Ranking the past 10 Champs

[ucfinfan86]

I was looking for a new type of article to write and was recently looking back through some of the past couple of years and thought it'd be a good idea to look back and rank the past 10 title teams.  Below is my ranking of the 10.  The (#) after the team stats are the rankings compared to these 10 teams.  

1. 2038 Nets
69-13
PPG 129.4 (5)
PAPG 114.8 (5)
APG 29.1 (1)
TPG 10.9 (4)
SPG 8.9 (6)
RPG 62.7 (1)
BPG 11.4 (1)
FG% 0.47 (2)
PG Ray Lumpp 30 38.5 27.4 5.7 10.7 1.9 0.2 1.4 0.483 0.912 0.453
SG Frank Ramsey 25 38.1 22.4 8.4 2.7 1.7 0.2 1.1 0.476 0.854 0.433
SF George Yardley 28 38.5 25.1 10.1 4 1.5 1 1.8 0.467 0.908 0.409
PF Leroy Edwards 25 36.3 19.1 13.1 3.5 0.9 3.8 2.4 0.47 0.801 0
C Goga Bitdaze 22 36 15.9 13.2 3.5 1.1 3.7 1.4 0.468 0.744 0.312
Key Gene Vance 31 19 10.4 2.5 2.6 0.7 0.1 1 0.49 0.845 0.413
Key Austin Wiley 25 20.9 4.9 7.2 0.9 0.4 2 1.2 0.401 0.655 0

My first and only title to date and I’m hoping I’m not being too biased here. This team won 69 games (most of the teams here) and should end up with 4 HOFers. Lumpp was just nearing the end of his prime at the age of 30 and had prime Yardley/Edwards and Bitadze in his 4th season. This is one of Ramsey’s best seasons and fit in really well as the glue/do it all guy. This team was dominant in just about every phase. Every starter shot 47% or better. Edwards/Bitadze combined for 35-26-7.5. Bitadze/Edwards/Yardley were all named to All-Defensive teams and Yardley averaged a double-double as a SF. Edwards/Bitadze/Lumpp were named to All-League teams. Off the bench Gene Vance provided a bit of scoring with a 49% FG and Wiley gave 7 rebounds-2 blocks in 20 minutes. Looking at the team stats, there really isn’t a weakness. Overall this team has 4 future HOFers and everyone in the lineup was a good two-way player.

2. 2036 Sonics
66-16
PPG 124.9 (7)
PAPG 108.9 (2)
APG 26 (5)
TPG 10.5 (1)
SPG 10.3 (2)
RPG 58.8 (8)
BPG 10.7 (3)
FG% 0.466 (6)
PG Bob Cousy 26 37.3 29.8 5.8 10.7 2 0.2 1.5 0.501 0.895 0.492
SG Jalen Newhouse 31 28.1 27.9 5.6 2.3 2 0.7 1.5 0.482 0.939 0.476
SF Jesus Shuttlesworth 29 39.6 27.9 7.2 4.8 2.6 0.8 1.5 0.482 0.851 0.465
PF Maurice Desaymonnet 30 36 10 13.6 1.1 0.6 3.7 0.9 0.393 0.904 0.235
C Salah Mejri 22 34.1 7 14.4 2 1.2 3.5 1.5 0.38 0.625 100
Key Honglin Qu 21 23.5 7.6 8.5 2.1 0.4 1.7 0.9 0.437 0.68 0.147
Key Glen Selbo 29 18.7 7.4 2.8 2.2 1.2 0.4 1.1 0.464 0.875 0.452
Key Christian Steinmetz 33 14.6 10.9 1.1 1.5 0.7 0.2 1.4 0.472 0.884 0.411

This was big’s 3rd title, but first in 6 years. They had prime Cousy who just won his 2nd straight MVP. This team had a very distinct build to it. They relied on their 3 perimeter scorers in Cousy, Jesus, Jalen to provide offense and asked their big man trio of Qu, Mejri, Desaymonnet to play defense. This might be the best defensive team on the list. Cousy was Cousy, Jesus was named to the all-defensive team, Newhouse was an A defender with 2.7 stocks and then the 3 bigs combined for 9 blocks. They went 8 deep with Steinmetz/Selbo providing good offense off the bench. When you look at the team stats, they were great everywhere except for rebounding. It’s hard to really explain how they weren’t an 60+ rebound team too with everyone being a plus rebounder for their position. Overall this team has 2 HOF guards in Cousy/Jesus and a 3rd borderline in Newhouse all in their primes with 2 young bigs who will go on to become good players in Qu/Mejri.

3. 2043 Hornets
53-29
PPG 122.5 (9)
PAPG 115.1 (6)
APG 25.8 (6)
TPG 12 (8)
SPG 10.7 (1)
RPG 57 (10)
BPG 10.5 (4)
FG% 0.458 (8)
PG Jerry West* 23 38.5 23.7 6.1 9.1 2.4 0.3 1.5 0.477 0.929 0.426
SG Eddie Palubinskas 27 39.1 19.2 13.3 2.1 2.2 0.3 1.4 0.464 0.925 0.416
SF Paul Arizin 33 39 21 8.1 3.1 2.5 0.3 1.8 0.468 0.927 0.462
PF Luka Samanic 29 37.8 14.2 12.9 3.6 1.2 3.8 2.2 0.441 0.71 0.393
C Leroy Edwards 30 34.4 16.7 13 3.2 0.8 3.8 2 0.455 0.804 0
Key Ernest Houghton 34 26.7 15.8 3.5 3.1 0.8 0.3 1.1 0.454 0.922 0.372
Key Oton Jankovic 35 26.2 10.2 10.5 1.6 1.3 1.8 1.3 0.44 0.697 0.323

The Hornets regular season stats need to have an * next to it because West missed 16 games. Jerry really carried this team and likely would have been the regular season MVP had he not missed so many games. This is likely the first of many titles as he looks to be on path to go down as one of the greatest players in NBN history. Outside of West, this team had a very strong starting 5. Arizin isn’t what he once was as a scorer, but still is an excellent defender/rebounder and was named to the All-Defensive team. Eddie was a nice fit as a secondary scorer. Luka/Edwards was a very good big man duo who both took back seats scoring wise duo to having West/Eddie/Paul and even Houghton as scoring options above them. Both are excellent shot blockers and good rebounders. Stat wise they aren’t very impressive outside of stocks, but I think they’d look a lot better with a full season of West. When you look at the names of the starters it’s easy to think this team was an offensive juggernaut, but it was really the defense that set them apart. I remember them completely shut down my offense in the ECF last season. All 5 of their starters are good or better defenders. West/Palub combine for 2.6 steals, Edwards/Luka combined for 7.6 blocks and Arizin might be the best SF defender in NBN history. Overall this team will have 3 easy HOFers. If this Arizin from 2 seasons ago they might be #1 on the list.

4. 2039 Clippers
57-25
PPG 130.4 (2)
PAPG 120.3 (10)
APG 25.2 (9)
TPG 10.9 (4)
SPG 8.1 (10)
RPG 60.8 (4)
BPG 10 (5)
FG% 0.474 (1)
PG Frankie Brian 35 37.3 28 3.8 10 1.9 0.2 1 0.501 0.909 0.429
SG Bobby McDermott 26 37.9 28.5 6.1 2.8 2.4 0.3 1 0.493 0.943 0.486
SF Eddie Calder 30 37.1 29.2 8.3 3.7 1.3 1.2 1.7 0.508 0.876 0.445
PF Jack Kerris 29 33.3 13.8 12 3.3 1.1 3.2 1.1 0.446 0.746 0.333
C Arnie Risen 26 32.2 13.7 12.3 1.4 0.5 3.7 1.1 0.453 0.721 0.394
Key Ty Rodgers 33 30.7 15.5 11.4 1.3 0.8 1.3 1.5 0.484 0.775 0.333
Key John Beckman 30 23.1 13.4 2.5 3.9 0.7 0.1 1.6 0.472 0.933 0.433
Key Ed Dancker 26 18.1 6.6 7.1 0.7 0.3 1.9 1.2 0.445 0.647 0

PJ’s 2nd title team was better than the 2035 team in my opinion. Brian/McDermott/Calder all averaged 28+ points and they were a force offensively. All of them shot 49% or better which is just insane. The team has the 2nd highest PPG and 1st in FG%. They also got pretty good offensive contributions from Kerris/Risen. This was the season where McDermott really took a step up from a good SG to one of the league’s elites. Defensively this is one of the worst on the list, but I think some of that is misled by how good they were offensively. Looking at the individuals, McDermott is elite defensively, Brian and Risen were good. Kerris wasn’t the same as he was in 2034, with Calder being their lone weak spot. Some of it may also be backup G John Beckman who was another offense only player. Ty Rodgers was big for them again, averaging a double-double off the bench as a backup 3-4-5. Overall, top to bottom one of the best offensive teams we’ve seen. Tough to say how many HOFers this team has. I assume McDermott and Calder (9 allstars, 2 titles) will get in, Brian is a borderline candidate and Kerris has an outside chance.

5. 2041 Celtics
66-16
PPG 132 (1)
PAPG 119.6 (9)
APG 25.6 (7)
TPG 10.5 (1)
SPG 8.2 (9)
RPG 60.1 (5)
BPG 5.5 (10)
FG% 0.467 (4)
PG Bob Cousy 31 38.2 32.5 6 10.6 2.2 0.2 1.8 0.5 0.933 0.469
SG Anfernee Simons 28 38.7 27.9 6.5 4.5 1.5 0.8 1.2 0.486 0.881 0.467
SF Oscar Schmidt 28 39 28.4 10.2 1.2 1.7 0.4 1.6 0.488 0.807 0.457
PF Jamie Pradilla 33 35.4 13.5 12.5 2.2 0.5 1.3 1.2 0.412 0.469 0.212
C Wayne Embry 23 31.5 8.1 11.6 1.7 0.7 1.2 2 0.385 0.662 0
Key Bryce Griggs 38 11.8 7.2 1.3 2.2 0.5 0.1 0.8 0.48 0.93 0.4
Key Ed Mikan 33 23 6.4 7.3 0.9 0.5 1.1 0.7 0.424 0.833 0

6. 2040 Celtics
57-25
PPG 129.7 (4)
PAPG 116.3 (7)
APG 26.5 (4)
TPG 11 (6)
SPG 9.1 (5)
RPG 61.7 (3)
BPG 6.9 (9)
FG% 0.47 (2)
PG Bob Cousy 30 38.9 30 6.4 11.6 2.2 0.2 1.8 0.485 0.937 0.453
SG Anfernee Simons 27 39 25.1 6.8 4.4 1.7 0.8 1.6 0.487 0.865 0.472
SF Oscar Schmidt 27 38.1 25.7 9.9 1.5 1.6 0.4 1.5 0.469 0.806 0.436
PF Jamie Pradilla 32 34.5 14.5 12.2 2.2 0.7 1.4 1.2 0.46 0.747 0.188
C Larry Foust 30 31.7 11.6 11.9 1.6 0.6 2.9 1.1 0.451 0.739 0.273
Key Wayne Embry 22 24.5 8 9.2 1.1 0.6 0.8 1.5 0.438 0.662 0.25
Key Bryce Griggs 37 9.9 6.8 1.2 2.3 0.7 0.1 1 0.481 0.903 0.462
Key Killian Hayes 26 18.3 8.6 2.4 1.8 1 0.3 1.1 0.463 0.72 0.441

I’m going to combine these into 1 as they were so similar. I feel like the 2040 Celtics were more talented, but the 2041 team played better. In 2040 they had a really good super sub in Killian Hayes that they then lost in FA and they also had Larry Foust at C and Embry as a backup, where as in 2041 Embry was elevated to starter with Ed Mikan as the backup. The real difference was that for some reason Cousy/Simons/Oscar all just played way better in 2041 for some odd reason. In 2040 the trio combined for 80.8 points on 48% shooting and in 2041 they combined for 88.8 points on 49% shooting. That trio is probably the best trio of any on this list (Sonics is very close) but the reason I can’t put them higher is that their big man were average at best. Foust/Pradilla are fine players and usually ok if you are starting 1 of them. Embry is below average, but that trio was so good it didn’t matter. You can see it in the team stats, they were below average in stocks and points allowed, but finished #1 and #4 in points scored and #2 and #4 in FG%. They were fine rebounding mainly because the trio are all plus rebounders. Technically this team will have had 4 HOFers on it, but Bryce Griggs was a shell of his former self. It still had 3 sure fire HOFers in the middle of the prime and then a handful of competent role players.

7. 2034 Cavs
65-17
PPG 126.1 (6)
PAPG 110.9 (3)
APG 26.8 (3)
TPG 12.1 (9)
SPG 9.5 (3)
RPG 60 (7)
BPG 11 (2)
FG% 0.454 (9)
PG Bob Davies 28 37.9 22.2 4.9 9.3 2.2 0.4 1.9 0.489 0.901 0.433
SG Joe Marshall 30 38.1 31.1 8.1 4.5 2.5 0.6 1.3 0.49 0.902 0.443
SF Jim Pollard 28 34.5 23 7.9 3.6 0.9 0.5 1.5 0.472 0.918 0.441
PF Essome Miyem 26 31.4 13.7 12 1.1 0.8 3.2 1.1 0.43 0.884 0.41
C Youssoufa Fall 30 35.8 18.5 13.6 1.7 0.6 2.4 2 0.404 0.648 0
Key Bryan Antoine 33 24 12.5 2.8 2.7 1.1 0.3 1 0.476 0.93 0.42
Key Moussa Cisse 32 25.7 5.1 9.8 1.4 0.4 2.7 1 0.389 0.693 0.333

This was JCog’s 3rd title in 4 years after winning in 2031 and 2032. This team had their dynamic backcourt duo in the prime of their careers. Youssoufa was a mid-year addition and really boosted their frontcourt when paired with Miyem combining for 32pt-25reb. This was the best season of Pollard’s career to this point and Antoine gave them a very strong super-sub backing up the 1-2-3. Looking at their team totals, this team was very strong defensively achieving over 20 stocks a game and only 110 points allowed. The big man brought down the team FG%. Overall this team went 7 deep with a really strong starting lineup. They were good, but not great offensively and a very good defensive team headlined by 2 HOF guards.

8. 2035 Clippers

67-15
PPG 130.2 (3)
PAPG 114.6 (4)
APG 25.6 (7)
TPG 10.5 (1)
SPG 8.8 (7)
RPG 62.7 (1)
BPG 8.7 (8)
FG% 0.469 (4)
PG Sonny Johnson Jr 30 38.5 25.6 4.3 7.1 1.6 0.5 1.5 0.46 0.881 0.385
SG Bobby McDermott 22 38.2 22.7 6.7 3.4 1.5 0.2 1.5 0.484 0.906 0.462
SF Emoni Bates 31 38.7 18.6 9.6 4 1.7 0.2 2.6 0.458 0.885 0.42
PF Joe Fulks 29 34.5 24.5 13.3 1.5 0.7 1.9 1.3 0.485 0.847 0.294
C Jack Kerris 25 36.2 15.7 12.9 3.8 0.9 3.8 1.4 0.478 0.686 0.446
Key Abdoulaye N'Doye 29 18.6 7 3.3 3.7 1.3 0.3 0.7 0.425 0.775 0.364
Key Ty Rodgers 29 27.7 12.5 10.3 1.5 0.9 1.5 1.2 0.484 0.78 0.267
Key Chol Marial 34 29.5 7.2 8.8 1 0.6 3.1 1.7 0.384 0.629 0.424

This was PJ’s first title team. I was surprised at the time to see that Sonny was able to lead a team to the title. He was a good scorer and didn’t turn it over, but was just average shooter, defensively and sub-par passer. This team was very good offensively with all of their starters shooting 46% or higher and killed the boards. Bates had started to decline offensively at this point, but was still one of the best rebounders for his position and when combined with Fulks/Kerris/Rodgers gave them a real rebounding edge. One of the things that really set this team apart was the defense and flexibility that N’Doye and Rodgers brought off the bench. They also got a peak season from Fulks. Overall this team didn’t have any stars, but had 7 very good players and won with offensive efficiency and rebounding.

9. 2042 Blazers

58-24
PPG 118.6 (10)
PAPG 107.8 (1)
APG 27.6 (2)
TPG 12.4 (10)
SPG 8.7 (8)
RPG 60.1 (5)
BPG 10 (5)
FG% 0.463 (7)
PG Tal Brody 21 38.5 17 5.5 9.7 1.7 0.3 1.9 0.475 0.865 0.442
SG Kareem Queeley 31 38.4 26.9 6.5 4.4 1.4 0.5 2.9 0.487 0.943 0.464
SF Cliff Hagan 29 38.7 23 9 3.5 1 0.5 1.9 0.473 0.91 0.427
PF Bob Ferry 23 31.3 14 11 1.4 0.7 1.5 1.7 0.452 0.682 0
C Goga Bitadze 26 36.4 19.2 13.3 4.3 1.2 3.6 1.4 0.445 0.698 0.33
Key Ivan Mrazek 28 20.5 7.5 1.6 4.6 1.2 0.2 0.8 0.451 0.818 0.345
Key Todd Blanchfield 30 25 11.8 5.2 2.4 0.8 0.7 1.1 0.459 0.741 0.413
Key George Levis 32 14.2 6.6 4.8 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.472 0.671 0

Bundy’s first and only title so far and was a bit of a surprise. The league was wide open this season and the Blazers were able to pull it off. Personally, I think their 2043 team was better. This team is a good all-around team but really lacks the star power of most of the other teams on this list. They were mainly led by Queeley/Hagan/Goga trio. Hagan was a slam dunk mid-season addition and really changed the course of their season. Goga re-emerged as one of the best Centers in the league after being buried behind Wilt on the Jazz. Brody/Ferry were both very young in their careers and turned in good seasons for young players, but it’s not often to see a title winner with a PG averaging 17-5.5-9.7. The strength of this team was their depth. They really went 8 deep with a very solid bench unit of Mrazek/Blanchfield/Levis. The only thing that really pops out team stat wise is they were the best points allowed, but individually this team wasn’t spectacularly defensively. Overall this was a very solid team, 3 very good players in Hagan/Queeley/Bitadze, 2 young guys with a lot of potential and a very good bench. It does possibly have 3 HOFers (Although didn’t get peak Queeley/Hagan seasons this year), it just doesn’t have the all-timer carrying the squad or the elite PG.

10. 2037 Cavs
57-25
PPG 123.6 (8)
PAPG 117.4 (8)
APG 24.7 (10)
TPG 12 (7)
SPG 9.2 (4)
RPG 57.4 (9)
BPG 9.3 (7)
FG% 0.453 (10)
PG Bob Davies 31 39 24.1 5.2 10.2 2.4 0.2 2.5 0.476 0.917 0.438
SG Luguentz Dort 27 37.6 26.1 7.9 4.3 1.2 1.1 2 0.436 0.701 0.354
SF Joe Marshall 33 38.8 30.9 8.6 4.6 2.3 0.7 1.2 0.476 0.957 0.428
PF Gordon Aitchison 29 33.7 6.3 12.2 2.4 1.3 1.6 1.1 0.407 0.725 0.34
C Essome Miyem 29 34 16.4 13.7 1.3 0.9 3.6 1.3 0.424 0.874 0.345
Key Harlan Page 32 30.9 18.1 3 1.3 0.9 0.2 0.5 0.475 0.96 0.41
Key Belus Smawley 26 14.8 8.6 1.8 1.3 0.6 0.1 1.5 0.452 0.833 0.416
Key Moussa Cisse 35 24.3 3.4 8.5 1.2 0.7 1.6 1.1 0.398 0.783 0

The 4th and last title win of JCog’s dynasty run and in my opinion is the weakest of the Cavs title teams. Davies/Marshall were still going strong and were arguably just as good as they were in 2034. They also still had Miyem who also had another strong season. This is the season that Dort really began to decline from his all-star status and never really recovered outside of 1 year with the Warriors later in his career. He shot 43% and only 35% from 3. He was named to the All-Defensive team with 2.3 stocks and helped form a really nice defensive trio. The real hole on this roster was PF Gordon Aitchison who doesn’t really offer anything outside of decent rebounding. The key that really pushed this team over the edge though was Harlan Page in the 6th man role. They stole Page on an MLE contract and was a huge offensive sparkplug for them. The team stats show they only had a +6 point differential and .453 FG, both of which are lowest of all of the teams listed. They were also 2nd lowest in rebounding. Overall I think this team was a good team carried again by Davies/Marshall with some secondary help of Dort/Page, but should have probably lost to the 68 win Sonics (won series 4-3) and is one of the weakest of the 10 champions.

Who do you guys think was the best?  How would you rank the 10?

[A. Silver]

Give me the 2036 Sonics...I think the Nets were a great team, but without a great SG they would get eaten alive by a team with not one but two HOF level SGs.

[ucfinfan86]

Aug 16, 2019 22:27:46 GMT A. Silver said:

Give me the 2036 Sonics...I think the Nets were a great team, but without a great SG they would get eaten alive by a team with not one but two HOF level SGs.

Crazy thing is that 2037 Sonics that lost in the finals was probably a better team!

[afro]

05 Grizz with Dirk, Webber, Big dog, and Arenas would have challenged any other team..so many stacked teams over the years though, good to look back at some of the best teams build! 

[The Slough]

Got you beat afro nothinbutnetleague.altervista.org/NothinButNet/2021/html/rosters/roster6.htm


I would have maybe 2-3 more Rings if KD didn't retire at 33, fucking guys in this league still going at 37-38 lol

I would put this team against anyone in the history of the league, my depth could have been a borderline playoff team.

[The Slough]

What am I saying though, nobody looks past the last 10 seasons in this league for valuation................. We are just here to watch new titles afro, we didn't do anything in the past.

[naterade]

I wonder if we could remake these legendary rosters into a league and sim a season and see how the results go

[Deleted]

👌 old timer

[Deleted]

Shame you haven’t done much since Slough

[Deleted]

The ole back in my day convo aye

[thefirstcedi]

Weird looking at early title winners, most would be lotto now

[The Slough]

Yeah, Sonics suck, their team is weak and gm skills with barely being over .500 this year........

[afro]

Aug 17, 2019 2:51:49 GMT The Slough said:

Yeah, Sonics suck, their team is weak and gm skills with barely being over .500 this year........

Fuck the Sonics..I’m taking the Wizards resume over his all day, Sonics would be lotto now a days and Wizard recent teams would have mad rings 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[thefirstcedi]

Y'all are dumb, it was a comment on the inflation since then.

[A. Silver]

Aug 17, 2019 1:06:15 GMT naterade said:

I wonder if we could remake these legendary rosters into a league and sim a season and see how the results go

I did that once when we had only 8 champions. It was a bit of a pain in the ass. Maybe I'll do it again sometime if I get bored.

nothinbutnetleague.altervista.org/TOC/html/divstand.htm