Road to Glory - A New Jersey Nets Association

[Fresh8]

No better mentor for Sit then Starbury. He already looks like Marbury in the making.

Yeah, keep talking trash. Watch out when I play against you again Martti boy.

[Phreezy P]

^Lol ultimate player wars. I'd laugh if one of you got injured.

[kibaxx7]

Sit's temper, incredible. Hope I'm featured I'm a next chapter, starting and scoring 50 on Sit.

[Martti.]

Congrats on 10,000 views!

[Phreezy P]

Congrats on 10,000 views!

Whoa I didnt even notice that. Awesome!!

[Fresh8]

I think this could be HOF

[Mark.]

Dang Billups is out now too, your Vet guard rotation is taking a hit.

[Lamrock]

Congrats on the feat. This and Nellieball were started at the same time, and were neck-and-neck numbers-wise for a long time. You persevered and won the battle of the dynasties.

[dare]

wow 10,000 views congrats man

[Valor]

Sit's temper, incredible. Hope I'm featured I'm a next chapter, starting and scoring 50 on Sit.

Well, you still have a while to go before you can make an attempt at 50. Your new career high is 22, followed by a game with 19 and 7. Not a bad start at all
As a side note, Sit's career high is 33 currently, so both of you would need to improve before making claims at scoring 50

Congrats on 10,000 views!

Whoa I didnt even notice that. Awesome!!

wow 10,000 views congrats man

Thanks guys, it's thanks to all of you following my association/dynasty that i've achieved this milestone

I think this could be HOF

I certainly hope i would be able to raise the standard to that level, but as of now, you stand alone at the highest level of achievements as an association maker/story teller

Dang Billups is out now too, your Vet guard rotation is taking a hit.

Yeah, although this is nothing compared to losing Allen for the season (i have like...4 PGs (5 if you count Shannon Brown) while only 3 or 4 (brown is too undersized as a sf) swingman

Congrats on the feat. This and Nellieball were started at the same time, and were neck-and-neck numbers-wise for a long time. You persevered and won the battle of the dynasties.

Cheers Lamrock, although to be fair, Nellieball is still around the same numbers-wise, and has more replies; plus, i still consider you as a much more polished, refined and experienced dynasty maker then me

[Valor]

Paul, Hornets survive comeback from shorthanded Nets


New Orleans, LA - The defending champions did not have too much problems demolishing the Nets.

Not until the second half anyways.

Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets survived a ferocious second half comeback attempt by the shorthanded New Jersey Nets, and takes the win, 100-93; improving their record to 28-19, which is good enough for 5th place in the tightly contested Western Conference.

"They put up a heck of a fight in the second half" said Paul, who finished the game with 21 points, 12 assists and 2 steals "Fortunately we were able to just keep on playing basketball and hold our ground to take the win. This road to repeat is full of obstacles, man."

Five Hornets were in double figures, while Tyson Chandler, who had 8 points, racked up a team high 15 boards.

Peja Stojakovic scored 20 points on 9 for 16 shooting, while also grabbing 8 rebounds, while David West had a double double of 16 points and 10 boards. Morris Peterson dropped in 12, while James Posey added in 12 points and 4 boards in just 14 minutes coming off the bench, outscoring the Nets bench by himself, and contributed to over half the bench points New Orleans had on the board (23).

The Nets, who were missing both sixth man Ray Allen (out for season with a torn achilles) as well as starting point guard Chauncey Billups (out for 1-2 weeks with separated shoulder), were atrocious in the first half, in particular, the first quarter; in which they were outscored 33-18 and ended the half with a 19 point deficit - 42-61.

Behind the efforts of their sophomore guard Leo Lai (game high 30 points) and Yao Ming (23 points and game high 16 rebounds), the Nets played much better in the second half, coming out aggressive and attacked the Hornets head-on, outscoring them 27-17 in the 3rd period and 24-22 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Hornets managed to make major defensive stops and held onto their lead to end the game.

The Nets have now lost 2 in a row and are just 5-5 in their last 10 games, they have been struggling ever since Ray Allen went down with the season-ending injury on December 19th (8-10 record since then) and the situation got worse as Billups also went down.

There had been trade rumors and possible Free Agent signings, although nothing is immanent at this point and certainly not a word has been said by the New Jersey Owners/General Managers Toni Kukoc and Dennis Rodman.

New Jersey is now sitting at the second place in the Eastern Conference with a 26-18 record, and are 1/2 games behind Miami (27-18).






Highlights



Jordan Player of the Game Highlights

[Fresh8]

Leo needs to share the rock.

[hova-]

Yeah, 30 shots is just too many. The pic is great though, going in for the nasty reverse. Yao's rebounding is enormous. Congratz for thr 10000, Ima bit late, have to learn a lot right now.

[Martti.]

12-30 is awful. Take away 10 of his shots and give them to Yao. He's more efficient with his shots.

[Valor]

Leo needs to share the rock.

Yeah, 30 shots is just too many. The pic is great though, going in for the nasty reverse. Yao's rebounding is enormous. Congratz for thr 10000, Ima bit late, have to learn a lot right now.

12-30 is awful. Take away 10 of his shots and give them to Yao. He's more efficient with his shots.

I know, but really can't do much with the rest of the team unable to get looks of any kind save terrible ones against this very good Hornets team (notice the perfect rating?)

hova-, thanks man, learn a lot as in real life school stuff? in that case we're in the same situation really sucks

Martti., Yao can't get shots off, thats the problem, he's almost always double or even triple teamed the INSTANT he catches the ball...i would love to jack up 30 shots with Yao every game if i could...cause that'll mean i'll average like 50 with him

[Mark.]

Pass the ball!!!! Nah, good recap, tough loss, those Hornets have a mad rating, dont really see why though, not much different than IRL

[hova-]

Well, I'm at University now and I can't really say things have gotten easier since leaving school. It's just a shitload to learn and then you get like 6 questions. I went nuts on Monday when I really learned off my butt and and only left out some minor things and then 2 of 6 questions where about this minor stuff. It's just like learning 150 pages and getting asked about 5% of it.

[dare]

wow Hornets 100 in all categories are they no.1 in the league now?

[Valor]

Pass the ball!!!! Nah, good recap, tough loss, those Hornets have a mad rating, dont really see why though, not much different than IRL

Haha, they are the defending champs for a reason
Chris Paul i think is the second best player overall while Tyson Chandler is one of the front runners for DPOY, Peja is shooting as though he's back in Sacramento and David West is amazing.....complete opposite to RL with the exception of Paul, who is still one of the best players in the league...

Well, I'm at University now and I can't really say things have gotten easier since leaving school. It's just a shitload to learn and then you get like 6 questions. I went nuts on Monday when I really learned off my butt and and only left out some minor things and then 2 of 6 questions where about this minor stuff. It's just like learning 150 pages and getting asked about 5% of it.

Yeah, i know how you feel, it's nearly the same for me now, with a lot more subjects, in the last year of my secondary education....

wow Hornets 100 in all categories are they no.1 in the league now?

5th in the West only, Lakers have the same rating and they are #1

[kibaxx7]

Wow, all 100 by the Hornets in offense and defense... great duo by Lai and Yao!

[Valor]

Monthly Recaps: January 11
Part One: New Jersey Nets Monthly Recap

January Results - 7W 8L

January 2nd @ San Antonio Spurs
Win 88-79
Outstanding Players
San Antonio: Manu Ginobili 18 pts 6 reb 5 ast, Richard Jefferson 18 pts 5 reb, Kwame Brown 8 pts 12 reb 3 blk
New Jersey: Yao Ming 13 pts 22 reb 6 blk, Leo Lai 23 pts 8 ast 5 reb, Sean Williams 11 pts 16 reb

January 3rd @ Dallas Mavericks
Loss 97-100
Outstanding Players
Dallas: Jason Kidd 16 pts 17 ast, Jason Terry 25 pts, Marcus Camby 15 pts 11 reb 3 blk
New Jersey: Yao Ming 15 pts 19 reb 3 blk, Leo Lai 25 pts 4 reb 4 ast, Derek Fisher 15 pts 2 stl (off the bench)

January 6th vs New Orleans Hornets
Loss 83-88
Outstanding Players
New Orleans: Chris Paul 12 pts 13 ast, Peja Stojakovic 17 pts, Morris Peterson 17 pts, Tyson Chandler 6 pts 11 reb
New Jersey: Yao Ming 23 pts 16 reb 5 ast, Derek Fisher 14 pts (off the bench)

January 7th @ Chicago Bulls
Loss 77-94
Outstanding Players
Chicago: Derrick Rose 21 pts 6 ast, Joakim Noah 16 pts 11 reb, Tyrus Thomas 11 pts 11 reb 3 blk, Sun Yue 7 pts 6 ast 4 reb 2 stl (off the bench)
New Jersey: Yao Ming 28 pts 10 reb, Shannon Brown 8 pts 5 reb 3 ast (off the bench), Patrick Mills 6 pts 3 ast (off the bench)

January 9th vs Charlotte Bobcats
Win 94-67
Outstanding Players
Charlotte: Emeka Okafor 13 pts 11 reb 4 blk, Gerald Wallace 16 pts 4 reb 2 stl, Boris Diaw 10 pts 6 reb 4 ast
New Jersey: Yao Ming 23 pts 15 reb 3 blk, Chauncey Billups 20 pts 8 ast, Derek Fisher 12 pts (off the bench)

January 11th @ Miami Heat
Loss 89-102
Outstanding Players
Miami: Dwyane Wade 33 pts 8 ast 7 reb, Michael Beasley 22 pts 11 reb, Raymond Felton 10 pts 8 ast
New Jersey: Yao Ming 33 pts 10 reb, Chauncey Billups 20 pts 5 ast, Patrick Mills 11 pts (off the bench)

January 14th vs Utah Jazz
Win 96-70
Outstanding Players
Utah:Andrei Kirilenko 15 pts, Ronnie Brewer 13 pts 2 stl, CJ Miles 8 pts 7 reb
New Jersey: Yao Ming 43 pts 14 reb (Career high pts), Leo Lai 19 pts 9 ast, Sean Williams 4 pts 7 reb 3 blk

January 16th vs Dallas Mavericks
Win 92-88
Outstanding Players
Dallas: Dirk Nowitzki 32 pts 12 reb, Jason Kidd 13 pts 7 reb 6 ast, Marcus Camby 7 pts 9 reb 2 blk
New Jersey: Yao Ming 29 pts 12 reb 4 blk, Patrick Mills 16 pts 4 ast (off the bench), Sean Williams 6 pts 12 reb 3 blk

January 17th @ Philadelphia 76ers
Win 102-95
Outstanding Players
Philadelphia: Louis Williams 20 pts 11 ast, Andre Iguodala 12 pts 5 reb 6 ast
New Jersey: Yao Ming 19 pts 13 reb, Leo Lai 20 pts, Trevor Ariza 16 pts 2 stl 2 blk

January 19th vs San Antonio Spurs
Loss 92-94
Outstanding Players
San Antonio: Tony Parker 22 pts 7 ast, Manu Ginobili 16 pts 6 reb 5 ast, Tim Duncan 16 pts 10 reb, Richard Jefferson 12 pts 7 reb
New Jersey: Yao Ming 31 pts 8 reb, Sean Williams 4 pts 12 reb 2 blk, Trevor Ariza 9 pts 6 reb 4 stl

January 24th vs Philadelphia 76ers
Win 99-83
Outstanding Players
Philadelphia: Andre Iguodala 16 pts 5 ast, Linas Klezia 13 pts 6 reb, Willie Green 14 pts (off the bench)
New Jersey: Yao Ming 36 pts 14 reb, Patrick Mills 15 pts 2 ast (off the bench), Derek Fisher 16 pts 2 ast

January 26th @ Houston Rockets
Loss 73-86
Outstanding Players
Houston: Yi Jianlian 15 pts 10 reb, Brook Lopez 10 pts 10 reb 2 blk, Rajon Rondo 11 pts 5 reb 5 ast
New Jersey: Yao Ming 26 pts 14 reb 5 ast 2 blk, Patrick Mills 15 pts 4 ast (off the bench), Sean Williams 11 reb 3 blk

January 28th @ New Orleans Hornets
Loss 93-100 Game Recap

January 30th vs Atlanta Hawks
Loss 75-81
Outstanding Players
Atlanta: Joe Johnson 15 pts 6 reb 6 ast, Allen Iverson 18 pts, Al Horford 11 pts 11 reb 3 blk, Josh Smith 7 pts 4 reb 5 blk 2 stl
New Jersey: Yao Ming 30 pts 10 reb, Patrick Mills 12 pts 3 stls (off the bench), Trevor Ariza 4 pts 5 reb 3 stl 2 blk

January 31st vs Toronto Raptors
Win 117-96
Outstanding Players
Toronto: Earl Clark 27 pts 5 reb, Chris Bosh 14 pts 7 reb 5 ast, Drew Gooden 12 pts 3 reb (off the bench)
New Jersey: Yao Ming 28 pts 14 reb 8 ast 4 stl 3 blk, Leo Lai 20 pts 4 ast, Trevor Ariza 17 pts 3 stl






New Jersey Nets Player Stats

- Bold Indicates Team Leader


New Jersey Nets Metric Stats

- Bold Indicates Team Leader



Nets' Top 5 Plays of the Month

5. Dirk was never known for his defense, and the fact was magnified here in this play


4. Leo Lai does a sweet one handed reverse on Manu Ginobili and the San Antonio Spurs


3. Trevor Ariza manages to stuff it home with Peja Stojakovic and Jarret Jack sandwiching him


2. Shannon Brown gets up and over Jose Calderon for the flush


1. Sean Williams with another one of his massive posterizations, this time the victim is Utah's Mehmet Okur

[Valor]

Monthly Recaps: January 11
Part Two: Around the League

League Standings

Western Conference Standings
1. Los Angeles Lakers (38-10)*
2. Phoenix Suns (35-13)
3. Houston Rockets (30-14)*
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (26-21)*
5. New Orleans Hornets (29-19)
6. Los Angeles Clippers (26-21)
7. Dallas Mavericks (23-23)
8. Portland Trailblazers (23-24)
----------------------------------
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (23-25)
10. Denver Nuggets (20-25)
11. Memphis Grizzlies (20-26)
12. San Antonio Spurs (19-27)
13. Golden State Warriors (18-27)
14. Sacramento Kings (17-29)
15. Utah Jazz (17-29)

* Denotes Division Leader

Eastern Conference Standings
1. Atlanta Hawks (28-19)*
2. New Jersey Nets (27-19)*
3. Miami Heat (26-21)
4. Chicago Bulls (28-23)*
5. Orlando Magic (24-22)
6. Toronto Raptors (25-23)
7. Boston Celtics (24-24)
8. Charlotte Bobcats (23-24)
----------------------------------
9. Washington Wizards (22-23)
10. Philadelphia 76ers (22-24)
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (20-28)
12. Detroit Pistons (19-29)
13. Indiana Pacers (17-28)
14. New York Knicks (17-31)
15. Milwaukee Bucks (15-30)

* Denotes Division Leader




League Leaders


1. Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers) 33.3
2. LeBron James (Cleveland) 26.4
3. Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas) 25.5
4. Dwyane Wade (Miami) 23.5
5. Yao Ming (New Jersey) 23.1
- Michael Redd (Milwaukee) 23.1


1. Dwight Howard (Orlando) 13.1
2. Yao Ming (New Jersey) 13.0
3. Blake Griffin (Phoenix) 11.1
- Al Jefferson (Minnesota) 11.1
4. Emeka Okafor (Charlotte) 10.3
- Hakeem Bol (Miami) 10.3
5. Sean Williams (New Jersey) 10.0


1. Chris Paul (New Orleans) 11.3
2. Steve Nash (Phoenix) 9.7
3. Ricky Rubio (Milwaukee) 9.6
4. Jameer Nelson (Orlando) 8.7
5. Jason Kidd (Dallas) 8.6


1. Chris Paul (New Orleans) 2.7
2. Dwyane Wade (Miami) 2.0
- Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers) 2.0
3. Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City) 1.9
- Rajon Rondo (Houston) 1.9
- Monta Ellis (Golden State) 1.9
4. Ronnie Brewer (Utah) 1.8
- Tony Allen (Sacramento) 1.8
- Jason Kidd (Dallas) 1.8
- Ricky Rubio (Milwaukee) 1.8
- Ron Artest (Houston) 1.8
5. Allen Iverson (Atlanta) 1.7
- TJ Ford (Indiana) 1.7


1. Dwight Howard (Orlando) 3.5
2. Hakeem Bol (Miami) 2.6
3. Emeka Okafor (Charlotte) 2.5
4. Hasheem Thabeet (Minnesota) 2.4
5. Marcus Camby (Dallas) 2.3
- Tyson Chandler (New Orleans) 2.3
- Kwame Brown (San Antonio) 2.3
- Brook Lopez (Houston) 2.3


EFFICIENCY
1. Yao Ming (New Jersey) 33.7
2. Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers) 32.0
3. Blake Griffin (Phoenix) 25.1
4. Dwight Howard (Orlando) 24.1
5. Chris Paul (New Orleans) 23.7
6. LeBron James (Cleveland) 23.5
7. Deron Willaims (Utah) 22.5
8. Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas) 22.1
9. Al Jefferson (Minnesota) 21.5
10. Kevin Garnett (Boston) 21.4
- Pau Gasol (LA Lakers) 21.4


Rookie Leaders

1. Will Sit (Minnesota) 21.9
2. Martti Must (Golden State) 18.6
3. Patrick Lynch (Milwaukee) 17.0
4. Hakeem Bol (Miami) 16.6
5. John Wall (Boston) 12.0


1. Hakeem Bol (Miami) 10.3
2. Patrick Lynch (Milwaukee) 8.5
3. Martti Must (Golden State) 6.0
4. John Wall (Boston) 5.0
5. Terry Cobb (Boston) 3.9


1. John Wall (Boston) 7.3
2. Will Sit (Minnesota) 5.2
3. Thierry Tirieux (New York) 2.9
4. Patrick Lynch (Milwaukee) 2.1
5. Martti Must (Golden State) 1.7


1. Will Sit (Minnesota) 1.6
- John Wall (Boston) 1.6
2. Patrick Lynch (Milwaukee) 1.2
3. Terry Cobb (Boston) 1.1
4. Martti Must (Golden State) 0.4
5. Hakeem Bol (Miami) 0.3
- Thierry Tirieux (New York) 0.3


1. Hakeem Bol (Miami) 2.6
2. Martti Must (Golden State) 1.8
3. John Wall (Boston) 1.1
4. Thierry Tirieux (New York) 0.7
5. Patrick Lynch (Milwaukee) 0.5

Players of the Week
Week: East | West
Oct 28-30: Hakeem Bol (Miami) | Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas)
Oct 31-Nov 6: LeBron James (Cleveland) | Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
Nov 7-13: Yao Ming (New Jersey) | Blake Griffin (Phoenix)
Nov 14-20: Yao Ming (New Jersey) | Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
Nov 21-27: Dwight Howard (Orlando) | Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)\
Nov 28-Dec 4: LeBron James (Cleveland) | Chris Paul (New Orleans)
Dec 5-11: LeBron James (Cleveland) | Blake Griffin (Phoenix)
Dec 12-18: Yao Ming (New Jersey) | Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
Dec 19-25: Dwight Howard (Orlando) | Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
Dec 26-Jan 1: Dwyane Wade (Miami) | Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
Jan 2-8: Yao Ming (New Jersey) | Chris Paul (New Orleans)
Jan 9-15: Yao Ming (New Jersey) | Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
Jan 16-22: Dwyane Wade (Miami) | Chris Paul (New Orleans)
Jan 23-29: Yao Ming (New Jersey) | Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)

Players of the Month
East: Yao Ming (New Jersey)
West: Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)

Rookies of the Month
East: Hakeem Bol (Miami)
West: Will Sit (Minnesota)



Player Movement
01/01/11
Warriors Trade: Stephon Marbury, Stephen Jackson
T'Wolves Trade: Patrick O'Bryant, Randy Foye

01/03/11
Suns Trade: Alando Tucker
Grizzlies Trade: 2010 2nd round pick

01/11/11
Celtics Trade: Jamaal Tinsley, Charlie Villanueva
Suns Trade: Erick Dampier, Jared Dudley, 2011 1st round pick

01/15/11
T'Wolves sign Johan Petro to 1YR/$4.01M deal

01/22/11
Suns Sign Bill Walker to 1YR/$456K deal


Injuries

[Valor]

Monthly Recaps: January 11
Part Three: Rookie Rankings


1. Hakeem Bol, C, Miami Heat
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
47 | 47 | 32.4 | 16.6 | 10.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 2.6 | .481 | .133 | .703
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 2

2. John Wall, PG, Boston Celtics
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
48 | 48 | 32.0 | 12.0 | 5.0 | 7.3 | 1.6 | 1.1 | .408 | .244 | .722
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 3

3. Will Sit, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
47 | 47 | 30.3 | 21.9 | 0.6 | 5.2 | 1.6 | 0.2 | .461 | .359 | .827
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 4

4. Martti Must, PF, Golden State Warriors
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
45 | 41 | 29.8 | 18.6 | 6.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 1.8 | .430 | .391 | .826
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 12

5. Patrick Lynch, SF, Milwaukee Bucks
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
45 | 45 | 37.6 | 17.0 | 8.5 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 0.5 | .415 | .259 | .811
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 1

6. Terry Cobb, SG, Boston Celtics
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
47 | 47 | 26.6 | 10.7 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | .429 | .390 | .713
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 9

7. Thierry Tirieux, SG, New York Knicks
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
48 | 20 | 15.1 | 6.1 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 0.7 | .466 | .447 | .732
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 6

8. Gerald Richardson, PF, Chicago Bulls
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
51 | 0 | 10.7 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | .512 | .375 | .626
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 20

9. Carl Cruz, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
45 | 0 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | .382 | .263 | .812
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 8

10. Charlie Randolph, PF, Phoenix Suns
G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT%
48 | 0 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | .406 | .193 | .564
Last Month: N/A | Drafted: 14


* Bold Denotes Rookie Leader

[Valor]

Monthly Recaps:
Part Four: Race to the MVP



1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (38-10)

Stats: PPG -- 33.3; RPG -- 6.8; APG -- 4.8; SPG -- 2.0; BPG -- 0.2; FG% -- .511; 3P% -- .382; FT% -- .861
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: Kobe Bryant is leading the league in scoring, shooting over .500 from the field and has his Lakers with the best record in the NBA. Oh, The Black Mamba also has the second highest efficiency rating in the NBA at 32.0. Really, is there any doubt that the reigning back-to-back-to-back MVP is the leading contender for the trophy a historical fourth consecutive time?


2. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (29-19)

Stats: PPG -- 19.8; RPG -- 4.4; APG -- 11.3; SPG -- 2.7; BPG -- 0.1; FG% -- .440; 3P% -- .235; FT% -- .702
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: The Hornets hasn't exactly had the best start of the season in their quest for a repeat, but Chris Paul is playing like the Finals MVP he was last season, leading the league in assists and steals, while lifting his Hornets to a respectable 29-19 record, good for 5th in the stacked Western Conference.


3. Yao Ming, New Jersey Nets (27-19)

Stats: PPG -- 23.1; RPG -- 13.0; APG -- 3.5; SPG -- 1.1; BPG -- 2.2; FG% -- .572; 3P% -- .000; FT% -- .859
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: Given the fact that Yao is leading the league in offensive rebounds per game at an astonishing rate (4.0) and is only 0.1 rpg behind the league leading Howard, I would have put the big fella in second place; except that him and the New Jersey Nets very nearly got blown out by Chris Paul and the Hornets recently.


4. Blake Griffin, Phoenix Suns (35-13)

Stats: PPG -- 16.6; RPG -- 11.1; APG -- 4.0; SPG -- 1.6; BPG -- 1.3; FG% -- .505; 3P% -- .083; FT% -- .736
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: Playing in just his second season, last year's rookie of the year Blake Griffin is quickly turning into one of the best players in the league. Despite being in a team full of stars (Nash, Stoudemire, Howard, Rickardson), Griffin has shown that he is capable of taking the reins and is able to establish himself as the team's cornerstone for the future. Currently, him and the Suns are sitting in second place in the Western Conference, just 3 games behind the league-leading LA Lakers.


5. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (28-19)

Stats: PPG -- 19.9; RPG -- 3.8; APG -- 5.8; SPG -- 1.0; BPG -- 0.0; FG% -- .457; 3P% -- .354; FT% -- .729
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: With the aid of the former MVP Allen Iverson, Joe Johnson has shined and has been able to propel the Atlanta Hawks to the top of the Eastern Conference. None of his stats stand out, but they are very well-rounded, evidence that Johnson has contributed in nearly every aspect of his team's success.


6. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (28-23)

Stats: PPG -- 21.1; RPG -- 3.8; APG -- 6.1; SPG -- 1.2; BPG -- 0.2; FG% -- .473; 3P% -- .292; FT% -- .788
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: After starting the season at the bottom of the league at 5-14 in November, the Chicago Bulls have bounced right up and after two months, they are sitting at 4th in the Eastern Conference at 28-23. How? Because they have a player named Derrick Rose, who is playing like a top 3 point guard in the NBA right now.


7. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (24-22)

Stats: PPG -- 18.4; RPG -- 13.1; APG -- 0.7; SPG -- 0.5; BPG -- 3.5; FG% -- .528; 3P% -- .000; FT% -- .506
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: Still the same defensive beast that he is, but Howard's Magic arn't playing at the top of their game right now, the Magic may be sitting at 5th place in the East, but with their roster they should be a top 3 team. Superman would need to somehow step it up, and get his teammates to step it up if he wants serious consideration for MVP honor. Howard's Free throws are certainly not helping the cause.


8. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat (26-21)

Stats: PPG -- 23.5; RPG -- 3.7; APG -- 5.0; SPG -- 2.0; BPG -- 0.6; FG% -- .462; 3P% -- .325; FT% -- .763
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: Flash's stats has dipped considerably across the board, but that's because he finally has a good supporting cast. With players like Hakeem Bol, Michael Beasley, Tracy McGrady and Raymond Felton helping you out, there is no need for Wade to score 30 a night. The former Finals MVP has his team sitting in 3rd place in the East right now, just 1/2 game behind the Yao-led Nets and 2 games behind the number 1 Hawks. However, the Heat are in-need of Wade's stellar performance now, as they have dropped 8 in a row.


9. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (23-23)

Stats: PPG -- 25.5; RPG -- 8.7; APG -- 0.9; SPG -- 1.2; BPG -- 0.3; FG% -- .450; 3P% -- .322; FT% -- .876
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: Dirk's Mavs are barely holding it together at 23-23, and sits at the edge of the playoff spots in the Western Conference. He must shoot more efficiently if he wants to return to the finals before his floor general Jason Kidd retires at the end of this season.


10. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (20-28)

Stats: PPG -- 26.4; RPG -- 8.4; APG -- 4.9; SPG -- 1.3; BPG -- 0.7; FG% -- .429; 3P% -- .255; FT% -- .731
Last Month's Rank - N/A
Comment: Somewhere in Cleveland, LeBron James is regretting his decision to sign back with the Cavs. Despite them trading for Greg Oden and doing everything possible to get the King his supporting cast, the Cavs just cannot get the job done. Playoff hopes looks bleak as they sit amongst the crap teams of the East at 20-28. James wants money, he got it. James wants Stats, he got it. James wants a championship, he ain't getting that anytime soon.

[Valor]

Nets sends Patty Mills to Bobcats, acquires Finley
February 1st 2011


With the Trade Deadline looming, it was only natural for teams to start making moves, and the
shorthanded Nets, coming off a sub .500 month, have made the first strike. Sending promising
sophomore guard Patrick Mills to the Charlotte Bobcats alongside Chuck Hayes in exchange for
16th year veteran swingman Michael Finley, 3rd year pro center Alexis Ajinca, as well as two
picks - 2011 1st round pick (Celtics) and the Bobcats' lottery-protected 2012 1st round pick.

The Nets, in a despite need for swingman after Ray Allen went down with a season ending injury
in December, would have to sacrifice their point guard of the future in Patrick Mills to
obtain the veteran leadership and play of Michael Finley and chips for the future with the picks.
Chuck Hayes wasn't helping them in terms of getting bigger, so they shipped him alongside Mills
for the French player Ajinca, who possesses a 7'8" wingspan.

"It was a tough decision to make" said Nets owner and GM Toni Kukoc "Patty is a fantastic player
with a lot of upside, he has done everything we've ever asked of him and possibly more. We wish
him the best of luck in his future career."

Mills was selected with the 33rd overall pick by the Nets in the 2009 NBA Draft. For the season thus
far, he has been averaging 6.3 points and 1.9 assists per game coming off the bench for the Nets.



Nets not done with changes, deals for Bowen in 3 team deal
February 1st 2011


Just hours after they announced the trade for Michael Finley, the New Jersey Nets have
announced that they have acquired three time champion Bruce Bowen from the Dallas
Mavericks in a three team deal that also involves the Utah Jazz.

In the deal, the Mavericks would send Bruce Bowen to the Nets, in return getting
the 2011 1st round pick (Celtics) from the Nets that they have acquired from Charlotte
just a few hours prior, as well as forward Matt Harpring from the Utah Jazz while the
Nets would also send their lottery-protected 2012 1st round pick (Nets) to the Jazz.

"Bruce is going to help our team tremendously with his defensive abilities" said
Toni Kukoc, owner and GM of the Nets "He is an established veteran player with
tons of playoff experience, and it's these intangibles that really helps out in the
locker room."