I've been meaning to contribute to this thread, but I just haven't had time, been too busy with school (essays & mid-terms).
But, I got some time today so I'll evaluate the games from yesterday that I watched some of.
Phoenix @ Indy, it was always my belief that if he wanted to, Amare could straight up dominate 25 teams in the League in the paint, yesterday he did that, andlead his team to the W. Granger and Murphy played well early, but Amare was too much.
Det @ Tor, I didn't watch this game, but I wanted to touch up on what SoHi said, asking if Jose Calderon is the best PG in the East. My answer to that is,yes. The only other GOOD PG's in the East are Arenas (injured), Harris (scorer), Andre Miller (doesn't have the scoring ability that Jose does), Mo(streaky shooter), Rajon (good defender, but fundamentals of a PG aren't as good as Jose), and AI (not a PG). Jose reminds me a lot of Steve Nash, he candistribute the ball like a stud, but he can light it up shooting around the court, anywhere and everywhere. He turns the ball over less than any significantPG.
Charlotte @ NYK, Even though Jason has plenty of players to support him, he's just not shooting well. If he begins shooting well, they can start winninggames.
Philly @ Miami, I didn't watch this game, but I saw that Chalmers had a huge night. More importantly, Wade is getting back to his normal stat-stuffingnight. Starting to play well together, but I don't think the cohesion will be consistent until after the ASG.
Atlanta @ NOH, I think Atlanta is the dark horse team of the League this year, they were one game away from beating the Champs last year, their defense isNUTS, and JJ is a star. Marvin Williams really needs to kick up his production. I didn't watch this game either, but still I believe ATL has a chance to bea contender if they continue to play good defense, and keep on the ball. They're keeping teams UNDER 85. That's very impressive.
Chicago @ Cleveland, Chicago is still a mess, that's all you have to say about them. Cleveland on the other hand is ready to step up into the elite level.They've been on the cusp for a while now, but their tenacious defense/rebounding is really impressive. When they played the Mavericks I was getting soheated that the Mavericks just could grab boards. But these Cavs just have a lot of really good pieces to their team, their like the Lakers of the East, butinstead of having a lot of firepower coming off the bench, they have good defenders. They are only allowing 90 PPG right now, and when you have weapons like MoWilliams, Big Z, and LEBRON at your disposal, you have some problems.
Washington @ Milwaukee, I was really impressed by the effectiveness of Sessions/Ridnour being able to play on the court together, and I really think the canwhen Redd needs time to rest. Mbah a Moute was a stud last night as well, my EC team is looking good..
SAS @ Minny, Minny looked really good tonight, and not just Al Jefferson. Finally Miller had a good game, as did Kevin Love. 19 assists between Telfair/Foye isimpressive, hopefully these guys will start to gel soon, they were just one step short of sending the Spurs to 0-4. Speaking of, TP is playing like aman-possessed. He's realized with Manu out he has to score a ton more, and BOY is he doing it.
Boston @ OKC, Boston will have a hard time repeating this year. They should use POB, he did well in pre-season... OKC is the worst team in the League, seemslike. LAC aren't too good right now but they'll gel eventually. Sacramento is right behind OKC, but they play hard on both ends of the court.
POR @ Utah, Utah is quietly going undefeated thus far, WITHOUT Deron Williams. That's telling. They are now starting to have a bench just beyond Millsapand AK47. Good for them. Portland needs Oden, but they need Oden to play like he can, not like the way he has been playing.
Memphis @ Sac, Kevin Martin finally hit shots, Thompson is real promising (something I haven't admitted until now). Gay got locked down by Salmons, it wasnuts. Mayo is going to be a stud by the end of the year. It's so strange how Marc Gasol was balling one night, and the next he's barely used. It'snot like Sacramento has a great interior defense...
Lakers @ Clippers, or was it Clippers @ Lakers, who cares.... Clippers are REALLY rusty, the team has such a new look that they just don't look that good.Lakers are the Lakers. Bynum is pretty damn good. Not anywhere near Yao, Amare, or Dwight yet, but he's definitely climbing. I'm surprised that Pau hasstayed productive. Kobe has been Kobe. LO has seen his production go down, but he's much more efficient.
Denver @ GSW, the jury is still out on Denver, so I'll leave that for another time. GSW needs to move Harrington ASAP, and wait for Monta to come back.
Dallas Mavericks (come on, I couldn't help but talk about them..) are looking so damn inconsistent right now, pretty frustrating. What we NEED is to moveStackhouse, he's doing absolutely terrible for us, and he's just wasting floor minutes for young guys like Wright and Green. Against SAS we had goodrebounding, hustling for every loose ball, but we need that every night. Against the Rockets and the Cavs, we didn't do that, and we lost. Dirk is the keyto this team though, as many have said before, this team goes as far as he takes them. JET started against SAS and he did DAMN well, hopefully he's workinghis way back into the starting line-up, getting the team going early. Josh has been playing VERY well. He's going to the basket, and he's slashing in.He's still taking SOME three's, but it's alright, I'll take that as long as he's pulling up for those money jumpers in the paint, or takingit strong to the hole. Dampier/Diop are playing very well on defense. I like them. I know a lot of people want more out of our Centers, but they're therefor defense, not for offense. Yeah we're paying them a combined 15 million, but we desperately needed that interior defense, and we have that now. Bass hasbeen a little inconsistent, and we really need him off the bench to bang down low. Dirk has been alright, scoring in bunches except for against the Cavs, but Ithink it's a big year for him.
Go Mavs, Go NBA..