Ball or Nuthin'

NBA: T Lamont’s Top 10 Teams – Vol. 1

T Lamont — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:16:08 +0000

As we inch closer to the NBA’s mid-season point, it’s about time to attempt to separate the pretenders from the contenders. Granted, some of the teams below are not part of the usual postseason mix, and there won’t be any surprise to see some of these squads unseated in these rankings…even by next week.

Nevertheless, let’s look at who’s faring well at the moment:

10. Indiana Pacers- Frank Vogel’s team makes the cut based on a strong start to the campaign highlighted by effective play at home, as well as on the road. They’ve done it despite the struggles of two additions from which big things were hoped – guard George Hill and former All-Star, David West. Danny Granger has also struggled mightily (shooting 38% from the floor), but Indy has been lifted by the production from Roy Hibbert (who could be the second-best center in the East) and Paul George (who’s playing great defense and sticking over 46% from three-point land).

9. Portland Trailblazers- This team clearly loses games that it shouldn’t. Portland is a physical team with length. What it lacks in speed and quickness, it compensates for with basketball IQ and hustle. The Blazers are one of those teams that can beat any team, and it wouldn’t be a surprise. LaMarcus Aldridge has blossomed into an All-Star, and will be the unquestioned centerpiece of the franchise for the foreseeable future. However, it’s Wesley Matthews who traditionally determines the team’s success. Matthews has been streaky so far this season, but when he’s on the Blazers are a tough bunch to beat.

Aldridge is hoping that Wesley Matthews can consistently have his back.

8. Atlanta Hawks- Yes, the Hawks are one of the NBA’s top 10 teams. Are they a serious contender. Not as long as Miami and Chicago are in their conference, unfortunately for them. Yet, they’ll have a good shot at securing first-round home court advantage in the playoffs – thanks in part to the inconsistency of perennial postseason stalwarts Boston and Orlando, as well as the intriguing demise of the Knicks. Just don’t expect them to do anything with it.

7. Denver Nuggets – How surprised is everyone that the Nuggets are doing better as a unit without Mr. Anthony? The players and moving, the ball is moving, and Denver is, in many respects, exceeding expectations. Denver has six players contributing double-figure points per game, and an astounding eight players posting 8 or more points per game. After an 0-2 start, the Nuggets responded to go 12-3 in their next 15 games. The resilience of this team has been nothing short of amazing with the obstacles put in its path – first George Karl’s cancer diagnosis, then the Anthony trade. Through it all, Karl keeps them focused on playing as a unit.

6. San Antonio Spurs- Father Time is making a hard run at the success of the Spurs, but it hasn’t caught up with them all the way. While he’s not the focal point on offense anymore, Tim Duncan has continued to man the middle courtesy of his brilliant basketball instincts. San Antonio definitely gets extra credit for hanging tough without the services of do-it-all workman Manu Ginobili.

Jrue Holiday and the Sixers are tied for the fewest losses in the Eastern Conference.

5. Philadelphia Sixers- Just when you think the Sixers are getting a reality check by losing three of five games, they come back to win four in a row – including victories over Orlando and Chicago. Philly is playing like a team that’s here to stay. They have truly embraced the team approach, which is critical for a team without one supreme individual talent. Their roster consists of eight players averaging 9 or more points, and their leading scorer is bench guard Louis Williams (15.3 ppg). And for those not paying attention, it’s been the steady hand and improved play of Jrue Holiday that has accelerated the growth of this team.

4. Chicago Bulls – Chicago is looking a lot like they did last year. Off to the good start at 17-4, the Bulls’ problems probably won’t appear until they reach the Conference Semifinals. Chicago’s consistency has been great. Of the six opponents to which they suffered defeats, only the Golden State Warriors project to miss the playoffs. Carlos Boozer is performing slightly below his normal scoring and rebounding pace, but Rip Hamilton is gibing the Bulls plenty of early offense by getting up and down the floor in a flash.

3. Miami Heat- It’s a fairly common sentiment that no one cares about what this team does…until the playoffs come around. Most mean this with a hint to sarcasm to imply that Miami has certain players (named, eh hem, James) that have to show up to play when it matters most. But, on the flip side, it’s inherently flattering when you figure that the boys from South Beach are routinely penciled in for home court advantage – at least until the Eastern Conference Finals (where they would project to face Chicago once again). While there remains much basketball to be played, that projection is accepted with a very high degree of confidence – and that says the most about this team’s level of talent. The most impressive part of their effort in the early going is their recent domination and success without the injured Dwyane Wade. Chris Bosh routinely takes heaps of criticism for being ‘soft’, but there has been absolutely nothing soft about his numbers with Wade out: 26.7 ppg on 63% FG in the Heat’s last six games without the perennial All-Star. But this team has to absolutely stop blowing 17-point leads to teams like Milwaukee (to whom they’ve suffered two defeats this season).

Despite 40 from LBJ, Miami found a way to lose - again - to the Milwaukee Bucks.

2. Los Angeles Clippers- The Clip Joint has almost all of the key ingredients needed for postseason success. They have an interior rim protector (DeAndre Jordan), an athletic force (Blake Griffin) and a big-time playmaker (Chris Paul). With the way that he’s playing, Paul is forcing analysts to toss his name in the hat for the MVP race. In addition to that, reserve bruiser Reggie Evans has made his presence felt, and the scoring exploits of Mo Williams and Randy Foye have also been realized off of the bench. Caron Butler gives L.A. a great streak scorer, but it’s another veteran who would potentially put the Clippers over the top this spring. Chauncey Billups provides the team with a seasoned floor general who will make the right play in clutch situations. Once Vinnie Del Negro’s group refines its half-court offense – without relying on CP3 pick-and-rolls – bigger and better things could await this franchise.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder- This is not a campaign to suggest that the Thunder will walk away with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but simply a memo to those who haven’t which team has the best trio of players right now. The exploits of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are no longer secrets, however, it’s the addition of the great play from Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner James Harden. He’s putting up nearly 17 ppg, contributing to an unbelievable 63 ppg for the young, energetic threesome. What may be overlooked about the bunch is the fact that they are babies in the NBA, but at the same time are extremely experienced after being subjected (twice) to the warfare that ensues during the postseason. They look focused and hungry. They did come up short in a pivotal matchup at the Clippers, but followed that up with a business-like win at Dallas.

Blake Griffin’s Monster Dunk

T Lamont — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:38:06 +0000

Get Shareaholic

Straight from the Clippers’ beatdown of the Thunder was this epic moment:

This is clearly the frontrunner for the NBA’s poster of the year.

It’s not very often that Kendrick Perkins gets bullied like that…so enjoy it.

On another note, it’ll be interesting to see how the Thunder rebound from their defeat at the hands of an opponent who they were up for. This matchup could very well be some sort of postseason preview, and Los Angeles certainly upstaged them this time around.

Why Clippers Are Better Than The Thunder

T Lamont — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:19:24 +0000

Get Shareaholic

Amidst the Thunder’s humbling loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, there were a few lessons that Oklahoma City should take away from their trip to Hollywood…

You can’t outscore every opponent in every game.

The Thunder have some of the league’s best young gunners on its roster – Kevin Durant, James Harden and Daquan Cook just to name a few. OKC connected on 9 triples in tonight’s contest, but one things that LAC does not lack is shooters. The home team knocked down 13 triples, including a late first half 12-0 run that saw them swish four bombs in 51 seconds.

The NBA’s best teams will be able to outscore a two-headed monster, even one that is the caliber of Oklahoma City’s. Scott Brook’s challenge will be to diversify his team’s offensive approach, and two resist some of their urges to launch those quick three-pointers.

For point guards, it’s better to give than receive.

This concept could not yield a more striking contrast than in tonight’s showdown in the Staples Center. Oklahoma City blur of a point guard, Russell Westbrook is one of the best players in the NBA. He plays the point guard position. However, it’s not hard to announce that he is not even one of the top ten point guards in the league. Westbrook uses his extreme quickness and athleticism to put the pressure on his opponents, often leading to lots of free throws…and about 25-30 points per game (on a good night).

But the Clippers quickly got out to a great start, thanks to perhaps the best floor general in the league, Chris Paul. Paul is one of the best at getting his own shot, but he is undoubtedly one of the top two in the Association at getting shots for others. His play allowed Caron Butler, Mo Williams, DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin to become integral pieces of a huge conference tilt. CP3 leveraged the talents of his cohorts to shift the game’s momentum and to extend Clipper runs as only a top-tier playmaker can do.

CP3 put in work tonight against the NBA team with the best record.

Oklahoma City feeds into the hype that they are the Durant-Westbrook show.

As Westbrook and Durant continued to boost the scoring totals late in the first half and early in the second half, the Thunder’s deficit grew. But the duo didn’t stop. They kept attacking, trying to preserve the chances for the visiting team to sneak away with a “W”.

But the two All-Stars are failing to comprehend an absolute truth as it relates to enhanced success – they will need the help of their other roster mates.

Sure, super-sub James Harden pitched in to contribute his usual aggressive play, but it remains to be seen if the dynamic duo will do something to dispel the notion that they are a two-man operation. It seems as if they are clearly buying into the hype surrounding their unbelievable talents, although it may lead to their ultimate demise come postseason time.

Orlando’s Still Not a Real Contender

T Lamont — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:03:37 +0000

Get Shareaholic

Now we see just why Dwight Howard tossed his name into the trade arena.

In the midst of a game that had all of the makings of a blowout, the Magic found a way to squander a 27-point advantage and lose – at home.

Against perennial rival Boston, Orlando had their way in the opening half. They executed, hustled and shot themselves ahead of a Celtics team that was missing its starting backcourt (Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen).

What happened in the second half, however, was nothing short of abysmal.

Stan Van Gundy allowed his team to lose focus, both offensively and defensively.

Orlando’s offense usually flows when they operate from the inside-out, taking full advantage of its nightly physical mismatch at the center position. But the reigning Defensive Player of the Year rarely saw anything come his way on the block, and the Magic lost focus in a game in which they should have cruised to victory.

Dwight Howard will have a difficult time pointing Orlando in the right direction.

The Magic went overboard to help Boston generate offense of its own, as well. Turnovers, quick shots and poor rotations highlighted some of the mental miscues that signaled their demise.

The 2011-12 season is one that will be pivotal to the success of the Orlando franchise. Howard is a hot commodity on the trade radar, and one would have to assume that a mediocre showing by his team will push him out of the door.

If tonight’s game was any indication as to what can be expected of this current assembly of players, Orlando’s in big, big trouble come April.

And in even more trouble come the 2012-13 season and beyond.

‘Melo-drama’ Brewing in NYC?

T Lamont — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:39:04 +0000

Get Shareaholic

They’re 7-11…and clearly their performance has not equaled the sum of their parts.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking about none other than the New York Knickerbockers.

They were the talk of the town during last year’s stretch run…headlined by a star-studded trio assembled through two transactions: a $100-million free agent signing and a long-rumored mid-season blockbuster trade.

While one of the trio has departed for what seems to be greener grass (Billups to the Los Angeles Clippers), the other two have remained as the projected centerpieces of a basketball revival in the city commonly viewed as a hoops hotbed.

But to say that things haven’t gone smoothly in the Big Apple would be a vast understatement thus far.

And now this: A couple of nights ago, Carmelo Anthony has gone on record and done something that we never thought he would have.

“We as a team need to do a better job getting Amar’e the ball. I have the ball in my hands. Maybe it’s on me. Maybe I have to give him the ball a little more, help him out with that. We’ll talk probably [today] and try to figure it out together. If I’m doing too much, I want him to tell me. I want the guys on the team to tell me if I’m doing too much.’’

‘Melo continued:

“Maybe I need not to take so many shots. That’s just a bunch of thoughts that go through my mind. Coming down, taking less shots. Figuring out ways to make other guys better. Should I pass it more?’’

That’s right – ‘Melo is actually double-guessing his shot selection.

Since coming home to New York, Anthony has had very little to smile about.

The game following these comments, Melo posted a career-low 1 point outing in a lambasting of the Charlotte Bobcats, 111-78 – the Kincks’ largest margin of victory in a decade. Anthony was 0-11 from the floor, however, the New York bigs (Stoudemire and Chandler) played especially well.

But right when the team appeared to find a winning formula, they come out tonight and succumb to the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers by 10. Carmelo put up 15 tomight (on 14 field goal attempts) and actually led the team with 6 assists.

The voices concerning ‘Melo’s shot selection have certainly reared their heads in the wake of New York’s early season struggles. But does New York really expect Anthony to be a playmaker? The former Orangeman has always been one of the more complete offensive players in the league, and has been a black hole when the rock makes it to him. He only makes kick out passes as necessary, and he has never purposed himself to be a creative force for others on his team.

The situation at hand clearly reveals a more damaging truth that New York has failed to address – their need for a true point guard. There have been very few NBA point guards that exist within the bodies of forwards: a short list that includes Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen and LeBron James. It’s a mold that Carmelo Anthony definitely cannot fit into, and he shouldn’t even entertain any thoughts of it.

With a pair of 20-point scorers on the roster – and neither of them being a point guard, New York has to make the acquisition of a floor general a priority. Depending which one is on the court, their current trio of Iman Shumpert, Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas is either too shot happy, too slow or too inexperienced. The team is holding its breath and hoping for the best with the return of Baron Davis, but his overall decline in health and athleticism makes him more of a liability than an asset.

So, the ‘Melo-drama’ will likely continue until the Knicks pledge to find a solution to their real problem – how to find the missing piece that can allow two All-Stars to shine at the same time.