Who's hot, who's not in the NBA:
-(December 12th-20th)-
HIGH 5
1-Boston (last ten: 10-0, 13 straight wins)
I am beginning to think I've underestimated the Boston Celtics, though I'm not sure how that is possible. I've thought they were a phenomenal force all season, all offseason, and even before that. Yet still, as I write this, I find it hard to wrap my mind around just what they've been able to do this year. We just passed the quarter-of-the-way mark of the season, and Boston has 4 losses (last loss was Sunday Nov 21st). Four! 'Nuff said.
2-Miami (last ten: 10-0, 12 straight wins)
The Heat continue to embarrass fools night in and out. They haven't lost since November 27th, and are on a collision course for an Eastern Conference Finals showdown next Spring with the Celtics. When they threw their Championship Celebration last June with James, Wade, and Bosh accompanied by fireworks and hip-hop, I rolled my eyes and didn't buy in. I still might be right, but I think only injuries can stop them now. (that, and the Celtics)
3-San Antonio (last ten: 9-1, 8 straight wins)
All the Spurs do is go to work and collect wins. If there were a word better than consistent to describe this team, I would use it here. They have stars and depth on their roster, and can wreak havoc on any team in the league. The only question with San Antonio this year: Are they TOO quiet?
4-Lakers (last ten: 8-2, 5 straight wins)
The defending champs are back to their old selves. Either you love 'em or you hate 'em, and if you hate 'em you could be in for another long year. They are the team to beat in the West, even if they have had their bumps this season. It is also curious that they are a better team statistically when Kobe Bryant takes 20 shots or less from the field....
5-Dallas (last ten: 9-1)
The Mavericks are a powerful team, no doubt about it. They win at home, they win on the road. They win in a house, or with a mouse; in a box, or with a fox; they win, that's what they do. My only hesitance with the Mavs comes with their propensity in the past to perfect the art of the choke.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Houston (last ten: 7-3, 2 straight)
LOW 5
1-Cleveland (last ten: 0-10, 1-10 in last eleven)
If you're a fan of a professional sports team in Cleveland, you have all my apologies and sympathies I can muster. The Cavaliers are a terrible basketball team, and they are proving just how important LeBron was to their past successes. When your best features are the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Drew Carey, and a movie called "Major League," (not necessarily in that order, either) you don't have much to offer. And the Cavaliers are not helping.
2-Washington (last ten: 1-9, 7 straight losses)
The Wizards recently completed a trade with the Magic, sending Gilbert Arenas to Orlando and receiving Rashard Lewis in his place. Too bad it won't change anything for Washington. Beyond John Wall, this franchise has nothing going for it. Even the President gave them the cold shoulder, choosing to attend a Georgtown Hoyas game over a Wizards'. These days I think DC stands for: Don't Compete.
3-Sacramento (last ten: 1-9, 5 straight losses)
The only thing royal about the Kings these days in the pain they cause their fans to feel in their backsides. And the owners (the Madoofs, er, Maloofs) don't seem to care. Sacramento is already a city of has-beens: Schwarzenegger, Kevin Johnson, and the Kings. Weird that two of the three have ties to basketball...
4-Minnesota (last ten: 2-8, 5 straight losses)
There are 3 things the T'Wolves have going for them right now: Kevin Love, Kevin Love, and the fact that they are NOT Cleveland or Washington. Though they aren't far off. Minnesota is an awful team, in an awful basketball-city, with awful upper-management. I fear that in the near future we will see the Wolves go the "way" of the Seattle Sonics: Away.
5-Golden State (last ten: 2-8)
The Warriors are just another of the terrible organizations in the NBA, and their loss record shows it. They're 9-17 on the year, and have only won 2 of their last ten games. Those two wins, mind you, came against the previously mentioned unfathomably-bad Minnesota Timberwolves. Beyond one Monta Ellis and one Steph Curry, Golden State is a roster of unathletic, non-hustling players who can't even make their free throws (Andris Biedrins is 52% for his career, and a putrid 25% this season from the charity stripe). Head Coach Keith Smart is a good coach, and would be a great fit and hire for any team out there. It's just too bad he's stuck with the Warriors.
HONORABLE MENTION:
New Jersey (last ten: 2-8, 5-15 overall...oy vay)
Austin's Sports Blog (the one place where he is ALWAYS right)
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Best and Worst of the NBA
Who's hot, who's not in the NBA:
HIGH 5
1-Dallas (last ten: 10-0, 11 straight wins)
If the NBA Finals were held today, the Mavericks would certainly be the favorite to represent the Western Conference. No one is hotter right now, as they have won 11 straight games, including 5 road games. They haven't lost since November 19th, and are currently enjoying a 6 game homestand.
2-Boston (last ten: 9-1, 9 straight wins)
The Celtics lost 20 days ago in Toronto, by one point. Since that game Boston has rattled off 9 straight, including a last second victory over the 76ers. Good teams win games they're supposed to, but GREAT teams find a way to win the ones they should probably have lost. Anyone who saw the Celtics beat the 76ers the other night would agree that Boston should probably have lost that game, but found a way to pull it off. That's what makes them great.
3-New York (last ten: 9-1, 7 straight wins)
The Knicks (yes, the Knicks) are winning games like it's the year 2000. That was the last time the Knicks had a winning streak of 8 games, a stretch they've now eclipsed (the streak may be tested this week, however, as NY hosts Denver, Boston, and Miami). They've won 12 of their last 13 games, and have the most road wins in the entire league with 10. Amare Stoudemire has had 7-straight 30 point games for New York, and is in the early talks for MVP. Remember, I said EARLY talks.
4-Miami (last ten: 8-2, 7 straight wins)
Miami Thrice. The 3 Alarm Fire. Third Degree Burners. Whatever you want to call them, they have finally started to gel together. After a disappointing start to the year, the Miami Heat have won 7 straight, including 4 on the road, and aren't looking to stop anytime soon. Their next ten opponents have as many combined losses as victories, 100 wins to 100 losses. Only question is what happens when Wade goes out with his annual injuries?
5-San Antonio (last ten: 8-2, 4 straight wins)
Don't forget about the Spurs. They are boring, plain, and classic. They don't have high flying dunks and flashy, boisterous personalities. What they do have is something every team wants: WINS, and lots of them. They also have ol' Poppy. So long as Duncan is able to play and Popovich is coaching, the Spurs will be a force to reckon with in the West. And who wouldn't want Parker and Ginobili as their starting backcourt? And oh yeah, San Antonio only has 3 road games left in the month, not that it matters. The Spurs are 8-1 on the road this season...
HONORABLE MENTION:
-Utah Jazz (last ten: 8-2)
Deron Williams continues his MVP-like season, and everyone around him continues to fill up the stat sheet as well. Still not sure EXACTLY what type of team they are, but the Jazz are 12-1 when they score 100 points and boast one of the best defenses statistically in the NBA this season. 7 of their remaining 9 games for the month are on the road, which should reveal a little more about who the Utah Jazz are: Contenders, or Pretenders.
LOW 5
1-Golden State (last ten: 1-9, six straight losses)
Having lost six straight games, the Warriors are easily the worst team currently in the league. They're giving up an average of 107 points per game, third worst in that category, and their second leading scorer, Steph Curry, is out with a sprained right ankle. The silver lining is that they have played a flurry of elite teams as of late, including losses to the Spurs (2), Heat, Mavs, and Thunder.
2-New Jersey (last ten: 2-8, six straight losses)
Remember when LeBron James was rumored to be signing with the Nets? Well, that was the highlight so far this year for New Jersey fans; something that didn't even happen. But hey, it's better than last year at least. They have six wins, which didn't occur until February 27th last season. (but that's like being happy that the deck chairs survived the Titanic sinking)
3-Cleveland (last ten: 2-8, six straight losses)
When you first think of the Cavaliers and their losing ways, you try and justify it by reminding yourself that King James took his talents and left. But when you look at who they've played (and lost to), you realize their losing ways are worse than you originally thought. Those six straight losses included games against Minnesota, Detroit, and Philadelphia. All for one, and one for...oh forget it.
4-Washington (last ten: 2-8, four straight losses)
Depressed yet? Hopefully you're not a Wizards fan, because this paragraph won't help. Washington ranks in the bottom ten of the league in Points (20th), Rebounds (29th), Assists (22nd), and Points Allowed (27th) per game. Of their 9 games left in December, the Wizards play 7 teams who are above .500, including the Lakers, Heat, Bulls, and Spurs. They are also 0-10 on the road. Merry Christmas, John Wall!
5-Detroit (last ten: 2-8, 3 straight losses)
All 7 of their wins have come against teams below .500. They are 2-12 on the road, 5-5 at home. They are last in their division, which is the worst division in the Eastern Conference with a combined winning percentage of .432 (43%). Look for the Pistons in the lottery next June!
HONORABLE MENTION:
-Minnesota (last ten: 2-8)
The only reason Minnesota is an honorable mention and not in the Low 5 is Kevin Love. The man-cub-beast is phenomenal. Because of him, the Timberwolves lead the league in rebounds per game at 46. He can pass, shoot from distance, rebound like a machine, and post up if given the opportunity. Other than Love, I don't know why anyone attends Minnesota's games. Unless they go to see the visiting team.
HIGH 5
1-Dallas (last ten: 10-0, 11 straight wins)
If the NBA Finals were held today, the Mavericks would certainly be the favorite to represent the Western Conference. No one is hotter right now, as they have won 11 straight games, including 5 road games. They haven't lost since November 19th, and are currently enjoying a 6 game homestand.
2-Boston (last ten: 9-1, 9 straight wins)
The Celtics lost 20 days ago in Toronto, by one point. Since that game Boston has rattled off 9 straight, including a last second victory over the 76ers. Good teams win games they're supposed to, but GREAT teams find a way to win the ones they should probably have lost. Anyone who saw the Celtics beat the 76ers the other night would agree that Boston should probably have lost that game, but found a way to pull it off. That's what makes them great.
3-New York (last ten: 9-1, 7 straight wins)
The Knicks (yes, the Knicks) are winning games like it's the year 2000. That was the last time the Knicks had a winning streak of 8 games, a stretch they've now eclipsed (the streak may be tested this week, however, as NY hosts Denver, Boston, and Miami). They've won 12 of their last 13 games, and have the most road wins in the entire league with 10. Amare Stoudemire has had 7-straight 30 point games for New York, and is in the early talks for MVP. Remember, I said EARLY talks.
4-Miami (last ten: 8-2, 7 straight wins)
Miami Thrice. The 3 Alarm Fire. Third Degree Burners. Whatever you want to call them, they have finally started to gel together. After a disappointing start to the year, the Miami Heat have won 7 straight, including 4 on the road, and aren't looking to stop anytime soon. Their next ten opponents have as many combined losses as victories, 100 wins to 100 losses. Only question is what happens when Wade goes out with his annual injuries?
5-San Antonio (last ten: 8-2, 4 straight wins)
Don't forget about the Spurs. They are boring, plain, and classic. They don't have high flying dunks and flashy, boisterous personalities. What they do have is something every team wants: WINS, and lots of them. They also have ol' Poppy. So long as Duncan is able to play and Popovich is coaching, the Spurs will be a force to reckon with in the West. And who wouldn't want Parker and Ginobili as their starting backcourt? And oh yeah, San Antonio only has 3 road games left in the month, not that it matters. The Spurs are 8-1 on the road this season...
HONORABLE MENTION:
-Utah Jazz (last ten: 8-2)
Deron Williams continues his MVP-like season, and everyone around him continues to fill up the stat sheet as well. Still not sure EXACTLY what type of team they are, but the Jazz are 12-1 when they score 100 points and boast one of the best defenses statistically in the NBA this season. 7 of their remaining 9 games for the month are on the road, which should reveal a little more about who the Utah Jazz are: Contenders, or Pretenders.
LOW 5
1-Golden State (last ten: 1-9, six straight losses)
Having lost six straight games, the Warriors are easily the worst team currently in the league. They're giving up an average of 107 points per game, third worst in that category, and their second leading scorer, Steph Curry, is out with a sprained right ankle. The silver lining is that they have played a flurry of elite teams as of late, including losses to the Spurs (2), Heat, Mavs, and Thunder.
2-New Jersey (last ten: 2-8, six straight losses)
Remember when LeBron James was rumored to be signing with the Nets? Well, that was the highlight so far this year for New Jersey fans; something that didn't even happen. But hey, it's better than last year at least. They have six wins, which didn't occur until February 27th last season. (but that's like being happy that the deck chairs survived the Titanic sinking)
3-Cleveland (last ten: 2-8, six straight losses)
When you first think of the Cavaliers and their losing ways, you try and justify it by reminding yourself that King James took his talents and left. But when you look at who they've played (and lost to), you realize their losing ways are worse than you originally thought. Those six straight losses included games against Minnesota, Detroit, and Philadelphia. All for one, and one for...oh forget it.
4-Washington (last ten: 2-8, four straight losses)
Depressed yet? Hopefully you're not a Wizards fan, because this paragraph won't help. Washington ranks in the bottom ten of the league in Points (20th), Rebounds (29th), Assists (22nd), and Points Allowed (27th) per game. Of their 9 games left in December, the Wizards play 7 teams who are above .500, including the Lakers, Heat, Bulls, and Spurs. They are also 0-10 on the road. Merry Christmas, John Wall!
5-Detroit (last ten: 2-8, 3 straight losses)
All 7 of their wins have come against teams below .500. They are 2-12 on the road, 5-5 at home. They are last in their division, which is the worst division in the Eastern Conference with a combined winning percentage of .432 (43%). Look for the Pistons in the lottery next June!
HONORABLE MENTION:
-Minnesota (last ten: 2-8)
The only reason Minnesota is an honorable mention and not in the Low 5 is Kevin Love. The man-cub-beast is phenomenal. Because of him, the Timberwolves lead the league in rebounds per game at 46. He can pass, shoot from distance, rebound like a machine, and post up if given the opportunity. Other than Love, I don't know why anyone attends Minnesota's games. Unless they go to see the visiting team.
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