Daily rants and opinions...because we're THAT bored.
by Skinner - Tuesday, March 7
I'm going to divide this up into conferences. Oh, and if you don't get what I'm doing now just go ahead and never watch sports again. (I'm sorry I didn't mean that. Sports would love it if you'd watch. Yes, I mean it. I'm not just saying that to be nice.)
Eastern Conference
New Jersey
This team seems likely to make a playoff run. Maybe their record doesn't show it, but when they're on these guys are hot. The Nets have arguably the best backcourt in the triad of Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, and Jason Kidd. Kidd has gotten older but can still play. He is one of the game's greatest passers and is a threat for a triple double every night. Sometimes Vince Carter can struggle, but well sometimes he can also be amazing. He's leading the Nets in scoring and fits in perfectly with Kidd on fast breaks. Kidd gets him the ball. He dunks. It's the simplest form of offense there is. The most underrated and never looked at young post player in the league, has to be Nenad Krstic. He's not the most physical, but can get you about 5-8 rebounds a game, and will hit the midrange jumper. (The often stated lost art of basketball. Guess what? It's true.)
Another thing this team has got that some don't (mostly the teams with a lot of losses) is role players. Role players are the key to a good team, and the Nets have some good ones. Backing up the great point guard Kidd, and the been-off-the-bench-his-entire-career-and-still-effective-and-great Jacque Vaughn. His numbers aren't amazing, but they don't have to be. He gets the job done. Also veteran Clifford Robinson has provided some quality minutes toa not young and effective team. Huh, funny how an experienced player is more helpful than some high school kid who barely knows the game. Throw in Jason Collins, Scott Padgett, and others and you have yourself a rotation that works. They aren't stars, but they're good at what they do.
Although Jeff McInnis is injured I think this team will be ready come playoff time. Whether they can beat the defending Eastern Conference champs I don't know. They won't see them in the first round anyway. That would be a nice 2nd or 3rd round matchup. I think the Nets have put themselves in a position to compete and possibly get back to the finals.
Miami
After a good season last year the Heat were looking to add more talent to a fairly talented team. The result: a team that hasn't really clicked until recently. Yet, recently is when they should be clicking, so I guess the Heat are doing a good job. Shaq hasn't quite had the dominating seasons he's used to, but that's okay because he is no longer the star of the team.
A new player has emerged. A man by the name of Dwayne Wade has quietly become the best young player in the league. I say quietly? Well he doesn't get as much attention as a Lebron James or a Carmelo Anthony, but he's better than both. People say Lebron is the future of the NBA. No! Dwayne Wade is the future of the NBA. He can be flashy, yet his greatest asset is his mid-range jump shot. He can share the ball and works well as a team player, while still maintaining the desire to win. Gone from last year's team are Eddie Jones and Damon Jones. In are Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, and Jason Williams. I've always disagreed with trying to stockpile talent, but I guess Gary Payton isn't really a star anymore, Antoine Walker shouldn't be, and Jason Williams is a good point guard.
As for Miami role players, they're pretty good as well. Shandon Anderson brings great energy off the bench. Udonis Haslem is a very good complementary post player to when Zo or Shaq is in the game. The recent addition of Derek Anderson could prove vital to the Heat down the stretch. He is an excellent offensive threat that Miami needs off the bench.
The Miami Heat got off to a shaky start, but have since really come on. I really like it that Dwayne Wade has stepped up to be the leader of the team. I hav eonly watched him once this year, but he scored Miami's last 19 points or so, and hit the game winning shot with only a few seconds left to beat Detroit. So, yea, he's good. The team is good as well. If Miami can get big production from the bench to go along with Wade's dominance, they should be going far int he playoffs. How far you ask? Well, you know I'm not going to say that.
Detroit
The concept "team first" has been the overriding factor in the Pistons last few seasons. This year Detroit has taken "team first" to a whole new level. (These guys are really good at creating catch phrases. Remember "play the right way" a few years ago?) Do I even need to talk about the starting five? Well, this is a sports website so I probably should.
Greatest starting five ever. Ever. Ben Wallace is once again the man and the best defensive player in the league. His brightest spot is his hard work. Night in and night out, Big Ben will take over the game with his hustle and great understanding of how to play defense. Rasheed Wallace is another defensive force, but has an excellent offensive game to go with his D. This year especially Sheed has shot the 3-ball really well, and he always seems to make the big shot. Tayshaun Prince is the X-factor. He can shut down the opponent's best player, and hit shots at the other end. His most underrated facet of the game is his post play. He isn't that big, but he's long and athletic, which helps him when he's usually guarded by one of the smaller, weaker defensive palyers for the other team.
If they could give the MVP award out to an entire starting five, they should give it to the Pistons. Unfortunately, that isn't allowed, and after all it is an individual award. So who deserves it? Easily, it has to be Chauncey Billups. The one time traveler has now found a home, as well as having his best season. He's scoring more, getting more assists, leading the Pistons, hitting the clutch shots, and driving the team bus. All of this for a guy who's career looked to be in "jeopardy" once upon a time.
The other starter who I have not mentioned yet is of course Rip Hamilton. He's the number one scorer on this team and the self proclaimed "best conditioned athlete on earth." His game shows it. He runs around picks, getting open and hitting shots, while never getting tired and wearing out the other team's best defender. (Ask Bruce Bowen) Rip is probably the best spot up shooter in the league, and oh yea, he can also play a little D.
The Pistons bench is very much their most valuable asset. There are no superstars on this bench, but that doesn't matter. The Pistons haven't tried to stockpile talent; they've just assembled the best players who fit with the system. Antonio McDyess could very easily start for the majority of NBA teams. His excellent post defense, and offense, amke him one of the best big men to come from the sidelines. Somebody who's been a nice surprise this season has been Maurice Evans. He's been hurt with injuries in his career, but fits in nicely with Detroit. Again, Detroit has decided to add experience for the postseason. Kelvin Cato and Dale Davis, as well as Lindsey Hunter and Carlos Delfino, give the Pistons knowledge of the game that helps out in May. The Pistons are the best team this year.
Oh, by the way, they are going to win the NBA championship! (That wasn't a prediction that was a known fact.)