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With the season halfway over, it’s time to see which teams are passing this season’s tests with flying colors, and which teams still need to do more homework. The grades aren’t only based on performance, but on expectations as well...

NBA at the Break: Midterm Grades

by Erick Blasco (Senior Writer)

15

1,917 reads

Sports

February 18, 2008


With the season halfway over, it’s time to see which teams are passing this season’s tests with flying colors, and which teams still need to do more homework.

The grades aren’t only based on performance, but on expectations as well.

For example, the Sonics and Timberwolves are taking remedial classes to help them for the future, while the Mavs and Spurs are taking the most rigorous championship-level courses in a quest to become valedictorian.

For some background on my personal preseason expectations, here are my conference-by-conference predictions: 

Atlantic Division Preview
Southeast Division Preview
Central Division Preview
Northwest Division Preview
Southwest Division Preview
Pacific Division Preview

And now, on with the grades...


Atlanta Hawks: B+

After a decade of futility, the Baby Hawks are finally growing up and knocking on the playoff door. Considering their youth and inexperience, that fact alone makes this season a successful campaign. Still, that youth and experience does pop up when you look at their 6-17 road record. Acquiring Mike Bibby shows that the team is serious about making the playoffs and he should provide stability for when his teammates get flustered away from Atlanta.

Boston Celtics: A+

We all knew they’d be good, but nobody expected they’d be this good! Credit Doc Rivers for getting his stars to defend and for implementing a totally unselfish gameplan; Pierce, Allen, and Garnett for playing completely unselfish (and beautiful to watch) basketball; Kendrick Perkins for improving his defense; James Posey for getting in shape; the young kids for playing with purpose and confidence; and Danny Ainge for mortgaging the future on a very realistic chance of bringing home a championship.

Charlotte Bobcats: F

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15 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Dave Finocchio about 1 year ago

    Very enjoyable read...great stuff as always.

    Since the first six games of the season, the Golden State Warriors have the best record in the Western Conference, and they're tied for the 7th seed.

    My prediction is that Denver is the odd man out in the West. Thoughts?

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  2. Michael Whittenberg about 1 year ago

    Good article--but Dallas a D+? I originally said that the Hornets were playoff sleepers, but I now think that Utah will be a sleeper. And I agree with David, Denver might win 50 games and get left out this year.

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  3. Erick Blasco about 1 year ago

    I think Denver and Golden State slip in. Houston is the team with the most questions, especially because they're an injury waiting to happen. Plus, Houston is the team most likely to go on a crippling losing streak.

    And everytime I watch Dallas, they have multiple points in their games where they're opponent makes a run and they look absolutely clueless as to how to stop them. They just have no resolve. Dallas thinks of themselves as a Finals contender, but whenever an opponenet makes a push, they tuck their tails between their legs. It was the same way last year when they won 67 games. It was the same way against Golden State and against Miami.

    Look at the mistakes they make in their road games. Boston stole a win from them because of Dallas' penchant for making dumb mistakes in the clutch, and then Detroit wiped the floor with them. They made mistakes in the Phoenix game. They lost at Philadelphia and New Jersey last week.

    Their record looks nice because they take care of buisness at home, but that road record is awful. Again, when they play in a hostile environment, the pressure gets to them.

    Jason Kidd is their only hope.

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  4. Patrick Gallen about 1 year ago

    I can't see Houston making it, but one team I think is overrated is Denver. Carmelo and obviously AI are stars, but they always seem to suck come playoff time. Great article though. Always like a new perpective on where the league stands.

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  5. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Seriously, you are uniformed

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  6. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    *uninformed

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  7. Patrick Houston about 1 year ago

    A B+ for Denver but a D for Dallas.I think Dallas is higher than Denver.C- not bad for my Grizzlies even though we unwisely gave up Pau for Kwame.

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  8. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    As a Raptors supporter, I can honestly say you have us nailed. Great description.

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  9. Ling Ge about 1 year ago

    This is a great article. You hit the money for most of them, but some grades could be better or worse. The Nuggets are a bit overrated because they're pretty much in this position every year, while the Cavs I think are underrated, because they are playing pretty good basketball even if their success rides a lot on Lebron. I think for the injuries the Cavs have had to deal with, I think they're deserving for a B. Blame the management for not making any off-season moves. I'm also a Mavs fan so it kills me a little to give them a D+, but I think that's a pretty honest grade (maybe a C?), so good judgment on that.

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  10. Erick Blasco about 1 year ago

    Dallas expects to win a championship. That's what they shoot for. Have they looked anywhere close to a championship team this year?

    For how Denver plays, and for what they're expected to be (a #7 or #8 seed), they've impressed me. They look like they can upset a team in a playoff series. Kidd changes everything, but I'd pick Denver to win a playoff series against Dallas even if Dallas has home court.

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  11. Erick Blasco about 1 year ago

    The Cavs are tough since their entire team has been injured. Right now, they're a level below where they should be which is just below Detroit and Boston. Smoothing out the injuries with the expectations averages out to a C-.

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  12. Steve Resnick about 1 year ago

    You hit my Magic right on the head! You couldn't be more right about out PG situation. Jameer Nelson and Carlos Arroyo are both backups and Keyon Dooling should be lucky to play in the D-League. Hopefully, before the trade deadline, the Magic can make some trades to get a decent PG and PF and we'll be able to make some noise in the post season.

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  13. Erick Blasco about 1 year ago

    I like Dooling. He plays pressure defense, is always active, and can hit jumpers. He's a quality backup.

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  14. Matt Lee about 1 year ago

    I disagree with the trail blazers ranking. maybe a b. and the pistons and suns should both be a's.

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    • Erick Blasco about 1 year ago

      Why? Did you believe the Blazers would be where they are now before the start of the season? I had them pegged for around 25-30 wins.

      The Pistons are right about where they should be and have played very well. Considering their talent, they haven't been dominating the competition they way they could. Still, a B+ is a solid grade.

      The Suns were mediocre throughout the first half. That was evidenced by their record against elite Western Conference teams. The way they've played since the all-star break will drop their grade into the "D" range.

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