Post by carmelo115 on Apr 2, 2024 17:13:30 GMT
Taking a look at the top 16 teams (currently in the playoffs) and where they rank in terms of Championship Contenders.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
- I mean it's really hard to bet against the top team in the league right now. After taking it all last year, Carlos was able to build on the championship roster and make some moves to keep this team at the top. Embiid has taken a slight step back this season, but they more than likely are the most balanced starting 5 in the league when you talk about star power and make up. It will be interesting to see come playoff time what happens, but I'm not sure I see another team in the East that can realistically beat this Sixers team in 7.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
- What a turnaround it's been from a year ago with UC and his squad. After 2 disappointing seasons to start the new league, UC finds himself in familiar territory from future NBN leagues atop the Western Conference. After the Sixers, Memphis may have the best starting 5 from top to bottom. While they don't have a Maxey or Embiid, Scottie Barnes is a star and Shai finds himself in that top tier PG category. The 2 headed monster down low is elite defensively, but will they provide enough offensive power come playoff time to take down some of these other teams out West? We'll see.
3. Sacramento Kings
- The team that has been sitting at the top of the West for a bit now has fallen slightly, but not enough to knock them out of the top 3 come playoff time. Led by potential MVP, De'Aaron Fox, this team can score the rock and has themselves in every game with their offensive firepower. We know how important PGs are for FBB so I have them slightly ahead of the following 2 teams just based off of that, but we'll have to see if the rest of the squad will be able to help Fox during the playoffs.
4. Toronto Raptors
- With all of the trading that Yourkers does, it's hard to imagine what this team will look like next season, but who cares. He has made the right moves to position himself to be a top 2 seed out East. Led by the soon to be DPOY, Victor Wembanyama, Toronto has surrounded their star with some nice players that balance out this team well. I like the most recent move of grabbing Garland and think he provides a nice scoring punch. Time will tell if Brown and Alverado will provide enough scoring for the team against teams in the playoffs, but they've had a nice turnaround from where they were a year ago after unloading everything for Wemby.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Coming in at 5 is my team. While I like the balance I have on this roster and love the depth with Rozier and Jonas, is there enough? Chet is amazing and will perform just fine come playoff time, but can the old heads in James Harden and Kawhi give me enough when I will need them to the most? Also, will Bronny even be able to be in the rotation come playoff time with his offensive numbers? It will be interesting to see. Although we are playing really well right now, I'm unsure if I have the firepower to keep up with Memphis and Sacramento out West.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
- I really have no clue how Slough does it. Even with all of the injuries, the Pelicans are somehow still sitting as a top 4 seed in the East and one that will be healthy come playoff time. Brunson is a star in this league and if it weren't for the other PGs we have, would be in the MVP conversation. Zion has taken a monster leap this year, which has helped the team out a ton. Not only that, but Trey Murphy III has turned into a really really nice player for New Orleans. If they're healthy, I don't think any team out East would want this playoff matchup.
7. Indiana Pacers
- While they sit just below the two teams behind them, I just like the starpower that Indiana has over the Wizards and Hornets. Led by another star PG in Haliburton, the Pacers made some nice offseason moves getting Cam Thomas and Franz Wagner. Both players have lived up to expectations and while they aren't sitting where they'd like to be in the East, I think they have a strong case to make a run in the playoffs. Like some of the other teams, will the defense be enough?
8. Charlotte Hornets
- Led by potential MVP candidate Lamelo Ball, vso has put together a really nice roster that is well balanced offensively and defensively. I didn't love giving up a future first that far down the road, but getting Lavine helps this team out and should provide an extra scoring punch come playoff time. I do worry a bit if the defense down low will be good enough when you have bigs like Zion, Wemby, and Embiid in the East, but maybe Lamelo will hit a playoff surge and just take over like we all know he's capable of.
9. Washington Wizards
- I mean this pisses me off writing this because why is Dash getting all of the luck early on in this league? After jumping in the lotto and getting Cooper Flagg, while also not putting up one depth chart, the Wizards have found themselves in a position that none of us expected this early and sit in the top half of the East. Collier was an awesome pick for him last year and has developed into one of the better young PGs we have. I still don't trust this team enough to make noise in the playoffs, but they're a fun team to keep an eye on for the next couple of seasons.
10. Los Angeles Lakers
- LA made a big splash in free agency this offseason bringing in Jaylen Brown to be that missing piece. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, but LA is still sitting in a decent spot in the West. Morant and Reaves are stars and highlight what may be the best backcourt in the league. Looney and Capela were nice additions as well, but I'm very worried for them at the SF spot. Jaquez seems like he's helped out defensively, but where is the scoring outside of the starting guards?
11. Portland Trailblazers
- Another team that made some huge offseason moves bringing in Tatum, Mitchell, Porzingis, and Zubac. Unsure if the team is playing exactly like MC had hoped, but they have a team that could get hot at any moment and make a run come playoff time. I know MC has been pretty busy with life outside of NBN, but looking at the numbers, you'd think this team has more wins. For whatever reason, it hasn't translated, but as a West GM, I think this is the team that I don't want to face early in the playoffs. I know how good Tatum can be.
12. Utah Jazz
- I feel like this is deja vu from last year writing these notes. Utah has not made many moves, but somehow finds themselves in a decent position in the standings. Luka is Luka and I think that Mikal deal was to shed some future salary, but somehow he has turned into a really good SF. He's not shooting the ball particularly well, but has been a nice addition to give some scoring outside of Doncic. Should be an easy out for whoever gets them come playoff time
13. Dallas Mavericks
- Another team that has been less active this year overall, but has made some really huge moves since the league began. Dallas really doesn't score the ball very well, but they defend well and that's a recipe for success in the playoffs. Their guards are good and bigs get you blocks, I just don't know if I trust the rest of the roster. Banchero has the 2 ASGs, but you can't rely on him and Andrew Wiggins to perform enough offensively to get the job done against some of these top teams out West.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Like last season, Minnesota has just been disappointing after taking the title in year 1. They score the ball okay, but really are not good defensively and that shows on a nightly basis. Ronin caught a lot of flack for the deals he handed out in free agency, but Giddey has been pretty good. Not sure he'll live up to the full contract, but it doesn't look like a disaster. Suggs on the other hand, that's another question. He just really doesn't do enough on either end to justify the money and I think his play is a big reason why the Wolves are sitting where they are.
15. Detroit Pistons
- After interiming the team and bringing in Giannis and Herro, the Pistons find themselves in the playoffs. Cade was signed to a monster deal this offeason and while there were some eyebrow raises at the money, it had to be done. I'm not sure Giannis is in the future plans out in Detroit, but he's provided some really nice numbers to help this team compete. Even with Cade and Giannis scoring well, I'm not sure this team can make any noise with the rest of the offense on the roster. Either way, glad we have a full-time GM in that can make this roster their own.
16. Brooklyn Nets
- Coming in last we have Brooklyn. They have 2 nice PFs in Mobley and Lauri, but not much else. FVV is a decent player, but we all know this team is set up to retool this offseason and will finally have their pick in the following draft. Without much young talent on the roster, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw both bigs in different uniforms for next season. This team needs a refresh and it seems like this offseason is the perfect time for that to happen.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
- I mean it's really hard to bet against the top team in the league right now. After taking it all last year, Carlos was able to build on the championship roster and make some moves to keep this team at the top. Embiid has taken a slight step back this season, but they more than likely are the most balanced starting 5 in the league when you talk about star power and make up. It will be interesting to see come playoff time what happens, but I'm not sure I see another team in the East that can realistically beat this Sixers team in 7.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
- What a turnaround it's been from a year ago with UC and his squad. After 2 disappointing seasons to start the new league, UC finds himself in familiar territory from future NBN leagues atop the Western Conference. After the Sixers, Memphis may have the best starting 5 from top to bottom. While they don't have a Maxey or Embiid, Scottie Barnes is a star and Shai finds himself in that top tier PG category. The 2 headed monster down low is elite defensively, but will they provide enough offensive power come playoff time to take down some of these other teams out West? We'll see.
3. Sacramento Kings
- The team that has been sitting at the top of the West for a bit now has fallen slightly, but not enough to knock them out of the top 3 come playoff time. Led by potential MVP, De'Aaron Fox, this team can score the rock and has themselves in every game with their offensive firepower. We know how important PGs are for FBB so I have them slightly ahead of the following 2 teams just based off of that, but we'll have to see if the rest of the squad will be able to help Fox during the playoffs.
4. Toronto Raptors
- With all of the trading that Yourkers does, it's hard to imagine what this team will look like next season, but who cares. He has made the right moves to position himself to be a top 2 seed out East. Led by the soon to be DPOY, Victor Wembanyama, Toronto has surrounded their star with some nice players that balance out this team well. I like the most recent move of grabbing Garland and think he provides a nice scoring punch. Time will tell if Brown and Alverado will provide enough scoring for the team against teams in the playoffs, but they've had a nice turnaround from where they were a year ago after unloading everything for Wemby.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Coming in at 5 is my team. While I like the balance I have on this roster and love the depth with Rozier and Jonas, is there enough? Chet is amazing and will perform just fine come playoff time, but can the old heads in James Harden and Kawhi give me enough when I will need them to the most? Also, will Bronny even be able to be in the rotation come playoff time with his offensive numbers? It will be interesting to see. Although we are playing really well right now, I'm unsure if I have the firepower to keep up with Memphis and Sacramento out West.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
- I really have no clue how Slough does it. Even with all of the injuries, the Pelicans are somehow still sitting as a top 4 seed in the East and one that will be healthy come playoff time. Brunson is a star in this league and if it weren't for the other PGs we have, would be in the MVP conversation. Zion has taken a monster leap this year, which has helped the team out a ton. Not only that, but Trey Murphy III has turned into a really really nice player for New Orleans. If they're healthy, I don't think any team out East would want this playoff matchup.
7. Indiana Pacers
- While they sit just below the two teams behind them, I just like the starpower that Indiana has over the Wizards and Hornets. Led by another star PG in Haliburton, the Pacers made some nice offseason moves getting Cam Thomas and Franz Wagner. Both players have lived up to expectations and while they aren't sitting where they'd like to be in the East, I think they have a strong case to make a run in the playoffs. Like some of the other teams, will the defense be enough?
8. Charlotte Hornets
- Led by potential MVP candidate Lamelo Ball, vso has put together a really nice roster that is well balanced offensively and defensively. I didn't love giving up a future first that far down the road, but getting Lavine helps this team out and should provide an extra scoring punch come playoff time. I do worry a bit if the defense down low will be good enough when you have bigs like Zion, Wemby, and Embiid in the East, but maybe Lamelo will hit a playoff surge and just take over like we all know he's capable of.
9. Washington Wizards
- I mean this pisses me off writing this because why is Dash getting all of the luck early on in this league? After jumping in the lotto and getting Cooper Flagg, while also not putting up one depth chart, the Wizards have found themselves in a position that none of us expected this early and sit in the top half of the East. Collier was an awesome pick for him last year and has developed into one of the better young PGs we have. I still don't trust this team enough to make noise in the playoffs, but they're a fun team to keep an eye on for the next couple of seasons.
10. Los Angeles Lakers
- LA made a big splash in free agency this offseason bringing in Jaylen Brown to be that missing piece. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, but LA is still sitting in a decent spot in the West. Morant and Reaves are stars and highlight what may be the best backcourt in the league. Looney and Capela were nice additions as well, but I'm very worried for them at the SF spot. Jaquez seems like he's helped out defensively, but where is the scoring outside of the starting guards?
11. Portland Trailblazers
- Another team that made some huge offseason moves bringing in Tatum, Mitchell, Porzingis, and Zubac. Unsure if the team is playing exactly like MC had hoped, but they have a team that could get hot at any moment and make a run come playoff time. I know MC has been pretty busy with life outside of NBN, but looking at the numbers, you'd think this team has more wins. For whatever reason, it hasn't translated, but as a West GM, I think this is the team that I don't want to face early in the playoffs. I know how good Tatum can be.
12. Utah Jazz
- I feel like this is deja vu from last year writing these notes. Utah has not made many moves, but somehow finds themselves in a decent position in the standings. Luka is Luka and I think that Mikal deal was to shed some future salary, but somehow he has turned into a really good SF. He's not shooting the ball particularly well, but has been a nice addition to give some scoring outside of Doncic. Should be an easy out for whoever gets them come playoff time
13. Dallas Mavericks
- Another team that has been less active this year overall, but has made some really huge moves since the league began. Dallas really doesn't score the ball very well, but they defend well and that's a recipe for success in the playoffs. Their guards are good and bigs get you blocks, I just don't know if I trust the rest of the roster. Banchero has the 2 ASGs, but you can't rely on him and Andrew Wiggins to perform enough offensively to get the job done against some of these top teams out West.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Like last season, Minnesota has just been disappointing after taking the title in year 1. They score the ball okay, but really are not good defensively and that shows on a nightly basis. Ronin caught a lot of flack for the deals he handed out in free agency, but Giddey has been pretty good. Not sure he'll live up to the full contract, but it doesn't look like a disaster. Suggs on the other hand, that's another question. He just really doesn't do enough on either end to justify the money and I think his play is a big reason why the Wolves are sitting where they are.
15. Detroit Pistons
- After interiming the team and bringing in Giannis and Herro, the Pistons find themselves in the playoffs. Cade was signed to a monster deal this offeason and while there were some eyebrow raises at the money, it had to be done. I'm not sure Giannis is in the future plans out in Detroit, but he's provided some really nice numbers to help this team compete. Even with Cade and Giannis scoring well, I'm not sure this team can make any noise with the rest of the offense on the roster. Either way, glad we have a full-time GM in that can make this roster their own.
16. Brooklyn Nets
- Coming in last we have Brooklyn. They have 2 nice PFs in Mobley and Lauri, but not much else. FVV is a decent player, but we all know this team is set up to retool this offseason and will finally have their pick in the following draft. Without much young talent on the roster, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw both bigs in different uniforms for next season. This team needs a refresh and it seems like this offseason is the perfect time for that to happen.
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