Quarter Pole Review
The East has separated into four good teams, one really bad team and a bunch of mediocre teams separated by eight games. The West is very similar with one great club, one terrible club and the difference between second and fourteenth is only eight games once again. Which just goes to show that there is an awful lot of parity in the Association this season.
With the Pacers and Spurs having finally played their twentieth games yesterday it’s time for the sixth annual QPR.
ATLANTIC
Boston Celtics (18-4) – Kevin Garnett is slowly but surely rounding back into form and the C’s possess maybe the most balanced starting five in the NBA. What I really like about this bunch is that they have toned down their antics and aren’t killing themselves every night anymore. Pacing their effort will pay off in the long run.
Toronto Raptors (10-15) – These guys certainly have enough offensive firepower to make the playoffs in the East, but they play zero defense. Not only are they poor individual defenders but also their understanding of basic team defensive principals is just awful. Losing Jose Calderon (left hip) might turn out to be a blessing is disguise.
New York Knicks (8-15) – I have to admit that I hardly ever watch this motley crew play. When their shots are falling they can beat anyone. But when you are 28th in opponent’s field goal percentage (OPFG%) and 29th in rebound differential (RBDF) it’s difficult to win consistently.
Philadelphia 76ers (5-18) – When I watched them play in the preseason I didn’t like what I saw at all and it’s just been more of the same since the season started. Not only are the pieces a terrible fit collectively, but these guys simply do not like playing together. There is a serious lack of chemistry and defense in Philly right now, AI or no AI.
New Jersey Nets (2-21) – They got off to a rough start due to injuries and fired their coach. Call me crazy but I still think this team has some talent. Enough to make the playoffs? Hell no! But I’m pretty sure that Lawrence Frank at the helm gives them a better shot to win than Kiki Vandeweghe does.
CENTRAL
Cleveland Cavaliers (16-7) – They have struggled a little bit and don’t look quite as dominating as they were last year even though their defense is still stout (2nd in OPFG%). The regular season doesn’t seem to matter to them as much anymore, which makes sense since it’s ring or bust for the LeBrons.
Milwaukee Bucks (10-11) – They are one of the surprise squads in the league, especially when you consider that Michael Redd (left knee) has played in only five games so far. Brandon Jennings gets all the pub, but Ersan Ilyasova and Carlos Delfino have made a huge difference as well. If they continue to play hard the playoffs are certainly possible.
Detroit Pistons (10-12) – Richard Hamilton (right ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back) have appeared in four games combined and yet the Pistons are right in the mix. I give a lot of the credit to rookie coach John Kuester. He’s not afraid to play or sit anyone based on what he thinks. If they can get healthy the playoffs are definitely within reach.
Chicago Bulls (8-13) – I said in my season preview that coach Vinny Del Negro and PG Derrick Rose “should be improved from their rookie years.” Well that hasn’t been the case so far for either of them, and VDN might be the next coach out of work. This club only goes as far as Rose takes them and right now that seems like the lottery.
Indiana Pacers (7-13) – These guys have no luck at all. As soon as they get Mike Dunleavy Jr. back they lose Danny Granger (right foot) for at least a month. The good news is that they are playing some defense for a change (6th in OPFG%), but without Granger they face an uphill climb to the post season.
SOUTHEAST
Orlando Magic (17-6) – After they weathered a flurry of injuries/suspensions early in the season I have no doubt that this is the deepest roster in the NBA. They are now back to full strength except for Jameer Nelson (left knee) but still don’t possess championship caliber chemistry. I expect they will be more than fine by playoff time though.
Atlanta Hawks (16-6) – They have officially made the East a “Big Four.” What separates them from the rest of their Eastern brethren is that they know how to play/win in crunch time. Of course it helps that they are a legitimate ten players deep now too. I doubt that any of the rest of the “Big Four” will want to see them come the second round.
Miami Heat (11-10) – “THEY ARE WHO I THOUGHT THEY WERE!” The greatness of Dwyane Wade continues to carry this mediocre bunch. That said Jermaine O’Neal is playing his best ball since ’06-07. The question is can they avoid injuries, because after their top five players they really have nothing.
Charlotte Bobcats (9-12) – They are 5th in OPFG% and 9th in RBDF, which should mean they are pretty good. Alas, this is the club that can’t shoot straight. They are 28th in shooting and 29th in scoring which pretty much negates those good defensive numbers. This also makes them painfully boring to watch.
Washington Wizards (7-13) – For my money this is the most disappointing squad in the league. Understood that Antawn Jamison missed nine games and that Mike Miller (right calf) is out, but Gilbert Arenas is sharing the ball better than ever and Andray Blatche has finally emerged. Coach Flip Saunders needs to develop some chemistry here, and fast.
SOUTHWEST
Dallas Mavericks (16-7) – This bunch is growing into the team I thought they could be much faster than I ever expected. This is with Josh Howard and Tim Thomas missing a combined 32 games too. They are 3rd in OPFG% and extremely versatile on both offense and defense. The Mavs are the only legitimate threat to the Lakers in the West.
Houston Rockets (13-9) – The Anti-Sixers, as I like to call them, have become one of my favorite squads to watch. The reason being that they always play hard and together. They have a bunch of good players who accept their roles and never quit. They might not be able to keep it up for 60 more games, but I wouldn’t put it past them either.
San Antonio Spurs (11-9) – Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have already missed two, four and five games respectively. Not to mention they are 14th in OPFG% (not good for them) and Richard Jefferson has struggled to fit in. I’m sure they’ll still make the playoffs, but they look very old and unathletic to me.
New Orleans Hornets (10-12) – They survived a coaching change and Chris Paul missing eight games to remain in contention. Credit has to be given to GM/interim coach Jeff Bower. He has loosened up the reins on offense and given rookies Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton a chance to play. If Emeka Okafor can get going they should be fine.
Memphis Grizzlies (9-13) – They were 2-8 with Allen Iverson on the roster and have gone 7-5 since he was waived on 11/16. Coincidence? Their starting five is actually pretty solid but they don’t play enough defense (29th in OPFG%) to be serious contenders. That said the Griz have definitely been a pleasant surprise thus far.
NORTHWEST
Denver Nuggets (16-7) – These guys are good but they don’t defend (13th in OPFG%) or rebound (22nd in RBDF) like a championship caliber team. I also have the feeling that the boys are getting a little tired of lame duck coach George Karl’s message. They should win their division but the post season is really all that matters to them anymore.
Utah Jazz (13-9) – It’s hard to judge them since Kyle Korver (left knee) hasn’t played yet, Andrei Kirilenko (back) is out and C.J. Miles has appeared in only five games. One thing is for sure though, Carlos Boozer is back to playing his best. For the Jazz to be taken seriously though they have to start winning some road games.
Portland Trail Blazers (14-10) – Greg Oden (left knee) is done for the season, Travis Outlaw (left foot) won’t be back until March if at all and Rudy Fernandez (back) is out for 4 to 6 weeks. While the injuries have been bad, the lack of chemistry has been worse. Brandon Roy needs to focus more on playing and less on who plays when.
Oklahoma City Thunder (12-9) – They have definitely taken over for the Blazers as the young team people most like to watch. They are 8th in OPFG% and 11th in RBDF, which is pretty darn impressive for a unit I thought was still a year away. Their chemistry and home court advantage are fantastic. Their time to make the playoffs might be now.
Minnesota Timberwolves (3-20) – New President, new coach, same old Wolves. They play hard but don’t really know how to play. Al Jefferson doesn’t look all the way back from right ACL surgery and Kevin Love has only played in five games. But even if those two were 100% healthy I don’t see things being that much different.
PACIFIC
Los Angeles Lakers (18-3) – Yes, they have only played an NBA-low 4 road games thus far, but they are also 1st in OPFG% by a wide margin. Not only does Ron Artest make them tougher while QBing their defense, but he also makes them play hard more consistently (huge for this group). Injuries are the only thing can derail this juggernaut.
Phoenix Suns (16-7) – They got off to great start but have fizzled recently. While some of that can be blamed on playing an NBA-high 15 road games, I’m still not sold on them long term. They can’t afford to lose a single starter to injury or they are done. That said with the West being all bunched up they have a very good shot at the playoffs.
Los Angeles Clippers (9-12) – Blake Griffin (left knee) has yet to play a game and Eric Gordon missed nine games himself, so the Clips are about where they should be. Obviously for them to turn the corner they need those two and Baron Davis to stay healthy. I’d also take a long look at trading Marcus Camby for a backup PG and SG.
Sacramento Kings (9-12) – Kevin Martin (left wrist) has appeared in only five games yet they are performing better than anyone expected. How could this be? Well rookies Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi have helped. As has Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes and Beno Udrih stepping up their games. But new coach Paul Westphal has been huge.
Golden State Warriors (7-15) – They are dead last in both OPFG% and RBDF and seem to like playing for assistant coach Keith Smart more than head coach Don Nelson. You might think they are fun to watch, but they aren’t. Their offense has devolved into Monta Ellis doing whatever he wants while everyone else stands around.
Quarter Pole Awards
Defensive Player – Ron Artest (Lakers)
Sixth Man – Carl Landry (Houston)
Coach – Scott Brooks (Oklahoma City)
Rookie – Tyreke Evans (Sacramento)
MVP – Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
All NBA
PG – Steve Nash (Phoenix)
SG – Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
SF – LeBron James (Cleveland)
PF – Carmelo Anthony (Denver)
C – Dwight Howard (Orlando)
With the Pacers and Spurs having finally played their twentieth games yesterday it’s time for the sixth annual QPR.
ATLANTIC
Boston Celtics (18-4) – Kevin Garnett is slowly but surely rounding back into form and the C’s possess maybe the most balanced starting five in the NBA. What I really like about this bunch is that they have toned down their antics and aren’t killing themselves every night anymore. Pacing their effort will pay off in the long run.
Toronto Raptors (10-15) – These guys certainly have enough offensive firepower to make the playoffs in the East, but they play zero defense. Not only are they poor individual defenders but also their understanding of basic team defensive principals is just awful. Losing Jose Calderon (left hip) might turn out to be a blessing is disguise.
New York Knicks (8-15) – I have to admit that I hardly ever watch this motley crew play. When their shots are falling they can beat anyone. But when you are 28th in opponent’s field goal percentage (OPFG%) and 29th in rebound differential (RBDF) it’s difficult to win consistently.
Philadelphia 76ers (5-18) – When I watched them play in the preseason I didn’t like what I saw at all and it’s just been more of the same since the season started. Not only are the pieces a terrible fit collectively, but these guys simply do not like playing together. There is a serious lack of chemistry and defense in Philly right now, AI or no AI.
New Jersey Nets (2-21) – They got off to a rough start due to injuries and fired their coach. Call me crazy but I still think this team has some talent. Enough to make the playoffs? Hell no! But I’m pretty sure that Lawrence Frank at the helm gives them a better shot to win than Kiki Vandeweghe does.
CENTRAL
Cleveland Cavaliers (16-7) – They have struggled a little bit and don’t look quite as dominating as they were last year even though their defense is still stout (2nd in OPFG%). The regular season doesn’t seem to matter to them as much anymore, which makes sense since it’s ring or bust for the LeBrons.
Milwaukee Bucks (10-11) – They are one of the surprise squads in the league, especially when you consider that Michael Redd (left knee) has played in only five games so far. Brandon Jennings gets all the pub, but Ersan Ilyasova and Carlos Delfino have made a huge difference as well. If they continue to play hard the playoffs are certainly possible.
Detroit Pistons (10-12) – Richard Hamilton (right ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back) have appeared in four games combined and yet the Pistons are right in the mix. I give a lot of the credit to rookie coach John Kuester. He’s not afraid to play or sit anyone based on what he thinks. If they can get healthy the playoffs are definitely within reach.
Chicago Bulls (8-13) – I said in my season preview that coach Vinny Del Negro and PG Derrick Rose “should be improved from their rookie years.” Well that hasn’t been the case so far for either of them, and VDN might be the next coach out of work. This club only goes as far as Rose takes them and right now that seems like the lottery.
Indiana Pacers (7-13) – These guys have no luck at all. As soon as they get Mike Dunleavy Jr. back they lose Danny Granger (right foot) for at least a month. The good news is that they are playing some defense for a change (6th in OPFG%), but without Granger they face an uphill climb to the post season.
SOUTHEAST
Orlando Magic (17-6) – After they weathered a flurry of injuries/suspensions early in the season I have no doubt that this is the deepest roster in the NBA. They are now back to full strength except for Jameer Nelson (left knee) but still don’t possess championship caliber chemistry. I expect they will be more than fine by playoff time though.
Atlanta Hawks (16-6) – They have officially made the East a “Big Four.” What separates them from the rest of their Eastern brethren is that they know how to play/win in crunch time. Of course it helps that they are a legitimate ten players deep now too. I doubt that any of the rest of the “Big Four” will want to see them come the second round.
Miami Heat (11-10) – “THEY ARE WHO I THOUGHT THEY WERE!” The greatness of Dwyane Wade continues to carry this mediocre bunch. That said Jermaine O’Neal is playing his best ball since ’06-07. The question is can they avoid injuries, because after their top five players they really have nothing.
Charlotte Bobcats (9-12) – They are 5th in OPFG% and 9th in RBDF, which should mean they are pretty good. Alas, this is the club that can’t shoot straight. They are 28th in shooting and 29th in scoring which pretty much negates those good defensive numbers. This also makes them painfully boring to watch.
Washington Wizards (7-13) – For my money this is the most disappointing squad in the league. Understood that Antawn Jamison missed nine games and that Mike Miller (right calf) is out, but Gilbert Arenas is sharing the ball better than ever and Andray Blatche has finally emerged. Coach Flip Saunders needs to develop some chemistry here, and fast.
SOUTHWEST
Dallas Mavericks (16-7) – This bunch is growing into the team I thought they could be much faster than I ever expected. This is with Josh Howard and Tim Thomas missing a combined 32 games too. They are 3rd in OPFG% and extremely versatile on both offense and defense. The Mavs are the only legitimate threat to the Lakers in the West.
Houston Rockets (13-9) – The Anti-Sixers, as I like to call them, have become one of my favorite squads to watch. The reason being that they always play hard and together. They have a bunch of good players who accept their roles and never quit. They might not be able to keep it up for 60 more games, but I wouldn’t put it past them either.
San Antonio Spurs (11-9) – Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have already missed two, four and five games respectively. Not to mention they are 14th in OPFG% (not good for them) and Richard Jefferson has struggled to fit in. I’m sure they’ll still make the playoffs, but they look very old and unathletic to me.
New Orleans Hornets (10-12) – They survived a coaching change and Chris Paul missing eight games to remain in contention. Credit has to be given to GM/interim coach Jeff Bower. He has loosened up the reins on offense and given rookies Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton a chance to play. If Emeka Okafor can get going they should be fine.
Memphis Grizzlies (9-13) – They were 2-8 with Allen Iverson on the roster and have gone 7-5 since he was waived on 11/16. Coincidence? Their starting five is actually pretty solid but they don’t play enough defense (29th in OPFG%) to be serious contenders. That said the Griz have definitely been a pleasant surprise thus far.
NORTHWEST
Denver Nuggets (16-7) – These guys are good but they don’t defend (13th in OPFG%) or rebound (22nd in RBDF) like a championship caliber team. I also have the feeling that the boys are getting a little tired of lame duck coach George Karl’s message. They should win their division but the post season is really all that matters to them anymore.
Utah Jazz (13-9) – It’s hard to judge them since Kyle Korver (left knee) hasn’t played yet, Andrei Kirilenko (back) is out and C.J. Miles has appeared in only five games. One thing is for sure though, Carlos Boozer is back to playing his best. For the Jazz to be taken seriously though they have to start winning some road games.
Portland Trail Blazers (14-10) – Greg Oden (left knee) is done for the season, Travis Outlaw (left foot) won’t be back until March if at all and Rudy Fernandez (back) is out for 4 to 6 weeks. While the injuries have been bad, the lack of chemistry has been worse. Brandon Roy needs to focus more on playing and less on who plays when.
Oklahoma City Thunder (12-9) – They have definitely taken over for the Blazers as the young team people most like to watch. They are 8th in OPFG% and 11th in RBDF, which is pretty darn impressive for a unit I thought was still a year away. Their chemistry and home court advantage are fantastic. Their time to make the playoffs might be now.
Minnesota Timberwolves (3-20) – New President, new coach, same old Wolves. They play hard but don’t really know how to play. Al Jefferson doesn’t look all the way back from right ACL surgery and Kevin Love has only played in five games. But even if those two were 100% healthy I don’t see things being that much different.
PACIFIC
Los Angeles Lakers (18-3) – Yes, they have only played an NBA-low 4 road games thus far, but they are also 1st in OPFG% by a wide margin. Not only does Ron Artest make them tougher while QBing their defense, but he also makes them play hard more consistently (huge for this group). Injuries are the only thing can derail this juggernaut.
Phoenix Suns (16-7) – They got off to great start but have fizzled recently. While some of that can be blamed on playing an NBA-high 15 road games, I’m still not sold on them long term. They can’t afford to lose a single starter to injury or they are done. That said with the West being all bunched up they have a very good shot at the playoffs.
Los Angeles Clippers (9-12) – Blake Griffin (left knee) has yet to play a game and Eric Gordon missed nine games himself, so the Clips are about where they should be. Obviously for them to turn the corner they need those two and Baron Davis to stay healthy. I’d also take a long look at trading Marcus Camby for a backup PG and SG.
Sacramento Kings (9-12) – Kevin Martin (left wrist) has appeared in only five games yet they are performing better than anyone expected. How could this be? Well rookies Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi have helped. As has Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes and Beno Udrih stepping up their games. But new coach Paul Westphal has been huge.
Golden State Warriors (7-15) – They are dead last in both OPFG% and RBDF and seem to like playing for assistant coach Keith Smart more than head coach Don Nelson. You might think they are fun to watch, but they aren’t. Their offense has devolved into Monta Ellis doing whatever he wants while everyone else stands around.
Quarter Pole Awards
Defensive Player – Ron Artest (Lakers)
Sixth Man – Carl Landry (Houston)
Coach – Scott Brooks (Oklahoma City)
Rookie – Tyreke Evans (Sacramento)
MVP – Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
All NBA
PG – Steve Nash (Phoenix)
SG – Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
SF – LeBron James (Cleveland)
PF – Carmelo Anthony (Denver)
C – Dwight Howard (Orlando)
posted by D$ at 4:44 PM
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