Post by SkRoUsE on Oct 8, 2010 15:28:56 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay on finishing this thing, I had a pretty crazy weekend. I only got online to check stuff a couple of times and the rest of the I was busy with work and football.
Here's the final product. (sorry no time for pretty pictures)
Enjoy!
Washington Wizard (Clown)
Record: 9 - 48 (15th East)
Team Salary: $31,643,022
Cap Space: $18,356,978
Worst Contract(s): Omar Cook 3 years $11.25 million
Draft Future: Great - 2006 -3 1st (WAS, SEA, SA), 2 2nds in 2006 (TOR, CHA); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 11st, 1 2nd
Analysis: Washington is just cruising along this year waiting for the lottery results, they should end up with 1 top 3 pick, a 2nd in the top 10 pick and their 3rd will be near the mid 20s. GM Clown will have a lot to build with this off season and a lot of space to do it. With Omar Cook's contract being the worst on this payroll, there really isn't anything holding this team back this offseason. If GM Clown does well in the draft and can pick up 1 or 2 solid FAs, Washington should have a bright future over the next 5 seasons.
Portland Trail Blazers (duc15)
Record: 13 - 44(14th West)
Team Salary: $47,223,196
Cap Space: $2,776,804
Worst Contract(s): Richard Hamilton 4 years $27.90 million, Tony Parker 3 years $21.42 million, Michael Bradley 2 years $16.0 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st, 3 2nd (POR, MIN, PHX); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd
Analysis: This team has 1 bright spot in Bonzi Wells, who sadly is in the final year of his contract. Tony Parker, Richard Hamilton and Michael Bradley aren't really producing the numbers you'd like for the money they're getting paid. This year they are collectively making $21 million and only putting up 34.7 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 9.1 APG, 3.1 SPG, 1.9 BPG and 5.3 TOPG. For 3 starters making roughly 1/4th of the hard cap, I'd expect better numbers. The good news is their contracts really aren't that bad, GM duc15 has roughly $22.5 mil coming off the books this season so he has a bit to play with in the offseason. The FA market will be where he can make a splash as he doesn't have any 1st rounders this year. If he resigns Bonzi, drafts 1 gem with his 3 2nd round picks, and lands a solid FA he could be in good shape over the next few season. But right now things aren't looking that great.
Detroit Piston (rv12)
Record: 14 - 47(14th East)
Team Salary: $40,138,638
Cap Space: $9,861,362
Worst Contract(s): Brendan Heywood 4 years $33.70 million, Tim Duncan 7 years $144.38 million
Draft Future: Great - 2006 - 2 1st (MIN, MIL), 1 2nd (DET); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: The Pistons are in good spot right now. GM rv12 has a star in the middle of his prime locked up for the rest of his career in Tim Duncan. He has a solid defensive big entering his prime Brendan Heywood locked up for 4 years. And he also has 2 lottery picks for the 2006 draft. Duncan's contract isn't bad, but if his play declines too early the last 2 - 3 years of his contract may be costly. Heywood is making as much as you'd want to pay a defensive C, he's basically a 10 and 10 guy that adds a couple blocks a game and makes scoring a pain in the neck for opposing center, a great compliment for Duncan. And his 4 year deal isn't bad, it's just borderline high, but it really isn't that long and will expire before his 2 lottery draft picks this year will want to resign. This team has a little bit of cap to work with but after drafting 2 lottery picks won’t have much to work with in terms of big time FA. GM rv12's hopes of a championship will ride on his ability to draft well this year because he doesn't have much coming off the books over the next few years so FA won't be an option.
Minnesota Fighting Kahns (IanBoyd)
Record: 24 - 34(13th West)
Team Salary: $59,246,722
Cap Space: $(9,246,722)
Worst Contract(s): Ben Wallace 4 years $31.1 million, Ron Artest 2 years $20 million, Doug Christie 2 years $12.8 million, Jordan Robertson 3 years $9.9 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 – 0 1st, 0 2nd; 2007 - 3 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 0 2nd;
Analysis: Minnesota is in full rebuilding mode. No picks this year but a lot of expensive and short contracts. As those contracts expire GM IanBoyd will be adding 3 1st round picks next season and will have the ability to play the FA market. As for right now he only has 1 guy worth a damn on his roster, Ben Wallace. His contract wouldn’t be bad at all for a defensive beast if Minnesota was competing, but for a rebuilding team Wallace is wasting cap space. The good side is the contract is only 4 years and for the last 2 years I think GM IanBoyd will have added some good pieces and Wallace can back to a more complimentary role. Right now it’s the dumps but Minnesota is set up well for the future.
Toronto Raptors (Soup)
Record: 25 – 35 (13th East)
Team Salary: $57,386,963
Cap Space: $(7,386,963)
Worst Contract(s): Tyson Chandler 6 years $81.6 million, Brian Cardinal 3 years $26.5 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st, 1 2nd (UTAH); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: An enormous plus for this team is Kobe, with Kobe you can always win. GM Soup also has Antawn Jamison, a very efficient scorer right in the prime of his career. These two guys are locked up for 6 and 4 years respectively and that gives GM Soup some time to get back into championship form. The big problem on this team is Tyson Chandler, Brian Cardinal and their contracts. Yes Tyson is only 23 years old but for a guy taking up a big chunk of the salary cap up one would expect big numbers, and Tyson hasn’t shown that. He’s been in the league for 4 years and that generally means he’s almost done growing as a player. He’ll be entering his prime soon and he should be getting better than 8 PPG, 9RPG and 1 BPG by now. If he doesn’t start giving Soup the numbers he needs to be a contender, getting rid of him may be tough. The other half of Toronto’s sub-par front line Brian Cardinal, he’s taking up $8.4 million this year, and a little more than $26 million over the next 3 years. These 2 contracts are keeping Toronto over the soft cap and makes playing FA impossible, with no 1st rounder picks this season Toronto has some decisions to make. Soup can make a trade, wait it out and hope to get good draft picks in 07 and 08, or hope Tyson turns into the elite C a lot of GMs thought he would be by now.
Philadelphia 76ers (supabran)
Record: 24 – 33 (12th East)
Team Salary: $69,597,303
Cap Space: $(19,597,303)
Worst Contract(s): Grant Hill 7 years $168.44 million, Jason Kidd 6 years $131.25 million, Shane Battier 4 years 59.38 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (PHI) 3 2nd (PHI, CHI, WAS); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: The start of this year has been rough for supabran and the 76ers. Contract problems had Philly in a future stranglehold but after a few trades they are back on track. supabran still has 3 monster contracts on his roster but they all may be worth the money. Grant Hill's is the worst and the fact he is 33 years old make it even worse. If he plays out his entire deal supa will be hurting as I doubt a 40 year old Hill will be worth $30+ million. But my bet is Hill retires after year 5 or 6 and supa escapes the last year or 2 of that monster. Kidd and Battier's contract aren't as bad but still make playing the FA market impossible for this team. The 76ers have underperformed this season and look to be heading for a lottery pick. If they can land a big man to go with a top notch back court and help them compete over the next 3 years the future could be looking up for this team. As for right now, supa is just going to have to go with the flow and seize opportunities as they come about.
Indiana Pacers (Drmantistoboggan)
Record: 26 – 33 (11th East)
Team Salary: $34,246,400
Cap Space: $15,753,600
Worst Contract(s): Lamar Odom 4 years $28.7 million, Quentin Richardson 3 years $17.1 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (IND) 1 2nd (IND); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Indiana is in relatively good shape. They have all their draft picks intact for the next 3 years which means they have 1 lottery pick for the upcoming draft. They also don’t have any strangling contracts which will give them some room to make moves in FA. GM Drmantistoboggan has 1 primary objective this offseason, RESIGN CARMELO ANTHONY. As long as he pays the man he should stay, then Drmantis can try to add an impact rookie in the draft and along with 1 or 2 solid FAs to make this a playoff team. The only 2 downers I can really find are Lamar Odom and Quentin Richardson, who are slightly overpaid but there are much worse contracts in the league so these aren’t too shabby. Indiana isn’t winning right now but their future is looking pretty damn good.
Milwaukie Bucks (Trofie)
Record: 27 – 33 (10th East)
Team Salary: $62,573,454
Cap Space: $(12,573,454)
Worst Contract(s): Eddie Griffin 6 years $93.8 million, Allen Iverson 6 years $93.8 million, Michael Finley 3 years $21 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 1 1st (UTA) 1 2nd (MIL); 2007 - 0 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Milwaukie is a tricky team to give a grade. They have a couple of huge contracts, 1 on a complementary starter in Eddie Griffin and 1 on a solid but not quite elite player in AI. Griffin is young yes but is pretty much done growing, he may improve slightly but I don’t think much, he is what he is a 10 and 10 guy that makes scoring pain for opposing PFs, worth a max deal??? I don’t think so. AI is solid yes, but there are better PGs out there making the same and even a little less money but putting up better numbers (see Chauncey Billups and Baron Davis). Then GM Trofie has Michael Finley’s 3 years $21 million deal that isn’t too bad but for a scorer putting in 11 PPG, it’s a bit high. Plus GM Trofie has rookie Danny Granger trying to get minutes and has to either pay for a bench player or limit a guy with a ton of potential. In my opinion Trofie has a team that doesn’t quite fit together, a couple guys AI and Griffin ready to win now and then a few guys like Granger, Darko and J.R. Smith trying to grow to win later. The 2 big contracts may end up keeping this team down because they can’t play the FA market and won’t be able to resign all their young guys if they hold on to both. If they can’t win soon it may be better to try and move the 2 and build around the young ones to win later.
Orlando Magic (MJ)
Record: 23 – 28 (9th East)
Team Salary: $42,501,724
Cap Space: $7,498,276
Worst Contract(s): Kwame Brown 4 years $57.5 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 2 1st (ORL, CHA) 2 2nd (ORL, SAC); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in great shape. GM MJ has a fantastic young player in Deron Williams paired with an elite player in Gilbert Arenas. The Magic are a bit lacking in the front court but may end up with a lottery pick this year and could grab a decent big man in the middle to early 1st. MJ also has this team well under the cap with a shit load of contract coming off the books this season. The only negative I see is the overpaid Kwame Brown. He’s only averaging 12.6 PPG and 8 RPG and is making as much as Arenas. If MJ can land a solid C this offseason to put in the front court it may help Kwame play better. Borderline playoff team right now but this team needs a few more pieces before they’ll be back in contention, good thing they have a great GM in MJ who has the ability to make the necessary moves.
Memphis Grizzlies (scatmanduse)
Record: 26 – 33 (12th West)
Team Salary: $49,579,361
Cap Space: $420,639
Worst Contract(s): Mike Miller 2 years $10.8 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (MEM) 1 2nd (MEM); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 0 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Another team in good shape. GM scatmanduse has an elite player locked up and ready to build around for the next 6 years in Tracy McGrady. He already has some solid pieces line up with Wagner, Kaman, Murphy, Marvin Williams, and TJ Ford. It’s going to take a few years for all of these players to develop but as they do this team will just keep getting better. Scat also has the majority of his draft picks intact giving him a lottery pick in this year’s draft to add another piece to this young team. Mike Miller is the only blemish I can find but after his and few other mediocre contracts clear in a couple season’s this team will be primed to make a playoff run.
Golden State Warriors (Melo)
Record: 24 – 27 (11th West)
Team Salary: $45,865,602
Cap Space: $4,134,398
Worst Contract(s): N/A
Draft Future: Great - 2006 - 3 1st (GS, BOS, SAC) 3 2nd (MIA, BOS, GS); 2007 - 0 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 3 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in amazing shape. They have a hand full off cap space right now and a shit load more coming off the books this off season to help resign some young talent and add a FA or two. GM Melo also has 6 picks in the upcoming draft, 3 in the first round, to add more youth and talent to this team. And he has his superstar in Pau Gasol locked up and ready to build around with 1 great young piece already in place, Devin Harris. If Melo keeps it up I give this team 2 - 3 years and they’ll be making a title run.
San Antonio Spurs (herky86)
Record: 29 – 31 (10th West)
Team Salary: $49,451,309
Cap Space: $548,691
Worst Contract(s): N/A
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (SA); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: The SA Spurs have a lot of freedom and are in pretty solid shape. No big contracts holding them down, a few young players to build with, and a very valuable 2 year $37.2 million dollar contract for one of the most dominant players in TMBS, Alonzo Mourning. The only thing about Zo’s contract that is a negative is it prevents GM herky86 from playing the FA market this offseason. However, if herky holds onto it he can shop for a great deal between now and next season and if he never finds one he has that $20 million plus another $15 million in various contracts coming off the books in 2 seasons. Herky doesn’t have a lot of great young player to build around but rather some nice ones to put around a great player or 2. I don’t expect much over the next 2 season but when his books are almost wiped clean this team is going to be able to make a big splash in FA.
Los Angeles Lakers (lulu)
Record: 28 – 30 (9th West)
Team Salary: $39,064,950
Cap Space: $10,935,050
Worst Contract(s): Jason Richardson 4 years $32.5 million, Ricky Davis 4 years 26.6 million, Derek Fisher 3 years 16.1 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (LAL) 1 2nd (LAL); 2007 - 1 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: I’m not really sure I like where this team is at right now. GM lulu has a few contracts that are going to hold him back in FA this year if he chooses to resign Ryan Humphrey. Richardson, Davis and Fisher are making a combined $18 million this year and are collectively putting up about 27 PPG, 12 RPG, 8 APG and 5 TOPG. With that kind of money you could have 1 max deal that puts up similar number (obviously no one averages 27/12/8 but there are a quite a bit of guys that average around 27/12 or 27/8). And the worst part of those deals is they’re all 3+ years. GM lulu does have all of his picks however, and should be in the lottery this year so he has the ability to add a solid young player. But right now I’m not sure what direction this team is headed.
Cleveland Cavaliers (CTownND)
Record: 28 – 32 (8th East)
Team Salary: $81,898,779
Cap Space: $(31,898,779)
Worst Contract(s): Gary Coleman 3 years $29.1 million,
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (CLE) 1 2nd (CLE); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in a tight spot. GM CTownND has close to $40 million coming off the books this year which is great news for him, the bad news is he still won’t have much cap to work with for FA. After the draft and a few salary increased he’ll be left with about $6 - $8 million to work with. That along with the MLE, LLE and his 1st round pick should be enough to help Starbury and Brand and get this team into the top 5 in the East but not quite a title run in my opinion. What is really hurting him is Gary Coleman’s contract. If CtownND didn’t have that this team could add a major player and be a serious title contender. Brand and Starbury are 2 solid players and the right pieces to contend, I just feel this team is missing something and I’m not sure CTownND has the ability to fill that void. They’re right on the cusp of being a contender and it will be up to their GM to see if they can take that next step.
Denver Nuggets (skrouse)
Record: 27 – 27 (8th West)
Team Salary: $76,512,382
Cap Space: $(26,512,382
Worst Contract(s): Stephen Jackson 7years $120.3 million, Shaquille O’Neal 6 years $131.3 million, Steve Nash 6 years $83 million, Jerry Stackhouse $6 years 93.8 million, Jamal Crawford 3 years $23.7 million, Jahidi White 2 years $10.5 million
Draft Future: Terrible - 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (Den); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 0 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in full win right now and fuck the future mode. I have made some terrible mistakes this past year. The careless signing of Stephen Jackson is by far the most costly, his contract was intended to just be 3 years way over paid just so I could guarantee I would retain him, that back fired when I sent Poe the wrong thing in a PM, now I’m suffering the consequences. The 2nd worst move was trading for Crawford before training camp… :facepalm: won’t do that again. I was in desperate need for a SG however I didn’t expect all my draft picks to blow up during TC and be starting quality players. I wanted a guy to win with Shaq now but wasn’t patient enough. That leads me to my next move, Shaq. He was overpaid yes but he’s a top 3 C in the league and has played like it this season, his contract will hurt me more down the road than now but as long as he performs it’s ok.
The moves for Stackhouse and Nash seem to be my best but they have come at a price, future 1st round picks, Danny Granger and Andrew Bogut. I believe this team has the ability to win now, a plethora of scorers that can also play solid defense, it’s just a question if I can figure out a way to get this team winning. I believe I can make a title run, the combination of Shaq, Nash, Stack, Thomas and Jefferson is a formidable starting 5. If I can get 1 title and then just coast until these contracts expire I’ll be content, but if I don’t, it was all a big waste of time…
Dallas Mavericks (dumptime)
Record: 28 – 27 (7th West)
Team Salary: $50,399,476
Cap Space: $(399,476)
Worst Contract(s): Kurt Thomas 2 years $12 million, Donyell Marshall 2 years $12.5 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st () 0 2nd (); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Dump has done quite well since the Duncan Debacle, and much better than myself since. This team is set up nicely with a few guys in their primes, Terry and Abdur-Rahim, paired with young talent that can have an impact now, Nelson and Araujo. This team is missing 1 key piece and in my opinion it’s a dominant big man. They have Dalembert and Araujo down low and they’re both nice players but both seem to be more complimentary players, ones that should be paired with a Duncan, Zo, Shaq, KG or J O’Neal. This team is very capable of winning and winning soon, I just feel dump needs to add 1 more piece to contend. The good news is his key pieces should be intact for the next 3 seasons and in 2 years he should have some cap space to make a move with Marshall’s and Thomas’s contracts expiring. Keep it up dump, you’re on the cusp of being a serious contender.
New Jersey Nets (Irush)
Record: 30 – 28 (7th East)
Team Salary: $44,657,092
Cap Space: $5,342,908
Worst Contract(s): Don Reid 2 years $12.7 million, Matt Barnes 5 years $38.7 million, 2 years $15.3 million,
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (NJ), 2 2nd (NJ, DAL); 2007 - 0 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in relatively good shape. Primarily GM Irush needs to focus on resigning Yao, then he’s going to either make a move or wait after next season to try and add the piece that’s missing. House, Barnes, and Reid don’t have terrible contracts they’re just slightly overpaid. If Irush can hold on to Yao, continue to develop Foye and add another star this team could contend in as little as 2 seasons. Barnes isn’t great player but is good enough to be a piece on a championship team. I think this team just needs one more scoring SG/SF and they’ll be a contender.
Utah Jazz (ohhaithur)
Record: 30 – 28 (6th West)
Team Salary: $50,721,281
Cap Space: $(721,281)
Worst Contract(s): Zach Randolph 3 years $42.2 million
Draft Future: Fantastic - 2006 - 5 1st (DAL, CHI, POR, TOR ATL) 0 2nd (); 2007 - 0 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 3 1st, 2 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in a fantastic spot for the next 3 years. GM Ohhaithur has to eat Randolph’s contract but he was able to acquire talented rookie Andrew Bogut when taking that contract. However, Randolph isn’t just a waste of space, he is simply overpaid, he can still contribute when the ohh needs him too. Ohh has set up them up to be great in 2 to 3 years if he can draft well. Bogut should become a star and the anchor of this franchise along with Sebastian Telfair. Ohh also has a solid role player in Corey Maggette who is locked up in cheap 5 year deal. I like where this team is headed.
Los Angeles Clippers (ochoseis)
Record: 46 – 36 (5th West)
Team Salary: $42,127,776
Cap Space: $7,872,224
Worst Contract(s): Michael Olowakandi 5 years $47.2 million, Udonis Haslem 5 years $53.1 million
Draft Future: OK- 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (LAC); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 2 2nd;
Analysis: This team is doing alright, not too great but not too bad. They’re a playoff team with a little bit of cap, some youth and only a couple bad contracts. Olowakandi and Haslem’s contracts aren’t quite strangling but they do limit GM ochoseis in the FA market. Not a lot of picks this year but there is already youth on this team. This is a playoff team right now because of the stellar play of Baron Davis and… Julius Hodge? How that man averages 20 PPG is beyond me but I bet it’s because of Baron. I think Olowakandi and Haslem’s contract will hurt about year 3 but after that people will want to trade for the expiring deals.
Charlotte Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets (20/20/20/20)
Record: 46 – 36 (6th East)
Team Salary: $58,376,533
Cap Space: $(8,376,533)
Worst Contract(s): Kenyon Martin 5 years $44.8 million, Danny Fortson 3 years $13.2 million
Draft Future: OK- 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (ATL); 2007 - 2 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1st, 2 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in good shape, GM 20’s has 2 great players in their primes locked up until they’ll be about to retire in Rasheed and Rashard. I believe he has his PG of the future and a little bit of the now in Raymond Felton and another solid young SG in Fred Jones. However, he has a couple of bad contracts that will limit this team. Martin and Fortson don’t have terrible contracts but they are both over paid. Martin isn’t asked to do much but $8 million a year for a guy averaging 6/9/2 seems a bit much. He and Fortson are taking up roughly $12-$14 million of the cap the next 3 seasons, and that is going to limit 20 in the FA market. He also is little lacking when it come to draft picks. Next season 20 has 2 1st rounder picks but neither should be lottery and he will have to draft well for the draft to have a big impact on this team. I think this will be a playoff team for the next 4-5 seasons, but I feel he’s missing that 3rd piece that could take him to championship contention. If Felton develops quickly enough he could be the piece that puts them over the top however.
Phoenix Suns (Matt)
Record: 47 – 35 (4th West)
Team Salary: $78,405,753
Cap Space: $(28,405,753
Worst Contract(s): Penny Hardaway 2 years $10.4 million, Andre Miller 4 years $28.7 million, Joe Johnson 6 years $93.8 million, Eddy Curry 7 years $120 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 2 1st (PHX, DEN), 0 2nd (); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is way over the cap and is going to be locked up with 3 huge contracts for at least 5 years starting next season after GM Matt resigns Amare. Johnson’s and Curry’s contracts aren’t terrible but I think both are overpaid. They’re averaging good number but not great numbers, and they have max deals. Miller and Penny are getting paid a starters salary to play a backup role which makes their contracts bad as well. This team is in championship contention so all this money may pay off if GM Matt lands a ring on his finger, if not, he won’t have much wiggle room to make adjustments until some of the contracts run out.
Miami Heat (Jayrish)
Record: 48 – 34 (5th East)
Team Salary: $62,160,978
Cap Space: $(12,160,978)
Worst Contract(s): Mark Blount 3 years $14.1 million, Bryan Bracey 2 years $8.2 million
Draft Future: Good- 2006 - 1 1st (MIA) 0 2nd (); 2007 - 1 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in great shape. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen locked up through their primes. Dwight Howard is killing it on his rookie contract and Raef is playing fantastic and is locked up for 3 years. Yes this team is over the cap but the only players that will keep him there are the ones helping him win. Blount and Bracey are overpaid and will limit FA for GM Jayrish but Bracey’s contract is only 2 years and Blount’s contract expires the same year Dwight will be ready to resign. This team just needs to land a PG and they’ll be running the show for a while, I thing a championship is in sight for this squad.
Chicago Bulls (Bankz)
Record: 51 – 31 (4th East)
Team Salary: $49,346,296
Cap Space: $653,704
Worst Contract(s): Kevin Garnet 7 years $168.4 million
Draft Future: Poor- 2006 - 0 1st () 0 2nd (); 2007 - 1 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 0 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in solid shape, yes KG contract is very untradeable, but why would bankz want to move him? KG has been killing it and carrying this team. In years 6 and 7 this contract may hurt but that’s a ways down the road and we’ll see what happens then. This team may make a run for the title this year but I don’t think they’ll pull it off yet. But GM Bankz has done a good job surrounding strong vets KG and Redd with youth that can win now, Livingston, Biedrins and Horford. After a season or two more of these young guns coming into their own this team will be challenging for a title.
Sacramento Kings (Heel/Tiger)
Record: 53 – 29 (3rd West)
Team Salary: $54,483,430
Cap Space: $(4,483,430)
Worst Contract(s): Mike Bibby 7 years $144.4 million, Joseph Forte 2 years $9.1 million
Draft Future: Poor- 2006 - 0 1st () 0 2nd (LAC); 2007 - 0 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in pretty solid shape. J O’neal is one of the best players in TMSL and GM h/t has him locked up long term. Bibby is also locked up long term, overpaid IMO but at least H/T is set at PG for the next 7 seasons. His backup PG Forte is overpaid as well for his role but the good thing about his contract is it’s only 2 years and expires just in time to clear cap space for H/T to resign young star Chris Bosh. This team has 1 championship under its belt and with the core they have I see another finals appearance for this team in the near future.
New York Knicks (Zeropointzero)
Record: 61 – 21 (3rd East)
Team Salary: $55,071,066
Cap Space: $(5,071,066)
Worst Contract(s):
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (NY) 1 2nd (NY); 2007 - 1 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Not too much to say about this squad. LeBron James and Chris Webber mean the Knicks are in great shape. GM Zero already has them competing for a title this year and with a load of cap space this off season they could be adding a 3rd piece to the dynamic duo of LBJ and CWeb via FA. Zero has all of his draft picks for the next 3 years and after he locks down LBJ in 2007 this team will be looking good for a while.
Houston Rockets (Jpripper88)
Record: 45 – 37 (2nd West)
Team Salary: $62,319,611
Cap Space: $(12,319,611)
Worst Contract(s): Antonio McDyess 7 years $168.4 million, Damon Stoudamire 3 years 30 million, Douglas Allen 3 years $15 million
Draft Future: Good- 2006 - 1 1st (HOU) 1 2nd (HOU); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: A little tight on cap space but this team is looking ok. GM Jpripper88 has a few solid players in McDyess, VC and Stoudamire. They all have huge contracts but are helping him win now and I expect they’re looking to win sooner rather than later. Down the road, McDyess and Stoudamire will be overpaid as they regress and Douglas Allen is overpaid now. Jpripper88 won’t be able to make many moves until at least Allen and Stoudamire clear the books so he needs to draft well this off season and maybe sign a solid guy with his MLE to try and put his team in contention.
Atlanta Hawks (w2d)
Record: 51 – 31 (2nd East)
Team Salary: $46,921,456
Cap Space: $3,078,544
Worst Contract(s): Marcus Camby 3 years $49.5 million, Loren Woods 2 years $11.7 million,
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st () 0 2nd (); 2007 - 2 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is doing pretty well. GM w2d has them 2nd in the East and really only has 1 contract issue, his 2 centers are making about $20+ mil a year combined. Camby is getting the big money but Woods is also making fairly good money and is out performing him in some areas while receiving 1/3 less minutes. The good thing is neither contract is very long. GM w2d has some decisions to make in the offseason, both Manu and J Will have exp deals and to sign both to long term high salary deals will tighten his cap space significantly and make the rest of the FA market a nonfactor. They are both good players and depending on how well w2d does with resigning them will determine how good this team is moving forward, it will be an interesting summer in ATL this year.
Seattle Supersonics (Thickduck1)
Record: 54 – 28 (1st West)
Team Salary: $58,686,530
Cap Space: $(8,686,530)
Worst contract(s): N/A
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (SEA); 2007 - 0 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in good shape. GM Thickduck1 has them winning now and he has all of his stars on lockdown to continue winning for the next 4 seasons. Eddie Jones is the only one with a “bad” contract but only because he’s 34 and he could potentially be overpaid in 3 or 4 years, but for now he’s performing to what he’s being paid. Dirk, Chauncey and Mash are all killing it too and I think Thickduck1 is right where he should be, atop the West standing making his title run. If this team can’t close the deal and win a title it’ll be tough luck but I think Thickduck1 has done all he can to give his team the best opportunity to win.
Boston Celtics (Poetic)
Record: 66 – 16 (1st East)
Team Salary: $38,990,010
Cap Space: $11,000,990
Worst contract(s): N/A
Draft Future: Great - 2006 - 1 1st (DET) 0 2nd (); 2007 - 3 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 0 2nd;
Analysis: I guess running the show gives you an insight no one else can have. Poe really is killing it in TMSL. He’s made great trades (acquired Wade), gotten young players that have developed amazingly (Wade, Marion & Perkins) and his team has really played terrific. And none of them are getting paid too much! Poe has the Celtics in the best position in TMBS. $10+ under the soft cap, a young talented core, a lot of 1st round draft picks including a lottery this year and the best record by 5 games over any other team. He has plenty of cap space to retain this core and I see the Celtics as a perennial contender year in and year out as long as Wade, Marion, and Perkins are wearing that shamrock.
Here's the final product. (sorry no time for pretty pictures)
Enjoy!
Washington Wizard (Clown)
Record: 9 - 48 (15th East)
Team Salary: $31,643,022
Cap Space: $18,356,978
Worst Contract(s): Omar Cook 3 years $11.25 million
Draft Future: Great - 2006 -3 1st (WAS, SEA, SA), 2 2nds in 2006 (TOR, CHA); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 11st, 1 2nd
Analysis: Washington is just cruising along this year waiting for the lottery results, they should end up with 1 top 3 pick, a 2nd in the top 10 pick and their 3rd will be near the mid 20s. GM Clown will have a lot to build with this off season and a lot of space to do it. With Omar Cook's contract being the worst on this payroll, there really isn't anything holding this team back this offseason. If GM Clown does well in the draft and can pick up 1 or 2 solid FAs, Washington should have a bright future over the next 5 seasons.
Portland Trail Blazers (duc15)
Record: 13 - 44(14th West)
Team Salary: $47,223,196
Cap Space: $2,776,804
Worst Contract(s): Richard Hamilton 4 years $27.90 million, Tony Parker 3 years $21.42 million, Michael Bradley 2 years $16.0 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st, 3 2nd (POR, MIN, PHX); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd
Analysis: This team has 1 bright spot in Bonzi Wells, who sadly is in the final year of his contract. Tony Parker, Richard Hamilton and Michael Bradley aren't really producing the numbers you'd like for the money they're getting paid. This year they are collectively making $21 million and only putting up 34.7 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 9.1 APG, 3.1 SPG, 1.9 BPG and 5.3 TOPG. For 3 starters making roughly 1/4th of the hard cap, I'd expect better numbers. The good news is their contracts really aren't that bad, GM duc15 has roughly $22.5 mil coming off the books this season so he has a bit to play with in the offseason. The FA market will be where he can make a splash as he doesn't have any 1st rounders this year. If he resigns Bonzi, drafts 1 gem with his 3 2nd round picks, and lands a solid FA he could be in good shape over the next few season. But right now things aren't looking that great.
Detroit Piston (rv12)
Record: 14 - 47(14th East)
Team Salary: $40,138,638
Cap Space: $9,861,362
Worst Contract(s): Brendan Heywood 4 years $33.70 million, Tim Duncan 7 years $144.38 million
Draft Future: Great - 2006 - 2 1st (MIN, MIL), 1 2nd (DET); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: The Pistons are in good spot right now. GM rv12 has a star in the middle of his prime locked up for the rest of his career in Tim Duncan. He has a solid defensive big entering his prime Brendan Heywood locked up for 4 years. And he also has 2 lottery picks for the 2006 draft. Duncan's contract isn't bad, but if his play declines too early the last 2 - 3 years of his contract may be costly. Heywood is making as much as you'd want to pay a defensive C, he's basically a 10 and 10 guy that adds a couple blocks a game and makes scoring a pain in the neck for opposing center, a great compliment for Duncan. And his 4 year deal isn't bad, it's just borderline high, but it really isn't that long and will expire before his 2 lottery draft picks this year will want to resign. This team has a little bit of cap to work with but after drafting 2 lottery picks won’t have much to work with in terms of big time FA. GM rv12's hopes of a championship will ride on his ability to draft well this year because he doesn't have much coming off the books over the next few years so FA won't be an option.
Minnesota Fighting Kahns (IanBoyd)
Record: 24 - 34(13th West)
Team Salary: $59,246,722
Cap Space: $(9,246,722)
Worst Contract(s): Ben Wallace 4 years $31.1 million, Ron Artest 2 years $20 million, Doug Christie 2 years $12.8 million, Jordan Robertson 3 years $9.9 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 – 0 1st, 0 2nd; 2007 - 3 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 0 2nd;
Analysis: Minnesota is in full rebuilding mode. No picks this year but a lot of expensive and short contracts. As those contracts expire GM IanBoyd will be adding 3 1st round picks next season and will have the ability to play the FA market. As for right now he only has 1 guy worth a damn on his roster, Ben Wallace. His contract wouldn’t be bad at all for a defensive beast if Minnesota was competing, but for a rebuilding team Wallace is wasting cap space. The good side is the contract is only 4 years and for the last 2 years I think GM IanBoyd will have added some good pieces and Wallace can back to a more complimentary role. Right now it’s the dumps but Minnesota is set up well for the future.
Toronto Raptors (Soup)
Record: 25 – 35 (13th East)
Team Salary: $57,386,963
Cap Space: $(7,386,963)
Worst Contract(s): Tyson Chandler 6 years $81.6 million, Brian Cardinal 3 years $26.5 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st, 1 2nd (UTAH); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: An enormous plus for this team is Kobe, with Kobe you can always win. GM Soup also has Antawn Jamison, a very efficient scorer right in the prime of his career. These two guys are locked up for 6 and 4 years respectively and that gives GM Soup some time to get back into championship form. The big problem on this team is Tyson Chandler, Brian Cardinal and their contracts. Yes Tyson is only 23 years old but for a guy taking up a big chunk of the salary cap up one would expect big numbers, and Tyson hasn’t shown that. He’s been in the league for 4 years and that generally means he’s almost done growing as a player. He’ll be entering his prime soon and he should be getting better than 8 PPG, 9RPG and 1 BPG by now. If he doesn’t start giving Soup the numbers he needs to be a contender, getting rid of him may be tough. The other half of Toronto’s sub-par front line Brian Cardinal, he’s taking up $8.4 million this year, and a little more than $26 million over the next 3 years. These 2 contracts are keeping Toronto over the soft cap and makes playing FA impossible, with no 1st rounder picks this season Toronto has some decisions to make. Soup can make a trade, wait it out and hope to get good draft picks in 07 and 08, or hope Tyson turns into the elite C a lot of GMs thought he would be by now.
Philadelphia 76ers (supabran)
Record: 24 – 33 (12th East)
Team Salary: $69,597,303
Cap Space: $(19,597,303)
Worst Contract(s): Grant Hill 7 years $168.44 million, Jason Kidd 6 years $131.25 million, Shane Battier 4 years 59.38 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (PHI) 3 2nd (PHI, CHI, WAS); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: The start of this year has been rough for supabran and the 76ers. Contract problems had Philly in a future stranglehold but after a few trades they are back on track. supabran still has 3 monster contracts on his roster but they all may be worth the money. Grant Hill's is the worst and the fact he is 33 years old make it even worse. If he plays out his entire deal supa will be hurting as I doubt a 40 year old Hill will be worth $30+ million. But my bet is Hill retires after year 5 or 6 and supa escapes the last year or 2 of that monster. Kidd and Battier's contract aren't as bad but still make playing the FA market impossible for this team. The 76ers have underperformed this season and look to be heading for a lottery pick. If they can land a big man to go with a top notch back court and help them compete over the next 3 years the future could be looking up for this team. As for right now, supa is just going to have to go with the flow and seize opportunities as they come about.
Indiana Pacers (Drmantistoboggan)
Record: 26 – 33 (11th East)
Team Salary: $34,246,400
Cap Space: $15,753,600
Worst Contract(s): Lamar Odom 4 years $28.7 million, Quentin Richardson 3 years $17.1 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (IND) 1 2nd (IND); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Indiana is in relatively good shape. They have all their draft picks intact for the next 3 years which means they have 1 lottery pick for the upcoming draft. They also don’t have any strangling contracts which will give them some room to make moves in FA. GM Drmantistoboggan has 1 primary objective this offseason, RESIGN CARMELO ANTHONY. As long as he pays the man he should stay, then Drmantis can try to add an impact rookie in the draft and along with 1 or 2 solid FAs to make this a playoff team. The only 2 downers I can really find are Lamar Odom and Quentin Richardson, who are slightly overpaid but there are much worse contracts in the league so these aren’t too shabby. Indiana isn’t winning right now but their future is looking pretty damn good.
Milwaukie Bucks (Trofie)
Record: 27 – 33 (10th East)
Team Salary: $62,573,454
Cap Space: $(12,573,454)
Worst Contract(s): Eddie Griffin 6 years $93.8 million, Allen Iverson 6 years $93.8 million, Michael Finley 3 years $21 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 1 1st (UTA) 1 2nd (MIL); 2007 - 0 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Milwaukie is a tricky team to give a grade. They have a couple of huge contracts, 1 on a complementary starter in Eddie Griffin and 1 on a solid but not quite elite player in AI. Griffin is young yes but is pretty much done growing, he may improve slightly but I don’t think much, he is what he is a 10 and 10 guy that makes scoring pain for opposing PFs, worth a max deal??? I don’t think so. AI is solid yes, but there are better PGs out there making the same and even a little less money but putting up better numbers (see Chauncey Billups and Baron Davis). Then GM Trofie has Michael Finley’s 3 years $21 million deal that isn’t too bad but for a scorer putting in 11 PPG, it’s a bit high. Plus GM Trofie has rookie Danny Granger trying to get minutes and has to either pay for a bench player or limit a guy with a ton of potential. In my opinion Trofie has a team that doesn’t quite fit together, a couple guys AI and Griffin ready to win now and then a few guys like Granger, Darko and J.R. Smith trying to grow to win later. The 2 big contracts may end up keeping this team down because they can’t play the FA market and won’t be able to resign all their young guys if they hold on to both. If they can’t win soon it may be better to try and move the 2 and build around the young ones to win later.
Orlando Magic (MJ)
Record: 23 – 28 (9th East)
Team Salary: $42,501,724
Cap Space: $7,498,276
Worst Contract(s): Kwame Brown 4 years $57.5 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 2 1st (ORL, CHA) 2 2nd (ORL, SAC); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in great shape. GM MJ has a fantastic young player in Deron Williams paired with an elite player in Gilbert Arenas. The Magic are a bit lacking in the front court but may end up with a lottery pick this year and could grab a decent big man in the middle to early 1st. MJ also has this team well under the cap with a shit load of contract coming off the books this season. The only negative I see is the overpaid Kwame Brown. He’s only averaging 12.6 PPG and 8 RPG and is making as much as Arenas. If MJ can land a solid C this offseason to put in the front court it may help Kwame play better. Borderline playoff team right now but this team needs a few more pieces before they’ll be back in contention, good thing they have a great GM in MJ who has the ability to make the necessary moves.
Memphis Grizzlies (scatmanduse)
Record: 26 – 33 (12th West)
Team Salary: $49,579,361
Cap Space: $420,639
Worst Contract(s): Mike Miller 2 years $10.8 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (MEM) 1 2nd (MEM); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 0 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Another team in good shape. GM scatmanduse has an elite player locked up and ready to build around for the next 6 years in Tracy McGrady. He already has some solid pieces line up with Wagner, Kaman, Murphy, Marvin Williams, and TJ Ford. It’s going to take a few years for all of these players to develop but as they do this team will just keep getting better. Scat also has the majority of his draft picks intact giving him a lottery pick in this year’s draft to add another piece to this young team. Mike Miller is the only blemish I can find but after his and few other mediocre contracts clear in a couple season’s this team will be primed to make a playoff run.
Golden State Warriors (Melo)
Record: 24 – 27 (11th West)
Team Salary: $45,865,602
Cap Space: $4,134,398
Worst Contract(s): N/A
Draft Future: Great - 2006 - 3 1st (GS, BOS, SAC) 3 2nd (MIA, BOS, GS); 2007 - 0 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 3 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in amazing shape. They have a hand full off cap space right now and a shit load more coming off the books this off season to help resign some young talent and add a FA or two. GM Melo also has 6 picks in the upcoming draft, 3 in the first round, to add more youth and talent to this team. And he has his superstar in Pau Gasol locked up and ready to build around with 1 great young piece already in place, Devin Harris. If Melo keeps it up I give this team 2 - 3 years and they’ll be making a title run.
San Antonio Spurs (herky86)
Record: 29 – 31 (10th West)
Team Salary: $49,451,309
Cap Space: $548,691
Worst Contract(s): N/A
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (SA); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: The SA Spurs have a lot of freedom and are in pretty solid shape. No big contracts holding them down, a few young players to build with, and a very valuable 2 year $37.2 million dollar contract for one of the most dominant players in TMBS, Alonzo Mourning. The only thing about Zo’s contract that is a negative is it prevents GM herky86 from playing the FA market this offseason. However, if herky holds onto it he can shop for a great deal between now and next season and if he never finds one he has that $20 million plus another $15 million in various contracts coming off the books in 2 seasons. Herky doesn’t have a lot of great young player to build around but rather some nice ones to put around a great player or 2. I don’t expect much over the next 2 season but when his books are almost wiped clean this team is going to be able to make a big splash in FA.
Los Angeles Lakers (lulu)
Record: 28 – 30 (9th West)
Team Salary: $39,064,950
Cap Space: $10,935,050
Worst Contract(s): Jason Richardson 4 years $32.5 million, Ricky Davis 4 years 26.6 million, Derek Fisher 3 years 16.1 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (LAL) 1 2nd (LAL); 2007 - 1 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: I’m not really sure I like where this team is at right now. GM lulu has a few contracts that are going to hold him back in FA this year if he chooses to resign Ryan Humphrey. Richardson, Davis and Fisher are making a combined $18 million this year and are collectively putting up about 27 PPG, 12 RPG, 8 APG and 5 TOPG. With that kind of money you could have 1 max deal that puts up similar number (obviously no one averages 27/12/8 but there are a quite a bit of guys that average around 27/12 or 27/8). And the worst part of those deals is they’re all 3+ years. GM lulu does have all of his picks however, and should be in the lottery this year so he has the ability to add a solid young player. But right now I’m not sure what direction this team is headed.
Cleveland Cavaliers (CTownND)
Record: 28 – 32 (8th East)
Team Salary: $81,898,779
Cap Space: $(31,898,779)
Worst Contract(s): Gary Coleman 3 years $29.1 million,
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (CLE) 1 2nd (CLE); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in a tight spot. GM CTownND has close to $40 million coming off the books this year which is great news for him, the bad news is he still won’t have much cap to work with for FA. After the draft and a few salary increased he’ll be left with about $6 - $8 million to work with. That along with the MLE, LLE and his 1st round pick should be enough to help Starbury and Brand and get this team into the top 5 in the East but not quite a title run in my opinion. What is really hurting him is Gary Coleman’s contract. If CtownND didn’t have that this team could add a major player and be a serious title contender. Brand and Starbury are 2 solid players and the right pieces to contend, I just feel this team is missing something and I’m not sure CTownND has the ability to fill that void. They’re right on the cusp of being a contender and it will be up to their GM to see if they can take that next step.
Denver Nuggets (skrouse)
Record: 27 – 27 (8th West)
Team Salary: $76,512,382
Cap Space: $(26,512,382
Worst Contract(s): Stephen Jackson 7years $120.3 million, Shaquille O’Neal 6 years $131.3 million, Steve Nash 6 years $83 million, Jerry Stackhouse $6 years 93.8 million, Jamal Crawford 3 years $23.7 million, Jahidi White 2 years $10.5 million
Draft Future: Terrible - 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (Den); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 0 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in full win right now and fuck the future mode. I have made some terrible mistakes this past year. The careless signing of Stephen Jackson is by far the most costly, his contract was intended to just be 3 years way over paid just so I could guarantee I would retain him, that back fired when I sent Poe the wrong thing in a PM, now I’m suffering the consequences. The 2nd worst move was trading for Crawford before training camp… :facepalm: won’t do that again. I was in desperate need for a SG however I didn’t expect all my draft picks to blow up during TC and be starting quality players. I wanted a guy to win with Shaq now but wasn’t patient enough. That leads me to my next move, Shaq. He was overpaid yes but he’s a top 3 C in the league and has played like it this season, his contract will hurt me more down the road than now but as long as he performs it’s ok.
The moves for Stackhouse and Nash seem to be my best but they have come at a price, future 1st round picks, Danny Granger and Andrew Bogut. I believe this team has the ability to win now, a plethora of scorers that can also play solid defense, it’s just a question if I can figure out a way to get this team winning. I believe I can make a title run, the combination of Shaq, Nash, Stack, Thomas and Jefferson is a formidable starting 5. If I can get 1 title and then just coast until these contracts expire I’ll be content, but if I don’t, it was all a big waste of time…
Dallas Mavericks (dumptime)
Record: 28 – 27 (7th West)
Team Salary: $50,399,476
Cap Space: $(399,476)
Worst Contract(s): Kurt Thomas 2 years $12 million, Donyell Marshall 2 years $12.5 million
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st () 0 2nd (); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Dump has done quite well since the Duncan Debacle, and much better than myself since. This team is set up nicely with a few guys in their primes, Terry and Abdur-Rahim, paired with young talent that can have an impact now, Nelson and Araujo. This team is missing 1 key piece and in my opinion it’s a dominant big man. They have Dalembert and Araujo down low and they’re both nice players but both seem to be more complimentary players, ones that should be paired with a Duncan, Zo, Shaq, KG or J O’Neal. This team is very capable of winning and winning soon, I just feel dump needs to add 1 more piece to contend. The good news is his key pieces should be intact for the next 3 seasons and in 2 years he should have some cap space to make a move with Marshall’s and Thomas’s contracts expiring. Keep it up dump, you’re on the cusp of being a serious contender.
New Jersey Nets (Irush)
Record: 30 – 28 (7th East)
Team Salary: $44,657,092
Cap Space: $5,342,908
Worst Contract(s): Don Reid 2 years $12.7 million, Matt Barnes 5 years $38.7 million, 2 years $15.3 million,
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (NJ), 2 2nd (NJ, DAL); 2007 - 0 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in relatively good shape. Primarily GM Irush needs to focus on resigning Yao, then he’s going to either make a move or wait after next season to try and add the piece that’s missing. House, Barnes, and Reid don’t have terrible contracts they’re just slightly overpaid. If Irush can hold on to Yao, continue to develop Foye and add another star this team could contend in as little as 2 seasons. Barnes isn’t great player but is good enough to be a piece on a championship team. I think this team just needs one more scoring SG/SF and they’ll be a contender.
Utah Jazz (ohhaithur)
Record: 30 – 28 (6th West)
Team Salary: $50,721,281
Cap Space: $(721,281)
Worst Contract(s): Zach Randolph 3 years $42.2 million
Draft Future: Fantastic - 2006 - 5 1st (DAL, CHI, POR, TOR ATL) 0 2nd (); 2007 - 0 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 3 1st, 2 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in a fantastic spot for the next 3 years. GM Ohhaithur has to eat Randolph’s contract but he was able to acquire talented rookie Andrew Bogut when taking that contract. However, Randolph isn’t just a waste of space, he is simply overpaid, he can still contribute when the ohh needs him too. Ohh has set up them up to be great in 2 to 3 years if he can draft well. Bogut should become a star and the anchor of this franchise along with Sebastian Telfair. Ohh also has a solid role player in Corey Maggette who is locked up in cheap 5 year deal. I like where this team is headed.
Los Angeles Clippers (ochoseis)
Record: 46 – 36 (5th West)
Team Salary: $42,127,776
Cap Space: $7,872,224
Worst Contract(s): Michael Olowakandi 5 years $47.2 million, Udonis Haslem 5 years $53.1 million
Draft Future: OK- 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (LAC); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 2 2nd;
Analysis: This team is doing alright, not too great but not too bad. They’re a playoff team with a little bit of cap, some youth and only a couple bad contracts. Olowakandi and Haslem’s contracts aren’t quite strangling but they do limit GM ochoseis in the FA market. Not a lot of picks this year but there is already youth on this team. This is a playoff team right now because of the stellar play of Baron Davis and… Julius Hodge? How that man averages 20 PPG is beyond me but I bet it’s because of Baron. I think Olowakandi and Haslem’s contract will hurt about year 3 but after that people will want to trade for the expiring deals.
Charlotte Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets (20/20/20/20)
Record: 46 – 36 (6th East)
Team Salary: $58,376,533
Cap Space: $(8,376,533)
Worst Contract(s): Kenyon Martin 5 years $44.8 million, Danny Fortson 3 years $13.2 million
Draft Future: OK- 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (ATL); 2007 - 2 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1st, 2 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in good shape, GM 20’s has 2 great players in their primes locked up until they’ll be about to retire in Rasheed and Rashard. I believe he has his PG of the future and a little bit of the now in Raymond Felton and another solid young SG in Fred Jones. However, he has a couple of bad contracts that will limit this team. Martin and Fortson don’t have terrible contracts but they are both over paid. Martin isn’t asked to do much but $8 million a year for a guy averaging 6/9/2 seems a bit much. He and Fortson are taking up roughly $12-$14 million of the cap the next 3 seasons, and that is going to limit 20 in the FA market. He also is little lacking when it come to draft picks. Next season 20 has 2 1st rounder picks but neither should be lottery and he will have to draft well for the draft to have a big impact on this team. I think this will be a playoff team for the next 4-5 seasons, but I feel he’s missing that 3rd piece that could take him to championship contention. If Felton develops quickly enough he could be the piece that puts them over the top however.
Phoenix Suns (Matt)
Record: 47 – 35 (4th West)
Team Salary: $78,405,753
Cap Space: $(28,405,753
Worst Contract(s): Penny Hardaway 2 years $10.4 million, Andre Miller 4 years $28.7 million, Joe Johnson 6 years $93.8 million, Eddy Curry 7 years $120 million
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 2 1st (PHX, DEN), 0 2nd (); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is way over the cap and is going to be locked up with 3 huge contracts for at least 5 years starting next season after GM Matt resigns Amare. Johnson’s and Curry’s contracts aren’t terrible but I think both are overpaid. They’re averaging good number but not great numbers, and they have max deals. Miller and Penny are getting paid a starters salary to play a backup role which makes their contracts bad as well. This team is in championship contention so all this money may pay off if GM Matt lands a ring on his finger, if not, he won’t have much wiggle room to make adjustments until some of the contracts run out.
Miami Heat (Jayrish)
Record: 48 – 34 (5th East)
Team Salary: $62,160,978
Cap Space: $(12,160,978)
Worst Contract(s): Mark Blount 3 years $14.1 million, Bryan Bracey 2 years $8.2 million
Draft Future: Good- 2006 - 1 1st (MIA) 0 2nd (); 2007 - 1 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in great shape. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen locked up through their primes. Dwight Howard is killing it on his rookie contract and Raef is playing fantastic and is locked up for 3 years. Yes this team is over the cap but the only players that will keep him there are the ones helping him win. Blount and Bracey are overpaid and will limit FA for GM Jayrish but Bracey’s contract is only 2 years and Blount’s contract expires the same year Dwight will be ready to resign. This team just needs to land a PG and they’ll be running the show for a while, I thing a championship is in sight for this squad.
Chicago Bulls (Bankz)
Record: 51 – 31 (4th East)
Team Salary: $49,346,296
Cap Space: $653,704
Worst Contract(s): Kevin Garnet 7 years $168.4 million
Draft Future: Poor- 2006 - 0 1st () 0 2nd (); 2007 - 1 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 0 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in solid shape, yes KG contract is very untradeable, but why would bankz want to move him? KG has been killing it and carrying this team. In years 6 and 7 this contract may hurt but that’s a ways down the road and we’ll see what happens then. This team may make a run for the title this year but I don’t think they’ll pull it off yet. But GM Bankz has done a good job surrounding strong vets KG and Redd with youth that can win now, Livingston, Biedrins and Horford. After a season or two more of these young guns coming into their own this team will be challenging for a title.
Sacramento Kings (Heel/Tiger)
Record: 53 – 29 (3rd West)
Team Salary: $54,483,430
Cap Space: $(4,483,430)
Worst Contract(s): Mike Bibby 7 years $144.4 million, Joseph Forte 2 years $9.1 million
Draft Future: Poor- 2006 - 0 1st () 0 2nd (LAC); 2007 - 0 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in pretty solid shape. J O’neal is one of the best players in TMSL and GM h/t has him locked up long term. Bibby is also locked up long term, overpaid IMO but at least H/T is set at PG for the next 7 seasons. His backup PG Forte is overpaid as well for his role but the good thing about his contract is it’s only 2 years and expires just in time to clear cap space for H/T to resign young star Chris Bosh. This team has 1 championship under its belt and with the core they have I see another finals appearance for this team in the near future.
New York Knicks (Zeropointzero)
Record: 61 – 21 (3rd East)
Team Salary: $55,071,066
Cap Space: $(5,071,066)
Worst Contract(s):
Draft Future: Good - 2006 - 1 1st (NY) 1 2nd (NY); 2007 - 1 1st, 2 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: Not too much to say about this squad. LeBron James and Chris Webber mean the Knicks are in great shape. GM Zero already has them competing for a title this year and with a load of cap space this off season they could be adding a 3rd piece to the dynamic duo of LBJ and CWeb via FA. Zero has all of his draft picks for the next 3 years and after he locks down LBJ in 2007 this team will be looking good for a while.
Houston Rockets (Jpripper88)
Record: 45 – 37 (2nd West)
Team Salary: $62,319,611
Cap Space: $(12,319,611)
Worst Contract(s): Antonio McDyess 7 years $168.4 million, Damon Stoudamire 3 years 30 million, Douglas Allen 3 years $15 million
Draft Future: Good- 2006 - 1 1st (HOU) 1 2nd (HOU); 2007 - 1 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: A little tight on cap space but this team is looking ok. GM Jpripper88 has a few solid players in McDyess, VC and Stoudamire. They all have huge contracts but are helping him win now and I expect they’re looking to win sooner rather than later. Down the road, McDyess and Stoudamire will be overpaid as they regress and Douglas Allen is overpaid now. Jpripper88 won’t be able to make many moves until at least Allen and Stoudamire clear the books so he needs to draft well this off season and maybe sign a solid guy with his MLE to try and put his team in contention.
Atlanta Hawks (w2d)
Record: 51 – 31 (2nd East)
Team Salary: $46,921,456
Cap Space: $3,078,544
Worst Contract(s): Marcus Camby 3 years $49.5 million, Loren Woods 2 years $11.7 million,
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st () 0 2nd (); 2007 - 2 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is doing pretty well. GM w2d has them 2nd in the East and really only has 1 contract issue, his 2 centers are making about $20+ mil a year combined. Camby is getting the big money but Woods is also making fairly good money and is out performing him in some areas while receiving 1/3 less minutes. The good thing is neither contract is very long. GM w2d has some decisions to make in the offseason, both Manu and J Will have exp deals and to sign both to long term high salary deals will tighten his cap space significantly and make the rest of the FA market a nonfactor. They are both good players and depending on how well w2d does with resigning them will determine how good this team is moving forward, it will be an interesting summer in ATL this year.
Seattle Supersonics (Thickduck1)
Record: 54 – 28 (1st West)
Team Salary: $58,686,530
Cap Space: $(8,686,530)
Worst contract(s): N/A
Draft Future: OK - 2006 - 0 1st () 1 2nd (SEA); 2007 - 0 1st, 1 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 1 2nd;
Analysis: This team is in good shape. GM Thickduck1 has them winning now and he has all of his stars on lockdown to continue winning for the next 4 seasons. Eddie Jones is the only one with a “bad” contract but only because he’s 34 and he could potentially be overpaid in 3 or 4 years, but for now he’s performing to what he’s being paid. Dirk, Chauncey and Mash are all killing it too and I think Thickduck1 is right where he should be, atop the West standing making his title run. If this team can’t close the deal and win a title it’ll be tough luck but I think Thickduck1 has done all he can to give his team the best opportunity to win.
Boston Celtics (Poetic)
Record: 66 – 16 (1st East)
Team Salary: $38,990,010
Cap Space: $11,000,990
Worst contract(s): N/A
Draft Future: Great - 2006 - 1 1st (DET) 0 2nd (); 2007 - 3 1st, 0 2nd; 2008 - 1 1st, 0 2nd;
Analysis: I guess running the show gives you an insight no one else can have. Poe really is killing it in TMSL. He’s made great trades (acquired Wade), gotten young players that have developed amazingly (Wade, Marion & Perkins) and his team has really played terrific. And none of them are getting paid too much! Poe has the Celtics in the best position in TMBS. $10+ under the soft cap, a young talented core, a lot of 1st round draft picks including a lottery this year and the best record by 5 games over any other team. He has plenty of cap space to retain this core and I see the Celtics as a perennial contender year in and year out as long as Wade, Marion, and Perkins are wearing that shamrock.
Umm i didn't offer him so he wouldn't have signed with me lol. He only gets about 9 PPG, 9 RPB, and 1 BPG... I'm sorry but a guy getting paid that kind of money should be a better contributor IMO. I know it's not exactly the same but IRL Perkins plays with KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce and he averaged about 10/8/2 last season in the same categories. How can you say he's not under performing? Call me crazy but a 7' starting C should be averaging more than 9/9/1 when getting almost 30 MPG IMO.
