Post by Deleted on May 5, 2020 12:30:07 GMT
State of the West
Holy shit, this conference is stacked. With only one GM on autopilot, I don’t think it’s really a fair ball game the way these standings are currently shaking out. Nevertheless, we will now analyze each teams offseason subtractions, additions, as well as their GMs intelligence:
Dallas
Subtractions: Marc Gasol, Dave Cowens, Chris Bosh, Thansis Antetokounpo, Josh Howard, Earl Tatum
Additions: Andre Drummond, Dan Issel, Alexander Johnson, Thon Maker, Dominuqe Wilkins, Acie Law, Dejounte Murray
Prediction: 64-18
Additions: Andre Drummond, Dan Issel, Alexander Johnson, Thon Maker, Dominuqe Wilkins, Acie Law, Dejounte Murray
Prediction: 64-18
This team is basically unrecognizable from last year. Bird and Wilkins is one of the most intriguing wing duos in the league. But who is the backup? Between Barnes and Natt one of them will get the minutes, but will those minutes lead to wins on the court? This boy doesn’t think so. However, Dan Issel is a clear upgrade over Gasol/Cowens, but the departure of Bosh may be at the worst possible time after a ridiculous preseason in Chicago. Acie Law also joins Delap’s squad this season, expecting to provide some punch at the pointguard position that has been the Maverick’s weak point since the departure of Kyrie. Can Delap finally put it all together to win a title this season? It doesn’t look like it, but he’s comfortably a top 2-3 team in the West and with the fluky playoffs anything can happen.
Chicago
Subtractions: P.J. Tuckey, Wilkins, Walt Williams
Additions: Chris Bosh, Marquese Chriss, Tim’s Bro
Prediction: 66-16
With Tuckey, Wilkins, and Williams gone, Timmypig has some holes to fill in Chicago (and I’m not talking about his heart). Wilkins and Williams accounted for over 50 minutes of play time on the wing for Timmypig, so you wonder if Tim’s Bro and Butch Lee are ready to step up and fill these voids. One would think sliding LeBron over to the SF position is a near certainty at this point, but that still leaves a lot of minutes among one of the weaker 2-4 wing rotations in the conference with Cooper, Bro and Halperin/Lee. Bosh however, seems ready to fill the gap, and is excited to finally be on a team that people actually expect to do well. Will Timpigs mini mid-life crisis this offseason work out in his favor? Most would say no, trading a wing for a big will not improve your team, but in Chicago the only thing that is certain is a whole lot of Bulls(hit)
Additions: Chris Bosh, Marquese Chriss, Tim’s Bro
Prediction: 66-16
With Tuckey, Wilkins, and Williams gone, Timmypig has some holes to fill in Chicago (and I’m not talking about his heart). Wilkins and Williams accounted for over 50 minutes of play time on the wing for Timmypig, so you wonder if Tim’s Bro and Butch Lee are ready to step up and fill these voids. One would think sliding LeBron over to the SF position is a near certainty at this point, but that still leaves a lot of minutes among one of the weaker 2-4 wing rotations in the conference with Cooper, Bro and Halperin/Lee. Bosh however, seems ready to fill the gap, and is excited to finally be on a team that people actually expect to do well. Will Timpigs mini mid-life crisis this offseason work out in his favor? Most would say no, trading a wing for a big will not improve your team, but in Chicago the only thing that is certain is a whole lot of Bulls(hit)
Spurs
Subtractions: Zarko, O’Neal, Lonnie Shelton, Travis Outlaw, Sleepy Floyd, Tony Wroten, Bob Cousy
Additions: Shaq, Diallo, Jon Barry, Harold Miner, Rod Strickland, Jamal Murray
Prediction: 54-28
Jeezy is proving that the 3rd try is finally the charm, a pre-emptive move anticipating him imploding his 2nd team, he quickly signed up as “pointyegg” and took a bare team to build from the aether. And build he did! Pointy now has Jokic, Lucas, and Shaq, a more respectable big 3 than jeezy has ever put together before? What’s the different you say? Meth. Pointyegg does lots of meth, and he’s been able to bring in player’s that anyone would’ve originally said was way out of his league. Diallo (a personal favorite of mine) and Jamaal Murray both look extremely promising. If Morrison continues his growth and one of those player’s hits and becomes a starter… this could be a high 50s or 60 win team in a year or two time with a bit more done to shore up the depth.
Additions: Shaq, Diallo, Jon Barry, Harold Miner, Rod Strickland, Jamal Murray
Prediction: 54-28
Jeezy is proving that the 3rd try is finally the charm, a pre-emptive move anticipating him imploding his 2nd team, he quickly signed up as “pointyegg” and took a bare team to build from the aether. And build he did! Pointy now has Jokic, Lucas, and Shaq, a more respectable big 3 than jeezy has ever put together before? What’s the different you say? Meth. Pointyegg does lots of meth, and he’s been able to bring in player’s that anyone would’ve originally said was way out of his league. Diallo (a personal favorite of mine) and Jamaal Murray both look extremely promising. If Morrison continues his growth and one of those player’s hits and becomes a starter… this could be a high 50s or 60 win team in a year or two time with a bit more done to shore up the depth.
Blackhawks
Subtractrions: Mark Eaton, WAlt Bellamy, GEoff Crompton, Rodney Hood, Roy Hamilton, Fat Lever
Additions: Kevin Durant, Dave Corzine, Georges Niang, Josh Howard, Earl Tatum, Zach LaVine
Prediction: 63-19
I guess this is finally it guys. This team has less holes than fecta’s sister, with the only weakness being the backup wing spot. The growth of Boobie along with some mid-season trades could give the Blackhawks the best roster that doesn’t have a generational player on it. Until then? 3rd in the conference, with a good chance to make some noise in the playoffs. The only question is --- Sabotage?!
Additions: Kevin Durant, Dave Corzine, Georges Niang, Josh Howard, Earl Tatum, Zach LaVine
Prediction: 63-19
I guess this is finally it guys. This team has less holes than fecta’s sister, with the only weakness being the backup wing spot. The growth of Boobie along with some mid-season trades could give the Blackhawks the best roster that doesn’t have a generational player on it. Until then? 3rd in the conference, with a good chance to make some noise in the playoffs. The only question is --- Sabotage?!
Oaks
Subtractions: ZaZa, Tracy Murray, Sly Williams, Tyler Johnson
Additions: Okaro White, Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon
Prediction: 33-49
The one GM in this conference that doesn’t deserve to be here, we have kujo. This team has more holes than fecta’s sister, with the only bright spots being Shelden Williams and Austin Carr. Sabonis, Brogdon and Lowry are shit, which is good because it kind of brings the whole thing full circle for kujo since he’s such a shit GM.
Additions: Okaro White, Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon
Prediction: 33-49
The one GM in this conference that doesn’t deserve to be here, we have kujo. This team has more holes than fecta’s sister, with the only bright spots being Shelden Williams and Austin Carr. Sabonis, Brogdon and Lowry are shit, which is good because it kind of brings the whole thing full circle for kujo since he’s such a shit GM.
Grizzlies
Subtractions: Yinka Dare, Artis GIlmore, Hilton Armstrong, Terry Cummings, Shareed, Kevin Durant, John Havlicek, Kent Bazemore, Latrell Sprewell, Brad Holland, Mo Willims
Additions: Greg Oden, Mark Eaton, Sidney Moncrief, Jim Paxson, John Starks, Fat Lever
Prediction: 40-42
Great GM, bad team. The Grizzlies are obviously in this for later. Trading basically anyone on their roster with a pulse (yes I count Greg Oden as pulse-less), they have a very bleak outlook for this season, but it immediately gets better with the 3rd pick in a draft class that looks likely to have a good player there for him to pick. He sold off extremely quickly, but did he get enough to build around? Only time will tell, and none of the upcoming FA classes look particularly appealing after a couple years of just bullshit drafts by eric. Druce could roll over and put together 55 wins though in a year where he is buying, so never count the Grizzlies out.
Additions: Greg Oden, Mark Eaton, Sidney Moncrief, Jim Paxson, John Starks, Fat Lever
Prediction: 40-42
Great GM, bad team. The Grizzlies are obviously in this for later. Trading basically anyone on their roster with a pulse (yes I count Greg Oden as pulse-less), they have a very bleak outlook for this season, but it immediately gets better with the 3rd pick in a draft class that looks likely to have a good player there for him to pick. He sold off extremely quickly, but did he get enough to build around? Only time will tell, and none of the upcoming FA classes look particularly appealing after a couple years of just bullshit drafts by eric. Druce could roll over and put together 55 wins though in a year where he is buying, so never count the Grizzlies out.
Trail Blazers
Subtractions: Nurkic, Glen Davis, Shannon Brown, Ron Brewer, Elfrid Payton
Additions: Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, Malik Beasley, Roy Hamilton
Prediction: 56-26
A team that would probably be 3rd in the east is eating the scraps here. The lowest team in the standings that is actually “trying” you have to wander what Majic’s end goal is here. He’s hanging onto Cartwright, Donaldson, and Dion Waiters like he’s less than 100 moves from winning a ring (he isn’t) when they are only getting older and less valuable. Frustrations with the wheel and shout mount, as it becomes more difficult for Majic to fully invest himself in the league as before. Does this also coincide with Druce’s successful return? Did the flow of advice stop flowing -- or did it become purposefully bad? There are a lot of questions here, but the only thing we know for sure is that there will need to be more than a little majic in Portland to make any noise for this season.
Additions: Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, Malik Beasley, Roy Hamilton
Prediction: 56-26
A team that would probably be 3rd in the east is eating the scraps here. The lowest team in the standings that is actually “trying” you have to wander what Majic’s end goal is here. He’s hanging onto Cartwright, Donaldson, and Dion Waiters like he’s less than 100 moves from winning a ring (he isn’t) when they are only getting older and less valuable. Frustrations with the wheel and shout mount, as it becomes more difficult for Majic to fully invest himself in the league as before. Does this also coincide with Druce’s successful return? Did the flow of advice stop flowing -- or did it become purposefully bad? There are a lot of questions here, but the only thing we know for sure is that there will need to be more than a little majic in Portland to make any noise for this season.
