NOVEMBER RECAP: PART TWOAROUND THE LEAGUELakers, Thunder atop league after one monthThe first month is down and the season is shaping up to yet again be one of the greatest on record. Let's start with the news that every basketball fan wants to hear - the Miami Heat are coming thirteenth in the East. That's right - thirteenth! Their record stands at 1-4 and they are in the midst of a four game skid, losing to the Bucks, Jazz, Pistons and Celtics in that order. The championship defense has definitely not gone to plan so far for LeBron and his Heat. Adversely, their opponents from last years finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder, are tied with the LA Lakers for first place in the league with a record of 5-1. OKC have been gallantly led by Kevin Durant, who yet again is on track for another scoring title. Other surprises feature the Chicago Bulls sitting in tied last place with the Toronto Raptors, both teams yet to win a game. The Bulls are at 0-2, so it should not take long for them to gather some steam and make some serious noise. Several free agents have been signed and several players have been given another chance in the league, such as Darko Milicic going to the Brooklyn Nets and Greg Oden going to the Sacramento Kings, both on one year contracts. Good news on the injury front is that the only player with a season ending injury is Brendan Haywood, the seven footer going down sadly with a torn MCL.
STANDINGSThese appear a bit bugged but this is just how it is in gameWESTERN CONFERENCEOklahoma City Thunder (5-1)
Los Angeles Lakers (5-1)
Golden State Warriors (3-0)
Denver Nuggets (4-1)
Dallas Mavericks (4-2)'
Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2)
Sacramento Kings (4-4)
San Antonio Spurs (1-1)
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Portland Trailblazers (3-3)
Phoenix Suns (2-2)
Los Angeles Clippers (1-2)
Memphis Grizzlies (2-4)
Utah Jazz (2-4)
Houston Rockets (2-4)
New Orleans Hornets (1-4)
EASTERN CONFERENCEWashington Wizards (4-1)
New York Knicks (3-1)
Boston Celtics (4-2)
Orlando Magic (4-3)
Brooklyn Nets (2-2)
Philadelphia 76ers (2-2)
Indiana Pacers (2-2)
Detroit Pistons (3-3)
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Charlotte Bobcats (3-3)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1-4)
Atlanta Hawks (2-4)
Chicago Bulls (0-2)
Milwaukee Bucks (2-5)
Miami Heat (1-4)
Toronto Raptors (0-4)
LEAGUE LEADERSPOINTS PER GAME:Kobe Bryant (LAL) - 29.3
Carmelo Anthony (NYK) - 28.8
Kevin Durant (OKC) - 28.7
Danny Granger (IND) - 27.7
Chris Paul (LAC) - 25.7REBOUNDS PER GAMEKevin Love (MIN) - 12.8
Kevin Durant (OKC) - 12.7
Blake Griffin (LAC) - 12.3Anderson Varejao (CLE) - 11.3
Kevin Garnett (BOS) - 10.7
ASSISTS PER GAMERajon Rondo (BOS) - 11.2
Steve Nash (LAL) - 11.0
Darren Collison (DAL) - 10.3
Mike Conley (MEM) - 9.5
Jason Kidd (NYK) - 9.3
LATEST HEADLINES:GARNETT: "I WANT TO GO HOME"
He is referred to as the most intense and fiery player in the game and also one of the most loyal, but in one of most shocking storylines of the season Kevin Garnett wants a move to his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Garnett was born and raised in South Carolina, however after accusations of 'lynching' and assault Garnett moved with his mother to Chicago, where he attended Farragut Academy and later become arguably the most successful prep-to-pro player in NBA history. KG held a press conference where he stated "I love everything about Boston and being apart of the Celtics, but I just feel like I need to be home. Chicago has given me everything in life and I'm extremely thankful for that, and I feel like I need to give a little back to the city that has made me who I am.
Garnett was drafted at number five in the 1995 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team he spent twelve seasons with. When queried about a possible return to Minnesota, he stated, "I'll never forget my time there, it was amazing. Competing for a title in 2004 was the pinnacle of my career with the Wolves, and while I would readily jump on a flight and suit up for them I don't feel as if my life is heading in that direction."
The Big Ticket was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first week of the season, and has led the aging Celtics to a 4-2 record. It is believed that the '04 MVP is not chasing a ring and wants to move to Chicago only for financial reasons. The Bulls are yet to comment on the situation, however a lineup featuring Derrick Rose alongside KG is definitely one that would intimidate any team.
JOSH MCROBERTS BEGINS RELATIONSHIP WITH KARDASHIAN, METTA ISN'T HAPPY
The phrase 'punching above your weight' gets thrown around often. But if you're looking for an example where it is true, look no further than Josh McRoberts and Kim Kardashian.
Kardashian, who has just come out of a seventy-two day marriage with Kris Humphries, continues her fascination with tall white boys by allegedly dating the second string power forward. Normally, news like this is irrelevant, however the outburst of starting Lakers' forward Metta World Peace has led to rumours of unrest amongst the league leading side.
"Man, this is ridiculous," World Peace was quoted, "a little white boy like him bringin' unwanted press to the best team in the league. Get him outta here."
More on this story will follow and it appears that we have uncovered some turmoil in Laker land.
NOTE: future recaps will feature award races and draftees for next year, it's too early in the season for that. That's all for the first monthly recap and I think we all agree when I say there's room for improvement. Cheers.