The All-Star Starters will soon be announced. The second half of the season is underway. This season has already become historic for at least one reason and maybe more. It looks like it’s time to become basketball-astronomers again and break out the latest NBA solar ratings. In case you forgot the rules you can still find them here.
I. Sun-
Detroit Pistons- I love when a team gets so good we start watching to see if they can reach those major milestones. The Pistons are on pace to win 72 wins, but I don’t see that happening for a few reasons. First, because three of the five losses Detroit has taken already were to teams that aren’t nearly of the Piston’s level, which shows a tendency to lose mental focus. These lapses will become more common as their lead in the playoffs becomes more secure. Second, only five teams have had softer schedules that Detroit, and only one of them is in the Central Division. As the Pistons have to face more and more top level opponents who have been battle tested they’ll give up more hard fought losses. Third, no one can be lucky enough to get through an entire season with none of their starters ever getting injured. Either one or more of the top five will miss a few games and cost the team some victories, or Flip Saunders will get so protective of his core that he’ll limit their minutes at the end of the season and just surrender some games. In any case I see those factors adding up to more than six losses before the play-offs.
II. Jupiter-
Phoenix Suns- I think PHX has been positioning itself perfectly for a run at the title. First, they have quieted down their offense –partly do to the loss of Amare. They can still catch teams off guard with 130-point games or 40-point quarters. Yet the general consensus is that they aren’t as potent as last year. Also they have greatly improved their defense. They limit their opponents points per possessions greatly, of course the fast pace of their games completely disguises this. Most importantly, they’re handling Amare’s absence beautifully. They are giving him as much time as he needs to be at his most effective when he returns. Best of all, the active roster has adapted to produce the best staring five outside of Detroit.
Dallas Mavericks- Last I checked the standings the Southwest Division lead was being split between the two remaining Texas titans. Right now I favor the Mavericks, they're improving as the season goes on while the Spurs seem to be wearing down. Also, after years of being denied a chance at the Finals, I think they see this as a golden opportunity to bide their time and overtake the Spurs in the Western playoffs when they’re vulnerable. We may finally see Dirk get his moment at the top of the mountain, as he gets clobbered by the Pistons.
III. Earth-
Los Angeles Lakers- New rule: It doesn’t matter how bad the team is, when a player makes NBA history, their team becomes a member of the Earth tier.
Miami Heat – Since no one else seems willing to say it, I will. The best chance Miami has to win a title this year is to take minutes away from Shaq (three-time Finals MVP, one of the greatest player of all-time) and give them to Alonzo Mourning (recovering from a life-threatening kidney condition). Dwayne needs a team that can run to win in the playoffs, and Shaq Daddy is too old and slow. I don’t care that this might hurt team chemistry. Isn’t this what Pat Riley’s specialty is supposed to be? Didn’t he talk Kareem into taking a backseat to James Worthy and Byron Scott? How can this not happen?
Cleveland Cavaliers- If we needed anymore evidence that LeBron James is Superman, I point out the fact that his team is on a killer win-streak since he started wearing tights.
IV. Saturn-
Memphis Grizzlies- Here’s evidence of a team that’s legitimately good. At home, on the road, against their conference, and against their division, the Grizz are at or above .500 in all of these categories.
San Antonio Spurs- The health of Duncan and Manu have reduced the Spurs to contender status. Does the Spurs vulnerability this season paired with D-Town’s dominance prove that depth is overrated? I wouldn’t have believed that in November, but now I have to wonder.
V. Venus-
Sacramento Kings- I’m really interested in what Ron-Ron might do for this team, and there’s every reason to believe that he’ll improve their playoff hopes. They did badly need help on defense. But I don’t think the Kings made a smart move. Their best lineups relied heavily on Peja, and I don’t see Artest filling the role of sharp-shooter.
New Jersey Nets- Why can’t they ever stay hot long enough for me to bump them up to serious contender levels?
Denver Nuggets- I don’t think their quality of play is weak, so much as Furious George is having a hard time settling on the proper rotation. They have more players deserving of minutes than you think. Just imagine if Nenê were still in the mix.
VI. Mars-
Milwaukee Bucks- The fact that they have a negative point differential, but a winning record, says they are overachieving big time.
Los Angeles Clippers- If the Clippers hold off make the playoffs, I’ll sing the praises of their improbable season. If they land home court in the first round, I’ll prepare for the apocalypse.
Indiana Pacers- I’m giving the Peja trade a few weeks before I finally cut off the the Pacers as a non-contender, not just for the title –they lost that long ago- but the playoffs as well.
VII. Mercury-
New Orleans Hornets- Somewhere in the New Orleans rebuilding efforts I hope someone is watching out to make sure two things get accomplished. 1). The Hornets have a place to play some playoff games, and 2). Someone is building a mantle upon which to set Chris Paul's Rookie of the Year Award.
Seattle Sonics- I can imagine them making a second half surge. The major obstacle is that their best 5-player unit is one of the weakest in the association. However unlike most teams, they do get the most of that top lineup
Washington Wizards- The Wizards organization needs to get their rotation under control. Their most common lineup is 63-points worse than their best lineup.
VIII. Neptune-
Philadelphia 76ers- If you think the Sixer’s have been unimpressive then I have bad news. They’ve faced the second weakest schedule so far this year, and the schedule looks likely to get tougher here as the season progresses.
Boston Celtics- Did you see all the ways 82games.com broke down the awful job the Celtics are doing this year? Go check it out. It’s a great read and funny to anyone not living in Boston.
Utah Jazz- If they can string together a seven game win streak, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they somehow still managed to make the playoffs. I just don’t find that prospect very likely.
Orlando Magic- I have an odd suspicion that once they get past the Steve Francis drama, they will turn into a dangerous young team playing to prove something. I say this while they are currently in the bottom half of the association in both offense and defense.
IX. Uranus-
New York Knicks- Wow! Their undefeated streak to star out 2006 already seems like yester year.
Golden State Warriors- Since they’ve slipped into the negative zone in terms of point differential, I don’t see this season going anywhere good from here on out.
Minnesota Timberwolves- My heart goes out to KG. He’s played the toughest schedule in the NBA so far, and he now has to learn how to deal with a new team. To be fair to the management though, that roster was doing about all it could and it was till a major disappointment.
X. Pluto-
Chicago Bulls- I’m going to avoid commenting until their current win streak comes to an end. I don’t want to jinx them in case the resurgence is for real.
Houston Rockets- Have we seen McGrady and Yao on the court at the same time at all this year? I seriously wonder if they aren’t sharing bodies, like Rick Jones and Captain Marvel (YES! I knew I could fit an obscure comic book reference in here).
Portland Trailblazers- I think Nate McMillan is a great coach, but I also think that the Blazers have the worst starters in the NBA.
Charlotte Bobcats- I seriously believe this could be a mediocre team this year, except injuries are keeping them from putting their best players on the court.
Atlanta Hawks- BAD
Toronto Raptors- WORSE
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