Before we get started I would like to state my feelings on the Allen Iverson situation. Allen Iverson is one of the better players of this generation. What he was able to accomplish for his size and stature is nothing short of amazing and the NBA may never see another player like him ever again. For years we heard Iverson wasn't going to last & his body will break down but it never happened. Each year he took a beating and came right back. Iverson is still a very capable player and shouldn't have his career end in such a poor fashion with the entire league shunning him. Playing behind Mike Conley? Mike Conley......please....what a joke. Iverson should have had his choice of contenders to play with but in life sometimes you get a bad reputation and there is nothing you can do to change other perceptions. Let’s get started:
(5)1. Phoenix ( 6-1)
The Celtics have a better record but they couldn't handle the Phoenix Suns on Friday. Jason Richardson is back from suspension and the Suns look better then ever. The Suns are currently 3-1 on their east coast trip and have one more stop in Philly on Monday before returning home on Wednesday to play the Hornets.
(1)2. Boston ( 7-1)
On Friday against the Suns they didn't protect the three point line, couldn't get stops when they needed them and didn't make their free throws but they rebounded on Saturday with a victory in New Jersey.
(6)3. LA Lakers ( 6-1)
After losing to the Mavericks Kobe Bryant recognized that he is going to have to do more for the Lakers with Pau Gasol out. Since then he has averaged 36.4 points per game and is averaging 34.5ppg for the season.
(4)4. Miami ( 5-1)
The Heat lost to the Suns this week but had two very impressive wins against the Wizards and the Nuggets. Quentin Richardson was the butt of many jokes this off-season for being traded numerous times but he is a big part of the Heat's early success. Richardson has lost weight, making 43% of his threes and is playing great defense.
(2)5. Orlando ( 5-2)
The Magic are deep but with Ryan Anderson and Vince Carter both nursing sprained ankles and Rashard Lewis still out on suspension they didn't have enough to get past the Thunder and were subsequently blown out by 28 in Oklahoma.
(8)6. Atlanta ( 5-2)
The Hawks were embarrassed in a 103 - 83 loss to the Bobcats. A loss in which they only registered 10 assists but Saturday versus the Nuggets they got their act together and registered 30 assists as a team and won convincingly.
(3)7. Denver ( 5-2)
Kenyon Martin bruised his left leg Friday in a loss to the Heat and will likely be out for a week. The Nuggets were blown out by the Hawks on Saturday 125 to 100. The Nuggets play at Chicago and Milwaukee before returning home to play the Lakers on Friday.
(9)8. Dallas ( 4-2)
The Mavericks gave away the game to the Hornets in a 114 - 107 loss in overtime. The Mavericks missed numerous free throws at the end of regulation. Josh Howard made his season debut Saturday against the Raptors and looked good scoring 16 points in 24 minutes.
(12)9. Houston ( 4-2)
The Rockets lost a heartbreaker to the Lakers 103 - 102 in overtime on Wednesday but you have to love the heart, hustle and teamwork of these Rockets. They have been the most entertaining team in the NBA.
(20)10. Chicago ( 4-2)
Derrick Rose is still hampered by his preseason ankle injury but Luol Deng is having a terrific start including a 24 point and 20 rebound game against the Bucks Tuesday.
(14)11. Cleveland ( 4-3)
Despite being over .500 the Cavs are in big trouble. Their offense is terrible and they currently rank 23rd in scoring despite hiring a new offensive coach in the off-season.
(15)12. Portland ( 4-3)
Portland begins a five game road trip on Tuesday at Memphis. Portland will also make stops in Minnesota, New Orleans, Charlotte and Atlanta. Portland was 20-21 on the road last season so this road trip could bring them significantly down in the standings.
(17)13. Milwaukee ( 3-2)
Brandon Jennings is running away with the rookie of the year award. Without the injured Michael Redd, Jennings is the number one offensive option for the Bucks. Andrew Bogut had a pretty strong week averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds.
(13)14. Oklahoma ( City 3-3)
Its too early to say the Thunder are for real but you had to be impressed with the 28 point victory over the Eastern Conference champs on Sunday. The Thunder start a three game road trip Tuesday where they will face the Kings, Clippers and Spurs.
(18)15. Toronto ( 3-3)
One person who is having a monster season that is pretty much going unnoticed is Chris Bosh. Bosh is having the best season as a pro so far averaging 28.5ppg, 11.8rpg, and shooting .526 from the field and is a perfect 5-5 from the three point line.
(11)16. Philadelphia ( 3-3)
Elton Brand failed to score in double figures in the last three games for the 76ers and it appears that Mareese Speights is getting closer to taking over the starting power forward position.
(7)17. San Antonio ( 2-3)
If the Spurs are real contenders, then they have to win on the road and they have lost all three road games this season. Not the start the Spurs had envisioned and neither did I.
(21)18. Detroit ( 3-4)
The Ben Gordon signing is paying dividends as he has led the Pistons in scoring five out of seven games. Charlie Villanueva is beginning to contribute after a very slow start.
(24)19. Charlotte ( 3-3)
Gerald Wallace is leading the league in rebounding with 13.8rpg. Raja Bell is back and Larry Brown despite his very thin roster is proving why he is one of the best coaches ever.
(25)20. LA Clippers ( 3-4)
Three wins in a row for the Clippers is pretty impressive even though they came over the Wolves, Warriors and Grizzlies. This week will be very interesting for the Clippers as they face the Hornets, Raptors and the Thunder twice.
(28)21. Indiana ( 2-3)
I am getting excited by the Pacers. Tyler Hansborough made his debut on Friday scoring 13 points in 14 minutes and Roy Hibbert had a tremendous week looking like the player we saw in preseason. Hibbert averaged 13ppg 12rpg and 3blks in his last three games.
(16)22. Utah ( 2-4)
The Jazz have lost three of four and begin a four game road trip Monday, which will include games against the Knicks, Celtics, 76ers and Cavs. The Jazz historically are not good on the road so it will be interesting to see how they fair on this road trip.
(30)23. Sacramento ( 3-4)
Kevin Martin will be out for 6-8 weeks with a fractured wrist but it looks like Tyreke Evans is ready to take on the scoring load, posting 32 and 23 points, respectively in wins over the Jazz and Warriors.
(19)24. New Orleans ( 2-5)
The Hornets need to be dismantled. Their core players are too old, inconsistent and unable to create any shots for themselves.
(10)25. Washington ( 2-5)
Four straight losses for the Wizards and all the buzz about their new coach, new offense and new players has all but fizzled away.
(22)26. Memphis ( 1-6)
Allen Iverson is on personal leave and who knows when or if he will be back in a Grizzlies uniform. Iverson was never a good fit for the Grizz.
(23)27. Minnesota ( 1-6)
The Wolves are missing Kevin Love but overall, they lack talent. It would have been nice if they had two lottery picks in last years draft, oh wait they did and they drafted Johnny Flynn and nobody.
(29)28. New York (1-6)
The Knicks allowed both the Cavs and the Bucks to score 40 first quarter points. The Knicks are not good enough to play catch up and are going to have to figure out a way to play better defense.
(26)29. Golden State ( 1-4)
What a surprise the Warriors lead the league in points allowed with (114.8 pts per game) in the NBA. It is time to put Don Nelson out to pasture.
(27)30. New Jersey ( 0-7)
Got to feel for the Nets as they are the only NBA team without a win. They have seven players out with injury including the emerging Chris Douglas-Roberts who was diagnosed with H1N1 virus.