GM A Team 2010/11 - Writeups & Rankings (GM RANKINGS PG5)

[BarnesTheSavior]

Meh, I didn't do everything I wanted so I'm fine with the position of my team. Took a little while to grasp how the league works.

I will be in the next league and I'll do a better job. Experience, ftw!

[skflives]

3. New York Knicks (21): GREAT size, epically awful PG rotation. Pending picks, solid flexibility.

While I knew my point guard spot would get the most flack I think epically awful is a bit much. Felton is decent. While his ppg and assist numbers were slightly down he shot better, got more steals and cut down his turnovers a bit. And in all fairness considering I needed to sign at least one big max and provide that max player with some help in the front court Felton was the best available option at point at my price range. Tinsley and Head. Yea, well that can't be helped. I was out of cap room and forced to bottom feed from the guys willing to take a one year vet minimum contract for my backup point guard spot and that seriously limited my options. And believe me considering what was out there I think I was lucky to get what I got. In any case Joe Johnson can play some point and I could always use him there and give guys like Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas and eventually Elliot Williams more minutes. But until then Tinsley is a NY boy and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

[CellarDoor]

Felton's not "bad", but he's a pretty below average starting PG. And when his back-ups are who they are, it's a bad situation. I'm not saying you could've done anything differently, just calling it how I see it.

also, I like the word "epically", and I will always do my best to insert it anywhere possible.

[Klomp]

Why do you have three 6s in the future rank?

[GameChannel]

6. Atlanta Hawks (23): Misfit, best player playing out of position. Tons of talent. Salary tied up in non-franchise players.
.

Thanks for the great job CellarDoor. However, I must disagree with my ranking. I think my team is a top-4 team in the east. Tons of talent, depth and flexibility. As for Salary tied up in non-franchise players, we decided to adopt the Detroit model. They never really have a franchise player in the past few years, but were a mighty good team with great fit. I don't get why or what you meant by misfit? also, best player I assume you were referring to Josh Smith? if yes, I am sure a lot of ppl would agree that Smoove is more of a 3 than he is a 4 and 3 is really his natural position. Sure Atlanta has been using him at 4, partly to fit Marvin at the 3 and due to the lack of a proper 4.

[CellarDoor]

Why do you have three 6s in the future rank?

Damnit. Last minute changes got screwed up. Should read:

POR-4
SAC-5
NO-6

Editing now.

[CellarDoor]

6. Atlanta Hawks (23): Misfit, best player playing out of position. Tons of talent. Salary tied up in non-franchise players.
.

Thanks for the great job CellarDoor. However, I must disagree with my ranking. I think my team is a top-4 team in the east. Tons of talent, depth and flexibility. As for Salary tied up in non-franchise players, we decided to adopt the Detroit model. They never really have a franchise player in the past few years, but were a mighty good team with great fit. I don't get why or what you meant by misfit? also, best player I assume you were referring to Josh Smith? if yes, I am sure a lot of ppl would agree that Smoove is more of a 3 than he is a 4 and 3 is really his natural position. Sure Atlanta has been using him at 4, partly to fit Marvin at the 3 and due to the lack of a proper 4.

Smith is a 4. Pretty plain and simple. You remove his defensive impact when you put him at the 3, and he loses a lot of offensive advantages there. You've got a historically bad defensive backcourt, a bad defensive PF (and Charlie V is awful at both positions). Al is a terrific positional defender and if Smoove can manage to roam from the 3, he'll still do his thing. The team has great rebounding in the frontcourt, but too many people need the ball to be effective and still aren't THAT good with it (BG, ZBo, etc)

[GameChannel]

6. Atlanta Hawks (23): Misfit, best player playing out of position. Tons of talent. Salary tied up in non-franchise players.
.

Thanks for the great job CellarDoor. However, I must disagree with my ranking. I think my team is a top-4 team in the east. Tons of talent, depth and flexibility. As for Salary tied up in non-franchise players, we decided to adopt the Detroit model. They never really have a franchise player in the past few years, but were a mighty good team with great fit. I don't get why or what you meant by misfit? also, best player I assume you were referring to Josh Smith? if yes, I am sure a lot of ppl would agree that Smoove is more of a 3 than he is a 4 and 3 is really his natural position. Sure Atlanta has been using him at 4, partly to fit Marvin at the 3 and due to the lack of a proper 4.

Smith is a 4. Pretty plain and simple. You remove his defensive impact when you put him at the 3, and he loses a lot of offensive advantages there. You've got a historically bad defensive backcourt, a bad defensive PF (and Charlie V is awful at both positions). Al is a terrific positional defender and if Smoove can manage to roam from the 3, he'll still do his thing. The team has great rebounding in the frontcourt, but too many people need the ball to be effective and still aren't THAT good with it (BG, ZBo, etc)

If Smoove is much as 4 as Bargnani is a 5 - which is not saying much. Smoove was never an imposing figure at 4 in terms of his one on one defense. His defensive impact has always been in reading the passing lanes and providing weekside shotblocking. Sure he will give you shotblocking in iso situations as well but that's only when he is matched up against smaller players which will happen when he is playing at 3. Back court is bad defensively when Both Jose and BG are on the floor together, which won't happen for too often as BG will play off the bench. Stuckey is a good defender (at least respectable). But I don't get what makes my team lower than Indiana and Boston. I think I take them down easily on paper and on court. As for too many ppl needing the ball, Jose doesn't not ball dominant, Stuckey is a scorer, Smoove's game is more suited for hustle and open court, Zach is the primary front court scorer and Horford doesn't need the ball to be effective. As for BG and Charlie V, there are reserves for a reason and are instant offense of the bench, so naturally they will need the ball.

I am not arguing, just stating what I feel.

[CellarDoor]

Alright, I'm not going to argue with you on the Smoove thing anymore. As far as BG v. Stuckey etc, your rotation indicates BG in the SL, and you don't have any minutes allocations. I don't feel particularly strongly about Indy I'll admit, but I'm pretty firm on Boston beating your team individually, and I believe they'll get more wins as well. Bear in mind they're in a conference with only NY as a real threat while you're playing Orlando and Miami quite often.

[willbsn13]

I'd just like to say thanks to Lukekarts!! for a fantastic game.
I hope I can be part of the next game, even though my GMing skills were pretty ****.

One question: Are those rankings just your rankings Cellar? Or are they a consensus vote where all the voters come together and talk?

[lukekarts]

I'd just like to say thanks to Lukekarts!! for a fantastic game.
I hope I can be part of the next game, even though my GMing skills were pretty ****.

One question: Are those rankings just your rankings Cellar? Or are they a consensus vote where all the voters come together and talk?

They are just CellarDoor's rankings, we still have 3 more sets to come.

[skflives]

Alright, I'm not going to argue with you on the Smoove thing anymore. As far as BG v. Stuckey etc, your rotation indicates BG in the SL, and you don't have any minutes allocations. I don't feel particularly strongly about Indy I'll admit, but I'm pretty firm on Boston beating your team individually, and I believe they'll get more wins as well. Bear in mind they're in a conference with only NY as a real threat while you're playing Orlando and Miami quite often.

Holla!!!! No one has said that about the Knicks for years so I should win this by default lol.

[Sun Scorched]

Haha, ouch. A comparison to the Nets.

Obviously wasn't my intention!

I think there is much, much more upside than would seem apparent at first glance. And it was my goal to make sure I had no contracts above $10m or heafty long term contracts extending into the abyss.

I think (though this is more of a real life thing) that the teams with long term contracts are going to be hurting under the new CBA.

[lukekarts]

Haha, ouch. A comparison to the Nets.

Obviously wasn't my intention!

I think there is much, much more upside than would seem apparent at first glance. And it was my goal to make sure I had no contracts above $10m or heafty long term contracts extending into the abyss.

I think (though this is more of a real life thing) that the teams with long term contracts are going to be hurting under the new CBA.

I think you did a good job. Phoenix are a tricky team in this game (as I found out last time). Losing Amar'e is painful; whilst Nash and Hill have such little trade value due to age, and despite his expirer, everyone thinks J-Rich is overpaid.

Dragic/Davis is a core I love, and I also think Tyrus Thomas' contract is ok - he would look very productive in Phoenix and did well last season for Charlotte. Having no large contracts whatsoever is a definite plus, especially if you can add Harrison Barnes in 2011, and a max FA in 2012.

[CellarDoor]

Haha, ouch. A comparison to the Nets.

Obviously wasn't my intention!

I think there is much, much more upside than would seem apparent at first glance. And it was my goal to make sure I had no contracts above $10m or heafty long term contracts extending into the abyss.

I think (though this is more of a real life thing) that the teams with long term contracts are going to be hurting under the new CBA.

That's definitely a valid observation. The issue on your end is kind of two fold: first, there's not any sort of potential first option on that team. Now, if Gentry's a good enough coach and some guys continue to develop, you could have a Yao/TMacless Rockets sort of thing going on (not entirely bad, but no viable shot at a title), but otherwise you're forced to either find your stud through the draft or FA. I don't really foresee Melo/CP3/etc coming to Phoenix with that team. Maybe two of em, but will Sarvs pay?

[CellarDoor]

Like Luke mentioned, this is only 25% of the rankings. Part of my intentions of posting mind and drawing out arguments are to give the other judges more to go off of.

[bryant08]

My rankings will likely be done today.

[babyjax13]

CellarDoor, I am curious why you don't like my team as much as a lot of the others (Indiana). Is it just the fact that Arenas is going to be playing a large role on my team? I don't think you have me too far off from where I though I would be in the rankings, I am just curious to know what you think. Also I think people have to keep in mind that I started with a terrible roster and now I have a team that is one of the better ones in the East and it has much more potential than the Pacers in real life do.

Thanks for all of your help!

[bryant08]

Guys, I did some analysis on each team individually, these are in no order whatsoever and I'll post my rankings a little bit later on. I'd rather you debate with me now on some of my points rather than after I've completed my rankings. These are my thoughts on each team that did a writeup, feel free to add me on AIM/MSN and talk to me there if you'd prefer not to post issues here:

Western Conference

Portland Trailblazers
- fantastic frontcourt, defensive anchor
- inexperienced starting PG in Flynn
- Dwight/LMA/Flynn long-term core
- decent bench, Hedo being the major factor
- solid shooters around Dwight, lots of factors offensively

Los Angeles Clippers
- extremely talented overall
- very deep team, great bench
- questions about defense as a whole
- dependent on Biedrins returning to form
- very high salary for a very good team, but title contention is questionable with other talent in the league

Dallas Mavericks
- very well balanced squad overall
- love the frontcourt, with a backcourt that can space the floor
- Got significantly better, many smaller pieces added for the future (Blair, Afflalo, Young, etc.)
- Built around Dirk with 2 significant perimeter scorers, an inside presence and defensive role players (Dampier, Blair, Afflalo, Hinrich)

Memphis Grizzlies
- Singificant amount of talent
- Some nice pieces for the future
- Not a particularly strong team defensively, with a very high payroll as well
- offensively the team will rely on Ellis/West as a combo
- plenty of 2011 1st rounders, but high payroll will see them near the luxury tax if they retain talent (in that sense mixed feelings about ranking in the future category)

Los Angeles Lakers
- Great balance again
- Addition of Billups make this team elite, needs to be utilized properly
- Losing Gasol has made the frontcourt weaker in talent overall, but Nene/Garnett/Frye/Collison is still very deep and capable especially defensively
- Still an extremely solid bench
- Possibly the odds on favourite right now based on the defensive ability and overall talent
- However, I still feel moving Gasol was not a necessary move
- ridiculous payroll (expected), not really well set up for the future

Minnesota Timberwolves
- major additons were Derrick Favors, Eric Gordon and Nicolas Batum
- another solid team well equipped for the future
- not prepared for the present, likely to record a season with less than 30-33 wins
- Future depends a lot on using assets wisely, team will have to function by committee because I don't see a guy who can take over as of yet, but that depends on the development of Rubio/Favors
- AJ/Favors/Batum/Gordon/Rubio has the potential to be the most well-rounded young starting 5 in the competition
- not a lot of money available to spend, but most of the team is signed through 2012-13 if they want them to be at a reasonable dollar figure

Oklahoma City Thunder
- better equipped to win now
- very talented starting 5 with one of the league's best sixth men in Jamison
- payroll increased over $30M
- none of the starters are particularly old, but Kaman/Gasol/Parker are approaching their 30s and how long they can continue to produce at that level is a serious question
- window of opportunity isn't as long as it was previously with the young team growing together
- will get hurt by the fact there are so many solid win now teams, but definitely an extremely competitive squad

Golden State Warriors
- cleared a lot of the glut and focused on a group of talented young players
- Moving Curry for Rose is a very intriuging deal
- team is likely to get torn to shreds right now, McGee/Beasley are weak inside at this time
- big time potential team with Rose/Mayo/Beasley/McGee, how it works out will be very interesting
- but honestly, who gives $2M to Sundiata Gaines??
- max cap space for 2011

Phoenix Suns
- coolest looking roster page
- easily the worst team (talent wise) in the league for this season
- trading Nash should've netted the team a lot more than Ed Davis/1st rounder
- extremely young/rebuilding team with an empty cupboard
- 3 1st rounders in 2011, 7 over the next 4 years
- change of identity, plenty of cap space ($22M)
- Not sure what young players are definite parts of the core (Ed Davis, Barbosa, Dragic, Dudley, TT?)
- not as well off as other rebuilding squads in terms of pieces in place

Denver Nuggets
- moved Billups in a deal to acquire Bynum
- big risk but makes the team better suited for the future
- Earl Clark/Avery Bradley are some nice small additions
- team becomes worse in the present, as the difference between Billups and Lawson is quite large, while the difference between Bynum and Nene really depends a lot on Bynum's health/fit with the team, could even be a downgrade
- Bynum/Melo/Smith/Lawson is just a very solid team moving forward, but is it enough to keep Melo in Denver?

Sacramento Kings
- moved for Russell Westbrook, added Udoh/Thabeet/Yi/SJax
- acquistion of Westbrook really complicates things
- Not sure how a Westbrook/Evans backcourt is going to function
- A team of Thompson/Udoh/Gay/Evans/Collison would have had a much better shot in my eyes
- nonetheless high talent level, I think trading Westbrook for a dominant post player should be looked into, moving Evans to the PG spot
- nice group of young players though, Thabeet/Yi/Udoh/Cook/Westbrook were all added to the mix
- payroll is extremely manageable, can move some pieces to get cap space next season

San Antonio Spurs
- let go of Tony Parker, added Baron Davis/Deng/Ibaka
- the team isn't too much of a deterrence from what they currently have, nice addition in Deng who will fit well with that group
- Baron Davis is going to have to be special for this team to prosper and contend at the moment
- very solid bench, solid defensive frontcourt

New Orleans Hornets
- added two dynamic young big men to work with Chris Paul
- really impressed with the work done here, Gasol/Monroe/Henry/Thornton/Paul could very well be the starting lineup in the future
- major cap space moving forward into 2011 offseason, would definitely be a player for Carmelo Anthony
- nice hustle players in Daly/Varejao/Nocioni/Anderson

Eastern Conference

Washington Wizards
- Wall/Harden/Blatche future core
- very little money locked up long term
- not going to do well in the present
- plenty of room for growth in the future
- great job clearing any long term salary
- maintained draft picks

Indiana Pacers
- took risks in adding Arenas/Maggette to a usually more conservative squad
- Talent level is extremely high, Landry/Granger/Arenas are three extremely capable scorers
- DeRozan/JJ/Landry/Granger/Farmar/Cunningham are the major young pieces moving forward, Arenas could be depending on how he fits the core
- Not convinced Arenas can get accustomed to a new system flawlessly, Granger requires quite a lot of the ball to be effective and making him a more off the ball scorer can limit his abilities
- weak defense at the guard spots, not convinced at the team overall defensively

New Jersey Nets
- frightening amount of young talent on one team
- intimidating frontcourt that could dominate the NBA for years to come if they develop correctly
- not only top level young players, but plenty of guys who project to be solid bench players (Splitter, Orton, Lee, Warren)
- plenty of cap space
- not at all built to win now
- 4/5 starters have yet to play an NBA game so experience is an issue for now, and this team may not be great until 3-4 years from now --> but peaks of players are likely to be at the same time (dynasty potential)

Boston Celtics
- Had to be rebuilt and is a talented/deep young team
- Perkins is a nice complement to Lee/Bargnani, Green/Rush can space the floor and play solid defense
- Team is focused on building around Rondo
- Not much financial flexibility for the future, young core set
- Bargnani/Lee will likely have to spend some time on the floor together which is a concern when they do for any elite defensive team
- Rondo/Rush/Rudy F./Green/Aminu/Lee/Bargnani/Perkins is a crazy deep core for the future

Miami Heat
- struck gold and teamed Wade with an elite big man in Chris Bosh
- nice addition in Nelson for a PG to space the floor, both Battier/Chandler are solid defenders
- Bench is very talented with Duhon/Bell/T-Mac, although weak up front
- Tyson Chandler is very important to the team's success and really isn't the same player he was, if he can concentrate on being a defensive force the team will succeed
- under the luxury tax, very rare for a team of that talent level

Charlotte Bobcats
- Lots of offensive options
- However, team is totally committed salary wise, and the roster lacks defensive ability/balance
- Starting five of JO/Brand/RJ/Butler/Nate Robinson is weak up front (JO/Brand are shadows of them old selves) and Robinson is a not a starter at this level

Atlanta Hawks
- lost Joe Johnson, brought in talent in BG/Randolph
- I believe the team is weak defensively with 3 poor defenders added to the starting lineup
- payroll increased substantially for 2010-11
- Deep bench, nice mix of youth/veterans with the addition of AR/Daye/Stuckey/etc.
- I question who the go-to guy is for the team in the clutch
- many draft picks owing to other teams

Chicago Bulls
- unbelievably well built around LeBron, perfect fits throughout the board
- moved Derrick Rose which is iffy considering what he means to that franchise, but Curry IMO is a better fit
- under $60M in payroll despite extremely high talent level
- still a relatively young team with oldest starter at 27
- bench is thin, Gomes/Azubuike only real threats in my eyes, maybe Craig Smith (but who cares?)
- Fantastic balance for a team with three offensive juggernauts

New York Knicks
- gritty/tough starting lineup I think the city of New York would appreciate quite a bit
- obviously struck out with the major stars, but the starting lineup has excellent balance and two very solid defenders at C/PG
- the team is built around JJ, it'll be very intriuging to see how he rises to the challenge in a huge market with a decent team around him
- very weak bench IMO
- I would've liked to see total salaries here, because I actually think this team has some cap space for 2011 (moving a guy like Chandler for a draft pick could open up ~$10M for the team to address other needs)

Cleveland Cavaliers
- very poor talent level
- max cap space but what big FAs are going to come to Cleveland (not exactly the best city in the world) without major talent already there?
- going to have to overpay some average FAs
- the team was shattered by not being able to keep LeBron
- I guess Vasquez/Anderson/Teague are some players hungry for minutes
- Lots of draft picks could lead the team to success in the future

Toronto Raptors
- traded the potential rebuilding centre piece in Andrea Bargnani, Bosh left and moved another potential piece of the young core in DeRozan
- Some young pieces in Weems/Thad Young/Amir/Jordan Hill
- team that will likely see Miller/Richardson just putting up plenty of shots a night, lots of cap room in 2011
- Toronto is a great city that will likely draw some FAs, but again the 2011 class isn't exactly a deep one
- got rid of long term deals

Philadelphia 76ers
- nice young core in Holiday/Turner/Love
- looks like the team has cap space although I would've like to see total salaries to re-inforce that
- Moving Iguodala and eventually adding Love while subtracting Brand is positive movement as far as I'm concerned
- didn't see the need to move Thaddeus Young for Pittman/White/draft pick, would've been a nice fit with the current squad

Milwaukee Bucks
- solid job building around the core
- Carter is a nice wildcard for this team to take a chance on
- Paul George is going to be part of that young core moving forward
- one of the better jobs in terms of keeping the basic framework of the team in tact
- should be a very exciting young team in the future

[CellarDoor]

CellarDoor, I am curious why you don't like my team as much as a lot of the others (Indiana). Is it just the fact that Arenas is going to be playing a large role on my team? I don't think you have me too far off from where I though I would be in the rankings, I am just curious to know what you think. Also I think people have to keep in mind that I started with a terrible roster and now I have a team that is one of the better ones in the East and it has much more potential than the Pacers in real life do.

Thanks for all of your help!

Re: your last point: absolutely. I haven't done my "how did the GM do" rankings yet.

On the first part, in my opinion Granger has regressed and developed a bad habit of taking bad shots. Is that a product of an awful team? Perhaps. You're also starting Hibbert, which is fine, but he's not a high minute guy (both by conditioning and fouls), so his back-up is playing a pretty prominent role. In general, I find the playmaking lacking, and a reliance on Arenas to be a very bad thing until proven otherwise.