Spring '13 GMAT Discussion Thread

[Kinger95]

I understand Lebron isn't surrounded by superstars but he's the best player in the nba,Cleveland went from 60 wins to 20 without him in 1 year that just shows his impact. Kemba is the best pg he's ever played with and the team has some decent vets and a good big in Thompson. It's as good as most Cleveland teams he played for in my opinion

[Blazer50]

AGAIN - I am going on record that these ranking should NOT be posted. Once there out, others will either be swayed by the posted order or simply take the easy way and not rate the whole field base on their own opinions.

Just to error on the side of full disclosure - Bness owns Memphis pick (1-13 Protected) - Surprisingly his ranking:

15) Memphis - Sorry kopopen, but your not gonna like this. Iggy has taken a step back. AV is out for the year, and even wen he's not, hes still never really healthy anyways. Maybe im underrating Pek and Meer a little, but I cant see this team being a force. Still a playoff team none the less.

You can argue that we can all rank in any order we think is appropriate, but some GMs (Bness included) are more vocal and do have more clout in these games. And it is easier to follow a lead than trying to compare 29 teams on a Subjective basis.

[eliasrapp98]

AGAIN - I am going on record that these ranking should NOT be posted. Once there out, others will either be swayed by the posted order or simply take the easy way and not rate the whole field base on their own opinions.

Just to error on the side of full disclosure - Bness owns Memphis pick (1-13 Protected) - Surprisingly his ranking:

15) Memphis - Sorry kopopen, but your not gonna like this. Iggy has taken a step back. AV is out for the year, and even wen he's not, hes still never really healthy anyways. Maybe im underrating Pek and Meer a little, but I cant see this team being a force. Still a playoff team none the less.

You can argue that we can all rank in any order we think is appropriate, but some GMs (Bness included) are more vocal and do have more clout in these games. And it is easier to follow a lead than trying to compare 29 teams on a Subjective basis.

#15 for MEM is too low not too high. I think they're top 10 so that's a bad example, but I get your point.

[RiotPunch]

AGAIN - I am going on record that these ranking should NOT be posted. Once there out, others will either be swayed by the posted order or simply take the easy way and not rate the whole field base on their own opinions.

You can argue that we can all rank in any order we think is appropriate, but some GMs (Bness included) are more vocal and do have more clout in these games. And it is easier to follow a lead than trying to compare 29 teams on a Subjective basis.

I actually agree with Scott on this one. Never underestimate the naivety and laziness of some people. It is very simple to, say, copy and paste someone else's rankings and just scatter around a few teams than it is to actually take a look at each team and form your own opinions about them. I think you get better honesty when emailing rankings rather than posting them.

[Karmaloop]

Here's my rankings.

1.) Wolves – Take the current Spurs team, and then put Tayshaun Prince and Kevin Love on the team and you’ve got one of the best teams. Depth issues though.
2.) Thunder – Probably on par with the current Thunder team, might have taken a step back in terms of depth though. Still should make a deep run.
3.) Bucks – If Nash can stay healthy, this is a championship caliber team but that’s a huge question mark. Overall, great job thus far.
4.) Clippers – A healthy Derrick Rose would have put them at #1 for me.
5.) Blazers – Jennings/George/LMA/Noah is going to win quite a few games.
6.) Nets – Just as dysfunctional as the current Nets team, but probably more talented.
7.) Kings – I’m probably higher on this team than most, but that’s a pretty good line up. ‘Melo is one of the best players in the game, and Garnett brings a ton of defense.
8.) Bobcats – the LOLcats are no longer the LOLcats, as this team probably make the playoffs. Depth could be a concern.
9.) 76ers – With a healthy Andrew Bynum, this team is much, much better but he’s out for the year. Makes the playoff, but not very deep run.
10.) Cavaliers – I see ball issues and spacing issues, which doesn’t bode well for their offense. Both Lawson and Mayo need the ball in their hands to be effective.
11.) Grizzlies – Same issues I have with the Wizards, as I think this is a similar team to what the Nuggets rolled out in real life.
12.) Wizards – Worry about spacing with this team, but should easily be in the playoffs.
13.) Bulls – Spacing seems to be an issue for all teams, and that probably is the case with the Bulls as well.
14.) Pistons – Should make the playoffs, but not great fits with each other. Spacing is going to become an issue sooner rather than later.
15.) Heat – Nowhere to go but backwards with the Heat, but I think the Heat held onto the wrong guy in Chris Bosh.
16.) Rockets – Want to rank this team higher because of LeBron, but these are really, really poor fits. Not nearly enough shooting around him.
17.) Knicks – Dysfunctional is the name of the game. Putting Tyreke Evans with Amare sounds like a nightmare to me.
18.) Suns – Interesting mix of youth and veterans, but just not sure there is the PG play to get it done and no go-to guy.
19.) Spurs – This team is going to make the playoffs, but it’s best years are clearly ahead of them.
20.) Pacers – You’ve got James Harden and a ton of depth. Where’s that second star? David West isn’t it.
21.) Hawks – Probably could sneak into the playoffs, but more of a team that narrowly misses the lottery.
22.) Warriors – Questionable fits as they look like they want to run, but then they’ve got guys like Kendrick Perkins and Michael Beasley who are more half-court oriented.
23.) Hornets – I probably like this team a bit more than most. Think the Hill/Henderson/Davis core surprises a few people. Depth is a major issue though.
24.) Raptors – Interesting mix of youth and veteran could surprise teams, but ultimately not a playoff team.
25.) Lakers – Irving/Waiters will win a few games for them, and then enough talent to take a few games by surprise.
26.) Mavericks – This team is going to struggle to score. Brandon Knight isn’t very efficient (career 3.9/2.2 AST/TO ratio), and spacing is going to be an issue when Anthony Morrow isn’t on the court. Not to mention, Dirk doesn’t look like the same player as before.
27.) Celtics – Dwight will luck his way into a few wins.
28.) Jazz – Not sure where BI was going with this one, probably would have been better sitting on the Beal/MKG/Favors core and moving forward with that one.
29.) Magic – No disrespect to stern, but he started with a crap hand. Some nice pieces to ork with moving forward.

[Karmaloop]

AGAIN - I am going on record that these ranking should NOT be posted. Once there out, others will either be swayed by the posted order or simply take the easy way and not rate the whole field base on their own opinions.

I actually kinda find them important. Gives me another perspective that I might not have seen before. LIS, it's up to the individual to do it. I'm not making it mandatory for these rankings to be posted.

[The J Rocka]

Just from the Mavs POV,

Brandon Knight + Calderon + M. James >>> M. James (playing starting min) + Collison. Also, the defense that Marion brought was replicated with T. Allen. Not having Mayo may have scared people away but having Dirk, Carter, and 3 pt shooting off the bench will still get it done. C depth definitely a weakness. Won't argue that losing Kaman and not gaining anything at C hurt but Brandan Wright has been getting it done starting (9 pts, 6 reb, 2.2 blk in the last 5 games averaging around 23 min per game with 21 PER) when Kaman was missing. His PER 36 numbers (17 pts, 8 reb, 2.2 blk). I don't think I deserve to make the Playoffs but this team definitely isn't one of the top 5 worst teams.

[Koponen]

AGAIN - I am going on record that these ranking should NOT be posted. Once there out, others will either be swayed by the posted order or simply take the easy way and not rate the whole field base on their own opinions.

This. I know for me, who already sent in rankings yesterday, I'm finding myself second guessing some of my decisions based on the overall opinion of those who have shared their rankings. I get why it's cool to see them, but I wish it was AFTER everyone emailed them.

[Karmaloop]

Just from the Mavs POV,

Brandon Knight + Calderon + M. James >>> M. James (playing starting min) + Collison. Also, the defense that Marion brought was replicated with T. Allen. Not having Mayo may have scared people away but having Dirk, Carter, and 3 pt shooting off the bench will still get it done. C depth definitely a weakness. Won't argue that losing Kaman and not gaining anything at C hurt but Brandan Wright has been getting it done starting (9 pts, 6 reb, 2.2 blk in the last 5 games averaging around 23 min per game with 21 PER) when Kaman was missing. His PER 36 numbers (17 pts, 8 reb, 2.2 blk). I don't think I deserve to make the Playoffs but this team definitely isn't one of the top 5 worst teams.

I'll go ahead and respond since I ranked you in the bottom 5.

Yes, on paper you improve your PG rotation with better names but in the scheme of your offense Dirk is really the only player who really opens up spacing, maybe Vince Carter. I'm assuming you put Knight as your starting PG, which means you're wanting him to play the majority of the minutes. I've already said he's still growing in terms of his PG skills, so there is going to be natural learning pains. Calderon is an improvement, but I think of his play more from his Toronto days then his limited time with Detroit.

Tony Allen will get after it defensively, but offensively what does he provide? He's not a great 3 point threat, and he's not a great ball handler so he's really not too terribly effective on the offensive end. Morrow is a nice player to bring off the bench to add spacing, but he's going to get killed on the defensive end. If you could somehow combine Morrow and Allen.

Vince Carter is on his last legs. One of the most exciting players to see when he was younger, he's become terribly inefficient. Not to mention, he isn't all over the boards like he used to. Nice veteran presence to have on the bench, but as you starting SF? I question that. Dorrell Wright is a nice guy to come off the bench, but anything but an impact player.

Dirk is Dirk, but he doesn't look like himself this year. Not sure if there is an injury issue still bothering him, or if it's the game last night that really changed my opinion of him. He's in the middle of one of his worst seasons as a pro. And Brandan Wright is not a starting center. I'm not real high on Chris Kaman, but Kaman is an upgrade over Wright.

No second impact player, no significant role players, and no real young budding players that could help the Mavericks surprise a few people is why I docked them. It's essentially Knight/Allen/Dirk with a few other nice pieces.

[sterncohen]

Here's my rankings.

29.) Magic – No disrespect to stern, but he started with a crap hand. Some nice pieces to ork with moving forward.

Believe me, none taken. Pick up some pieces to help with the future while staying terrible enough to have a good shot at the #1 pick was the strategy. Keep those low rankings coming.

[eliasrapp98]

Here's my rankings.

1.) Wolves – Take the current Spurs team, and then put Tayshaun Prince and Kevin Love on the team and you’ve got one of the best teams. Depth issues though.
2.) Thunder – Probably on par with the current Thunder team, might have taken a step back in terms of depth though. Still should make a deep run.
3.) Bucks – If Nash can stay healthy, this is a championship caliber team but that’s a huge question mark. Overall, great job thus far.
4.) Clippers – A healthy Derrick Rose would have put them at #1 for me.
5.) Blazers – Jennings/George/LMA/Noah is going to win quite a few games.
6.) Nets – Just as dysfunctional as the current Nets team, but probably more talented.
7.) Kings – I’m probably higher on this team than most, but that’s a pretty good line up. ‘Melo is one of the best players in the game, and Garnett brings a ton of defense.
8.) Bobcats – the LOLcats are no longer the LOLcats, as this team probably make the playoffs. Depth could be a concern.
9.) 76ers – With a healthy Andrew Bynum, this team is much, much better but he’s out for the year. Makes the playoff, but not very deep run.
10.) Cavaliers – I see ball issues and spacing issues, which doesn’t bode well for their offense. Both Lawson and Mayo need the ball in their hands to be effective.
11.) Grizzlies – Same issues I have with the Wizards, as I think this is a similar team to what the Nuggets rolled out in real life.
12.) Wizards – Worry about spacing with this team, but should easily be in the playoffs.
13.) Bulls – Spacing seems to be an issue for all teams, and that probably is the case with the Bulls as well.
14.) Pistons – Should make the playoffs, but not great fits with each other. Spacing is going to become an issue sooner rather than later.
15.) Heat – Nowhere to go but backwards with the Heat, but I think the Heat held onto the wrong guy in Chris Bosh.
16.) Rockets – Want to rank this team higher because of LeBron, but these are really, really poor fits. Not nearly enough shooting around him.
17.) Knicks – Dysfunctional is the name of the game. Putting Tyreke Evans with Amare sounds like a nightmare to me.
18.) Suns – Interesting mix of youth and veterans, but just not sure there is the PG play to get it done and no go-to guy.
19.) Spurs – This team is going to make the playoffs, but it’s best years are clearly ahead of them.
20.) Pacers – You’ve got James Harden and a ton of depth. Where’s that second star? David West isn’t it.
21.) Hawks – Probably could sneak into the playoffs, but more of a team that narrowly misses the lottery.
22.) Warriors – Questionable fits as they look like they want to run, but then they’ve got guys like Kendrick Perkins and Michael Beasley who are more half-court oriented.
23.) Hornets – I probably like this team a bit more than most. Think the Hill/Henderson/Davis core surprises a few people. Depth is a major issue though.
24.) Raptors – Interesting mix of youth and veteran could surprise teams, but ultimately not a playoff team.
25.) Lakers – Irving/Waiters will win a few games for them, and then enough talent to take a few games by surprise.
26.) Mavericks – This team is going to struggle to score. Brandon Knight isn’t very efficient (career 3.9/2.2 AST/TO ratio), and spacing is going to be an issue when Anthony Morrow isn’t on the court. Not to mention, Dirk doesn’t look like the same player as before.
27.) Celtics – Dwight will luck his way into a few wins.
28.) Jazz – Not sure where BI was going with this one, probably would have been better sitting on the Beal/MKG/Favors core and moving forward with that one.
29.) Magic – No disrespect to stern, but he started with a crap hand. Some nice pieces to ork with moving forward.

How am I (CLE) behind the Bynum-less Sixers???

Holiday>Lawson and that's about it. I am better at every other position by far!

[oakleyscarwash]

I like seeing everybody's rankings, so I figured I should share mine.

MIN - The most amazing part of this team is the fact that Luke put this ish together within the first day of trading.
OKC - As others stated, I think this team was better off as it was, but still a contender. Second because of the lack of superteams.
SAS - Might be ranking them a little high, but I think the young guns and depth on this team can get it done in the western conference.
LAC - Was going to put you first until I remembered Rose was out. Will be a powerhouse next season.
CHI - I really like this team. Great defense, depth, and Paul has lots of toys to set-up and pass the rock to. Might not go all the way in the playoffs due to a lack of a second star, but has potential do dominate the regular season.
MIL - If healthy this team is ridiculous. Big question mark with injury prone players (Nash, Wade, Granger, Pau).
MEM - Really nice well-rounded team. Great depth, so AV's absence shouldn't be as big of a deal as people are making it.
CLE - Right on pace with Denver this year. Downgrade at SG and SF, big upgrade at C.
CHA - Nice young team that can easily have a successful regular season.
PDX - Would have ranked you higher if you had better depth. Beastly front court.
MIA - Thought this team was better off keeping Harden and a true C. Still has some ridiculous depth.
SAC - Melo and Garnett is a great tandem, but your other pieces are injury prone and not on the same level as some of your competition. Melo alone can go off for 50 any given night (see 4/2/13 vs. Miami) so the team will always contend on some level.
WAS - Really like your guards and wings. However, the team will have some trouble with interior defense if Dalembert doesn't hold up.
NYK - Thought you were better off holding onto Ibaka and Evans has question marks surrounding his start at SF. Still, Cousins (if focused), a semi-healthy Amare, great wing depth and Dragic should keep this team around .500.
ATL - Pretty much the same team but with a more defensive focus down low.
IND - Huge upgrade at the 2 with Harden, but losing Hibbert, George, and Paul for lesser players will hurt, atleast this first season.
HOU - Lebron, and that's about it. Didn't feel comfortable ranking you higher due to a lack of supporting players.
BKN - Lack of a true starting PG will hurt this team and will make it more difficult for these players to come together.
UTA - Lack of a ballhandler/true PG hurts you. I'm not sure Avery Bradley will work well as the starting PG all year. Partially biased because I think Kanter is a beast that needs to be unleashed.
PHX - A lack of post scoring from Ibaka/Sanders, but overall a much better team/pieces than you started with. Big man depth might hurt you. This is a team that I could see having a turmoil filled first half and than surges towards the end of the season.
DEN - Good going forward. This season will be rocky with Bogut being in an dout of the lineup and a weak SF position.
GSW - Though I like the addition of Smoove, I thought you downgraded in other areas hurting your ranking.
PHI - Obviously Bynum out hurts you this year. Also, I think Thad's tweener status is going to make it hard to utilize both him and Millsap. Really like the addition of Shved. Definitely a playoff team if Bynum was playing.
DAL - I like what you've done with some of this team, but you will get abused down low.
LAL - Should be a good team going forward, but for this year Kyrie, Waiters, & Hickson ain't gonna get it done.
BOS - Dwight is always good for a few wins, even with scrubs like these.
TOR - Great PG depth, but that's it. Gay's late season injuries hurt you, as did your lack of SF depth. I don't think Ray Allen will be as effective without other superstars around.
NOH - I think swapping Gordon for Henderson hurts you as you need offense, and Gordon is the better player for that. Also, a lack of another quality big will hurt you. Hill is nothing more than a back-up.
ORL - You can't teach a turtle to run fast, and you sure as hell can't teach scrubs to win games. Good luck in the draft!

Goes without saying that these rankings are just that...rankings. Please don't take these seriously by any means.

[Blazer50]

AGAIN - I am going on record that these ranking should NOT be posted. Once there out, others will either be swayed by the posted order or simply take the easy way and not rate the whole field base on their own opinions.

. . . . And it is easier to follow a lead than trying to compare 29 teams on a Subjective basis.

#15 for MEM is too low not too high. I think they're top 10 so that's a bad example, but I get your point.

The point is the Bias is out there - and the other "benefit" of posting the rankings is that it helps create dissention among the GMs who feel they are not being given a fair ranking. That's not great for the game. I continue to feel there is more down side to public postings than upside.

By the way - I would have kept LeBron as well, but I cannot disagree with the rankings given the best player in the NBA was moved. But the GM who moved DWade and Lebron was run out of the game in this discussion thread. I did, however, like the team I took over very much - he got good value for his moves.
Trading Harden was partly a Homer move and a salary consideration to shore up 2 postions and I remain solid at SG.

[bringbackhoffa]

Really want to do my ranking but I am beyond hungover and feel like shiiiuuit, i will do them later today and post even if they don't count towards calculating Draft order

[RR9]

Here's my rankings.


13.) Bulls – Spacing seems to be an issue for all teams, and that probably is the case with the Bulls as well.

CP3, Afflalo, Wes, Green, Battier can all knock down the 3 efficiently....no?!?! there are few 3 pt shooters in this game more efficient than these guys. spacing?!?!? nene, gortat, and okafor playing downlow....

idk why people don't value depth in this game. it's why the nuggets, spurs, pacers, and bulls (in RL) are doing as well as they are.

PS, I emailed my rankings to orangeparka as requested. not reposting here.

[HornetJail]

Really want to do my ranking but I am beyond hungover and feel like shiiiuuit, i will do them later today and post even if they don't count towards calculating Draft order

Due tomorrow right?

Starting mine now anyway.

[eliasrapp98]

I like seeing everybody's rankings, so I figured I should share mine.

MIN - The most amazing part of this team is the fact that Luke put this ish together within the first day of trading.
OKC - As others stated, I think this team was better off as it was, but still a contender. Second because of the lack of superteams.
SAS - Might be ranking them a little high, but I think the young guns and depth on this team can get it done in the western conference.
LAC - Was going to put you first until I remembered Rose was out. Will be a powerhouse next season.
CHI - I really like this team. Great defense, depth, and Paul has lots of toys to set-up and pass the rock to. Might not go all the way in the playoffs due to a lack of a second star, but has potential do dominate the regular season.
MIL - If healthy this team is ridiculous. Big question mark with injury prone players (Nash, Wade, Granger, Pau).
MEM - Really nice well-rounded team. Great depth, so AV's absence shouldn't be as big of a deal as people are making it.
CLE - Right on pace with Denver this year. Downgrade at SG and SF, big upgrade at C.
CHA - Nice young team that can easily have a successful regular season.
PDX - Would have ranked you higher if you had better depth. Beastly front court.
MIA - Thought this team was better off keeping Harden and a true C. Still has some ridiculous depth.
SAC - Melo and Garnett is a great tandem, but your other pieces are injury prone and not on the same level as some of your competition. Melo alone can go off for 50 any given night (see 4/2/13 vs. Miami) so the team will always contend on some level.
WAS - Really like your guards and wings. However, the team will have some trouble with interior defense if Dalembert doesn't hold up.
NYK - Thought you were better off holding onto Ibaka and Evans has question marks surrounding his start at SF. Still, Cousins (if focused), a semi-healthy Amare, great wing depth and Dragic should keep this team around .500.
ATL - Pretty much the same team but with a more defensive focus down low.
IND - Huge upgrade at the 2 with Harden, but losing Hibbert, George, and Paul for lesser players will hurt, atleast this first season.
HOU - Lebron, and that's about it. Didn't feel comfortable ranking you higher due to a lack of supporting players.
BKN - Lack of a true starting PG will hurt this team and will make it more difficult for these players to come together.
UTA - Lack of a ballhandler/true PG hurts you. I'm not sure Avery Bradley will work well as the starting PG all year. Partially biased because I think Kanter is a beast that needs to be unleashed.
PHX - A lack of post scoring from Ibaka/Sanders, but overall a much better team/pieces than you started with. Big man depth might hurt you. This is a team that I could see having a turmoil filled first half and than surges towards the end of the season.
DEN - Good going forward. This season will be rocky with Bogut being in an dout of the lineup and a weak SF position.
GSW - Though I like the addition of Smoove, I thought you downgraded in other areas hurting your ranking.
PHI - Obviously Bynum out hurts you this year. Also, I think Thad's tweener status is going to make it hard to utilize both him and Millsap. Really like the addition of Shved. Definitely a playoff team if Bynum was playing.
DAL - I like what you've done with some of this team, but you will get abused down low.
LAL - Should be a good team going forward, but for this year Kyrie, Waiters, & Hickson ain't gonna get it done.
BOS - Dwight is always good for a few wins, even with scrubs like these.
TOR - Great PG depth, but that's it. Gay's late season injuries hurt you, as did your lack of SF depth. I don't think Ray Allen will be as effective without other superstars around.
NOH - I think swapping Gordon for Henderson hurts you as you need offense, and Gordon is the better player for that. Also, a lack of another quality big will hurt you. Hill is nothing more than a back-up.
ORL - You can't teach a turtle to run fast, and you sure as hell can't teach scrubs to win games. Good luck in the draft!

Goes without saying that these rankings are just that...rankings. Please don't take these seriously by any means.

CLE here. Waiters to Mayo and Crawford is a downgrade?

[ak7]

I find it hilariously funny that some of the people ranking Philadelphia high, I have on record stating their players aren't that good, and without Bynum (who I have people on record saying is deadweight), the 76ers are lotto.

Alterior motives maybe?? I'm sure they will be the ones to try and max Bynum in a week lololol

[Kinger95]

I guess we all think that we have done a good job but its nice to see opinions and find out what other people honestly think

[The J Rocka]

Just from the Mavs POV,

Brandon Knight + Calderon + M. James >>> M. James (playing starting min) + Collison. Also, the defense that Marion brought was replicated with T. Allen. Not having Mayo may have scared people away but having Dirk, Carter, and 3 pt shooting off the bench will still get it done. C depth definitely a weakness. Won't argue that losing Kaman and not gaining anything at C hurt but Brandan Wright has been getting it done starting (9 pts, 6 reb, 2.2 blk in the last 5 games averaging around 23 min per game with 21 PER) when Kaman was missing. His PER 36 numbers (17 pts, 8 reb, 2.2 blk). I don't think I deserve to make the Playoffs but this team definitely isn't one of the top 5 worst teams.

I'll go ahead and respond since I ranked you in the bottom 5.

Yes, on paper you improve your PG rotation with better names but in the scheme of your offense Dirk is really the only player who really opens up spacing, maybe Vince Carter. I'm assuming you put Knight as your starting PG, which means you're wanting him to play the majority of the minutes. I've already said he's still growing in terms of his PG skills, so there is going to be natural learning pains. Calderon is an improvement, but I think of his play more from his Toronto days then his limited time with Detroit.

Tony Allen will get after it defensively, but offensively what does he provide? He's not a great 3 point threat, and he's not a great ball handler so he's really not too terribly effective on the offensive end. Morrow is a nice player to bring off the bench to add spacing, but he's going to get killed on the defensive end. If you could somehow combine Morrow and Allen.

Vince Carter is on his last legs. One of the most exciting players to see when he was younger, he's become terribly inefficient. Not to mention, he isn't all over the boards like he used to. Nice veteran presence to have on the bench, but as you starting SF? I question that. Dorrell Wright is a nice guy to come off the bench, but anything but an impact player.

Dirk is Dirk, but he doesn't look like himself this year. Not sure if there is an injury issue still bothering him, or if it's the game last night that really changed my opinion of him. He's in the middle of one of his worst seasons as a pro. And Brandan Wright is not a starting center. I'm not real high on Chris Kaman, but Kaman is an upgrade over Wright.

No second impact player, no significant role players, and no real young budding players that could help the Mavericks surprise a few people is why I docked them. It's essentially Knight/Allen/Dirk with a few other nice pieces.

I agree C is weak, as I mentioned. Wright is better suited off the bench but he's certainly built his reputation up and has improved in the last year. Carter is aging but he's still been very solid for the Mavs and can still create and hit big shots. As for rebounding, he's putting up just under 4 per game. I don't see that being that big of an issue. If my team is lacking, a few adjustments like putting in Brand can be done. I agree my front-court still needs some work.

I think mixing & matching some starters/bench players is play a big factor as well. Allen matched with Morrow, Carter, or D. Wright is still balanced. Brand is still playing solid as well. Calderon/Morrow/Allen/Dirk/Brand combination is just one of many examples.

Calderon is playing great in Detroit. He's been knocking down some 3s as well this year. I think his production is being overlooked. He can still get players the ball. I can't think of a better vet PG to have on the team.

Knight has definitely had his struggles shooting outside but his role on the Mavs will be different than it is on the Pistons. He'll be taking less shots and providing some much needed defense. I'm not going to have him playing +30 mpg every night either.

Dirk has been a bit slower but he's still carrying the team. His 4th quarter performance last night was the real reason they lost but a few nights before he was looking like vintage Dirk. I don't think a player of his caliber (even in 2013) is going to allow his team to be in the bottom 5. Definitely not arguing missing the playoffs but 19-24 is more realistic than 25-30, IMO.

At the end of the day, I'm not making the playoffs, so I guess it's not a big deal. Just wanted to voice my opinion.