Pretty much have all the teams sorted out, so now I'm just trying to get sliders corrected and we'll be good. Having fun playing with these CAPs, hoping for first game reports on thursday!
Chicago brings a solid starting lineup to the table, with Sam Jones starring at the two spot. Late off-season addition Eddie Fung brings solidified low post defense and rebounding, while the decision to bring combo forward Bobby Jones off the bench will give Chicago a balanced attack throughout the game.
"Balance" may actually be the key word for Chicago this season, as they will be largely unable to make any one aspect of the game a strong point; they just do not have the talent. Sam Jones and Adam Keefe are the only players in the lineup who posses a three point touch, while the low post offensive game relies heavily on Eddie Fund, Bobby Jones and Charles Smith. Six-foot-five power forward Greg Smith will be Chicago's potential mismatch with other teams.
-Position Grades-
Point Guard
C- Shooting Guard
A- Small Forward
C- Power Forward
C Center
B
Los Angeles brings a lethal offensive team to the table; Reyes, Anderson and Rodgers can all shoot the lights out from deep, and Tyrone Hill adds a low post scoring presence. Young PG Adam Cooper will be L.A.'s biggest offensive weapon off the bench, while big man Mosie Perez brings a huge presence on the glass.
LA may need to acquire some height at some point, Center Leroy Ellis is the only player on the team over 6'10". Tyrone Hill, at 6'9" is considered to be one of the best rebounders in the league however, and LA is built for the transition game.
-Position grades-
Point Guard
C Shooting Guard
B Small Forward
D+ Power Forward
C Center
C+
Dallas is by far the best team in the league this season. Between Andre Reed and Noah Jackson, Dallas has enough offensive firepower to compete with any team in the league. Throw in mid-range phenom Isaac Kay at point, and defensive anchor Dontae Brown in the post, and Dallas gets scary fast. The bench for the Broncos is no laughing matter either, as SF Ricky Pierce leads an athletic, defensive group of second wave players.
Dallas is built to deal well with Western Conference opponents Los Angeles, San Fransisco and Denver, but the questions may start to arise when facing post-centric teams in the east such as New York and Boston. The Broncos will look to use Noah Jackson's potential as a combo forward to create mismatches against teams with better interior games, and their great depth at the 2/3 spots allow them to be creative with how they construct their line-up.
-Position Grades-
Point Guard
B- Shooting Guard
B+ Small Forward
B+ Power Forward
C- Center
D+
Denver is a team with identity issues. Micheal Cooper and Reggie Williams lead the teams offensive attack, but are really the only two shooters on the team. Doug Porter has inside scoring ability, but defenses need not worry about Sam Green. Point guard AJ Stuart has decent scoring ability, in the 10-12 point per game range, and is more than capable of running an offense, but all in all this team just doesn't really fit together. Denver will need big performances from its stars every game to have a chance, and when faced with high caliber offenses, Denver will struggle to keep the game close for more than two quarters.
The bright spot for this team is its depth at guard. With the addition of a couple key bench roles, this team has the ability to keep its starting five fresh and energized, and that could be huge for an offense that will need to beat other teams in transition. Aaron Barker is the best the Outlaws have to offer from its pine; a scorer in the truest sense, with inside-outside capability, and quick hands on the defensive end.
Defensively this team lacks inside presence, though Porter serves as a top tier glass cleaner. Micheal Cooper will need to be at his sharpest almost every game as he will be tasked with defending the most talented position of the league. The west is filled with good perimeter shooters, which Denver can handle, but when facing the east and its stockpile of inside scorers, Denver will need Reggie Williams and Aaron Barker to stay pesky on the inside to prevent giving up major paint points.
Overall Denver looks to be a middle of the road team, but with a few lucky breaks could compete for the West's second playoff berth.
-Position Grades-
Point Guard
C- Shooting Guard
A- Small Forward
B Power Forward
C Center
D+
10-19-2013, 06:39 PM
