sashaNJ
Prospect
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5229260
Dallas — A+
Without a talented center and without a playmaking point guard, the Mavericks still have the best road record in the Western Conference. How is Avery Johnson making this happen? Their defense is merely adequate, which is a huge improvement over Nellie's teams.
The emergence of DeSagana Diop has also provided the kind of basket protection that has been missing since Shawn Bradley's heyday. And the offense features more motion, better pass-work and less reliance on Dirk Nowitzki. Assuming that their Medium "D" will get bigger as the season progresses, Dallas has the best shot of supplanting the Spurs as Western Conference champs. If only the toughest dude in the organization wasn't Avery Johnson.
Denver — D
The Nuggets make too many mistakes to be a legitimate contender. Charges and other aggravating turnovers in critical possessions. Lax rotations. Poor command of their defensive boards. The inability to adjust quickly enough from their corner/sideline double-teams when snappy reversal passes are made. At best, the Nuggets can squeeze into the playoffs and avoid getting swept in the first round by San Antonio. If only a point guard, say, Andre Miller, wasn't Denver's best and most willing low-post threat.
Golden State — C
With Baron Davis reverting to his habitual high-risk and periodic no-show performances, with Mike Dunleavy's abysmal defense drawing boos from the home-town fans, with Troy Murphy still lacking a post-up game, with Ike Diogu being a talented but foul-prone rookie, with Derek Fisher being the team's only reliable substitute, with an undisciplined offense and a slack defense, the Warriors are exactly where they belong — within hailing distance of .500. If only they could trade for Ron Artest, and if only Mike Montgomery was a forceful enough coach to at least partially control him.
Houston — F-
Blasted by injuries (to Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Bob Sura) and cursed with an unimaginative offense, the Rockets' season is already grounded. Several questions are still left to be answered: Who had the dim idea of trading Mike James for a knucklehead like Rafer Alston? When is Juwan Howard going to act like an adult? Is the team still on the hook for part of Vin Baker's salary? Can Jeff Van Gundy survive the season? If only Yao could play with some fire in his belly.
L.A. Clippers — C-
Haven't we seen this movie before? The Clipsters start the season with a bang and then fizzle. An alternate version reverses the pattern. Their lack of a dependable bench hurts, as does their inability to play man-to-man defense. Unless a major trade is in the works, things will get worse before they get better. If only Sam Cassell wasn't 36 years old, didn't run like Fred Sanford walked and wouldn't break down sooner or later.
L.A. Lakers — B-
An even-Steven season would be a major accomplishment for the Lakers. Kwame Brown is still confused at all times. Smush Parker is a turnover looking for a place to happen. The next clutch shot that Chris Mihm makes will be his first. Lamar Odom is even more confused than Brown. Brian Cook is a mistake player with a quick-release jumper. Luke Walton can pass but can't guard his own shadow. Unless he joins the Marines, Devean George will never be as good as he can be. And because his teammates of the moment can't distinguish between a triangle and a straight line, Kobe has a self-granted license to fire at will.
Should this severely flawed team qualify for the playoffs, Phil Jackson will have accomplished a more formidable task than winning any of his championships. If only Kobe stopped being a spoiled brat. If only Jerry Buss hadn't been so foolish as to paint himself into a corner.
Memphis — A
These guys play smart and tough and are extremely well-coached. Pau Gasol's slow and light-weight post-up game is maximized. Eddie Jones has experienced a remarkable revival. Shane Battier in an unsung hero. Lorenzen Wright bounces and slides around the paint and barely gets the job done. Mike Miller does good things off the bench. With Damon Stoudamire down for the count, only Bobby Jackson is problematic. He's a scorer who can't run an offense and an injury-prone player who's not used to playing starter's minutes. The Grizzlies will go as far as their defense takes them. If only Gasol was just a bit quicker and a whole lot meaner.
Minnesota — C
Another .500 team with delusions of grandeur. Point guard remains a serious problem. Wally Szczerbiak still can't guard a fire hydrant. There's a gaping hole in the middle, and Kevin Garnett is the Big Ticket on another journey to oblivion. If only Kevin McHale had a clue.
N.O./Oklahoma City — A+
My bad. I guess Byron Scott did indeed know what he was doing all these years. He's certainly put the sting back in the Hornets' game. Give Scott and his staff credit for hanging in there with David West. And a special huzzah to Allan Bristow for drafting Chris Paul. For the first time in recent memory, the Hornets actually have a viable future. If only P. J. Brown wasn't as old and as creaky as the Ancient Mariner.
Phoenix — A
Given the tremendous upheaval in the Suns' roster, it's a marvel that they're still atop the Southwest Division. Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and Eddie House have been lifesavers. And Steve Nash hasn't missed a beat. Amare Stoudemire, of course, remains the season's biggest question mark. Will he return? If he returns, will he still have his quickness intact? Will his surgical knee hold up for the duration? Will he bring enough game to seriously challenge the Spurs? The answers are: Yes, no, probably and no, again. If only the Suns could play a modicum of defense.
Portland — D
Given that Ruben Patterson is such a head case; Zach Randolph only wants to score; Darius Miles is a typical too-much-too-soon NBA nitwit; Joel Przybilla couldn't score with a pencil; and Sebastian Telfair is still wet behind the ears. Did anyone seriously believe the Blazers could be a success? Still, as bad as their roster is, they could/should be doing better. If only Nate McMillan could still play.
Sacramento — D
From the get-go, this was an over-hyped outfit. Slow, soft and defenseless. Through the years, who's been a bigger choker than Peja Stojakovic? A bigger loony than Bonzi Wells? A player who needs more time and space to be effective than Shareef Abdur-Rahim? A more un-athletic and defenseless point guard than Mike Bibby? All the buzz in Sac-town is that Chris Webber meant so much to the Kings, blah, blah and blah. In truth, Webber, despite his real skills, was an even bigger choker than Peja. It's back-up-the-truck time in Sacramento. If only the Kings as a whole had nearly as much heart as did assistant coach Elston Turner did during his playing career.
San Antonio — A-
The Spurs seem to be operating on cruise-control. Looks like Tim Duncan is picking his spots; Like Michael Finley has either flamed out or is pacing himselfl Like Robert Horry is also going through the motions; Like Nick Van Exel has either lost his explosiveness or is treading water until the home stretch; and like Fabrico Oberto is a media-fabricated washout. Otherwise, Tony Parker is proud of his new-fangled jumper. Rasho Nesterovic has returned to the land of the living, and Nazr Mohammed is back on the bench where he belongs. If only the Spurs' laissez-faire game and lack of a killer instinct would vanish once the money-season commences.
Seattle — F
An unmitigated disaster about to get even worse. With new coach Bob Hill at the helm, the Sonics' most aggressive interior player, Reggie Evans, has been benched in favor of Vladimir Radmanovic, a 6-foot-10 powerless forward who plays like an overgrown guard. The clumsy, but brutal Vitaly Potapenko has been displaced by a lightweight, undistinguished center, Johan Petro, and a fearful schoolboy, Robert Swift. Rashard Lewis is happy because he'll get more touches, while Ray Allen regrets that he re-upped. If only Wally Walker hadn't put his faith in last season's headlines and hadn't dissed Nate McMillan.
Utah — A+
What does this team really have going for it? In Andre Kirilenko, a long-armed, weak-bodied shot blocker with an erratic jumper; In Matt Harpring, a courageous battler with bad wheels; In Carlos Boozer, a double-talking power forward. In Gordan Giricek, a two-guard who makes too many Claude Raines impersonations; In Jarron Collins, a backup big forced to start; In Mehmet Okur, a lead-footed big who's more comfortable the farther away he is from the basket; In Greg Ostertag, a career underachiever whose nickname around the league is "Osterdog;" In Milt Palacio, a sub point guard who is ready and willing but unable; and in Deron Williams, a budding star.
Yet, somehow, Jerry Sloan has made this misbegotten crew competitive. If only the national media would realize just how good of a coach and how honest of a man Sloan really is.
Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 13 books about hoops, the current one being "The pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA."
Dallas — A+
Without a talented center and without a playmaking point guard, the Mavericks still have the best road record in the Western Conference. How is Avery Johnson making this happen? Their defense is merely adequate, which is a huge improvement over Nellie's teams.
The emergence of DeSagana Diop has also provided the kind of basket protection that has been missing since Shawn Bradley's heyday. And the offense features more motion, better pass-work and less reliance on Dirk Nowitzki. Assuming that their Medium "D" will get bigger as the season progresses, Dallas has the best shot of supplanting the Spurs as Western Conference champs. If only the toughest dude in the organization wasn't Avery Johnson.
Denver — D
The Nuggets make too many mistakes to be a legitimate contender. Charges and other aggravating turnovers in critical possessions. Lax rotations. Poor command of their defensive boards. The inability to adjust quickly enough from their corner/sideline double-teams when snappy reversal passes are made. At best, the Nuggets can squeeze into the playoffs and avoid getting swept in the first round by San Antonio. If only a point guard, say, Andre Miller, wasn't Denver's best and most willing low-post threat.
Golden State — C
With Baron Davis reverting to his habitual high-risk and periodic no-show performances, with Mike Dunleavy's abysmal defense drawing boos from the home-town fans, with Troy Murphy still lacking a post-up game, with Ike Diogu being a talented but foul-prone rookie, with Derek Fisher being the team's only reliable substitute, with an undisciplined offense and a slack defense, the Warriors are exactly where they belong — within hailing distance of .500. If only they could trade for Ron Artest, and if only Mike Montgomery was a forceful enough coach to at least partially control him.
Houston — F-
Blasted by injuries (to Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Bob Sura) and cursed with an unimaginative offense, the Rockets' season is already grounded. Several questions are still left to be answered: Who had the dim idea of trading Mike James for a knucklehead like Rafer Alston? When is Juwan Howard going to act like an adult? Is the team still on the hook for part of Vin Baker's salary? Can Jeff Van Gundy survive the season? If only Yao could play with some fire in his belly.
L.A. Clippers — C-
Haven't we seen this movie before? The Clipsters start the season with a bang and then fizzle. An alternate version reverses the pattern. Their lack of a dependable bench hurts, as does their inability to play man-to-man defense. Unless a major trade is in the works, things will get worse before they get better. If only Sam Cassell wasn't 36 years old, didn't run like Fred Sanford walked and wouldn't break down sooner or later.
L.A. Lakers — B-
An even-Steven season would be a major accomplishment for the Lakers. Kwame Brown is still confused at all times. Smush Parker is a turnover looking for a place to happen. The next clutch shot that Chris Mihm makes will be his first. Lamar Odom is even more confused than Brown. Brian Cook is a mistake player with a quick-release jumper. Luke Walton can pass but can't guard his own shadow. Unless he joins the Marines, Devean George will never be as good as he can be. And because his teammates of the moment can't distinguish between a triangle and a straight line, Kobe has a self-granted license to fire at will.
Should this severely flawed team qualify for the playoffs, Phil Jackson will have accomplished a more formidable task than winning any of his championships. If only Kobe stopped being a spoiled brat. If only Jerry Buss hadn't been so foolish as to paint himself into a corner.
Memphis — A
These guys play smart and tough and are extremely well-coached. Pau Gasol's slow and light-weight post-up game is maximized. Eddie Jones has experienced a remarkable revival. Shane Battier in an unsung hero. Lorenzen Wright bounces and slides around the paint and barely gets the job done. Mike Miller does good things off the bench. With Damon Stoudamire down for the count, only Bobby Jackson is problematic. He's a scorer who can't run an offense and an injury-prone player who's not used to playing starter's minutes. The Grizzlies will go as far as their defense takes them. If only Gasol was just a bit quicker and a whole lot meaner.
Minnesota — C
Another .500 team with delusions of grandeur. Point guard remains a serious problem. Wally Szczerbiak still can't guard a fire hydrant. There's a gaping hole in the middle, and Kevin Garnett is the Big Ticket on another journey to oblivion. If only Kevin McHale had a clue.
N.O./Oklahoma City — A+
My bad. I guess Byron Scott did indeed know what he was doing all these years. He's certainly put the sting back in the Hornets' game. Give Scott and his staff credit for hanging in there with David West. And a special huzzah to Allan Bristow for drafting Chris Paul. For the first time in recent memory, the Hornets actually have a viable future. If only P. J. Brown wasn't as old and as creaky as the Ancient Mariner.
Phoenix — A
Given the tremendous upheaval in the Suns' roster, it's a marvel that they're still atop the Southwest Division. Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and Eddie House have been lifesavers. And Steve Nash hasn't missed a beat. Amare Stoudemire, of course, remains the season's biggest question mark. Will he return? If he returns, will he still have his quickness intact? Will his surgical knee hold up for the duration? Will he bring enough game to seriously challenge the Spurs? The answers are: Yes, no, probably and no, again. If only the Suns could play a modicum of defense.
Portland — D
Given that Ruben Patterson is such a head case; Zach Randolph only wants to score; Darius Miles is a typical too-much-too-soon NBA nitwit; Joel Przybilla couldn't score with a pencil; and Sebastian Telfair is still wet behind the ears. Did anyone seriously believe the Blazers could be a success? Still, as bad as their roster is, they could/should be doing better. If only Nate McMillan could still play.
Sacramento — D
From the get-go, this was an over-hyped outfit. Slow, soft and defenseless. Through the years, who's been a bigger choker than Peja Stojakovic? A bigger loony than Bonzi Wells? A player who needs more time and space to be effective than Shareef Abdur-Rahim? A more un-athletic and defenseless point guard than Mike Bibby? All the buzz in Sac-town is that Chris Webber meant so much to the Kings, blah, blah and blah. In truth, Webber, despite his real skills, was an even bigger choker than Peja. It's back-up-the-truck time in Sacramento. If only the Kings as a whole had nearly as much heart as did assistant coach Elston Turner did during his playing career.
San Antonio — A-
The Spurs seem to be operating on cruise-control. Looks like Tim Duncan is picking his spots; Like Michael Finley has either flamed out or is pacing himselfl Like Robert Horry is also going through the motions; Like Nick Van Exel has either lost his explosiveness or is treading water until the home stretch; and like Fabrico Oberto is a media-fabricated washout. Otherwise, Tony Parker is proud of his new-fangled jumper. Rasho Nesterovic has returned to the land of the living, and Nazr Mohammed is back on the bench where he belongs. If only the Spurs' laissez-faire game and lack of a killer instinct would vanish once the money-season commences.
Seattle — F
An unmitigated disaster about to get even worse. With new coach Bob Hill at the helm, the Sonics' most aggressive interior player, Reggie Evans, has been benched in favor of Vladimir Radmanovic, a 6-foot-10 powerless forward who plays like an overgrown guard. The clumsy, but brutal Vitaly Potapenko has been displaced by a lightweight, undistinguished center, Johan Petro, and a fearful schoolboy, Robert Swift. Rashard Lewis is happy because he'll get more touches, while Ray Allen regrets that he re-upped. If only Wally Walker hadn't put his faith in last season's headlines and hadn't dissed Nate McMillan.
Utah — A+
What does this team really have going for it? In Andre Kirilenko, a long-armed, weak-bodied shot blocker with an erratic jumper; In Matt Harpring, a courageous battler with bad wheels; In Carlos Boozer, a double-talking power forward. In Gordan Giricek, a two-guard who makes too many Claude Raines impersonations; In Jarron Collins, a backup big forced to start; In Mehmet Okur, a lead-footed big who's more comfortable the farther away he is from the basket; In Greg Ostertag, a career underachiever whose nickname around the league is "Osterdog;" In Milt Palacio, a sub point guard who is ready and willing but unable; and in Deron Williams, a budding star.
Yet, somehow, Jerry Sloan has made this misbegotten crew competitive. If only the national media would realize just how good of a coach and how honest of a man Sloan really is.
Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 13 books about hoops, the current one being "The pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA."
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