LeBron and the Cavaliers are absolutely HOT, the Mavericks are stinking it up left and right, and we have a new No. 1 team. Here’s how I see the top 30 NBA teams and the Top 10 best individual performers throughout the first three weeks.
1. Los Angeles Lakers (7-1, Last Week: No. 2)
I totally didn’t expect this team to go 82-0, and I don’t expect them to win 70 either, but from where it looks right now, 60-69 wins is looking pretty good right now.
2. Boston Celtics (9-2, Last Week: No. 4)
Only one banana peel that was laid out by the Nuggets on Friday night was the only problem this week; the Celtics are still my favorite to win the East in '08-'09
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (8-2, Last Week: No. 7)
Seven-game win streak is pretty good in any sport. The Cavaliers are looking mighty good after an amazing last two weeks of playing ball.
4. Detroit Pistons (7-2, Last Week: No. 5)
So, they couldn’t quite get past the Celtics last Sunday, but they knocked off the last undefeated team (Lakers) on Friday night. Things are looking pretty good after the addition of an “Answer."
5. Phoenix Suns (7-3, Last Week: No. 6)
This team suffered a scare against the Grizzlies and Kings, and couldn’t quite pull together against the Rockets, but this team still has a great combination of speed and strength. So, I move them up a spot anyways.
6. New York Knicks (6-3, Last Week: No. 10)
Whatever coach Mike D’Antoni is putting in his players drinks seems to be putting a lot of energy in them on the court. I say more ingredients please. It’s working so far.
7. Atlanta Hawks (6-3, Last Week: No. 3)
A fantastic start turns into a current three-game losing streak for the Hawks. This team is becoming a bit confusing…
8. Orlando Magic (3-2, Last Week: No. 12)
A blowout win over the Thunder and a squeeze win over the Mavericks are giving me a little reason to push them up four spots.
9. Utah Jazz (6-4, Last Week: No. 1)
*Insert sound of plane crash here* Dude? The heck happened to the Jazz? They started off so good and now this kind of a week. Sure, Deron Williams is going through a small injury, but still…
10. Portland Trail Blazers (6-4, Last Week: No. 20)
The Blazers couldn’t quite get by the Hornets, but the week as a whole was very promising. Welcome Back Greg Oden!
11. Houston Rockets (4-2, Last Week: No. 8)
So, an up and down for the Rockets after a confusing week against four big Western Conference opponents. Expect the same over the next week or so.
12. Denver Nuggets (5-4, Last Week: No. 18)
A loss to the streaking Cavaliers was really the only negative. But hey! They beat the Celtics! Not bad.
13. Miami Heat (5-4, Last Week: No. 9)
I watched the game against the Blazers, and I did scratch my head a couple of times.
14. New Orleans Hornets (5-4, Last Week: No. 11)
A squeeze win over the Blazers was the only thing promising this week. Therefore, I dropped them three spots.
15. Toronto Raptors (4-4, Last Week: No. 13)
Still a playoff team in my book, but they have lost four of their last five, which caused me to drop the Raptors two spots.
16. Chicago Bulls (5-5, Last Week: No. 16)
They forgot to play in the first quarter against Dallas, but this team pulled it together for a W. Lets keep them at 16 for now.
17. Philadelphia 76ers (5-5, Last Week: No. 25)
Major wins over the Raptors, Pacers, and Thunder led me to sort of believe in the 'Sixers a little bit.
18. Indiana Pacers (4-5, Last Week: No. 22)
They start off the week great, and then end the week scratching their heads. We could see more of this over the coming weeks.
19. New Jersey Nets (4-5, Last Week: No. 14)
Apparently they like playing the Hawks. But they just couldn’t seem to get past the Heat and Pacers. Another confusing NBA team. I move them down five spots.
20. San Antonio Spurs (3-5, Last Week: No. 27)
Not very impressive. You can sort of tell that Tim Duncan misses Manu and Parker.
21. Charlotte Bobcats (3-5, Last Week: No. 21)
They pulled a hilarious upset over the Jazz (whom I had at No. 1 at the time), but I still don’t see any reason to move them up just yet.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (5-6, Last Week: No. 15)
Running into Boston and Cleveland wasn’t very fun for the Bucks, I'm looking for strong teams. I’m not finding that here.
23. Golden State Warriors (4-6, Last Week: No. 23)
Wins over the sorry Wolves and Clippers, losses to the Kings and Pistons. Just an average week for the Warriors.
24. Sacramento Kings (4-6, Last Week, No. 24)
Blowing out the Warriors and a squeeze win over the Clippers still doesn’t convince me to move them up. Just a little more push…
25. Washington Wizards (1-6, Last Week, No. 29)
Hey, they beat the (then-No. 1) Jazz, but that’s about it. Impressive win, so I push them up a bit.
26. Memphis Grizzlies (3-7, Last Week: No. 17)
Now that’s the Grizzlies team I’ve expected…currently on another losing streak. Looks good right (I kinda like picking on the Grizzlies…lots of fun)
27. Dallas Mavericks (2-7, Last Week: No. 19)
Not much defense, and not being able to play all four quarters in a game will not get it done at all. Not the typical Mavericks team were use to seeing. However, this could be the lowest we could see the Mavs.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-7, Last Week: No. 26)
Next…
29. Los Angeles Clippers (1-8, Last Week: No. 30)
They could rise…but not if they’re playing like this…
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-9, Last Week: No. 28)
As I expected…I love Kevin Durant and all, but this is dumb.
Carter’s Top 10 Individual Players
1. LeBron James (CLE)
2. Dwayne Wade (MIA)
3. Tony Parker (SA)
4. Joe Johnson (ATL)
5. Tim Duncan (SA)
6. Chris Bosh (TOR)
7. Kobe Bryant (LAL)
8. Danny Granger (IND)
9. Dwight Howard (ORL)
10. Vince Carter (NJ)
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