(Russell Conference) Voltron

Bayside Bombardiers - Pierre (11-7)
Last year we said that this team was full of "second bananas." Proving that the experts were idiots, a team full of so-called second bananas surged to a division win and Pierre's team earned a second playoff seed in the Russell Conference. Of course, while there, the lack of an alpha dog caused them to narrowly avoid a first round upset, and then that same weakness totally derailed them against the surprising Chunky Monkeys. This season, the Bombardiers still have the same problem but they hope a stronger sense of purpose will propel them to playoff success. All those secondary guys on NBA teams proved that they could put the ball in the hole, propelling Bayside to third in PTS and FG%, plus a sterling second in FT%.

The main problem they faced was a lack of backcourt production. They were weak in 3PT and AST, and absolute last in STL. Jameer Nelson, Jamal Crawford, and Mo Williams are decent but not dominanting in any category. New additions Leandro Barbosa and Kyle Lowry could help but we predict that the Bombardiers will have trouble increasing those categories unless they can find a leader at the guard position. Actually, if Barbosa can do anything with his unlimited time in Toronto, he could really help the 3PT category. It's strange that a team with this many shooters aren't at least average from beyond the arc but the stats don't lie. Maybe jettisoning last year's third round uber-disappointment, Ben Gordon, will help morale and give some shots to more efficient players.

The great news for Pierre is that the frontcourt is absolutely fantastic. Pau Gasol and Luis Scola are interchangeable at power forward and center, and Scola had some ridiculously great games at the end of last season. David West is solid and he should bounce back to 20-10 status after dipping a bit last year. Small forward Luol Deng didn't make the keeper roster but was snatched right back up this season. There isn't much needed behind these four but Charlie Villanueva, Samuel Dalembert, and Shelden Williams are around for depth. Charlie V has a ton of fantasy upside but he doesn't seem to care much about trying very hard. Dalembert was huge down the stretch last season and is a necessary rim protector, but he starts the season dinged up and we're not sure how healthy he plans on being. Overall, this team surprised us with their great balance and effort and there's no reason not to expect another fantastic season from the boys of Queens.
NBA Team: Utah Jazz

Golden Ticket - Thien (9-9)
The team that keeps changing its name -- for extra money and merchandising sales no doubt -- had reason to keep changing identities. They started off last season in a stupor, winning only once in their first five games. Then they ripped off six straight wins and looked like legit contenders. Five losses in six games later and the Golden boys found themselves in the Toilet Bowl. Of course, once there, they flexed their muscles again and won the whole damn thing, earning the number overall pick this season. Whew, is everyone going to buy season tickets to watch Thien's team this year or what?

That first pick turned out to be John Wall, the only sure thing out of this crop of rookies. Last year we said this team was only lacking a premier point guard and twelve months later here he is. Wall is going to help tremendously all around, pushing AST from last year's poor ranking (fifth to last) to something much higher this season. His quick hands will likely push STL up as well (already a strength last season), and his offense will allow Golden Ticket to challenge for the PTS crown, where they were second last year. Pairing Wall with Dwayne Wade is going to be insane, and we're pretty sure they'll be unbeatable in the backcourt. Last year's starting point guard, Raymond Felton, is pushed to third guard duty, where he'll thrive and add his own underrated bunch of AST/STL.

That's not all. Golden Ticket is also very good at both 3PT and BLK, an interesting combination. The BLKs will likely dip as Andrew Bynum is injured, Kenyon Martin is gone, and only Chris Kaman remains to man the middle. There will be an audition for the PF spot between Drew Gooden, Thaddeus Young, and Tiago Splitter. What we don't need to worry about is the wing positions, as Rudy Gay and Paul Pierce are perfect complements to the backcourt. Once Glass Man Bynum returns, this team will officially be super scary, with a balanced team that should contend for a championship -- the real one, not the toilet kind, this time around.
NBA Team: Oklahoma Thunder

Morrie's Pogiboys - Alvin (7-11)
The Pogis has a pretty disastrous draft last season. Third round pick Caron Butler had to be traded for a third rounder this summer as his value plummeted, Tyrus Thomas was a fourth rounder and never quite steadied his statistics, and Charlie Villanueva was the sixth selection, ouch. Those guys didn't work out as promised. The good news was rookie gem Brandon Jennings, who saved GM Alvin's reputation, and the season, as Devin Harris was in and out of the lineup. Jennings maybe encapsulates the Pogiboys season overall, as he probably contributed to their second to last ranking in FG% and third to last in TOs. He's only going to get better in his second season though -- possibly much better.

All world Amare Stoudemire carried this team to seven wins behind his fantastic offensive numbers. He'll likely push above 25 ppg this season and he'll be counted on to play a fast athletic center. Oh Ty Thomas, Alvin's soft spot. Can Thomas be the defensive presence tihs team needs or will Roy Hibbert have to be the answer? Having Devin Harris return to his 2009 numbers would be fantastic and we like third guard Mike Conley, who is sneaky good and getting better. The big questions are who'll man the shooting guard and small forward positions this year. Is Marco Belinelli and Austin Daye the answer? We see a bit of a homer reach on Daye but apparently he's ready to be the skinniest power forward ever?

And in the event Belinelli isn't up to the task, last year showed us Marcus Thornton's potential so one of them will cover the SG/SF slot. The rest of the bench is Carl Landry, Josh Childress, Jamario Moon, and Al Harrington. When Harrington returns, he'll give a big boost to the offense and could be a matchup switch with Hibbert. We don't think Carl Landry's hard work will be slept on in Sacramento so he'll likely take over for Tyrus if he falters. As for Childress and Moon, one of them will come through right? We see the Pogiboys needing growth from his team at every position except Amare, in order to compete for a playoff spot.
NBA Team: New Jersey Nets

Human Amoebas - Eric A (3-15)
Last year we predicted that Eric A's young team was going to be a contender in 2012 but that the first few years might be difficult. As it turned out, 2010 was a horrific season as all that youth dragged the Amoebas to last place in the league. They were second to last in 3PT, third to last in REB and AST, and middle of the pack in just about everything else. With no defined strength, this team needs to find an identity and gel quickly for them to get out of the cellar.

Last year's first round pick, SF Danny Granger, was shipped out mid-season for Monta Ellis and Ellis is now the centerpiece of a promising backcourt that includes Derrick Rose and Eric Gordon, fresh off their World Championships experience this summer. It would be hard to find a better up-and-coming guard rotation anywhere else. The frontcourt is all potential and not a lot of proven production. Michael Beasley will be given all the minutes he needs to shine in his new Minnesota home, Paul Millsap will be stuck behind another injury prone power forward in Utah, and Andray Blatche will be looking for a huge breakout season. The intriguing prospect here is rookie PF/C DeMarcus Cousins, who could make a quick impact. In fact, he needs to make an immediate impact because he's the starting center.

The bench is filled with that p-word again, "potential." Guards Ty Lawson and George Hill are both reserves for now but trades would likely make them very viable starting options. Swingman Anthony Morrow should have secured the starting small forward spot in New Jersey and both he and the versatile Ersan Ilyasova will contribute in the 3PT department. Marreese Speights flashed some potential last season but will likely ride the pine unless minutes clear up for him in Philadelphia. Overall, Eric-A will need big seasons from Gordon, Blatche, and Cousins to prepare themselves for a championship run in 2012. We believe!
NBA Team: Washington Wizards