Post by Braz on Jan 27, 2024 12:39:01 GMT -8
Preseason is here and I wanted to take a look at each team in both conferences. I figured I could look at the teams performance and highlight a player which stood out for this article. We will finish with the West.
Dallas Mavericks- Dallas the defending champs took some big risks and come back super strong for year 4. The Duo of Pippen and Hill might be the top in the league for 2 way players. They could use a PG for sure but Habes will figure it out. Out of all the guys here I want to focus on Kendall “Chill” Gill because he just has massive stocks. What other SGs in this league block a full shot a game with 2.3 steals? Interesting player, valuable player. What a guy.
Minnesota Timberwolves- There is a forest fire in Minnesota and the new CO GM has to help figure out this mess. Tbh I have no idea if a DC was inputted but the wolves looked awful. They had a -15 differential and Brand looks unplayable. Sasha Danilovic outshined VC and Matt Maloney out played Bibby. Let’s focus on the fact that once declared bust Tmac is coming around. He put up a solid 20 PPG with good rebounding on good %. I like what I see from Tmac!
Player spotlight: Jamal Mashburn SF 13 35.9 26.2 7.3 3.4 1.8 0.2 1.6 .521 .835 .382
Dallas Mavericks- Dallas the defending champs took some big risks and come back super strong for year 4. The Duo of Pippen and Hill might be the top in the league for 2 way players. They could use a PG for sure but Habes will figure it out. Out of all the guys here I want to focus on Kendall “Chill” Gill because he just has massive stocks. What other SGs in this league block a full shot a game with 2.3 steals? Interesting player, valuable player. What a guy.
Player spotlight: Kendall Gill SG 13 30.0 10.9 5.1 2.5 2.3 1.2 1.6 .467 .917 .391
Denver Nuggets- After years of putrid play we decided to major overhaul and bring in as much talent as possible. For us we made a lot of trades but I was most curious to see Glenn Big Dog Robinson Sim. He was under utilized in Washington prior and was given all his camps which boosted him to B+ inside scoring. I expected more volume but unsure if that is because others took it away. Big Dog put up 20 ppg on 50% from the floor. For a day 2 FA I am happy!
Player spotlight: Glenn Robinson SF 15 30.5 19.8 5.3 2.5 1.7 0.5 2.2 .504 .836 .349
Houston Rockets- Marty is going to rebuild and he has a decision to make if he should keep Chris Webber through tank or move him. Given no CY and how weak this draft could be I would just keep Webber and see if he resigns. Maybe the Rockets can do a quick 2 year retool around Cwebb by getting 2 top 10 picks and cap as assets. Their big issue is they maxed Terrel Brandon. So far a lot of teams need a PG but no one has bitten on TB. Is It the contract? Or is It the TOs. Both
are a bit hairy to me but other then that the man can flat out score and he is under 30 and uncamped. This convinced me to send an offer
Player spotlight: Terrell Brandon PG 7 37.0 31.3 5.3 7.6 2.3 0.1 4.3 .506 .974 .419
Player spotlight: Tracy McGrady SF 12 34.8 20.6 7.8 3.9 1.0 0.3 2.3 .455 .864 .380
San Antonio Spurs- Kobe and the Spurs are battling age but keeping it together. Kobe was able to bring back Minor and acquire the focus of this headliner Cherokee Parks. The 27 year old big must have had 100 pot as he is still an A pot player. Parks simed well for a big with nearly 11 boards and 3.6 stocks with under 1 TO. For now we will ignore MJ shooting 41% for only 20 ppg.
Player spotlight:Cherokee Parks PF 14 32.4 7.5 10.6 1.5 1.4 2.2 0.8 .388 .690 .000
Utah Jazz- After being one of the laughing stocks of the league last year it seems the Jazz are back on track or maybe that is because Hershey played PG? Mash continues to Mash so let’s focus on his 52% output and high rebounding at the 3. He does not turn it over and is looing to follow up an all league effort.
Player spotlight: Jamal Mashburn SF 13 35.9 26.2 7.3 3.4 1.8 0.2 1.6 .521 .835 .382
Memphis Grizzlies- For a moment there I thought PIG was going to rebuild but once Larry came back and he was able to acquire Rick Fox it just made most sense to try to win some games. They are on the hunt for a big man but they finally improved at PG with the signing of Kenny Anderson (who barley played in pre). Larry J put up a dominant 30/10 on 47% and that should make anyone happy.
Player spotlight:Larry Johnson SG 17 36.3 30.3 10.2 1.8 1.1 0.4 2.2 .471 .801 .400
Golden State Warriors- Lot’s of good players here but CC decided to use pre to see what some other guys had in the tank. I think the biggest win was Ceballos showing off 20/8 stat line potential while shooting 46%. CC said this man has camps left. Stud in the making at 30!
Player spotlight:Cedric Ceballos SF 13 27.4 18.2 7.2 2.7 1.0 0.2 1.6 .464 .875 .429
La Clippers- Sad times in one side of LA. Sorry to say but Game has had the roughest tenure of any GM so far. He just finished tanking for Wally and maxed a 20/6 Jerry Stackhouse. Maybe they should hit the explode button. Trade every single player for max value and go from there. Plenty of teams need a PG. What could Nash fetch?! Would be a sick pairing with a guy like Dirk! Nash is putting up 22/10 with sub 1.5 TO. Efficient!
Player spotlight: Steve Nash PG 14 36.1 22.5 3.8 10.5 1.4 0.3 1.3 .474 .850 .391
LA Lakers- The preseason record was not kind but they just added for Drob. That being said let’s actually look past the perfect Kobe Bryant and focus on rookie of the year candidate Manu Ginobili. Manu put up 18/5 with great % and low TOs to start his career. As the natural #2 option in this offense I could see even stronger performance to kick off the year in the right DC. Fun fact. Manu is older than Kobe by a year. Building something special here.
Player spotlight:Manu Ginobili SG 15 29.5 18.1 5.3 2.5 1.0 0.1 1.5 .496 .778 .457
Phoenix Suns- No GM currently, I guess… But this team is ripe for the taking. KG and Toni K are one hell of duo and they have a lot of contract flexibility going into the offseason. For whoever this new GM will be they will be stoked to have KG and will be absolutely hounded with shit offers for him to start their tenure.
Player spotlight:Kevin Garnett PF 12 33.8 19.2 9.7 4.0 0.9 2.2 1.8 .443 .753 .500
Portland Trailblazers- Portland got a few wins out of their system and decided to rebuild once again. This team is a solid DC and a few tweaks from playoffs but I could see Broph lean toward not winning. Al Harrington had a nice pre shooting 49% but for Broph it was his creation pick Peja. He lost a step rating wise but took a step stat wise. We love to see it.
Player spotlight:Peja Stojakovic SF 13 36.8 25.5 5.2 2.8 1.2 0.0 2.9 .475 .857 .413
Sacremento Kings- What were the best offers for Shaq if hes still here? Stool botched this offseason and will flounder a bit. But hey at least he turned Barkley into Shaq’s best running mate yet. Damon put up a great preseason next to the Big Man with 22 points per game on great % with solid steals and overall defense. Stool is happy with his shiny new toy but will have trouble getting other talent in and hes stuck with Fizer.
Player spotlight: Damon Stoudamire PG 8 39.1 22.3 6.0 8.9 2.3 0.3 2.6 .516 .800 .563
OKC Thunder- Break actually has a good team. Is that because Stryo built it or can we give break some credit here. To find an area to praise break lets look at Will Purdue. One of the good offseason signings the B+ B+ big man put up 11 boards and 2.2 blocks in only 26 min. Great starter. Once the DC is set here and Kerr is back starting they could cause some trouble.
Player spotlight: Will Perdue C 12 26.2 6.2 10.4
