Post by footy on May 24, 2020 15:34:49 GMT -8
Good morning, afternoon & evening gentlemen,
The second edition of Power Polls for Season 2001 is here but Sargo’s votes are not. Therefore, Sargo is eliminated from the RCs. RIP Steven Hunter’s rebounding & Sargo’s happiness.
As always men of the screen, this poll is collated based upon the votes and thoughts of GM's around the league. In this edition we received votes from 13 knowledgeable GM’s and Svedd.
Alas, onto the rankings:
1. New Jersey Nets (136 votes, 10 First Place Vote)
Reg Season: 38- 9
Last Ranking: 2
Unanimously selected by all GM’s polled as one of the league’s best two teams, the Net’s kick off our rankings. Led by Michael Jordan in potentially his final -definitely not coming back- dance, the Nets are outscoring opponents by a whopping 13.5 ppg. This is a team built to win now with the league’s best defensive frontcourt & a lethal wing combination. Winning is what they do and they will be the toughest obstacle for the team’s listed below.
2. Los Angeles Clippers (118 votes, 2 FPV)
Reg Season: 44-12
Last Ranking: 3
Tim Duncan continues to exceed all the lofty expectations predicted by many as he is single handlely carrying this squad to the top seed in the West. GM’s around the league continue to question the ability of his teammates however veteran Larry Johnson is more than pulling his weight. The Clippers will be a force to contend with come playoffs but there are moves to be made to further strengthen this squad in the lead up to the Playoffs.
3. Utah Jazz (115 votes, 2 FPV)
Reg Season: 33-15
Last Ranking: 1
The reigning champs have been less than impressive over the past 10 games and are falling further behind the Clippers in the race for the West’s Number 1 seed. Allan Houston & Glenn Robinson have cooled off after their blistering start however they possess championship winning experience and one of the few centers, David Robinson, who might be able to contain Tim Duncan in a playoff battle. This team’s success could be dependent upon playoff match ups however expect them to be in the thick of the action at the pointy end of the season. Too much talent to be forgotten
4. Miami Heat (99 votes)
Reg Season: 34-4
Last Ranking: 5
Kobe’s confidence in his team has been reciprocated by the GM’s polled and following the impressive trades for Alonzo Mourning & Jason Kidd, the Heat are gaining respect around the league. Mourning brings elite post scoring, defensive prowess & leadership to a team that was sorely in need of all of the above. In addition, Kidd sets the table for his teammates to do the damage and protects the perimeter on defense. An unsung hero of the league at this stage of the season is Ricky Davis who is putting up 24ppg in only 32mpg. Kobe’s development of his players cannot be understated and he maximises the potential for each of them. The glaring hole for the Heat is the lack of a small forward, if that can be addressed by the Playoffs then this could be the unlikely team to knock off Greeme’s Nets.
5. Sacramento Kings (78 votes)
Reg Season: 30-17
Last Ranking: 7
Possessing the league’s most damaging back court, the Kings continue to improve in the eyes of executives around the league. Highly rated, yet still highly flawed, the Kings will be looking to Kobe Bryant & Steve Nash to overcome the more complete teams that they encounter. This may not be the season for the Kings, unless a trade for a big man is facilitated, but their time is close and the league is watching with interest.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (57 votes)
Reg Season: 30-19
Last Ranking: 4
A drop in the power rankings has not meant a drop in the standings. The Cav’s continue to be a highly talented team despite a couple of rough opening months for the boys from Ohio. Kevin Garnett & Keith Van Horn continue to lead this team with aplomb however are either of them lead dogs on a Championship winning team? We are excited to find out. Boasting a healthy mix of balanced scoring, the Cav’s are primed for a tilt at making a run in this year’s playoffs. Gary Payton has improved his care of the ball since the All-Star Break and that will be a key determinant of the Cav’s performance throughout the playoffs. A sneaky team with sneaky chances.
7. Denver Nuggets (50 votes)
Reg Season: 35-19
Last Ranking: 6
Concerns were raised around the league that the Nuggets were a one man Shaq-band however that all changed with the addition of Jalen Rose. With little trading assets at the time it looked likely that the Nuggets were on track for a fringe playoff position however the adding of Rose has revitalised this squad. There are holes in the lineup that need to be addressed but this team could pull the rug out from any of the teams listed above. Expect a late surge as we near the end of the season.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (32 votes)
Reg Season: 28-17
Last Ranking: 10
The team on the other side of the Jalen Rose trade hasn’t been hurt either since the trade. The Grizzlies have on the biggest lineups in the league and they look to exploit their opponent’s smaller players. GM’s are unsure if this will be effective in the playoffs but for the time being the Grizzlies are another team in the race for the second seed in the West.
9. Toronto Raptors (25 votes)
Reg Season: 25- 20
Last Ranking: N/A
Receiving votes from only 6 GM’s, the Raptors have polarised the league’s executives. This is a team built around one player, Ray Allen, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a fractured arm. With Allen out for at least the next month, the Raptors could find themselves on the fringes of the playoffs. This is a good average team that has been exceeding expectations but could be on their way to an early playoff exit if their lineup is not addressed.
10. New York Knicks (21 votes)
Reg Season: 27 - 19
Last Ranking: 9
A team that has been vilified for trading away a lot of its star power in the early season, the Knicks are still a difficult team to discount. Jamal Crawford is putting up huge numbers in limited minutes on insane volume and is the modern day equivalent of a one man circus. There is talent throughout the roster however this is mostly made up of role players. The Knicks will be happy with a playoff berth and will evaluate their direction at season’s ends.
Others Receiving Votes:
Dallas Mavericks (20 votes)
Boston Celtics (12)
Detroit Pistons (24)
Golden State Warriors (5)
Washington Wizards (2)
Voters:
Pistons, Heat, Kings, Rockets, Jazz, Bulls, Grizzlies, Clippers, Spurs, 76ers, Knicks, Magic, Wizards,Cavaliers, Celtics. All team’s listed above continue to be eligible for an RC at season’s end.
The second edition of Power Polls for Season 2001 is here but Sargo’s votes are not. Therefore, Sargo is eliminated from the RCs. RIP Steven Hunter’s rebounding & Sargo’s happiness.
As always men of the screen, this poll is collated based upon the votes and thoughts of GM's around the league. In this edition we received votes from 13 knowledgeable GM’s and Svedd.
Alas, onto the rankings:
1. New Jersey Nets (136 votes, 10 First Place Vote)
Reg Season: 38- 9
Last Ranking: 2
Unanimously selected by all GM’s polled as one of the league’s best two teams, the Net’s kick off our rankings. Led by Michael Jordan in potentially his final -definitely not coming back- dance, the Nets are outscoring opponents by a whopping 13.5 ppg. This is a team built to win now with the league’s best defensive frontcourt & a lethal wing combination. Winning is what they do and they will be the toughest obstacle for the team’s listed below.
2. Los Angeles Clippers (118 votes, 2 FPV)
Reg Season: 44-12
Last Ranking: 3
Tim Duncan continues to exceed all the lofty expectations predicted by many as he is single handlely carrying this squad to the top seed in the West. GM’s around the league continue to question the ability of his teammates however veteran Larry Johnson is more than pulling his weight. The Clippers will be a force to contend with come playoffs but there are moves to be made to further strengthen this squad in the lead up to the Playoffs.
3. Utah Jazz (115 votes, 2 FPV)
Reg Season: 33-15
Last Ranking: 1
The reigning champs have been less than impressive over the past 10 games and are falling further behind the Clippers in the race for the West’s Number 1 seed. Allan Houston & Glenn Robinson have cooled off after their blistering start however they possess championship winning experience and one of the few centers, David Robinson, who might be able to contain Tim Duncan in a playoff battle. This team’s success could be dependent upon playoff match ups however expect them to be in the thick of the action at the pointy end of the season. Too much talent to be forgotten
4. Miami Heat (99 votes)
Reg Season: 34-4
Last Ranking: 5
Kobe’s confidence in his team has been reciprocated by the GM’s polled and following the impressive trades for Alonzo Mourning & Jason Kidd, the Heat are gaining respect around the league. Mourning brings elite post scoring, defensive prowess & leadership to a team that was sorely in need of all of the above. In addition, Kidd sets the table for his teammates to do the damage and protects the perimeter on defense. An unsung hero of the league at this stage of the season is Ricky Davis who is putting up 24ppg in only 32mpg. Kobe’s development of his players cannot be understated and he maximises the potential for each of them. The glaring hole for the Heat is the lack of a small forward, if that can be addressed by the Playoffs then this could be the unlikely team to knock off Greeme’s Nets.
5. Sacramento Kings (78 votes)
Reg Season: 30-17
Last Ranking: 7
Possessing the league’s most damaging back court, the Kings continue to improve in the eyes of executives around the league. Highly rated, yet still highly flawed, the Kings will be looking to Kobe Bryant & Steve Nash to overcome the more complete teams that they encounter. This may not be the season for the Kings, unless a trade for a big man is facilitated, but their time is close and the league is watching with interest.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (57 votes)
Reg Season: 30-19
Last Ranking: 4
A drop in the power rankings has not meant a drop in the standings. The Cav’s continue to be a highly talented team despite a couple of rough opening months for the boys from Ohio. Kevin Garnett & Keith Van Horn continue to lead this team with aplomb however are either of them lead dogs on a Championship winning team? We are excited to find out. Boasting a healthy mix of balanced scoring, the Cav’s are primed for a tilt at making a run in this year’s playoffs. Gary Payton has improved his care of the ball since the All-Star Break and that will be a key determinant of the Cav’s performance throughout the playoffs. A sneaky team with sneaky chances.
7. Denver Nuggets (50 votes)
Reg Season: 35-19
Last Ranking: 6
Concerns were raised around the league that the Nuggets were a one man Shaq-band however that all changed with the addition of Jalen Rose. With little trading assets at the time it looked likely that the Nuggets were on track for a fringe playoff position however the adding of Rose has revitalised this squad. There are holes in the lineup that need to be addressed but this team could pull the rug out from any of the teams listed above. Expect a late surge as we near the end of the season.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (32 votes)
Reg Season: 28-17
Last Ranking: 10
The team on the other side of the Jalen Rose trade hasn’t been hurt either since the trade. The Grizzlies have on the biggest lineups in the league and they look to exploit their opponent’s smaller players. GM’s are unsure if this will be effective in the playoffs but for the time being the Grizzlies are another team in the race for the second seed in the West.
9. Toronto Raptors (25 votes)
Reg Season: 25- 20
Last Ranking: N/A
Receiving votes from only 6 GM’s, the Raptors have polarised the league’s executives. This is a team built around one player, Ray Allen, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a fractured arm. With Allen out for at least the next month, the Raptors could find themselves on the fringes of the playoffs. This is a good average team that has been exceeding expectations but could be on their way to an early playoff exit if their lineup is not addressed.
10. New York Knicks (21 votes)
Reg Season: 27 - 19
Last Ranking: 9
A team that has been vilified for trading away a lot of its star power in the early season, the Knicks are still a difficult team to discount. Jamal Crawford is putting up huge numbers in limited minutes on insane volume and is the modern day equivalent of a one man circus. There is talent throughout the roster however this is mostly made up of role players. The Knicks will be happy with a playoff berth and will evaluate their direction at season’s ends.
Others Receiving Votes:
Dallas Mavericks (20 votes)
Boston Celtics (12)
Detroit Pistons (24)
Golden State Warriors (5)
Washington Wizards (2)
Voters:
Pistons, Heat, Kings, Rockets, Jazz, Bulls, Grizzlies, Clippers, Spurs, 76ers, Knicks, Magic, Wizards,Cavaliers, Celtics. All team’s listed above continue to be eligible for an RC at season’s end.
