Post by 20/20/20/20 on Nov 9, 2010 23:17:11 GMT -5
And we're off...
Boston Celtics
Projected Record: 60-22
How they'll beat you: They bring their A game.
How you can beat them: I think teams like Washington and Miami - teams with a fantastic PF-C combo will have a chance to take down Boston due to their relative weakness at PF-C compared to the rest of their team. Oden-Bosh and Howard-Webber are deadly.
The Celtics have some new faces on their team but the star players remain the same. Dwayne Wade is the best player in the sim league and Shawn Marion may be the most under-appreciated. Kendrick Perkins is out, but LaMarcus Aldridge has filled in nicely and provided more of an offensive punch from C. The rest of the roster is filled in by young guys on rookie contracts and Ime Udoka who elected to resign with Boston for much less than his market value. Players want to play for the Celtics, who have been the league's most successful franchise. I would be surprised if at the end of the year, Boston isn't atop the East, where they have been for years on end now. The Celtics were upset by the Heat in the playoffs last year and will face some tough competition again this year, but they are always considered the favorites.
Chicago Bulls
Projected Record: 53-29
How they'll beat you: Defense. This team features a starting lineup with defensive ratings of A- A+ A+ B B+
How you can beat them: Good offensive guard play. As you can see above, the Bulls defense can be exploited by teams with good scoring guards. Also, get Garnett in foul trouble.
The Bulls experienced postseason success for the first time last season, winning their opening series against the Cavs in 7 and then taking down the favored Knicks in the 2nd round. The conference finals loss to the Heat was disappointing but left Bulls fans with hope for 2007. After a few big moves, insert Randy Foye as the Bulls starting PG. Foye is definitely a big upgrade over Shaun Livingston, but some fans have questioned if the Bulls paid too high of a price to get their guy. Kevin Garnett is still one of the best players in the sim and the Bulls need to win now before he starts to decline. The window of opportunity is slim for this team, but they look ready to contend in '07.
Washington Wizards
Projected Record: 55-27
How they'll beat you: Inside scoring. Defense.
How you can beat them: Have great inside defense. Force Salmons and Brewer to beat you and you will have a good chance.
Two years ago they were the worst team the sim league had ever seen. Now they are a contender for the title. Credit goes to Clown for a great rebuilding job which was aided but a few strokes of luck as well. Chris Bosh chose to leave Sacramento for the Wizards this offseason, and when paired with Greg Oden, gives the Wizards a frontcourt that can be rivaled by few in the league. The Wizards are solid across the line as Ronnie Brewer has developed into a very good PG. The Wizards currently sit atop the East. If there is any team that could end the Celtics run as regular season champions, it may be the Wizards.
Miami Heat
Projected Record: 50-32
How they'll beat you: Frontcourt - Dwight Howard, Chris Webber, Paul Pierce looks like an All Star Team
How you can beat them: Morlende/Rondo is good enough for this star studded team, but they definitely are the weakness for the Heat
After making a run to the TMBSL Finals in 2006, the Heat have to be considered a contender for the title in 2007. The interesting thing is that the Heat actually made their playoffs run without Dwight Howard, thought to be their team's best player. After swapping Raef LaFrentz for Chris Webber in the offseason, the Heat look ready for more of the same in 2007. Rumors have been swirling about a possible Ray Allen trade but they haven't stopped the Heat from winning.
Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Record: 46-36
How they'll beat you: This team can outscore anyone and Chris Paul looks fantastic running the show. They do not turn the ball over for a team that averages a lot of points.
How you can beat them: Rebounding is a concern for the Bucks, and their perimeter defense can be taken advantage of by elite scorers
The 2007 Bucks look nothing like the 2006 Bucks. One of the most active GMs this offseason was trofie in Milwaukee, and it looks like he did a good job. Many were left questioning his plan after dealing Darko Mlicic and 2 1st round picks for the #2 pick which was used to select rookie of the year favorite Chris Paul. That trade was followed by a move for Rasheed Wallace where the Bucks made out like bandits. The Bucks starting 5 looks great and they have depth as well. This team is just a notch below the cream of the crop in the East, but they should definitely make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, putting pressure on the Pacers and Spurs to end their droughts. Don't be surprised if Milwaukee makes a run in the post-season, either.
Indiana Pacers
Projected Record: 45-37
How they'll beat you: Their starting 5 is better than yours.
How you can beat them: Quicken the pace, get the starters tired or in foul trouble, and dominate the bench.
The Pacers have had the talent to be a playoff team the last couple seasons but simply haven't put it together. This is the year that the GM figures everything out and gets the franchise their first ever playoff appearance. Guillermo Diaz, the surprise rookie of 2006, is no surprise this year but is playing better than ever. Carmelo Anthony and Emeka Okafor are as good as any at their position, and Allen Iverson and Ike Diogu round out what is a fantastic starting 5. Depth is a huge problem for this team and Andre Iguodala is really the only good sub on the team. In the end, this is what separates the Pacers from the elite teams in the conference.
Detroit Pistons
Projected Record: 43-39
How they'll beat you: Very talented starting 5 and Roy & Duncan are a dynamic duo.
How you can beat them: Attack the basket, there are no shot blockers on this team. Also, if Duncan gets in foul trouble, the Pistons are in trouble as well.
Brandon Roy has ascended to the level of a great player in this league and now joins Tim Duncan to form an elite duo in Motown. The Pistons are talented across the starting lineup and have elite backups at the PG, SG, and SF position. But if the Pistons want to make a run and join the elite in the East, they need to shore up their depth down low. Blount, McRoberts and Bargnani simply aren't going to get the job done. And although Tim Duncan plays good defense, he isn't a shot blocker leaving opponents with no fear when attacking the basket against the Pistons.
Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Record: 43-39
How they'll beat you: Kobe.
How you can beat them: After Kobe and Shaq, this team isn't special.
Two highly discussed moves and a brand new Sixers team. This one looks ready for the playoffs in 2007, but at what cost to the future? Many GMs scoffed when supabran gave up the 5th pick and Tyrus Thomas for the 4th pick before selecting Michael Beasley with the 4th pick. Michael Beasley was then used to trade for Kobe Bryant, a move GMs around the league were equally shocked by. Kobe is one of the best players in the sim and returns home to Philly, where he has always been treated horribly by fans since leaving for the NBA. Fans are now ready to embrace Bryant, provided he brings more wins to the City of Brotherly Love. I think the Sixers are an intriguing team, but in the end, they got off to too slow of a start to get a top seed in the East and I don't expect them to do much damage in the postseason.
Atlanta Hawks
Projected Record: 40-42
Michael Redd out, Carlos Boozer in. One bad contract out the door and another one to worry about in Atlanta. The Hawks are a young, talented team but seem to be missing something to put them over the top. The offseason signing of Chris Kaman should help, but results so far have been so-so. I expect the Hawks to hover around .500 for most of the season and that may or may not be enough to get them in the postseason.
New York Knicks
Projected Record: 38-44
After the shock and disappointment of losing LeBron, the Knicks basically threw in the towel on 2007. Trading Webber for Raef didn't do much to make the team worse though and the Knicks roster is still way too good to be a bottom dweller. Rudy Gay looks like he is ready to be a star, averaging over 30 points per game this year. Knicks will be right on the bubble of the postseason.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Record: 36-46
Not much new going on in Cleveland. The Cavs are almost consistently in sim-purgatory, not good enough to be a contender, not bad enough to get a top draft pick. Not really much else to say about this team. Don't expect them to be horrible but don't expect them to make the playoffs. If they do, they will likely be a first round exit - something familiar for Cavs fans.
Toronto Raptors
Projected Record: 34-48
Kobe is out, Chandler is out, Jamison is out - the Raptors appear to be making a youth movement... but they just added Steve Nash. This team certainly has a new look, but it is still too talented to count completely out of the playoffs. In the end, the East is too deep and I expect the Canadians to be sitting at home.
Charlotte Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets
Projected Record: 34-48
The lucky winners of the 2007 lottery are thrilled with their prize - star rookie Kevin GOAT sim league player Durant. And while GOAT sim league player Durant is performing as expected, the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets are struggling to reach .500. This team is filled with young talent but in the end is still a year or two away. Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets fans can hope for some development from their young players and a bad season by the Nets for a chance to add another stud to the mix next year.
Orlando Magic
Projected Record: 33-49
The team with Williams and Arenas in the backcourt added a friend in the frontcourt in Kendrick Perkins. Perkins is the big prize for the Magic and he is beasting down low in Orlando. Thing is, it hasn't really helped in the win-loss column as the Magic are still playing below .500 ball. GM MJ has his work cut out for him to find out what is wrong with his team... some moves may need to be made if they want to have a chance in 2007.
New Jersey Nets
Projected Record: 30-52
The Nets had an awful end to 2006 and have begun 2007 in the same way. The owner seems ready to blow up the core of his team and rebuild, but without owning his own 1st round pick in the 2008 draft, he has no motivation to do so yet. This is basically a wasted year in New Jersey. Nothing to tank for, but no chance at success. The return for Randy Foye was a good start for New Jersey's rebuilding plan, though.
Playoffs:
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All Eastern Conference 1st Team:
C: Rasheed Wallace, Milwaukee
PF: Kevin Garnett, Chicago
SF: Shawn Marion, Boston
SG: Kobe Bryant, Philadelphia
PG: Dwyane Wade, Boston
2nd Team:
C: Dwight Howard, Miami
PF: Chris Bosh, Washington
SF: Paul Pierce, Miami
SG: Gilbert Arenas, Orlando
PG: Chris Paul, Milwaukee
3rd Team:
C: Greg Oden, Washington
PF: Tim Duncan, Detroit
SF: Carmelo Anthony, Indiana
SG: Rudy Gay, New York
PG: Deron Williams, Orlando
Boston Celtics
Projected Record: 60-22
How they'll beat you: They bring their A game.
How you can beat them: I think teams like Washington and Miami - teams with a fantastic PF-C combo will have a chance to take down Boston due to their relative weakness at PF-C compared to the rest of their team. Oden-Bosh and Howard-Webber are deadly.
The Celtics have some new faces on their team but the star players remain the same. Dwayne Wade is the best player in the sim league and Shawn Marion may be the most under-appreciated. Kendrick Perkins is out, but LaMarcus Aldridge has filled in nicely and provided more of an offensive punch from C. The rest of the roster is filled in by young guys on rookie contracts and Ime Udoka who elected to resign with Boston for much less than his market value. Players want to play for the Celtics, who have been the league's most successful franchise. I would be surprised if at the end of the year, Boston isn't atop the East, where they have been for years on end now. The Celtics were upset by the Heat in the playoffs last year and will face some tough competition again this year, but they are always considered the favorites.
Chicago Bulls
Projected Record: 53-29
How they'll beat you: Defense. This team features a starting lineup with defensive ratings of A- A+ A+ B B+
How you can beat them: Good offensive guard play. As you can see above, the Bulls defense can be exploited by teams with good scoring guards. Also, get Garnett in foul trouble.
The Bulls experienced postseason success for the first time last season, winning their opening series against the Cavs in 7 and then taking down the favored Knicks in the 2nd round. The conference finals loss to the Heat was disappointing but left Bulls fans with hope for 2007. After a few big moves, insert Randy Foye as the Bulls starting PG. Foye is definitely a big upgrade over Shaun Livingston, but some fans have questioned if the Bulls paid too high of a price to get their guy. Kevin Garnett is still one of the best players in the sim and the Bulls need to win now before he starts to decline. The window of opportunity is slim for this team, but they look ready to contend in '07.
Washington Wizards
Projected Record: 55-27
How they'll beat you: Inside scoring. Defense.
How you can beat them: Have great inside defense. Force Salmons and Brewer to beat you and you will have a good chance.
Two years ago they were the worst team the sim league had ever seen. Now they are a contender for the title. Credit goes to Clown for a great rebuilding job which was aided but a few strokes of luck as well. Chris Bosh chose to leave Sacramento for the Wizards this offseason, and when paired with Greg Oden, gives the Wizards a frontcourt that can be rivaled by few in the league. The Wizards are solid across the line as Ronnie Brewer has developed into a very good PG. The Wizards currently sit atop the East. If there is any team that could end the Celtics run as regular season champions, it may be the Wizards.
Miami Heat
Projected Record: 50-32
How they'll beat you: Frontcourt - Dwight Howard, Chris Webber, Paul Pierce looks like an All Star Team
How you can beat them: Morlende/Rondo is good enough for this star studded team, but they definitely are the weakness for the Heat
After making a run to the TMBSL Finals in 2006, the Heat have to be considered a contender for the title in 2007. The interesting thing is that the Heat actually made their playoffs run without Dwight Howard, thought to be their team's best player. After swapping Raef LaFrentz for Chris Webber in the offseason, the Heat look ready for more of the same in 2007. Rumors have been swirling about a possible Ray Allen trade but they haven't stopped the Heat from winning.
Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Record: 46-36
How they'll beat you: This team can outscore anyone and Chris Paul looks fantastic running the show. They do not turn the ball over for a team that averages a lot of points.
How you can beat them: Rebounding is a concern for the Bucks, and their perimeter defense can be taken advantage of by elite scorers
The 2007 Bucks look nothing like the 2006 Bucks. One of the most active GMs this offseason was trofie in Milwaukee, and it looks like he did a good job. Many were left questioning his plan after dealing Darko Mlicic and 2 1st round picks for the #2 pick which was used to select rookie of the year favorite Chris Paul. That trade was followed by a move for Rasheed Wallace where the Bucks made out like bandits. The Bucks starting 5 looks great and they have depth as well. This team is just a notch below the cream of the crop in the East, but they should definitely make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, putting pressure on the Pacers and Spurs to end their droughts. Don't be surprised if Milwaukee makes a run in the post-season, either.
Indiana Pacers
Projected Record: 45-37
How they'll beat you: Their starting 5 is better than yours.
How you can beat them: Quicken the pace, get the starters tired or in foul trouble, and dominate the bench.
The Pacers have had the talent to be a playoff team the last couple seasons but simply haven't put it together. This is the year that the GM figures everything out and gets the franchise their first ever playoff appearance. Guillermo Diaz, the surprise rookie of 2006, is no surprise this year but is playing better than ever. Carmelo Anthony and Emeka Okafor are as good as any at their position, and Allen Iverson and Ike Diogu round out what is a fantastic starting 5. Depth is a huge problem for this team and Andre Iguodala is really the only good sub on the team. In the end, this is what separates the Pacers from the elite teams in the conference.
Detroit Pistons
Projected Record: 43-39
How they'll beat you: Very talented starting 5 and Roy & Duncan are a dynamic duo.
How you can beat them: Attack the basket, there are no shot blockers on this team. Also, if Duncan gets in foul trouble, the Pistons are in trouble as well.
Brandon Roy has ascended to the level of a great player in this league and now joins Tim Duncan to form an elite duo in Motown. The Pistons are talented across the starting lineup and have elite backups at the PG, SG, and SF position. But if the Pistons want to make a run and join the elite in the East, they need to shore up their depth down low. Blount, McRoberts and Bargnani simply aren't going to get the job done. And although Tim Duncan plays good defense, he isn't a shot blocker leaving opponents with no fear when attacking the basket against the Pistons.
Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Record: 43-39
How they'll beat you: Kobe.
How you can beat them: After Kobe and Shaq, this team isn't special.
Two highly discussed moves and a brand new Sixers team. This one looks ready for the playoffs in 2007, but at what cost to the future? Many GMs scoffed when supabran gave up the 5th pick and Tyrus Thomas for the 4th pick before selecting Michael Beasley with the 4th pick. Michael Beasley was then used to trade for Kobe Bryant, a move GMs around the league were equally shocked by. Kobe is one of the best players in the sim and returns home to Philly, where he has always been treated horribly by fans since leaving for the NBA. Fans are now ready to embrace Bryant, provided he brings more wins to the City of Brotherly Love. I think the Sixers are an intriguing team, but in the end, they got off to too slow of a start to get a top seed in the East and I don't expect them to do much damage in the postseason.
Atlanta Hawks
Projected Record: 40-42
Michael Redd out, Carlos Boozer in. One bad contract out the door and another one to worry about in Atlanta. The Hawks are a young, talented team but seem to be missing something to put them over the top. The offseason signing of Chris Kaman should help, but results so far have been so-so. I expect the Hawks to hover around .500 for most of the season and that may or may not be enough to get them in the postseason.
New York Knicks
Projected Record: 38-44
After the shock and disappointment of losing LeBron, the Knicks basically threw in the towel on 2007. Trading Webber for Raef didn't do much to make the team worse though and the Knicks roster is still way too good to be a bottom dweller. Rudy Gay looks like he is ready to be a star, averaging over 30 points per game this year. Knicks will be right on the bubble of the postseason.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Record: 36-46
Not much new going on in Cleveland. The Cavs are almost consistently in sim-purgatory, not good enough to be a contender, not bad enough to get a top draft pick. Not really much else to say about this team. Don't expect them to be horrible but don't expect them to make the playoffs. If they do, they will likely be a first round exit - something familiar for Cavs fans.
Toronto Raptors
Projected Record: 34-48
Kobe is out, Chandler is out, Jamison is out - the Raptors appear to be making a youth movement... but they just added Steve Nash. This team certainly has a new look, but it is still too talented to count completely out of the playoffs. In the end, the East is too deep and I expect the Canadians to be sitting at home.
Charlotte Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets
Projected Record: 34-48
The lucky winners of the 2007 lottery are thrilled with their prize - star rookie Kevin GOAT sim league player Durant. And while GOAT sim league player Durant is performing as expected, the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets are struggling to reach .500. This team is filled with young talent but in the end is still a year or two away. Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets fans can hope for some development from their young players and a bad season by the Nets for a chance to add another stud to the mix next year.
Orlando Magic
Projected Record: 33-49
The team with Williams and Arenas in the backcourt added a friend in the frontcourt in Kendrick Perkins. Perkins is the big prize for the Magic and he is beasting down low in Orlando. Thing is, it hasn't really helped in the win-loss column as the Magic are still playing below .500 ball. GM MJ has his work cut out for him to find out what is wrong with his team... some moves may need to be made if they want to have a chance in 2007.
New Jersey Nets
Projected Record: 30-52
The Nets had an awful end to 2006 and have begun 2007 in the same way. The owner seems ready to blow up the core of his team and rebuild, but without owning his own 1st round pick in the 2008 draft, he has no motivation to do so yet. This is basically a wasted year in New Jersey. Nothing to tank for, but no chance at success. The return for Randy Foye was a good start for New Jersey's rebuilding plan, though.
Playoffs:
1.
8.
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5.
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3.
6.
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2.
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All Eastern Conference 1st Team:
C: Rasheed Wallace, Milwaukee
PF: Kevin Garnett, Chicago
SF: Shawn Marion, Boston
SG: Kobe Bryant, Philadelphia
PG: Dwyane Wade, Boston
2nd Team:
C: Dwight Howard, Miami
PF: Chris Bosh, Washington
SF: Paul Pierce, Miami
SG: Gilbert Arenas, Orlando
PG: Chris Paul, Milwaukee
3rd Team:
C: Greg Oden, Washington
PF: Tim Duncan, Detroit
SF: Carmelo Anthony, Indiana
SG: Rudy Gay, New York
PG: Deron Williams, Orlando
