Chamberlain Conference: Silverhawks Division

Two teams in this division sport 0.756 and 0.605 regular season winning percentages over the past five seasons. The other two teams win at 0.329 and 0.217 clips. And we’re worried about the increasing income disparity in America? How about the win disparity in Silverhawks! [2014 Preview]

#1: Jedi Knights (5-14, 3-14-2)
Here’s where Jedi has picked in all the drafts since we reset the league in 2010: 3, 1, 2, 2, 1. (Of course Jedi haven’t actually picked overall #1 or 2, since they’ve never made a Toilet Bowl finals yet.) We could go on and on about the futility of this team in recent years, but let’s talk about the positives. Absentee owner Lum has re-dedicated himself to his squad and if this story turns out anything like the Cavaliers, there will be an inexplicable happy ending at the end of this bumbling mess. I mean, there’s a lot of talent on this team. Even with literally no management, Jedi managed five wins last season. Their 2014 draft yielded Michael Carter-Williams and Jimmy Butler, two new quality keepers. Center DeAndre Jordan became a fantasy stud while Thaddeus Young and Chandler Parsons are both poised to continue building on their excellent seasons. And there’s always David Lee, chugging along with his nightly double doubles. Dare we say it? We like this team!

It’s a bit odd that GM Lum opted for a broken down Deron Williams at #3 overall in the draft, instead of dipping into a historically deep rookie class, but maybe Williams can finally stay healthy. Aaron Afflalo was a fantasy surprise last season and he should continue his ascent in upon his return to Denver. Sophomore Mason Plumlee is the only big man in Brooklyn capable of staying healthy so he should get lots of minutes. Avery Bradley will likely be pushed into a starting role early, as MCW recovers from injury. The bench will feature Brandan Wright and Boris Diaw, who are both capable of spot starts. For a historically awful team, Jedi has picked up a handful of talent over the years. Now for a management team that will lead them into respectability!

#6: Fob Stars (8-11, 9-9)
Silverhawks’ traditional other punching bag, Fob Stars, can show Jedi exactly how going from zero to “not totally sucking” anymore can be done. After an excruciating one win season in 2012, Fob Stars have put up two very respectable seasons since. They’ll be pushing for their first playoff appearance this year, behind a revamped keeper core. Last year, Fobs were rolling in with the likes of Lou Williams, Dion Waiters, and Gerald Henderson as keepers. Now, after an outstanding 2014 draft, as well as a high value end of the year trade, Fobs will have Kemba Walker and Trey Burke in the backcourt along wth Zach Randolph, Marcin Gortat, and delayed rookie Nerlens Noel. Ryan Anderson’s return to full health could be an issue, but there’s no doubting that Anderson can space the floor perfectly for this group.

And it looks like GM Jimmy knows that what his team needs is an infusion of shooting. Rookie Doug McDermott isn’t nicknamed “McBuckets” for nothing. Also picked up along the way was Kevin Martin and Andrea Bargnani (another part of the Joakim Noah deal) for their shooting prowess. Khris Middleton is an underrated add-on, and he’ll probably get into the rotation. Harrison Barnes hasn’t flashed anything in over a year, and I literally know nothing about Bojan Bogdanovic, except how to carefully Google-spell his name. Sixth rounder Marcus Morris isn't as good as his brother, but he can contribute a 3PT or two. We are excited to see Fob Stars push for a post-season appearance, and even more excited to see how many combined BLK/STL Nerlens Noel can put up. Cheers to a former league doormat for successfully making the turn into competitive alley!

#7: Fat Jubas (9-10, 10-9)
Eric’s team suffered their first losing season after four straight post-season appearances, two division titles, and a championship. Last year at this time, GM Eric went on a trading spree, landing Chris Paul. Well, the price tag came back on those moves and here’s the final cost for that monster acquisition: Marc Gasol, Jeff Teague, and Jabari Parker for CP3, C.J. McCollum last year, and this year’s RD2 which turned out to be Robin Lopez. Hum, was Paul worth that? Let the debates rage!

Regardless, the revamp from a Steve Nash and Kevin Garnett led championship team is complete. Gordon Hayward and Nicolas Batum are the lone holdovers from that 2012 season, and they have CP3 to lead them. Jonas Valanciunas didn’t quite break out last year but he’s again on the verge. New keeper Markieff Morris emerged as a versatile contributor while surprise sixth keeper Danilo Gallinari will bring what he always does to a team: stretch shooting. The draft brought in Isaiah Thomas and Jarrett Jack to round out the backcourt alongside Paul. (The Isaiah of last year would be great, however, Thomas' minutes will be heavily reduced in Phoenix.) Rookie Rodney Hood will more likely back up Hayward, but fellow rookie Nikola Mirotic might carve out some time on a deep Bulls frontcourt. It seems like Jubas is going run-and-gun this year, as they spread the floor with Gallinari and Channing Frye, while letting CP3 find the best wide open options. Can Jubas fend off up-and-coming Fob Stars for another season, or will the price they paid for Paul prove to have been a bit too heavy?

#14: Sour Snails (17-2, 14-5)
What do you get for the team that has far and away the best regular season winning percentage in the league? How about a ward against upsets? Since winning their lone championship in 2010, Snails have been upset by much lower seeds in each successive season -- except for the one year they won the Toilet Bowl. That’s an ugly pattern. Last year saw them lose to eventual champion Silent Crows (then Eron, Joven and Chandler) after a thrilling seventeen win campaign. I almost don’t even want to talk about how stacked Snails on paper. The point guards are Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, and Monta Ellis. Steph and Westie and Monta!? Who can keep up with these three? Klay Thompson is around to add an overdose of additional 3PT. Rudy Gay replaced Damian Lillard via mid-season trade, while DeMarcus Cousins anchors the front court basically all by himself. Which is pretty much enough, almost. And keep in mind that last year, the Snails had Trevor Ariza and Tyreke Evans on-board too (both have since been traded pre-draft for low end picks). Gross right?

Somehow Trieu saw the need for more 3PT and took Wesley Matthews with his first rounder this year before turning his attention to the frontcourt with Taj Gibson and JaVale McGee. One of these two will need to help Cousins a bit on the boards. Michael Kidd-Gilchrest and his revamped jumper will be coming off the bench, perhaps teaming up with a svelte Anthony Bennett. Rookie Shabazz Napier is even waiting in the wings in case mop up duties are called for, which could be very possible as the Snails run roughshod over the league again while aiming for that elusive second title.