Post by RWisoursavior on Jul 27, 2014 13:10:31 GMT -6
Atlanta Hawks:
Roster:
Team Situation: Win
Current Grade: B+
Future Grade: B+
Overview: The Hawks have made a series of frowned upon moves. In fact there has only been a singular trade where GM RW was not perceived to lose, the Daryl Dawkins to JHB trade. Despite the controversial moves the Hawks are in a position to win. Coming off the 3 seed, and a disappointing first round exit the Hawks may be the favorites in the Central. TC didn't go as well for the Hawks as RW had hoped John Drew went -1, and few improvements outside of Tom Barker. The 6'11 SF improved his defense to A, and rebounding to A, removing all doubts about his defense being a converted PF. RW went a bit crazy with his moves, and his team is deep, no question about that. Where his team could see its downfall is its lack of a 2nd/3rd superstar. Richard Washington is the key to this team can he improve his FG% while keeping his scoring up? Hopefully that +14 pumped into him last season helps. The Hawks should win 60 again, the only question is where will they finish in the division.
Charlotte Hornets:
Roster:
Team Situation: Win
Current Grade: C
Future Grade: D+
Overview: The Hornets are in turmoil. They have an albatross of a contract with Billy Paultz, who will be making 22 million at 37. RV can just pray he retires or dirt will take him off his hands for some inexplicable reason. Paultz is coming off a career low 19/9/2/2 and had a lot of trouble staying on the court, frequently in foul trouble. The Hornets do not have their pick for the next two years so unless they can wrangle those picks from Jerry West the Hornets will be stuck fighting for the 6-8 seed for the next two years, the worst situation. Maybe he can make a run like the Pacers next year, that's what rv is betting on. I've just ripped on the Hornets but they are not devoid of talent. John Williamson has 3 all-league teams including making the first team last year. He put up 28/3.5/8 on 49% from the field monster numbers. Brian Taylor, Maurice Lucas (man he's sure dropped off, assume the Nugs were tanking those 1st two years), Rudy Tomjanovich, and Monty Williams are all decent players but as a whole cannot carry a winning team.
Chicago Bulls
Roster:
Team Situation: Win
Current Grade: B
Future Grade: C
Overview: Foots Walker deciding to leave the Bulls and head out west to the T-Wolves was a major blow to the Bulls. They're still very good with Vet superstars like Kareem, McGinnis, and new acquisition Pistol Pete. The Bulls last season strength was defense, or at least the ability to balance their poor defenders wit great ones with Caldwell Jones, Foots Walker, and Kareem all being A+ defenders. Two of those three are gone and only two players on the Bulls who project to get 30+ minutes are at least A- defenders in Donyell Marshall, and Kareem. Marshall is the key to the Bulls future, Bruns saw his talent early and will pay dividends soon. Need to get that rebounding up. Campy was a huge get at the MLE, he should be a nice boost at SF after Natt's lackluster season. The Bulls don't own any of their picks the next three seasons, and are an aging roster. Once one of Pistol Pete/McGinnis/Kareem regresses or retires the Bulls are in deep waters. Most likely trading away their talent remaining for their picks back after this season or next. With Jo Jo White, or Tom Henderson as their PG the Bulls are definitely in the tier below the Pistons and Hawks but will still compete for the 4-6 seed in the East.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Roster:
Team Situation: Tanking
Current Grade: D+
Future Grade: B-
Overview: Hakeem could be the best play from this draft class. The boost in outside from D+ to C- may be the most important grade hike in TC. Hakeem put up exciting numbers in the preseason with 26/12.5/2.5/3.5 on 45% from the field. The best results you could hope for in his rookie season. I'm not sold on Grunfield, seems like the next Wesley Person, can put up star numbers on a tanking team but is really nothing more than a solid starter to role player. The Cavs are tanking again Grunfield and Hakeem will take them out of the top 3 lotto odds but still should be in the top 8 range.
Detroit Pistons
Roster:
Team Situation: Winning
Current Grade: B+
Future Grade: B+
Overview: The second favorite in the Central, tyler has quietly been making moves this offseason to turn the Pistons into a formidable team in the east. Paul Westphal may be the best player in the East. The Pistons addressed their biggest weakness this offseason in their front court by adding Caldwell Jones, and George Johnson. The duo have 5 all defensive teams between the two and are perfect compliments to the offensive minded Westphal and Dandridge. Their 5th starter is just Leon Douglas a guy who can put up 20/10 every night with A defense. It will be a battle with the Hawks for the top spot in the Central.
Indiana Pacers
Roster:
Team Situation: Winning
Current Grade: B
Future Grade: B
Overview: There were rumors swirling this offseason that GM Ocho was open to trading Wilkes to the T Wolves for his 3006-3008 picks back. Ian decided against taking the 28/8/5 with A+ defense on a finals team and instead chose to take Juwan Howard with a similar package. Ocho is forced to work with what he has which isn't bad, he made the finals last season. Losing Al Skinner was a big blow but Gus Williams or Nate Archibald are suitable replacements. Ocho needs some front court help Ryan DeBernardi is the lone returning starter. The Pacers are right there with the Bulls, below the Hawks and Pistons but still a solid team with some holes that need to be addressed.
Milwaukee Bucks
Roster:
Team Situation: Tanking
Current Grade: D
Future Grade: B
Overview: Trofie was part of the 10 pick acquirement night for MJ. Trofie gave up 5 picks, for Kevin Willis and Otis Birdsong. Two young decent players. Can't fault trofie he is part of the RW school of young players are more valuable than picks, especially shitty ones. Trofie is the favorite for winning the tank off of at least the Central. Outside of the two players acquired from the Magic there isn't much else on the Bucks. Ricky Green may be solid in the future, and Champ Godbolt is still a complete mystery. He can play SF with no change and put up solid percentages from there, at least that's what the preseason conveyed.
Toronto Raptors
Roster:
Team Situation: Winning
Current Grade: C
Future Grade: C+
Overview: The Raptors would be tanking but the Mavericks own his pick and have no intention of trading it back. The controversial trade of Elvin Hayes for Dave Cowens is looking pretty good right now for the Raptors with their signing of Tom Burelson who improved to A+ defense this past year. Eric Piatkowski went -1 outside very concerning with his C defense, is he worth keeping on the team beyond this year? (irony is Piatkowski won a lot of games for the Raptors last year, dropping their pick forcing them to take the shitty Jay Humphries who doesn't look all that good. Piatkowski was forced by the mob to be included when Buster trade raped Pete for Moncrief, would have been better off not including him and getting a better pick last year). Raptors are just trying to get the 8 seed again which will be tougher in the East with the Heat and Knicks trying to win this year.
Roster:
Team Situation: Win
Current Grade: B+
Future Grade: B+
Overview: The Hawks have made a series of frowned upon moves. In fact there has only been a singular trade where GM RW was not perceived to lose, the Daryl Dawkins to JHB trade. Despite the controversial moves the Hawks are in a position to win. Coming off the 3 seed, and a disappointing first round exit the Hawks may be the favorites in the Central. TC didn't go as well for the Hawks as RW had hoped John Drew went -1, and few improvements outside of Tom Barker. The 6'11 SF improved his defense to A, and rebounding to A, removing all doubts about his defense being a converted PF. RW went a bit crazy with his moves, and his team is deep, no question about that. Where his team could see its downfall is its lack of a 2nd/3rd superstar. Richard Washington is the key to this team can he improve his FG% while keeping his scoring up? Hopefully that +14 pumped into him last season helps. The Hawks should win 60 again, the only question is where will they finish in the division.
Charlotte Hornets:
Roster:
Team Situation: Win
Current Grade: C
Future Grade: D+
Overview: The Hornets are in turmoil. They have an albatross of a contract with Billy Paultz, who will be making 22 million at 37. RV can just pray he retires or dirt will take him off his hands for some inexplicable reason. Paultz is coming off a career low 19/9/2/2 and had a lot of trouble staying on the court, frequently in foul trouble. The Hornets do not have their pick for the next two years so unless they can wrangle those picks from Jerry West the Hornets will be stuck fighting for the 6-8 seed for the next two years, the worst situation. Maybe he can make a run like the Pacers next year, that's what rv is betting on. I've just ripped on the Hornets but they are not devoid of talent. John Williamson has 3 all-league teams including making the first team last year. He put up 28/3.5/8 on 49% from the field monster numbers. Brian Taylor, Maurice Lucas (man he's sure dropped off, assume the Nugs were tanking those 1st two years), Rudy Tomjanovich, and Monty Williams are all decent players but as a whole cannot carry a winning team.
Chicago Bulls
Roster:
Team Situation: Win
Current Grade: B
Future Grade: C
Overview: Foots Walker deciding to leave the Bulls and head out west to the T-Wolves was a major blow to the Bulls. They're still very good with Vet superstars like Kareem, McGinnis, and new acquisition Pistol Pete. The Bulls last season strength was defense, or at least the ability to balance their poor defenders wit great ones with Caldwell Jones, Foots Walker, and Kareem all being A+ defenders. Two of those three are gone and only two players on the Bulls who project to get 30+ minutes are at least A- defenders in Donyell Marshall, and Kareem. Marshall is the key to the Bulls future, Bruns saw his talent early and will pay dividends soon. Need to get that rebounding up. Campy was a huge get at the MLE, he should be a nice boost at SF after Natt's lackluster season. The Bulls don't own any of their picks the next three seasons, and are an aging roster. Once one of Pistol Pete/McGinnis/Kareem regresses or retires the Bulls are in deep waters. Most likely trading away their talent remaining for their picks back after this season or next. With Jo Jo White, or Tom Henderson as their PG the Bulls are definitely in the tier below the Pistons and Hawks but will still compete for the 4-6 seed in the East.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Roster:
Team Situation: Tanking
Current Grade: D+
Future Grade: B-
Overview: Hakeem could be the best play from this draft class. The boost in outside from D+ to C- may be the most important grade hike in TC. Hakeem put up exciting numbers in the preseason with 26/12.5/2.5/3.5 on 45% from the field. The best results you could hope for in his rookie season. I'm not sold on Grunfield, seems like the next Wesley Person, can put up star numbers on a tanking team but is really nothing more than a solid starter to role player. The Cavs are tanking again Grunfield and Hakeem will take them out of the top 3 lotto odds but still should be in the top 8 range.
Detroit Pistons
Roster:
Team Situation: Winning
Current Grade: B+
Future Grade: B+
Overview: The second favorite in the Central, tyler has quietly been making moves this offseason to turn the Pistons into a formidable team in the east. Paul Westphal may be the best player in the East. The Pistons addressed their biggest weakness this offseason in their front court by adding Caldwell Jones, and George Johnson. The duo have 5 all defensive teams between the two and are perfect compliments to the offensive minded Westphal and Dandridge. Their 5th starter is just Leon Douglas a guy who can put up 20/10 every night with A defense. It will be a battle with the Hawks for the top spot in the Central.
Indiana Pacers
Roster:
Team Situation: Winning
Current Grade: B
Future Grade: B
Overview: There were rumors swirling this offseason that GM Ocho was open to trading Wilkes to the T Wolves for his 3006-3008 picks back. Ian decided against taking the 28/8/5 with A+ defense on a finals team and instead chose to take Juwan Howard with a similar package. Ocho is forced to work with what he has which isn't bad, he made the finals last season. Losing Al Skinner was a big blow but Gus Williams or Nate Archibald are suitable replacements. Ocho needs some front court help Ryan DeBernardi is the lone returning starter. The Pacers are right there with the Bulls, below the Hawks and Pistons but still a solid team with some holes that need to be addressed.
Milwaukee Bucks
Roster:
Team Situation: Tanking
Current Grade: D
Future Grade: B
Overview: Trofie was part of the 10 pick acquirement night for MJ. Trofie gave up 5 picks, for Kevin Willis and Otis Birdsong. Two young decent players. Can't fault trofie he is part of the RW school of young players are more valuable than picks, especially shitty ones. Trofie is the favorite for winning the tank off of at least the Central. Outside of the two players acquired from the Magic there isn't much else on the Bucks. Ricky Green may be solid in the future, and Champ Godbolt is still a complete mystery. He can play SF with no change and put up solid percentages from there, at least that's what the preseason conveyed.
Toronto Raptors
Roster:
Team Situation: Winning
Current Grade: C
Future Grade: C+
Overview: The Raptors would be tanking but the Mavericks own his pick and have no intention of trading it back. The controversial trade of Elvin Hayes for Dave Cowens is looking pretty good right now for the Raptors with their signing of Tom Burelson who improved to A+ defense this past year. Eric Piatkowski went -1 outside very concerning with his C defense, is he worth keeping on the team beyond this year? (irony is Piatkowski won a lot of games for the Raptors last year, dropping their pick forcing them to take the shitty Jay Humphries who doesn't look all that good. Piatkowski was forced by the mob to be included when Buster trade raped Pete for Moncrief, would have been better off not including him and getting a better pick last year). Raptors are just trying to get the 8 seed again which will be tougher in the East with the Heat and Knicks trying to win this year.
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