And the Foul

My NBA Thus Far

By Ben Makin

Photo Cred blogs.thescore.com

“Great conversation is sparked by contrasting views”—Me (2013). My goal for this blog is not to write articles you’ll see on ESPN or Yahoo, but to put different thoughts out there that might spark some unusual thinking. I wholeheartedly believe that the best ideas are born through people talking out ideas (intelligently) and knowing that while I may not agree with you, I can kinda, maybe, sorta see where that makes sense. Now, that being said, not everything I write is going to be conflicting to popular opinion. The Heat are going to make the playoffs, the Wizards are miserable (for now), and Andrew Bynum needs a haircut.

Beginnings

Before the season started, I ranked every team in the league, 1-30 on who I thought would have the most productive season. With the All-Star Break less than a month away, I thought I’d review where my top 5 is, and where I think these teams are headed.

1. Miami Heat

Well, this was an easy pick. It was kind of a cop-out, but who was better at that time? LeBron led his team, which came off one of the most impressive stretches of games in playoff history (Winning 6 of the last 7 games by an average of 10.5 points) LeBron himself was in beast mode. I watched Jordan when I was little, I saw Shaq dominate in the 2000’s, I watched Brian Scalabrine with the Celtics, and LeBron was on that level. It isn't too often you see someone impose their will that easily against a good Celtic defense, and an OKC team who was playing really well. His dominance down low, and the efficiency in which he controlled a game was scary. A lot of times you hear coaches talking about how “we need to control the pace of the game,” well LeBron did that singlehandedly.

Photo Cred www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com

So this was an easy choice coming into the season. The Heat are #1 in the east, #4 in the NBA in winning percentage. LeBron is doing what he can to fight off post-title hangover, deal with D-Wade’s inconsistency, and Chris Bosh’s little raptor hands. They also added Ray Allen, the best pick up from the summer, and are maintaining good energy for the post season. I don't see the heat falling off pace.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Whoops. I should’ve known better. Looking back now, it is kind of obvious to see that the Lakers were going to struggle out of the gate. To mix in 4 superstars who love having the ball, and expect instant success is just asinine. On the Lakers defense, they have struggled with injuries. You can tell Dwight is playing hurt every night. He is not the agile big gorilla he has been in the past. The last 3 games he has started to look like his old self and the Lakers have won. He is the key to having the Lakers make the playoffs. WHAT, make the playoffs. Yes, 4 all-stars might not make the playoffs. They have to beat out Golden State (more on them later), Denver, Utah, Houston, Portland, Minnesota, and Dallas. I think they have to ability to put it together, despite making the worst decision ever.

They added DiAntoni. I don't want to elaborate on this because its so frustrating, but I’ll try and contain my disdain. He is a fast paced coach who sucks at coaching defense. The Lakers are old and should maybe focus on playing lock down D. With the great players they have, offense will come, but defense was what really separated the last two champions.  (The Heat and Celtics are still having success with this format)

3. OKC Thunder

Photo Cred www.articles.latimes.com

Durant is a machine. He has this team playing at an unreal level, and his efficiency is unparalleled in the league today. Shooting 50-40-90 (FG, 3pt, and FT) is a player class in its own. Only 5 players have ever reached it (Bird, Price, Miller, Nash, Nowitzki). With Harden leaving, this team was a wildcard and no one was quite sure how their scoring would change but they’ve had multiple players step up. Ibaka is playing very well offensively and has extended his range further than I thought he really could. A raw talent who’s ceiling is getting higher and higher.

I still don't know if Durant has that killer instinct that LeBron is playing with right now. Westbrook is a sly fox, but he has the ability to handcuff the best scorer in the league when he tries to take on too much. Don't get me wrong, Westbrook has the ability to change a close game, but when Durant is on your team you need to let him drive the bus. That 1-2 punch is the best in the league. I don't see a duo combining for more points, or better style.

4. Dallas Mavericks

These next two embarrass me.  The Mavs aren’t good this year. Sure they were missing Dirk, but the dude’s old. He is the best German player ever, but he can’t be the piece that makes or breaks a season. Mark Cuban has vowed to blow up the roster around the trade deadline, so we’ll see what happens.

I think they have the coach, and the talent to get into the playoff, but it is going to be tough. They have under achieved all season, and need a shakeup to get somewhere. Like I said with the Lakers, they are battling better teams to get that 8^th seed matchup with the Clips/Thunder.  I don't think they’ll pull it off, but there is still half a season to go.

Photo Cred nyknicksnow.blogspot.com

5. Brooklyn Nets

I don't like the nets. They’re currently holding down the 5^th seed in the east, but I don't think they'll hold it. Recently they haven’t looked good. They won seven straight, but against lower half teams 4 of which were home. They have pulled off some quality wins this season, and are a lock for the playoffs this season.  I know Joe Johnson is finally settling in, and Williams is going to hit stride, but they are both past their prime. Williams cant be considered a top 5 point guard in the league, but they’re trying to build a franchise around him. Joe is 31, and Gerald Wallace is too inconsistent and injury prone at this point in his career.

I think they’ll slide into the 6^th seed and have an early first round exit. They are not deep enough, or consistent enough to make a long run. Indiana, Chicago, and Boston should all finish ahead of them, and all have the matchups to beat the Nets.

End

My top 10 finished out with- 6. Spurs, Clippers, Nuggets, Bulls, and Grizzlies. Not terrible, but I don't think it makes up for my Mavs/Nets in the top 5 blunder. I put too much faith in NBA 2k13, something I have learned from and definitely wont do again (for at least another 2 weeks.

I think the second half of the season is going to be awesome, especially in the west. The race in the northwest is only heating up, and it’ll be interesting to see if 1. Denver can keep up their pace. 2. Utah can stop being so boring, and unleash their bigs 3. Portland can pick up a bench. And finally 4. Can Minny fight off the injury bug. They’ve dug themselves a big whole, but if they get healthy they could make a 2^nd half run on the pasty white shoulders of Kevin Love.

Photo Cred www.latimes.com

And 1

As I finished this up, the Heat and Lakers have played 2 quarters of basketball. This matchup would be an awesome finals matchup. Sure the Lakers have turned it over more times than the Pope prays, but the lack of size the Heat have is a huge mismatch that could give the Lakers hope of winning a 7 game series. The more I watch Dwight, the more I think he could be an absolute TERROR once his back is 100% healed. He’s been putting up decent numbers and is probably only 80% healthy. I’m excited for what’s coming in the next couple weeks. Dwight-mare.