Early Season Quick-Hitters
After only three days of games I’m about to take the next four days off to watch Phish blow up Madison Square Garden (online). So what have I seen so far? Read on…
> Even though it’s early and both are without a key player (Paul Pierce and Andrew Bynum respectively) Boston and the Lakers are pretty much what I thought they’d be. Old, slow and relying on guile more than skill. That said things look much bleaker for Boston since their depth is such that signing Mickael Pietrus qualifies as a reason for optimism. I think as the season progresses the Celtics are really going to wear down.
Things might not be as bad as I originally laid out for Los Angeles but they aren’t yet true contenders on this blog. The PG situation is still awful but freed from the triangle Steve Blake seems to have a little more pep in his step. He definitely spent his off season shooting threes. The real reason LA doesn’t hurt my eyes to watch though is the scrappiness guys like Josh McRoberts, Troy Murphy and Devin Ebanks bring every night. Gone are the laissez-faire Lakers of yore. This group has to hustle and work on every possession or they will get blown out. Give Coach Mike Brown credit for instilling that early on and to the players for obviously buying in with their defensive effort.
> Miami’s new “spread” offense (inspired by the Oregon Ducks no less) is getting a lot of kudos around the league but I’m not sure it’s the answer to their problems. If you let the Heat get out into the open court where they can run and build a lead the game is essentially over. However when they get pulled into a grind it out half court affair where the opposition is playing a zone defense they still struggle. I know it’s very early but stay tuned.
> I wouldn’t necessarily make the jump John Hollinger did comparing Dallas to the ’06-07 defending champion Miami Heat but he does make a compelling argument (insider).
> I’ve seen every minute Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio has played so far and everyone needs to put the Haterade down. The kid can play. I’ve already witnessed enough to say that at worst he has a long career as a backup PG. That’s the floor for him. How high his ceiling goes obviously remains to be seen but he has an unreal feel for the game. His ability to see things one step ahead of everyone else manifests itself in his passing aptitude and the way he plays the passing lanes on defense. He lacks any semblance of confidence is his own offensive game but being surrounded by NBA caliber guys only accentuates what he does well.
One last point on the Wolves; Kevin Love looks great. He’s lost all his “baby fat” and is becoming the kind of leader that his immense talent suggests he should.
> The Stephen Jackson meltdown watch is officially on. First he missed most of training camp with “back issues” that were later said to be code for wanting a new contract. I hate to break it to Captain Jack but he is 33 with another year after this on his deal. I’m sorry but no one in their right mind would extend him now. He’s been grumpy and pouty so far from what I’ve seen which is a shame because if he comes to play with his head screwed on straight every night Milwaukee should be pretty darn good.
Another Bucks mention; Rookie Jon Leuer can play and will be in the NBA for quite some time. Think of a smarter more offensively polished but less athletic version of Kris Humphries. A nice find with the 40th pick in the draft by GM John Hammond.
> Even though it’s early and both are without a key player (Paul Pierce and Andrew Bynum respectively) Boston and the Lakers are pretty much what I thought they’d be. Old, slow and relying on guile more than skill. That said things look much bleaker for Boston since their depth is such that signing Mickael Pietrus qualifies as a reason for optimism. I think as the season progresses the Celtics are really going to wear down.
Things might not be as bad as I originally laid out for Los Angeles but they aren’t yet true contenders on this blog. The PG situation is still awful but freed from the triangle Steve Blake seems to have a little more pep in his step. He definitely spent his off season shooting threes. The real reason LA doesn’t hurt my eyes to watch though is the scrappiness guys like Josh McRoberts, Troy Murphy and Devin Ebanks bring every night. Gone are the laissez-faire Lakers of yore. This group has to hustle and work on every possession or they will get blown out. Give Coach Mike Brown credit for instilling that early on and to the players for obviously buying in with their defensive effort.
> Miami’s new “spread” offense (inspired by the Oregon Ducks no less) is getting a lot of kudos around the league but I’m not sure it’s the answer to their problems. If you let the Heat get out into the open court where they can run and build a lead the game is essentially over. However when they get pulled into a grind it out half court affair where the opposition is playing a zone defense they still struggle. I know it’s very early but stay tuned.
> I wouldn’t necessarily make the jump John Hollinger did comparing Dallas to the ’06-07 defending champion Miami Heat but he does make a compelling argument (insider).
> I’ve seen every minute Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio has played so far and everyone needs to put the Haterade down. The kid can play. I’ve already witnessed enough to say that at worst he has a long career as a backup PG. That’s the floor for him. How high his ceiling goes obviously remains to be seen but he has an unreal feel for the game. His ability to see things one step ahead of everyone else manifests itself in his passing aptitude and the way he plays the passing lanes on defense. He lacks any semblance of confidence is his own offensive game but being surrounded by NBA caliber guys only accentuates what he does well.
One last point on the Wolves; Kevin Love looks great. He’s lost all his “baby fat” and is becoming the kind of leader that his immense talent suggests he should.
> The Stephen Jackson meltdown watch is officially on. First he missed most of training camp with “back issues” that were later said to be code for wanting a new contract. I hate to break it to Captain Jack but he is 33 with another year after this on his deal. I’m sorry but no one in their right mind would extend him now. He’s been grumpy and pouty so far from what I’ve seen which is a shame because if he comes to play with his head screwed on straight every night Milwaukee should be pretty darn good.
Another Bucks mention; Rookie Jon Leuer can play and will be in the NBA for quite some time. Think of a smarter more offensively polished but less athletic version of Kris Humphries. A nice find with the 40th pick in the draft by GM John Hammond.
posted by D$ at 3:29 PM
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