Welcome to the infrequent look
UP the standings, courtesy of the Celtics (who know a thing or two about how it's down there). Due to the nature of visual effects, objects closer to the bottom appear far bigger than those far away atop the rankings.
FACT FILE: bottom dwellers
in case you don't know who they are, here's a quick rundown of what makes them so special:
Well, the bottom dweller teams in these leagues, have
a) no superstar quality players
b) gotten ripped in practically every deal where the only valueable guys (from the "young and full of potential but not quite there yet, but become superstars for a decade the moment we give them away" variety) are taken for soon-to-be-washed-up vets that get us the coveted 5 extra W's and then break down for the season ... and are never the same therafter, averaging backup numbers for the rest of their sorry careers ... unless they get traded to a contender - for an expiring mostly - where they suddenly rejuvenate their broken game and become instantly great contributors again - just what YOU were expecting of them
c) one single winning sim as highlight of the season ... enough to make them believe they finally made the turnaround
d) draft picks that should let them select among the top 10 every season ... but end up picking in the low teens or later as there always is one point of the season where they get offered a great vet (look under b) and trade down the draft pick in addition to the talent they give ... not aware that they could have signed this vet for LLE money half a season later.
Yep, this is who they are.
So let's take a look now who's near and who's far from the bottom:
(remark: I give a shit about how good teams really are. If injuries, too much class to provide a DC, your GF, whatever caused your misery, i don't care. If you're better than your play suggests, prove it, start winning. Otherwise, welcome here ...)
#8 Nuggets (33-49)Their best player is a rookie and they used 5 different starting PGs this season (who COMBINED got 22.6 ass on 12 TOs). The regular rotation averages less then 3 years experience (despite Vlad and Gadz) and it shows. Actually i believe they overachieved all season, and without a 1st rounder the 12mio cap space REALLY has to bring some help ...
Outlook: will be a regular here.#7 Sixers (32-50)This team is led by big man Tanner and a rookie PG (who does a fine job at that) but lacks scoring puch big time anywhere else. Nobody apart from Eddy - who's poor D keeps him off the court for extended minutes - takes more than 10 shots. Combine that with 43% shooting and you, to say it nicely, get a team challanged at scoring.
Outlook: Wiz pick and small cap space must bring help#6 Blazers (31-51)Arguably the most talented squad down here the Blazers had just one big problem: defend. Giving up 104ppg on 46% shooting plus 55 boards isn't cutting it here (a 6'6" PF MIGHT have something to do with that). But don't worry bout this squad, they got talent acrosse the roster and even surprised some top teams lately. But don't bet on a postseason berth next season just yet ...
Outlook: "the future's so bright i gotta wear shades" (no it's even better. With ALL their young stars signed they'll be 14mio below cap too. And they got no pick which means they could REALLY be good)
#5 Lakers (31-51)Oh how the mighty have fallen. Wait, sorry, we're discussing the Lake show here. Bad in the past, bad now. Averaged exactly 31 wins over past 3 seasons (so much for meeting expectations) and this "trend" will drag on. Two guys, neither a proven winner leading the team, take up 62% of their cap - for three more seasons. Wow, now THAT's a deep hole to climb out. Oh yeah, thay play ball too. 92ppg, 49rpg, 43% shooting. Nuff said. Guys, this is a loooooooongterm project ...
Outlook: dark, as in blacknow before we get to the top 4 a quick commercial break ...
