Post by New York Knicks on Feb 7, 2024 16:20:52 GMT -6
Who's Hot
The best team in the Western Conference has been the Minnesota Timberwolves, who've won 4 of their first 5 games. The early headline in Minneapolis is the breakout party of Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk looked a little disappointing in his first 3 years in the league with Utah. He averaged about 13/8 as a member of the Jazz. Solid, but not quite enough for a #2 overall pick. But putting on a Twolves uniform has sparked a little more life into him. Through 5 games he's averaging 21.6 PPG 10.2 RPG 2.6 APG and shooting 47.1 % from Three Point land. Pretty damn good. Granted it's only been 5 games. KG and KG Jr are combining for 30 points and 18 rebounds per game. Jordan Nightingale is dishing a league best 12.8 APG. He set a new team record with 22 assists against Philadelphia in the season opener. Lamarcus Aldridge is giving them 13/12. Nick Young is shooting 53 % from the field. There's been alot of quality contributions all over this roster. If this kind of team effort continues the Wolves will be right back in the Finals this year.
Who's Not
Looks like Charles Barkley was right about the Old Geezer Lakers. He said the team was too old, and they were gonna have problems defending the younger more explosive talent around the league. So far that's been the case, as the Lakers are giving up over 122 points per game. Not surprisingly, that pathetic defense has caused them lose all 4 of their games. First they gave up 112 to the Heat in the opener. Then they gave up 138 more to Sacramento. They let Hines go off for 39. Kirkland had 29 points. They even let Bias have one of the best games of his career (22 points 10/10 FG shooting). After that, the Supersonics scored 116 on them. Lakers allowed 4 different Sonic players to all score at least 23 points. And in the last game New York went off for 123 points. They gotta fix this defense. The turnovers too (17.5 TPG). The lone bright spots have been the play of Maledon (27 PPG) and his protege Mike Conley (17 PPG). But everybody else has been sorry for these Old Geezer Lakers.
More News Around The League
- At 0-4 the LA Lakers actually don't have the worst record in the league. That title belongs to the Hawks, who are off to a 0-5 start. Like the Lakers, the Hawks have similar defensive issues giving up 112.6 PPG. They have already allowed 3 opponents to score at least120 points vs them. I wonder how badly Len Kosmalski wishes he could get the hell out of there.
- #4 overall draft pick Latrell Sprewell has been glued to the bench so far in Milwaukee. He's only playing 5.7 MPG. How much longer before he loses that famous temper of his? And does you know what to the Bucks coach? Wear a turtleneck iceman
- Before the season even started, the Hornets front office let the league know that Mitch Kupchak is available in a trade. And hes doing plenty to raise that trade value of his. Through 7 games he's averaging 22.3 PPG 11.6 RPG.
- Kevin Durant is getting some help to start the year as the Cavs got a nice little Big 3 brewing. Durant (20.0), Stackhouse (23.8), and Maxey (20.3) are all averaging 20+ per.
- Greg Ostertag is playing a new role this season. He's coming off the bench for the first time in his career. But you couldn't tell by looking at his number (12.0 RPG 4.7 BPG). Has a player ever won 6th man of year and defensive player of the year in the same season?
- Paul Griffin had been flapping in the wind over the last 4 years of his career. He averaged about 10 MPG over that stretch. But he's receiving a larger role in Detroit, and he’s been a nice little revelation for them (12.0 PPG 7.8 RPG 46.9 FG/92.3 FT in 24.3 MPG).
- All the preseason talk about the Pacers centered around Ford, Mashburn, and Lavine. But Rip Hamilton said "you forgot aboutDre Rip”. Hamilton is averaging 15.2 PPG in just over 25 minutes. He might be one of the best 6th men in the league this season.
- The Chicago Bulls don't have much of a 6th man. But they do have Jabari Parker averaging a career best 21.6 PPG.
- I'm Surprised to see the Boston Celtics at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. They did beat the New York Knicks. But they're 1-5 against everybody else.
- What the hell has gotten into Kyle Anderson? 29.5 PPG on 61.2 % shooting from the field? He's a career 13 PPG scorer. mcgrady4mvp2 is definitely getting the most out of him.
- Last Years #2 overall pick Jeff Green was highly criticized after being selected so high. But He's progressing nicely in his 2nd year. He's averaging 16.7 PPG 7.5 RPG 3.2 APG. Still can't play a lick of defense though.
- Greg Ostertag has some competition for defensive player of the year. Roy Rogers is grabbing 11.2 rebounds and blocking 5.2 shots.
- I thought Jeff Hornacek lost his ever loving mind, accepting a 3 year/17 million dollar contract extension. I was right. Jeff is too damn good for playing for that little money (20.4 PPG 5.8 RPG 9.2 APG).
- Marcus Smart is still coming off the bench in Miami, and he's averaging 23.5 PPG in 27.8 MPG. Start the guy!!
- Bench the guy? Could it be time to make a change for New York, and send Rich Kelley to the bench? He's getting older and less productive.
- The Nuggets are struggling with their shooting (41.2 Team FG %). But they're still jacking up those shots, taking a league high 99 FG attempts/game. It's gonna be an fun run n gun season in Denver.
- The Utah Jazz are considering moving Shawn Marion to the PF position, to open up starting SF minutes for Wally Szczerbiak. Wally is averaging 7.2 PPG in only 7.8 MPG.
- Everybody is getting injured in Memphis. D'Angelo Russell (19 days) is injured. Tom Heinsohn (6 days) is injured. Elton Brand (6 days) is injured. Elton John is injured.
- Speaking of Rocket Man, the Houston Rockets are getting some real nice production out of rookie Terrell Brandon. He's up to 17.6 PPG and 8.8 APG.
- After spending the first 9 years of his career in Atlanta, George McGinnis begins the 2011 season with his 3rd different team in 3 years. Though he is embracing his role as the veteran leader for this young Mavs roster.
- As we mentioned yesterday the Spurs have a new General Manager. And his first order of business was terminating the final 4 years of Anthony Edwards contract. He will now be a free agent at the end of this season. Sorry Ant.
- Karlton Hines will also be a free agent at the end of this season. And hes playing like a man that wants to get paid (30.3 PPG 16.3 RPG).
- Dwyane Wade got paid this past off-season, and now with his new money and his new role (becoming the top perimeter threat for LAC with Edwards gone), D-Wade is shining with 24.0 PPG. Is this finally the year where he performs like a #2 overall pick?
- Does the Western Conference have a new superstar point guard? I'm talking about Baron Davis, who's averaging about 29/6/6 to the start the year.
- Andre Miller was another point guard from that same 2009 class with Baron. And just like Baron, he has also taken a nice step forward this season (18.2 PPG 9.2 APG vs 8.4 PPG 3.2 APG last season).
- Somebody needs to remind Antonio McDyess he's the Warriors 6th scoring option, and he's doesn't need to be turning the ball over 4.2 times per game.
- The Phoenix Suns are 0-4. But that's not on Devin Booker. D-Book is scoring 31 points per game.
The best team in the Western Conference has been the Minnesota Timberwolves, who've won 4 of their first 5 games. The early headline in Minneapolis is the breakout party of Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk looked a little disappointing in his first 3 years in the league with Utah. He averaged about 13/8 as a member of the Jazz. Solid, but not quite enough for a #2 overall pick. But putting on a Twolves uniform has sparked a little more life into him. Through 5 games he's averaging 21.6 PPG 10.2 RPG 2.6 APG and shooting 47.1 % from Three Point land. Pretty damn good. Granted it's only been 5 games. KG and KG Jr are combining for 30 points and 18 rebounds per game. Jordan Nightingale is dishing a league best 12.8 APG. He set a new team record with 22 assists against Philadelphia in the season opener. Lamarcus Aldridge is giving them 13/12. Nick Young is shooting 53 % from the field. There's been alot of quality contributions all over this roster. If this kind of team effort continues the Wolves will be right back in the Finals this year.
Who's Not
Looks like Charles Barkley was right about the Old Geezer Lakers. He said the team was too old, and they were gonna have problems defending the younger more explosive talent around the league. So far that's been the case, as the Lakers are giving up over 122 points per game. Not surprisingly, that pathetic defense has caused them lose all 4 of their games. First they gave up 112 to the Heat in the opener. Then they gave up 138 more to Sacramento. They let Hines go off for 39. Kirkland had 29 points. They even let Bias have one of the best games of his career (22 points 10/10 FG shooting). After that, the Supersonics scored 116 on them. Lakers allowed 4 different Sonic players to all score at least 23 points. And in the last game New York went off for 123 points. They gotta fix this defense. The turnovers too (17.5 TPG). The lone bright spots have been the play of Maledon (27 PPG) and his protege Mike Conley (17 PPG). But everybody else has been sorry for these Old Geezer Lakers.
More News Around The League
- At 0-4 the LA Lakers actually don't have the worst record in the league. That title belongs to the Hawks, who are off to a 0-5 start. Like the Lakers, the Hawks have similar defensive issues giving up 112.6 PPG. They have already allowed 3 opponents to score at least120 points vs them. I wonder how badly Len Kosmalski wishes he could get the hell out of there.
- #4 overall draft pick Latrell Sprewell has been glued to the bench so far in Milwaukee. He's only playing 5.7 MPG. How much longer before he loses that famous temper of his? And does you know what to the Bucks coach? Wear a turtleneck iceman
- Before the season even started, the Hornets front office let the league know that Mitch Kupchak is available in a trade. And hes doing plenty to raise that trade value of his. Through 7 games he's averaging 22.3 PPG 11.6 RPG.
- Kevin Durant is getting some help to start the year as the Cavs got a nice little Big 3 brewing. Durant (20.0), Stackhouse (23.8), and Maxey (20.3) are all averaging 20+ per.
- Greg Ostertag is playing a new role this season. He's coming off the bench for the first time in his career. But you couldn't tell by looking at his number (12.0 RPG 4.7 BPG). Has a player ever won 6th man of year and defensive player of the year in the same season?
- Paul Griffin had been flapping in the wind over the last 4 years of his career. He averaged about 10 MPG over that stretch. But he's receiving a larger role in Detroit, and he’s been a nice little revelation for them (12.0 PPG 7.8 RPG 46.9 FG/92.3 FT in 24.3 MPG).
- All the preseason talk about the Pacers centered around Ford, Mashburn, and Lavine. But Rip Hamilton said "you forgot about
- The Chicago Bulls don't have much of a 6th man. But they do have Jabari Parker averaging a career best 21.6 PPG.
- I'm Surprised to see the Boston Celtics at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. They did beat the New York Knicks. But they're 1-5 against everybody else.
- What the hell has gotten into Kyle Anderson? 29.5 PPG on 61.2 % shooting from the field? He's a career 13 PPG scorer. mcgrady4mvp2 is definitely getting the most out of him.
- Last Years #2 overall pick Jeff Green was highly criticized after being selected so high. But He's progressing nicely in his 2nd year. He's averaging 16.7 PPG 7.5 RPG 3.2 APG. Still can't play a lick of defense though.
- Greg Ostertag has some competition for defensive player of the year. Roy Rogers is grabbing 11.2 rebounds and blocking 5.2 shots.
- I thought Jeff Hornacek lost his ever loving mind, accepting a 3 year/17 million dollar contract extension. I was right. Jeff is too damn good for playing for that little money (20.4 PPG 5.8 RPG 9.2 APG).
- Marcus Smart is still coming off the bench in Miami, and he's averaging 23.5 PPG in 27.8 MPG. Start the guy!!
- Bench the guy? Could it be time to make a change for New York, and send Rich Kelley to the bench? He's getting older and less productive.
- The Nuggets are struggling with their shooting (41.2 Team FG %). But they're still jacking up those shots, taking a league high 99 FG attempts/game. It's gonna be an fun run n gun season in Denver.
- The Utah Jazz are considering moving Shawn Marion to the PF position, to open up starting SF minutes for Wally Szczerbiak. Wally is averaging 7.2 PPG in only 7.8 MPG.
- Everybody is getting injured in Memphis. D'Angelo Russell (19 days) is injured. Tom Heinsohn (6 days) is injured. Elton Brand (6 days) is injured. Elton John is injured.
- Speaking of Rocket Man, the Houston Rockets are getting some real nice production out of rookie Terrell Brandon. He's up to 17.6 PPG and 8.8 APG.
- After spending the first 9 years of his career in Atlanta, George McGinnis begins the 2011 season with his 3rd different team in 3 years. Though he is embracing his role as the veteran leader for this young Mavs roster.
- As we mentioned yesterday the Spurs have a new General Manager. And his first order of business was terminating the final 4 years of Anthony Edwards contract. He will now be a free agent at the end of this season. Sorry Ant.
- Karlton Hines will also be a free agent at the end of this season. And hes playing like a man that wants to get paid (30.3 PPG 16.3 RPG).
- Dwyane Wade got paid this past off-season, and now with his new money and his new role (becoming the top perimeter threat for LAC with Edwards gone), D-Wade is shining with 24.0 PPG. Is this finally the year where he performs like a #2 overall pick?
- Does the Western Conference have a new superstar point guard? I'm talking about Baron Davis, who's averaging about 29/6/6 to the start the year.
- Andre Miller was another point guard from that same 2009 class with Baron. And just like Baron, he has also taken a nice step forward this season (18.2 PPG 9.2 APG vs 8.4 PPG 3.2 APG last season).
- Somebody needs to remind Antonio McDyess he's the Warriors 6th scoring option, and he's doesn't need to be turning the ball over 4.2 times per game.
- The Phoenix Suns are 0-4. But that's not on Devin Booker. D-Book is scoring 31 points per game.
