The Fog of War Disappears

by SimpleTruth on Jul 31, 2009 3:22 PM PDT

Lakers, Magic, Celtics, Cavaliers, Spurs, Nuggets, Blazers, Hornets, Jazz

After the dust of free agency is beginning to clear... these are the teams that "matter in approximated" ranking. I wrote down the list of every single team's lineups (players that matter) and boy are they stacked. In terms of winning a championship... other teams do not have a chance. The rich got richer and the poor will have to hope on 'player developments' such as Griffin or Durant.

Lakers: This team is so stacked the only thing that can ruin their championship aspirations are injuries.

PG: Fisher, Farmar, Brown

SG: Bryant, Vujacic

SF: Artest, Walton

PF: Gasol, Odom

C: Bynum

Magic: A more "traditional" team, however, despite the many changes what would really push this team to the top is a healthy Jameer and improved free throws by Howard.

PG: Nelson

SG: Carter, Pietrus

SF: Lewis, Barnes

PF: Bass, Anderson

C: Howard, Gortat

Cavaliers: Sure, Shaq increased the team's size, gives them a low-post scorer, clogs the lanes and is a weak screen and roll defender, a small plus. However, what really augments this team are the 2 athletic wing additions in Parker and Moon. Williams and West will no longer be 'abused.'

PG: Williams, West

SG: Parker, Gibson

SF: James, Moon

PF: Varejao, Smith

C: O'Neal, Ilgauskas

Spurs: Jefferson and McDyess shall help shore the team when injuries ensue. Their additions will not lead to a title... if Manu and co. can stay healthy... this team is a threat to all.

PG: Parker, Hill

SG: Mason, Ginobili

SF: Jefferson, Finley

PF: Duncan, Bonner

C: McDyess

Nuggets: The only team that has not made major improvements over the summer. The only thing that can push them to the top is a team 'drive' and Smith's improvement to consistency both offensively and defensively.

PG: Billups, Lawson

SG: Smith, Afflalo

SF: Anthony, Kleiza

PF: Martin, Balkman

C: Nene, Andersen

Blazers: This team is too stacked... during the duration of the year, the backcourt needs to thin to shore up Aldridge. Because they are so young, Roy, Batum, Aldridge, Oden and Fernandez will improve. Oh yeah, and Webster?

PG: Miller, Blake, Bayless

SG: Roy, Fernandez

SF: Batum, Outlaw, Webster

PF: Aldridge

C: Oden, Pryzbilla

Hornets: Okafor is far better than the offensively inept and injury prone Chandler. If West can stay healthy... for now they are 'dark horse' threats since we can be certain Okafor's 'effectivity' shall be under high scrutiny and probably improved with the best PG in the league dishing to him.

PG: Paul, Collison

SG: Butler, Peterson

SF: Stojakovic, Posey

PF: West, Diogu

C: Okafor

Jazz: A bit injury marred... however, even if this team is healthy... this team does not have the capability to win the championship. They will receive a first-round exit, which is scary considering that they were Western Conference finalists not too long ago. This team would be the fourth best team in the East.

PG: Williams, Price

SG: Brewer, Korver

SF: Miles, Kirilenko, Harpring

PF: Boozer, Millsap

C: Okur

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Comments

Forgot Dallas

Dallas is far more relevant than Utah or New Orleans. They added some nice pieces, and likely are not finished. They also added Tim Thomas to go with Shawn Marion.

And San Antonio just recently added Theo Ratliff, and could get back Bowen now that he’s been released.

Let’s not also forget Toronto, who has been a big player and could be a darkhorse threat, as well as Washington if they can remain healthy.

"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)

by tandur on Jul 31, 2009 3:50 PM PDT reply actions

Oh, yeah, Dallas is better than Utah or NO and should contend in the West.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 31, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions

You're right

I take that back… “maybe” Dallas is better than Utah or New Orleans. However, Utah shall not win the championship… I should have taken them off that list. Dallas will not win the championship even with Howard healthy and an addition of Marion.. which is why they’re not on. New Orleans is still a big ??? which I should not have put them on the list as well.

by SimpleTruth on Aug 1, 2009 1:43 AM PDT up reply actions

For the Blazers...

Rodriguez got shipped out to Sacramento and Webster is a SF.

31 pick Jeff Pendergraph stands to be the backup traditional PF, while Travis Outlaw is the mismatchy small ball 4.

I get the sense that there might be one more deal moving Outlaw.

So you have:

PG: Blake, Miller, Bayless

SG: Roy, Fernandez

SF: Webster, Batum, (Outlaw)

PF: Aldridge, Outlaw, Pendergraph, Cunningham

C: Oden, Przybilla

I like the Blazers’ chances better than Denver. I don’t think Duncan stays healthy and thus see them on top of San Antonio also — and challenging the Lakers.

Team to watch: Oklahoma City.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 31, 2009 5:40 PM PDT reply actions

thank you.. i make mistakes

by SimpleTruth on Aug 1, 2009 1:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Bite your tongue!

the only thing that can ruin their championship aspirations are injuries

Just kidding! Thank you for the breakdown. With the exception of Portland none of those teams have anyone who can guard LO.

I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 31, 2009 6:50 PM PDT reply actions

Celtics?

I’d say that they are still right up there with Orlando and LA in terms of % chance of the ring ….

by nilwnah on Aug 1, 2009 10:01 AM PDT reply actions

Spurs also have ratliff.

Dallas, and Boston really should be up there instead of NO and UTA

by robi s on Aug 1, 2009 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

Denver has no chance

Portland, Denver, and San Antonio all won 54 games last year.

Portland got Miller for nothing, Portland had 4 rookies, Oden missed 1/4 season and MW missed entire season.
Spurs got Jefferson for a bag of cookies, Spurs saw everyone injured for a while.
Denver has less injuries than an average team and made no improvements this summer.

Denver was a nice surprise team last year, but they aren’t a home court team in the West this year.

Los Angeles Lakers 2009-2010 Western Conference Chumps

by Zaig on Aug 3, 2009 9:45 AM PDT reply actions