RK (LW) TEAM REC
1 (1) SPURS 42-8
The Spurs will be represented in the all-star game by Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, but Tony Parker will not make the team despite the Spurs NBA best 42-8 record. I don’t think the Spurs need any motivation, but I expect Parker to use his all-star snubbing as a driving force in being the Spurs best player for the remainder of the regular season.
2 (2) CELTICS 38-12
The Celtics are at full strength for the first time in a long time. Even though none of their players were voted by the fans, the NBA coaches voted for the Celtics ‘big 4’ of Garnett, Rondo, Allen and Pierce to make the all-star reserve team. This should definitely serve as motivation, for teams like the Bulls and Magic who will only be represented by a single player that were voted by the fans.
3 (3) HEAT 37-14
The Heat are winners of their last six games, but Lebron James enigmatic tendencies are worth noting. Please explain to me how a player can score 51 points against the Magic, but follows up his brilliant performance by scoring only 28 points combined in the next two games. It’s like the entire world knows he’s the best player, but somehow he seems afraid to embrace that role in fear of not taking over what used to be D-Wade’s team. Maybe it’s their strategy, or maybe I’m just reading too much into it, but it seems like D-Wade dominates at home, while Lebron dominates on the road.
4 (5) MAVERICKS 35-15
The Mavs are sporting an 8-game winning streak, with their last three being all road wins including an impressive 101-97 win over the Celtics in Boston. Dirk seems to have found his mojo back and though he is still hurting, he has clearly bolstered his MVP chances with his recent play.
5 (4) BULLS 34-15
Derrick Rose has been asked to do a lot for the Bulls, but sometimes even the great ones as Rose currently is can run out of gas. Fortunately for the Bulls, Joakim Noah has taking his cast off, meaning he’s probably close to rejoining the team. Along with Boozer, Noah should help Rose push for the NBA’s MVP Award. Hopefully he’s back soon enough, because 9 of the Bulls next 12 games are on the road and if the Bulls slip in the standings Rose’s chance of winning the MVP Award will diminish along with it.
6 (6) LAKERS 36-16
The Lakers 35-16 record doesn’t bother me, because last year this time the Lakers were only 3 games better at 38-13 and as we know, they went on to repeat as champions. What bothers me though is the fact that the Lakers have a 1-6 record against the Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Mavs and Spurs.
7 (9) HAWKS 33-18
The Hawks will be represented at the all-star game by Joe Johnson and Al Harford which meant Josh Smith had to be snubbed, because the coaches could not vote for three Hawks players, especially with the team having only the fourth best record in the East. As with all all-star snubs, I expect Josh Smith to really step it up a notch in the second half of the season.
8 (10) THUNDER 33-17
Kevin Durant MVP chances has gained grounds as of late, but I always like to refer back to PER (Player’s Efficiency Ratings) in which case Durant’s teammate Russell Westbrook has a slight lead over Durant (Westbrook PER 24.3, Durant PER 24.2). Over the Thunder’s last 5 games however, Durant has been an absolute monster averaging 32.2ppg and 10rpg and would probably finish fourth if the MVP votes came in today behind Lebron, Rose and Dirk.
9 (7) MAGIC 32-20
Don’t be fooled into thinking the Magic 104-100 loss to the Heat was a close one, because it really wasn’t. Had it not been for a Heat letdown in the last six minutes, the Magic would have lost the game by 20 at home. Their 91-80 loss to the Celtics came in Boston, making it more justifiable. However, what I gathered from those two defeats is that the Magic is without question a notch below both teams, which brings me to what I’ve been saying since the trade which is Dwight Howards needs help in the middle.
10 (8) HORNETS 32-20
Before getting alarmed by the Hornets 2-game skid, or 4 losses in their last 5 games, I think it’s key to note that this team has a 32-20 record. CP3 is my sentimental favorite to win the MVP Award even though his chances of winning it are very slim. This team along with the Utah Jazz has clearly overachieved and in the Hornets case are on track to win 50 games thanks to Chris Paul (CP3), the best pure point guard in basketball.
11 (11) NUGGETS 30-21
Sometimes when you think you’re too smart, you outsmart yourself and that is exactly what the Nuggets new general manager and owner have done. No team wants to trade for Carmelo because he’s made it clear he only wants to play for the Knicks leaving the Nuggets only two options. Trade him to a team that is willing to rent him, which means they will get far less in return or, trade him to the Knicks for a lesser offer than what was on the table a few months ago. Either way, the Nuggets had the Nets right where they wanted them, but greed and inexperience caused them the best trade they had available.
12 (13) JAZZ 30-22
The Jazz have been going through a slump recently and are 4-6 over their last 10 games. All-star point guard Deron Williams who is really the key to the Jazz success missed a few games recently, but is back in the lineup even though his wrist may not be fully healed.
13 (12) TRAIL BLAZERS 27-24
I think the biggest and most deserving all-star snub has to be the Blazers LaMarcus Aldridge. I really thought that NBA Commissioner Stern would have selected Aldridge to fill in the spot left by the injured Yao Ming, but he opted to go with Kevin Love, the NBA leading rebounder. I expect Aldridge to have the biggest impact of any snub in the second half of the season.
14 (14) KNICKS 26-24
The Knicks will make the playoff and Amare will get the most credit for that, but I expect the Knicks to make a quick playoff exit unless they trade for Carmelo. From the looks of things, the probability of that happening seems very high right now.
15 (15) GRIZZLIES 27-25
The only thing that will stop the Grizzlies from making the playoff would be the exceptional play of Aldridge, whose Blazer is currently in eighth place. The Grizzlies are trying to increase their chances of making the playoffs by trading O.J. Mayo, but their asking price may be too high, but regardless of that, they still have any excellent chance of making the playoff.
16 (16) SUNS 23-25
I know Steve Nash was recently quoted saying he wants to finish out his contract and play for the Suns through next season, but I believe he will welcome the opportunity to play for a winner, rather than not making the playoff this season. The Suns are only a few games out, but I don’t see them overtaking the Grizzlies and Blazers, whom will be battling like cats and dogs for the eighth and final spot in the West. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Suns trade Nash by the deadline, especially if the likelihood of them making the playoffs remains slim around the deadline.
17 (19) ROCKETS 24-28
The Rockets still have a chance of making the playoffs, but in order to do that they will need a healthy Aaron Brooks and from the looks of things, he may not be fully healthy until next season. The Rockets could get another lift in the form of a trade for Carmelo Anthony, but the likelihood of that happening seems slim as well.
18 (23) PACERS 21-27
Well, I guess we have another ‘casualty of war’ meaning another head coach was fired because of his team’s subpar performance. The good news is the Pacers have not lost a game since firing former head coach Jim O’Brien. The Pacers are currently sporting a 4-game winning streak and are currently hanging on to the eighth seed in the East.
19 (17) 76ERS 23-27
The Sixers are currently seeded seventh in the East thanks to a 6-2 record over their last eight games. I strongly believe the Sixers have what it takes to upset a very good team in the playoffs. Coach Doug Collins has his team playing hard nose defense and even their losses seem like winnable games.
20 (18) BOBCATS 21-29
Former all-star forward Gerald Wallace is regaining his form, but the real news out of Charlotte involves point guard, D.J. Augustin. He has really flourished under new head coach Paul Silas. Since being released from the handcuffs of the Bobcats former coach Larry Brown, D.J. is averaging over 18ppg and has been very instrumental in the Bobcats newfound up tempo style under coach Silas. The key to their success though, lies in the play of Gerald Wallace.
21 (22) WARRIORS 22-27
I think if LaMarcus Aldridge is the biggest all-star snub, then Golden State’s Monte Ellis has to be second biggest snub. I know he leads the league in shot attempts with over 20 a game, but the guy is averaging 25ppg a game. I would argue that he didn’t make it because the Warriors are not a playoff team, but the addition of Kevin Love by no other than the commissioner himself makes that a moot point.
22 (21) CLIPPERS 19-31
The all-star game will be in L.A. so of course I expected Blake Griffin to make the team. Let’s face it, 23ppg and 12.7rpg will get just about anyone an all star invite, not to mention the home town kid is also going to be a slam dunk contest participant. The bad news for the Clippers is they will be without their leading scorer Eric Gordon for another month.
23 (20) BUCKS 19-30
I don’t think it’s any secret that the Bucks Achilles heels is scoring, which is why I was excited to see Brandon Jennings rejoin the team after being out for a month due to injury, I was even more excited to see Carlos Delfino back from injury because I thought his offense would have made a difference, but it hasn’t. Since returning Delfino is averaging 11.1ppg in 10 games, but has shot the ball terribly (33 percent) from the field. The Bucks are also 4-6 since Delfino returned.
24 (24) PISTONS 19-32
It was nice to see Rip Hamilton back in the lineup after being benched for 13 straight games for apparently no reason. Actually, for being excited about being traded to the Nets to play with Carmelo and his previous back court mate, Chauncey Billups, a trade that never materialized. My guess is the Pistons realized that they could not trade Rip and were probably surprised by the support he was getting from his teammates hence, he’s back for now.
25 (26) NETS 15-37
Nets center Brook Lopez numbers have steadily improve this season, but his 5.5rpg is perhaps his most depressing stat and is one of the key reasons why the Nets keep piling on losses like pancakes. This team has to make a trade, or maybe they might just salvage the season and start thinking lottery. Personally I think looking to trade will be the best move to make.
26 (29) RAPTORS 14-37
14 games ago the Raptors were 13-24 and clearly in the hunt for a playoff berth in a watered down bottom weak Eastern Conference. Since then, there’s been only one team worse than the Raptors who are 1-13 in their last 14 games. This team is definitely lottery bound. The only question is whether or not general manager Bryan Colangelo will be allowed to continue what has clearly been an absolute failure.
27 (25) KINGS 12-35
With all the hype going to Griffins, Fields and Walls, the Kings DeMarcus Cousins has gone on to post some very impressive numbers for the Kings. His 13.8ppg and 7.9rpg in only 26 minutes per game has to be commended. What else is there to say about a team with a 12-35 record?
28 (27) TIMBERWOLVES 11-39
I was absolutely shocked to see NBA commissioner David Stern select Kevin Love to replace the injured Yao Ming on the all-star team. With the coaches already picking Griffin from a losing Clippers team, I was almost certain LaMarcus Aldridge would have been selected. I guess the commissioner was trying to reward the blue collar Love for leading the NBA with 15.5rpg.
29 (28) WIZARDS 13-37
When the Wizards traded Gilbert Arenas, I really thought it would give rookie sensation John Wall the room to blossom, but that simply hasn’t pane out. Quite frankly, even with averages of 14.8ppg and 9.1apg, I would have to say Wall has been a disappointment thus far in the first half of the season.
30 (30) CAVALIERS 8-43
The Cleveland Cavaliers set a record for futility by losing an NBA record 24 straight games in a row when they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. The unfortunate thing is no team wants to be the one that lose to the Cavs which means until this streak ends, they will probably be getting the best out of every opponent, every single night. The good news is, this season was over months ago and if they end up with the first pick and trade Jamison’s expiring contract for a solid player, they could be right back in the swing of things.
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