Post by Sonics GM on Feb 12, 2008 17:05:41 GMT -5
1.
LA Lakers- The Lakers have surprised me a lot this season and are proving to everyone that they are a legit contender. I did not think Wade and Kobe would be able to work together and thought it would be too much of a clash of egos. I also did not think Crittenton,Bynum, and Williams would play as well as they did. Right now they have the hottest starting five in the league and I don't see any slowing down unless there is a major injury.
2.
Detroit Pistons- The Pistons have made some big changes in the off season that we see are definitely paying off. Getting Elton Brand was a huge addition for them down low. Robin Lopez looks like he is ready to be one of the leagues elite Centers in the future. The main thing that has helped this team is the gm being so active and gaining ATC's to add to his players. Jeremy Pargo is scoring great and it looks like he had some ATC's put into him.
3.
Seattle Sonics- Seattle made a lot of off season moves. They only have 4 players who were in a sonics uni last season still on the team (Giles,Green, Durant, Paul). They went out and got Joe Johnson and Jason Kidd to add some star power to there lineup. Joe Johnson is scoring great for them and Kidd is aged but is great off the bench. As of recent they added former Suns Boris Diaw and Leadro Barbosa which should help them have more depth. This team lacks a strong inside presence which may limit this teams chances in the playoffs.
4.
Portland Trail Blazers- This teams record may not be at the top but it does not matter because we all know once Bill walker is back this team will dominate. Most people predicted this team to repeat and I can't say i disagree. They are only 4th because of there record but don't expect them to be this low for long. With the way Greg Oden is playing though it is surprising they are not undefeated.
5.
Minnesota T-Wolves- This team should be praising the league right now because they still have Al Jefferson. After a FA controversy when he signed with the Blazers he was sent back to the T-wolves when the league voted he should be. I am really surprised they are so far up in the standings. There top scorer Chris Lofton is playing immortal and a lot of guys stepped it up this season. Now that i have seen what some of those guys could do I am a T-wolve believer now myself.
6.
Philadelphia 76ers- There has not been too many hot teams this season so the 76ers slip in this high in the rankings. Iggy is pretty much putting up an MVP year keeping this team in the playoff race. I don't think they have the fire power yet to make a late playoff run but I think they are capable of being a fairly high seed in the weak East.
7.
Chicago Bulls- The Bulls can really shoot from the outside and they play pretty good defense. They lack a big scoring presence down low but this team is not bad at all. Is a mediocre team but don't see it as more then that. Definitely a playoff team for sure.
8.
Washington Wizards- They are a team loaded with young talent and the leagues best scorer. They are a team I see staying around 4th or 5th in the East. This will probably be the worst they will be for quite some time.
9.
Atlanta Hawks- This team is really underachieving in my mind. I thought they would be 1st or 2nd seed in the East with all the talent they got. I think they will go on a run sometime this season that will put them near the top. I see them as a team to watch in the East.
10.
New Jersey Nets- Its plain to see that Gilbert Arenas is the heart and sole of this team. If something happens to him this team is not even close to a playoff team. I do think trading Gilbert would be smart to help move along the rebuilding process.
LA Lakers- The Lakers have surprised me a lot this season and are proving to everyone that they are a legit contender. I did not think Wade and Kobe would be able to work together and thought it would be too much of a clash of egos. I also did not think Crittenton,Bynum, and Williams would play as well as they did. Right now they have the hottest starting five in the league and I don't see any slowing down unless there is a major injury.2.
Detroit Pistons- The Pistons have made some big changes in the off season that we see are definitely paying off. Getting Elton Brand was a huge addition for them down low. Robin Lopez looks like he is ready to be one of the leagues elite Centers in the future. The main thing that has helped this team is the gm being so active and gaining ATC's to add to his players. Jeremy Pargo is scoring great and it looks like he had some ATC's put into him.3.
Seattle Sonics- Seattle made a lot of off season moves. They only have 4 players who were in a sonics uni last season still on the team (Giles,Green, Durant, Paul). They went out and got Joe Johnson and Jason Kidd to add some star power to there lineup. Joe Johnson is scoring great for them and Kidd is aged but is great off the bench. As of recent they added former Suns Boris Diaw and Leadro Barbosa which should help them have more depth. This team lacks a strong inside presence which may limit this teams chances in the playoffs.4.
Portland Trail Blazers- This teams record may not be at the top but it does not matter because we all know once Bill walker is back this team will dominate. Most people predicted this team to repeat and I can't say i disagree. They are only 4th because of there record but don't expect them to be this low for long. With the way Greg Oden is playing though it is surprising they are not undefeated.5.
Minnesota T-Wolves- This team should be praising the league right now because they still have Al Jefferson. After a FA controversy when he signed with the Blazers he was sent back to the T-wolves when the league voted he should be. I am really surprised they are so far up in the standings. There top scorer Chris Lofton is playing immortal and a lot of guys stepped it up this season. Now that i have seen what some of those guys could do I am a T-wolve believer now myself.6.
Philadelphia 76ers- There has not been too many hot teams this season so the 76ers slip in this high in the rankings. Iggy is pretty much putting up an MVP year keeping this team in the playoff race. I don't think they have the fire power yet to make a late playoff run but I think they are capable of being a fairly high seed in the weak East.7.
Chicago Bulls- The Bulls can really shoot from the outside and they play pretty good defense. They lack a big scoring presence down low but this team is not bad at all. Is a mediocre team but don't see it as more then that. Definitely a playoff team for sure.8.
Washington Wizards- They are a team loaded with young talent and the leagues best scorer. They are a team I see staying around 4th or 5th in the East. This will probably be the worst they will be for quite some time.9.
Atlanta Hawks- This team is really underachieving in my mind. I thought they would be 1st or 2nd seed in the East with all the talent they got. I think they will go on a run sometime this season that will put them near the top. I see them as a team to watch in the East.
10.
New Jersey Nets- Its plain to see that Gilbert Arenas is the heart and sole of this team. If something happens to him this team is not even close to a playoff team. I do think trading Gilbert would be smart to help move along the rebuilding process.
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