Post by Andrew on May 29, 2020 16:47:44 GMT -8
2002 will see a shakeup of unprecedented proportions as teams maneuver for both the highest regarded draft of all time as well as Free Agency. Expect teams to make massive moves in the offseason that will shift the landscape of the competitive environment. With that said let’s take a look at where I believe teams will end up:
Top Fallers:
Utah Jazz
2001 record: 51-31
Projected 2002 record: 20-62
The Jazz won the inaugural BBS2020 ring and have trash talking rights almost in perpetuity. Jr looks like an awesome GM who knows how to navigate what’s laid out in front of him. Unfortunately, he is faced with a team that by most metrics underperformed compared to the season before. Combined with the double whammy of a possible D Rob retirement and aging superstar Allan Houston potentially hitting FA in 2003, jr seems to be primed for a short rebuild. Expect Houston to go for an awesome package of youth and/or picks. G Rob is no slouch and Robinson will still command a nice offer should he choose to stay around. The Jazz have enough pieces to make for only a one or two year rebuild at most before heading back towards contention
New Jersey Nets
2001 record: 62-20
Projected 2002 record: 15-67
GM Greeme is on record as saying “my entire team for my 03 pick” to GM Nanz several times in previous threads. I think he means it! MJ is very likely to retire after this season and without the GOAT the Nets don’t look too threatening. Outside of Deke and Ben Wallace there isn’t all that much of value to the Nets roster. Look for Greeme to unload anything that serves any positive purpose and enter the 2002 season with an entirely bare bones roster primed for the projected number 1 overall pick. He’s shown that he is quite proficient at winning, so I believe he will be able to do the same in the opposite direction. I predict the Nets will have the worst record in the league after the 2002 season is all said and done
Chicago Bulls
2001 record
Projected 2002 record: 21-61
Play and Insane have done a great job of making a group of sub-par rated players who sim well into a functioning team. Making the playoffs and competing for years on end is one of Play’s strong points, but I believe both GM’s see the writing on the wall. Absent a move that somehow keeps some of their core intact for a stud scorer I don’t see them competing. The lack of star power has lead to earlier playoff exits than the Bulls GM’s would have wanted and it is certainly time to make a move.
Top Risers:
Los Angeles Lakers
2001 record: 35-27
Projected 2002 record 48-34
The Lakers roster is loaded with raw talent and this squad might benefit the most of any in the league from the upcoming TC. Gil has shown he can hang despite the defensive rating, AK is definitely going to improve, and Brand hopefully still has some potential kicking around. Hughes is a decent piece as well. All together they have a pretty solid squad that looks to be a shoe in for a 4 seed in the playoffs.
Portland Trailblazers:
2001 record: 33-49
Projected 2002 record: 45-37
The Trailblazers made some moves for role players at the trading deadline and are also looking forward to another TC. G Wall’s ratings look amazing and Eddy Curry can SCORE. Role players like Nazr Mohammed and Rip Hamilton are also TC improvement possibilities. Dan has a solid roster top to bottom and he stands to benefit from the tanking as much as anyone in the league.
Dallas Mavericks
2001 record: 45-37
Projected 2002 record: 58-24
Mr. Haberman is fresh off of a first round upset in terms of seeding and is hanging in with the 57 win Kings in the 2nd round. After a flurry of trades this season it’s obvious that this squad or whatever he chooses to do with it, will not be a 45 win team next season. JO, despite being a very nice piece that may even be foundational, is most likely out the door next season in order for Aaron to pursue a ring. Perhaps Dejan could be out as well as Dallas looks to shore up their post play and rebounding.
Stay roughly the same:
Boston Celtics - The core of AI and Sheed with other role players should be good enough for another decent season that could possibly approach 50 wins. Brian might be able to get a top 4 seed next season.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Cleveland is too talented to fall much and after winning 55 this season, is already at the upper echelon of winning in BBS. Look for the Cavs to compete for a top 3 seed again next year
New York Knicks - As long as Skillz can continue to put decent players around Crawford New York will at least be a middle of the pack playoff team. New York is trade away from being serious contenders or possibly a retool to a lower playoff spot. Either way, not much oscillation
Miami Heat - Miami is too loaded with scorers to do anything other than compete. I can’t imagine another GM who hates tanking more than Kobe.
Detroit Pistons - Galo’s team isn’t overly exciting, but it will be good enough to get the job again for a roughly .500 team next year
Atlanta Hawks- Tanking is surely on the mind of fans in Atlanta, but I don’t see the Hawks losing many more games than they did this year.
Milwaukee Bucks - Another team with a bear bones roster that only became so partway through the season. Chipper is definitely hoping for fewer wins than this year, which I think he will achieve, but not by much.
Philadelphia 76ers - GM Steve would gladly lock in his 21-61 record for next season. I see the 76ers moving either Jamison, Marbury, or both in order for them to have a shot at a top pick.
Los Angeles Clippers - Duncan isn’t going anywhere and he alone is probably good for 50 wins. Surround him with any warm body that can handle a basketball and you have a team that will probably be in the high 50’s in wins again.
Sacramento Kings - The Kings did a great job improving on their inaugural record, but improving from 57 in any meaningful way is not likely. They will be extremely good next year and should compete for the top seed in the West.
Golden State Warriors - Dirk is otherworldly, Chauncey is the least appreciated player in the file, and the Warriors have an exciting team! Unfortunately GM Manas is going to need to make another trade or two and not just for role players if he wants to compete with the big boys. Surefire lock for another 50 win season with the squad he has assembled.
Seatle Supersonics - Only putting him here because I have no idea what he’s gonna do next. Shaq alone should account for a fair share of wins and any roster with him on it won’t be able to tank as efficiently as the competition. I believe Seattle wants to tank, but I don’t see them going much below the 34 wins they accomplished this year.
Minnesota Timerwolves - Another team that I am not sure of their direction. Don’t think they can compete and don’t think they can tank well. A draft pick around 10 seems logical for this roster.
Houston Rockets; Not much to say here, even if they get Yao. Yao will be too raw and Marion is still unproven. He will win more than this year, but will hover around the 20 win m
On the way up:
Indiana Pacers- The Pacers are too loaded with wing talent for another 34-48 year. GM Sargo will most likely use the offseason to make a splash in the trade market, ridding himself of a wing or two for a big or a PG.
Orlando Magic - With the addition of Kobe alone, the Magic should be able to cobble together more than 29 wins. With lots of tanking action this coming year the Magic should look to make some good value moves and compete for the 42 win mark. Footy and Forky have some work ahead of them if they want to surround Kobe with decent role players other than Griffin.
San Antonio Spurs - Sorry John, you just missed out on highest risers only because you finished .500 this year. Another team loaded with young talent, the Spurs are expected to have an explosive TC. I’m not sure if they get to 50 wins next year, but high 40’s seems like a certainty.
Phoenix Suns- Another team with much to look forward to in TC, Phoenix hedged its draft positon by trading for Tyson Chandler, acquiring Andre Miller in the process. With the current roster, the Suns won’t make the playoffs, but will be nowhere near contention for a top pick in the draft.
On the way down:
New Orleans Hornets - After finishing 12 games below .500, Pig is in full rebuild mode and his roster might just consist of Bonzi Wells only next year. Because he already finished with a sub 500 record he’s ineligible for greatest faller category.
Toronto Raptors- Toronto has been on a free fall since trading Ray Ray as anyone would have expected. They will surely be worse next year than this year, but the tanking will be so ferocious that a player like Tony Parker could potentially keep game outside of the top 3 projected.
Denver Nuggets - The general consensus is that Denver didn’t get the best value for Shaq, but it was something that needed to be done. That trade combined with some aging role players means Denver is sure to lose a few more games next year. I can see them coming in at around 45-37 unless they choose another strategic direction
Memphis Grizzlies - Earlier today after a first round exit, GM Erbes claims his squad is a regular season team only and I don’t disagree with him! He doesn’t have his pick, but doesn’t have hte firepower to truly compete. I expect them to still be a playoff team, but move a big or two in retooling type trades.
Top Fallers:
Utah Jazz
2001 record: 51-31
Projected 2002 record: 20-62
The Jazz won the inaugural BBS2020 ring and have trash talking rights almost in perpetuity. Jr looks like an awesome GM who knows how to navigate what’s laid out in front of him. Unfortunately, he is faced with a team that by most metrics underperformed compared to the season before. Combined with the double whammy of a possible D Rob retirement and aging superstar Allan Houston potentially hitting FA in 2003, jr seems to be primed for a short rebuild. Expect Houston to go for an awesome package of youth and/or picks. G Rob is no slouch and Robinson will still command a nice offer should he choose to stay around. The Jazz have enough pieces to make for only a one or two year rebuild at most before heading back towards contention
New Jersey Nets
2001 record: 62-20
Projected 2002 record: 15-67
GM Greeme is on record as saying “my entire team for my 03 pick” to GM Nanz several times in previous threads. I think he means it! MJ is very likely to retire after this season and without the GOAT the Nets don’t look too threatening. Outside of Deke and Ben Wallace there isn’t all that much of value to the Nets roster. Look for Greeme to unload anything that serves any positive purpose and enter the 2002 season with an entirely bare bones roster primed for the projected number 1 overall pick. He’s shown that he is quite proficient at winning, so I believe he will be able to do the same in the opposite direction. I predict the Nets will have the worst record in the league after the 2002 season is all said and done
Chicago Bulls
2001 record
Projected 2002 record: 21-61
Play and Insane have done a great job of making a group of sub-par rated players who sim well into a functioning team. Making the playoffs and competing for years on end is one of Play’s strong points, but I believe both GM’s see the writing on the wall. Absent a move that somehow keeps some of their core intact for a stud scorer I don’t see them competing. The lack of star power has lead to earlier playoff exits than the Bulls GM’s would have wanted and it is certainly time to make a move.
Top Risers:
Los Angeles Lakers
2001 record: 35-27
Projected 2002 record 48-34
The Lakers roster is loaded with raw talent and this squad might benefit the most of any in the league from the upcoming TC. Gil has shown he can hang despite the defensive rating, AK is definitely going to improve, and Brand hopefully still has some potential kicking around. Hughes is a decent piece as well. All together they have a pretty solid squad that looks to be a shoe in for a 4 seed in the playoffs.
Portland Trailblazers:
2001 record: 33-49
Projected 2002 record: 45-37
The Trailblazers made some moves for role players at the trading deadline and are also looking forward to another TC. G Wall’s ratings look amazing and Eddy Curry can SCORE. Role players like Nazr Mohammed and Rip Hamilton are also TC improvement possibilities. Dan has a solid roster top to bottom and he stands to benefit from the tanking as much as anyone in the league.
Dallas Mavericks
2001 record: 45-37
Projected 2002 record: 58-24
Mr. Haberman is fresh off of a first round upset in terms of seeding and is hanging in with the 57 win Kings in the 2nd round. After a flurry of trades this season it’s obvious that this squad or whatever he chooses to do with it, will not be a 45 win team next season. JO, despite being a very nice piece that may even be foundational, is most likely out the door next season in order for Aaron to pursue a ring. Perhaps Dejan could be out as well as Dallas looks to shore up their post play and rebounding.
Stay roughly the same:
Boston Celtics - The core of AI and Sheed with other role players should be good enough for another decent season that could possibly approach 50 wins. Brian might be able to get a top 4 seed next season.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Cleveland is too talented to fall much and after winning 55 this season, is already at the upper echelon of winning in BBS. Look for the Cavs to compete for a top 3 seed again next year
New York Knicks - As long as Skillz can continue to put decent players around Crawford New York will at least be a middle of the pack playoff team. New York is trade away from being serious contenders or possibly a retool to a lower playoff spot. Either way, not much oscillation
Miami Heat - Miami is too loaded with scorers to do anything other than compete. I can’t imagine another GM who hates tanking more than Kobe.
Detroit Pistons - Galo’s team isn’t overly exciting, but it will be good enough to get the job again for a roughly .500 team next year
Atlanta Hawks- Tanking is surely on the mind of fans in Atlanta, but I don’t see the Hawks losing many more games than they did this year.
Milwaukee Bucks - Another team with a bear bones roster that only became so partway through the season. Chipper is definitely hoping for fewer wins than this year, which I think he will achieve, but not by much.
Philadelphia 76ers - GM Steve would gladly lock in his 21-61 record for next season. I see the 76ers moving either Jamison, Marbury, or both in order for them to have a shot at a top pick.
Los Angeles Clippers - Duncan isn’t going anywhere and he alone is probably good for 50 wins. Surround him with any warm body that can handle a basketball and you have a team that will probably be in the high 50’s in wins again.
Sacramento Kings - The Kings did a great job improving on their inaugural record, but improving from 57 in any meaningful way is not likely. They will be extremely good next year and should compete for the top seed in the West.
Golden State Warriors - Dirk is otherworldly, Chauncey is the least appreciated player in the file, and the Warriors have an exciting team! Unfortunately GM Manas is going to need to make another trade or two and not just for role players if he wants to compete with the big boys. Surefire lock for another 50 win season with the squad he has assembled.
Seatle Supersonics - Only putting him here because I have no idea what he’s gonna do next. Shaq alone should account for a fair share of wins and any roster with him on it won’t be able to tank as efficiently as the competition. I believe Seattle wants to tank, but I don’t see them going much below the 34 wins they accomplished this year.
Minnesota Timerwolves - Another team that I am not sure of their direction. Don’t think they can compete and don’t think they can tank well. A draft pick around 10 seems logical for this roster.
Houston Rockets; Not much to say here, even if they get Yao. Yao will be too raw and Marion is still unproven. He will win more than this year, but will hover around the 20 win m
On the way up:
Indiana Pacers- The Pacers are too loaded with wing talent for another 34-48 year. GM Sargo will most likely use the offseason to make a splash in the trade market, ridding himself of a wing or two for a big or a PG.
Orlando Magic - With the addition of Kobe alone, the Magic should be able to cobble together more than 29 wins. With lots of tanking action this coming year the Magic should look to make some good value moves and compete for the 42 win mark. Footy and Forky have some work ahead of them if they want to surround Kobe with decent role players other than Griffin.
San Antonio Spurs - Sorry John, you just missed out on highest risers only because you finished .500 this year. Another team loaded with young talent, the Spurs are expected to have an explosive TC. I’m not sure if they get to 50 wins next year, but high 40’s seems like a certainty.
Phoenix Suns- Another team with much to look forward to in TC, Phoenix hedged its draft positon by trading for Tyson Chandler, acquiring Andre Miller in the process. With the current roster, the Suns won’t make the playoffs, but will be nowhere near contention for a top pick in the draft.
On the way down:
New Orleans Hornets - After finishing 12 games below .500, Pig is in full rebuild mode and his roster might just consist of Bonzi Wells only next year. Because he already finished with a sub 500 record he’s ineligible for greatest faller category.
Toronto Raptors- Toronto has been on a free fall since trading Ray Ray as anyone would have expected. They will surely be worse next year than this year, but the tanking will be so ferocious that a player like Tony Parker could potentially keep game outside of the top 3 projected.
Denver Nuggets - The general consensus is that Denver didn’t get the best value for Shaq, but it was something that needed to be done. That trade combined with some aging role players means Denver is sure to lose a few more games next year. I can see them coming in at around 45-37 unless they choose another strategic direction
Memphis Grizzlies - Earlier today after a first round exit, GM Erbes claims his squad is a regular season team only and I don’t disagree with him! He doesn’t have his pick, but doesn’t have hte firepower to truly compete. I expect them to still be a playoff team, but move a big or two in retooling type trades.
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... I've actually dropped a few lbs as my drinking really hasn't changed, but have been exercising a tad more. 
