Please, lets not talk too much about #17 till we can get legit wins against the Pistons and the Spurs..

You didn’t mention the Heats dreadful play, I mean who would’ve imagined they’d be competing for lotto balls?

Also the Grizzlies really underperforming. That team won 50 games 2 seasons ago and they have a healthy Pau to start the season. I don’t get it. Must’ve been Battier.

Agree with everything else though.

Conley made his comeback for the Grizzlies the other day against San Antonio. His boxscore is pretty much garbage but it doesn’t come close to telling the story. Conley was very impressive out there and he still only got 20 minutes, when Iavaroni pulled him I had to turn my TV off. Just couldn’t believe the stupidity. Conley for his brief (20 minutes) had that Memphis offense purring.

He tried a novel idea … you know passing guys the ball right away. He’d penetrate lose his first passing option and dish straight away to the number two guy. The ball movement was beautiful. Most surprising was his defense on Tony Parker which was very good for a rookie. Memphis offense was executing plays and sets when Conley was on the floor, let’s just say they weren’t when Stoudamire and Lowry weren’t.

The best sight? Rudy Gay breaking a play, putting his head down and going one-on-one. What does Conley do? Doesn’t pass him the ball again for 4 straight possession for breaking his play. The kid’s a point guard. He wasn’t having this selfish play. You earn the ball when Conley is on the floor. You can’t imagine the width of my smirk while this was going on.

Oh and we had a rare Parker sighting … Tony actually went into the low post and tried to post the rook. Conley held his ground and Parker could do nothing … point guards should never wave Tim Duncan off the post and go down low when they don’t do it normally. You’re not Gary Payton stop acting like it. Silly play.

Utah will be top of that division soon enough. They have a bunch of home games now.

They man-handled Portland using a third quarter rally led by the best point guard in the NBA Mr. Deron Williams who scored 10 points in a little over two minutes to put Utah ahead for good and give all the momentum to the Jazz going down the stretch run. Utah destroyed them in the paint.

Kyle Korver was fantastic. He’s an incredible fit down there. Dropped 11 points, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 more deflections, a monster defensive board over Outlaw who had position and beat Roy to the spot. Booz and Millsap were making it their life’s mission to deliver hard screens for Korver to zing off. Played solid D.

Utah need a FT shooter too, add that to list of problems Kyle Korver solves. 91% for his career. Brilliant trade.

All they need to do now is figure out how to get another defender and how to keep Kirilenko involved offensively against the best defenses in the league, then they’re a true contender.

Until then well they’re just the second best team out West.

“Kyle Korver was fantastic. He’s an incredible fit down there. Dropped 11 points, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 more deflections, a monster defensive board over Outlaw who had position and beat Roy to the spot. Booz and Millsap were making it their life’s mission to deliver hard screens for Korver to zing off. Played solid D.”

Can’t agree more, a great display, despite of his 3s weren’t falling. Korver seems to be the kind of player who flourishes when has good players around him. He was good and improving when AI was in Philly and went into a slump when he left.

Apart from that, even with Kirilenko more confortable with his offensive role, no way that the Jazz are becoming a top-2 team in the West or much of a contender until they have some kind of an interior defense. LeMarcus Aldridge was scoring at ease and they never find a solution. By the way, everytime i watch this team a thought comes to my mind: Sloan’s style of play may well not be the best fit for this team. Wouldn’t Williams and Boozer, afterall the two legit superstar players in Utah, benefit from a run-and-gun, small ball style? Is it time for Jerry to leave, for the sake of that team? (I know it isn’t happening, unless he wants to leave; but it’s an issue i’d enjoy to see adressed by Steve).

5.
In his blog, Agent0 answers the question “are the Wizards better without me (him)?” in a way that sounded a little, well, bitter to me. Oddly, i think he has reasons for it. If he comes back fit, it’s one of the teams i’d like to avoid in the 1st round of the playoffs. It’s nice to see Atlanta getting better. Neverthless, and although i’ve only watched them vs. Boston, i’d gladly take them as first opponents in the POs.

4. Bynum, I agree. But it seems that he can put great numbers when facing virtually non defensive centers, like Amare; but does near to nothing when he faces tough guys like Perks. And his defensive display didn’t impress me; he must find a way of making an impact in the game when he isn’t scoring.

3. Deron Williams is very good, indeed. Chris Paul is just better. The best young pg in the league, soon to be the best pg in the league. Their dreams of having a great team can come true; but that’s already our reality. Hopefully, we’re on our way to fulfill some other dreams…

2. and 1. They have a bright future. But the future is, by definition, unpredictable. We have a bright present.

Those last two paragraphs should be:

3. Deron Williams is very good, indeed. Chris Paul is just better. The best young pg in the league, soon to be the best pg in the league.

2. and 1. They have a bright future. But the future is, by definition, unpredictable. We have a bright present. Their dreams of having a great team can come true; but that’s already our reality. Hopefully, we’re on our way to fulfill some other dreams…

 :P

While the competition for the top story of 2007 might very well include the collapse in Miami….in Memphis….the Nets…Toronto…etc., those stories “pale” in comparison to the unimaginable upheaval created by the Celtics! And, for good measure, they don’t have to prove anything more at this juncture, regardless of whether they’ve yet to play the Spurs, Phoenix or Dallas. There simply is no better Cinderella story than the emergence of a new “powerhouse” in the East.

The Celtics didn’t just IMPROVE, they’re dominating in a way that reminds of the glory days where the Lakers and the Celtics left the rest of the league watching from a distance.

Our record speaks for itself, 26-3. And the losses were close ones too. While any mention of #17 is still premature, at least we can say that the reality of #17 is no longer a back-room joke, uttered with cynicism.

WE ARE BACK… to the glory days of the past…. it’s too bad Red Auerback didn’t get to witness the resurrection from the painful days one year removed….

I don’t see Bynum as far enough along to warrant a top 5 storyline yet. He was PWND Sunday night by the Celtics. As for the Wizards, do you think a Gordon/Wallace for Arenas and one of the Wash Centers would work?

I am biased because of the great play by the C’s, but I really think this is shaping up to be a great season for the NBA. It seems like the league is maturing and the knuckleheads and idiots who have dominated headlines in the past are no longer front page news. Besides the C’s, there are other teams like the Spurs, Pistons, Suns, Mavericks, Raptors, Blazers (?!), Jazz, Hawks, Magic and Hornets who play hard, smart, and have players worth cheering for. In other words, teams that seem to have good character and are making the league more entertaining.

i don’t know, steve, where this sits as a story, but it should be an ongoing, thoroughly observed and written about saga, and that is—how are the refs doing ? any suspicions? how consistent? any funny point sread games?

LeMarcus Aldridge was scoring at ease and they never find a solution.

Aldridge was incredible last night, well at least offensively he was incredible. 3 boards and you’re 7 feet tall? Get outta here.

No wait come back you’re just that good offensively.

He’s unguardable. Just unguardable. Fantastic turnaround. High release point. Unblockable. Has the hook shots going either way with his right hand. Has a great face up shot out to 22 feet. Unguardable. You just hope he misses or you double team him to get the ball out of hands. You can’t bother his shot, too difficult. He goes to the basket hard too. I love his turnaround, he goes straight up. So nice to see (please KG jump straight up, you’re not MJ)

He played brilliantly next to Oden too during the summer. Talk about 7 footers that complement one another.

I’ll give you the most impressive part of Deron William’s resume – the playoffs

Houston – He had little Rafer on him and he abused him all series long. Along with Booz and with a little Okur sized help, these three players won the series by themselves because Houston couldn’t stop them.

GSW – Against Baron Davis who was in MVP form. Outplayed Baron throughout the series winning the series.

San Antonio – San Antonio had more problems guarding Deron Williams than any other player they faced in the playoffs. Pop has said the same. Let’s qualify that – Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, and LeBron James. I’ll say it again …. nobody caused San Antonio more difficulty than Deron Williams.

Oh and Deron has beaten Chris Paul in just about every head to head matchup they’ve had so far in their young careers.

Paul’s a quality ball player but he’s number two to Deron Williams.

Apart from that, even with Kirilenko more confortable with his offensive role, no way that the Jazz are becoming a top-2 team in the West or much of a contender until they have some kind of an interior defense.

Well who has a better interior D and can outscore them? Dallas can’t. Phoenix can’t. Denver can’t. Houston can’t.

Their lack of interior D will catch up against them when they play San Antonio and that’s why they’re not a true contender just yet but at the same token they’re ahead of everyone else that’s chasing San An.

Apart from that, even with Kirilenko more confortable with his offensive role, no way that the Jazz are becoming a top-2 team in the West or much of a contender until they have some kind of an interior defense. LeMarcus Aldridge was scoring at ease and they never find a solution. By the way, everytime i watch this team a thought comes to my mind: Sloan’s style of play may well not be the best fit for this team. Wouldn’t Williams and Boozer, afterall the two legit superstar players in Utah, benefit from a run-and-gun, small ball style? Is it time for Jerry to leave, for the sake of that team? (I know it isn’t happening, unless he wants to leave; but it’s an issue i’d enjoy to see adressed by Steve).

Utah play at the 8th quickest pace in the league. On points per hundred possessions they are ranked with the 5th most efficient offense.

Compare this to a year ago – 15th for pace and 3rd in offensive efficiency

Jerry Sloan has let them run this year.

Jerry despite his reputation is also one of the best teachers of the fast break in the league. Every Utah team he’s ever had has ran the break to near-perfection. Everyone is filling lanes and understanding when to run (Jeff Hornacek and his leaking out early every time).

I think Jerry Sloan is a fantastic coach.

He also counters their lack of interior defense by having his players force penetration to the middle of the floor instead of baseline. No shot blockers so going baseline exposes Utah and leaves too much space to handle. Good defensive rotations can handle the penetration better in the middle of the court where they can collapse and cut down passing angles and have more guys rotating to help.

I think he’s doing a great job with that Utah team. They’re just young (3rd youngest in the league) and lack some defense to take the next step. Jerry is the right man to lead them going forward.

He’s done a great job developing their youth too. Deron went from 12 and 4 to all-pro level. Boozer went from quality role player to one of the best bigs in the league, and more importantly has stepped up his defense this season. Harpring had his best seasons under Jerry. AK grew up under Jerry and all the dozens of other players that played better under Jerry than anywhere else (yes I’m talking about you Howard Eisley and Shannon Anderson)

I’ll give you the most impressive part of Deron William’s resume – the playoffs

Houston – He had little Rafer on him and he abused him all series long. Along with Booz and with a little Okur sized help, these three players won the series by themselves because Houston couldn’t stop them.

Just to add Houston also had one of the league’s toughest defenses coming into that series. Deron made mince-meat of it with his scoring, passing and penetration.

I saw the Hawks up close and personal, and I really don’t think they’re for real. Or, more accurately, they’re in the craaptastic East, and they’ve played a schedule easier than the C’s (pre-West Coast swing).
They have lots of interesting parts, but they’re so unfocused and young, I just don’t see them being a real force come April.
We’ll see. I remain dubious.