GAH progress I: Pacific Division
Feb 12, 2017 9:56:48 GMT
Post by mgtr81 on Feb 12, 2017 9:56:48 GMT
We start a series of weekly reviews about what is happening around the league. It is expected to have an update each weekend, and we start with the Pacific Division. Teams are ordered by current record (as of December 17th, 1993).
1. 15-7
The Blazers are having a great season. May this be the year they finally make it to the Finals? They are in the Top 5 both in field goal percentage and opponent field goal percentage. Five players are scoring in double-figures, led by reserve John Starks: 17.2 points per game in 26.9 minutes, shooting 45.0 % from the field and 34.5 % from three-point range. Their starting backcourt of Darrell Walker and Alvin Robertson combine for 5.4 turnovers forced per game, while Jerome Kersey (15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.1 steals) and Cliff Robinson (11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 blocks) contribute in all areas of the game. They may not have an MVP candidate, but this is a great example of team concept.
2. 13-9
Unlike the Blazers, the Warriors do have an MVP candidate: Patrick Ewing. The 31-year-old center is averaging 21.1 points, 10.9 reobunds, 2.9 blocks and 2.3 assists per game. However, he is not the leading scorer of the team. That is Dana Barros, who is putting up 22.9 points per game to go alongside 7.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals. They form a great one-two punch, and had very solid role players surronding them: Larry Nance, Horace Grant, Detlef Schrempf and Mark Jackson, who after one year riding the bench is now starting at the shooting guard spot. With only three players under contract for next season, is it now or never for the Warriors?
3.14-10
After back-to-back losses in the GAH Finals and an aging roster, some were concerned the Lakers would take a step back this season. While third in the division, Los Angeles is still a very good team. The pure definition of a team, nine players average more than 20 minutes per game. As a result, none of them has spectacular stat lines, but they get the job done. B.J. Armstrong leads the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game, with Walter Davis (15.1) and Doc Rivers (14.1) right behind him. Jack Sikma still averages 12.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists at age 37. This may be the last ride for this veteran squad before hitting a retooling or rebuilding stage. Can Davis avoid becoming the greatest GAH player ever without a title?
4. 13-11
After a hot 13-6 start, five losses in a row have brough the Kings back to Earth. However, the improvement over last season is huge, and the team has a very solid chance of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1991. And the big reason is Shaquille O'Neal. The first overall pick of last June's draft is averaging 25.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game, converting 52.3 % of his field goal attempts. Can he compete for the MVP award as a rookie? There is young talent surrounding O'Neal with Cedric Ceballos, Kenny Anderson and Robert Horry, with veteran Dan Majerle providing guidance. Regardless of how far they get this season, the future seems bright for the Kings.
5.10-12
Time to move on? After being one of the perennial contenders, time is catching up with the Sonics. Larry Bird is 37, and despite averaging 15.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, he is not his old former self anymore. Kevin McHale is also past his prime a age 36. It may be time for Seattle to finally give the keys to Charles Smith (18.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.5 steals) and Drazen Petrovic (17.1 points, 2.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals). Both of them are in his prime and ready to have even a larger role. Will we see a trade before the deadline or will the Sonics wait until the offseason?
6. 10-12
The Grizzlies had a surprising start, but things went down last week when Kevin Willis tore his MCL. The 31-year-old big man was averaging 17.9 points and 11.0 rebounds in his best season in the GAH. Mookie Blaylock (18.8 points, 8.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals) and Scottie Pippen (17.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals) are the leaders of the team, but sophomore shooting guard Paul Graham has been a nice surprise, averaging 17.3 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. The Grizzlies have one of the best perimeter defenses in the GAH, but that may not be enough to make the playoffs.
7.3-21
The Clippers hold the worst record in the league after one and half months of competition. They are 0-12 on the road and the third worst offensive team in the GAH (100.5 points per 100 possessions). They still have time to turn it around, but at this point Clippers fans may be talking more about Grant Hill, Jamal Mashburn or Latrell Sprewell than about the team's current players. Mark Price leads the team with 22.8 points per game, adding also 7.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds, but at age 29 and with the current situation of the team, one has to wonder if he is one of the top candidates to be moved before the trade deadline. The same can be said about Otis Thorpe (14.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists). Not all looks bad in San Diego, though. Former ROY Duane Causwell is averaging 8.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.4 assists.
And that is all for now. We will be back next weekend.
1. 15-7
The Blazers are having a great season. May this be the year they finally make it to the Finals? They are in the Top 5 both in field goal percentage and opponent field goal percentage. Five players are scoring in double-figures, led by reserve John Starks: 17.2 points per game in 26.9 minutes, shooting 45.0 % from the field and 34.5 % from three-point range. Their starting backcourt of Darrell Walker and Alvin Robertson combine for 5.4 turnovers forced per game, while Jerome Kersey (15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.1 steals) and Cliff Robinson (11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 blocks) contribute in all areas of the game. They may not have an MVP candidate, but this is a great example of team concept.
2. 13-9
Unlike the Blazers, the Warriors do have an MVP candidate: Patrick Ewing. The 31-year-old center is averaging 21.1 points, 10.9 reobunds, 2.9 blocks and 2.3 assists per game. However, he is not the leading scorer of the team. That is Dana Barros, who is putting up 22.9 points per game to go alongside 7.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals. They form a great one-two punch, and had very solid role players surronding them: Larry Nance, Horace Grant, Detlef Schrempf and Mark Jackson, who after one year riding the bench is now starting at the shooting guard spot. With only three players under contract for next season, is it now or never for the Warriors?
3.14-10
After back-to-back losses in the GAH Finals and an aging roster, some were concerned the Lakers would take a step back this season. While third in the division, Los Angeles is still a very good team. The pure definition of a team, nine players average more than 20 minutes per game. As a result, none of them has spectacular stat lines, but they get the job done. B.J. Armstrong leads the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game, with Walter Davis (15.1) and Doc Rivers (14.1) right behind him. Jack Sikma still averages 12.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists at age 37. This may be the last ride for this veteran squad before hitting a retooling or rebuilding stage. Can Davis avoid becoming the greatest GAH player ever without a title?
4. 13-11
After a hot 13-6 start, five losses in a row have brough the Kings back to Earth. However, the improvement over last season is huge, and the team has a very solid chance of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1991. And the big reason is Shaquille O'Neal. The first overall pick of last June's draft is averaging 25.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game, converting 52.3 % of his field goal attempts. Can he compete for the MVP award as a rookie? There is young talent surrounding O'Neal with Cedric Ceballos, Kenny Anderson and Robert Horry, with veteran Dan Majerle providing guidance. Regardless of how far they get this season, the future seems bright for the Kings.
5.10-12
Time to move on? After being one of the perennial contenders, time is catching up with the Sonics. Larry Bird is 37, and despite averaging 15.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, he is not his old former self anymore. Kevin McHale is also past his prime a age 36. It may be time for Seattle to finally give the keys to Charles Smith (18.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.5 steals) and Drazen Petrovic (17.1 points, 2.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals). Both of them are in his prime and ready to have even a larger role. Will we see a trade before the deadline or will the Sonics wait until the offseason?
6. 10-12
The Grizzlies had a surprising start, but things went down last week when Kevin Willis tore his MCL. The 31-year-old big man was averaging 17.9 points and 11.0 rebounds in his best season in the GAH. Mookie Blaylock (18.8 points, 8.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals) and Scottie Pippen (17.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals) are the leaders of the team, but sophomore shooting guard Paul Graham has been a nice surprise, averaging 17.3 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. The Grizzlies have one of the best perimeter defenses in the GAH, but that may not be enough to make the playoffs.
7.3-21
The Clippers hold the worst record in the league after one and half months of competition. They are 0-12 on the road and the third worst offensive team in the GAH (100.5 points per 100 possessions). They still have time to turn it around, but at this point Clippers fans may be talking more about Grant Hill, Jamal Mashburn or Latrell Sprewell than about the team's current players. Mark Price leads the team with 22.8 points per game, adding also 7.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds, but at age 29 and with the current situation of the team, one has to wonder if he is one of the top candidates to be moved before the trade deadline. The same can be said about Otis Thorpe (14.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists). Not all looks bad in San Diego, though. Former ROY Duane Causwell is averaging 8.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.4 assists.
And that is all for now. We will be back next weekend.