Post by JDawg on Jul 21, 2007 15:56:41 GMT -5
Biggest Surprise: Atlanta Hawks 11-4. This team has improved even more since last year. They are in the top 5 in the conference points allowed per game and have an outstanding offense as well. JO/Big Z combo has been lethal, combining for 37.9 ppg, 23.9 rbd, 4.8 asst, 2.2 stls, 5.2 bpg, both shooting over .460% fg respectably. Ricky Davis remains to be a pure scorer averaging over 20 a night. Tinsley is used as a nice servicable PG, with just under 8 dimes a night. Even with Krstic underperforming to the terms of this contract, Atlanta looks to be a force in the East.
ROY surprise: Shelden Williams. He just recently won ROM award and has been playing great. He is averaging 11.2 ppg, 8.7 rbd and a solid 2.1 bpg. 2.1 bpg for a rookie is flat out nasty. Although the team seems to still be in a rebuilding phase, this guy is a nice future player to look forward to watching.
Biggest Overachiever: No brainer in my opinion. It has to be Jared Jeffries. Several sim years ago, he was barely putting up any stats and nowhere to be found on the court. Bender knew what he was doing when he creatively snuck him into his starting lineup. Jared Jeffries exploded, putting up a double double every night. As of now he is averaging over 14 pts and over 10 brds a night. He is shooting poorly from the field, however, he is not asked to be one of the main options, so that should not be a problem for the hawks. He needs to just play great defense and be a monster on the boards to continue to help this team be successful.
Biggest Underachiever: Corey Maggette wins this award. The age looks to be finally getting to him. The 30+ year old is only scoring about 9 ppg a night, a well far cry from past years when he averaged closer to 20 ppg. In addition, his salary is a scary one to take on, so teams that have done that have needed incentive to do it. He still though is struggling and I don't know if any GM would be able to fix that.
Defensive Surprise: Kwame Brown. Although his ratings would show him to be a B- D guy, he is putting up a nice 2.2 bpg a night. In addition he is scoring over 13 ppg and putting up 7+ brds. This is the one shining point the Miami Heat season. They have another lotto to look forward to.
Offensive Surprise: Travis Outlaw. This player has finally reached the potential that we all expected him to. He is putting up a whopping 21.3 pts and also 6.1 brds. A very nice stat is his 1.8 bpg, that is real nice for a 3. He has proved to be a great D guy as well as an offensive stud. He is shooting just under .450% fg on the season. Orlando team looks to have a promising future, but it is very possible that they can win now with the current team they have.
GM of the Year: It was a tough call between Bender and Scott, but I chose Scott. He has done a great job with his young squad and building a nice core, comprising of Gordon, Barbosa, West and Obryant. Kenyon Martin is the veteran on this team it seems but he has brough his A game to the table this season.
MVP: Kevin Garnett. He has helped the Phoenix suns take a step back in the right direction towards a championship contender. In addition he seems to be putting up #'s even better than when he was on Indiana, ignoring the fact that Duncan was on the team (28.8 pts, 10.1 rbd 2.5 asst, 1.1 stls, 1.3 bpg) and .520 fg%.
ROY surprise: Shelden Williams. He just recently won ROM award and has been playing great. He is averaging 11.2 ppg, 8.7 rbd and a solid 2.1 bpg. 2.1 bpg for a rookie is flat out nasty. Although the team seems to still be in a rebuilding phase, this guy is a nice future player to look forward to watching.
Biggest Overachiever: No brainer in my opinion. It has to be Jared Jeffries. Several sim years ago, he was barely putting up any stats and nowhere to be found on the court. Bender knew what he was doing when he creatively snuck him into his starting lineup. Jared Jeffries exploded, putting up a double double every night. As of now he is averaging over 14 pts and over 10 brds a night. He is shooting poorly from the field, however, he is not asked to be one of the main options, so that should not be a problem for the hawks. He needs to just play great defense and be a monster on the boards to continue to help this team be successful.
Biggest Underachiever: Corey Maggette wins this award. The age looks to be finally getting to him. The 30+ year old is only scoring about 9 ppg a night, a well far cry from past years when he averaged closer to 20 ppg. In addition, his salary is a scary one to take on, so teams that have done that have needed incentive to do it. He still though is struggling and I don't know if any GM would be able to fix that.
Defensive Surprise: Kwame Brown. Although his ratings would show him to be a B- D guy, he is putting up a nice 2.2 bpg a night. In addition he is scoring over 13 ppg and putting up 7+ brds. This is the one shining point the Miami Heat season. They have another lotto to look forward to.
Offensive Surprise: Travis Outlaw. This player has finally reached the potential that we all expected him to. He is putting up a whopping 21.3 pts and also 6.1 brds. A very nice stat is his 1.8 bpg, that is real nice for a 3. He has proved to be a great D guy as well as an offensive stud. He is shooting just under .450% fg on the season. Orlando team looks to have a promising future, but it is very possible that they can win now with the current team they have.
GM of the Year: It was a tough call between Bender and Scott, but I chose Scott. He has done a great job with his young squad and building a nice core, comprising of Gordon, Barbosa, West and Obryant. Kenyon Martin is the veteran on this team it seems but he has brough his A game to the table this season.
MVP: Kevin Garnett. He has helped the Phoenix suns take a step back in the right direction towards a championship contender. In addition he seems to be putting up #'s even better than when he was on Indiana, ignoring the fact that Duncan was on the team (28.8 pts, 10.1 rbd 2.5 asst, 1.1 stls, 1.3 bpg) and .520 fg%.