Finally, some tangible and meaningful games. Even as a hardcore NBA fan, I found it hard to care too much about how seeding played out that last week. Now, we can turn to what really matters…the playoffs. This year’s playoffs seem to be straightforward on the top of the food train. The more interesting questions come with who gives the favorites a run for their money. Indeed, some Western teams have a lot riding in demonstrating that they are on the right track by testing the Lakers. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the match ups:
NBA All-Time Rankings, 2008-09 Update
One of our favorite exercises is trying to place the most recent happenings to NBA history. In order to help us in that regard, Kyle Wright, who wrote the excellent book “NBA From Top to Bottom” has passed on his 2008-09 update. Just to give you a little context, Kyle has ranked every NBA and NFL ever from first to last. The list is based upon his formula, which identifies several factors, including point differential, strength of schedule, and various other factors. It measures each team against its own league and that dominance is reflected in the list, the formula does not factor in playoff showings or relative strength of the average player for each era. Kyle’s very cool site, Sports From Top to Bottom can be found here. Here is the full list, with each team’s historical ranking, rating with Kyle’s formula, and raw won-loss record.
Quick Thoughts
1. Award Stuff Part II: We just finished up our award picks last week and I realized I left out a few things. We made all our picks in terms of awards but we had also been reviewing each award historically speaking. In that sense, we short thrifted our historical review of the Sixth Man, Most Improved, and MVP awards. So, while we wait for final playoff seedings to be locked in, let’s look at some history.
Quick Thoughts
1. Award Picks: As the NBA season reaches a finish, we don’t have too much to do but wait for the playoffs. While we don’t pay too much attention to the post-season awards, this is a perfect time to throw in my two cents as to whom the awards should go to:
Quick Thoughts
1. Limping to the Finish: About one month ago we had an interesting season going on. The Magic, Celts, and Cavs were locked in a three-way battle for top seed. At the bottom of the conference, the eight-seed had a logjam of potential teams vying for the slot. Out West, the Lakers were pretty much in hand and the Dallas-Phoenix race for the eight seed also looked interesting. At this point, with a few weeks left in the season, there aren’t a whole lot of reasons to watch the homestretch of the season. Here’s a look at what’s left to actually watch:
Quick Thoughts
1. Falkenstein Ruminations: While the playoff chase whirls in our faces, the background story people are talking about relates to the economic and labor health of the game. Revenues are projected as down for the next few seasons and David Stern, for the first time, is telling teams to expect the salary cap and the luxury tax threshold lower over each of the next three seasons. As a consequence, all eyes are on whether the NBA will seek to renegotiate the key terms of the collective bargaining agreement, which expires in 2011. Both David Falk and Bill Simmons have recently virtually guaranteed an NBA lockout in 2011. Falk was the first to stir the waters and he identifies several problems with the state of the current NBA. Falk’s re-emergence interested me on two levels. First, where has he been the last ten years? Second, do his current complaints have any merit?