The Case for #5

So I actually started looking at the JBL rosters and teams again. I know, I know, it's May and the NBA playoffs are still on and we're nowhere near the next JBL season. But what can I say? I'm obsessed. My annual off season review and Power Rankings for the coming 2012/13 season are on my mind.

So, as usual, I considered many factors when coming up with this year's Rankings. Here is what I was looking at....

• past season performance
• last 3 years performance
• last 5 years performance
• # of 2011/12 trades and FA signings
• Who are your keepers?
• what does your team look like after Auction night?
• ability to make good trades
• willingness to make moves
• What does my gut tell me on how I think you'll fare next season?

All of the above factors go into my evaluation of where I think you're team ranks this off season. So, rather than give you my 1st Off Season Rankings order (yes, there will be a 2nd Ranking after NBA Free Agency takes place and a 3rd will be done after the lottery order is determined) I thought I would break the league down into 3 tiers first. As I went through the breakdown and rankings - one number kept popping into my head - the number 5.

The Elite - This group will be considered title contenders and have that aura of awesomeness every year. These JBL teams are just like the #5 Orange Men's Club - awesome. Each and every year it seems these teams are in contention. Similarly, each and every time you walk into #5 Orange you see naked chicks. I think there are 4 JBL teams in this group.

The Challengers - this group can be seen as the bunch who, with a little more JBL effort, could challenge for the money spots. There kinda like that really cool movie from 1986 called Short Circuit. It had that quirky fun-loving robot called 'Johnny 5' who came to life when he was struck by lightning. That's what this group of teams needs - to be struck by lightning and come to life. I think there are 5 JBL teams in this group.

And finally, it's the 'Hawaii 5-0' group. Think about all the TV shows out there these days. It's actually now come to the point where there are no new ideas so TV stations have to bring back shows that were cool in the past and do them again. That's what happened with Hawaii 5-0. The TV stations have re-invented the same shows and sold the public that they are cool again. So, this group of JBL teams need to reinvent themselves and come back new and improved...just like this cool sitcom. At the moment, I think there are 4 JBL teams in this group.

So, those are the 3 groups. Splitting the teams into the 3 groups wasn't very difficult in my mind. But when it came time to actually thinking about a final ranking I was having a really hard time slotting in a team at #5. There, finally, after how many paragraphs - you finally get my reference to the #5. You're welcome. 

So...I have it narrowed down to 4 teams for that #5 spot in the rankings. A top 5 spot sounds so much cooler than the #6 spot doesn't it? I have built cases for each of these 4 teams (pro's and con's) about why they should be slotted in at the #5 spot. It's gonna be tough. Real tough. But I'll just have to do it - because no one outside of about 4 JBL blog readers actually cares anyways. So, with that in mind - the next time you  hear from me I will have the 1st Edition of the 2012 JBL Power Rankings. For now, I say good night.