At the Quarter
20 or so games into the season and there have been a few surprises, a number of disappointments and the battle for the playoffs look like it could be more interesting that it has in years.
Most Disappointing Team: Washington Wizards
Yes they've had injuries but this team has been a disaster. There are a lot of teams that have been suspect this year but the Wizards just can't win and don't really seem all that broken up about it. I'm sure Abe Pollin is realizing what most everybody else realized this offseason: signing Jamison and Arenas to big extensions was a bad idea.
Most Surprising Team: Portland Trailblazers
Most people would say the Nets but I had them ranked higher than most. I also had the Blazers missing the playoffs. The Blazers have been playing some great basketball despite having little to no experience. Their leaders are a couple of third year pros, three of their rotation players are rookie, and their grizzled veteran Joel Pryzbilla doesn't turn 30 until next season. The season has seemed awed and outclassed against the Lakers and Celtics but the fact that they have one of the best record in the league is an amazing feat.
MVP: Dwyane Wade
The Heat are a terrible team without Wade. No players carries his team as much as Wade does. The Heat without Wade could be worse than the Oklahoma City Thunder.
LVP: Kevin Durant
The kid can get better but right now most of his shots are created for him and he pours in points but doesn't really do much in terms of helping his team win. Right now, he's a young Rashard Lewis without a Hedo or Dwight Howard (or Ray Allen, if we go back to 'Shard's Seattle days).
Coach of the Year: Lawrence Frank
Eric Spoelstra is a close second but right now Frank is doing a great job with Vince, Devin, and a bunch of kids. A lot of experts had this team being one of the worst in the league and probably didn't expect them to even be close to the playoffs at this point in the season, let alone 2nd in the Atlantic.
Empty Suit of the Year: Don Nelson
Randy Wittman is the worst coach in the business but he really doesn't have much to work with. The Warriors may be the youngest team in the league but they are playing an awful brand of basketball and I'm not sure what Don Nelson actually does in terms of coaching. The Warriors shouldn't be as bad as they are.
Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose
OJ Mayo has put up better numbers but Rose is leading the Bulls towards a playoff berth. I think most people expected Rose to struggle a bit as he got used to the pros but he's already in the discussion of one of the best point guards in the East.
Bust of the Year: Michael Beasley
I hate to say this because I'm a big fan and think he's going to get better but there's no way to say that the kid hasn't been a disappointment. The struggles so far are probably better for him in the long term but at the quarter mark of the season, no rookie has been more disappointing.
6th Man of the Year: Rudy Fernandez
On top of being one of the best newcomers (he's not really a rookie), Rudy gives the Blazers a boost off of the bench and helps take advantage of other teams' second units.
12th Man of the Year: Stephon Marbury
I don't really blame him completely but Marbury has to be the 12th man of the year seeing as he won't even play when he's the 8th man available. Of course, if he does get bought out, he jumps to the top of the list of candidates for Comeback Player of the Year. People forget that Marbury is still a talented player and he will help whatever team he goes to.
The Contenders: Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs
Other than those four teams, I don't really see anyone having a real shot at the ring. Right now, I'd still take the Celtics but I'm not sure if the Spurs are going to have enough to beat the Lakers in a seven game series.
The Updated Prediction:
East: Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, Indiana, Chicago.
West: LA Lakers, San Antonio, Denver, Portland, New Orleans, Houston, Utah, Phoenix
The Top 5 Draft Picks:
1. Oklahoma City: Blake Griffin - The kid plays at OU, is from OK St. and would be the low post threat that the team needs. Jeff Green slides to the 6th man spot.
2. Minnesota: Ricky Rubio - I'm not sure how the Wolves could screw this one up. They are currently starting Kevin Ollie at the point. Rubio is a no-brainer.
3. Memphis: Hasheem Thabeet - Thabeet is raw and doesn't do much on offense but that's fine because the Grizzlies don't need offense. Thabeet would help them on the defensive end and will let Rudy and O.J. continue to be the focal point of the offense.
4. Washington: James Harden - The Wizards could use a shooting guard and Harden looks like he's the best in the draft.
5. Sacramento: Stephen Curry - Curry has to be moving up the list of best guards in the draft. Sure, he might level off as a Damon Stoudamire type but let's not forget that Damon was a hell of player in the beginning of his career.
