The Doghouse Division
30. Oklahoma City Thunder
This article, I hope, will be unbiased and reflect what I feel is the current order of the NBA teams. Except the Thunder. Thankfully, they stink. They might merit the last place standing with their record, but they'll have this spot locked for the rest of the year. They're a gift for every other team in the league. If your a coach, you're not losing any sleep at night wondering " How can we contain Nick Collison and Earl Watson?!" Having them stuck in the West doesn't bode well for them either. This is the last paragraph I'll write about them all year. For now, they can call this division their own.
The Retief Goosen Division (gimmes, but not quite.....)
29. Washington Wizards
As the NBA's last winless team, they left me no choice. They're opening loss to the Nets hurt. Gilbert ain't comin back for awhile, but even so they're giving up 110 a contest. Eddie Jordan should start searching the help wanted section.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
27. New Jersey Nets
I know there's teams out there with worse records, but they beat one of the three teams ranked below them, and grinded a win with the Pistons in a transition faze that needed a career day from Devin Harris. The one nice thing about the Nets? They share the love. They have 8 players playing at least 20 minutes, not including Brook Lopez's 18 min pg. Definitely a lottery bound team thats looking ahead.
26. Charlotte Bobcats
Just a bad looking puzzle. Jared Dudley starting 4 of 5 games? Gerald Wallace isn't even shooting ten shots a game? I love ya MJ, you to Mr Brown, but if you guys don't make changes, you're joining the Thunder in the doghouse..... Ok that's a little too harsh, but seriously, it's move makin time.
The Darko Milicic Division (more likely to get worse than better)
25. Sacramento Kings
Love the three game winning streak. The fact that you're in west, I'll give you guys some dapps along the way, but you gotta show me some defense. Winning on the road would be nice. Giving up 107 a game? Not cutting it. K-Mart ( Kenyon Martin hasn't merited that nickname in 5 years people) is a stud, Spencer Hawes is improving, and John Salmons is a viable 3rd (no no, not second) option. It's just...... it's that defense........
24. Memphis Grizzlies
23. Golden State Warriors
An ugly 98-115 loss to the Kings help me justify putting them this low, as well as two losses to Memphis. They've still got good pieces and getting Maggette back will help, but it's still a bottom of the barrel team in the west. Don't forget the front office turmoil.
The Report Card division ( How they look on paper doesn't reflect on the court)
22. Milwaukee Bucks
They've lost to teams they should lose to, and beaten teams they should beat. A legit big man, two proven veteran scorers and two unselfish point guards is a nice mix, but it ends there. Depth wins in the NBA, and they don't have it. Neither does the next team. We'll categorize them as the "Jakey Gelrod vision division". And without further ado, I present to you.......
21. Miami Heat
20. Philadelphia 76ers
They're playing unselfish basketball to a fault. They have five players shooting over ten shots a game, with none of them shooting over 14. Regardless of Iguodala's struggles, he needs to shoot the pill 15-18 times a game, as does Brand. Note to Andre Miller and Louis Williams: You play point guard. Your team doesn't need you to chuck up 13 shots a game with your subpar 40% shooting. Distribute, defend, repeat.
The Peter Pan Division (the lost boys)
19. Los Angeles Clippers
Ok, I pity them. You try playing the Lakers twice in week!! They lost to the Jazz twice, lost to nuggets in OT, lost to Houston, and beat the Mavs. But that's the West for ya. It's not an excuse, but it is a exceptional reason to say a 1-6 team still looks better than a 3-3 team such as the Heat. Nonetheless, I don't think they're a good team. Baron Davis isn't the player he was a year ago ( repeat after me: Contract year!) and without him they have no viable offensive source. Al Thornton looks like a stud and a half.
18. San Antonio Spurs
The only win they have, they had to grind in to OT vs the wolves. I don't know what to say. They're reserves, except for the surprise of Roger Mason, play such a minor role compared to recent years. Michael Finley is fading, the Kurt Thomas/Fabricio Oberto faithful are getting nervous, and Tony Parker's now out until early December. They got a favorable November schedule that helps, but even when Parker's back, there's some question marks.
17. Dallas Mavericks
The Geena Davis Division ( they look good...... but not that good)
16. Chicago Bulls
Definitely a blessing with the Kirk Hinrich injury, as well as Larry Hughes, to D-Rose. When has a number one pick ever been such a surprise? With all the talk of Beasley and Oden, people seemingly forgot just how good this kid is. He's an exception to the Geena Davis Division. There are few guards in this league who will be able to guard him over the next 7-9 years, he's just too big and quick. Chi-Town has to make a move on a suitable big man, because they have a point guard talent who can lead this team in to the postseason. And if those questions whether Ben Gordon deserves that extension are still hanging around the front office, than there's really no way he's sticking around next year.
15. Indiana Pacers
14. New York Knicks
13. Denver Nuggets
Starting off 2-0, the Billups trade seems to be working in their favor as most expected, but they still have problems. With Kenyon Martin out with an injury, they really have no frontcourt. Nene can't shoulder the load of the down-low dirty work when you gotta play in the West. They gotta face Cleveland and Boston back to back later this week, so I'll get back to you on Sunday.
12. Detroit Pistons
Great win versus Toronto, bad loss to the Nets. Nobody's got a harder schedule than the Mo-Town boys coming up. Lakers, Suns, Cavs and Celts in a week span............................................... That was me saying a pray for em'.
All Hands on Deck Division (Ready to improve Captain! )
11. Orlando Magic
Started out 0-2, peeled off four in a row, and dropped one the other night to the Blazers. If you got Dwight on your squad, you're prolly near the top ten. He just needs a little coaching. Not like Patrick Ewing coaching or Olajuwon tutoring, but some mugging tips from Mike Fetters or something. If this guy gets a snarl down, the east will crumble. But I digress. Rashard Lewis and Hedo gotta start shooting over 40% at some point, am I right? If they win the games they should, steal a couple here and there, they'll be fighting for homecourt come April.
10. Houston Rockets
9. Portland Trail Blazers
OK OK FINE. I said I hoped their wouldn't be a bias in this article. I got my reasons so hold on to yo britches. Their losses are to the Lakers, Suns, and Jazz, while their wins include a healthy (well not fully) San Antonio team, an OT win against Houston which should have taken up atleast 4 of the Sportscenter top ten spots, and a road win versus the Magic. Some look to the scores and point to the margin of victory, but this early in the season I take it as an encouraging sign. To fight off the Spurs and Rockets the way they did shows a helluva lot for such a young team. Those are the games they aren't expected to win. Oden reportedly looks ready for game time. Be skeptical if you'd like, but all he does is make them better if he's healthy.
The DMV Division (waiting in line to contend)
8. Phoenix Suns
The likely candidate to be the team that drops off in the West has surprised over their first 8 games ( minus the 17 loss to the bulls, with D Rose throwing a hammer in Barbosa's mug). They've had 5 different top scorers, and you gotta love the production from the Big Aristotle. Nash is no doubt declining, and he's the difference maker between a playoff team and a title contending team. When it comes time to face the premier guards/teams in the west, we'll truly see how good this team can be.
7. CP3
6. Toronto Raptors
Despite the record that included losses to top teams, they look spectacular. They have an allstar pointguard, a top 5 player offensive talent in the league, and 3 point shooters to boot. Their best ball has yet to come.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
No bad losses, no good wins. In their two losses, Bron Bron averaged 42% from the field, 18.5 points and only went 7-12 from the line combined. So it's no surprise, but we know that he dictates the games. The man's puttin up 30, 8 and 7 and I feel like he's underachieving. Is something wrong with me? The averages don't tell the story. I feel like he picks and chooses each game what he's going to do and sticks to it.
Jakey: He Bron, how many times you gunna go to the stripe tonight?
LBJ: Dawg I went sixteen times last night! I'll try to board and dish, but I ain't takin it down the lane tonight (9 boards, 8 dimes, only 7 trips to the line but hoists 24 shots)
Jakey: What about next game verse the Bulls?
LBJ: Ima be straight with you........ Ima go off. No assists, just me doin' me.
And then he goes out, shoots 13-29, 11-13 from the line, and scores 41 agains Chi-town...... again ( oh and he dropped 41 again last night vs the bucks).
4. Utah Jazz
Despite the weak schedule, who here thought they would go 6-1 without Deron Williams.......... Precisely! Their just a good team. Excellent wing defenders in Kirilenko and Brewer, a bangers downlow with Boozer and Milsap, and the second best point guard in the world. When you talk of the logjam at the top of the west, the Jazz figure to play a part.
3. Atlanta Hawks
With the injury to Josh Smith, we'll see if they slide or not. They escaped the other night vs the Thunder, which isn't good. Great wins over the Magic, Hornets and Raptors are convincing, and the pieces of their puzzle look really promising. Depth is an issue, but aside from Bibby at the point, they got pretty young legs. It'll be interesting to see how Al Horford responds to the Josh Smith injury. Last night against the Bulls he posted 27,17 and 6 blocks. Yikes
2. Boston Celtics
They preach defense, they play defense. It'd be ignorant to argue with them potentially going back to back. If you don't think they will, it's most likely because you're siding with........
The Ring Bearer
1. Los Angeles Lakers
A trusted, credible source of mine told me he thinks this team can beat the 72-10 Bulls record. For obvious reasons, that's a stretch. The same thing was questioned about last years Celtics. All it takes is a two game losing streak for those whispers to end, but nonetheless this team is loaded and coached by the best. Based on Offensive and Defensive Efficiency ( points allowed per 100 possessions) They're 2 and 1 in the league. They're winning by an average of 20 points per game, and they're simply not going to drop games to bad teams. There's an argument to be brewed over on who's making a bigger impact on the team, Trevor Ariza or Andrew Bynum. Oh and did I mention that have the most talented player to ever play the game?
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