NBA Mid-Season Report: Best and Worst

January 18, 2010

Now that we’re at the mid-season point of the 2009-10 NBA schedule, let’s take a look at the best and worst teams thus far.

Starting with the worst teams in league, it is natural to mention the New Jersey Nets. When a team begins the season losing an NBA record 18 straight, you have to wonder if there is a lack of communication between the players and the coaching staff. Nets management was apparently wondering the same thing as they fired HC Lawrence Frank only 17 games into the year. General manager Kiki Vandeweghe stepped into the head coaching job and brought Del Harris along as an assistant. The problem with this team is much deeper that their HC. When Brook Lopez leads your team in every offensive category including assists, you know there’s a problem. This team is young and inexperienced, but with a few key additions they could become a force in years to come.

Minnesota has fallen off of the map completely since the Kevin Garnett days. Even when he was there they had trouble contending. To Garnett’s credit, he honored his contract and stuck it out with the Timberwolves right to the bitter end. Since KG’s departure, the Wolves haven’t had a go-to type player that they could identify as the face of the franchise. They have a nice group on young players, but none of them have the ability to take over a game. Al Jefferson leads the team with an 18.1 scoring average followed by Kevin Love and rookie Jonny Flynn. They don’t have enough to offer a big-time player, and will find it hard to get better via trades. This leaves them with having to improve through the draft, and that could take years.

There are several teams that could be considered as the best in the league, but in my opinion the top two are Boston and the Lakers. Los Angeles has cruised to a 31-9 start to the season following their Championship season last year. They look as though they are pacing themselves, and still have the best record in the league. Several injuries have kept them from being at full strength, but even with an average bench the Lakers have found a way to navigate their schedule. Kobe is Kobe, and his cast of role players do their jobs to perfection. Derrick Fisher has been solid at point guard, and Lamar Odom is a nightmare for defenses as he can do so many things at his size. This team will be there in the end, and is the odds on favorite to repeat as NBA Champions.

The Boston Celtics are back. After Kevin Garnett’s injury enabled them to compete with Orlando for the Eastern Conference title last year, they have got back to the form that earned them the title over the Lakers in the 2007-08 season. They have a well balanced starting line-up that distributes the shots fairly evenly. Kendrick Perkins has stepped in nicely, and currently leads the team in rebounds at 8.2 per game. KG’s numbers are down, but he’s still a major threat, and a clutch performer when he needs to be. Paul Pierce is still the offensive leader, and Rajon Rondo is starting to play more efficiently.

Anything can happen in the second half of the season to change who may win the title, but if both the Lakers and Celtics stay healthy, I see them meeting in the Finals once again.

Written by Cover The Number · Filed Under NBA

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