2013 BBS Mid-Season East Report Card
Feb 26, 2013 18:27:35 GMT -5
Post by gp on Feb 26, 2013 18:27:35 GMT -5
2013 BBS Mid-Season Report Card – Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics – 1st Place Eastern Conference/1st Place Atlantic - 33-12 overall – 20-6 home record
Grade: A
At the halfway mark, the C’s post the best record in the conference albeit with a one game lead over the Detroit Pistons. GM DBW has enjoyed the emergence of budding superstar Michael Kidd-Gilchrist starting to come into his own in only his second year of pro ball while veterans Eddy Curry and Tony Allen have given Boston enough defense and offensive focus to win key ball games this season.
Philadelphia 76ers – 3rd Place Eastern Conference/2nd Place Atlantic - 30-15 overall - 16-4 home record
Grade: A-
As of late, the Sixers are 4-6 but so far so good for GM UK John who is in the middle of his Contract Year. The frontcourt combo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Amare Stoudemire has been devastating to opposing defenses this year, while Azuibuike and DeRozan have been able to stabilize the offensive production at the wing positions. If Philly can get more out of Brandon Knight in the second half of the season, Philly has a chance at the Atlantic division crown.
New York Knicks – 4th Place Eastern Conference/3rd Place Atlantic - 26-12 overall - 15-2 home record
Grade: B+
After a playing most of its games on the road in the first half of the year, the Knicks will be favored at MSG the rest of the season as they are tied for the best home mark in the league. Leading the charge has been perennial MVP candidate LeBron James along with his partner Dwyane Wade and Yao Ming forming the big 3 in the Big Apple. However, will a lack of depth or ability to acquire talent around the trio lead to GM Andy breaking up the trio before the Day 100 deadline?
Orlando Magic – 6th Place Eastern Conference/4th Place Atlantic - 26-21 overall – 15-9 home record
Grade: C
The departure of long time GM Play shook the league and has since left new GM bundy to pick up the pieces in Orlando. He’s acquired a team with promising stars in James Harden and Milan MacVan as well as top point guard Deron Williams. This team should be better than its 26-21 record and it lacks its first round picks and has very little assets outside its starting lineup, which begs to question how this team will rebuild without moving its core players.
New Jersey Nets – 7th Place Eastern Conference/5th Place Atlantic – 22-19 overall – 12-4 home record
Grade: B-
GM Greeme gave up a pair of picks for the stud scorer Michael Beasley this off-season and the risk is starting to pay off as he leads the team in scoring at almost 25 per game while shooting robust percentages. Guard Mike Conley is also having another fine season at the helm for the Nets yet it remains to be seen if the Nets can keep it up in the second half of the season as they are still not a great offense or defensive team.
Washington Wizards – 8th Place Eastern Conference/6th Place Atlantic – 17-17 overall – 8-5 home record
Grade: B
The Wizards have a ton of games left to play in the second half of the season, but the Wiz are in the playoff hunt with an ultra young roster. They were fortunate to bring back second round steal Da’Sean Butler on a 4 year deal this past off-season while drafting two promising rookies in Christian Watford and Rudy Gobert. It will be a nice feel good story if the Wizards can lock up No. 8 seed by season’s end.
Miami Heat – 11th Place Eastern Conference/7th Place Atlantic – 15-26 overall – 9-12 home record
Grade: D+
The 1st year of rebuilding hasn’t gone accordingly as a surplus of good depth has meant many more wins than expected, especially against good teams. In addition, A very unselfish point guard in Ricky Rubio and more teams deciding to rebuild and lose in the East, has led it to be just a mediocre year in Miami. Still, with a number of picks and cap flexibility lie on the horizon that can prove beneficial in the off-season and beyond.
Central Division
Detroit Pistons – 2nd place Eastern Conference/1st Place Central – 33-14 overall – 18-7 home record
Grade: A-
The Durantula continues to lead the Motor City in now his 7th season as a Piston. Point guard Cenk Akyol earned his first All-Star Game appearance this year as he’s second on the team in scoring behind Durant while incumbent Andre Iguodala continues to play third fiddle behind the duo. This team has a strong starting cast but if injuries affect them, they may lose footing in the East race.
Atlanta Hawks – 5th place Eastern Confernce/2nd Place Central – 27-16 overall – 16-7 home record
Grade: B+
GM Donatello has done little to disrupt this team’s mojo since taking over and perhaps that’s the best recipe. The combination of Redd-Gay-Lowry is as formidable as you will find in the league with their scoring punch and prowess to score from outside. Yet, it will be difficult to see how he keeps the current core together with big man Tibor Pleis in his contract year and due a hefty raise by the Hawks or another vying team this coming off-season
Cleveland Cavaliers – 9th Place Eastern Conference/3rd Place Central – 16-20 overall – 12-9 home record
Grade: C+
The Cavs got off to a hot start this year but recently have been reeling due to a rash of injuries. Franchise cornerstone Carmelo Anthony has been banged up while big men Dark Milicic and Troy Murphy are expected to out extended time. To make matters worse, this team has little depth on its bench and very little breathing room under the cap. Still, the Cavs have a good shot to make a run in the playoffs barring any other setbacks.
Indiana Pacers- 10th Place Eastern Conference/4th Place Central - 16-26 overall – 7-11 home record
Grade: D
Perhaps, the second most disappointing team this season has to be the Indianapolis’ own Pacers. After earning 45 wins and a playoff berth last year following three years of rebuilding, the Pacers are 10 games under. 500 and little done to fix one of the league’s worst team defenses. To add insult to injury, they do not own their first round pick this year, essentially making another Eastern Conference rival get stronger with a lottery pick at their disposal.
New Orleans Hornets – 12th Place Eastern Conference/5th Place Central – 12-27 overall – 7-14 home record
Grade: D-
Not a lot has gone right for the Hornets this year. That would be an understatement, but it all seems to start and end with trades. Forward Quincy Acy was found by New Orleans yet dealt away in Amare Stoudamire, who was also eventually dealt also for rookie guard Ben McLemore. Even after acquiring Roy Hibbert and bringing back high flyer Blake Griffin, the Hornets can’t get their offense or defense together. Rebuilding may be on the horizon with this team with so many assets in McLemore, Irving and Griffin.
Chicago Bulls – 13th Place Eastern Conference/6th Place Central – 9-31 overall - 6-15 home record
Grade: C+
GM Ashes has done nice a near pristine job of losing even with talented players on his roster. Guard Marcus Smart is having a nice rookie season while fellow rookies Alex Abrines and CJ Leslie are also showing promising play as well. With Derrick Williams and Derrick Favors due for paydays, the Bulls have a good foundation to build on.
Toronto Raptors – 13th Place Eastern Conference/6th Place Central – 8-33 overall – 5-13 home record
Grade: C+
DJ and the Raptors literally have a ton of picks to play around with the next 4-5 years so they look to be in good shape despite anything that resembles talent on their current roster. Perhaps, Pierre Jackson and Michael Carter-Williams may be part of their future and maybe they won’t. For now, it doesn’t matter as the Raps are clearly in rebuild mode.
Milwaukee Bucks – 14th Place Eastern Conference/7th Place Central – 4-35 overall – 4-13 home record
Grade: C+
After losing 3 spots and Shabazz Muhammed in the draft, the Bucks did well in getting young big man Jeff Whithey from Boston along with a valuable Orlando pick and got a lottery Hornets pick in a DeMar DeRozan deal. They’re set up pretty well for the future with Anthony Benett, Steven Adams, Whithey, Dion Waiters and Jrue Holiday.
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics – 1st Place Eastern Conference/1st Place Atlantic - 33-12 overall – 20-6 home record
Grade: A
At the halfway mark, the C’s post the best record in the conference albeit with a one game lead over the Detroit Pistons. GM DBW has enjoyed the emergence of budding superstar Michael Kidd-Gilchrist starting to come into his own in only his second year of pro ball while veterans Eddy Curry and Tony Allen have given Boston enough defense and offensive focus to win key ball games this season.
Philadelphia 76ers – 3rd Place Eastern Conference/2nd Place Atlantic - 30-15 overall - 16-4 home record
Grade: A-
As of late, the Sixers are 4-6 but so far so good for GM UK John who is in the middle of his Contract Year. The frontcourt combo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Amare Stoudemire has been devastating to opposing defenses this year, while Azuibuike and DeRozan have been able to stabilize the offensive production at the wing positions. If Philly can get more out of Brandon Knight in the second half of the season, Philly has a chance at the Atlantic division crown.
New York Knicks – 4th Place Eastern Conference/3rd Place Atlantic - 26-12 overall - 15-2 home record
Grade: B+
After a playing most of its games on the road in the first half of the year, the Knicks will be favored at MSG the rest of the season as they are tied for the best home mark in the league. Leading the charge has been perennial MVP candidate LeBron James along with his partner Dwyane Wade and Yao Ming forming the big 3 in the Big Apple. However, will a lack of depth or ability to acquire talent around the trio lead to GM Andy breaking up the trio before the Day 100 deadline?
Orlando Magic – 6th Place Eastern Conference/4th Place Atlantic - 26-21 overall – 15-9 home record
Grade: C
The departure of long time GM Play shook the league and has since left new GM bundy to pick up the pieces in Orlando. He’s acquired a team with promising stars in James Harden and Milan MacVan as well as top point guard Deron Williams. This team should be better than its 26-21 record and it lacks its first round picks and has very little assets outside its starting lineup, which begs to question how this team will rebuild without moving its core players.
New Jersey Nets – 7th Place Eastern Conference/5th Place Atlantic – 22-19 overall – 12-4 home record
Grade: B-
GM Greeme gave up a pair of picks for the stud scorer Michael Beasley this off-season and the risk is starting to pay off as he leads the team in scoring at almost 25 per game while shooting robust percentages. Guard Mike Conley is also having another fine season at the helm for the Nets yet it remains to be seen if the Nets can keep it up in the second half of the season as they are still not a great offense or defensive team.
Washington Wizards – 8th Place Eastern Conference/6th Place Atlantic – 17-17 overall – 8-5 home record
Grade: B
The Wizards have a ton of games left to play in the second half of the season, but the Wiz are in the playoff hunt with an ultra young roster. They were fortunate to bring back second round steal Da’Sean Butler on a 4 year deal this past off-season while drafting two promising rookies in Christian Watford and Rudy Gobert. It will be a nice feel good story if the Wizards can lock up No. 8 seed by season’s end.
Miami Heat – 11th Place Eastern Conference/7th Place Atlantic – 15-26 overall – 9-12 home record
Grade: D+
The 1st year of rebuilding hasn’t gone accordingly as a surplus of good depth has meant many more wins than expected, especially against good teams. In addition, A very unselfish point guard in Ricky Rubio and more teams deciding to rebuild and lose in the East, has led it to be just a mediocre year in Miami. Still, with a number of picks and cap flexibility lie on the horizon that can prove beneficial in the off-season and beyond.
Central Division
Detroit Pistons – 2nd place Eastern Conference/1st Place Central – 33-14 overall – 18-7 home record
Grade: A-
The Durantula continues to lead the Motor City in now his 7th season as a Piston. Point guard Cenk Akyol earned his first All-Star Game appearance this year as he’s second on the team in scoring behind Durant while incumbent Andre Iguodala continues to play third fiddle behind the duo. This team has a strong starting cast but if injuries affect them, they may lose footing in the East race.
Atlanta Hawks – 5th place Eastern Confernce/2nd Place Central – 27-16 overall – 16-7 home record
Grade: B+
GM Donatello has done little to disrupt this team’s mojo since taking over and perhaps that’s the best recipe. The combination of Redd-Gay-Lowry is as formidable as you will find in the league with their scoring punch and prowess to score from outside. Yet, it will be difficult to see how he keeps the current core together with big man Tibor Pleis in his contract year and due a hefty raise by the Hawks or another vying team this coming off-season
Cleveland Cavaliers – 9th Place Eastern Conference/3rd Place Central – 16-20 overall – 12-9 home record
Grade: C+
The Cavs got off to a hot start this year but recently have been reeling due to a rash of injuries. Franchise cornerstone Carmelo Anthony has been banged up while big men Dark Milicic and Troy Murphy are expected to out extended time. To make matters worse, this team has little depth on its bench and very little breathing room under the cap. Still, the Cavs have a good shot to make a run in the playoffs barring any other setbacks.
Indiana Pacers- 10th Place Eastern Conference/4th Place Central - 16-26 overall – 7-11 home record
Grade: D
Perhaps, the second most disappointing team this season has to be the Indianapolis’ own Pacers. After earning 45 wins and a playoff berth last year following three years of rebuilding, the Pacers are 10 games under. 500 and little done to fix one of the league’s worst team defenses. To add insult to injury, they do not own their first round pick this year, essentially making another Eastern Conference rival get stronger with a lottery pick at their disposal.
New Orleans Hornets – 12th Place Eastern Conference/5th Place Central – 12-27 overall – 7-14 home record
Grade: D-
Not a lot has gone right for the Hornets this year. That would be an understatement, but it all seems to start and end with trades. Forward Quincy Acy was found by New Orleans yet dealt away in Amare Stoudamire, who was also eventually dealt also for rookie guard Ben McLemore. Even after acquiring Roy Hibbert and bringing back high flyer Blake Griffin, the Hornets can’t get their offense or defense together. Rebuilding may be on the horizon with this team with so many assets in McLemore, Irving and Griffin.
Chicago Bulls – 13th Place Eastern Conference/6th Place Central – 9-31 overall - 6-15 home record
Grade: C+
GM Ashes has done nice a near pristine job of losing even with talented players on his roster. Guard Marcus Smart is having a nice rookie season while fellow rookies Alex Abrines and CJ Leslie are also showing promising play as well. With Derrick Williams and Derrick Favors due for paydays, the Bulls have a good foundation to build on.
Toronto Raptors – 13th Place Eastern Conference/6th Place Central – 8-33 overall – 5-13 home record
Grade: C+
DJ and the Raptors literally have a ton of picks to play around with the next 4-5 years so they look to be in good shape despite anything that resembles talent on their current roster. Perhaps, Pierre Jackson and Michael Carter-Williams may be part of their future and maybe they won’t. For now, it doesn’t matter as the Raps are clearly in rebuild mode.
Milwaukee Bucks – 14th Place Eastern Conference/7th Place Central – 4-35 overall – 4-13 home record
Grade: C+
After losing 3 spots and Shabazz Muhammed in the draft, the Bucks did well in getting young big man Jeff Whithey from Boston along with a valuable Orlando pick and got a lottery Hornets pick in a DeMar DeRozan deal. They’re set up pretty well for the future with Anthony Benett, Steven Adams, Whithey, Dion Waiters and Jrue Holiday.
