(Records differ slightly from the East due to a two day delay on my half.)
West
San Antonio Spurs (44-9) - The best team in the NBA as far as records go, the Spurs are defying logic and their age by playing some of the best team ball in the league. The Spurs play as a unit and no single person is the focal point of their offense. The defense has taken a step back, but teamwork and an improved synergy level has created a very potent offense to compensate. They certainly are one of the few surprise teams this season. A+
LA Lakers (38-16) - The defending champs are collecting more scrutiny then anyone else in the NBA. Kobe and the gang aren't playing bad, but they have a losing record versus the best teams in the NBA. Ron Artest needs to step his game up, and if Andrew Bynum can stay healthy the two time champs could look to three-peat. B
Dallas Mavericks (37-16) - Another team I can't stand. Even with Corran Butler gone for the year, the Mavs are staying consistent. Dirk is playing with a great supporting cast and Dallas has one of the best benches in the league. B
Oklahoma City Thunder (33-18) - The Thunder are a fun team to watch. Kevin Durant is explosive and leads the league in total scoring. Westbrook has emerged as one of the brightest young guards around. The team has dropped off a bit since last year, but they are still controlling their division. B-
New Orleans Hornets (33-22) - This team has to find its identity. They haven't been able to stay hot at all. They go through these great winning periods and then just fall off the radar. Sometimes they look unstoppable, and sometimes they stop themselves. Before this win against Orlando they had dropped four in a row and seemed lost. Chris Paul needs to take over or this team is looking at an early exit in the playoffs. C+
Denver Nuggets (31-23) - The Melo-drama continues. I'd prefer Carmelo to stay right where he is. Denver is a great team with him, but if he goes to New York or LA he makes them that much better. This is another team with a deep bench. Melo has also been playing his best basketball during all this trade speculation. B-
Utah Jazz (31-24) - The Sloan-less Jazz need to figure out their problems and fast. The West is a lot more competitive then the East as far as bottom seeds go. If the Jazz continue this downward spiral they could be fighting just to make a playoff berth. As a team with Deron Williams as their point guard, that is a very sad stat. D+
Portland Trailblazers (29-24) - Crazy how this team manages to stay in the hunt despite key injuries to some of its best players. Greg Oden has yet to show if he can stay healthy and be reliable throughout a single season. I bet they are smacking themselves about picking him over Durant now, huh? On the plus side, Brandon Roy is coming back and LaMarcus Aldridge is the biggest snub in this years All-Star game. He should have made it over Duncan. B-
Memphis Grizzlies (39-26) - All I know about them is they have Rudy Gay, who is a beast, and Pau's younger brother. They also sit right outside the eight spot. C-
Phoenix Suns (26-25) - Another team looking at the playoffs from the outside. I like the Gortat trade a lot, but Vincanity is not the same. C
Houston Rockets (25-29) - Now the teams start to dip under 500! All offense, no defense. D-
Golden State Warriors (23-29) - Curry and Ellis make for some good basketball to watch, but David Lee hasn't looked as dominant as they wanted him too. The warriors lack the big presence in the middle and their defense is horrible. Still, the team is going through a youth movement and could make a push into the playoffs should they get hot. Trading Curry away would be a bad thing. C
LA Clippers (20-33) - Yes, they beat Miami. Yes, they have the rookie of the year. Yes, they are fun to watch......BUT their record is horrible, they aren't going to make the playoffs AND they just lost to the Cavaliers. Fail, thy name is Clippers. F
Minnesota Timberwolves (13-40) - Micheal Beasley was wrong. He said that he was on the worst team in the league. That title belongs to the Cavs, but he wasn't far off. I bet Love would trade all those Double-doubles for wins any day. F+
Sacramento Kings (12-37) - Eh. they suck. F
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
East Grades
Well it's like 6am and I am feeling like a NBA progress report, so here goes.
With just over 50 games played, it's fair to say most teams in the NBA are starting to see where they are going to end up at the end of the season. Some teams have fared better the others in the gelling process, and some teams haven't had one minute of being entirely healthy. Overall I'd say the season to this point has been very enjoyable. It's safe to say this is going to be the first season where I have paid attention throughout the entirety of the season and not just during the start of the playoffs.
I'm going to give each team my own personal grade based on how I feel that team has played up until now. I will start with the team with the best records. Granted, some teams might have little or nothing under there name other then a grade. It all depends how much I care for them.
East
Miami Heat (38-14) - Tied with Boston for the best record in the East - What can I say. Miami has two of the best players on the same team. It hasn't been easy, but Miami is starting to play how everyone feared they would from the get go. Injuries haven't allowed this team many breaks, but the big three have not suffered from too many long term problems. The defense has been impressive as Spoelstra trust Wade and James to float around the court while the remaining three other players play a stiff zone scheme. The Heat are still looking for a win against Boston and Dallas and has yet to play San Antonio, but they have played well against every other opponent. Chris Bosh is the team's anchor right now, and it was apparent how badly the team missed him during his injury absence. Even being a huge Dwayne Wade fan, I would have to admit that Lebron James has been playing at a much higher level as of late and should be in serious discussion about a third MVP regardless of where he took his talents in the summer. Just take a look at Cleveland without him. Miami might share the best record in the East, but I feel they still have not reached their peak as far as potential goes. I will give them a B+ for right now.
Boston Celtics (38-14) - Tied with Miami for the best record in the East - I hate them so much, but they are playing at a high level despite possibly the most setbacks for any competitive team in the league. The injury bug has plagued Boston all season, but it does not show in there overall performance. The new-found big four have been playing well all season, but KG is starting to show signs of decline. Allen, Pierce and Rondo are all playing at a high level. Doc Rivers trust Rondo with the ball. He knows Rondo will not force shots and is always looking for the open man. Ray Allen, well...he got game. His field goal percentages are all up from prior years and he is the one player of the original big three who is not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. Paul Pierce is still the best fat kid on the court in my eyes. He is douche, but at least he hasn't pretended to get hurt as of late. Amidst all the injuries they have faced, I will give Boston a A- for right now.
Chicago Bulls (35-16) - Derrick Rose is the biggest speed bump blocking Lebron James' third straight MVP award, and he is very much deserving of it. The Bulls have yet to see Rose, Boozer, and Noah on the court at the same time this entire season, yet the Bulls have the third best record in the east. Impressive. Rose just might be a better slasher to the rim then even Dwayne Wade, but we shall see. The Bulls did however beat Miami in their only meeting this season. Also, the only team in the NBA with a perfect record in their own division. I would say this is the scariest team that Miami has to overcome and for that I give them a A as of right now.
Atlanta Hawks (33-19) - Eh, they are a team with a whole bunch of great players. No one on this team is crazy good, but when they are working on all cylinders, this is a fierce team. They just are too up and down for me to give them too high of a praise. C+
Orlando Magic (34-20) - My poor Magic. They weren't playing all too well before the trade, and even after they have yet to find a working rhythm. Gilbert Arenas' play is the talk of many as one of the biggest reasons this trade hasn't worked. Where is the agent zero who used to dominate games? Howard might be the only great big man on the court, but he is still just as dominant. He needs help. C-
New York Knicks (26-25) - Look at that drop off. Eight games separate the 5th and 6th teams in the East. Someone said that NY is back to being a good team, but their record does not show it. The Knicks are the Toronto Raptors of yesteryear. Learn to play some defense. D+
Philadelphia 76ers (24-28) - Losing records go! Not much to say, they are doing ok. C
Indiana Pacers (22-28) - Uh, they beat Miami...once and played them very tough a second time. I guess that's good? They are barely holding onto that elusive eight seed in the East. D+
Charlotte Bobcats (22-30) - They really miss Raymond Felton. It's just not the same ball club with him gone. They need to pick their game up if they want to make it back to the playoffs. D-
Milwaukee Bucks (20-31) - Pedestrian, at best. where's the team that looked so impressive last year? D-
Detroit Pistons (20-33) - Soon to be twenty and thirty-four after Miami gets done with them. Age is a crazy thing, no? D-
New Jersey Nets (16-37) - Nothing good comes from New Jersey. F
Toronto Raptors (14-39) - Hey, at least they won recently! I guess? F+ seems justifiable.
Washington Wizards (14-37) - Work in progress I suppose. D-
Cleveland Cavaliers (8-45) - This http://www.terezowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/cavscover.jpg and also Dan Gilbert is one funny guy. As for a grade...what is worse then a F?
West in a few.
With just over 50 games played, it's fair to say most teams in the NBA are starting to see where they are going to end up at the end of the season. Some teams have fared better the others in the gelling process, and some teams haven't had one minute of being entirely healthy. Overall I'd say the season to this point has been very enjoyable. It's safe to say this is going to be the first season where I have paid attention throughout the entirety of the season and not just during the start of the playoffs.
I'm going to give each team my own personal grade based on how I feel that team has played up until now. I will start with the team with the best records. Granted, some teams might have little or nothing under there name other then a grade. It all depends how much I care for them.
East
Miami Heat (38-14) - Tied with Boston for the best record in the East - What can I say. Miami has two of the best players on the same team. It hasn't been easy, but Miami is starting to play how everyone feared they would from the get go. Injuries haven't allowed this team many breaks, but the big three have not suffered from too many long term problems. The defense has been impressive as Spoelstra trust Wade and James to float around the court while the remaining three other players play a stiff zone scheme. The Heat are still looking for a win against Boston and Dallas and has yet to play San Antonio, but they have played well against every other opponent. Chris Bosh is the team's anchor right now, and it was apparent how badly the team missed him during his injury absence. Even being a huge Dwayne Wade fan, I would have to admit that Lebron James has been playing at a much higher level as of late and should be in serious discussion about a third MVP regardless of where he took his talents in the summer. Just take a look at Cleveland without him. Miami might share the best record in the East, but I feel they still have not reached their peak as far as potential goes. I will give them a B+ for right now.
Boston Celtics (38-14) - Tied with Miami for the best record in the East - I hate them so much, but they are playing at a high level despite possibly the most setbacks for any competitive team in the league. The injury bug has plagued Boston all season, but it does not show in there overall performance. The new-found big four have been playing well all season, but KG is starting to show signs of decline. Allen, Pierce and Rondo are all playing at a high level. Doc Rivers trust Rondo with the ball. He knows Rondo will not force shots and is always looking for the open man. Ray Allen, well...he got game. His field goal percentages are all up from prior years and he is the one player of the original big three who is not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. Paul Pierce is still the best fat kid on the court in my eyes. He is douche, but at least he hasn't pretended to get hurt as of late. Amidst all the injuries they have faced, I will give Boston a A- for right now.
Chicago Bulls (35-16) - Derrick Rose is the biggest speed bump blocking Lebron James' third straight MVP award, and he is very much deserving of it. The Bulls have yet to see Rose, Boozer, and Noah on the court at the same time this entire season, yet the Bulls have the third best record in the east. Impressive. Rose just might be a better slasher to the rim then even Dwayne Wade, but we shall see. The Bulls did however beat Miami in their only meeting this season. Also, the only team in the NBA with a perfect record in their own division. I would say this is the scariest team that Miami has to overcome and for that I give them a A as of right now.
Atlanta Hawks (33-19) - Eh, they are a team with a whole bunch of great players. No one on this team is crazy good, but when they are working on all cylinders, this is a fierce team. They just are too up and down for me to give them too high of a praise. C+
Orlando Magic (34-20) - My poor Magic. They weren't playing all too well before the trade, and even after they have yet to find a working rhythm. Gilbert Arenas' play is the talk of many as one of the biggest reasons this trade hasn't worked. Where is the agent zero who used to dominate games? Howard might be the only great big man on the court, but he is still just as dominant. He needs help. C-
New York Knicks (26-25) - Look at that drop off. Eight games separate the 5th and 6th teams in the East. Someone said that NY is back to being a good team, but their record does not show it. The Knicks are the Toronto Raptors of yesteryear. Learn to play some defense. D+
Philadelphia 76ers (24-28) - Losing records go! Not much to say, they are doing ok. C
Indiana Pacers (22-28) - Uh, they beat Miami...once and played them very tough a second time. I guess that's good? They are barely holding onto that elusive eight seed in the East. D+
Charlotte Bobcats (22-30) - They really miss Raymond Felton. It's just not the same ball club with him gone. They need to pick their game up if they want to make it back to the playoffs. D-
Milwaukee Bucks (20-31) - Pedestrian, at best. where's the team that looked so impressive last year? D-
Detroit Pistons (20-33) - Soon to be twenty and thirty-four after Miami gets done with them. Age is a crazy thing, no? D-
New Jersey Nets (16-37) - Nothing good comes from New Jersey. F
Toronto Raptors (14-39) - Hey, at least they won recently! I guess? F+ seems justifiable.
Washington Wizards (14-37) - Work in progress I suppose. D-
Cleveland Cavaliers (8-45) - This http://www.terezowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/cavscover.jpg and also Dan Gilbert is one funny guy. As for a grade...what is worse then a F?
West in a few.
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