NSL Championship Pie

 

This is a little gimmick I recently heard on a podcast and thought it would be a fun idea to spark some conversation in the NSL.  This is my completely bias opinion on the championship race as it stands and would encourage others to comment what they think and would change!  Starting with Honourable Mentions and then working from largest percentage to smallest.

 

 

 

Honourable Mentions:

 

New Orleans Pelicans:  it was hard for me not to give the Pelicans a slice of the Championship Pie, I think they very well could be in this picture.  However, decided due to match-up flexibility some teams have edged them out a bit here.  I wouldn�t be surprised however, to see them knock off any of the teams mentioned from the west.

 

Memphis Grizzlies: There has been a lot of talk about Memphis needing an �ALPHA� type player, I think if they did find this player, they would catapult up the championship pie standings.  They have all the accessory pieces you would want; they just need that number one guy!

 

 

 

Championship Pie

 

Washington Wizards:  

The Wizards have the largest slice of the Championship pie at 22%, this is partially due to some background knowledge on some teams testing against their new line up WITHOUT Zach Lavine.  The King is still HIM and has elevated this team to a whole other level, add in Devin Booker as the side kick, one of the best rebounders and interior defenders in the game in Clint Capela, and not to mention whatever they move Lavine for, this team has the makings of a championship roster and hence are the favourites in the pie.

 

Minnesota Timberwolves � 18%

As mentioned at the top of the article this is my completely BIAS rankings, hence giving the Timberwolves the best chance to make it out of the west.  The Timberwolves have a unique two-way duo in Jimmy Butler and Anthony Davis, sprinkle in some more two-way role players and a big brute on the inside in Jonas Valanciunas.  I feel we have the positional versatility to match-up well with most teams, our biggest issue is going to be health.

 

Milwaukee Bucks � 15 %

The Bucks have been the betting favourite all year long, and quite frankly, they very well could be still.  They have an elite system that is super effective, they have one of the savviest GMs in the league, they have a bona fide young superstar in Shai, they also have the league�s best defence to this point in the season.  The Bucks are absolutely primed and ready to make a championship run.  Heck, having them second in the east, may even give GM Daz some more fuel for the already out of control fire.

 

San Antonino Spurs � 15%

The reigning NSL champions are currently 4^th in the NSL Championship pie rankings, and again, this is purely because of my bias toward my own team.  The Spurs could very well be the best in the west, however, they are currently 3^rd in the standings.  Gm Nels has made a flurry of moves of late, some in line with league rules and some cost him 50 Gm points.  While he�s not #1 in NSL Rankings currently, the spurs have the best player in the league, which is reason enough to have them in this article.  Throw in the fact they have Jrue holiday, Khris Middleton, Bol Bol (LOL) and they are ready to defend their title.  The glitch factor is real in San Antonio, but they are also supremely talented and have one of the best GMs at the helm.

 

Los Angeles Lakers � 15%

Gm Jmac has done a fantastic job at building out the Lakers roster.

The Lakers have gone from cellar dwellers to Championship contenders, they look incredible.  The Lakers have arguably the most explosive scoring duo in the league in Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell.  They�re currently the #1 seed in the west and deservedly so, Gm Justin has made all the right moves and pulled all the right strings, he has the team humming along and keeps adding value along the way, most recently Wendell Carter Jr.  Oh, and they have the original glitch lord Andre Drummond (Thanks again Jmac).   All the little jabs aside, fantastic work Justin, the roster you inherited to where it is now is night and day.

 

 

Utah Jazz � 14%

Another team that has gone from cellar dwellers to the toast of the town.  Joel Embiid, James Harden, Dejounte Murray and somehow GM Jase has kept Franz Wagner, he�s also landed Jabari Smith Jr in a trade while getting the best player in the deal, what is going on here?  Gm Jase has taken multiple Gms to the cleaners this year in trade talks, amazing work.  Jase has footed the bill recently sending out firsts for some role guys, but these could be the exact moves that see him make it out the west, he�s brought in great pieces to place around his stars.  Just need him to get Embiid back now.

 

Oklahoma City Thunder � 1%

Oklahoma City get the smallest slice of pie at 1%, however, the fact they�ve made it on the list is an achievement in itself.  They arguably lost the Trae Young deal from a value standpoint, yet here they are and have rattle off the second longest win streak in the NSL this season.  The Thunder have fantastic two-way ability in Anthony Edwards and Alex Caruso, Trae Young can fill it up while elevating his teammates with his high level of play making, Onyeka Okongwu never misses a rebound, and they have some decent depth pieces on the bench to help carry the load when the starters sit.  Considering GM James is about as active on discord as a Koala, the Thunder look damn good.

 

As it stands at the end of week 10 this is the NSL Championship Pie, this might change as the deadline approaches, if there are any big movers or shakers, we will re assess post NSL Trade deadline. I hope this rustles some feathers around the league and some GMs do what is necessary to make it on here next time.