We are a little over the half way point in this years NBA Season. I decided to rate the best 8 teams in each conference, based on more than just records, we'll look at several areas involving each team. I will also include: MVP, ROY, & Most Underrated Player.
1. Los Angeles Lakers: They are still the champs, whether Bill Simmons likes it or not. As long as the Carmelo trade doesn't happen, the Lakers have 2 7-footers that cause trouble for opposing teams on offense, and with a possible Finals matchup with Boston, they will need all the length they can get. The Lakers still have Kobe, who is defying his old age and having another great season. Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, and Ron Artest have dissapointing so far this season but Coach Phil Jackson said his team will be ready for playoff time.
Upcoming Games: 2/10 @ Boston, 2/11 @ Knicks, 2/13 @ Orlando
If Playoffs Started Today: 3rd Seed
2. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs have the best record in the NBA at 43-8 but I still believe the Lakers will be better in the end. Tim Duncan isn't having an incredible year but he helps this team on defense more than most people notice. The Spurs have the most balanced scoring in the league with Ginobili averaging 18.4, Parker 17.5, Duncan 13.4 and Jefferson 12.4. Anybody can score on you and they execute Coach Gregg Poppovich's gameplan perfectly on offense and defense. The Spurs have zero flash but they may be the scariest team in the league.
Upcoming Games: 2/9 @ Toronto, 2/11 @ Philly, 2/12 @ Washington
If Playoffs Started Today : 1st Seed
3. Dallas Mavericks: Dallas is the hottest team in the NBA, they are on a 9 game winning streak and 9-1 in their last 10 games. Dirk Nowitzki is having an MVP type year and Tyson Chandler(Fucking Bobcats) is having a good enough year to be in the discussion for Most Improved Player and challenge Dwight Howard for Defensive Player of the year. They were hot at the beginning year but Nowitzki got hurt and this team went downhill, but now with Nowitzki back the Mavs are right back in the hunt for the NBA Championship.
Upcoming Games: 2/9 @ Sacremento, 2/10 @ Denver, 2/12 @ Houston
If Playoffs Started Today: 2nd Seed
4. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Northwest divison leading Thunder are the sexy pic for the West because of all the young stars they have. KD35 is in a battle for the scoring title and point guard Russell Westbrook is much improved following this summer's Team USA gold medal run in the FIBA World Championships and Jeff Green is a solid player to compliment their two stars. The Thunder lack size and length in the frontcourt which could be their downfall in the playoffs.
Upcoming Games: 2/12 @ Sacremento, 2/13 @ Golden State, 2/15 Sacremento
If Playoffs Started Today: 4th Seed
5. New Orleans Hornets: The Hornets were hottest team in the NBA at the beginning of the year but have cooled down since then. They are led by captain and point guard Chris Paul, who is averaging a near double-double. David West is their leading scorer at 18.8 ppg and Emeka Okafor is averging a double-double for the Hornets. The Hornets are a great defensive team but need to be more consistent heading into the playoffs with a possible 1st round matchup against Oklahoma City.
Upcoming Games: 2/9 @ New Jersey, 2/11 @ Orlando, 2/12 Chicago
If Playoffs Started Today: 5th Seed
6. Utah Jazz: The Utah Jazz, when healthy, are scary. Deron Williams and AK47 have been out recently with injuries but when healthy the Jazz could be a tricky 6th seed for possibly the Lakers in the 1st round. Williams is having a MVP type season averagin 21.8 ppg and 9.5 apg. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsaps need to turn their volume to 11 if the Jazz want to make some noise in the playoffs.
Upcoming Games: 2/9 Chicago, 2/11 Phoneix, 2/15 @ Phoneix
If Playoffs Started Today: 6th Seed
7. Portland Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers are impressing me more and more every time I watch them play. With rising star and All-Star snub LaMarcus Aldridge leading the way along with veterns Andre Miller and Marcus Camby, the Blazers will make a push for the playoffs in the West and sneak in as the 7th or 8th seed. The Blazers have had impressive wins lately against San Antonio and Chicago and look to continue that trend when the Lakers and New Orleans come to town.
Upcoming Games: 2/11 @ Toronto, 2/13 @ Detroit, 2/14 @ Minnesota
If Playoffs Started Today: 8th Seed
8. Denver Nuggets: I hesitate to even put them here incase Carmelo gets delt to New York or LA. If they just let Carmelo play out the year and then walk, I see the Nuggs sneaking in with last seed led by Carmelo but if Andre Bynum or anyone other players involved in the trade talks come to the Mile City I see the Nuggets falling out of the top 8 and one of my favorite teams, Memphis, sneaking in for the 8th seed.
Upcoming Games: 2/9 @ Golden State, 2/10 Dallas, 2/13 @ Memphis
If Playoffs Started Today: 7th Seed
Western Conference MVP: Kevin Durant. Durant leads the NBA in points per game again at 29.0. He leads a young Oklahoma City team that looks to make more noise in the playoffs this year after taking the Lakers to 7 games last year.
Western Conference ROY: Blake Griffin. Not LeBron, not Kobe, not Dwight Howard, not Kevin Durant, Griffin is the most entertaing player in the league today. His high flying dunks mezmerize all fans and his production is great, 22.6 ppg and 12.7 rpg.
Western Conference's Most Underrated Player: LaMarcus Aldridge. Alridge is a All-Star snub leading the Portland Trail Blazers to huge wins over top-tier NBA teams and a possible playoff.
I'll do the Eastern Conference whenever I get a chance.
Go Cocks
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