On The Ball

NBA Update January 2006

I know the Detroit Pistons are well on their way to their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance and have about as much of a chance of being derailed in their quest as the proverbial snowball in, ‘you know where,' but there are still several interesting developments taking place across the league that have hoops fans in a multitude of cities worldwide paying close attention to their respective teams.

Here's the skinny on every NBA team as of Jan. 15

Atlantic Division

New Jersey Nets (19-15)

The Nets could win this atrocious division in their sleep. However, I am not sold on this team at all when it comes to the playoffs. The Nets have three very good players in Richard Jefferson, Jason Kidd and Vince Carter, but not much frontcourt help when it comes to their big men. No team in the east can beat the Pistons without several competent big men to match up with Ben and Rasheed Wallace. Until New Jersey addresses this issue, they might be perennial playoff participants, but that will be all.

Philadelphia 76ers (18-19)

The Sixers are very similar to the Nets in the fact that they have some competent guards and shooters (Allen Iverson, Kyle, Korver, Andre Iguodala) but once again, if you think Chris Webber and Samuel Dalembert can hold their own against the Wallace boys – think again. The Sixers had better get their act together soon because the clock is definitely ticking on Chris Webber and I'm sure Allen Iverson can't take much more losing.

Boston Celtics (14-22)

I don't know what's going on with my beloved Celtics. Last year offered a glimpse of just what some of the C's talented young players could possibly do in the future, but after another offseason of drafting talented but young players, the Celtics look like they are at least three or four years away from being really competitive. One other thing I don't understand is why the Celtics would even entertain the thought of trading their best player, Paul Pierce, duh?

New York Knicks (13-21)

I don't care how poor the Knicks played to start the season or how hot they got once the New Year began. Anyone who knows a thing about basketball knows that it is only a matter of time before Larry Brown turns the Knicks into winners. It may be next season or even the one after that, but I can see Brown winning this division in the very near future.

Toronto Raptors (12-24)

Most people don't know that head coach Sam Mitchell is one of the game's brightest minds on the sideline. However, until the Raptors get some direction in their front office, Mitchell will be forced to mix and match parts that don't necessarily fit together too well.

Central Division

Detroit Pistons (29-5)

I know Flip Saunders has done a wonderful job in his first season, but truth be told, this team is nearly self-coached. The veteran players, who are all entering the primes of their respective careers, are so in tune with each other, it's scary. The only question here is how many games is this team going to win and who will be their opponent in the finals.

Cleveland Cavaliers (20-14)

I really liked the moves that first-year general manager, Danny Ferry made in the offseason and they have certainly paid huge dividends even with the loss of Larry Hughes. However, think of this team as the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan's first four or five years in the league. They still have a lot of growing to do and a lot of hard lessons to learn that I'm sure the Pistons will enjoy teaching them. However, once this team comes of age, they are going to be downright frightening.

Indiana Pacers (20-15)

The majority of hoops experts expected a return to the upper echelon of the league with the return of enigmatic forward, Ron Artest. Artest, however, had different ideas when he asked for a trade because he "needed a fresh start." I really believe that once the Artest debacle is over the Pacers can continue their quest in earnest for an NBA championship. Don't forget, this team still has plenty of talent and one of the league's best coaches in Rick Carlisle.

Milwaukee Bucks (19-16)

The Bucks have cooled considerably since their fast start. No matter, this team has improved by leaps and bound from a season ago and is only going to get better with the improvement of several of their young players like T.J. Ford and Andrew Bogut.

Chicago Bulls (15-21)

What a difference a year makes. Last year, the Bulls looked like they were in the midst of a basketball renaissance that would have residents in the Windy City jumping for joy at some point within the next half-decade or so. Unfortunately, the Bulls are showing the chinks in their armor right now. Letting center Eddy Curry bolt looks like a huge mistake right now and has also affected the play of underachieving forward, Tyson Chandler who looks like he's just going through the motions at this point.

Southeast Division

Miami Heat (23-15)

The Heat look like they're finally starting to get some rhythm and continuity. However, I think this team is going to find out come playoff time why no one likes Jason Williams and Antoine Walker.

Washington Wizards (16-19)

The Wiz are another team that surprised last season but has now fallen back on hard times. For this team, the loss of Larry Hughes was a crushing blow that they might not be able to overcome. The Wizards also lost competent backup Juan Dixon and are not getting nearly enough production from Antonio Daniels who was brought in to replace Hughes.

Orlando Magic (13-21)

The Magic have several good players, but appear as if they don't have a clue of how to play together. That could be the coaching or it could be related to an intangible like head case Steve Francis, the "Ex-Franchise." Whatever the case, it's a shame to see talented young players like Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson saddled with such mediocrity around them.

Charlotte Bobcats (11-26)

I like what Bernie Bickerstaff has done with the Bobcats who are only in their second season of existence. Once their young players learn the nuances of the pro game, they could be a playoff team in the near future – especially in the eastern conference.

Atlanta Hawks (9-26)

Joe Johnson left the Phoenix Suns for this? I know the money he got from Atlanta was outrageous, but c'mon, whatever happened to winning? I f Johnson actually thought he had a chance of winning in Atlanta before the end of this decade, he's been hanging out a little to much with those ATL rappers who roll "illegal cigars" like they're going out of style.

Northwest Division

Utah Jazz (19-18)

I've been telling people for years that head coach Jerry Sloan is a certifiable genius. The Jazz are quietly leading their division while Sloan does more with less than any coach in the league. The Jazz have gotten solid contributions this year from their best player, Andrei Kirilenko and surprising big man, Mehmet Okur .

Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)

The T-Wolves have been one of the most enigmatic teams in the league and the frustration is beginning to visibly wear on superstar Kevin Garnett. This team has several needs, but before they rush out and get another frontcourt player to pair with Garnett, someone needs to seriously take a pair of clippers to Troy Hudson's head. If I have to look at his ridiculous hairdo one more time, I'm going to personally call the producers of one of those reality makeover shows and show them a picture of Hudson.

Denver Nuggets (19-19)

The Nuggets were so promising last season after George Karl took over as head coach that a lot of people thought they could make some real noise in the west this year. Well guess what? It ain't gonna happen. The Nuggets are struggling to stay above .500 and have been decimated by injuries. The one plus for the Nuggets this season has been the outstanding play of third-year forward Carmelo Anthony who is quickly establishing himself as the leader of this team.

Seattle Sonics (15-22)

The Sonics have been a huge disappointment this season and caused a good coach (Bob Weiss) to get fired before he ever had a chance. The chemistry this team displayed last season is clearly gone. The makeup of the roster is different and head coach Nate McMillian is in Portland. Until the Sonics get some serviceable big men to compete with Tim Duncan, they'll be on the outside looking in.

Portland Trailblazers (12-23)

What can I say about the Blazers? Calling them young and dumb wouldn't be nice would it? Okay, I won't call them that. Let's just say the collective basketball I.Q. of this team is in single digits. Once some of the Blazers' young guns come of age in another season or two, things could be different. Until then, they're going to learn some hard lessons.

Pacific Division

Phoenix Suns (24-12)

Steve Nash is hands down the best player in the league at making his teammates around him better. This team is going to give the Spurs and Mavericks another fight this year for conference supremacy. As good as the Suns have been this year, it's scary to think how good this team is going to be once Amare Stoudemire returns.

Los Angeles Clippers (19-14)

The Clippers have been one of the league's pleasant surprises this year and are showing no signs of not being able to sustain their strong play. In the overall scheme of things, this team is only average at best, but for the Clips, that's saying something. They look like they're going to be in the race all season for one of the finals playoff spots in the conference.

Los Angeles Lakers (20-17)

The Lakers have been better than advertised this season and seem to be getting the handle on the triangle offense. Lamar Odom is beginning to look more comfortable and Smush Parker has been an absolute diamond in the rough for Phil Jackson. Kobe Bryant is also taking his dominance to nearly unprecedented heights and also seems to be learning a lot on the court. Although they are clearly not ready to challenge any of the conference's "Big Three" this team is only two more quality players away from really doing something.

Golden State Warriors (17-19)

In Jason Richardson, Baron Davis and Mike Dunleavy, the Warriors are a team with plenty of perimeter talent. It's too bad they don't have one competent big man to help them out. Until they get one – and more likely, two – they are going to continue to be exactly what they are. A .500 team going no place fast.

Sacramento Kings (14-21)

The Kings are a pitiful shell of their former selves. The dominance they enjoyed for the past five years is a thing of the past.

Southwest Division

San Antonio Spurs (28-9)

As usual, the Spurs are just cruising through the regular season. Once the playoffs begin, this team will take their act to another level and every pretender in the west will be toast. I picked the Spurs to make the finals again before the season started and I still think that will happen. However, I think they are going to get an even tougher fight this year from both, the Mavericks and Suns.

Dallas Mavericks (27-10)

The Mavs have altered their style of play under Avery Johnson and have become a much better defensive team as a result. There is no reason this team can't reach the western conference finals. However, they still don't have anyone on the roster who can matchup with Tim Duncan down low which could be a slight problem down the road.

Memphis Grizzlies (23-12)

The Grizzlies have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the league this season. Jerry West has assembled a band of semi-misfits and cast-offs into a hungry group who plays hellacious defense under "The Czar" Mike Fratello.

New Orleans/Oklahoma Hornets (17-19)

The Hornets have also been eye-opening this season. Head coach Byron Scott has been absolutely masterful in keeping this team near .500 despite being one of the youngest and least talented teams in the league.

Houston Rockets (12-23)

I know the Rockets have been decimated by injuries recently, but to be honest about it, for a team with two supposed "superstars" this team has underachieved incredibly under head coach Jeff Van Gundy the past two seasons. I hate to say it, but I've been telling people for years that Tracy McGrady is not a player who makes his teammates better. Sure he can get 30 every night, but he brings absolutely no intangibles to the table and Yao Ming has not been used properly since his arrival in the league.

Previous Editions

• Allen Iverson is all grown up - January 16, 2006
• Sixers ship springing leaks - December 31, 2005
• Cleveland Cavaliers are the real deal - November 23, 2005
• Keepin' It Real - November 22, 2005
• Week One Of The NBA Season - November 11, 2005
• Sheryl Is Still A Pearl - November 1, 2005
• Southwest Division Preview - October 31, 2005
• Pacific Division Preview - October 26, 2005
• Central Division Preview - October 12, 2005
• Northwest Division Preview - October 11, 2005

About Eric Williams

Eric Williams is an award winning sports columnist and six year veteran writer for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Eric was born and raised in Philadelphia and has covered all four major professional sports in the Philadelphia area. He has also covered golf, track and field, soccer, tennis and bicycling.

Lifetime Boston Celtics fan. Basketball and football are his favorite sports. Eric is married with five children and currently resides in Marshall, Missouri.

Comments and feedback can be sent to eklass66@yahoo.com