GAH progress VI: Central Division
Mar 12, 2017 10:58:34 GMT
Post by mgtr81 on Mar 12, 2017 10:58:34 GMT
We continue with our series of weekly reviews about what is happening around the league. This weekend we take a look at the Central Division. Teams are ordered by current record (as of March 2nd, 1994).
1. 52-6
When you add Gary Payton to a team led by Michael Jordan, with an elite defensive frontcourt, you are definitely tough to beat. And that is what the Bulls did in the offseason, and had the luxury of bringing Norm Nixon back as a reserve. Last season Chicago set a GAH record of 74 regular season wins. While that is unlikely to happen again, the Bulls are giving the impression of being a step ahead of the defending champions in Indiana. The often overlooked addition of Lionel Simmons gives them additional scoring off the bench, and at this point, it is hard to find a weakness in their roster. Maybe the lack of a post scorer, but that is something they probably do not need to succeed.
2. 43-15
The defending champions are having a great season, but they have not been able to keep up with the Bulls. Indiana vs Chicago is the Eastern Conference Finals everyone is looking forward to watch, and that should be one for the ages. The Pacers inside tandem of Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson is unmatched in the league, but their backcourt play has given some warning signs. They are 8-8 over their last 16 games. Should they have made a move before the deadline to improve their backcourt with a potential Bulls series on the horizon? Time will tell, but they are the defending champions for a reason.
3. 31-27
After three playoff losses in three years against the Chicago Bulls, the Hawks decided to bring additional scorers to help Charles Barkley on the offensive end. This a much changed roster from the one losing to the Bulls last season. After a few tweaks in the rotation the Hawks seem to finally have found the best way to use their players, with Steve Smith being Barkley's sidekick in the starting lineup and Ken Norman being the scorer off the bench. Whether or not the team can finally get past Chicago remains to be seen, but that seems a huge task at this point. Consistency is an issue for this squad, as they are 31-27 but a combined 3-1 against Chicago and Indiana.
4. 28-30
The Hornets had probably the biggest offseason in the GAH, adding Terrell Brandon, Shawn Kemp and Brad Daugherty in one summer. After a slow start, Charlotte is currently tied with the Celtics for the East eighth and final playoff spot. This is a very balanced team, with all starters scoring 13 or more points per game. Regardless of how this season ends, the Hornets should be a team to watch out for in the coming seasons. At 28, Daugherty is the oldest of the core players, and with the exception of Richard Dumas, all the starters are signed for at least three more seasons, giving the franchise the continuity it needs to succeed.
5. 27-31
The Cavs started the season hot with 11 wins in their first 16 games, but Antoine Carr broke his wrist in mid February and the team has gone 1-7 since then. Roy Tarpley, the first GAH player to ever sign a $100,000,000-plus contract, is having another great season, averaging 20.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. However, the team is not playing well lately, and some point to head coach Elgin Baylor and his decision to have Brian Williams coming off the bench and starting Doug Smith instead. The Cavs have dropped out of the playoffs, but they are very close to be back in. They just need to figure out how to play until Carr comes back.
6. 22-34
Losing Gary Payton has hurt the Bucks greatly. With the 34-year-old Danny Ainge starting at point guard, the Bucks cannot compete in an Eastern Conference featuring Tim Hardaway, Kevin Johnson or the aforementioned Payton. Still, Reggie Lewis and Terry Cummings are having great seasons, but both are hitting the free agent market this summer. The Bucks traded their first round pick to Detroit for Greg Anderson, who is also an upcoming free agent, so Milwaukee will have to do things really well in the offseason to avoid years of trips to the lottery.
7. 14-42
The Pistons are already playing for the future. While they are last in the league with just 14 wins, they have three first round picks in the coming draft, and all three could be lottery picks (Detroit, Milwaukee and Boston). Pairing that with some interesting youth already on the roster (Stanley Roberts, Tyrone Hill, Rick Fox), the Pistons could emerge as the most improved team next year.
That is all for this week. We will be back next weekend to bring you more information on the GAH.
1. 52-6
When you add Gary Payton to a team led by Michael Jordan, with an elite defensive frontcourt, you are definitely tough to beat. And that is what the Bulls did in the offseason, and had the luxury of bringing Norm Nixon back as a reserve. Last season Chicago set a GAH record of 74 regular season wins. While that is unlikely to happen again, the Bulls are giving the impression of being a step ahead of the defending champions in Indiana. The often overlooked addition of Lionel Simmons gives them additional scoring off the bench, and at this point, it is hard to find a weakness in their roster. Maybe the lack of a post scorer, but that is something they probably do not need to succeed.
2. 43-15
The defending champions are having a great season, but they have not been able to keep up with the Bulls. Indiana vs Chicago is the Eastern Conference Finals everyone is looking forward to watch, and that should be one for the ages. The Pacers inside tandem of Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson is unmatched in the league, but their backcourt play has given some warning signs. They are 8-8 over their last 16 games. Should they have made a move before the deadline to improve their backcourt with a potential Bulls series on the horizon? Time will tell, but they are the defending champions for a reason.
3. 31-27
After three playoff losses in three years against the Chicago Bulls, the Hawks decided to bring additional scorers to help Charles Barkley on the offensive end. This a much changed roster from the one losing to the Bulls last season. After a few tweaks in the rotation the Hawks seem to finally have found the best way to use their players, with Steve Smith being Barkley's sidekick in the starting lineup and Ken Norman being the scorer off the bench. Whether or not the team can finally get past Chicago remains to be seen, but that seems a huge task at this point. Consistency is an issue for this squad, as they are 31-27 but a combined 3-1 against Chicago and Indiana.
4. 28-30
The Hornets had probably the biggest offseason in the GAH, adding Terrell Brandon, Shawn Kemp and Brad Daugherty in one summer. After a slow start, Charlotte is currently tied with the Celtics for the East eighth and final playoff spot. This is a very balanced team, with all starters scoring 13 or more points per game. Regardless of how this season ends, the Hornets should be a team to watch out for in the coming seasons. At 28, Daugherty is the oldest of the core players, and with the exception of Richard Dumas, all the starters are signed for at least three more seasons, giving the franchise the continuity it needs to succeed.
5. 27-31
The Cavs started the season hot with 11 wins in their first 16 games, but Antoine Carr broke his wrist in mid February and the team has gone 1-7 since then. Roy Tarpley, the first GAH player to ever sign a $100,000,000-plus contract, is having another great season, averaging 20.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. However, the team is not playing well lately, and some point to head coach Elgin Baylor and his decision to have Brian Williams coming off the bench and starting Doug Smith instead. The Cavs have dropped out of the playoffs, but they are very close to be back in. They just need to figure out how to play until Carr comes back.
6. 22-34
Losing Gary Payton has hurt the Bucks greatly. With the 34-year-old Danny Ainge starting at point guard, the Bucks cannot compete in an Eastern Conference featuring Tim Hardaway, Kevin Johnson or the aforementioned Payton. Still, Reggie Lewis and Terry Cummings are having great seasons, but both are hitting the free agent market this summer. The Bucks traded their first round pick to Detroit for Greg Anderson, who is also an upcoming free agent, so Milwaukee will have to do things really well in the offseason to avoid years of trips to the lottery.
7. 14-42
The Pistons are already playing for the future. While they are last in the league with just 14 wins, they have three first round picks in the coming draft, and all three could be lottery picks (Detroit, Milwaukee and Boston). Pairing that with some interesting youth already on the roster (Stanley Roberts, Tyrone Hill, Rick Fox), the Pistons could emerge as the most improved team next year.
That is all for this week. We will be back next weekend to bring you more information on the GAH.