We are going into week 4 of the season and teams are starting to show themselves to be in Ben Wallace or Rasheed Wallace form. Both were never the dominant, superstars but they excelled at niche categories (Boards and Blocks for Ben, Technical Fouls and Threes for Rasheed). For the teams in this lower echelon of the league, they would do to either make some bolder moves to be more competitive in more categories and not be like Sheed and Ben and only specialize in a couple.
In analyzing the strength/power rank of the ten teams, I have compared each squad to a current NBA squad and their production for this season. In continuing the parallelism, you may call Sleeper Squad, David Stern, but in no way, shape or bald head am I Adam Silver.
10.
Laker Gang: (NBA Comparison: Indiana Pacers) - Plagued by injuries ranging from Gerald Wallace, Nena, DRose, Amare and actual Pacer, Danny Granger, this team has lacked the personnel to compete during these first two week like its NBA comparison.
Despite missing so many critical contributors, this team drew a tie in 3PTM and barely lost in points. against Challah in week 1. Unfortunately in week 2, Laker Gang ran up against league leader, Rob, and took a beating in points, rebounds, and blocks.
However, the team picked up needed depth with Horford, Parker, Thornton and Gallo from Sleeper Squad so this team may be moving in a different direction which in this case should be up since you can't be any lower than 10th.
9.
kobeking: (NBA Comparison: Brooklyn Nets) - A much better team than his record demonstrates, after finishing on the better end of a 5-4 victory in week 1, this team has ridden the coat tails of Ibaka, Faried, and Russ Westbrook.
Although he has top flight contributors so that he is currently among league leaders in blocks, assists, rebounds, points, 3ptm, the team is particulary weak in free throw%, steals and turnovers. For those doing the math, he can still win his weekly matchups and pull a Baron Davis on Andrei Kirelenko upset when the playoffs roll around.
Mirroring the additions that the Nets made this season, kobeking has made a huge trade with sleeper squad. Specifically, just like Brooklyn acquired Deron and Crash Wallace this past off-season, kobeking has recently acquired Chris Paul and Carmelo which was actually something that could have happened two years ago.
8.
Challah: (NBA Comparison: Minnesota Timberwolves) - A well-rounded team with an unassuming superstar, Kevin Love and a host of effective but not meteroic contributors describes both the T'wolves and Challah's team. Not particularly strong in the FG or FT% or 3PTM, Challah does have strengths in rebounds and blocks. When Love returns, Challah's rebounding should be hard to match with the trio of Marc Gasol, Paul Millsap, and Love contending in those categories.
Challah also has promising young point guard, Kemba walker and off-guard Arron Affalo, both of whom should have the best fantasy years of their young careers as the top options at their team. If Deandre Jordan, Nicholas Batum, Chandler Parsons can continue to progress and fill the stat sheet like they have been so far, Challah could be a threatening team to contend with.
7.
skiptomylou (NBA Comparison: Utah Jazz) - A team full of exciting, athletic, high ceiling players who still have much room to improve. Leading the pack is current all-nba performer, Rudy Gay. Josh Smith, Dwight Howard should post similar numbers to their 2011-2012 contributions as the season progresses. If Klay Thompson, Monta Ellis, and Goran Dragic can peak earlier than later, skip might have a chance to meet the giant potential his team has.
