Post by Braz on Jan 7, 2024 16:37:00 GMT -8
TC is a very important time for every team, perhaps the most exciting part of the entire season. I took time in this article to look into each western teams roster to see which would players should be watched in TC this year.
Dallas Mavericks- 379 Grant Hill SF 26 6'8'' 225 B+ B- A- B B+ B
Analysis- Hill is 26 and alredy a proven star player who is an elite rebounder at his position. The Mavs had a great run last year and will look to Grant Hill to take the next step in his scoring to push them over the edge. You could argue that Habes is hoping as much for no regression from Miller but it's clear Hill is his guy, untouchable in trades. If Hill gets to A- B he will likely jump to 25 ppg. Hill also could be fringe B+ Defense!
Others to watch- Reggie Miller, Rick Fox, Rik Smits
Golden State Warriors- 637 Latrell Sprewell SF 28 6'5'' 190 A- A- B+ A C+ B
Analysis- Spreewell has been quoted to be the Jordan without the wins. He has incredible letter ratings, perhaps some of the nicest on the file. Spree is 28 and might have one good TC left with B pot. The former Warrior is already an A- A- scorer in a deflated league and shoots 47%. Imagine he gets to A inside or outside or A+ defense. Truth is he just needs his handles to improve since those TOs aint too hot.
Others to watch- Recent near lotto pick Michael Olowokandi
Denver Nuggets- 452 Marcus Camby C 24 6'11'' 220 B- C D+ A- B- A
Analysis- My Nuggets have a lot of youth and this could go a number of ways but some might argue at 24 and still with A pot this is a make or break TC for Camby. Spencer noted he wanted to keep rebounding down in the league and Marcus has felt that pain. He is a good defender but certainly could use some works. I need him to go +3. B inside, B+ boards. I know the latter won't happen but let us pray
Others to watch- Bibby, Billups and Tim Thomas
Houston Rockets- 316 Chris Webber PF 25 6'10'' 245 B+ C+ B+ B- A- A
Analysis- Although the Rocket's missed the playoffs you would say Webber has been one of the most exciting players in the league. At 25 he still has A potential and Marty hopes to see his defense and scoring ability improve. Webber is already doing 21/12/3 stocks but with a few turnovers we want to see him up to 25 ppg to take the league by storm. I could see Webber improve his jump shot as well as inside in this TC. Honestly I expect a huge one from him with the team lacking youth
Other considerations- Hoping Sabonis, Mitch and Stockton can hold one one more year
Minnesota Timberwolves- 119 Vince Carter SF 21 6'6'' 220 B+ C+ C C C A
Analysis- After falling twice in the lotto Tyga manages to get someone he really likes. Some other young guys to watch on this team but man VC could be special. We will be watching how high his outside shot goes and if he images to improve on defense or rebounding this coming sim. Bonus- Stat prediction for VC 24/6/1 steal 2.5 TO
Other considerations- Marbury, Sjax and Tractor Traylor
San Antonio Spurs - 360 Michael Jordan SG 35 6'6'' 198 A- A- B+ A+ C+ C
Analysis- It would be hard to argue against the 36 year old MJ being the best player on the file. He has C pot and is 35. In my opinion he won't really decline much before he retires but I can not see him improving much either. I almost did Jim Mcllvaine since he is 26 and has B pot but Kobe's season hinges on MJ carrying them back to 50 wins
Utah Jazz - 589 Rasheed Wallace PF 24 6'10'' 225 B+ C+ D A- B B
Analysis- I like Sheed a lot and almost went mash here but it's clear Sheed needs some work. Ideally he is fringe B+ rebounding which would give him really sexy ratings but Lumley was heard speaking in depth about Sheeds need to put the ball in the basket more often. he is not great from the line right now and taking alot of 3s at a low clip. Lums is hoping he goes to A- B scoring this season for sure.
Other considerations- A pot Brian Grant and untouchable Mashburn
Memphis Grizzlies- 582 Walter Fizer PF 22 7'0'' 261 B- C D C+ B A
Analysis- Was there really an A pot rookie with B boards who went undrafted? Or was he added in. I have no idea how I did not see him if it was a draft thing. I do not really know what to expect here but an aging team just got an A pot 22 year old for nothing and is hoping to shop him around. Flip side of this is if he really sucks paying the man 7 mil a year will also suck. Worthy risk for a team with no youth, trying to maximize a vet window I'd say.
Other considerations- Old man Drob and Malone. Also LJ who had a great TC last year and still holds B Pot
LA Clippers 187 Maurice Taylor PF 22 6'9'' 260 B+ C C- C+ C B
Analysis- Mo Taylor? Really? Over Nash, Stack and Jay Will? I say yes and that is because you already know what you are getting from both Nash and Stack and both should improve with A pot, where as Mo Taylor is on the cusp of being a wasted first round pick. He can score decent but can't board or stock. He might need to be an SF to be useful, if he is even allowed with a 260 lb frame.
Other considerations- Nash and Stack, J Will as a trade asset
La Lakers- 575 Kobe Bryant SF 20 6'6'' 212 B A- B A- C A
Analysis- I am sure Nanz would love a great TC from 19 year old Shard or for Big Z not to be a bust like he seems but Kobe is the franchise in LA. The question with A grade Kobe is how good? how high? He already did near 30 ppg as a 20 year old and likely will be a B+ A scorer one day, maybe even this year. If Kobe improve on rebounding it's likely over for the western conference wing players.
Other considerations- Shard, Booger and Big Z
Phoenix Suns- 493 Kevin Garnett SF 22 6'11'' 240 B+ C+ C A- A- A
Analysis- The Suns had a good run last season winning alot of games. They have some really solid players who I did not look at too deeply in the creation draft like Gill and Kukoc, however, all eyes are on KG here. KG already has one of the best molds in the league as a 22 year old stud with B+ A- A- ratings as a big. KG managed to put up 19/11/2.7 with low TOs in his second year. With A pot still I could see him jumping to elite status with A- across the big 3 categories and a B- outside shot.
Other considerations- Toni Kukoc
Portland Trailblazers - 1 Peja Stojakovic SF 21 6'10'' 229 B- A- C C+ C- A
Analysis- The first player to join this team, and at a young age is up for a big TC. Broph is now looking to win so that means he really needs Peja to morph into the #1 scoring option he should be. To survive on a Broph team at SF he would ideally also improve to at least C boards. WIth youth and A pot on his side I could see Peja going to B A- C B- C with a solid +3 TC that would make the GM smile
Other considerations- Dame and young player signing Vitaly Potapenko (what a lucky guy to have on MLE which you can extend, I offered him a lower value 3 yr deal.)
Sacramento Kings- 579 Shaquille O'Neal C 26 7'1'' 325 A- D- C A A A
Analysis- Man I feel like Shaq is the top dog on the file, up there with Kobe and MJ but at 26 you can argue hes got what it takes in the present. Am I crazy to suggest with such an aging team his TC is still most important? He has A pot and the sky is the limit. He prob wont ever improve enough on his FT but who cares if hes still doing 25 PPG. If not for Shaq youd pick one of the other old guys because the big fella needs some hlep real bad.
Other considerations- Barkley, Alston
OKC Thunder- 193 Adonal Foyle C 23 6'10'' 250 C D F+ A- C+ B
Analysis- I am going Foyle since it is more likely Break blows it up while taking over the team. If you do that Foyle is the guy you keep since he is young and won't score much. No reason to deal him unless its a package that gets you a better prospect. I like Foyle for his blocks and if he can get to B rebounding in his career he is pretty much Camby. Harpering is also an interesting spec who could have a nice TC.
Other consideration- Eddie Jones or whoever he deals Eddie Jones for
