GAH progress II: Midwest Division
Feb 19, 2017 15:54:51 GMT
Post by mgtr81 on Feb 19, 2017 15:54:51 GMT
We continue with our series of weekly reviews about what is happening around the league. This weekend we take a look at the Midwest Division. Teams are ordered by current record (as of January 6th, 1994).
1. 20-12
The Spurs are leading the division after switching to a more defensive approach this season. However, Ralph Sampson will miss the rest of the season with a torn MCL. The 33-year-old center was having his finest season, averaging 18.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. The Spurs are very deep in the frontcourt, and both Terry Mills (17.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists) and Chris Gatling (12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists) are having very good seasons. Offseason acquisition Melvin Turpin will have to step up in Sampson's absence, though. The summer additions of rookie Bruce Bowen and free agent Lester Conner have strengthen the team's defense, ranking third in opponent's field goal percentage. Whether or not they can keep going without Sampson remains to be seen, but so far San Antonio's season is a success.
2. 20-14
The perennial contenders are here again after a slow start. With basically the same roster that made it to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Nuggets are spreading minutes with seven players playing more than 20 minutes per game and no one playing 36 minutes or more. Rik Smits, who missed last year's playoffs with a torn ACL, is leading the team with 20.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 assists per contest. Bernard King, at age 36, is still putting up 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Monitoring the minutes of the three-time GAH champion could be the key to the team's championship hopes. Rony Seikaly and Jeff Hornacek are also key pieces for the Nuggets. Can they become the first GAH franchise to win a fourth championship?
3. 18-16
The Suns were having a great season, but with both Karl Malone and John Williams on the sidelines, they have dropped six games in a row. Malone, who was having his best season, will come back this week. That should help the Suns to bounce back. Eric Murdock is establishing himself as one of the best young players in the league, averaging 17.7 points, 6.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals, and recorded his first career triple-double against the Warriors a few days ago. Alongside Jaren Jackson forms one of the best defensive backcourts in the league, and that will be key in Phoenix playoff chances.
4. 13-21
The Jazz started the season with a 6-4 record and New Orleans fans were hoping that would finally be the season their team could return to the postseason. A 7-17 run after that, coupled with a lack of support, has started rumours of a potential move of the franchise. Rookie Allan Houston is leading the team with 20.6 points per game, to go alongside 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while sophomore Alonzo Mourning is averaging 15.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.5 assists. The offseason acquisition of 34-year-old Magic Johnson has not elevated the team's play as expected. These Jazz may still be too young to make some noise, but they have talent. They are rumoured to be working the phones on the trade market, so we will see how the season evolves for the Jazz.
5. 10-22
It is not easy to establish an identity as an expansion franchise, and the Timberwolves are just in their second season in the GAH. They have some valuable pieces but a lot of work is yet to be done. Rookie Nick Van Exel is leading the team with 20.8 points, 7.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game with seven other players scoring more than 10 points per contest. After barely playing during his rookie campaign, sophomore Tom Gugliotta is averaging 12.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He and Van Exel can be a solid foundation, but the right pieces need to be added.
6. 10-24
The 10-24 Mavericks are lead by two veterans on expiring contracts: Dominique Wilkins and Isiah Thomas. That probably mean that the franchise is going through a rebuilding process very soon. Ironically, Wilkins is having his best season as a pro, averaging 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals, with Thomas also delivering one of his finest performances (18.7 points, 6.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds). Both could certainly help a playoff team looking to take the next step.
7. 10-24
The once mighty Rockets have a nice core of young players in the early stages of their pro careers, but that talent is not translating into wins. Unexpectedly, defensive specialist Stacey Augmon is leading the team in scoring with 18.0 points per game, adding also 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Rookie Larry Johnson is giving a good impression, with Greg Anthony and Elden Campbell also showing signs of a bright future in the league. A good pick in the upcoming draft should help the Rockets to be back on track next season.
That is all for this week. We will be back next weekend to bring you more information on the GAH.
1. 20-12
The Spurs are leading the division after switching to a more defensive approach this season. However, Ralph Sampson will miss the rest of the season with a torn MCL. The 33-year-old center was having his finest season, averaging 18.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. The Spurs are very deep in the frontcourt, and both Terry Mills (17.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists) and Chris Gatling (12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists) are having very good seasons. Offseason acquisition Melvin Turpin will have to step up in Sampson's absence, though. The summer additions of rookie Bruce Bowen and free agent Lester Conner have strengthen the team's defense, ranking third in opponent's field goal percentage. Whether or not they can keep going without Sampson remains to be seen, but so far San Antonio's season is a success.
2. 20-14
The perennial contenders are here again after a slow start. With basically the same roster that made it to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Nuggets are spreading minutes with seven players playing more than 20 minutes per game and no one playing 36 minutes or more. Rik Smits, who missed last year's playoffs with a torn ACL, is leading the team with 20.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 assists per contest. Bernard King, at age 36, is still putting up 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Monitoring the minutes of the three-time GAH champion could be the key to the team's championship hopes. Rony Seikaly and Jeff Hornacek are also key pieces for the Nuggets. Can they become the first GAH franchise to win a fourth championship?
3. 18-16
The Suns were having a great season, but with both Karl Malone and John Williams on the sidelines, they have dropped six games in a row. Malone, who was having his best season, will come back this week. That should help the Suns to bounce back. Eric Murdock is establishing himself as one of the best young players in the league, averaging 17.7 points, 6.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals, and recorded his first career triple-double against the Warriors a few days ago. Alongside Jaren Jackson forms one of the best defensive backcourts in the league, and that will be key in Phoenix playoff chances.
4. 13-21
The Jazz started the season with a 6-4 record and New Orleans fans were hoping that would finally be the season their team could return to the postseason. A 7-17 run after that, coupled with a lack of support, has started rumours of a potential move of the franchise. Rookie Allan Houston is leading the team with 20.6 points per game, to go alongside 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while sophomore Alonzo Mourning is averaging 15.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.5 assists. The offseason acquisition of 34-year-old Magic Johnson has not elevated the team's play as expected. These Jazz may still be too young to make some noise, but they have talent. They are rumoured to be working the phones on the trade market, so we will see how the season evolves for the Jazz.
5. 10-22
It is not easy to establish an identity as an expansion franchise, and the Timberwolves are just in their second season in the GAH. They have some valuable pieces but a lot of work is yet to be done. Rookie Nick Van Exel is leading the team with 20.8 points, 7.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game with seven other players scoring more than 10 points per contest. After barely playing during his rookie campaign, sophomore Tom Gugliotta is averaging 12.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He and Van Exel can be a solid foundation, but the right pieces need to be added.
6. 10-24
The 10-24 Mavericks are lead by two veterans on expiring contracts: Dominique Wilkins and Isiah Thomas. That probably mean that the franchise is going through a rebuilding process very soon. Ironically, Wilkins is having his best season as a pro, averaging 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals, with Thomas also delivering one of his finest performances (18.7 points, 6.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds). Both could certainly help a playoff team looking to take the next step.
7. 10-24
The once mighty Rockets have a nice core of young players in the early stages of their pro careers, but that talent is not translating into wins. Unexpectedly, defensive specialist Stacey Augmon is leading the team in scoring with 18.0 points per game, adding also 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Rookie Larry Johnson is giving a good impression, with Greg Anthony and Elden Campbell also showing signs of a bright future in the league. A good pick in the upcoming draft should help the Rockets to be back on track next season.
That is all for this week. We will be back next weekend to bring you more information on the GAH.