Early Season Top 10
Mar 13, 2013 13:33:43 GMT -5
Post by kobe on Mar 13, 2013 13:33:43 GMT -5
play is a faggot
10. Washington Wizards (12-8)
The Wizards just crack the top 10 after an impressive sim after acquiring Deron Williams. I wasn't a huge fan of the trade as I love Lillard, but Deron makes them better now for sure. Trading 2 firsts for Gordon would have been a better idea for them to me. Lillard's defense could be covered up with Gordon and Shumpert in the backcourt with him. While Deron makes the Wizards better they definitely still aren't a top team in the East just yet. I think they are a move or two away from being that. But they have the pieces to make those moves so they are in good position just need to pull the trigger. They could use an upgrade at SG and some good better depth. Those are the Wizards two weaknesses, if they can address them I think they can make some noise in the East this year.
9. Detroit Pistons (13-9)
The Pistons are use to seeing themselves a little higher on this list over the past couple of seasons, but they have gotten off to a bit of a slow start which is why I have him here. Though talent wise they should be a little higher. The Pistons finally have an active GM who the fans hope will make some moves to put the Pistons over the top in the East. Durant and Cenk is as good of a one-two combination in the league. And Iggy, Perkins, and Gortat all fit great beside them. They, like the Wizards do lack good depth though and that is there biggest down fall every year. The only really big move they can make is if they trade Durant or Cenk in a two for one deal, but I don't think they should trade either. Just try to add the best depth you can.
8. Indiana Pacers (12-4)
And while the Pistons are surprised to see themselves so low, I'm sure the Pacers are surprised to see themselves so high on the list. But they have gotten off to a great start in the tough East and actually have a really good team. Jeff Green, OJ Mayo and Greg Oden all improving in TC was huge for them and it has showed early on this season. Injuries derailed their season last year, but healthy they are definitely a solid playoff team in the East imo. Jeff Green and Cousins are studs and Arenas, Mayo and Oden are all good starters too. They could use some depth as well, but good start for the Pacers this season they should be extremely happy.
7. San Antonio Spurs (14-6)
The Spurs didn't make any moves to a team that won 50 last year, so I expect about the same result this year. They are a very good team because of Bynum but just don't have the other players to take them over the edge. They did make it to the Western Conference Finals last year, so anything can happen but I think the Spurs need to make one or two power moves if they want to be considered serious contenders in the West and in the League. Spurs had a great last sim and should be able to take over the Midwest Division lead momentarily while Aldridge is out for the Grizzlies. Bynum always gives them a chance but I expect the Spurs to make a few moves this season as their team just isn't good enough as it to win a title.
6. New Orleans Hornets (14-5)
I didn't expect the Hornets to be quite this good, but Acy is the real deal. He is so efficient he gives them a great chance in every game. He has a very similar supporting cast to the one he had in Phoenix last year when he led them to 65 wins. So I think the Hornets will win a lot in the regular season, but I still think they just aren't good enough come playoff time to beat the teams ahead of them in a 7 game series. The Hornets are looking to make moves and probably will so depending on how those deals turn out the Hornets have as good a shot as anyone at winning the title this year.
5. Boston Celtics (14-5)
The Celtics finally got a PG they are happy with in Chris Paul this off-season and recently acquired Tyson Chandler and Michael Beasley from the Nets. There team looks great, have a great froncourt and good PG but for some reason I still don't feel they are as good as the Hawks or Knicks. I could be wrong as the addition of Chandler is pretty huge especially if he starts to play like he should for them. They have a strong complete team but come playoff time Beasley and Lee will be exposed by great teams and I think that will be there down fall. Celtics could definitely be higher and probably will move up the list as the team finds the right DC and Chandler starts to play better.
4. Atlanta Hawks (15-5)
The Hawks have one of the best teams on paper and always win a lot of regular season games. There problem has always been winning in the playoffs. With Redd almost at the end of his career its almost time for the Hawks to rebuild and I believe this could be there last hurrah. Though don isn't one to trade so if Redd keeps coming back I could see this same team staying together for as long as Redd doesn't retire. They have a little better record then the Knicks right now, but I think the Knicks will overtake them and finish with the best record in the East again. Hawks are right behind them though, very good team if don made a trade or two they might have a chance to do something.
3. New York Knicks (15-6)
The Knicks, like the Hawks, have had a great team on paper for years I mean LeBron, Wade and Yao all on the same team is wow. But they have also failed to win when it really matters as they big 3 have still yet to win a title. And with andy itching to rebuild this could be there last year to do so. Drafting Anatoly Rientizis and camping him was a great move by the Knicks as he is turning into a really nice player. Stud rebounder and also can block shots it seems. Llull at PG is still LOL worthy. (you see what I did there?) It seems like they could have found a better PG easily. He doesn't score, rebound or play that good of defense and he turns it over not sure why they have stuck with him the whole time. If they upgrade at PG even a little I think they could be the favorites.
2. Memphis Grizzlies (17-5)
After losing to the Kings in 7 last year, the Grizzlies brought in Rajon Rondo and Marc Gasol to help them out as they try to get past the Kings. The Grizzlies lost 3 games last sim with LMA out and still have the best record in the league so it goes without saying they have had a nice start to the season. With LMA out the next 16 days the team will have to pick up the scoring as a collective whole if they are going to continue to play at an elite level. The Grizzlies could use an upgrade at SG, but other then that there team is assembled nicely and look to be the biggest threat to the Kings this year so far. The Grizzlies beat the Kings 108-68 last sim in the same game LMA got hurt.
1. Sacramento Kings (17-6)
The #1 spot has to go to the Kings since no one has done anything to remove them from there. They bring back the same dominate team that won it last year, the only positive for the rest of the league is that they are all really old and this should be the last year they are the favorites. Their bench isn't great, but it doesn't need to be when you have the starting lineup they have. Duncan, Marion and Kobe are match up problems for everyone and Ivey and Bogut are perfect compliments really. The Kings traded Acy to make this team basically, so winning one title made it worth it, but repeating for the Kings would be amazing after some questioned whether or not they would be one and done. Well obviously they are not.
