Post by cop5414 on Oct 28, 2024 20:51:03 GMT
Eastern Conference Early Season Power Rankings
15. Atlanta Hawks
Projected Lineup:
C: Darren Morningstar
PF: Oso Ighdaro
SF: Trey Murphy III
SG: Shaedon Sharpe
PG: Raymond Lewis
6th: Eddie Jones
Completely stripped their team from top to bottom and now hold 8 first round picks over the course if the bext three years. They also managaed to get their hands on some nice prospects this past offseason. Namely Raymond Lewis the 14th overall selected of this year's draft and Eddie Jones the former #1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2029 draft. While Jones development may not have gone the way Mavericks GM bundy had hoped, there is still plenty of time gor him to develop into an elite scorer and possible lockdown defender. With more minutes coming his way this season it could be the showcase of an impressive statline. Another name to keep an eye on in the next few seasons is rookie SG Quinten Dailey, who was selected 28th overall. A long term project but with a possibility of great heights. If these three can workout in the future it may allow the Hawks to comfortably think bigs as the draft classes move futher and further into those old school players that mesh well with FBB.
14. Indiana Pacers
Projected Lineup:
C: Yasutaka Okayama
PF: Renato Villalta (maybe? Is he eligible?)
SF: Giorgos Sigala
SG: Roger Mesna III
PG: World B. Free
6th: Darwin "Sparkplug" Cook
Big changes taking place for the Pacers Gm paradise, landing a new home and the PG World B. Free at the #5 pick. A player who already seems to be on his way to becoming an elite playmaker and scorer in this league. That's not to say any of the four selections before were the wrong picks, but in a sense this could be end up becoming the "steal" of the draft. The big thing for the Pacers here is to keep developing their talent, specifically on the front court, as they house a slew of young talent capable of being solid to great rotational/depth pieces with nice potentials to fill the roster, with the prize being the Italian Renato Villalta who has the tools to be a possible superstar talent if his scoring continues to develop. Should be another losing season or two begore this team is possibly ready to enter playoff discussions.
13. Miami Heat
Projected Lineup:
C: Abraham Joum Maker Bol
PF: Ryan Kalkbrenner
SF: Ausar Thompson
SG: Alijah Arenas
PG: Shinto Togashi
6th: Thompson Washington
Heat GM leflop is taking his time with the rebuild as the past three draft day decisions have international talents select in the top 4, being the recent pick Dino Meneghin (2nd overall), Mahamadou Langour (4th overall), and Oscar Schmidt (2nd overall). Schmidt's overseas development has been a disappointment in my opinion, but 4 years of camps can still make this once highly touted prospect a star. Meneghin and Langour should arrive at the same time in 2 years. They've also made a recent move for their hopeful SG of the future in the max contract signing in Alijah Arenas. Probably not worth the contract at this very moment, but if he keeps developing postively we could be staring at another highly efficient +23ppg scorer in this league. The only piece to acquire should be a premium PG, given the Heat's recent draft moves, they'll likely want to develop a pick rather than trade it. A full homeg grown line up would be fun to watch.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Lineup:
C: Hansen Yang
PF: Onyeka Okongwu
SF: Josh Giddey
SG: Derek Harper
PG: Nikola Topic
6th: Josh Leonard
With no one else on the team, Dylan Harper is about to feast. Is the contract an overy pay? I'd say currently yes, but a good gamble. Harper is a good passer, and an elite rebounder at his position. Compare him to the Grizzlies SG Monte Leyva who has had a similar career up until last year. If the scoring comes he's likely an 1st team canidate. My only question now is if the Cavs decide to move him within the next two or three seasons. Given they still control all their picks and this current team isn't playoff level, there might be a lot you could get for him after this season. Not sure where I really stand on that, but I'd probably lean more towards leveraging a lotto pick in couple seasons to acquire pieces.
11. New York Knicks
Projected Lineup:
C: Aday Mara
PF: Rocco Zikarsky
SF: Dwayne Aristode
SG: Ja'Kobe Walter
PG: Bruce Thornton
6th: Labaron Philon
GM ripkobebryant has declared a tanking season. I do think this as a wise move, but not sure if it'll come to fruition. Not even a knock against the GM's addiction to trade. Simply put the team is too solid to tank properly. I'm wagering around mid season is when ripkobebryant will look at what I see as a weaker Eastern conference this season, and will likely make some move to rejoin the race. The frontcourt is just too good defensively and on the boards that they'll steal several wins. Appreciate the early tank committment though, develop young players and maybe acquire a legit PG (I'm thinking) this next draft. If he goes through with this then pray for a sick lotto jump.
10. Charlotte Hornets
Projected Lineup:
C: Mark Williams
PF: Kel'el Ware
SF: Sander Raeist
SG: Cam Thomas
PG: LaMelo Ball
6th: Marcus Liberty
The frontcourt just tanks it for me, Mark Williams has remained significant as a rebounder, but he's paired with a lot of unknowns and Kel'el Ware. This has been an ongoing issue over the last several seasons that's kept them from comfortably and consistently making the post season. It's hard to land a big in this league, and I don't believe he has the pieces to overpay. I do wonder if the plan is to begin the tank next season. They still have their picks and have a player they can fet a haul for in LaMelo Ball. Lot's of ig decisions for many East teams, seems to be trending in a flip-flop of roles between the East and West.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Lineup:
The frontcourt just tanks it for me, Mark Williams has remained significant as a rebounder, but he's paired with a lot of unknowns and Kel'el Ware. This has been an ongoing issue over the last several seasons that's kept them from comfortably and consistently making the post season. It's hard to land a big in this league, and I don't believe he has the pieces to overpay. I do wonder if the plan is to begin the tank next season. They still have their picks and have a player they can fet a haul for in LaMelo Ball. Lot's of ig decisions for many East teams, seems to be trending in a flip-flop of roles between the East and West.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Lineup:
C: Wilt Chamberlain
PF: Derrion Reid
SF: Dame Sarr
SG: Mitch Ritchmond
PG: Chris Paul II or Jalen Suggs
6th: Jaylen Brown
I have loved the roster building over the past two seasons, and I know for a fact the the GM mbh11 has been on the phone to acquire the one piece that's been holding them back. Chris Paul II wound up a huge disappointment. Looked promising as a ball handler, became an great defender, but the scoring never arrived in the slightest. They have the other 4 pieces in Wilt, Reid, Sarr, and Richmond. They really just need a guy that can score. Who knows, maybe some DC wizardry is in order, sure Dame Sarr's numbers might suffer, but maybe consider feeding the beast inside. It's probably still preseason by the time I post this, if not then early season is when you should play around.
8. Brooklyn Nets
Projected Lineup:
C: Joel Embiid
PF: Tyran Stokes
SF: Vrenz Blejenbergh
SG: Bronny James
PG: Tahaad Pettiford
6th: Brandon McCoy Jr.
I want to rank them hire, but Embiid has officially hit old and the backcourt is seemingly on an official backslide. They don't have their pick this year but if by the deadline things aren't looking too pretty it might be best for them to be sellers and rebuild around Tyran Stokes who finally seems to be coming into his scoring talents. This team might be in a bad as a spot as I predict this season but by the looks of it they'll be fighting for a bottom seed this year, certainly if their team geezer were to go down with a lengthy injury. Might soon be time to open the HOF if he retires this upcoming season.
7. Toronto Raptors
Projected Lineup:
C: DeAndre Ayton
PF: Derrick Coleman
SF: A.J Dybansta
SG: Judah Mintz
PG: Carlton Carrington
6th: Nathan Soliman
Probably should have them higher as I have a lot of faith in yourkers15 as a GM. The roster isn't sexy in my opinion, but yourkers usually ginds a way to maximize his talent. Biggest steal this offseason for them was A.J Dybansta. Well, maybe. Not sure why a player like that doesn't shoot the ball more, even as listed as the #1 option in preseason sim 1 he averaged 16.9 ppg. Kind of a Brandon Miller 2.0 if you ask me. Only time will tell if the Nets lost a good one to Free Agency. Other than that this team is far and away from true contender status, but I won't count them out of what I consider to be an extra weak central division this season. I've got three teams in the running for that crown and the Raptors sit as back-to-back Central Division champs. We're all probably 1st round exits.
6. Washington Wizards
Projected Lineup:
C: Daniel Gafford
PF: Cooper Flagg
SF: Bilal Coulibaly
SG: Reed Sheppard
PG: Isaiah Collier
6th: Jabari Smith
Maybe too hight for a team that completly missed the post season last year, but hey two of the last season's Eastern conference playoff teams already dropped out in the Knicks and Hawks, and I find the starting line up to be the most complete of seveveral of the teams on this list. Also can't forget Cooper Flagg, is a top 5 player in this league still running with Isaiah Collier and Bilal Coulibaly to complete the trio. Speaking of trio's, and I know it's only preseason and he's running with no other legit options, but Reed Sheppard seems to be almoat worth those three picks. Now I never really looked into what went wrong last season for this team, but them returning to a top 4 eastern conference team wouldn't shock me in the least, they've got the core and maybe decent depth pieces. I honestly could see them finishing as high as the #3 seed.
5. Detroit Pistons
Projected Lineup:
C: Walker Kessler
PF: Felix Okpara
SF: Vernon Maxwell
SG: Desmond Bane
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
6th: Damon Stoudamire
I know the Haliburton injury killed the postseason last year, but this team really likes to blue ball their fan base. Now add the fact that consistent 2nd/3rd scoring option Jalen Green decided to understandlbly walk in FA for a 2yr/ $80m deal rather than stay for a 4yr/$112m. The team might have the depth already to replace with Stoudamire taking on more of the role that Desmond Bane provided last year, but if injuries were to happen to the post 30 crowd it might all come tumbling down. The biggest issue however is finding a way to assimilate premier blocker Wlaker Kessler into the lineup as his ear trade deadline addition last season seemed to harm the team more than boost it. Seemingly he should've been an improvement over Patrick Ngongba II as a rebounder but the A- rating is ought but a lie. I have trouble not seeing this team as yet another 1st round exit. So if we do manage to keep the post season streak going we'll need to Nancy Keerigan somebody's ass.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
Projected Lineup:
C: Sam Bowie
PF: D.J Burns Jr
SF: Cody Williams
SG: Jared McCain
PG: Avery Johnson
6th: Tom Gugliotta
I don't expect this team to shoot as poorly as they did in the preseason. I don't absolutely love what they're working with but I respect far more than the teams listed above. Biggest issue I see is the depth, but they are a young team with only one player, a no name, over the age of 29. They should find it easy to stay healthy. I really can't state enoungh how lack luster the Central division is this season, that I do see this as being a possible cake walk to the number two seed or possibly #1 if the extra matchups again help give extra wins.
3. Boston Celtics
Projected Lineup:
C: Keiner Asprilla
PF: Cameron Boozer
SF: Devin Booker
SG: Sarunas Jasikevicius
PG: John Stockton
6th: Kristaps Porzingus
Might be jumping the gun on this a bit too early. But hey, the GMOTY naterade finally gets the fruits of the one of the more hyped prospects in Sarunas Jasikevicius. He showed up for sure in preseason Sim 1 posting a statline of 28.7 ppg 6.3 rpg 5.0 apg. I mean sure the turnovers are very high but he's got 4 years left of camps to possibly hash that out. Just please stay healthy cause I'd love some easy money on those ASG and EOS pickem's. Go ahead and list him as the ROTY. Not sure if naterade has used his GMOTY award but if he hasn't he should go ahead and add a $15,000,000 year five to him, or who knows maybe John Stockton. Things are looking well for the Celtics future.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Lineup:
C: Derek Lively II
PF: Lachlan Olbric
SF: Scottie Barnes
SG: Josiah-Jordan James
PG: Tyrese Maxey
6th: Lauri Markannen
As someone who has desperately searching for prominent rebounding, I call hacks. I know its preseason but Josiah-Jordan James snagging +10 boards a game at SG. I mean I get Scottie Barnes, that's his career, now add Lively and Olbric with +13rpg and when Maxey gets involved that another health +5 boards. I'm seething with jealousy. Nice roster though, good group of depth that'll provide both defense and scoring. Really hard to not see a repeat of the ECF from last season.
1. Orlando Magic
Projected Lineup:
C: Chet Holmgren
PF: Alperen Sengun
SF: Hugo Yimga Moukouri
SG: Anthony Edwards
PG: Xiavian Lee
6th: Lonzo Ball/Zach Kinziger
Not confident that they'll just run away with this division this year with the 76ers roster in place. Hard to bet against the team that has won back to back. CAn't argue with their depth, I mean maybe the SF spot is a flaw, but the points come else where and from what preseason has shown he can make steals. Unless some Kings players make a resurgence or the Grizzlies get their hands on a legit PG the road to a three peat seems to only have the Sixers as an obstacle. Enough glazing though, I hope Chet walks.
I have loved the roster building over the past two seasons, and I know for a fact the the GM mbh11 has been on the phone to acquire the one piece that's been holding them back. Chris Paul II wound up a huge disappointment. Looked promising as a ball handler, became an great defender, but the scoring never arrived in the slightest. They have the other 4 pieces in Wilt, Reid, Sarr, and Richmond. They really just need a guy that can score. Who knows, maybe some DC wizardry is in order, sure Dame Sarr's numbers might suffer, but maybe consider feeding the beast inside. It's probably still preseason by the time I post this, if not then early season is when you should play around.
8. Brooklyn Nets
Projected Lineup:
C: Joel Embiid
PF: Tyran Stokes
SF: Vrenz Blejenbergh
SG: Bronny James
PG: Tahaad Pettiford
6th: Brandon McCoy Jr.
I want to rank them hire, but Embiid has officially hit old and the backcourt is seemingly on an official backslide. They don't have their pick this year but if by the deadline things aren't looking too pretty it might be best for them to be sellers and rebuild around Tyran Stokes who finally seems to be coming into his scoring talents. This team might be in a bad as a spot as I predict this season but by the looks of it they'll be fighting for a bottom seed this year, certainly if their team geezer were to go down with a lengthy injury. Might soon be time to open the HOF if he retires this upcoming season.
7. Toronto Raptors
Projected Lineup:
C: DeAndre Ayton
PF: Derrick Coleman
SF: A.J Dybansta
SG: Judah Mintz
PG: Carlton Carrington
6th: Nathan Soliman
Probably should have them higher as I have a lot of faith in yourkers15 as a GM. The roster isn't sexy in my opinion, but yourkers usually ginds a way to maximize his talent. Biggest steal this offseason for them was A.J Dybansta. Well, maybe. Not sure why a player like that doesn't shoot the ball more, even as listed as the #1 option in preseason sim 1 he averaged 16.9 ppg. Kind of a Brandon Miller 2.0 if you ask me. Only time will tell if the Nets lost a good one to Free Agency. Other than that this team is far and away from true contender status, but I won't count them out of what I consider to be an extra weak central division this season. I've got three teams in the running for that crown and the Raptors sit as back-to-back Central Division champs. We're all probably 1st round exits.
6. Washington Wizards
Projected Lineup:
C: Daniel Gafford
PF: Cooper Flagg
SF: Bilal Coulibaly
SG: Reed Sheppard
PG: Isaiah Collier
6th: Jabari Smith
Maybe too hight for a team that completly missed the post season last year, but hey two of the last season's Eastern conference playoff teams already dropped out in the Knicks and Hawks, and I find the starting line up to be the most complete of seveveral of the teams on this list. Also can't forget Cooper Flagg, is a top 5 player in this league still running with Isaiah Collier and Bilal Coulibaly to complete the trio. Speaking of trio's, and I know it's only preseason and he's running with no other legit options, but Reed Sheppard seems to be almoat worth those three picks. Now I never really looked into what went wrong last season for this team, but them returning to a top 4 eastern conference team wouldn't shock me in the least, they've got the core and maybe decent depth pieces. I honestly could see them finishing as high as the #3 seed.
5. Detroit Pistons
Projected Lineup:
C: Walker Kessler
PF: Felix Okpara
SF: Vernon Maxwell
SG: Desmond Bane
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
6th: Damon Stoudamire
I know the Haliburton injury killed the postseason last year, but this team really likes to blue ball their fan base. Now add the fact that consistent 2nd/3rd scoring option Jalen Green decided to understandlbly walk in FA for a 2yr/ $80m deal rather than stay for a 4yr/$112m. The team might have the depth already to replace with Stoudamire taking on more of the role that Desmond Bane provided last year, but if injuries were to happen to the post 30 crowd it might all come tumbling down. The biggest issue however is finding a way to assimilate premier blocker Wlaker Kessler into the lineup as his ear trade deadline addition last season seemed to harm the team more than boost it. Seemingly he should've been an improvement over Patrick Ngongba II as a rebounder but the A- rating is ought but a lie. I have trouble not seeing this team as yet another 1st round exit. So if we do manage to keep the post season streak going we'll need to Nancy Keerigan somebody's ass.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
Projected Lineup:
C: Sam Bowie
PF: D.J Burns Jr
SF: Cody Williams
SG: Jared McCain
PG: Avery Johnson
6th: Tom Gugliotta
I don't expect this team to shoot as poorly as they did in the preseason. I don't absolutely love what they're working with but I respect far more than the teams listed above. Biggest issue I see is the depth, but they are a young team with only one player, a no name, over the age of 29. They should find it easy to stay healthy. I really can't state enoungh how lack luster the Central division is this season, that I do see this as being a possible cake walk to the number two seed or possibly #1 if the extra matchups again help give extra wins.
3. Boston Celtics
Projected Lineup:
C: Keiner Asprilla
PF: Cameron Boozer
SF: Devin Booker
SG: Sarunas Jasikevicius
PG: John Stockton
6th: Kristaps Porzingus
Might be jumping the gun on this a bit too early. But hey, the GMOTY naterade finally gets the fruits of the one of the more hyped prospects in Sarunas Jasikevicius. He showed up for sure in preseason Sim 1 posting a statline of 28.7 ppg 6.3 rpg 5.0 apg. I mean sure the turnovers are very high but he's got 4 years left of camps to possibly hash that out. Just please stay healthy cause I'd love some easy money on those ASG and EOS pickem's. Go ahead and list him as the ROTY. Not sure if naterade has used his GMOTY award but if he hasn't he should go ahead and add a $15,000,000 year five to him, or who knows maybe John Stockton. Things are looking well for the Celtics future.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Lineup:
C: Derek Lively II
PF: Lachlan Olbric
SF: Scottie Barnes
SG: Josiah-Jordan James
PG: Tyrese Maxey
6th: Lauri Markannen
As someone who has desperately searching for prominent rebounding, I call hacks. I know its preseason but Josiah-Jordan James snagging +10 boards a game at SG. I mean I get Scottie Barnes, that's his career, now add Lively and Olbric with +13rpg and when Maxey gets involved that another health +5 boards. I'm seething with jealousy. Nice roster though, good group of depth that'll provide both defense and scoring. Really hard to not see a repeat of the ECF from last season.
1. Orlando Magic
Projected Lineup:
C: Chet Holmgren
PF: Alperen Sengun
SF: Hugo Yimga Moukouri
SG: Anthony Edwards
PG: Xiavian Lee
6th: Lonzo Ball/Zach Kinziger
Not confident that they'll just run away with this division this year with the 76ers roster in place. Hard to bet against the team that has won back to back. CAn't argue with their depth, I mean maybe the SF spot is a flaw, but the points come else where and from what preseason has shown he can make steals. Unless some Kings players make a resurgence or the Grizzlies get their hands on a legit PG the road to a three peat seems to only have the Sixers as an obstacle. Enough glazing though, I hope Chet walks.
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