Have some thoughts on what’s going to this weekend? The Colts travel to Baltimore, Philly visits New Orleans, the Bears host Seattle and the Patriots head west to face the Chargers.
Bullz-Eye.com’s Anthony Stalter broke down all four games and will follow the playoffs through the Super Bowl on Feb. 4. Let’s hear what you think will happen this weekend.
As I sit here watching the Rose Bowl at my in-laws’, it occurs to me: who cares? Despite being the “granddaddy of them all,” the game has no championship implications other than to muddy the waters. If Michigan looks great and Florida lays an egg against Ohio State in the title game, there will be a lot of talk about how there should have been an OSU/Michigan rematch. If USC dominates and the Gators get blown out, I’m sure all the Trojan fans will complain that they got screwed. You don’t hear this kind of talk after a playoff. The championship is settled on the field, right where it should be.
This ongoing BCS mess is befuddling. Everyone I’ve talked to is in favor of a playoff in college football and opposing arguments are mostly half-hearted, devil’s advocate-type responses. (I know it’s not a statistically accurate survey, but the results are overwhelming.) When was the last time there has been such a consensus amongst the sports public without any positive movement whatsoever?
Now that it’s the New Year and the NBA season is two months old, it’s a good time to revisit our Power Rankings.
TOP FIVE:
1. Dallas Mavericks (25-7)
The Mavs started 0-4, which means they’ve won 25 of their last 28. That Finals hangover sure didn’t last long. Dirk Nowitzki is on the short list for league MVP.
2. Phoenix Suns (23-8)
In November and December, the Suns rattled off 15 straight, and have won 22 of their last 25. If that’s not enough good news, Amare Stoudemire is looking great. The Suns are going to be a tough out in the playoffs.
3. San Antonio Spurs (23-10)
The Spurs went 12-3 in December, but have dropped two close ones in January against the Cavs and Timberwolves. Tim Duncan is healthy and playing well.
4. Utah Jazz (23-9)
After a red-hot start, a 9-5 December indicates that the Jazz have fallen back to Earth. Utah is probably the team most hurt by the Allen Iverson trade (except, of course, for the Sixers).
5. Chicago Bulls (19-13)
Sure, they’re in third place in their division, but after starting 3-9, the Bulls have won 16 of their last 20 and are establishing themselves as the class of the East. Scott Skiles moved Ben Gordon to the bench and he is the frontrunner for Sixth Man honors, averaging 23.1 points in December.
Falling out: Orlando Magic (19-14), Houston Rockets (20-12)
BOTTOM FIVE:
26. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (12-19)
First they lose David West and Peja Stojakovic. Now Chris Paul is out. The Hornets are in trouble.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (8-25)
The return of Pau Gasol is enough to move the Grizzlies up three spots, but I don’t see the Grizzlies competing for a playoff spot this season.
28. Philadelphia 76ers (9-23)
Trading away AI should allow AI2 (Andre Iguodala) to develop into a star, but it’s going to be a few seasons before the Sixers are competitive again.
29. Atlanta Hawks (9-20)
After a great start (by Atlanta standards), the Hawks have dropped nine of their last ten and they just lost Josh Smith to injury.
30. Charlotte Bobcats (9-22)
Brevin Knight is out with injury, allowing Raymond Felton to assist up a storm, but Bobcat wins are hard to come by.
Rising above: Portland Trailblazers (13-20), New York Knicks (14-21)
The All-Star balloting is in full swing, and since it’s pretty much a glorified popularity contest, there are always some odd choices made once the final results are in. Here’s a look at my current list of the top 12 players from each conference based on their statistical performance through the end of December. Special consideration is given to those players from winning teams.
EPG = ((Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocks) – ((Field Goals Att. – Field Goals Made) + (Free Throws Att. – Free Throws Made) + Turnovers)) / (Games Played)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Starters:
Gilbert Arenas, PG, Washington Wizards (17-13)
25.2 epg, 30.3 ppg, 6.3 apg, 4.3 rpg
A former second round pick, Arenas keeps posting monster numbers night after night for the Wizards.
Dwyane Wade, SG, Miami Heat (13-17)
26.7 epg, 27.5 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4.4 rpg
Unlike LeBron, D-Wade hasn’t been able to carry the Heat to a winning record. Of course, other than Shaq, Miami’s roster is pretty devoid of talent.
LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers (18-12)
26.0 epg, 27.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 6.2 apg
King James hasn’t had much help this season, but the Cavs have the second best record in the East.
Dwight Howard, PF, Orlando Magic (19-14)
23.4 epg, 16.9 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Howard is the star on a surprising Magic squad that finds itself in first place in the Southeast.
Jermaine O’Neal, PF/C, Indiana Pacers (17-15)
23.6 epg, 19.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.1 bpg
O’Neal has shrugged off numerous injuries to post consistent double-doubles while leading the league in blocks.
Reserves:
Paul Pierce, SG, Boston Celtics (11-19)
24.1 epg, 26.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.3 apg
Before getting hurt, Pierce was on pace for another All-Star season, but will he return in time to play in Vegas?
Chris Bosh, PF/C, Toronto Raptors (13-18)
22.9 epg, 20.5 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Even though Bosh has missed some time with injury, the Raptors are actually contending in the lousy Atlantic. If he gets back to 100%, they just might win the division.
Caron Butler, SF, Washington Wizards (17-13)
22.8 epg, 20.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.6 apg
I wonder if the Lakers are regretting trading Butler away for Kwame Brown. Caron has become Arenas’ sidekick and is a potent second option for the Wizards.
Jason Kidd, PG, New Jersey Nets (13-18)
22.7 epg, 13.4 ppg, 9.2 apg, 8.2 rpg
Kidd just keeps chugging along, posting triple-doubles every other game. Hell, he’s almost averaging a triple-double.
Michael Redd, SG, Milwaukee Bucks (16-15)
21.5 epg, 27.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.2 apg
Some have argued that Redd has become the best shooting guard in the East, or is at least playing that way. That’s quite the rise for the former second round pick.
Chauncey Billups, PG, Detroit Pistons (18-11)
21.2 epg, 18.0 ppg, 8.1 apg, 3.3 rpg
Detroit’s best player is as consistent as they come. Billups is going to become a free agent this summer.
Joe Johnson, SG, Atlanta Hawks (9-20)
20.1 epg, 26.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.8 apg
This is a toss-up between JJ and Vince Carter. The Nets don’t deserve two All-Stars, so JJ gets the nod for keeping the Hawks competitive. But look out, Mo Williams is making a case with his recent play (19.9 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.8 rpg in December).
Bubbling Under: Vince Carter (NJ), Emeka Okafor (CHA), Antawn Jamison (WAS), Andre Iguodala (PHI), Mo Williams (MIL), Rip Hamilton (DET)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Starters:
Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns (22-8)
25.3 epg, 20.6 ppg, 11.3 apg, 3.2 rpg
After a slow start, the Suns are rolling now and Nash is the guy that makes them go.
Kobe Bryant, SG, LA Lakers (20-11)
25.3 epg, 28.7 ppg, 5.2 apg, 5.1 rpg
Even though he’s recovering from a knee injury, Bryant is playing great ball for the upstart Lakers.
Carmelo Anthony, SF, Denver Nuggets (16-13)
25.8 epg, 31.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.1 apg
Before the bitch-slap, Anthony was on his way to his best season. His field goal percentage (50.3%) is especially impressive.
Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks (25-7)
25.9 epg, 23.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.2 apg
Even though KG has better numbers, Dirk gets the nod because the Mavs have the league’s best record.
Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets (19-12)
26.5 epg, 25.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.2 bpg
There’s no debate: Yao Ming is the best true center in the game.
Reserves:
Kevin Garnett, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (14-15)
28.9 epg, 21.7 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 4.3 apg
Minnesota continues to hover around .500, which is bad news for those that want to see KG traded to a contender.
Carlos Boozer, PF, Utah Jazz (22-9)
25.8 epg, 21.5 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 53.9 FG%
Boozer’s steady play has helped the Jazz tally the league’s second best record. He’s a rebounding machine.
Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs (23-9)
24.5 epg, 20.4 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 56.1 FG%
Duncan is healthy and playing great ball, proving that he’s got a lot of gas left in the tank.
Shawn Marion, SF, Phoenix Suns (22-8)
24.2 epg, 19.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg
The Matrix may lose his spot to teammate Amare Stoudemire, but it’s Marion that deserves the nod.
Allen Iverson, PG, Denver Nuggets (16-13)
23.7 epg, 30.6 ppg, 7.7 apg, 2.4 spg
This is looking like a great trade by the Nuggets. Things will get interesting when ‘Melo returns.
Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (12-19)
21.6 epg, 18.4 ppg, 9.0 apg, 4.4 rpg
A case could be made for Baron Davis and even Deron Williams. But Paul’s got a rep now and he’s lived up to it despite a recent injury.
Josh Howard, SG, Dallas Mavericks (25-7)
20.0 epg, 19.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 43.3 3PT%
This team needs a shooting guard and Howard is next on the list due to his improved play and the Mavs’ terrific record.
Bubbling Under: Elton Brand (LAC), Zach Randolph (POR), Rashard Lewis (SEA), Marcus Camby (DEN), Baron Davis (GS), Amare Stoudemire (PHX)
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