NBA Early Season Thoughts: Southwest Division

I'm back with my NBA early season thoughts. Today we take a look at the loaded Southwest Division!

• Houston Rockets (16-4)- The Rockets have by far exceeded expectations this season. After the offseason they had where they lost Chandler Parsons and missed out on key free agents, there was a possible regression in store. The complete opposite has happened. The team instead has played the best basketball of the Howard-Harden era. As expected Harden continues to score at will and Howard scores well and grabs an absurd amount of boards. What has got this team to this point is the production around them. Guys like Patrick Beverley and Terrence Jones, among others have hiked up their production to give this team a solid core going forward. I see the Rockets continuing this hot play throughout the season, but it won't be easy with such a tough division around them.
• Memphis Grizzles (16-4)- Sitting atop the division tied with the Rockets is another surprise team, the Grizzles. Everyone knew this team would be good, but no one expected this record early on. The two-headed monster of Gasol and Randolph continues to stay healthy and when together is a deadly combo for the league. Add on to that the most underrated point guard in the league Mike Conley and you have a great recipe for success. One of the most hard-working teams on the defensive end, it is no surprise they have had this much success. I don't think Memphis will continue on this pace with the Spurs and Mavericks breathing down their necks, but they for sure are a playoff team.
• San Antonio Spurs (15-5)- In any other season, this record would be good enough for the Spurs to be atop this division, but this year seems to be different. The Spurs year in year out are serious contenders and this year is all the same. They continue to win with their everyone chip in brand of basketball, with five players averaging over ten points a game. Once again the most discipline team in basketball led by the best coach in basketball, I see no reason for this team to relinquish its spot at the top of the conference. See you guys in June!
• Dallas Mavericks (16-6)- This division continues to be filled with surprises and the Mavs fit that bill. Dirk Nowitski shows no signs of age as he continues to produce for this team, which has one of the best, if not the best, offences in basketball. The production from Monta Ellis and Chandler Parsons have been a big help as well for the Mavericks. Like Memphis, I see a bit of a regression in their future. I just don't see the defensive will power to stop good teams and that will hurt them in key games. I still expect them to be in the playoffs, but not as one of the top teams.
• New Orleans Pelicans (9-10)- Despite being the worst in this division by a long-shot, the Pelicans have nothing to be ashamed of. They unfortunately are in the toughest division in basketball and that has significantly hurt the young squads chances to succeed. The improvement is very apparent for this young team though. Anthony Davis continues to break out and show why he is the best big man in the sport. The pieces around him like Holliday, Gordon, and Evans, continue to produce at good levels. This team is going in the right direction and a few years from now they could be in that championship discussion, but as of right now they are a fringe playoff team at best in a really tough conference. 

NBA Early Season Thoughts: Southeast Division

Back with my thoughts on the NBA's Southeast Division!

Washington Wizards (13-5)- The Wizards continue to prove why they are one of the best upcoming teams in basketball. The team led by all-star point guard John Wall continue to show why they are a force in the East. Depth is something that fills this team with six players scoring in double digits this season. The veteran presence of newly signed Paul Pierce seems to be having a great effect on the team that looks to be in total control of this division. Watch out for this team to make a major run come playoff time.
Atlanta Hawks (12-6)- It seems like no matter who is playing for the Hawks. They always seem to be in contention in the East. The Hawks have the longest consecutive playoff appearance streak and that has no sign of stopping this year. The Hawks have continued to see solid production from big men Al Horford and Paul Millsap and they have seen improved production from point guard Jeff Teague, who is quietly having a career season. I expect the Hawks to slow this run of success, but I still see this team as a sure bet for the playoffs.
Miami Heat (9-10)- Post-Lebron life has been a bit up and down for the Heat. Injuries continue to haunt Dwayne Wade as the guard has already missed seven of their 19 games this season. When he has been out their he has been huge for the team, but him being out there is far from a sure bet. Chris Bosh has seen a rise in production back to his Toronto days numbers. He remains the main reason why they continue to tread water in  the East. If Wade can stay healthy I see no reason why the team should not be a contender. My only hope is that that is the case.
Orlando Magic (8-14)- The Magic as expected are not in the playoff race right now, but their is definitely cause for hope. Nikola Vucevic is having a career year averaging a double double and has led the team. The team has also seen great production from 2nd year guard Victor Oladipo. The production has been there for this improving team, but the lack of experience will most likely hold them back. This team is not that far away, but this year will not be their year.
Charlotte Hornets (5-15)- The Hornets are quite possibly the biggest disappointment in the NBA this season. A team with as much talent and depth should not be having this much trouble, but they just can't seem to work out the kinks. It is still way too early to write them off, but as we reach the quarter-mark of the season, something has to change quick or they could look at a lost season.

Up next we look at the Western Conference so stay tuned!

NBA Early Season Thoughts: Central Division

Back with some early NBA season thoughts. Today we take a look at the Central Division.

• Chicago Bulls (11-7): The Chicago Bulls continue to prove why they are best team in the Eastern Conference. It should be no surprise that this team sits atop this division. Even with Derrick Rose already missing eight of their first 18 games and still getting acclimated to the NBA game again, the team has still found a way to succeed. A huge amount of credit has to go to the resurgence of newly-signed big man Paul Gasol and the breakout performance of  guard Jimmy Butler who is putting up 22 points per game. You add in a tough defense that is led by center Joakin Noah and you have a great formula for success. Once Rose gets back into the swing of things, their record will skyrocket. The pieces are there for this team to make a deep playoff run and possibly a run to the finals, so watch out NBA.
• Cleveland Cavaliers (9-7): Finally, it seems like the Cavs are starting to mesh. After a rocky start to the second LeBron era, the team seems to be getting back on track, winning four straight games. As James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving, gain chemistry the team will only get better and better. The only problem I see here is the teams inability or unwillingness to play tough defense. That could be something to hold the team back, but it shouldn't stop them from being one of the best in the conference. If they get continue to get star production from the "Big 3" and get some solid production form the role players, there is no reason they shouldn't be competing with the Bulls for top spot in this division.
• Milwaukee Bucks (10-9): One pleasant surprise from the start of the season has been the play of the Bucks. I'm sure no body thought the Bucks who won just 15 games last year would already have 10, 19 games in. Clearly the drafting of Jabari Parker has done something for the team as they look leaps and bounds above where they were last year. I am a big fan of the depth on this team. Whether its Brandon Knight or Ersan Ilyasova or youngsters like Khris Middleton or Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team seems to be buying into coach Jason Kidd's philosophy. Don't be surprised if this team fades and misses the playoffs, but the steps taken this year will be great for the future.
• Indiana Pacers (7-11): Not much more could have gone wrong this offseason for the Pacers. From the injury to Paul George to losing Lance Stephenson to the Hornets, it just seemed like everything went downhill. This makes a 7-11 start kind of a success for the team. With little help behind Roy Hibbert and David West, the fact that the team has been competitive is a great sign for the Pacers. We have seen role players Chris Copeland and Solomon Hill step up and a lot of guys have done their part for Frank Vogel's team. Do I think they can sustain this play? Probably not. But do I think this decent start is a great sign for the club? I sure do.
• Detroit Pistons (3-15): It seems like year in year out we have high expectations for this Pistons team. On paper, they should be a competitive team in a weak conference. The pieces are certainly there for a good record. The team of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond is a coach's dream. There are solid contributors on the wings in Jennings and Caldwell-Pope. This team should be so much better than they are, but once again they underachieve. Detroit is in desperate need of a top scorer, who can take over games. I don't see that man on this roster right now. All I see is a bunch of next level guys, who aren't going to get  the job done in the clutch. Something needs to change in Detroit because the philosophy right now continues to fail.

Stay tuned for more analysis on the season!

NBA Early Season Thoughts

As we enter December, the NBA season is a month in and in full swing. By now we can start to see what teams are fit to compete and what teams are just plain awful. With this post I thought I would go through each team and give you my thoughts on them. I'll start with the Atlantic Division.

Atantic Division:

• Toronto Raptors (13-4): It's no surprise that the Raptors are first in this division. The big surprise is just how good they are. The team currently sits as the best record in the East. The team has been a juggernaut at home posting a 9-2 mark up to this point. The Raptors dynamic duo in the backcourt has been huge for them, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Both guards are scoring almost 20 points a game. I see this team staying right where they are at the top by a comfortable margin. They are the class of this division and if they can keep up this hot play they will run away with it.
• Brooklyn Nets (6-9): The Nets are an interesting team. After losing a glue guy like forward Paul Pierce to the Wizards they have been up and down to start the season. The team has seen decent numbers from their top guys Brook Lopez, Deron Williams, and Joe Johnson, but the production elsewhere has been lacking. Depth is something this team will sorely struggle with as they try to compete. I like Teletovic and Bogdanovic, but other than that I am not too impressed by their role players. If the Nets can get better production out of their stars and some much needed help from their bench they could be a serious contender in the East, but if they remain the same they will float in mediocrity around the .500 mark.
• Boston Celtics (4-10): I like what I see out of the Celtics. The potential to be good is there, but the youth is something that will and already has held the team back. I love what I see out of point guard Rajon Rondo. He is proving why he is so highly touted on the trade market and has led the team well. We have also seen some great performances from big men Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynk. These guys are the future of the team and have shown that in a big way this season. Like I said though, this team has a lot of youth and youth sometimes struggle in the NBA. Give the Celtics a year or two and they will be right back in the playoff picture, but for now it's the lottery for these guys.
• New York Knicks (4-14): This is one team I am genuinely shocked to see have this bad of a record. Truthfully speaking, I didnt think this team would be great, but their play up to this point has been putrid. Carmelo Anthony is doing his usual thing as the star of the team, but where is his help. No one else has stepped up for this team of underachievers and it has shown. When only one of your players can consistently put the ball in the basket, you're not in the running for much success.
• Philadelphia 76er's (0-17): 17 and counting. When will the Sixers finally win a game, nobody knows. This team is historically bad and there's no disputing that. The team really doesn't have many bright spots. Nerlans Noel has been ok at best as he gets acclimated to the NBA game. Michael Carter-Williams has been good when he's been out there and Tony Wroten has had a surprisingly good year, but none of these guys are going to get them wins when the roster is filled with scrubs around them. The future may be good once Noel gets more comfortable and Embiid arrives, but for now this team is staring at bottomless season. Sixers fans I wish you the best of luck.

Stay tuned for my reviews on other divisions in the coming days!