The teams that are for real

Here's my ten cents after the first quarter:

Dallas seems like the team to beat thus far. After their ridiculous 0-4 start, they have been mowing through competition. Dirk is doing his MVP thing, with everyone else taking turns scoring while killing on D. Even without Josh Howard, Avery Johnson seems to have his team locked on dominance. Dallas went on a streak from late November to early December in which they lead for every minute of every game they played. Erick Dampier is playing great, for the love of Pete.

Detroit also came out of the gates a bit slow, but the Champions once removed still have a swagger and cohesion that elevates them above the morass that is the Eastern Conference. Billups and Rasheed are having career years, Hamilton is an absolute assassin and Flip Murray has given his namesake coach a great offensive weapon on the bench. Kicking Orlando’s ass last week was a statement.

San Antonio has a healthy Tim Duncan and that means trouble for everyone else. With Duncan at full strength and Parker and Ginobili in full bloom, it is hard to imagine a more likely scenario than a San Antonio title run. Says here that Fabricio Oberto is big time for San Antonio as the season progresses

Phoenix Suns spent time with Detroit and Dallas on the slow train before running off a huge win streak (10 and counting). Amare looks pretty damn good. He is not yet his old self, but he is such a gifted offensive player and his team mates are so good about finding him that he remains a major scoring threat. Nash is redonk. Diaw is finally in shape. Marion is Marion. Deep as anybody, Phoenix looks game for deep playoff push.

Houston, Utah, the Lakers and Orlando are all pretty serious as well. Yao is playing at an MVP level, and McGrady and the rest of the Rockets have gelled around the big fella. Boozer would get some first quarter MVP votes himself. The ‘Taw is deep, and Deron Williams is the League’s most improved. Bad ass. Phil has the Triangle fully operational with the new style Kobe rollin with Odom, Walton, Brown. LA also has some fire off the pine this year. Orlando has the madness that is Dwight Howard. Wow! Grant Hill is crafty side-kick and the rest of the squad has a tight rhythm.

I want to include Cleveland and their MVP candidate in that crowd, but Cav bigs remain a serious question mark. Likewise Carmelo’s Nuggets. Camby is great, but we all know the history. What’s up with Nene? I like Minnesota’s chances for the playoffs this year, and I think both Indiana and the Bulls will have strong seasons.

The rest of the teams is suckas.

(yeah Miami, you too)



The Moonball Blog