Post by 2poor on Aug 12, 2014 9:50:11 GMT -6
Everyone knows the Western Conference is the better conference, but sometimes it's nice to toss the lesser conference a bone. This time is as good as any to preview the Eastern Conference, as the league's best player decided to move there this offseason and the eastern conference is extremely deep this year. You can make a case for up to 12 teams making the playoffs. I'm here to sort through the bullshit and tell you which 8 are actually getting in.
Atlanta Hawks
Starting Lineup
Jim Chones
Richard Washington
Tom Barker
John Drew
Doug Collins
Biggest Loss
Wilbur Holland
Biggest Addition
Carl Hunt
Projected Conference Finish: 4
In what has become an annual Sim League tradition, rw spent all season verbally fellating his team and his GM skills, only to be unceremoniously dumped in a not-very competitive first round series. Last year's roster returns essentially unaltered, which means the 5 good to very good players in the starting lineup will rack up wins in the regular season, and then get eliminated by the first team with a star it runs in to. But hey, at least rw has no trade assets to improve his team with. One thing to watch with this team is Richard Washington getting bumped up a grade on outside. Could this be the bump he needs to become rw's star? I think it's a legit question heading into the season.
Boston Celtics
Starting Lineup
Rich Kelley
Cliff Robinson
Alvan Adams
Sonny Parker
Butch McRae
Biggest Loss
Bob Lanier
Biggest Addition
Butch McRae
Projected Conference Finish: 5
we all knew that this day would come, the day dump's FA extravaganza would prove cost prohibitive to roster building. All in all though, I think dump did a pretty good job retooling and keeping costs down. canes definitely took him for a ride in the Lanier trade, as those picks will all prove useless, but dump spun Kupchak into a pretty credible SG in Sonny Parker, and I really think Butch McRae can turn into something along the lines of the departed WBF. dump nailed the draft, giving him additional depth. I certainly would like a redo on my Varnado over Orton pick. Alvan Adams will have to rebound from a down season for him, and Cliff Robinson will be asked to shoulder more scoring load, which I think is something he is more than capable of. Dump has to make more moves if he is to make the finals again, but there is at least still a visible path to getting there.
Brooklyn Nets
Starting Lineup
Moses Malone
Neon Boudreaux
Bingo Smith
Jordan Crawford
Randy Smith
Biggest Loss
Wiley Peck
Biggest Addition
Jordan Crawford
Projected Conference Finish: 10
In a move that still offends my delicate sensibilities, scat decided to tank last season while carrying what was probably the best frontcourt in the league. In a win for justice worldwide, lightning didn't strike for the 18th time, and scat didn't jump in the lotto. So basically he wasted a year of Neon's rookie deal to bring in Jordan Crawford, who has a chance to be a homeless man's Pete Maravich. I get he was in a tough spot, but tearing it down for a year was clearly the wrong move. I honestly don't know if this team can make the playoffs this year, as of yet they do not have a SF on the roster, and the entire backcourt is still very messy. At this point, scat might as well see what he can get for Moses and really rebuild. Such a shame.
Charlotte Hornets
Starting Lineup
Tom Burleson
Dominic Austin
Steve Mix
Walt Frazier
John Williamson
Biggest Loss
Billy Paultz's contract
Biggest Addition
Walt Frazier
Projected Conference Finish: 11
even though this is a team that isn't going anywhere anytime soon, rv has to feel like this offseason was a success just by getting rid of Billy Paultz's monstrous contract. The backcourt is good enough that rv probably won't be sending a top 3 pick to the Nuggets. I expect John Williamson to be one of the main prizes of the 3006 trade market. This team is kinda boring right now, let's move on.
Chicago Bulls
Starting Lineup
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Donyell Marshall
George McGinnis
Pete Maravich
Lionel Hollins
Biggest Loss
Calvin Natt
Biggest Addition
Garfield Heard
Projected Conference Finish: 3
Things are starting to get pretty gross in Chicago. Bruns already has 76 million of salary committed to 6 players next year, and Donyell Marshall is a pending FA who I'm pretty sure will get maxed by somebody. I think replacing Calvin Natt with Garfield Heard actually helps this team. This team is still an absolute lock for the playoffs, but I'm not sure how well the pieces fit together, and the last couple years of the playoffs have demonstrated that. I expect big changes in Chicago over the next sim season, and probably not changes for the better.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Starting Lineup
Hakeem Olajuwon
Kevin Seraphin
Gordon Hayward
Paul George
Donald Wade
Biggest Loss
Ingo Coty
Biggest Addition
Paul George
Projected Conference Finish: 13
I was surprised to see that Cleveland has a sub .500 record over the life of 4.0, as heel has been a pretty good GM over the life of it. Continuing his good moves, heel killed the draft, nabbing future superstar Paul George, and future role player Gordon Hayward to go with another future star, Hakeem Olajuwon. This team is probably one more TC away from playoff contention, but these 3 youngsters will probably be good enough that heel won't be a top level tanker this year.
Detroit Pistons
Starting Lineup
Jim Brewer
George Johnson
Bob Dandridge
Jimmy Paxson
Paul Westphal
Biggest Loss
Caldwell Jones
Biggest Addition
Jimmy Paxson
Projected Conference Finish: 2
What an offseason Rain Man had. Tyler killed the draft and killed free agency. He decided for about a day that he was going to blow it up, and instead enters the season with what might be the best team he's ever had. This team has stupid amounts of depth, bigs who only want to rebound and defend, and a legit superstar in Paul Westphal. I believe anything short of a title this season would be a disappointment for tyler.
Indiana Pacers
Starting Lineup
Ryan DeBernardi
Elvin Hayes
Dan Issel
Jamaal Wilkes
Eddie Jones
Biggest Loss
Mickey Johnson
Biggest Addition
Dan Issel
Projected Conference Finish: 6
Everyone in the league passes around Indiana picks like they are solid gold, and yet this franchise shows no signs of falling apart any time soon. I think ocho quietly had a very good offseason. Dan Issel returns back to his original franchise to pair up with Jamaal Wilkes once again, only this time they have actual bigs. Somehow Eddie Jones' handles declined in a TC at PG, which has to be concerning. If everyone plays up to their level, and Eddie's handles don't prove too deleterious, this is a dark horse candidate for the conference title. Indy will remain a playoff team as long as Wilkes is around, and he is somehow only 28.
Milwaukee Bucks
Starting Lineup
Juwan Howard
Dave Cowens
Champ Godbolt
TR Dunn
Foots Walker
Biggest Loss
the chance to draft Boogie Cousins
Biggest Addition
Dave Cowens
Projected Conference Finish: 8
This is a really intriguing team, as there is still so much we do not know. What will Champ Godbolt become? What will TR Dunn become? Did Trofie wake up in an alley surrounded by empty liquor bottles after he saw the lotto results? This is a team that should flirt with the playoffs; there is a lot of young talent, and one of the steadiest PGs in the league to guide them through the season and get the locker room under control. I'm not sure exactly what the ceiling is on this group of players, but I don't think any of us will for at least another season.
New York Knicks
Starting Lineup
Artis Gilmore
Dave Greenwood
Mike Bantom
Nate Williams
Jason Kidd
Biggest Loss
EC Coleman
Biggest Addition
Ekpe Udoh
Projected Conference Finish: 9
skrouse ponied up the big bucks for Dave Greenwood, who promptly fell apart in TC. Jason Kidd's free agency looms. skrouse sent out 2 picks for a 32 year old big man in active decline who makes over 20 million each of the next two seasons. I am not enthusiastic about the future of the Knicks franchise. They made the playoffs as an 8 seed last year, and I think that's about as good as it's going to get for quite a while. The rise of Orlando and Milwaukee means that last season very well could have been as good as it gets for this team.
Orlando Magic
Starting Lineup
Greg Monroe
Patrick Patterson
Dan Roundfield
Adrian Dantley
Magic Johnson
Biggest Loss
the league's sympathy
Biggest Addition
Magic Johnson
Projected Conference Finish: 1
Ho. Lee. Fuck. I don't think any of us saw this coming. All-world PG and all-around sim god Magic Johnson decided to resuscitate one of the most moribund franchises in all of 4.0, and mj certainly took advantage. 3 days ago this team was more devoid of talent than any in sim league, and now it is a legitimate finals contender. mj nailed his draft picks, giving him 2 starting bigs that are extremely young, cheap, and productive. Roundfield and Magic will destroy teams defensively, while Magic and Dantley rain in the points. mj has his 6 best players under contract for the next 3 seasons, and he is still 20 million away from hard cap. If he doesn't have his team logo on the banner by 3010, something will have gone horribly wrong.
Philadelphia 76ers
Starting Lineup
Caldwell Jones
Brian Grant
Leon Douglas
Fred Brown
Michael Jordan
Biggest Loss
Payton Haribert
Biggest Addition
Caldwell Jones
Projected Conference Finish: 7
Fason got tired of tanking, and restocked the Detroit roster while taking 2 older more expensive pieces off of tyler's hands. I really liked that deal both directions; someone won it, but I don't think we will have a clear verdict for a couple seasons (depends on Lance's development imo). Sim Jordan should begin his campaign to become the most terrifying player in the league this season, and Brian Grant has blossomed into a really wonderful frontcourt player. SG is the only real weakness in the Philly starting lineup, but fason has some very promising young players (hello Stanley Robinson) and picks that he can spin into an upgrade here (hello... Ernie Grunfeld? I don't know, matching salaries will be very difficult for fason).
Toronto Raptors
Starting Lineup
Sam Bowie
Yinka Dare
Xavier Henry
Melchor Daryawesh
Gam-Zish Tibernes
Biggest Loss
Lucius Allen
Biggest Addition
Xavier Henry
Projected Conference Finish: 14
I think the Raptors are 2 seasons away from making real noise, but you can see them coming. Trading Bowie is proving to be a pretty awful decision by 2 separate Western Conference GMs, as he has blossomed north of the border, and now looks like a potential star. Yinka is one of those defensive bigs everyone loves so much, and Xavier Henry looks like he will be a nice third wheel. Pete has taken his lumps as we all did, but it looks like we've got a good one on our hands. For the first time I've been in sim league, the Toronto franchise is in stable and attentive hands.
Washington Bullets
Starting Lineup
James Edwards
Sam Perkins
Kermit Washington
Jalen Rose
Eric Bledsoe
Biggest Loss
Cornelius Cash
Biggest Addition
Eric Bledsoe
Projected Conference Finish: 12
It's time for kn88 to start buying imo iyam. Perkins, Rose, and Bledsoe all look like they can do some things. I know kn88 is pissed off about his Washington signing, which is puzzling to me. Might as well gun for the playoffs, since there are a lot of good young players on this team, time to see what they can do. No one wants to be the worst franchise in 4.0 history, and if he shoots for it, kn88 can maybe reach that lofty goal this season.
Atlanta Hawks
Starting Lineup
Jim Chones
Richard Washington
Tom Barker
John Drew
Doug Collins
Biggest Loss
Wilbur Holland
Biggest Addition
Carl Hunt
Projected Conference Finish: 4
In what has become an annual Sim League tradition, rw spent all season verbally fellating his team and his GM skills, only to be unceremoniously dumped in a not-very competitive first round series. Last year's roster returns essentially unaltered, which means the 5 good to very good players in the starting lineup will rack up wins in the regular season, and then get eliminated by the first team with a star it runs in to. But hey, at least rw has no trade assets to improve his team with. One thing to watch with this team is Richard Washington getting bumped up a grade on outside. Could this be the bump he needs to become rw's star? I think it's a legit question heading into the season.
Boston Celtics
Starting Lineup
Rich Kelley
Cliff Robinson
Alvan Adams
Sonny Parker
Butch McRae
Biggest Loss
Bob Lanier
Biggest Addition
Butch McRae
Projected Conference Finish: 5
we all knew that this day would come, the day dump's FA extravaganza would prove cost prohibitive to roster building. All in all though, I think dump did a pretty good job retooling and keeping costs down. canes definitely took him for a ride in the Lanier trade, as those picks will all prove useless, but dump spun Kupchak into a pretty credible SG in Sonny Parker, and I really think Butch McRae can turn into something along the lines of the departed WBF. dump nailed the draft, giving him additional depth. I certainly would like a redo on my Varnado over Orton pick. Alvan Adams will have to rebound from a down season for him, and Cliff Robinson will be asked to shoulder more scoring load, which I think is something he is more than capable of. Dump has to make more moves if he is to make the finals again, but there is at least still a visible path to getting there.
Brooklyn Nets
Starting Lineup
Moses Malone
Neon Boudreaux
Bingo Smith
Jordan Crawford
Randy Smith
Biggest Loss
Wiley Peck
Biggest Addition
Jordan Crawford
Projected Conference Finish: 10
In a move that still offends my delicate sensibilities, scat decided to tank last season while carrying what was probably the best frontcourt in the league. In a win for justice worldwide, lightning didn't strike for the 18th time, and scat didn't jump in the lotto. So basically he wasted a year of Neon's rookie deal to bring in Jordan Crawford, who has a chance to be a homeless man's Pete Maravich. I get he was in a tough spot, but tearing it down for a year was clearly the wrong move. I honestly don't know if this team can make the playoffs this year, as of yet they do not have a SF on the roster, and the entire backcourt is still very messy. At this point, scat might as well see what he can get for Moses and really rebuild. Such a shame.
Charlotte Hornets
Starting Lineup
Tom Burleson
Dominic Austin
Steve Mix
Walt Frazier
John Williamson
Biggest Loss
Billy Paultz's contract
Biggest Addition
Walt Frazier
Projected Conference Finish: 11
even though this is a team that isn't going anywhere anytime soon, rv has to feel like this offseason was a success just by getting rid of Billy Paultz's monstrous contract. The backcourt is good enough that rv probably won't be sending a top 3 pick to the Nuggets. I expect John Williamson to be one of the main prizes of the 3006 trade market. This team is kinda boring right now, let's move on.
Chicago Bulls
Starting Lineup
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Donyell Marshall
George McGinnis
Pete Maravich
Lionel Hollins
Biggest Loss
Calvin Natt
Biggest Addition
Garfield Heard
Projected Conference Finish: 3
Things are starting to get pretty gross in Chicago. Bruns already has 76 million of salary committed to 6 players next year, and Donyell Marshall is a pending FA who I'm pretty sure will get maxed by somebody. I think replacing Calvin Natt with Garfield Heard actually helps this team. This team is still an absolute lock for the playoffs, but I'm not sure how well the pieces fit together, and the last couple years of the playoffs have demonstrated that. I expect big changes in Chicago over the next sim season, and probably not changes for the better.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Starting Lineup
Hakeem Olajuwon
Kevin Seraphin
Gordon Hayward
Paul George
Donald Wade
Biggest Loss
Ingo Coty
Biggest Addition
Paul George
Projected Conference Finish: 13
I was surprised to see that Cleveland has a sub .500 record over the life of 4.0, as heel has been a pretty good GM over the life of it. Continuing his good moves, heel killed the draft, nabbing future superstar Paul George, and future role player Gordon Hayward to go with another future star, Hakeem Olajuwon. This team is probably one more TC away from playoff contention, but these 3 youngsters will probably be good enough that heel won't be a top level tanker this year.
Detroit Pistons
Starting Lineup
Jim Brewer
George Johnson
Bob Dandridge
Jimmy Paxson
Paul Westphal
Biggest Loss
Caldwell Jones
Biggest Addition
Jimmy Paxson
Projected Conference Finish: 2
What an offseason Rain Man had. Tyler killed the draft and killed free agency. He decided for about a day that he was going to blow it up, and instead enters the season with what might be the best team he's ever had. This team has stupid amounts of depth, bigs who only want to rebound and defend, and a legit superstar in Paul Westphal. I believe anything short of a title this season would be a disappointment for tyler.
Indiana Pacers
Starting Lineup
Ryan DeBernardi
Elvin Hayes
Dan Issel
Jamaal Wilkes
Eddie Jones
Biggest Loss
Mickey Johnson
Biggest Addition
Dan Issel
Projected Conference Finish: 6
Everyone in the league passes around Indiana picks like they are solid gold, and yet this franchise shows no signs of falling apart any time soon. I think ocho quietly had a very good offseason. Dan Issel returns back to his original franchise to pair up with Jamaal Wilkes once again, only this time they have actual bigs. Somehow Eddie Jones' handles declined in a TC at PG, which has to be concerning. If everyone plays up to their level, and Eddie's handles don't prove too deleterious, this is a dark horse candidate for the conference title. Indy will remain a playoff team as long as Wilkes is around, and he is somehow only 28.
Milwaukee Bucks
Starting Lineup
Juwan Howard
Dave Cowens
Champ Godbolt
TR Dunn
Foots Walker
Biggest Loss
the chance to draft Boogie Cousins
Biggest Addition
Dave Cowens
Projected Conference Finish: 8
This is a really intriguing team, as there is still so much we do not know. What will Champ Godbolt become? What will TR Dunn become? Did Trofie wake up in an alley surrounded by empty liquor bottles after he saw the lotto results? This is a team that should flirt with the playoffs; there is a lot of young talent, and one of the steadiest PGs in the league to guide them through the season and get the locker room under control. I'm not sure exactly what the ceiling is on this group of players, but I don't think any of us will for at least another season.
New York Knicks
Starting Lineup
Artis Gilmore
Dave Greenwood
Mike Bantom
Nate Williams
Jason Kidd
Biggest Loss
EC Coleman
Biggest Addition
Ekpe Udoh
Projected Conference Finish: 9
skrouse ponied up the big bucks for Dave Greenwood, who promptly fell apart in TC. Jason Kidd's free agency looms. skrouse sent out 2 picks for a 32 year old big man in active decline who makes over 20 million each of the next two seasons. I am not enthusiastic about the future of the Knicks franchise. They made the playoffs as an 8 seed last year, and I think that's about as good as it's going to get for quite a while. The rise of Orlando and Milwaukee means that last season very well could have been as good as it gets for this team.
Orlando Magic
Starting Lineup
Greg Monroe
Patrick Patterson
Dan Roundfield
Adrian Dantley
Magic Johnson
Biggest Loss
the league's sympathy
Biggest Addition
Magic Johnson
Projected Conference Finish: 1
Ho. Lee. Fuck. I don't think any of us saw this coming. All-world PG and all-around sim god Magic Johnson decided to resuscitate one of the most moribund franchises in all of 4.0, and mj certainly took advantage. 3 days ago this team was more devoid of talent than any in sim league, and now it is a legitimate finals contender. mj nailed his draft picks, giving him 2 starting bigs that are extremely young, cheap, and productive. Roundfield and Magic will destroy teams defensively, while Magic and Dantley rain in the points. mj has his 6 best players under contract for the next 3 seasons, and he is still 20 million away from hard cap. If he doesn't have his team logo on the banner by 3010, something will have gone horribly wrong.
Philadelphia 76ers
Starting Lineup
Caldwell Jones
Brian Grant
Leon Douglas
Fred Brown
Michael Jordan
Biggest Loss
Payton Haribert
Biggest Addition
Caldwell Jones
Projected Conference Finish: 7
Fason got tired of tanking, and restocked the Detroit roster while taking 2 older more expensive pieces off of tyler's hands. I really liked that deal both directions; someone won it, but I don't think we will have a clear verdict for a couple seasons (depends on Lance's development imo). Sim Jordan should begin his campaign to become the most terrifying player in the league this season, and Brian Grant has blossomed into a really wonderful frontcourt player. SG is the only real weakness in the Philly starting lineup, but fason has some very promising young players (hello Stanley Robinson) and picks that he can spin into an upgrade here (hello... Ernie Grunfeld? I don't know, matching salaries will be very difficult for fason).
Toronto Raptors
Starting Lineup
Sam Bowie
Yinka Dare
Xavier Henry
Melchor Daryawesh
Gam-Zish Tibernes
Biggest Loss
Lucius Allen
Biggest Addition
Xavier Henry
Projected Conference Finish: 14
I think the Raptors are 2 seasons away from making real noise, but you can see them coming. Trading Bowie is proving to be a pretty awful decision by 2 separate Western Conference GMs, as he has blossomed north of the border, and now looks like a potential star. Yinka is one of those defensive bigs everyone loves so much, and Xavier Henry looks like he will be a nice third wheel. Pete has taken his lumps as we all did, but it looks like we've got a good one on our hands. For the first time I've been in sim league, the Toronto franchise is in stable and attentive hands.
Washington Bullets
Starting Lineup
James Edwards
Sam Perkins
Kermit Washington
Jalen Rose
Eric Bledsoe
Biggest Loss
Cornelius Cash
Biggest Addition
Eric Bledsoe
Projected Conference Finish: 12
It's time for kn88 to start buying imo iyam. Perkins, Rose, and Bledsoe all look like they can do some things. I know kn88 is pissed off about his Washington signing, which is puzzling to me. Might as well gun for the playoffs, since there are a lot of good young players on this team, time to see what they can do. No one wants to be the worst franchise in 4.0 history, and if he shoots for it, kn88 can maybe reach that lofty goal this season.
![[Account Deleted] Avatar](http://storage.proboards.com/5589790/avatar/ZhaFVHTxVPwmyuOiOKEd.png)
