THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY. USA CONFERENCE
BROOKLYN RAGE
Key additions:
Antonio Glaeson, SF, 17.8 ppg, 8,2 rpg, 3,3 apg, 20.8 PER
Ed Rhodes, SG, 9.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 spg, 10.7 PER
Trenton Adams, PG, pick #1 in the draft
Key subtractions:
Dan Kincaide, SF, 18.9 ppg, 8,2 rpg, 1,7 spg, 25,0 PER
Omar Jefferson, PG, 18,2 ppg, 6,3 apg, 1,3 spg, 19.8 PER
THE GOOD: They solve their financial problems while they are still a contender. Rondall trades Omar Jefferson for some reasonable talent. Jarius Miles and Mario Bailey are still there. Without Jefferson and Kincaide, they still lead the league with 26-2
THE BAD: Losing Jefferson and Kincaide makes Brooklin look beatable for the first time in some seasons. A bad injury in Bailey’s left arm will provide some unexpected losses
THE UGLY: When Trenton Adams is ready to contribute, Mario Bailey will be out of the league
OFFSEASON GRADE: A-
TORONTO DINOS
Key Additions
Latrell McDyess, PG, 6.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.8 apg, 11.9 PER
Chad Archer, SG, 13.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 spg, 15.3 PER
Jim Koons, SF, 14.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 14.9 PER
Key Subtractions
Scott Berger, SF, 15.6 ppg, 6,4 rpg, 15.4 PER
Trevor Tomlin, PG, 18.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 10.3 apg, 23.8 PER
THE GOOD: They have their own pick and around 50 millions in cap room for next season seasons. Latrell Mcdyess is the best young PG in the league. They started the season with a 8-5 record and looked like a cinderella team for some time.
THE BAD: For a team winning 32 games last season, their best players not named McDyess are around the 30 years mark
THE UGLY: McDyess injured his right leg and he won’t come back until the end of March. The season is over
OFFSEASON GRADE: B-
NEW YORK FIRESTORM
Key Additions
Jay Dickinson 20.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 20.8 PER
Ajan Estay, PG, 21.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.9 apg, 23.4 PER
Key Substractions
Sherman Mahara, PG, 21.6ppg, 7.6 apg, 1.3 spg, 26.1 PER
Chad Nolan, PF, 13.2ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 14.8 PER
Kelley Brandon, SF, 16.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 17.0 PER
THE GOOD: While they lose some talent, New York gets rid of Chad Nolan’s contract. Every move TJ Smith has made goes towards managing his cap room. Somehow, the team is in a better position for the future.
THE BAD: With all this trades, the team’s cohesion is a nightmare. They have traded for neetar and he has been traded. Same for Egg and Peska. The team has no loyalty, and they could pay when free agents have to decide where to play
THE UGLY: The guard’s rotation is really weak, even more with Egg traded and Estay injured for 40 more days. They are 12-15 and will have a hard time reaching the 25 wins. Did I mention that they don’t own their pick this offseason?
OFFSEASON GRADE: C
MIAMI EXTREME
Key Additions
Rufus Castellano, SF, 18.2ppg, 6,2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 18.1 PER
Key Substractions
None
THE GOOD: They add a talented forward to a team needed of young talent. With a 12-15 record, you can say that Miami is overachieving
THE BAD: After winning 18 games, Rufus Castellano will not be enough to make the playoffs. Jesus Morell talent is being wasted
THE UGLY: One of the worst teams in the league and they traded a lot of picks to get Castellano. But the GM keeps talking about unbalanced budgets
OFFSEASON GRADE: D+
BOSTON MASSACRE
Key Additions
Casey Pointer, SG, 21.7ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.9 apg, 20.0 PER
Victorino Pinelo, SG, 19.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 spg, 20.9 PER
Key Substractions
Matias Gutierrez, PG, 19.6ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.9 apg, 20.7 PER
THE GOOD: They improve the guard rotation. Pinelo, Pointer and Askins will make you sweat. Frank Mathieu will have one more year of experience.
THE BAD: John Keating will go from the Dev league to a starting power forward position. It’s a lot of pressure. While they are 18-7, the gap with California and Brooklyn is massive
THE UGLY: When you look at the forward rotation and want to cry
OFFSEASON GRADE: B
COLORADO PIONEERS
Key Additions
None
Key Substractions
None
THE GOOD: Colorado resigns its stars. Every key player returns. Great cohesion. Their window is still open
THE BAD: They failed to sign a new big name before resigning their own players. Same team, one year older. Some players like Devine and Lyons are starting to fade
THE UGLY: You felt short last season, maybe a little improvement of the team is needed. GM Hameleers does not think so
OFFSEASON GRADE: C-
SALT LAKE CITY FANATICS
Key Additions
Fulgencio Lurdes, C, pick #5 in the draft
Leonard Sedelmaier, SG, pick #10 in the draft
Juju Wambaugh, PG, pick #3 in the draft
Key Substractions
George Bissett, SF, 12.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 15.5 PER
Abel Desbuisnes, SG, 28.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.1 spg, 33.5 PER
THE GOOD: They are young with great potential. Some of their youngsters could be superstars in a future. They have time to develop and money to manage it. They are ahead of schedule. With a record of 14-12, the Fanatics are looking like a playoff team.
THE BAD: Some of these players will be stars in other teams. Once they start asking for extensions, the situation could turn dramatic, even more with the budget drama
THE UGLY: Losing Desbuisnes sucks. Alston Irving has been rumored wanting to play elsewhere. Some GMs have been fired for way less
OFFSEASON GRADE: D+
KANSAS CITY BLUES
Key Additions
Omar Jefferson, PG, 18,2 ppg, 6,3 apg, 1,3 spg, 19.8 PER
Key Substractions
Antonio Glaeson, SF, 17.8 ppg, 8,2 rpg, 3,3 apg, 20.8 PER
Ed Rhodes, SG, 9.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 spg, 10.7 PER
THE GOOD: Jeremy Sims stays in Kansas. Now they have a big three with Sims, Walt Jackson and Omar Jefferson.
THE BAD: Jackson and Jefferson are 31 years old, the window is so tight…You have to wonder if Jefferson’s trade is the right call. With a 14-13 record, they could even miss the playoffs
THE UGLY: That contract…
OFFSEASON GRADE: C
FORTH WORTH WARRIORS
Key Additions
Claude Weidner, SF, 21.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.9 apg, 22,1 PER
Darryl Whittaker, 19.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.4 spg, 26.9 PER
Isaac Rice, PF, 181.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 19.0 PER
Trevor Tomlin, PG, 18.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 10.3 apg, 23.8 PER
Key Substractions
Justice Grant, C, 8.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 15.6 PER
Trenton Adams, PG, pick #1 in the draft
Latrell McDyess, PG, 6.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.8 apg, 11.9 PER
THE GOOD: You had zero stars and now you have three of them. Surround them decently and a joke of a team becomes a playoff contender. Starman wants to show that he belongs to the elite
THE BAD: They have a big hole in the zone. Maybe their last trade with Albacete could help, but rebounding is a glaring need here
THE UGLY: Trenton Adams will be a star, but Gustavo could not wait for him to develop his talents
OFFSEASON GRADE: B+
CINCINNATI HITMEN
Key Additions
None
Key Substractions
None
THE GOOD: They have the same team that last season, a team that won 23 games. Cincinnati has its own pick and Devil’s pick, both projected to be top 10 picks
THE BAD: The Hitmen doesn’t have a lot of building blocks for the future, maybe Bennett Bangerter is the only player with potential to be an all-star
THE UGLY: Their salary structure won’t allow them to sign free agents next offseason
OFFSEASON GRADE: C
LOS ANGELES GARGOYLES
Key Additions
Marc White, C, 4.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 14.5 PER
Key Substractions
None
THE GOOD: Los Angeles has its own pick, when your record is 3-22, you’d better have your pick. William Curry is still improving
THE BAD: There is no talent around curry, just the promise of better things to come
THE UGLY: Have you seen Marc White’s contract? This guy is going to earn almost 100 million averaging under 5 points. Good luck
OFFSEASON GRADE: F+
CALIFORNIA FIGHTING COCKS
Key Additions
Kelley Brandon, SF, 16.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 17.0 PER
Key Substractions
Victorino Pinelo, SG, 19.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 spg, 20.9 PER
THE GOOD: California keeps the team together. Losing Pinello won’t be a major factor since they have Beck and Watt. Brooklyn has opened the door and this could be the year, they have recently added Kelley Brandon, so, their future is not a concern while they go all-in this season
THE BAD: Wally Birkhead is a legend, but can he still perform at an elite level at 33? California has a thin frontcourt and Birkhead’s talents will be needed.
THE UGLY: That payroll. Could they lose Brandon this offseason?
OFFSEASON GRADE: B-
SEATTLE RAINMAKERS
Key Additions
Justice Grant, C, 8.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 15.6 PER
Key Substractions
None
THE GOOD: Seattle is not one of the worst teams in the league anymore. They have young players that will keep the team respectable, and some major flexibility with their cap room
THE BAD: Justce Grant has never lived up to his potential. We will see this new enviroment
THE UGLY: Pat London is wasting his prime, it would be a good idea to trade him now.
OFFSEASON GRADE: C+
LAS VEGAS GAMBLERS
Key Additions
Vester Friedrich, SG, 17.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 7.6.0apg, 16.0 PER
Chad Nolan, C, 13.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 14.8 PER
Key Substractions
Rufus Castellano, SF, 18.2ppg, 6,2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 18.1 PER
THE GOOD: GM Morfeld is improving this team slowly. After winning 34, 36 ad 41 games, he is on pace to win 50 games this season. Most of their core is young and still improving
THE BAD: Vester Friedrich wants to test free agency. Not a good idea, but he wants to go to a contender. At this point, the Gamblers can’t afford a max contract under their budget
THE UGLY: Chad Nolan’s contract is huge. Titanic’s iceberg level of huge. The worst part is that Vegas traded for him
OFFSEASON GRADE: C
ARIZONA DRAGONS
Key Additions
NONE
Key Substractions
Ajan Estay, PG, 21.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.9 apg, 23.4 PER
THE GOOD: They have an interim GM who is trying to stabilize the team. First of all, he is creating some serious cap room to add some meaningful players. At 7-22, they kept their pick and that’s a good start
THE BAD: No player in the current roster is a keeper
THE UGLY: Who is going to want to play for this organization? While the new GM has made some huge work, the team has no talent at all
OFFSEASON GRADE: C+