Post by footy on May 28, 2020 18:02:54 GMT -8
Boys & Girls,
We’ve made it to the final edition of the 2001 Powerpolls. After a season of tanking, trades & tirades the league’s most respected executives have provided us an insight into their thoughts as to the 10 best teams in the league heading into the playoffs.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 at season’s end
1. New Jersey Nets (136 votes, 11 First Place Votes)
Reg Season: 62-20
First Round Opponent: Washington Wizards
Last Ranking: 1
The league’s number 1 defence is also considered the league’s number 1 team by the executives polled. Anchored by Dikembe Mutombo & Ben Wallace the Nets have the added luxury of one of the greatest defenders the league has ever seen in Michael Jordan. This squad is strong throughout and GM Greeme will be looking for his maiden BBS2020 title. Assuming the Nets stay healthy throughout the playoffs, it is theirs for the taking
2. Los Angeles Clippers (120 votes, 2 FPV)
Reg Season: 60-22
First Round Opponent: San Antonio Spurs
Last Ranking: 2
The top seed in the West, the Clippers head into the 2001 Playoffs celebrating another MVP trophy for Tin Duncan. Recently placed on the trade block, there were rumours Duncan could be on his way out at the trade deadline however the Clippers Front Office were hesitant to pull the trigger on any deal. The challenge for this Clippers squad is their supporting cast around Duncan is very average and they will need their role players to have some big moments in order to navigate their way out of a tricky Western Conference. A first round matchup against the well rounded Spurs could lead to tragedy for this team
3. Miami Heat (113 votes, 1 FPV)
Reg Season: 58-24
First Round Opponent: Boston Celtics
Last Ranking: 4
A strong finish to the season has only reinforced GM Kobe’s belief in his team. A deadline deal for Jamal Mashburn has proved quintessential in ensuring this team has enough firepower to match its defensive capabilities. This could be PJ Brown’s final season in Miami as he tests the free agent market and the Heat will be looking to strike while the iron is hot.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (88 votes)
Reg Season: 55-27
First Round Opponent: Detroit Pistons
Last Ranking: 6
The second seed in the East, the Cavaliers adjusted their tactics down the stretch and capitalised on a weakened schedule however a loss to the injury riddled Orlando Magic on Day 109 won’t be forgotten quickly. The Cav’s have set high expectations for themselves and a rocky regular season has set this team to either galvanise during the playoffs or burst at the seams. A team that is capable of beating any other contender on its day but just as capable of letting less talented teams overpower them. However, the Cav’s should have far too much ammunition for their first round playoff opponents- the Detroit Pistons.
5. Sacramento Kings (85 votes)
Reg Season: 57-25
First Round Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Last Ranking: 5
A roster reshuffle at the deadline has seen the Kings trade the league’s most valuable asset, Kobe Bryant, to the Orlando Magic for the league’s number 1 small forward Antoine Walker, rookie wing Joe Johnson and an unprotected lottery pick. The trade was baffling to some, mind blowing to others and exactly what GM Ashes needed to do to improve the team. The Kings are now a well oiled machine with weapons at every position and armed with a lotto pick have the potential to add further talent to this already stacked roster. This team will be a perennial contender for years to come.
6. Utah Jazz (57 votes)
Reg Season: 51-31
First Round Opponent: Memphis Grizzlies
Last Ranking: 3
The defending champions looked to be running out of steam towards the end of the regular season. It is widely known that GM Jr is growing frustrated with his squad’s commitment, dedication and application to their pursuit of back to back titles. The animosity from the front office will either spark this team of Champions or it will prevent them from getting out of the first round. The Jazz are an unknown quantity in this year’s playoffs.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (53 votes)
Reg Season: 53-29
First Round Opponent: Utah Jazz
Last Ranking: 8
The team facing off against the Jazz in the first round is the dangerous Memphis Grizzlies. Possessing the league’s second stingiest defence, the Grizzlies are built to suppress the scoring of their opposition and defence is the key ingredient in any playoff battle. The Grizzlies front line is made up of monsters who will do all that they can to bully their smaller opponents in the paint and shut them out on defence. Matchup’s are vital if this team is to progress but they have enough talent and flexibility to be the West’s representative in the BBS Finals
8. New York Knicks (38 votes)
Reg Season: 53-29
First Round Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Last Ranking: 10
The outside offence of the New York Knicks has carried them to another playoff appearance however do not expect the feats of last season to be replicated in this year’s version. Jamal Crawford’s scoring abilities are unquestioned however his defense is likely to be exploited by the more talented back courts of the East. The Knicks will be happy with a second round appearance and honourable elimination.
9. Denver Nuggets (22 votes)
Reg Season: 55-27
First Round Opponent: Dallas Mavericks
Last Ranking: 7
The Nuggets are another team that made the most of the Trade Deadline and traded away their most iconic superstar- Shaquille O’Neal for rising talent Paul Pierce. The Nuggets are not a contender this year and with few very assets on their roster beyond 2003 they could be setting themselves up for a couple of seasons of rebuilding. Any interesting time ahead for the mile high city team.
T-10. Dallas Mavericks & Golden State Warriors (20 votes)
Reg Season: Mavericks 45-37, Warriors 50-32
First Round Opponent: Mavericks @ Nuggets, Warriors @ Kings
Last Ranking: N/A
Two Western teams round out our top 10. The Mavericks have been wheeling & dealing their way in-and-out-and-back-again for Jason Kidd all season long while the Warriors have elected to stand pat and ride their luck with the dominating duo of Dirk Nowitzki & Chauncey Billups. Each of these teams will be a tough playoff out but it is clear they are not in the upper echelon of contenders just yet.
Others Receiving Votes:
Chicago Bulls (10 votes)
Boston Celtics (4)
Washington Wizards (3)
Voters:
The following teams are eligible for an RC for voting in each of the 3 power polls:
Rockets, Knicks, Celtics, Kings, Grizzlies, 76ers, Pistons, Wizards & Spurs
We’ve made it to the final edition of the 2001 Powerpolls. After a season of tanking, trades & tirades the league’s most respected executives have provided us an insight into their thoughts as to the 10 best teams in the league heading into the playoffs.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 at season’s end
1. New Jersey Nets (136 votes, 11 First Place Votes)
Reg Season: 62-20
First Round Opponent: Washington Wizards
Last Ranking: 1
The league’s number 1 defence is also considered the league’s number 1 team by the executives polled. Anchored by Dikembe Mutombo & Ben Wallace the Nets have the added luxury of one of the greatest defenders the league has ever seen in Michael Jordan. This squad is strong throughout and GM Greeme will be looking for his maiden BBS2020 title. Assuming the Nets stay healthy throughout the playoffs, it is theirs for the taking
2. Los Angeles Clippers (120 votes, 2 FPV)
Reg Season: 60-22
First Round Opponent: San Antonio Spurs
Last Ranking: 2
The top seed in the West, the Clippers head into the 2001 Playoffs celebrating another MVP trophy for Tin Duncan. Recently placed on the trade block, there were rumours Duncan could be on his way out at the trade deadline however the Clippers Front Office were hesitant to pull the trigger on any deal. The challenge for this Clippers squad is their supporting cast around Duncan is very average and they will need their role players to have some big moments in order to navigate their way out of a tricky Western Conference. A first round matchup against the well rounded Spurs could lead to tragedy for this team
3. Miami Heat (113 votes, 1 FPV)
Reg Season: 58-24
First Round Opponent: Boston Celtics
Last Ranking: 4
A strong finish to the season has only reinforced GM Kobe’s belief in his team. A deadline deal for Jamal Mashburn has proved quintessential in ensuring this team has enough firepower to match its defensive capabilities. This could be PJ Brown’s final season in Miami as he tests the free agent market and the Heat will be looking to strike while the iron is hot.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (88 votes)
Reg Season: 55-27
First Round Opponent: Detroit Pistons
Last Ranking: 6
The second seed in the East, the Cavaliers adjusted their tactics down the stretch and capitalised on a weakened schedule however a loss to the injury riddled Orlando Magic on Day 109 won’t be forgotten quickly. The Cav’s have set high expectations for themselves and a rocky regular season has set this team to either galvanise during the playoffs or burst at the seams. A team that is capable of beating any other contender on its day but just as capable of letting less talented teams overpower them. However, the Cav’s should have far too much ammunition for their first round playoff opponents- the Detroit Pistons.
5. Sacramento Kings (85 votes)
Reg Season: 57-25
First Round Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Last Ranking: 5
A roster reshuffle at the deadline has seen the Kings trade the league’s most valuable asset, Kobe Bryant, to the Orlando Magic for the league’s number 1 small forward Antoine Walker, rookie wing Joe Johnson and an unprotected lottery pick. The trade was baffling to some, mind blowing to others and exactly what GM Ashes needed to do to improve the team. The Kings are now a well oiled machine with weapons at every position and armed with a lotto pick have the potential to add further talent to this already stacked roster. This team will be a perennial contender for years to come.
6. Utah Jazz (57 votes)
Reg Season: 51-31
First Round Opponent: Memphis Grizzlies
Last Ranking: 3
The defending champions looked to be running out of steam towards the end of the regular season. It is widely known that GM Jr is growing frustrated with his squad’s commitment, dedication and application to their pursuit of back to back titles. The animosity from the front office will either spark this team of Champions or it will prevent them from getting out of the first round. The Jazz are an unknown quantity in this year’s playoffs.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (53 votes)
Reg Season: 53-29
First Round Opponent: Utah Jazz
Last Ranking: 8
The team facing off against the Jazz in the first round is the dangerous Memphis Grizzlies. Possessing the league’s second stingiest defence, the Grizzlies are built to suppress the scoring of their opposition and defence is the key ingredient in any playoff battle. The Grizzlies front line is made up of monsters who will do all that they can to bully their smaller opponents in the paint and shut them out on defence. Matchup’s are vital if this team is to progress but they have enough talent and flexibility to be the West’s representative in the BBS Finals
8. New York Knicks (38 votes)
Reg Season: 53-29
First Round Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Last Ranking: 10
The outside offence of the New York Knicks has carried them to another playoff appearance however do not expect the feats of last season to be replicated in this year’s version. Jamal Crawford’s scoring abilities are unquestioned however his defense is likely to be exploited by the more talented back courts of the East. The Knicks will be happy with a second round appearance and honourable elimination.
9. Denver Nuggets (22 votes)
Reg Season: 55-27
First Round Opponent: Dallas Mavericks
Last Ranking: 7
The Nuggets are another team that made the most of the Trade Deadline and traded away their most iconic superstar- Shaquille O’Neal for rising talent Paul Pierce. The Nuggets are not a contender this year and with few very assets on their roster beyond 2003 they could be setting themselves up for a couple of seasons of rebuilding. Any interesting time ahead for the mile high city team.
T-10. Dallas Mavericks & Golden State Warriors (20 votes)
Reg Season: Mavericks 45-37, Warriors 50-32
First Round Opponent: Mavericks @ Nuggets, Warriors @ Kings
Last Ranking: N/A
Two Western teams round out our top 10. The Mavericks have been wheeling & dealing their way in-and-out-and-back-again for Jason Kidd all season long while the Warriors have elected to stand pat and ride their luck with the dominating duo of Dirk Nowitzki & Chauncey Billups. Each of these teams will be a tough playoff out but it is clear they are not in the upper echelon of contenders just yet.
Others Receiving Votes:
Chicago Bulls (10 votes)
Boston Celtics (4)
Washington Wizards (3)
Voters:
Rockets, Knicks, Blazers, Bulls, Kings, Lakers, Grizzlies, 76ers, Pistons, Wizards, Celtics, Spurs, Magic
Rockets, Knicks, Celtics, Kings, Grizzlies, 76ers, Pistons, Wizards & Spurs
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