Atlantic storm Quarterly Update: Atlantic uprise as Pacific calms By David "Heath" Aldridge Philadelphia, May 25 -- It is still the West that holds the upper hand between the conferences (+23 games) but the power is shifting towards the east. By the end of the season last seasons difference of 174 games could be more than halfed. And the storm is building up in the Atlantic, while the Pacific has been calming down. The Atlantic is in fact stealing wins from all the other divisions. The Midwest is perhaps as strong as last season, but with the increased quality from the competitors they can not expect to win as many games aslast season. The Midwest is currently (+39) on pace to be 150+ games over .500 this season compared to last seasons 170 games over. Mavs have opened up stronger than most expected going 22-1, and are on pace to defend last seasons 76-6 record. A favorite among some the Jazz struggled in the beginning of the season and a record of 15-5 (4th) is not where they expected to be, but with their improved play lately dont rule them out of coming close to last seasons 72-10 record. Spurs, also thought to be one of the better western teams, is currently 3rd in the west with an 18-4 record. Behind those 3 top midwestern teams you have Wolves (6th, 15-7), Grizzlies (7th, 14-9) and small-balling Rockets (9th, 11-11) fighting for playoffs spots. The Pacific downfall have been mentioned several times during this season, but what seems to be forgotten is that as strong as the west was last year the Pacfic as a whole was only a total of 4 - four - games over .500 last season. Still there has been a significant downfall being on pace (-16) to end up around 55 games under this season. Blazers can't be blamed for the downfall, thats for sure with a 20-1 record, can they repeat their magnificent 78-4 record from last season. I still don't think they can, but it sure looks like they are giving it a good go. Kings is another team that is doing their best to keep the Pacific division afloat. With a 16-7 (5th) start to the season, they look to win back the playoff spot they missed last season. If they can keep up their pace they will surely be in the postseason this year, but the west is though and I would not book that postseason in for sure just yet. A team guilty in the Pacific downfall is the Lakers (8th, 12-8) who is a long way from being close to repeating their 62-20 record from last year. Another team losing out from last seasons 58-24 record is the Sonics (10th, 8-13). Both teams could still compete for a playoff spot, but I can not see them both being included like last season. Even if the west has given up some slack the Central division has been unable to take advantage to better them themselfs. Already 31 games under .500, on pace for around 120 games under means they will have to start finding more wins to improve from last years 96 games under .500. Last years eastern flagship Bucks still continues on last years form (58-24) with their 15-5 start to the season. Other teams that continues or builds on last years record is 5th placed Pacers 14-8 (49-33) and 9th placed Cavs 11-12 (30-52). The biggest Central disappointment is 6th placed Raptors with a 13-9 record that is far away from living up to last years 57-25 season. Pistons has also had a slow start this season and struggles to keep themself in playoff contenion with a 9-13 record (35-47). The new GMs for the bottom-feeders is trying to turn the teams around but could be faced with a task that could take a couple seasons. Bulls with 4 wins now should be able to better last seasons 13 wins if they keep up their pace, while Hawks GM rimbaud have been very active to get new players in to help better last seasons futility record of 10-72. We will have a better feel if this 2-20 team could better their record later when their new team has gotten some more games under the belt. As mentioned earlier the Atlantic is stealing games from all the other divisions. Currently 8 games over .500 they look to better last seasons -78 games with a full 100 games. The new top team in the east is Philadelpia 76ers (19-2), have started to build a little lead in the last few games. Up and coming Nets is one of the teams that have improved most from last season (42-40) with their 17-5 record. Knicks 16-7 (45-37) is also improving their records with new GM Johny Rocket taking over the franchise. Last season surprise in the playoffs, Wizards, have also improved but are perhaps still saving some for the playoffs with their current 13-11 (37-45) record. It looks like getting new GMs in the Atlantic could be a major reason for the shift in the league. At the moment Bostons new GM puedlfor have just pushed his team into the final eastern playoff spot with their 11-11 (30-52) record. To repeat the numbers: Atlantic 8 games over .500 (-78). On pace for around 30 games over this year. Central 31 games under .500 (-96). On pace for around 120 games under this year. Midwest 39 games over .500 (+170). On pace for around 150 games over this year. Pacific 16 games under .500 (+4). On pace for around 60 games under this year. --------- I'm sending you a bunch of new files in a few mins Castor. ------------------ The CC.net NBA Sim Board/Homepage
