NBA Update

We are nearly to Christmas Break and the New Year... While I can't believe how fast the season has flown by thus far, we all know that it's after this point that things heat up in the NBA. And as the playoffs loom, the NBA will become more of a focus on this blog. But here are my thoughts on the NBA as of now:

- Oklahoma City has been the best team this year. Not only do they have the best record currently, they just went on a 12 game winning streak and have the best point differential in the NBA. Kevin Martin is fitting in much better than I thought he would and the other stars are clearly still great. My concern is if they do meet the Heat in the NBA Finals again, what will be different than last year?

- The New York Knicks have been the best in the East so far. Not only did they torch Miami in the recent matchup, but they have been the most consistent team between them. Even when Carmelo is out they have excelled on the court. Most are concerned about messing up chemistry when Amare comes back... that's just stupid. Amare will only help once he is in game shape. And I don't care if he starts or comes off the bench. He will need minutes and will find a great role just like the rest of the team has.

- The Lakers will be okay. I know things don't look good right now, but they are only 1.5 games back of the final playoff spot as of today. Gasol is back in the lineup now and Nash will return in the next game or two. Nash in particular will make a big difference for the new coach. Not only will his knowledge of the system help, but his ball handling, passing, and shooting will be a big boost to this offense. I think this will help Howard and Gasol a lot, and it will at least take some pressure off Kobe. I also think that before everything is said and done, they will make a move this year to add or upgrade some part of the team... depth is needed most in my opinion.

- Speaking of moves, the Jazz need to make a move. They are unbelievably loaded in the frontcourt. Yet they have no backcourt. They should part with one or two of their bigs to balance out the roster a bit. I saw an article on ESPN that suggested a 3 team deal with the Bobcats and Lakers that made sense. Essentially, the Jazz would give up Millsap to the Lakers, who give up Gasol to the Bobcats, who give the Jazz Kemba Walker and others. There were other players that evened up everything but it really made sense for all parties.

- Look out for Indiana... I predicted them as the two seed in the East before the year. It was then announced that Granger would be out for much longer than anticipated. That killed them early. But they are finding a groove now and Paul George is becoming a star. David West is playing like he did for the Hornets and the bench is finally coming together. So if Granger can come back somewhat soon, I love this team over the second half of the season.

- But look out for Chicago... I didn't like Chicago before the year because it was known that their star would also be out for a long time (Derrick Rose). But they have coped very nicely and are currently playing great basketball. They epitomize team basketball and playing your role well. Although it's still unknown whether or not Rose will join them this year, apparently he is making great progress and could be back. I wouldn't want to see them in the playoffs if I were a top seed.

- Lillard is the early ROY and Durant is the early MVP. Lillard has been great, as expected after the preseason, and is making the Blazers fun to watch. He can score and pass, although I'd love to see him continue to get teammates involved. Durant is getting others involved more than any other year. He is averaging a career best 4.2 assists right now and is also averaging a career best 8.4 rebounds. And yes he is still scoring... he's at about 28 points per game.

- If I had to predict things now, I would predict the Heat to win it all. I know I said the Knicks have been better in the East, and the Thunder were better overall so far, but Miami still is the most dangerous. They seem to be coasting right now and will turn it on in June. My preseason pick was the Lakers and although they will be okay, they don't seem ready to win it all.

Andrew