2022 NSL Off-Season: Risers & Fallers

Riser: A team that has noticeably improved either their playing roster (on court impact, more likely to win games) or has added significantly to the team�s asset portfolio (franchise value).

Faller: A team that has noticeably lost talent or momentum regarding winning basketball games or has lost value, fit in recent transactions.

The purpose of these articles is to provoke pride and generate discussion amongst the league. I hope others disagree.

Below are some (subjective) examples of Risers and Fallers through the 2022 Off-Season:


Riser � Los Angeles Lakers

Justin has become quite the shrewd operator at the trade table and I�m not sure any team has improved as much on-court as the Lakers have. He has shed the training wheels and indecision and put on the body armour. Effectively, LAL turned picks 5 and 12 into Kristaps Porzingis, Julius Randle and some other peripheral assets. Talk about banking on the concrete value. Some question Randle�s deal and his basketball ability, but he�s a beast in 2k. Zinger needs no introduction; his health is unreliable, but he warrants the Unicorn tag and when he plays, he is a tour de force in 2k, with height, length, skill and 2k cheese that few other players can rival. How does it all come together? I think it�s the best scoring offensive big-man tandem in the league. Oh, and these aren�t even their best players. Hello, Cade!




Faller � Dallas Mavericks

It seemed a reasonable segue to now reference LJ and his Dallas Mavericks. What change this franchise has undergone lately. Just a year ago, this team had Kevin Durant, Kristaps Porzingis and Julius Randle as its top three players. Now, they are hopeful that Jalen Brunson is their best player, followed by, perhaps Myles Turner or Bobby Portis? With almost all of the league maturing to a level where they are competitive on the court, I fear that the Mavericks are in a really dangerous place � no upside to losing (they moved their first for Terence Davis), not the right tools to win. Hopefully LJ can find the harmony amongst his players, get some wins and spoil Jase and the Jazz pre-emptively dancing on the Mavs� grave.


Riser � New York Knicks

Albeit an obvious riser, that has been meticulously crafted to fly up the standings upon their best players returning to health, the Knicks still must be mentioned as a major force and force of disruption for the Eastern Conference hierarchy. Smokey has been kissed on the dick more times than most in this league in terms of draft luck, but you can�t overstate just how great he is at trading, communicating, evaluating trades and composing terrific rosters. He has been doing it for decades in 2k. A big call to move pick 2, but Leonard and Butler is the best two-way wing combination in the history of our league. Capela, Wood and McConnell round out a seriously complementary starting five.




Faller � Los Angeles Clippers

Sure, you can argue that the return for the Clippers was fine, and many have. Banchero looks to be a star, Mathurin looks to have the tools to be a great player. Andrew holds his own fate in his hands with the 2023 Clippers pick safely tucked into bed at home. Life is good; Clippers fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief for a new era. However, I am a firm believer that you can never get equal value on a superstar, let alone Giannis, the greatest player in the game, currently, a physical Unicorn, an amazing person and JUST entering his prime. Not to mention, never really giving him a shot to win in the first place. Giannis dragged this team to 50 wins in his sleep, year after year. The Clippers might not win half that many.


Riser � Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks barely won 20 games last season, good for a comfortable seat within the �Rock Bottom� tier of performers. But like all good, competitive GMs do, he took the value that was gained from losing and turned it into concrete value; not just any value either, in the form of two former All-Stars in Damian Lillard, a star player, and Pascal Siakam, a great player who seems to be trending up and improving. The genius was not trading his current young players who matter � top picks Jalen Green, DeAndre Hunter, Jaxson Hayes, among others. Ben was also able to add Isaiah Stewart to be the �junkyard dog� on the Hawks, doing the dirty work amongst the offensive finesse. I love the fit of the roster and with his pick gone, it�s all aboard the win train for Atlanta. They could add 30 wins to last season�s total.





Faller � Chicago Bulls

Merencio and I are like kindred spirits; competitive maniacs who value one thing and one thing only � winning the ultimate prize. Desolate at the thought of their team failing, even if it�s just losing a couple of games. The Chicago Bulls have undoubtedly lost some momentum. At the dawn of the NSL, they were as good as any team. Since that first season, losing in the 2020 NSL Finals, the sheen has slowly faded from the Bulls team. Whether it be consistent major injuries to key players or bad timing, there just hasn�t been a lot of forward momentum for Chicago as of late and this has shown on their beloved GM. With Wall now a FA, and having sapped the team of much of their salary cap space and emotion, he may leave town. However, if there is any GM in the league that I would bet on finding a way, It�s Merencio.