suprises and disappointments

[Amphatoast]

It's a little past the half way point of this NBA season and well as with most years there are suprises and disappointments. I was just curious to see what everyone think the big suprises and disappointments this year.

heres my list with reasons


Suprises

1. NOH- talk about a team that is making some noise. Currently right in the thick of the playoff race in the WEstern conference, for a team that lost its home just before the season begun and many predicted to finish last place, this has really been a big suprise. Bigger than the clippers suprise. I guess there rebuilding process didn't take long after getting rid of Baron Davis and Maglorie..

2. LA clippers- always full of talent, but never gets the job done till this year. Currently the best team in LA and looking solid this year.

3. Dallas Mavericks- With finley gone, many figured the Mavericks will just sit right in the middle of the pack. But nope, they apparently are playing much better under Avery Johnson- currently tied for the best record in the west. Who would of figured Spurs and Mavericks would of had the same records at this point? I doubt many would

4. Phoenix Suns- With Amare out many figured they'd just have to hold on tight till he comes back. But MVPs know how to handle situations like this, and Steve Nash is no different. With all the changes and the lost of Amare the Suns still are strong and holding onto that lead in Pacific Division with the clippers right on there tail. When Amare comes back.. well lets wait and see what happens!

5.Memphis Grizzlies- Well not too much of a suprise team but many predicted they'd be fighting for the 8th spot or so if they even get in but so far they look like a lock for the playoffs with there consistant play even with damon stoudamire out for the season and the changes they in the offseason.



DISAPPOINTMENTS

1. NY Knicks- Talk about horrible. Currently with the 2nd worst win total in the NBA, who would of thought the knicks would be the laughing stock of the NBA with the highest payroll and the 2nd worst team currently in the NBA? I mean they at least should have like 20wins by now with the Hall of Fame coach they acquired,but nope.. sitting on 14 still. Getting blown out by the hawks not once but twice ( keep in mind the hawks are the 3rd worst) doesn't help there cause. Knicks fans must be hating this torcher but bulls fans must be lovin' it..

2. Houston Rockets- Injuries can be a valid excuse here. Unfortantely so many were hyped on the acquisition of stromile swift and put rockets as a top 4 team in the west but instead they've been a bottom 4 team for most of the season. Winless without McGrady, thats really sad considering the "Yao Ming Dynasty" talk was the hot buzz a few years ago. They can turn things around easily though since they only 6 games out.. as long as they stay healthy.

3. Sacramento Kings- With webber gone so many figured Bibby and Peja can handle the load. After all didn't Peja show some really nice numbers when Webber went out with an injury? Ha! Things are so bad that Peja is gone now and the clippers are 10 games better than them.

4. Philadelphia- Not much really a huge disappointment but you get the feeling with AI, Webber, Iggy, Kover, the sixers should be somewhere... but only .500 and holding on the 8th seed.

5. Miami Heat- Still 2nd best in the east, however with this all star studded squad you'd think they would by now got there stuff together, but they still can't beat the elite teams. How can you be considered a championship contender when you can't beat the championship contending teams? Time is ticking.. they gotta get there things straighten out soon or shaq might look like a laughing joke luring stars to LA to lose to the pistons and now luring stars to Miami only to get the same result.

[Andrew]

I'd agree with your five surprises. I think most people anticipated the Hornets would be in rebuilding mode for a couple of years, history says the Clippers will find a way to counter any positives with bad luck, the Mavericks looked like they'd made a huge blunder, the Suns were expected to struggle without Amare and the Grizzlies weren't really being talked about. But here we are.

When it comes to disappointments, I'm inclined to put Chicago there but that's more of a personal standpoint since I feel they could be doing a bit better then they are right now.

[zmac]

I'd also agree with your 5 surprises, except maybe put Boris Diaw in there aswell..but it would be too hard to take one of those out.

Now for disappointments, I have to say first of all the Houston Rockets.
Yeah they had injuries, but they still got a solid team without Tmac and/or Yao.
I wont do 5, I will do just one more, and thats NY Knickerbockers, who were probably said to be a top 7 or 8 team in the east.
They downright suck.

[BIG GREEN]

Nice thread you created here and i agree with all of it. I'm hoping the crappy record works out for the knicks in terms of the draft lottery. We need a lebron or sumtin...couple years ago before bron entered the league..the cavs where in the knicks' position.

[Blasphemy]

I think the Heat are doing pretty well. But I agree that with such a great swuad of players they should atleast be in the level of wins as the mavericks or Spurs.

[Its_asdf]

I don't see anything wrong with the list, except for maybe the Knicks being a disappointment. I knew they were bound to flop when they brought in a coach that prefers to play veterans and was taking over a team with a lot of players with a lot of questionable characters. I knew that poor excuse for a basketball player named Jerome James would suck, Eddy would be overpaid and Jamal Crawford would continue to jack up stupid shots.

[air gordon]

good stuff amphatoast. I agree with everything except for the Heat. Minus 3players, the roster had pretty much a complete makeover. IMO it was a bit too much to expect everyone to get immediately

[ixcuincle]

I woud add the Denver Nuggets to the list of disappointments. Last year if you remember this team was amazing in the 2nd half (despite their elimination at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs) , and I expected the team to at least duplicate their wild 2nd half success last year. With them having a average record I am quite surprised.

I still cannot help but take pleasure in the Miami Heat's failures. You'd think this franchise would realize they lacked defense last season and at least address their needs but what happened? They became ignorant , started a huge trade for more offensive players and what has that gotten them? An underachiving team...Don't franchises know defense wins championships these days?

[ShAuN]

I completley agree. But if your talking players heres mine:

Surprises

1) LeBron James - Hes just 21 years old and hes averaging 31ppg, 6.9rpg and 6.5apg. Hes leading the Cavs to the playoffs w/o Hughes. He should take MVP w/o a doubt.

2) Kobe Bryant - No one thought hed average 36ppg and have an 81 point game. Thats crazy. Hes doing a good job with the Lakers.

3) Chris Paul - In his rookie year hes really doing a great job w/ the Hornets. Hes having All-Star year. 16.3ppg, 5.7rpg and 7.8apg. Hes 6'0" and hes averaging almost 6rpg. He ranks 3rd in the League in Steals Per Game with 2.20. Hes also shooting 43% which is good.


Dissapointments

1) Quentin Richardson Huh? whos that??? Weres QRich been? Hes not playing ANYWHERE near where he did last season. This prooves hes needs a true PG in order to be....good. Unless its just one of those shitty years

2) Tracy McGrady I know his back is messed, but hes still getting 27ppg. BUT hes shooting a terrible 41%. He hasnt carried Houston. The Rockets are 0-13 w/o TMac....Whats their record w/o Yao but w/ TMac? Not impressive. McGrady is one of my favorite players, but I know and alot of you other guys know hes having an off year. He can get hot and drill shots, but hes unconsistent.

Cant really think of a third guy.

[Anthony15]

I woud add the Denver Nuggets to the list of disappointments. Last year if you remember this team was amazing in the 2nd half (despite their elimination at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs) , and I expected the team to at least duplicate their wild 2nd half success last year. With them having a average record I am quite surprised.

I agree with u. Northwest division is soo weak, thats the reason they're maknig the playoffs.

[Blasphemy]

Gereld Wallace

[ShAuN]

Wankster

Yea Id defiantley add Wallace to Sursprises.

I would put DWade...but I knew hed have an amazing year anyways

[kevC]

Nice thread you created here and i agree with all of it. I'm hoping the crappy record works out for the knicks in terms of the draft lottery. We need a lebron or sumtin...couple years ago before bron entered the league..the cavs where in the knicks' position.

Didn't they trade away that pick?

[Emiliano]

Gereld Wallace

Gerald Wallace is awesome, what are you talking about?
He would be in my surprise list too (if he could stay healthy)

[ShAuN]

Yea if Wallace was healthy and he had a better PG than Knight (say Kidd) this kid would be rediculous. It kinda sucks he plays for an expansion team. He has the skills for an all-around player, but he just needs a better PG than Knight.

[Andrew]

No question Kidd is the superior player compared to Knight. But Knight is hardly a bad point guard. Playing in Charlotte has basically given him a chance to resurrect a career that looked quite promising when Cleveland drafted him back in 1997. And for the record, Knight is currently averaging 8.3 apg to Kidd's 7.9 so Knight is hardly ineffective as a distributor.

And if anything, playing for an expansion team presents Wallace with an opportunity to be a better player since he's getting playing time and touches he normally wouldn't.

[Its_asdf]

Wallace pwns. The guy has so much freaking energy on the defensive end and he'll rack up a ton of steals and blocks if you're not taking care of the ball.

If only he could get his jumper a tad more consistent he could be a very, very, good offensive player too.

[ShAuN]

Im not saying Knight is bad.....Hes a good PG for sure. But I think Kidd would help Wallace out way more. Kidd has good vision on the court.

[Andrew]

Agreed, Kidd is the superior player. But at the end of the day Wallace has to deliver. He's already on a team with a point guard who hands out a lot of assists.

[Matt]

Bobcats can have Arroyo (about 12apg/48mins) and Detroit will take Knight.....we'll do them the favour.

[Null17]

Nice picks. Happy to see the success of NOH and the Clips. Too bad about the Rockets, my love for Yao have slowly been dwindling down over the years. Hope they have a better season next year

[KIG1]

surprise is defantly the clips and hornets