Russell Conference: Thundercats Division

Last year added another powerhouse to an already ultra-competitive division. Thundercats has traditionally been a tough place to reign, but NJ All-Stars has made it look frighteningly easy recently. Now, another Thundercats challenger just added the #1 and #2 overall picks for added spice. [2014 Preview]

#2: Funk Coalition (5-14, 8-9-2)
In a division of heavy hitters, Funk has sunk to the bottom. Dirty fact: Funk has never had a winning season, not one. In a division that semi-regularly sends three teams to the playoffs, that’s very embarassing. After jettisoning tons of parts just two years ago, GM Jon is on a trading roll again. The ultra-big lineup featuring Dwight Howard didn’t gel correctly, and now it’s onto a more guard heavy attack. Of course, those guards are Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, and Eric Gordon, who have about a ten percent chance of all staying healthy. The front line is still rock solid with Al Jefferson, Andre Drummond, and the infuriating Josh Smith, but that backcourt could implode in a hurry. After last season’s disastrous season, all remnants of Funk’s original core left the building with Tony Parker.

The good news is that new guards are coming! Dante Exum and Marcus Smart were #3 and #7 overall, and while both may take a while to season, they could be doing it from on the court as Rose, Rondo, or Gordon will inevitably get hurt.  DeMarre Carroll will serve as a wing off the bench, alongside sixth rounder Wesley Johnson. Another rookie, Aaron Gordon will sit the pine, next to low upside big men Kyle O’Quinn and Miles Plumlee. Most of this season’s success will hinge on Rose and Rondo’s return, as well as one of the rookies emerging. In such a hotly contested division, that may still not be enough to acquire a winning record. Sigh.

#8: Chunky Monkeys (9-10, 11-7-1)
It’s hard to be a happier fantasy basketball owner than Evan. I mean, all his evil machinations worked out and he not only won the Toilet Bowl but he also WON the Toilet Bowl with Fat Jubas’ pick too. This is the fastest rebuilding plan I’ve ever seen, right? While Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker aren’t LeBron, it’s clear they’ll have plenty of chances with their new franchises as the number one guys. Monkeys already feature James Harden, Goran Dragic, Jrue Holiday, and Jeff Teague as a wonderful guard unit, so when Wiggins and Parker get into the flow, they’ll just add to all that greatness.

The only thing keeping this team from challenging for a division title now is a frontcourt capable of getting these guys some rebounds and rim protection. Marc Gasol is the most well rounded center in fantasy but he’s not a big volume guy in any category. He could be slightly miscast on this team. Sixth keeper Terrence Jones could get more minutes this season but he’s not a frontline player by any means. So the hunt is on for someone who can anchor the defense and keep this from being a small ball lineup. (Or should Evan return to his small ball ways?) Thus the three headed center poo poo platter of Henry Sims, John Henson, and Timofey Mozgov. Someone has to rotate in with Gasol and Jones, so one of these guys better be the solution. Toronto’s James Johnson is around too, to do…I don’t really know what, since I have no idea who he is. Really, with such a good backcourt, as well as the two prize rookies, Monkeys don't really need to look into contending right now. Rather, they can just sit back like Daenerys and watch their future All-Stars grow, while plotting how to bolster that front line before they unleash dragonfire on everyone.

#13: Spade (12-7, 9-8-2)
There’s a strong argument to be made that Spade has been the most successful franchise in SlamNation history. They’ve got the second best winning percentage overall, never had a losing season, and also captured a title before dropping the mic and exiting as 100 Acre Pooh Bears, stage left. After the dispersal draft last year, one that totally reloaded a defending champion, it looked like new owner Randall was going to repeat easily. Fortunately for the rest of us, injuries hit hard. Like really hard. I think at half this team was on the mend, usually all at once. Despite all that turbulence, Spade still managed to sneak out a playoff win, and now they’re back and fully healthy.

Kevin Love is here. Al Horford is here. Eric Bledsoe is here. Kawhi Leonard is already day-to-day, but what a NBA Finals he had. Kobe Bryant is back. And the iron man on the team last year, Paul Millsap, is coming off a fantastic season. This is on the only team that held over all six keepers from the previous year, and why not? Outside of maybe Sour Snails, what roster boasts such well balanced talent across the board? Spade also drafted Arron Afflalo’s career year last season. So, with all these guys back, is Randall pushing for a title? In a word: YES! His draft was all veterans with David West, Paul Pierce, Ersan Ilyasova, J.R. Smith, Anderson Verajao, and Nene Hilario. Yup, the youngest guy there is probably Earl Joseph Smith III. Team Spade can see their championship window and  they’re aiming straight for it. We love this attitude and despite being fearful of their dominance last year, now we’re subtly hoping for a Clash of the Titans type battle with the next team on our list...

#15: NJ All-Stars (14-5, 15-4)
NJ All-Stars has ruled Thundercats, and by extension Russell Conference, for two years straight. Arguably three, since in 2012 they had an eight win record, same as two other teams in Thundercats. Then they showed everyone up by going to the Finals in Eddie’s rookie season. Now, they are at a bit of the crossroads. After last year’s all-in trade for Joakim Noah yielded a crushing Finals upset, can these All-Stars recover mentally in time to push their way up the mountain top again? Oh wait, before any of that, we can’t dismiss Paul George’s horrific leg injury. George is out for the year and he may never come back! Okay, he will, but that break was awful. Without George playing mini-LeBron, it’ll be tough for LBJ to push this squad into championship status. Then again, maybe Lance Stephenson can elevate himself to second fiddle, and Kyle Lowry did solidify himself as a prime time point guard. Plus, Reggie Jackson will get a lot of run without Kevin Durant Around. Compared to last season’s keepers, Stephenson, Jackson, and Noah are still a huge upgrade on Spencer Hawes, Jose Calderon, and Ryan Anderson.

For the draft, All-Stars lost a pick due to the Noah acquisition — which cost them Nerlens Noel, Ryan Anderson, this year’s RD2, Andrea Bargnani — and tagged Tobias Harris, Matt Barnes, and rookie K.J. McDaniels to play small forward. Dion Waiters and C.J. Miles will give this team the shooting it needs, but there doesn’t seem to be anybody else to play alongside Noah. So it looks like it’ll be small ball with LeBron at power forward and a whole bunch of wings alongside. Will that be enough to return to the Finals? Will that be enough to fend off Spade? We’re excited to find out!