After reviewing the West, let’s chop up the East. I look and wonder where the playoff teams are going to come from. Time will tell, but I’ll tell you what: There’s some hope for New York. There’s also no hope in New Jersey sadly. Here’s what I seen, viewed and reviewed in the month I was gone in the East.
Can’t Clip The Celtics
Similar to the Lakers, the Celtics have seem to grabbed the Eastern Conference and ran away with it. Boston’s defense has been cranked up, thanks to a healthy Kevin Garnett.
Rajon Rondo is on a John Stockton like pace and Paul Pierce is still one of the clutch wings in the NBA. Glen Davis is also playing well, he leads the league in charges drawn. Once Boston gets back Delonte West from injury, the Celtics will be head and shoulders ahead of everyone in the East.
Hungry, Hungry Hibbert
Break up Roy Hibbert’s impressive start. 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks per game to kick off the season. Don’t sleep now, Indiana has a chance to win this division. With Chicago’s Joakim Noah missing 8-10 weeks with a torn thumb ligament, Milwaukee still struggling and Indiana’s nice slate of games until Feburary, Indiana could at least make it interesting.
Who’s The Second Best? Chicago or Miami?
Even with the Joakim Noah injury and Miami reeling off 10 wins in a row, this is still debatable. Derrick Rose has clearly reached another level ( The Los Angeles game cemented it), Carlos Boozer oddly fits him well ( great in the high post, nice jumper and can attack when need to) and the role players are playing really well. Miami has hit a groove, mainly because they beat terrible teams but a groove nonetheless. Wade and James have seen to hit a strong spot.
Right now, I still believe Chicago is the 2nd best team in the East. The Bulls should hold until Noah returns and thier potential for a upgrade at the shooting guard position.
Charlotte and New Jersey Underachieve
I pulled out both teams because New Jersey and Charlotte because both teams have been awful.
I said from the beginning, the Nets would stink. Brook Lopez has disappointed me, he just lost the effort to rebound the basketball. Devin Harris is looking more and more overrated by the game and you just moved a headcase in Terrance Williams. I’d be hard-pressed to pick another team who could be more of a diaster then the Nets. It’s arguable: Derrick Favors and Damion James have been the most consistant players for New Jersey this season. I’m sorry, I also like what Jordan Farmar has done as well.
Charlotte’s problem is simple: Lack of big men and point guard play. I think most people can agree Raymond Felton was shackled in the Bobcats’ system. D.J. Augustine has played well in times, but he also looked like a backup point guard at times. Charlotte also moved Tyson Chandler for Erick Dampier in the offseason and then cut him. By moving Chandler and cutting Dampier, you left Nazr Mohammed, Desanga Diop and Kwame Brown as the main bigs in the rotation.
New York: That’s Amar’e!
Amar’e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton has Gotham thinking playoffs. Stoudemire has played out of his mind with 9 games with 30 points or more. Raymond Felton is top 5 in assists this season. Landry Fields has been a quiet surprise for New York as well. The 2nd round pick from Stanford has provided defense and solid overall offense for the Knicks out of the shooting guard spot. Wings Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari have also played really well.
With Carmelo Anthony rumors swirling around NY, something tells me New York will only be more interesting as the season goes on.