I’m no school teacher, but I’d like to offer up some post-season grades to each NBA team that made the playoffs. Let is serve as a prequel to Nique’s exit interview questions, that is if we ever get a chance to see them.
Eastern Conference:
Atlanta Hawks: B
Let’s be real. Nobody has expected the Hawks to fare well ever since Dominique Wilkins retired. They’ve consistently been the cellar dwellers of the league. Yet it finally looks like Atlanta finally has a product they can be proud of. After taking the Boston Celtics to a seventh game, Atlanta fans should expect nothing less than playoff appearances for the next several years. They have a respectable young nucleus of players in Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Al Horford. It will be interesting to see if they keep Mike Bibby and for how long. The next step for Atlanta will be actually winning a playoff series, but it appears they’re on the right track.
Washington Wizards: C-
The Wizards are still a team without an identity. Yes, they made the post-season, but is that enough? They’ve also done so the past few years and it seems they’re now regressing. The Wiz feature one of the league’s more dynamic players in Gilbert Arenas, but next year could be a critical one for both him and the franchise. Can he stay healthy? And if so, can he coexist with his teammates? I have a gut feeling things are going to get worse for Arenas before they get better. In this day and age, with the emergence of Deron Williams and Chris Paul, an NBA point guard cannot think shoot first and pass second and that’s not Arenas’ modus operandi. Caron Butler had a great season when on the floor, but I’m not convinced the tandem of Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison are the bigs that can carry a team to the next level. I predict Arenas will eventually play his way off this team and ultimately end up on a real contender. The question is who and will they want to take a gamble on The Hibachi.
Philadelphia 76ers: B-
There are contenders and there are pretenders. Nobody outside of the Philadelphia locker room gave this team much of a chance to win anything, yet this confident group of individuals gave the Detroit Pistons a run for their money. Similar to Atlanta, this team has a young nucleus of talent to build around. But they still have question marks. I’m not sure what it will take this team to get to the next level, but I think they’re still several pieces away. Andre Iguodala is a fine young player, but can he consistently be the go to guy for this franchise.
Toronto Raptors: D
In my opinion, the Raptors are at a crossroads. They have talent to build around in Chris Bosh, but the top teams in the East have set the bar high. The Celtics Big Three will be around for a few more years at least, LeBron isn’t going anywhere any time soon, the Magic have Dwight Howard and the Heat could eventually become a force with Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion and either Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. This means, in order to keep up with the joneses, Toronto will have to add some pieces. And it’s unlikely they’re going to be major players in the free agent market. This team looked flat against an Orlando team they should have competed with. Toronto has been surprisingly good over the past two seasons, but do their fans and ownership care enough to become a serious contender. I’m not so sure. Unfortunately, Sam Mitchell will ultimately take the fall for a team that nobody would be able to win with.
Cleveland Cavaliers: C
The clock ticks loudly in Cleveland. This poor city cannot sleep for rumors that King James will eventually leave this franchise for greener pastures. Until then, they’ll have to keep him happy by surrounding him with talent. While anything less than an NBA title would have been a disappointment for the Cavs, those goals were unrealistic. They were the third or fourth best team in the East, and will probably be so again next season. Both Detroit and Boston are clearly better than the Cavs. Despite LBJ’s performance in Game 7, this team was not getting by Boston. In the fire sale that was this NBA season, the Cavs added Ben Wallace (useless), Joe Smith (functioning), Delonte West (decent, but not a starter) and Wally Szczerbiak (white). The experiment of starting two centers, Z and Wallace, failed miserably. And at times, it looked like Mike Brown didn’t know who to play. Should he put in Joe Smith for offense or Anderson Varejao for rebounding? What Ben Wallace gives you defensively (which isn’t all that much these days), he takes away in offensive presence. I mean the guy was four feet away from the basket and still didn’t shoot it. I give credit to the franchise for making an effort, but those players were not what this team needed. Next time, use some logic when making acquisitions. Whatever they do in the off-season, they better do it quickly and wisely for that ticking clock is only going to get louder. Every season the Cavs come up short will make playing in Madison Square Garden all that more palatable for King James.
Orlando Magic: C+
And yet we have another Eastern Conference team at a crossroads. Perhaps Orlando should play Cleveland in a seven-game series for the Eastern Conference’s bronze medal, because neither of these two teams was going to get any closer than that. The Magic will ultimately have to find themselves a point guard to play alongside Dwight Howard. Carlos Boozer has Deron Williams. Tyson Chandler has Chris Paul. Even Bosh has TJ Ford. The jury is still out (or is it) on whether Jameer Nelson is their point guard of the future. Additionally, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu are offensive minded, non-rebounding machines. Howard needs help on the blocks and he’s not getting it. While this team has gotten better in recent years, in order to compete with the Clevelands, Detroits, and Bostons of the world, the Magic still have to add pieces to their puzzle.
Detroit Pistons: C (if they lose to Boston); A (if they beat Boston)
Another season… another Eastern Conference Finals appearance for Detroit. That wasn’t good enough for Atlanta Braves fan (fourteen division titles, one World Series championship) and it’s likely not good enough for Pistons fans either. It’s unclear whether Flip Saunders is capable of winning a title with this team and unfortunately for him, he’ll always be living in the shadow of Larry Brown, who may have only won his title by running into a dysfunctional Lakers team at the time. However, this Pistons team did not lose BECAUSE of Saunders. You can’t point to any specific coaching blunders that justify him losing his job. If anything, they’ll lose (again) in the Eastern Conference Finals because of an unhealthy Chauncey Billups, but it’s more likely that Boston is just the better team. Joe Dumars will have some questions to answer in the off-season. Does he keep this team intact and what’s needed to get this team back to where they need to be?
Boston Celtics: A- (if they beat Detroit); D (if they lose to Detroit)
Danny Ainge’s bold off-season moves paid off in more than just a GM of the Year award. Along with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have the Celtics one win away from the NBA Finals. The pieces of this franchise fit nicely together. Ainge didn’t just look at whoever was out there and land players that didn’t match, a la Cleveland. Boston’s bench is capable and complementary to their core unit. And Rondo has proven he’s more than capable of leading this team. The only question that remains is whether they’ll be able to beat the purple and gold. While anything less than a title will be disappointment for those in the Boston locker room, a Finals appearance should still be considered a successful season.
Charles Barkley had to pay a $40,000 finance charge for his latest gambling debt?? And to think I complain about the $1.50 convenience fee when I use an ATM that’s not my own bank.
PJ Brown was a masterful pickup for Danny Ainge.
I’m not sure who the Bulls will pick at #1, but they can’t go wrong with either Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. I’m inclined to think they’ll go with the local boy, Rose. With the emergence of Chris Paul and Deron Williams, teams will need a quality ball-handler to compete. Kirk Hinrich has been a bust and would be much better suited as a backup. Similarly, either draft pick will fit in nicely with the Heat at number two.
The Chicago Bulls head coaching position suddenly becomes a lot more coveted. Do you think Mike D’Antoni’s thinking he jumped the gun by taking that Knicks job?
As if there were any doubt, Detroit and Boston are clearly the two best TEAMS in the Eastern Conference.
I had totally forgotten that Flip Saunders used to coach KG in Minnesota. You’d think that would work at least somewhat in Detroit’s favor. Yeah, right, like anyone has an answer for the Big Ticket.
One sportscaster tonight commended these Detroit Pistons for accomplishing so much with ‘no hall-of-famers.’ Hmmmm…. are you sure about that? None of those guys in the Hall? I think it’s a little too early to definitely say that. Billups has a Finals MVP under his belt and ‘Sheed is one of the most versatile players the game has seen in recent years. If they manage to win another title, I’d beg to differ with that statement.
Why is the Fleet Center hazier than any other arena? Do they allow smoking in there like they did back in the day? That’s why all those old black and white photographs turned out looking so cool.
Playing an intense Game 7 against Cleveland two days ago does not seem to have slowed the Celtics down one bit.
Jack and Coke is a truly, delectable beverage.
Rodney Stuckey is good. Where did this kid come from?
Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breem were at Fenway for Jon Lester’s no-hitter last night. How cool is that?
In the first half, Detroit’s taken significantly more free throws, yet the Celtics have more points in the paint. Go figure.
Tayshaun Prince was an absolutely perfect fit for this Piston team. Keep in mind Tubby Smith recruited both he and Rajon Rondo (that one’s for Bluegrass).
Fifteen people exchanging a Heineken makes me think of warm beer and backwash. What exactly were they thinking with that commercial?
Matt Ryan’s rich.
In the first half, Boston shot 51% from the floor. Detroit shot 39% and only trailed by a single point. One need look no further than free throw shooting discrepancy (Detroit had 11 more points from the line).
Where are my Orlando Magic exit interview questions? ‘Nique, get on the ball.
Did Jay Bilas say you can’t make a mistake with the number one pick?? Perhaps he’s never heard of Kwame Brown or Michael Olowokandi.
LeBron needs to add a post-up game to his repertoire.
This Hulk movie should be much better than the first. No truth to the rumor that I turned down the role as body double due to other obligations.
It’s nice to see professional basketball players on both teams consistently knock down 17-footers. Well, that is, everyone except Ray Allen.
With this game getting chippy in the fourth quarter, who do you think will be the first player ejected from a game in this series?
Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace have been among the top five power forwards in the league for the past decade. I could watch these guys go at it for hours.
With six assists and five steals, Rajon Rondo is slowly starting to prove me wrong. As is Doc Rivers ability to coach this team.
The Celts looked good tonight. I’m not sure they can beat the Lakers, but they look pretty darn good.
It happens every year. I felt its onset again this week. Its advance is inevitable. I’m speaking, of course, of my post-NBA season depression. Perhaps I should consult Brooke Shields on how to cope.
Yes, I know we’re smack dab in the middle of the NBA playoffs. The action is (finally) starting to get good, and I should just enjoy it while it lasts. But I still feel it coming on. Nothing on television to watch until football season. Ugh!!! That’s right, I said it. Baseball’s unwatchable.
Now, back to the NBA. I was just one among many who was eagerly awaiting this year’s post-season. With the parity and talent in the league and the intense competition, particularly in the West, these playoffs promised to be among the best ever.
So far it has failed to live up to the expectations. Teams once thought to be on a par with one another have distanced themselves from the pack, often in impressive fashion, sometimes inconsistently. While the Lakers look like the team to beat, the Celtics have yet to win on the road, dropping three in Atlanta and one in Cleveland… by 24!!!
Very few games have been memorable, if even competitive. The majority have been blowouts (65% of the games so far have been decided by ten points or more!!!). After the double overtime Game One of the Phoenix-San Antonio series, I thought for certain we were in for one heck of a ride. As is turns out, that has been the only overtime game so far (until today... finally). Game Three of the Spurs-Hornets was an instant classic with Parker battling against Paul. Other than that, the playoffs have been relatively lackluster, particularly after the hype and anticipation surrounding them.
Let’s recap the inactivity to date, shall we? In the first round, the Lakers seamlessly dispatched Denver, a talented, yet defenseless team in four straight games. Few of those games were competitive, if even worth watching. The smallest margin of victory was by six points in the final Game Four. The Lakers won every other game by fourteen or more.
New Orleans dismissed Dallas, leading to the immediate firing of their head coach. Three of their four wins came by double digits. While Houston made every effort to give Utah a series, most fans knew that without Yao Ming, the Rockets would have a tough time advancing. Once again, Tracy McGrady finds himself watching the playoffs from home in mid-May. And a Suns-Spurs series that so many fans looked forward to saw the Suns set in five. Their coach now works in Madison Square Garden.
In the East, Orlando handled Toronto who made Dwight Howard look like Wilt Chamberlain. While the Wizards and 76ers both took their opponents to six games, the series favorites were never in serious jeopardy of being upset. Same with Boston. Although Atlanta took advantage of Boston’s inability to win on the road and took the Celtics to seven games (the only Game 7 we’ve had so far), Boston won that yawner by 34 points.
Similarly, the second round has been anti-climactic. Only three games in this second round have been decided by single digits. While Utah has played well at home, are Lakers fans really concerned about dropping this series? Detroit has again created mismatches against the Magic and beat them without employing the services of their starting point guard. The Celtics have more talent than Cleveland and have made LeBron look human… in Boston. The only real watchable series is San Antonio-New Orleans and even those first three games have all been decided by ten or more points. In fact, 37 of the 57 games played to date have been decided by double digits. So much for TNT knowing drama!
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be watching regardless. I got a basketball jones and I have to feed the mo nkey. But I would like to see some more competitive basketball (Note: As I write this, the Lakers have made a ten-point, fourth quarter lead disappear in the final minutes… finally!) Maybe they’re weeding out the pretenders and saving the best for last. Celtics-Lakers? Could be. As long as the Celtics don’t lost a game at home, they’ll be hoisting the O’Brien trophy. Even that doesn’t quite seem as predetermined as it was a few months ago.
Regardless, I sure could use a few more Game Sevens thrown in there to postpone the summertime and get my heart racing a little bit. I guess I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Even though the games have been anti-climactic, it’s still better than the alternative.
The following article will be published in the May issue ofCampus Talk, a magazine local to Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville and Tallahassee. If you're a local, pick one up and increase their circulation. They also have lots of pictures of pretty girls for extra motivation. Please excuse the brevity, fellow basketball joneses... had to keep it to 750 words or less.
Lakers. Celtics. These franchises dominated the NBA in 1980s. This year’s Finals might see the return of that storied rivalry.
If you like drama, this post-season will not disappoint. Celtics-Pistons. LeBron James. Shaq versus Kobe. The emergence of Chris Paul. The rock steady San Antonio Spurs. The fact the league features no clear cut champion or MVP illustrates how competitive the game has become. Furthermore, a flurry of unprecedented roster reshuffling should make this post-season the most thrilling in recent history.
While Boston has ruled the East, Western teams have jockeyed for playoff position in a league now characterized by its parity. Whoever hoists the O’Brien Trophy at season’s end is anyone’s guess.
Boston Celtics: The off-season addition of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett instantly propelled Boston into title contenders. Boston should boast home court advantage throughout the playoffs and although the Fleet Center doesn’t have the mystique of the old Boston Garden, beating the Celtics four times in seven games will prove difficult in any venue.
Detroit Pistons: Detroit has been a pillar of consistency, returning Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Wallace. If any team threatens Boston in the East, it will likely be Detroit, who have a chip on their shoulder after losing to Cleveland last year.
Orlando Magic: While many have already crowned Boston and Detroit, the three-headed frontcourt of Lewis, Howard and Turkoglu could present mismatches for other Eastern opponents.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James single-handedly deflated Detroit last year in a playoff performance for the ages. The Cavs added Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak to give him some support.
Atlanta, Washington, Toronto, and Philadelphia round out the remaining Eastern conference playoff teams, but should not pose much of a threat. The Western Conference, however, is rife with teams that can ALL be the last team standing.
New Orleans Hornets: Having played most of last season in Oklahoma City due to Hurricane Katrina, few expected greatness from the Hornets, however, MVP candidate Chris Paul has been nothing less than sensational. New Orleans has flirted with the West’s best record all season.
Los Angeles Lakers: L.A. pulled off a coup, obtaining Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. Andrew Bynum’s return to the lineup, along with Gasol, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant pose one of the most formidable rosters in the league.
Phoenix Suns: The Gasol acquisition sent a shockwave through the NBA as teams league-wide made moves to compete. Enter the Big Aristotle. GM Steve Kerr brought Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix to add some size to their lineup. At 36, Shaq is no longer the player he once was, but his presence frees up Amare Stoudamire to wreak havoc in the lane. An eventual match-up pitting O’Neal and former teammate Kobe Bryant is enough to make even the fringe fan salivate.
San Antonio Spurs: Winners of three of the last five championships, the San Antonio Spurs quietly prod along with their unassuming and disciplined play. Foreign born Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili continue to prove that basketball is more than ever a global game.
Utah Jazz: Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer led Utah to the Western Conference Finals last year. There’s no reason to think they can’t repeat that same success. Although it would be ironic for Jerry Sloan to finally win a title with this team when he couldn’t with Stockton and Malone.
Dallas Mavericks: The runners-up two years ago have had a spell of bad luck. They were defeated by 8th seed Golden State last year and Dirk Nowitzki is sidelined with a ankle and knee sprain. Although Mavs owner Mark Cuban added Jason Kidd, only time will tell whether that duo can lead Dallas to their first title.
Denver Nuggets: Despite being the worst defensive team in the league, nobody wants to face Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby. If coach George Karl can reign in this talent, Denver could do some damage.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets were dealt a blow when they lost Yao Ming for the season, however, in his absence, they still won 22 consecutive games. Role players like Shane Battier, Luis Scola and Rafer Alston have assisted Tracy McGrady in the recent Rocket success, but Houston will be hard-pressed to compete for a title without their big man.
May and June promise to showcase the most competitive basketball in recent memory. And although the NFL still rules the nation, the NBA’s post-season will unquestionably feature some spectacular moments to add to the league’s rich history.
While the other two professional sports remain mired in scandal (see Spygate, steroids, etc.), Commissioner Stern has magically managed to make the Tim Donaghy scandal become a distant memory. Nothing can detract our attention away from negativity quite like a nice blockbuster trade or three. Well, recently the NBA has seen a slew of these like never before in its history. And they should all make for a VERY interesting playoffs.
This is undoubtedly the first year in recent memory where any one of nearly a dozen teams has a legitimate shot to win the title. The NBA has really taken on more of a college feel in that respect. Traditionally entering the NBA season, the league often lacks a touch of unpredictability as the usual suspects, i.e., Spurs, Pistons, etc. eventually find their way to hoisting the O’Brien Trophy come season’s end. But with the rich getting richer and several teams now boasting veritable all-star line-ups of their own, this year’s champion is anyone’s guess.
Let’s take a brief look at the contenders, shall we?
Boston Celtics (+275): All of New England was on Cloud Nine up until the New York Giants brought them back to reality with that Patriots smack-down. With the Red Sox World Series and an undefeated Patriots regular season, many thought the Big Three of Garnett, Pierce and Allen would continue that streak and keep Boston in Titletown mode. They still may. Despite a nagging abdominal injury to Kevin Garnett, which may cost him an MVP trophy depending on how many more games he misses, the Celtics are still poised to be the top seed in the East. They’re 23-4 at home and have still only lost nine games this season. Rajon Rondo is slowly answering his critics and Big Baby Davis has become a pleasant surprise in the post. The C’s have the best point differential in the NBA (double-digits) and, with a healthy Kevin Garnett, have a legitimate shot to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Who’s not geared up to see what this team can do in the playoffs?
Detroit Pistons (+315): Once again, the Pistons are competing and are the most, well-rounded team in the Eastern Conference. The same old cast of Billups, Hamilton, Prince and ‘Sheed continues to be a beacon of consistency. They are still among the league’s best defensive teams, all without Ben Wallace. And their bench remains solid. Most expect to see a Pistons-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals. They have so far split their season series with one more regular season game left to play at Boston on March 5.
Orlando Magic (+2200): Is it likely that the Magic win an NBA title? No. But the Magic consistently compete with the best teams in the league and hold their own. After all, they have already beaten the Celtics twice and they are leading their division. We have recently seen what an inspired Dwight Howard can do (see 24 rebounds against Denver). Hedo Turkoglu is playing the best basketball of his career and Rashard Lewis is averaging 18 and 5. If the Magic can get steady play from their point guard tandem, they could mess things up for the favorites in the East.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+3000): All signs point to a Celtics-Pistons Eastern Conference Finals, BUT… LeBron James had something to say about that last year. He just might again. Whether the Chosen One plays inspired come June remains to be seen after his franchise failed to make a big trade to match every other team in the league. But after watching what LeBron did to Detroit last year to win the Eastern Conference, can anyone really count this team out?
New Orleans (+1100): Do I honestly think New Orleans has a shot at the crown? No. BUT… they currently boast the best record in the West. They’re leading the Southwest Division. By the way, Dallas and San Antonio reside in that division. Chris Paul is averaging a double-double and is a strong MVP candidate, particularly if the Hornets end up with the number one seed in the west. Tyson Chandler is finally living up to his potential and David West remains the best player in the league nobody’s ever heard of. Landing the number one seed could potentially throw a wrench into the entire Western Conference.
Phoenix (+415): Most pundits initially criticized Steve Kerr’s move to land Shaquille O’Neal. And after his first practice with the team, the only reports I heard were how winded he was afterwards. Well, duh. The Suns practice with a :07 second shot clock. Even Lance Armstrong would be winded after a few minutes of that. The bottom line is this… Shawn Marion was disgruntled and the Suns weren’t going anywhere with that roster, especially with some of the other big moves in the West. Phoenix had consistently been labeled ‘soft.’ Well, the Big Aristotle should change all that. I have faith that D’Antoni will effectively work Diesel into the line-up and adjust their style of play accordingly. As an opposing guard, I ask you… would you really want to drive the lane only to find Shaq and Amare in the middle waiting for you? If Shaq can somehow lead the Suns to an NBA Finals, he’ll be the only player in league history to reach that milestone with four different teams. Think he’s not looking forward to a seven-game series against Kobe and the Lakers?
Dallas (+475): If the Jason Kidd deal ever goes through, add the Dallas Mavericks to the list of Western Conference teams that have reacted to the Pau Gasol deal. Last year’s meltdown against Golden State should be enough motivation to light a spark underneath Dirk’s britches, particularly if he now has Kidd leading the break. The Mavs still may have some problems at center, but this team will rise and fall with the mismatches Nowitzki creates. And with Jason Kidd at the helm, you just cannot count this team out.
Utah (+925): The Jazz continue to impress. Last year’s Western Conference runners-up have been playing solid and consistent basketball all season long. Deron Williams has become one of the league’s premier young point guards and his numbers rival Chris Paul’s. Carlos Boozer, is as always, a beast. And young Ronnie Brewer has stepped up nicely. Deep down inside, tell me you’re not rooting for Coach Jerry Sloan to finally win a title.
Lakers (+700): Many have claimed the Lakers have already won the title on paper. Their steal of Pau Gasol began a chain of events that made this year’s NBA contenders look like an NBA All-Star roster. The Lakers now start Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Gasol who is playing unbelievably well right now. He’s already adapted into the triangle offense and is throwing down on people with regularlity. When Andrew Bynum returns, the team has as good a shot as anyone to win the title.
San Antonio (+505): Will anyone really be surprised to see Timmy and the Spurs playing in the NBA Finals….. again?
Denver (+2000): Sure, this may be a stretch as they’re currently a bubble team. Technically, the rush to field all-star talent might be traced back to the Nuggets landing Allen Iverson last year. With ‘Melo by his side, a healthy Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby who’s second in the league in rebounding, would anyone be surprised if Denver snuck in as an 8 seed and then knocked off the top seeded Hornets? I didn’t think so.
So there you have it… a quick and nasty breakdown of this season’s 2008 playoffs. Be sure to watch as this year may very well take on a college feel, as a bunch of players who have never won a title, might just dig deep down inside to raise the trophy for the first time. Who will that be? Well, that’s anybody’s guess.
2007-2008 was supposed to be different. The National Basketball Association which in recent years has been characterized by Western Conference dominance (seven of the last nine titles reside in the West, as well as the last six MVP’s) was supposed to see a rise in Eastern competitiveness.
The New York Knicks after a promising first half last season appeared to have turned things around. The Nets behind Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson were poised to contend for a title. After winning the Atlantic Conference last year, the Toronto Raptors, behind Chris Bosh and TJ Ford, were to become an up-and-coming and consistent force in the league. The Cleveland Cavaliers made the NBA Finals last year and many felt LeBron James had turned the page into becoming the best player in the game. The upstart Chicago Bulls were expected to give the more veteran teams in the league quite a challenge. And the Miami Heat, who only two seasons ago were hoisting the O’Brien Trophy, were to once again be led by their dynamic duo.
Currently, only one of the aforementioned teams is above .500. Meet the new boss, the same as the old boss… the Western Conference.
There have been a few pleasant surprises in the East. The Celtics Big Three look like potential NBA champions. The Orlando Magic behind man-child Dwight Howard raced off to a hot start. And the Detroit Pistons are still the Pistons. But questions even lie within these rosters. Will the Celtics add a veteran back-up point guard to provide support for young Rajon Rondo when it matters most… in June? Does anyone expect Rondo to contend with the likes of Tony Parker, Steve Nash or Deron Williams, never mind Chauncey Billups? Despite the hot start, the Magic have dropped seven of their last ten, are playing sub-.500 ball on their home floor and are allowing 100 points a game. And although steady, does Detroit have enough in their tank for one more title run.
The remaining Eastern Conference teams have been nothing less than tremendously disappointing…
Toronto Raptors (15-14): This team is waiting for someone to step up and become a third scorer. Bosh and Ford are talents but the rest of their roster is devoid of consistent, clutch scoring. Top draft pick Andrea Bargnani is averaging less than 10 points per game and is being outscored by teammate Jason Kapono.
New Jersey Nets (12-15): Is it any wonder that we hear weekly rumblings about Jason Kidd’s trade demands? For years, the Nets have failed to land an inside presence to help their backcourt. Show me a team where the point guard leads the team in rebounds and I’ll show you a team destined to get bounced in the second round of the playoffs, if they make the post-season at all. Can anyone even name the Nets starting power forward and center? I didn’t think so.
New York Knicks (8-19): On paper, the Knicks actually look like they could be a contender: Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, David Lee, Quentin Richardson. Unfortunately for Knicks fans, Isiah Thomas is still their coach and James Dolan is still their owner. With off-court problems casting a heavy shadow over the franchise, it’s unlikely the Knickerbockers will emerge and pose a serious threat in the Atlantic Division.
Cleveland Cavaliers (13-16): Ultimately, LeBron’s decision to re-sign with Cleveland when his contract is up will make or break this franchise. Their inability to surround him with top caliber talent might make his decision to bail easier. The front court of Drew Gooden and Anderson Varejao is formidable, but they’re no Carlos Boozer. Daniel Gibson is a spark, but the Larry Hughes experiment has been a total failure. There’s only so much one man can do, even if he is the chosen one.
Chicago Bulls (9-16): Chicago’s inability to get it together just cost Scott Skiles his job, but the Bulls’ fate may have been sealed when they signed Ben Wallace to a long-term contract. I know Big Ben was acquired for his defense presence, but he may very well be the highest-paid player per point scored to ever play the game. He’s making $15 mil this season and averaging fewer than five points per game. You do the math. Kobe trade rumors may have distracted the team, but at this point, Chicago should have pulled the trigger. They couldn’t be playing much worse.
Miami Heat (8-20): Hampered early by Dwayne Wade’s health problems and currently by Alonzo Mourning’s, the Heat look hard-pressed to make the playoffs. Shaquille O’Neal is averaging career low numbers and looks considerably older than 35. If anyone other than Pat Riley were coaching this team, he would have already been relieved of his duties. Even Stan Van Gundy, who’s now having the last laugh in Orlando, didn’t lead the Heat to an 8-20 record.
There have been some pleasant surprises in the East. The Atlanta Hawks are playing .500 ball and their young talent may be enough to bring this team into the post-season. But winning a playoff series is beyond anyone’s legitimate expectations. Indiana and Washington are mediocre at best. And nobody expected Charlotte or Philadelphia to be any good this season… and they’re not.
Contrast that to the Western teams who most thought would be average. The Lakers have shown renewed life and are playing among the best of the West. The young Portland Trailblazers have now won 11 straight. And there’s always the Jazz, Spurs, Suns, Nuggets and Mavericks.
Come June, we’re bound to hear even louder rumblings for Commissioner Stern to revise the league’s playoff structure, co-mingling the Eastern and Western teams in early rounds to weed out the lesser talent. As least hoops junkies can take solace in the fact that the Eastern Conference Finals between Detroit and Boston will be a series worth watching and the winner should pose a legitimate threat to whichever team comes out of the West. The rest of the Eastern teams might as well combine their rosters to form an All-Star team to contend with the top two. After all, that’s what Pistons and Celtics management has done and it seems to be working fairly well for them.
Museums exhibit priceless works of art. The world boasts countless objects of near perfection. Last night, fans were witness to one more: the Team USA’s first quarter against the Mexican national team.
Already boasting a 4-0 record in this year’s FIBA Americas Tournament, Team USA has been slowly reestablishing its international dominance…. and doing so with style and force.
For those unfamiliar with FIBA tournament rules, teams play four ten minute quarters (as opposed to twelve in the NBA) with fewer stoppages in play than the average NBA game as well. Monday night, Team USA scored 45 points in ten minutes.
Briefly watching the sparse SportsCenter highlights does not do this team justice, for there’s no way to effectively capture the vertical dunk-fest that has become Team USA’s dominance of this year’s FIBA tournament. So here’s an attempt to recap a near perfect first quarter, showcasing the world’s greatest basketball players playing an unbeatable level.
Starting for Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups set the tone early scoring five points in the game’s first thirty seconds, first by launching a three-pointer and then, by converting a fastbreak lay-up off a LeBron James steal.
Off a missed Mexican lay-up, Amare Stoudemire kicked the rebound out to Billups on the wing. Billups took one dribble, fed the ball up-court to LeBron, who drove, drew a double team and one-handed it out to Kobe on the left wing. Kobe spotted Carmelo Anthony (who’s been making a living in the paint this tournament) under the basket for the bucket and the foul. All five players touched the ball in a possession that took only eight seconds, longer than it took to read that paragraph.
At the 6:41 mark, Carmelo nailed a three-pointer, giving him eight of Team USA’s fifteen points.
After turning the ball over the previous possession, Kobe Bryant rattled home a shot from about five feet behind the three-point line.
At the 5:20 mark, Jason Kidd entered the game. Cue the highlight reel.
LeBron pulled down a strong, one-handed rebound from above the rim, found Kidd running up the floor, who then got it back to LeBron on the right wing. LeBron then took THREE Mexican players to the hole and drew the foul. That possession took another brief, eight seconds. In response to LeBron’s dunk, Bill Walton muttered “We’re used to that very much. The Mexican players… I’m not sure that they’ve EVER seen anything quite like LeBron James."
In the first five minutes of the quarter, Team USA missed one shot attempt.
Quadruple-teamed in the lane, LeBron spotted an open Mike Miller, who, rather than opting for the three, immediately whipped the ball to an open Amare Stoudamire for a signature two-handed dunk.
Mike Miller drove the lane, attracting double-team coverage, but found a cutting Jason Kidd, who threw a two-handed touch pass to Carmelo behind the arc. Carmelo drained it.
Dwight Howard, after being fouled, missed his second free throw attempt, which was then rebounded by Carmelo Anthony, who out-hustled three Mexican big men for the ball.
Then, perhaps the most obscene play of the half… Carmelo grabbed a rebound from an errant Mexican three-point attempt and kicked the outlet pass to Jason Kidd running up the right side of the floor. Kidd took one dribble and from BEHIND THE HALF-COURT LINE, threw a strike to Dwight Howard who snuck behind two Mexican defenders, then seemingly jumped over them for the alley-oop.
After consecutive dunks by Carmelo and Dwight Howard, Bill Walton appropriately proclaimed “this is getting out of hand quickly.”
Michael Redd launched a three-pointer… and hit. So far, Team USA has only missed two shots in the quarter.
On a commercial break that could not come soon enough for Team Mexico, Better Basketball offers a video, giving viewers the opportunity to “learn shooting from perhaps the best shooter in basketball history.” I’m excited about the possibilities until I learn they’re talking about J.J. Reddick.
Deron Williams played the two-man game to perfection with ‘Melo in the post, who then proceeded to dunk over the man covering him.
After another dunk, Carmelo finished the quarter with sixteen points on 6-6 shooting.
Fittingly, as the clock wound down, Deron Williams threw another alley-oop to Dwight Howard, who flushed it emphatically at the buzzer.
Team USA finished the quarter up 45-23. Ten minutes, forty-five points. To my recollection, Dream Team Jr. missed a total of four shots.
Critics will say not to get excited, that Team USA has only played Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, Brazil and Mexico, and that Argentina still remains on the docket. But after years of recent disappointment and underachieving, the Americans are playing as expected. Coach Krzyzewski is effectively managing his players’ minutes, while simultaneously keeping their eyes on the prize. Kobe Bryant is shutting down opponents. The American players have all checked their egos at the door and are feeding off each other’s talent.
Yes, the United States is turning the ball over, but that’s to be expected with their up-tempo style of play. At this pace, Team USA is looking invincible and is one more blowout victory closer to their ultimate goal: an Olympic gold medal.
In this day and age of athletes breaking the law (allegedly), putting themselves first or complaining about this, that or the other, it’s refreshing to see an athlete accept, respect and eventually thrive under the wisdom and tutelage of his coach for the betterment of the team.
In late January, with a faltering bench, Coach Gregg Popovich decided to tinker with his lineup, moving forward Manu Ginobili from starter to bench player. Ever since that shift, Ginobili’s numbers and production have steadily increased, while his overall minutes per game have essentially remained. Pop’s shrewd move now has the Spurs one victory away from another Finals appearance, their third in five years.
Over the first month of the season, Ginobili averaged 14 points per game, but after becoming a reserve, consistently elevated his scoring to 17 ppg in January, 18 ppg in February and 19 ppg in March.
It’s what he’s done in the post-season, however, that has been most impressive. In Manu’s last eight playoffs games, he’s scored 24, 10, 26, 33, 23, 17, 14 and 22 points, shooting 46% from the floor over that stretch. He’s also averaged over five rebounds, four assists and two steals per game and has provided the immeasurable spark that Popovich was so desperately searching for.
In that same eight game span, Manu has had double digits in rebounds twice, double digits assists once, and had 9-9, 7-9 and 12-15 shooting nights from the free throw stripe. Although the Spurs still revolve around Tim Duncan, on Monday, Ginobili elevated his play on a night when his anchor struggled.
Opposing teams’ benches players are ill-equipped to handle Ginobili defensively or match his intensity. In the upcoming Finals, either Detroit or Cleveland may have to adjust their lineup, due to the mismatches Ginobili creates. And as Dallas found out in the first round of this year’s playoffs, changing your lineup to react to your opponent can very well end your season.
For Detroit, defense stopper Tayshaun Prince will have to log some serious minutes to be able to shut Ginobili down. There’s no player off Detroit’s bench capable of managing Manu. Similarly, there’s nobody off Cleveland’s bench equipped to cool him off either.
When San Antonio’s big three are clicking, they’re a joy to watch, unless of course you’re rooting for the other team. Someone better find an answer for Ginobili soon or San Antonio may very well be manu-facturing him another ring.
With another NBA draft comes another useless and ill-advised prognostication. I often wonder why the media feels the need to crown the next big player as the savior for the franchise that drafts him.
In recent interviews after this week’s NBA Draft selection, both Jay Bilas and Bob Ryan were quoted as saying that Greg Oden would undoubtedly bring a title to Portland (assuming they draft him) within the next three to five years. While I’m sure Trailblazer fans are ecstatic about the thought of returning to their glory years of Bill Walton and Dr. Jack Ramsey, unfortunately for them, a number one draft pick rarely guarantees a world championship.
A review of the top picks over the last twenty years supports this claim. Only once since 1985 has a player chosen number one been the key factor in bringing a championship to the team that drafted him:
1985: Patrick Ewing, Georgetown, Drafted by New York. While Patrick had a Hall of Fame career, he fell short of bringing the Knicks a title, thanks mostly to Michael Jordan. Patrick only took his team to an NBA Finals once, losing to Houston in the 1993-94 season.
1986: Brad Daugherty, North Carolina, Drafted by Cleveland. Brad failed to win a title with the Cavaliers, again thanks to Michael Jordan’s reign in the league. An injury plagued career, Daugherty can now be seen on ESPN as a NASCAR analyst.
1987: David Robinson, Navy, Drafted by San Antonio. Although the Admiral won a title, it wasn’t until the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan ten years later that they were able to get over the hump. Robinson was consistently unable to get them there on his own.
1988: Danny Manning, Kansas, Drafted by Los Angeles Clippers. By the time the Clippers made a decent run at the playoffs, Manning was out of the league.
1989: Pervis Ellison, Louisville, Sacramento Kings. Never played in an NBA Finals.
1990: Derrick Coleman, Syracuse, New Jersey Nets. Never carried his team to a title.
1991: Larry Johnson, UNLV, Drafted by Charlotte. Never won a title.
1992: Shaquille O’Neal, LSU, Drafted by Orlando. Shaq’s legacy on the game is undeniable. He won three championships with the Lakers and one with Miami, but none with the team that actually drafted him, taking the Magic to the Finals and losing to Houston in 1994-95.
1993: Chris Webber, Michigan, Drafted by Orlando. Orlando traded the rights to Webber for Anfernee Hardaway. Webber is only now getting to the Finals with Detroit at the end of his career and is hardly their go-to-guy.
1994: Glenn Robinson, Purdue, Drafted by Milwaukee. The Big Dog finally won a ring as a role player with the Spurs in 2005 and was hardly a factor in the series.
1995: Joe Smith, Maryland, Drafted by Golden State. Joe Smith is more famous for illegally signing with Minnesota than any magical playoff runs.
1996: Allen Iverson, Georgetown, Drafted by Philadelphia. The Answer was able to carry the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, only to lose to Kobe, Shaq and the Lakers.
1997: Tim Duncan, Wake Forest, Drafted by San Antonio. Big Fundamentals is the exception to the rule, the one shining star of the last twenty years who has delivered several championships to the Spurs. Duncan may go down as the best power forward to ever play the game. Duncan also played a full four years of college basketball before declaring for the draft.
1998: Michael Olowakandi, Pacific, Drafted by the Clippers. Think Los Angeles wants this pick back? The Kandiman has averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds over his career and was selected over Mike Bibby, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Larry Hughes, Paul Pierce and this year’s MVP, Dirk Nowitzki.
1999: Elton Brand, Duke, Drafted by Chicago. No longer playing for the Bulls, Brand has been a consistent threat in the post, but as of yet, has not sniffed the Finals.
2000: Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati, Drafted by New Jersey. Marred by an injury-plagued career, K-Mart did help the Nets make it to the Finals, but it was more Jason Kidd’s team than his.
2001: Kwame Brown, Glynn Academy, Drafted by Washington. Not one of his finer scouting moments, Michael Jordan was able to lure Kwame away from a verbal commitment at the University of Florida with the guarantee of a number one pick. Kwame is still finding his place in the league.
2002: Yao Ming, China, Drafted by Houston. Although one of the most recognizable faces in the league, Yao has been unable to get out of the first round of the playoffs, and that’s with Tracy McGrady as his teammate.
