2/3rd's Review: Kickin the buttock

With just under a third of the season to go, it is time to reflect on who’s gonna Kick Buttock down the home stretch, who’s bettin the bottom dollar that Tomorrow they’ll be the Suns and who’s riding a Clown Car on a detour to nowhere.


Kickin the buttock


Dallas is the class of the League. Dirk the Would Be Leader and his band of bad-asses are playing with that rare determination and focus that has marked many a Champion. That will happen when you give the Finals away. DWade may take exception to Nowitski speaking his truth, but lord knows I saw it: Dallas was dominating the Heat at every position except off guard, until Miami simply out gutted the Mavs.
Avery has his guys focused so when it comes gut check time, Dallas will stand and deliver. Perhaps the League’s deepest times, Dallas has everybody bought into his role, contributing when called. Dallas is in perfect position to win in all.

Only Amare could change that. Steve Nash makes Phoenix go, but Amare holds the key to the promise land. Games like last night’s 43 point, 16 rebound, 6 assist, 3 block performance suggest STAT could put on a post season extravaganza like he did prior to his surgery. If Amare goes wild, the already potent Phoenix attack will be too much to handle. Guys like Marion, Barbosa and Bell become increasingly deadly as defenses become consumed with controlling Amare. Even a disappointing Diaw remains a force when unattended. Cannot wait to see the showdown with Big D come conference finals time.

Though Yao’s return adds new elements to the mix in Houston, the Rockets are my first pick to spoil the Dallas-Phoenix showdown. Though not as flashy (or as quite as good) as the Mavs and Suns, the Rockets are team oriented powerhouse worth much note. Before his injury, Yao was the League’s best big. With the team playing well, he can ease his way back into form come April. McGrady has been stupendous. Were it not for the ever-present spectre of his back, his name would be mentioned regularly in the Kobe-LeBron-Wade discussion. The best fella that has never one a playoff series (not named Grant) has very solid supporting cast, featuring the resurgent Juwon Howard, Shane Wrinklehead, MixMaster Rafer, Illini Head Luther and the ageless one Mutumbo. Very dangerous team.


Hard to drop a Duncan lead Spurs team from contention consideration, but this just does not seem like San Antonio’s year. Pop’s squad went just 3-5 on their annual January-February rodeo road trip. In Ring Years past, Spurs kill on that trip. It would be wrong to say that San Antonio isn’t playing well. Check these points allowed over their past six wins: 82 Nets, 81 Pistons, 80 Nugs, 96 Hawks, 71 Sonics. 91 Raptors. And how bout Manu scoring 24 straight points? They are still in the race. And like all the Western big dogs, they would chow whatever the east has to offer.


How good is Deron Williams? Even without a real two guard, Utah remains in the mix a top the West, and Williams is the main reason. The Boozer, Okur, Kirilenko front line might be the best in the League with Williams at the helm. Boozer controls the middle, Okur is a big-time shot maker, and despite his offensive nightmares, Kirilenko remains a stellar defender. Throw in Harpring, Derek Fisher and Paul Milsap, and you have real nice group. Utah looks to finish strong a top the Northwest. Probably will have to wait for another year for a shot at the Finals, though.

Detroit is the flag ship of the Eastern Conference. Webber has added life to the former Champs and they now look a lock to have home court through the Finals. That is where their journey will end. Though it would be wrong to completely discount the potential of Sheed, Billups, Prince, Hamilton and CWebb winning it all, I would be shocked. Unlike when the fat Laker squad the defeated 2004, the Western entrant will be lean and hungry. I just think Webber is too slow to guard the middle. Maybe McDyees can step up and bolster the front line, but I think the inability to guard the rim will doom the proud Motor City rockers.


I love to watch Chicago play. The most cohesive unit in the East, one to eight. Luol Deng is emerging into the player many predicted when he ranked #2 behind LeBron in prep rankings. The backcourt of Gordon and Hinrich is nasty. They are both extremely smart players. Ben Wallace may not be at his physical prime, but he has found his groove in Skiles’ defense and teams nicely with PJ Brown on the defensive end. With Duhon playing well, the rookie Thomas contributing and Nocioni returning, the Bulls will prove a tough out until the face a foe from the West.

Toronto is up and coming big time. Bosh has made Tomorrow today, and his teammates have been able to hang right there with him. Were Wade healthy, I would have left T-Dot in the Tomorrow bracket. But the East is wide open, with Webber in the middle in Detroit, Chicago still without a consistent way to score points in the paint, and Cleveland teetering between good and awful. TJ Ford and Jose Calderon is an unbelievable point guard tandem for the Raptors system. Parker and Garbajosa have been great on both ends of the floor, and Bargnani has been putting up points for the last two months.