the pick and roll all day long the Mavs are one of the highest scoring teams in the league. Scoring 111 points per game and doing it efficiently. They shoot as a team 45% from the field (7th in the league), 76% from the charity strip (5th in the league), and 41% from downtown (7th in the league). Deron Williams is my early favorite to win MVP, and let his game speak for me; 24 PPG, 5 RPG, 10.5 APG and 1.3 SPG while shooting 51/88/43 (nice)
Orlando Magics 15-7
Key Player Trevor Ariza
After a hot start the Magics nearly saw their season come to an end when their all-star SG Russell Westbrook got carted off the court against the 76ers. But luckily for the Magics and Westbrook everything seems ok and doctors say he should be back in a month or so. Even with his absence, I think they should be alright. Kelenna Azubuike should step into Westbrooks shoes and atleast fill it 2/3s of the way. I also think that the both Jenkins and Ariza will step up thier games. Speaking of Ariza what a year he is having! Hes in his own battle with third year star Jimmer Fredette and Lebron James for the scoring title. With the lose of Westbrook look for Arizas scoring to go even higher, my guess maybe around 32 points per game. But he cant do it alone thats why not only does Charles Jenkins need to step up his game but second round steal Kelenna Azubuike has to become a legit third option if the Magics want to stay atop the east until Westbrook is healthy.
Sacramento Kings 14-8
Key Player Evan Turner
Rounding out our power rankings are the Kings, who aside the Nets are the hottest team in the league. In their last 10 games they are a blistering 9-1 and their only lose coming to the hands of the Bulls, which happened to be the game of the YEAR! After exchanging buckets for nearly 4 minutes the, Bulls were able to walk away after a turnover by Evan Turner lead to Dwayne Wade, who was having an awful night with 6 turnovers, hitting the game winning shot as time expired. After the game there were rumors flying around about a verbal exchange between star SG Brandon Roy and fourth year youngster Evan Turner. GM Will called it a non-issue stating, "at the heat of the moment tempers will flair up. I hope you guys don't make it an issue out of nothing." But my sources close to the Kings say that they have put Evan Turner on the block to see what they can get back. With the issue put past them the Kings took care of the Bucks, in which both Turner and Roy combined for 46 points. Is this what finally wakes up Evan Turner? He's off to a slow start and maybe this is Brandon Roy's way of saying WAKE YOUR ASS UP! If the Kings want to win it all, they need Evan to TURN IT UP!
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