2015 Pre-Season BBS Power Rankings #1-15
Mar 30, 2013 17:38:25 GMT -5
Post by gp on Mar 30, 2013 17:38:25 GMT -5
1-
Memphis Grizzlies
The defending champs come back to the No. 1 spot after reloading this off-season and getting even stronger in acquiring last year’s 1st team All-League SG Brandon Roy. Depth seems to be a possible issue for kobe and the Grizz but with a stellar starting lineup, there’s no reason why this team can’t make a deep run for the championship once again.
Projected win total: 59-23
2-
New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets lost a close 7 game series at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks in last year’s playoffs which cost them a trip to the BBS finals. This year, GM aar has restocked and upgraded the talent on this year’s squad acquiring big man Amir Johnson and sharpshooting swingman James Harden. Depth may also be a question on this team as it is very close to the hard cap with not a ton of reliable backups on the roster.
Projected win total: 60-22
3-
Boston Celtics
We have yet to see an MVP-like season from super stud Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and maybe that’s all this team needs to capture a title. Forwards David Lee and Michael Beasley are extremely gifted scorers while point guard Chris Paul continues to be the engine that gets this offense going. The C’s should be in the mix for one of the top seeds in the East this year barring any injury.
Projected win total: 57-25
4-
Detroit Pistons
Under the tutelage of new GM @hustlindaily, the Pistons are looking to regain their position at the top of the East. With perennial MVP candidate Kevin Durant in the fold, this team seems to be about a third scorer short from being in the upper echelon of teams competing every season. Guard Cenk Akyol is still one of the best point guards in the league and if the Pistons get more production from Jared Dudley, they should be in for a fine season.
Projected win total: 56-26
5-
Atlanta Hawks
Despite being currently over the hard cap for the second time this off-season, the Hawks still have a talented roster. Big man Tibor Pleiss is one of the most coveted defenders in the league while point guard Kyle Lowry is probably one of the most valuable players in the league. Still, the Hawks are bound to lose their talent since they do not have enough players to fill their roster with their current cap situation.
Projected win total: 54-28
6-
Denver Nuggets
GM jeff made an interesting move to go younger in acquiring Victor Oladipo from the Grizz this year in exchange for stud guard Brandon Roy. The Nuggets should benefit immediately on the defensive end of the ball but may struggle on offense unless they figure that Kelena Azubuike will be the solution to their wing scoring long term.
Projected win total: 57-25
7-
Toronto Raptors
@dj made some shrewd moves this off-season which should propel his team to the top of the East. It began with his team stealing guard Ty Lawson from a contract year Milwaukee Bucks team which was hoping to bring him back on a reasonable deal. Then, a rather under the radar trade of big man Kris Humphries who along with Nerlens Noel should be a strong duo down low. Now, the Raptors have a top point guard in Deron Williams after a trade with Washington and there’s no question this team is headed to the elite level of teams in the league.
Projected win total: 53-29
8-
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers made a stunning move in bringing back tweener guard Louis Williams on a maximum contract which now makes things interesting in seeing if either Williams or Monta Ellis may have to be moved in the future. They still have All-Rookie point guard Jimmy Murphy on the roster who stabilizes the entire roster yet this team clearly lacks depth to be a significant team in the playoffs it seems.
Projected win total: 52-30
9-
Philadelphia 76ers
Philly is another team under new ownership following the departure of the newly appointed commish Alex Len. With aaron at the helm now, he acquires a team with a nasty frontline in Andre Drummond and Amare Stoudamire along with a solid three-man in DeMar DeRozan. And while Ben Gordon is still probably a top 10 shooting guard in the league, Mike Conley may be the team’s X-Factor at point guard as the team’s ultimate success may rely on him.
Projected win total: 50-32
10-
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are relatively untested and new much like its GM, mustajab. Its roster is stacked with shooters and outside weapons including forward Milan MacVan and last year’s lotto pick Nate Templeton. The Cavs have an intriguing team and could be one of the biggest surprises of the league if they get off to a hot start. The only real weakness of this team may be on the defensive end which could be irrelevant if they outscore each opponent.
Projected win total: 47-35
11-
Sacramento Kings
With no real ownership in place after the sudden departure of GM Jiggy, the Kings still have one of the most talented assortment of veterans in the league. Forward Tim Duncan has some of the best ratings still at age 39 while a pair of 37 year olds in Shawn Marion and Kobe Bryant form one of the best scoring duos in the league. Still this squad lacks a point guard and depth at many other positions that keep them from being at the top of their conference.
Projected win total: 50-32
12-
Phoenix Suns
Skillz admitted to making a monumental mistake in dealing league MVP Quincy Acy last year which led to the team’s losing its momentum from its deal with the Sacramento Kings. This year’s Suns have a new identity which is completed based on defense. Phoenix has loaded up on strong to elite defenders including John Wall, Vadim Yakimov and Glen Davis. While the points will come from Brook Lopez among others, this team will earn its place on defense.
Projected win total: 48-34
13-
Miami Heat
The Heat have taken a win-now mentality following the acquisitions of Alando Tucker and Bismack Biyombo, both strong defenders in their own right. Yet, despite having excellent depth, rebounding and defense, there is no real superstar on the roster which may be a problem going forward. In the meantime, the team may have to hang its hat on its defense and well-rounded approach to winning ball games.
Projected win total: 46-36
14-
Seattle Sonics
The Sonics have a pair of veteran bigs down low which will be key to their success this year in Marc Gasol and Darko Milicic. In addition, a backcourt combo of Tony Parker and Kyrie Irving should be interesting to see as well as watching the development of lotto pick Brody Weller woking with Marvin Williams at the wing spots. This team has an appeal to it and could be one of the sleeping giants in the West.
Projected win total: 46-36
15-
Indiana Pacers
As of the league’s most low key members, Erbes has taken some flack over his management or lack thereof the Pacers. Two seasons ago, he allowed the Knicks to net a lotto pick off his team’s poor play and last year the team managed to make it back the playoffs. The frontcourt tandem of DeMarcus Cousins along with center Greg Oden and Jeff Green remains one of the best in the East. Still, it seems that Al Horford is the most overpaid fixture on this roster and should probably be moved for an upgrade for this team to succeed.
Projected win total: 44-38
Memphis Grizzlies
The defending champs come back to the No. 1 spot after reloading this off-season and getting even stronger in acquiring last year’s 1st team All-League SG Brandon Roy. Depth seems to be a possible issue for kobe and the Grizz but with a stellar starting lineup, there’s no reason why this team can’t make a deep run for the championship once again.
Projected win total: 59-23
2-
New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets lost a close 7 game series at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks in last year’s playoffs which cost them a trip to the BBS finals. This year, GM aar has restocked and upgraded the talent on this year’s squad acquiring big man Amir Johnson and sharpshooting swingman James Harden. Depth may also be a question on this team as it is very close to the hard cap with not a ton of reliable backups on the roster.
Projected win total: 60-22
3-
Boston Celtics
We have yet to see an MVP-like season from super stud Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and maybe that’s all this team needs to capture a title. Forwards David Lee and Michael Beasley are extremely gifted scorers while point guard Chris Paul continues to be the engine that gets this offense going. The C’s should be in the mix for one of the top seeds in the East this year barring any injury.
Projected win total: 57-25
4-
Detroit Pistons
Under the tutelage of new GM @hustlindaily, the Pistons are looking to regain their position at the top of the East. With perennial MVP candidate Kevin Durant in the fold, this team seems to be about a third scorer short from being in the upper echelon of teams competing every season. Guard Cenk Akyol is still one of the best point guards in the league and if the Pistons get more production from Jared Dudley, they should be in for a fine season.
Projected win total: 56-26
5-
Atlanta Hawks
Despite being currently over the hard cap for the second time this off-season, the Hawks still have a talented roster. Big man Tibor Pleiss is one of the most coveted defenders in the league while point guard Kyle Lowry is probably one of the most valuable players in the league. Still, the Hawks are bound to lose their talent since they do not have enough players to fill their roster with their current cap situation.
Projected win total: 54-28
6-
Denver Nuggets
GM jeff made an interesting move to go younger in acquiring Victor Oladipo from the Grizz this year in exchange for stud guard Brandon Roy. The Nuggets should benefit immediately on the defensive end of the ball but may struggle on offense unless they figure that Kelena Azubuike will be the solution to their wing scoring long term.
Projected win total: 57-25
7-
Toronto Raptors
@dj made some shrewd moves this off-season which should propel his team to the top of the East. It began with his team stealing guard Ty Lawson from a contract year Milwaukee Bucks team which was hoping to bring him back on a reasonable deal. Then, a rather under the radar trade of big man Kris Humphries who along with Nerlens Noel should be a strong duo down low. Now, the Raptors have a top point guard in Deron Williams after a trade with Washington and there’s no question this team is headed to the elite level of teams in the league.
Projected win total: 53-29
8-
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers made a stunning move in bringing back tweener guard Louis Williams on a maximum contract which now makes things interesting in seeing if either Williams or Monta Ellis may have to be moved in the future. They still have All-Rookie point guard Jimmy Murphy on the roster who stabilizes the entire roster yet this team clearly lacks depth to be a significant team in the playoffs it seems.
Projected win total: 52-30
9-
Philadelphia 76ers
Philly is another team under new ownership following the departure of the newly appointed commish Alex Len. With aaron at the helm now, he acquires a team with a nasty frontline in Andre Drummond and Amare Stoudamire along with a solid three-man in DeMar DeRozan. And while Ben Gordon is still probably a top 10 shooting guard in the league, Mike Conley may be the team’s X-Factor at point guard as the team’s ultimate success may rely on him.
Projected win total: 50-32
10-
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are relatively untested and new much like its GM, mustajab. Its roster is stacked with shooters and outside weapons including forward Milan MacVan and last year’s lotto pick Nate Templeton. The Cavs have an intriguing team and could be one of the biggest surprises of the league if they get off to a hot start. The only real weakness of this team may be on the defensive end which could be irrelevant if they outscore each opponent.
Projected win total: 47-35
11-
Sacramento Kings
With no real ownership in place after the sudden departure of GM Jiggy, the Kings still have one of the most talented assortment of veterans in the league. Forward Tim Duncan has some of the best ratings still at age 39 while a pair of 37 year olds in Shawn Marion and Kobe Bryant form one of the best scoring duos in the league. Still this squad lacks a point guard and depth at many other positions that keep them from being at the top of their conference.
Projected win total: 50-32
12-
Phoenix Suns
Skillz admitted to making a monumental mistake in dealing league MVP Quincy Acy last year which led to the team’s losing its momentum from its deal with the Sacramento Kings. This year’s Suns have a new identity which is completed based on defense. Phoenix has loaded up on strong to elite defenders including John Wall, Vadim Yakimov and Glen Davis. While the points will come from Brook Lopez among others, this team will earn its place on defense.
Projected win total: 48-34
13-
Miami Heat
The Heat have taken a win-now mentality following the acquisitions of Alando Tucker and Bismack Biyombo, both strong defenders in their own right. Yet, despite having excellent depth, rebounding and defense, there is no real superstar on the roster which may be a problem going forward. In the meantime, the team may have to hang its hat on its defense and well-rounded approach to winning ball games.
Projected win total: 46-36
14-
Seattle Sonics
The Sonics have a pair of veteran bigs down low which will be key to their success this year in Marc Gasol and Darko Milicic. In addition, a backcourt combo of Tony Parker and Kyrie Irving should be interesting to see as well as watching the development of lotto pick Brody Weller woking with Marvin Williams at the wing spots. This team has an appeal to it and could be one of the sleeping giants in the West.
Projected win total: 46-36
15-
Indiana Pacers
As of the league’s most low key members, Erbes has taken some flack over his management or lack thereof the Pacers. Two seasons ago, he allowed the Knicks to net a lotto pick off his team’s poor play and last year the team managed to make it back the playoffs. The frontcourt tandem of DeMarcus Cousins along with center Greg Oden and Jeff Green remains one of the best in the East. Still, it seems that Al Horford is the most overpaid fixture on this roster and should probably be moved for an upgrade for this team to succeed.
Projected win total: 44-38