(Chamberlain Conference) Transformers

Squirtle Squad (10-2)
One year after missing the playoffs with a winning record, Brian's team came back strong and looked poised to win a championship as they were the only double digit win team during a lockout shortened season. Instead, the Squirtles were unceremoniously upset by eventual champion Fat Jubas. That loss was mostly due to poor free throw shooting so during the off-season, FT% black hole Blake Griffin (along with Jeremy Lin) was traded for Al Jefferson, a smooth shooting big man from the charity stripe. Jefferson will also secure BLK alongside Serge Ibaka and Greg Monroe. With real life teammates Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, along with fantasy sensation Ty Lawson manning the backcourt, the top six is looking championship ready indeed. The starting small forward will likely be Steve Novak or Carlos Delfino, who will provide great floor spacing with their shooting. Chauncey Billups could bring more 3PT if needed but mostly he's around to cheer from the Squirtles' bench. Spencer Hawes should be the first big man sub and behind him, Markieff Morris will wait to earn some minutes. If rookie Bradley Beal is really the next Ray Allen, Brian's team would be more than stacked. Last round pick Mirza Teletovic is a big swing forward from Bosnia, and is a Brooklyn Net. Just in case you didn't know.
Biggest Roadblock: Nothing, this team is primed for a SlamNation Finals showing

Half Man Half ImAsian (8-4)
Oliver's squad lost in the first round of the playoffs last year and they are hungry for post-season success. They are returning with five of their keepers from 2012 -- Andrew Bogut is out and Ersan Ilyasova is in. Led by Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge, Oliver's team is always a contender. JaVale McGee is going to have a make or break season as the center spot is all his in Denver. It's clear that Detroit's Rodney Stuckey is not a point guard but he's still a useful piece. Ilysova is an incredible fantasy player and Anderson Varejao provides nightly double doubles with a STL/BLK a game. Half Man Half ImAsian's draft was dedicated to defense as Tony Allen, Mario Chalmers, Courtney Lee are all STL guys. Chalmers and Lee will drop in 3PT alongside Durant, giving this team everything except AST. Recently traded Jeremy Lamb is probably too raw to help now, and project rookie Andrew Nicholson is 7'4". That's all I know. Another thing I know: Oliver's team will compete for a championship, as usual.
Biggest Roadblock: Is JaVale ready or will insanity hold him back?

Eron, Joven and Chandler (6-6)
For a fuller look at our newest owner, feel free to look at their individual article. After moving Dwight Howard, the focus of this team has changed quite a bit. The old team was clearly on the verge of hitting rock bottom but new owner Chris did a complete rebuild. Carmelo Anthony and Blake Griffin will provide PTS, REB, and FG%, but Griffin will likely cause this team's FT% to tumble. Ricky Rubio, Jeff Teague, and Manu Ginobili are an underrated backcourt, but they have to stay healthy. What this team won't have is BLK, as a plethora of power forwards -- Glen Davis, Antawn Jamison, rookie Thomas Robinson -- provide scoring but not much rim protection. Swing forward Gerald Henderson will sit the bench. It's hard to gauge how this team will shape up with so many new pieces but we think it'll be strong in PTS, REB, STL, while lacking big time in BLK and TO. We're excited to see what Run EJC has in store for their first season.
Biggest Roadblock: Learning how to use ESPN to max out the games

LA Buffy (5-7)
Speaking of old teams, Buffy is on its last legs. After going 13-6 in 2011, Roger's team fell to 5-7 last year. They had a top seed in the Toilet Bowl but got upended by Sour Snails. Power forwards Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer, and Elton Brand have all seen better days -- not to mention Danny Granger, who is no longer a top fantasy talent. With that in mind, Buffy has imported Linsanity to electrify the fan base! Moving Marc Gasol for Jeremy Lin and Chris Bosh, Roger finally got a guard to take over the reins from Baron Davis (mirroring Lin's real life NBA ascent) and then he moved fast during the draft on Jameer Nelson, who could have a resurgent season. Buffy loves his big men though, so Andrew Bogut is on board, and if he's healthy he'll help make this team competitive again. Old fave Wilson Chandler will swing to wherever Granger isn't while Kirk Hinrich and Tiago Splitter will hang out on the bench. Also, Swaggy P in the house! Buffy will dominate the big men categories but we're not sure if Lin and Nick Young are enough to get some guard balance. Can this team dig up one more winning season before the front line collapses?
Biggest Roadblock: Age, age, age