Post by footy on Jul 15, 2020 16:41:29 GMT -8
Morning my fellow coronavirus-ites,
After a midseason hiatus to celebrate the editor's birthday we are back for the final edition of Power Polls for Season 2004. It has taken 5 seasons but we have finally had our first unanimous number 1 ranked team in the league! For this edition 8 executives around the league gave their opinions on the best teams as we head into the playoffs. Results are below:
1. Sacramento Kings (80 votes, 8 First Place Votes)
Record: 67-15
Second Round Opponent: LA Clippers
Galo: Best team by far in the West and might be reign supreme in the league with a prime Kobe.
Sved: Still the best of course
Jah: Kobe/Ben and the sidekicks dominated the West. Should be a cakewalk to the finals
Brian: Best record ever in BBS?
DB: Still the best team in the league and best defense. Kobe does it all!
Ahsan: They have 60 wins with 10 games remaining to end the season lol. That's insane. There isn't any question.
Footy: Best player in the league. Best GM in the league. Best team in the league.
2. New York Knicks (70 votes)
Record: 61-21
Second Round Opponent: Washington Wizards
Galo: Skillz got a winner again with a fun STOCKS team
Sved: Finished very strong after tons of trades.
Jah: Younger team than normal for the Knicks. Nash is the only star on the team this year. If he stays healthy they are always a threat.
Brian: can they go the distance again?
DB: Skillz has traded himself into another contender. Can they take it all again?
Ahsan: Made A LOT of moves and now their team is Nash-SJax-Artest-Brand-Battie with an insane amount of depth throughout the roster. It's damn good and will be a force in the playoffs.
Footy: Skillz is running laps around the league. Hasn’t got the best team on paper but could snag another ring
3. New Orleans Hornets (64 votes)
Record: 58-24
Second Round Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers
Galo: This is Pig's best team in this version of BBS. I would liked if they kept Brand though.
Sved: Good team but made some eh trades.
Jah: Big 3 should take them far. Alot will depend on how well Okur fits into their team!
Brian: Should be lower, they lost to the Celtics
DB: Pig has traded some talent but still putting up tons of points. Can his offense match the Knicks?
Ahsan: I loved the Memo deal to join CWebb and Z in the frontcourt. And his frontcourt has a lot of depth. But it's the backcourt which really catches your eye with Splash Bros Billups+Houston. That team is so damn good, I truly believe they can win the title
Footy: Scary to think this team had even more talent at one point. A dangerous team in a tough conference.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (49 votes)
Record: 54-28
Second Round Opponent: New Orleans Hornets
Galo: A tough 3-headed monster of Dirk/KG/KVH that makes them tough.
Sved: Came back from the dead second half of season.
Jah: KG/Dirk started to mesh well together late in the year. PG play might end up their demise though
Brian: can KG do it this time or does he need to be a Celtic?
DB: KG, dirk and KVH can do it all, but can they lead the cavs to a deep playoff run without a true point guard?
Ahsan: Love that Big 3 of KG/Dirk/KVH. Got some nice defensive bigs, a decent PG and solid depth overall. Feel like this team is a legit threat.
Footy: On track for his annual playoff disappointment. Someone get big man some help with his tactics!
5. Miami Heat (40 votes)
Record: 53-29
Second Round Opponent: Eliminated Round 1
Galo: They have a really nice team when they're at their best and not injured
Sved: A lot of injuries have held them back
Jah: Zbo has led this team to a very good year. Not tons of depth though and that could hurt them
DB: Kobe has a solid team built around Finley and zbo, but I’m not sure it’s enough to carry them all the way.
Ahsan: Loved the move to add Deng. Their frontcourt is absolutely LOADED. Should be interesting to see how far they go in postseason.
Footy: Spoiler! They didn’t go far
6. Detroit Pistons (31 votes)
Record: 52-30
Second Round Opponent: Eliminated Round 1
Galo: DET stacks up well against most teams in the league with a hot finish
Sved: Tim Duncan.
Jah: Jah: Duncan and crew finished strong. Duncan always has a chance to win it all.
Brian: Who can win it for you, the Duncan can
Ahsan: I love that post defense of Duncan+Sheed. Rest of their roster is eh but I feel like Galo will be able to get the right pieces. The foundation is incredible. Anytime you have Duncan, you are a threat. He is that good
Footy: Duncan’s best supporting cast, this season wasn’t their year but will be a contender next season.
7. Washington Wizards (27 votes)
Record: 53-29
Second Round Opponent: New York Knicks
Galo: A really good outside team but not sure how they'll fare in the postseason
Sved: Needed another power move to truly compete
Jah: Moiso injury might hurt them. They do have good depth though and might be alble to withstand the blow
Brian: Looked like they were going down with a glass jaw, but back in it baby
DB: Jah built a well rounded squad but they lost their big man for the season hurts their chances.
Ahsan: Might have them ranked a bit low because I'm really not convinced. You have to respect the fact that they are winning a lot. Just the fact that average more turnovers than stocks as a team makes me doubt them. They are elite at scoring and rebounding. Just not sure how far a team lacking defense can go in the postseason
Footy: A really good team that is doing really well. Ceiling may be an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
8. Dallas Mavericks (23 votes)
Record: 50-32
Second Round Opponent: Eliminated Round 1
Galo: This is a fun, young team with lots of upside and a great future
Sved: Play well as a team.
Jah: This team has great defense top to bottom. They caught fire to finish with their best regular season in franchise history.
Brian: Day 99 has passed, here comes Habes
DB: Talented roster that can surprise some team come the playoffs. We will see this squad for a long time!
Footy: Plucky, young upstarts who will get better. Big tings coming for these lads!
9. Portland Trailblazers (15 votes)
Record: 50-32
Second Round Opponent: Phoenix Suns
Galo: Two great scorers lead this bunch but think they overachieved a bit this year
DB: A 15 game win streak in the final 30 days put the blazers on the top 10 map
Ahsan: Ricky+Antwan might be one of the better wing combos in the league. Theo+LaFrentz gives them nice defense and Baron is a good scorer/rebounder at PG plus he gets over 2 steals (though unfortunately over 3 turnovers). Not sure how far they go but they are loaded with talent and look like a nice team. Plus they have been very hot lately.
Footy: Incredible recovery from GM DB, thought they were goner’s early in the season! It’s all gravy from here baby
10. LA Clippers (14 votes)
Record: 50-32
Second Round Opponent: Sacramento Kings
Galo: They rebounded after a slow start and making Shaq a non-option led to their resurgence
Sved: Great trio but not the best depth
Jah: They have a very good top 4. Rush has turned out to be a great signing. Shaq has been limiting TOs some
DB: a good squad with some super stars that can and should be feared come the playoffs.
Ahsan: Finally a Western Conference team! I know their record isn't great but they did start off slow. Adding Shaq has been amazing for them. Flipping Gil for DD+Kidd was amazing. They are ranked 4th in FG% and 7th (while 5th in PPG) in lowest opponents FG% and a top 10 rebounding team. They are so balanced, feel like they will be a legit threat in the postseason.
Footy: Another team that saved their season from going off the tracks. Well done Spence!
Others Receiving Votes:
Toronto Raptors (12 votes)
Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Philadelphia 76ers (5)
Atlanta Hawks (4)
Philadelphia 76ers (5)
Voters:
Record: 67-15
Second Round Opponent: LA Clippers
Galo: Best team by far in the West and might be reign supreme in the league with a prime Kobe.
Sved: Still the best of course
Jah: Kobe/Ben and the sidekicks dominated the West. Should be a cakewalk to the finals
Brian: Best record ever in BBS?
DB: Still the best team in the league and best defense. Kobe does it all!
Ahsan: They have 60 wins with 10 games remaining to end the season lol. That's insane. There isn't any question.
Footy: Best player in the league. Best GM in the league. Best team in the league.
2. New York Knicks (70 votes)
Record: 61-21
Second Round Opponent: Washington Wizards
Galo: Skillz got a winner again with a fun STOCKS team
Sved: Finished very strong after tons of trades.
Jah: Younger team than normal for the Knicks. Nash is the only star on the team this year. If he stays healthy they are always a threat.
Brian: can they go the distance again?
DB: Skillz has traded himself into another contender. Can they take it all again?
Ahsan: Made A LOT of moves and now their team is Nash-SJax-Artest-Brand-Battie with an insane amount of depth throughout the roster. It's damn good and will be a force in the playoffs.
Footy: Skillz is running laps around the league. Hasn’t got the best team on paper but could snag another ring
3. New Orleans Hornets (64 votes)
Record: 58-24
Second Round Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers
Galo: This is Pig's best team in this version of BBS. I would liked if they kept Brand though.
Sved: Good team but made some eh trades.
Jah: Big 3 should take them far. Alot will depend on how well Okur fits into their team!
Brian: Should be lower, they lost to the Celtics
DB: Pig has traded some talent but still putting up tons of points. Can his offense match the Knicks?
Ahsan: I loved the Memo deal to join CWebb and Z in the frontcourt. And his frontcourt has a lot of depth. But it's the backcourt which really catches your eye with Splash Bros Billups+Houston. That team is so damn good, I truly believe they can win the title
Footy: Scary to think this team had even more talent at one point. A dangerous team in a tough conference.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (49 votes)
Record: 54-28
Second Round Opponent: New Orleans Hornets
Galo: A tough 3-headed monster of Dirk/KG/KVH that makes them tough.
Sved: Came back from the dead second half of season.
Jah: KG/Dirk started to mesh well together late in the year. PG play might end up their demise though
Brian: can KG do it this time or does he need to be a Celtic?
DB: KG, dirk and KVH can do it all, but can they lead the cavs to a deep playoff run without a true point guard?
Ahsan: Love that Big 3 of KG/Dirk/KVH. Got some nice defensive bigs, a decent PG and solid depth overall. Feel like this team is a legit threat.
Footy: On track for his annual playoff disappointment. Someone get big man some help with his tactics!
5. Miami Heat (40 votes)
Record: 53-29
Second Round Opponent: Eliminated Round 1
Galo: They have a really nice team when they're at their best and not injured
Sved: A lot of injuries have held them back
Jah: Zbo has led this team to a very good year. Not tons of depth though and that could hurt them
DB: Kobe has a solid team built around Finley and zbo, but I’m not sure it’s enough to carry them all the way.
Ahsan: Loved the move to add Deng. Their frontcourt is absolutely LOADED. Should be interesting to see how far they go in postseason.
Footy: Spoiler! They didn’t go far
6. Detroit Pistons (31 votes)
Record: 52-30
Second Round Opponent: Eliminated Round 1
Galo: DET stacks up well against most teams in the league with a hot finish
Sved: Tim Duncan.
Jah: Jah: Duncan and crew finished strong. Duncan always has a chance to win it all.
Brian: Who can win it for you, the Duncan can
Ahsan: I love that post defense of Duncan+Sheed. Rest of their roster is eh but I feel like Galo will be able to get the right pieces. The foundation is incredible. Anytime you have Duncan, you are a threat. He is that good
Footy: Duncan’s best supporting cast, this season wasn’t their year but will be a contender next season.
7. Washington Wizards (27 votes)
Record: 53-29
Second Round Opponent: New York Knicks
Galo: A really good outside team but not sure how they'll fare in the postseason
Sved: Needed another power move to truly compete
Jah: Moiso injury might hurt them. They do have good depth though and might be alble to withstand the blow
Brian: Looked like they were going down with a glass jaw, but back in it baby
DB: Jah built a well rounded squad but they lost their big man for the season hurts their chances.
Ahsan: Might have them ranked a bit low because I'm really not convinced. You have to respect the fact that they are winning a lot. Just the fact that average more turnovers than stocks as a team makes me doubt them. They are elite at scoring and rebounding. Just not sure how far a team lacking defense can go in the postseason
Footy: A really good team that is doing really well. Ceiling may be an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
8. Dallas Mavericks (23 votes)
Record: 50-32
Second Round Opponent: Eliminated Round 1
Galo: This is a fun, young team with lots of upside and a great future
Sved: Play well as a team.
Jah: This team has great defense top to bottom. They caught fire to finish with their best regular season in franchise history.
Brian: Day 99 has passed, here comes Habes
DB: Talented roster that can surprise some team come the playoffs. We will see this squad for a long time!
Footy: Plucky, young upstarts who will get better. Big tings coming for these lads!
9. Portland Trailblazers (15 votes)
Record: 50-32
Second Round Opponent: Phoenix Suns
Galo: Two great scorers lead this bunch but think they overachieved a bit this year
DB: A 15 game win streak in the final 30 days put the blazers on the top 10 map
Ahsan: Ricky+Antwan might be one of the better wing combos in the league. Theo+LaFrentz gives them nice defense and Baron is a good scorer/rebounder at PG plus he gets over 2 steals (though unfortunately over 3 turnovers). Not sure how far they go but they are loaded with talent and look like a nice team. Plus they have been very hot lately.
Footy: Incredible recovery from GM DB, thought they were goner’s early in the season! It’s all gravy from here baby
10. LA Clippers (14 votes)
Record: 50-32
Second Round Opponent: Sacramento Kings
Galo: They rebounded after a slow start and making Shaq a non-option led to their resurgence
Sved: Great trio but not the best depth
Jah: They have a very good top 4. Rush has turned out to be a great signing. Shaq has been limiting TOs some
DB: a good squad with some super stars that can and should be feared come the playoffs.
Ahsan: Finally a Western Conference team! I know their record isn't great but they did start off slow. Adding Shaq has been amazing for them. Flipping Gil for DD+Kidd was amazing. They are ranked 4th in FG% and 7th (while 5th in PPG) in lowest opponents FG% and a top 10 rebounding team. They are so balanced, feel like they will be a legit threat in the postseason.
Footy: Another team that saved their season from going off the tracks. Well done Spence!
Others Receiving Votes:
Toronto Raptors (12 votes)
Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Philadelphia 76ers (5)
Atlanta Hawks (4)
Philadelphia 76ers (5)
Voters:
Pistons, Cavaliers, Wizards, Celtics, Blazers, Rockets, 76ers & Hawks.
The following teams have received an RC for completing each of the Power Polls for Season 2004:
Pistons, Wizards, Rockets, Celtics, 76ers, Cavaliers & Blazers
Pistons, Wizards, Rockets, Celtics, 76ers, Cavaliers & Blazers
Tune in next season!
