Category: NBA (Page 511 of 595)

The All-Star break has come and gone, which means the NBA is about two-thirds the way through the season, making it a great time to update our power rankings.

TOP FIVE:

1. Dallas Mavericks (44-9)
Since our last update in January, the Mavs have gone 19-2. Remember, they started the season 0-4, which means they’ve posted an amazing 44-5 record since.

2. Phoenix Suns (39-13)
They’ve struggled a bit lately, going 1-3 without Steve Nash in the lineup. But the Suns are still solidly in the #2 spot.

3. Utah Jazz (35-17)
Without Carlos Boozer, the Jazz won six straight heading into the break, which puts them a half game ahead of the Spurs in the West.

4. San Antonio Spurs (35-18)
The Spurs have gone 5-5 in their last ten even though they’re pretty healthy. Are the Spurs starting to slip?

5. Detroit Pistons (32-19)
The Rockets probably deserve this spot, and they’ll get it once Yao returns to the lineup. For now, the newly acquired Chris Webber has the Pistons on a roll.

BOTTOM FIVE:

26. Milwaukee Bucks (19-34)
41 wins might get you a playoff spot in the East, which means the Bucks need to go 22-7 down the stretch. Even with Michael Redd coming back, that’s a long shot. As a Bucks fan, I’d actually like to see them pack it in.

27. Charlotte Hornets (19-33)
The Hornets look poised for yet another top five pick. Do you think they’re regretting taking Adam Morrison (13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 38% shooting) over Brandon Roy (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 43% shooting) last summer? With Raymond Felton, Roy and Gerald Wallace, the Bobcats would have something going.

28. Philadelphia 76ers (17-36)
With Greg Oden and Kevin Durant on the horizon, are Sixers fans rooting against their team? On the bright side, Andre Iguodala is averaging 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in February.

29. Boston Celtics (13-38)
Paul Pierce’s return means this team is going to win 40% of their games, making it much more difficult to land a top three pick.

30. Memphis Grizzlies (14-40)
The Grizzlies are trying to transition from a plodding attack to an up-tempo, Suns-like offense. Good luck with that. Oh, and Pau Gasol wants to be traded. Things are bad in Memphis.

Well, the 2007 All-Star Game has come and gone, so here are a few random observations from the weekend:

Do you think David Lee’s stellar play in the Rookie Challenge (30 points on 14-14 shooting with 11 rebounds and four assists) will earn him any more minutes for the Knicks? Not if Isiah continues to divvy up the minutes…The league should really get rid of the Shooting Stars competition. Who wants to see Bill Laimbeer hoisting up half court shots? They could use the time to expand one of the other contests, or add a one-on-one tournament. Now that could be interesting…What’s with the lackadaisical pace in the Skills Challenge? LeBron headlined a great lineup (Kobe, D-Wade, Chris Paul) but went at about half speed in the first round and was eliminated. Wade beat Bryant in the final round. What’s the point of having these superstars compete if they’re not even going to compete? LeBron’s lack of competitiveness says a lot about his game…Congratulations to Jason Kapono for winning the Three-Point Shootout. He tied a Shootout record in the final round with 24 points, outlasting Gilbert Arenas and defending champ Dirk Nowitzki. Most importantly, he did it all without wearing that ugly-ass headband…The league needs to tweak the Slam Dunk competition. Watching Nate Robinson miss his dunk in the final round over and over got pretty tedious. Gerald Green deserved the win – his first round dunk where he caught the ball off the side of the backboard and slammed it home was awesome – but Dwight Howard had the dunk of the night. It looked to be a simple alley-oop, but Howard placed a sticker near the top of the backboard with his other hand. The dunk was much more impressive in instant replay, but the judges (specifically Michael Jordan and Julius Erving) only gave Howard an 8 out of 10 and Howard was eliminated…Charles Barkley beat Dick Bavetta in a race and then the two shared a smooch on the lips afterward. I’m still not sure what that was all about…The All-Star Game itself was kind of a snoozer (the West won, 153-132). Shaq proved he didn’t deserve to be there (10 points on 5-13 shooting), while Dwight Howard (20 points, 12 rebounds) proved that he should have started for the East. It was clear that Amare Stoudemire was on a mission to be the game’s MVP, hoisting 22 shots in just 21 minutes (scoring 29 points), but that honor went to Bryant, who scored 31 points and dished out six assists.

Here are the starters for the NBA All-Star Game:

EAST: Gilbert Arenas, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Shaquille O’Neal

WEST: Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Yao Ming

After comparing these lineups to my picks a few days ago, I have a few questions:

Why is Shaquille O’Neal even on the team, much less a starter?

As voting closed, O’Neal had appeared in four games and averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting 45% from the field. Meanwhile, a guy by the name of Dwight Howard played in 41 games, and averaged 17.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, while shooting 56.5% from the field. Is Howard really a center? That’s debatable, but he was listed at center on the ballot and should be starting for the East. O’Neal shouldn’t even be on the 12-man roster.

Why can’t the back-to-back MVP get some love?

Steve Nash is on pace to set career highs in points, assists, FG% and 3PT%. Plus, he is the leader of the Suns, the team with the second-best record in the league. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Tracy McGrady, who has managed to keep the Rockets afloat without Yao Ming. One could argue that McGrady deserves a spot on the team, but with his 42.7 FG%, he’s not a starter. Not when you have Nash sitting there.

Are Americans stlll upset about WWII?

Apparently. That’s the only credible reason for leaving Dirk Nowitzki out of the starting lineup. The Mavs have the best record in the league and Dirk’s numbers are better than both Duncan and Garnett. Sure, both those guys play better defense, but the Mavs’ success hinges on Nowitzki’s play, and he deserves to start.

Other thoughts: I don’t have a problem with Chris Bosh being selected over Jermaine O’Neal. The two were statistically similar and the Raptors and Pacers are pretty close in the Eastern standings…Carlos Boozer deserves to start, but it’s not surprising that Duncan and Garnett were selected before him. The way balloting is currently set up, it’s a popularity contest and Boozer hasn’t been popular since he left the Cavs in a lurch a few years ago…I have to hand it to the fans, they got Gilbert Arenas right. For a while there, it was looking like Vince Carter was going to start, but Arenas made a push and finished 3,010 votes ahead of Carter, the fourth-closest margin in history.

The All-Star balloting has come to a close and TNT will announce the starters for each conference before their doubleheader on Thursday. There has been a bit of movement in the last three weeks (since I released my initial choices), so it’s a good time to release an update. Since the ballot is broken up into sections for guards, forwards and centers, I will use that methodology when discussing the starters, so it won’t matter if I have two shooting guards or two power forwards starting for a particular team.

Here’s a look at my current list of the top 12 players from each conference based on their statistical performance through January 21st. 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, G, Washington Wizards (24-16)
25.1 epg, 29.7 ppg, 6.3 apg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 spg
Arenas is a bonafide star and the Wizards are tied for first in the East. He’s definitely a scoring point guard, but his 6.3 assists are nothing to sneeze at. Moreover, he’s a former second-round pick, which makes his ascension all the more impressive.

Dwyane Wade, G, Miami Heat (18-22)
27.8 epg, 28.2 ppg, 7.9 apg, 4.8 rpg, 48.1 FG%
Even though Miami has struggled without Shaq, Wade has the league’s second-highest efficiency rating and has his team just a half game out of the playoffs.

LeBron James, F, Cleveland Cavaliers (24-16)
25.5 epg, 27.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 6.1 apg
King James has the Cavs tied for first in the East, and barring injury or change of locale, he’ll have this starting spot wrapped up for the next several years.

Jermaine O’Neal, F, Indiana Pacers (20-20)
23.5 epg, 19.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.1 bpg
This is a tossup between O’Neal and Bosh, but O’Neal gets the nod because the Pacers have one extra win and O’Neal has appeared in a higher percentage of his team’s games.

Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic (22-19)
22.9 epg, 17.0 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 56.5 FG%
As of January 11th, Shaquille O’Neal had garnered more votes than Howard, which goes to show just how flawed the All-Star system is. Howard will surely make the team, but he deserves to start.

Reserves:

Chris Bosh, F, Toronto Raptors (19-22)
23.8 epg, 21.7 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Bosh is the main reason that the Raptors are even in the hunt for the Atlantic title. If he can stay healthy, Toronto might just catch the aging Nets.

Caron Butler, F, Washington Wizards (24-16)
23.5 epg, 21.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.0 spg, 48.3 FG%
Those are All-Star caliber numbers. If Butler doesn’t make the team, it will probably be the most egregious snub of the year. (Anyone think the Lakers are regretting that Butler for Kwame Brown swap?)

Jason Kidd, G, New Jersey Nets (20-20)
23.9 epg, 14.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 9.1 apg, 1.9 spg
Kidd’s rebound numbers are amazing for a guard. The Nets have had a tough start, but Kidd’s play has them atop the Atlantic.

Chauncey Billups, G, Detroit Pistons (23-16)
21.2 epg, 18.1 ppg, 8.0 apg, 3.4 rpg
Billups has been steady this season and has the Pistons just a half game out of first place in the East.

Michael Redd, G, Milwaukee Bucks (17-23)
21.1 epg, 27.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.2 apg. 46.2 FG%
As of the last returns, Stephon Marbury had more votes than Redd, which is a travesty. His knee injury has hurt his resume, but he deserves a spot on the team.

Vince Carter, G, New Jersey Nets (20-20)
21.9 epg, 25.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.2 apg
Carter and Kidd give the Nets one of the best backcourts in the league. That’s good, because with Richard Jefferson out, they don’t have much else.

Luol Deng, F, Chicago Bulls (23-15)
19.1 epg, 17.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 52.9 FG%
Ben Gordon has been coming on of late, but Deng has been steady all season and the Bulls should be represented.

Alternate:

Emeka Okafor, F, Charlotte Bobcats (14-25)
21.8 epg, 14.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.9 bpg
This team is sorely lacking in size and has a dinged up player (Redd). Okafor is the next logical candidate at either forward or center.

Close, but no cigar: Paul Pierce, Richard Hamilton, Joe Johnson, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Gordon, Ben Wallace, Antawn Jamison

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Starters:

Steve Nash, G, Phoenix Suns (32-8)
24.7 epg, 19.3 ppg, 11.5 apg, 3.2 rpg, 53.1 FG%
Nash just keeps on truckin’ and is the cog that makes the Suns go. As far as point guards go, he’s the class of the West.

Kobe Bryant, G, Los Angeles Lakers (26-15)
25.3 epg, 27.9 ppg, 5.6 apg, 5.3 rpg, 47.0 FG%
Bryant has done a terrific job of setting his teammates up while taking over when necessary. That formula has the Lakers in the fifth spot in the West despite the loss of Lamar Odom.

Dirk Nowitzki, F, Dallas Mavericks (34-8)
27.4 epg, 24.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 50.0 FG%
Along with the Suns, the Mavs are the class of the West and Nowitzki is having another season that has him in the running for league MVP.

Carlos Boozer, F, Utah Jazz (27-14)
27.0 epg, 22.2 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 56.1 FG%
Boozer is probably the biggest surprise starter this year. His play has helped the Jazz ascend to first place in the Northwest, and he’s one of only four players averaging 20+ points and 10+ rebounds this season.

Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets (25-16)
26.5 epg, 25.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 52.2 FG%
Prior to his injury, Yao was dominating the competition and is the best true center in the league.

Reserves:

Kevin Garnett, F, Minnesota Timberwolves (20-19)
29.5 epg, 22.2 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 4.3 apg
KG keeps the Wolves afloat, which means he probably won’t be traded anytime soon. It would be scary to see what he could do with another star on his team.

Carmelo Anthony, F, Denver Nuggets (20-17)
25.8 epg, 31.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.1 apg, 50.3 FG%
Prior to the “bitch slap,” ‘Melo was on pace for a starting spot, but Boozer gets the nod for controlling his temper, unlike Anthony.

Shawn Marion, F, Phoenix Suns (32-8)
24.9 epg, 18.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.1 spg, 51.5 FG%
The Matrix fills up the stat sheet and deserves another All-Star bid. He’s got an ugly shot, but he’s a very efficient scorer.

Tim Duncan, F, San Antonio Spurs (29-13)
24.4 epg, 19.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.1 bpg, 54.1 FG%
The Big Fundamental just keeps on chugging. He’s injury-free this year and is showing that he has plenty of gas left in the tank.

Allen Iverson, G, Denver Nuggets (20-17)
22.8 epg, 29.5 ppg, 7.5 apg, 2.1 spg
The Nuggets made a great move trading for AI, who has helped them stay afloat during ‘Melo’s suspension. It will be interesting to see how the two will co-exist.

Elton Brand, F, Los Angeles Clippers (19-21)
24.5 epg, 20.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 55.4 FG%
After a slow start, Brand has come on of late and continues to be a bright spot on a shaky Clippers team.

Josh Howard, F, Dallas Mavericks (34-8)
20.4 epg, 19.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.0 apg
Howard continues to improve and is proving to be a wonderful sidekick to Nowitzki.

Close, but no cigar: Tracy McGrady, Zach Randolph, Amare Stoudemire, Baron Davis, Chris Paul, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, Kevin Martin