Sportkop is trying their hand at a roundtable discussion where a couple of writers try to give their separate input on specific topics. In this article, Chengez and Hirsch try to predict which teams get to extend their seasons and which ones will go home early.
NOTE: There may have been some minor differences from when in standings, losing/winning streaks, and stats since this article was written a few days ago. None of these are significant enough to change our stance but it's something to keep in mind. Also be on the lookout for part two of this discussion, where we try to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Charlotte Bobcats
CK: Yes. Charlotte has quietly become one of the better defensive teams in the abysmal Eastern Conference; they are currently tied for the 5th best opponent’s field goal percentage in the league. While they still have a negative point differential and are by no means a good team, Charlotte is decent enough to make the playoffs. A first round exit, however, is almost guaranteed.
HP: Yes. Even though the
Bobcats struggle to put points on the board with only two reliable
scorers (Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker), they have been winning enough
games to have a playoff spot. A lot of that should be credited to their
staggering defense which ranks as the fifth best in the league. They also
acquired guards Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour to improve their shooting
around the perimeter.
Cleveland Cavaliers
CK: No. Making a failed playoff push at this point will only hurt the team. Another lottery pick is the best way to go. The Mike Brown re-hiring has not worked out and their GM was fired midseason after another offseason of questionable moves. Overpaying for Jarret Jack was not a good decision, and Anthony Bennet was certainly not worthy of his number 1 selection. Owner Dan Gilbert has to accept the fact that Lebron James is not walking through that door, and figure out the best direction for this franchise going forward. That direction should also include Kyrie Irving’s input if Gilbert wants him to sign an extension this summer.
HP: No. Their young frontcourt has improved dramatically in the last few weeks as youngsters Anthony Bennett and Tyler Zeller have been receiving more minutes due to Anderson Varejao’s injury. Cleveland also traded for quality big man Spencer Hawes to bolster their partially depleted frontcourt, but I still doubt they will make the playoffs. The team still fails to close out games on a consistent basis and have faced many tough losses because of that. It doesn’t help that both primary shooting guards Dion Waiters and C.J. Miles are injured as well.
Detroit Pistons
CK: No. The Pistons have talent, but the pieces don’t fit together. Josh Smith shouldn’t be playing small forward, but with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe in the front court, that’s where he has to be. His offense isn’t suited for the wing, and it shows when he shoots ugly jump shot after ugly jump shot. Brandon Jennings isn’t a true point guard; he’s just a flashy jump shooter who can get hot on occasion. Detroit’s defense is one of the worst in the league, and they don’t have the offense to provide the counterbalance necessary to compete at a high level.
HP: No. Detroit is only three
and a half games away from the eighth seed but I doubt they will be able
to pull it together and make the playoffs. The team’s makeup is really
unconventional and it’s difficult to find a coach that could make it all
work. It’s hard to keep the Pistons off the boards but that hasn’t
translated into a succeeding defense.
New York Knicks
CK: No. The only reason this team remains in the news is because they reside in New York. Does anyone really think that a team with Raymond Felton, J.R. Smith, and Andrea Bargnani in their starting lineup has a chance to be good? Carmelo Anthony is a bonafide star, but he’s not the kind of player who can elevate the performance of the players around him. He needs help, and the only help he’s currently getting is good defense from center Tyson Chandler and good scoring off the bench from rookie Tim Hardaway Jr.
HP: No. It seems as if every time the Knicks make the news this season it’s for a bad reason. Carmelo Anthony, the only reliable player on this team, may be able to carry this team to some wins but it won’t be enough to push them into the playoffs. I'd mention Center Tyson Chandler as well but he's been battling injuries this entire season.
Memphis Grizzlies
CK: No. Tough call. Couldn’t the Grizzlies play in the Eastern Conference? The fact that Memphis might not make it is absurd. They are definitely deserving. In fact, they would be the 3 seed in the East! Unfortunately, I don’t see Golden State, Dallas, or Phoenix slipping enough for Memphis to sneak past. They have a horrendous record within their division, and they are going to face those same teams again down the stretch. It’s not that I don’t believe in Memphis playing well the rest of the season, as much as I believe the other three will play just as well, if not better. Sorry, Grizzlies.
HP: Yes. The Grizzlies are back to playing the kind of basketball they are most accustomed to. They have played a good chunk of the season without Marc Gasol (who happens to be reigning Defensive Player of the Year) and upon his return, the team’s overall defense improved with smarter rotations and good weakside help defense. Their toughness has been evident in their previous seven games, where their only losses came from the Cleveland Cavaliers (in overtime) and Charlotte Bobcats (which was only a three point game).
Phoenix Suns
CK: Yes. I like the Suns. I was as skeptical as anyone before the season, but new coach Jeff Hornaceck has turned me into a believer. He could very well be the coach of the year, and deservedly so. Phoenix has once again become the home to one of the most forward-thinking offenses, with exceptional floor spacing, freedom to take more three pointers, and an uptempo, fast break style of play. Goran Dragic thrives under the system, and Gerald Green has entirely remade his career. With the dynamic Eric Bledsoe returning to the lineup soon, Phoenix may only get stronger as they hit the home stretch.
HP: No. Because I slated the Grizzlies into making the playoffs, another team has to lose their spot. In this case that is the Phoenix Suns. After a hot start to the season the Suns have looked a little sloppy and are now on a two game losing streak. Unfortunately for them, they’re in the Western Conference which means every game is significant and can alter your standings dramatically. Their frontcourt rebounding is also questionable as Channing Frye often looks lost when he’s asked to box out his matchup.
NOTE: There may have been some minor differences from when in standings, losing/winning streaks, and stats since this article was written a few days ago. None of these are significant enough to change our stance but it's something to keep in mind. Also be on the lookout for part two of this discussion, where we try to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Charlotte Bobcats
CK: Yes. Charlotte has quietly become one of the better defensive teams in the abysmal Eastern Conference; they are currently tied for the 5th best opponent’s field goal percentage in the league. While they still have a negative point differential and are by no means a good team, Charlotte is decent enough to make the playoffs. A first round exit, however, is almost guaranteed.
 |
Al Jefferson is producing at a high level for the Bobcats averaging 21 ppg and 10.5 rpg
|
Cleveland Cavaliers
CK: No. Making a failed playoff push at this point will only hurt the team. Another lottery pick is the best way to go. The Mike Brown re-hiring has not worked out and their GM was fired midseason after another offseason of questionable moves. Overpaying for Jarret Jack was not a good decision, and Anthony Bennet was certainly not worthy of his number 1 selection. Owner Dan Gilbert has to accept the fact that Lebron James is not walking through that door, and figure out the best direction for this franchise going forward. That direction should also include Kyrie Irving’s input if Gilbert wants him to sign an extension this summer.
HP: No. Their young frontcourt has improved dramatically in the last few weeks as youngsters Anthony Bennett and Tyler Zeller have been receiving more minutes due to Anderson Varejao’s injury. Cleveland also traded for quality big man Spencer Hawes to bolster their partially depleted frontcourt, but I still doubt they will make the playoffs. The team still fails to close out games on a consistent basis and have faced many tough losses because of that. It doesn’t help that both primary shooting guards Dion Waiters and C.J. Miles are injured as well.
Detroit Pistons
CK: No. The Pistons have talent, but the pieces don’t fit together. Josh Smith shouldn’t be playing small forward, but with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe in the front court, that’s where he has to be. His offense isn’t suited for the wing, and it shows when he shoots ugly jump shot after ugly jump shot. Brandon Jennings isn’t a true point guard; he’s just a flashy jump shooter who can get hot on occasion. Detroit’s defense is one of the worst in the league, and they don’t have the offense to provide the counterbalance necessary to compete at a high level.
 |
| The Detroit Pistons are a prime example of a talented team who just can't get it together. |
New York Knicks
CK: No. The only reason this team remains in the news is because they reside in New York. Does anyone really think that a team with Raymond Felton, J.R. Smith, and Andrea Bargnani in their starting lineup has a chance to be good? Carmelo Anthony is a bonafide star, but he’s not the kind of player who can elevate the performance of the players around him. He needs help, and the only help he’s currently getting is good defense from center Tyson Chandler and good scoring off the bench from rookie Tim Hardaway Jr.
HP: No. It seems as if every time the Knicks make the news this season it’s for a bad reason. Carmelo Anthony, the only reliable player on this team, may be able to carry this team to some wins but it won’t be enough to push them into the playoffs. I'd mention Center Tyson Chandler as well but he's been battling injuries this entire season.
Memphis Grizzlies
CK: No. Tough call. Couldn’t the Grizzlies play in the Eastern Conference? The fact that Memphis might not make it is absurd. They are definitely deserving. In fact, they would be the 3 seed in the East! Unfortunately, I don’t see Golden State, Dallas, or Phoenix slipping enough for Memphis to sneak past. They have a horrendous record within their division, and they are going to face those same teams again down the stretch. It’s not that I don’t believe in Memphis playing well the rest of the season, as much as I believe the other three will play just as well, if not better. Sorry, Grizzlies.
HP: Yes. The Grizzlies are back to playing the kind of basketball they are most accustomed to. They have played a good chunk of the season without Marc Gasol (who happens to be reigning Defensive Player of the Year) and upon his return, the team’s overall defense improved with smarter rotations and good weakside help defense. Their toughness has been evident in their previous seven games, where their only losses came from the Cleveland Cavaliers (in overtime) and Charlotte Bobcats (which was only a three point game).
Phoenix Suns
CK: Yes. I like the Suns. I was as skeptical as anyone before the season, but new coach Jeff Hornaceck has turned me into a believer. He could very well be the coach of the year, and deservedly so. Phoenix has once again become the home to one of the most forward-thinking offenses, with exceptional floor spacing, freedom to take more three pointers, and an uptempo, fast break style of play. Goran Dragic thrives under the system, and Gerald Green has entirely remade his career. With the dynamic Eric Bledsoe returning to the lineup soon, Phoenix may only get stronger as they hit the home stretch.
HP: No. Because I slated the Grizzlies into making the playoffs, another team has to lose their spot. In this case that is the Phoenix Suns. After a hot start to the season the Suns have looked a little sloppy and are now on a two game losing streak. Unfortunately for them, they’re in the Western Conference which means every game is significant and can alter your standings dramatically. Their frontcourt rebounding is also questionable as Channing Frye often looks lost when he’s asked to box out his matchup.
0 comments:
Post a Comment