NBA at the Break: Midterm Grades

The Wolves play hard all the time and have evolved to a level where they can knock off any team at home that doesn’t take them seriously. Randy Wittman has made a player out of Sebastian Telfair and Al Jefferson is the goods. The team needs a go-to wing scorer but the future is definitely bright in the Twin Cities.

New Jersey Nets: D+

With Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, and Vince Carter as talented as they are, and with the playoff pedigree Kidd and Jefferson bring to the table, the fact that the Nets are seven games below .500 is a disappointment. The team has lacked an edge the entire season and has begun their rebuilding process about 6 months too late. Kidd is on the way out and it’s past time for Carter to join him.

New Orleans Hornets: A+

They showed signs as early as last year, but David West and Chris Paul have developed into stars. Byron Scott and Doc Rivers will fight it out for coach-of-the-year.

New York Knicks: F

The Knicks are still the league’s laughingstock. From Stephon Marbury’s poisonous personality, to Isiah Thomas’ hypocritical and delusional statements (the Knicks can compete for a championship, ha!), the Knicks are the definition of fail.

Orlando Magic: A-

Hedo Turkoglu is playing with supreme confidence, Rashard Lewis provides the Magic with supreme spacing, and Dwight Howard is the league’s supreme young center. If only the team had a supreme point guard and played supreme defense, they would be able to do some supreme things in the postseason.

Philadelphia 76ers: B

Andre Miller always puts the Sixers in the best position to succeed. Considering their offensively putrid front court, and all the youngsters inhabiting the roster, that the Sixers are within reach of the postseason is mighty impressive.


Phoenix Suns: C-

With Shawn Marion grumbling, the Suns had lost their edge. Instead of overwhelming overmatched opponents, the team had relaxed and regressed to the point where the rest of the West had caught up to them. With Shaq on board, can the Suns succeed while radically altering their style of play, and their half court sets?

 

Portland Trail Blazers: A+

The rest of the NBA has caught up with them, but the Blazers play hard, smart, and disciplined. Brandon Roy is a superstar and Greg Oden’s return next season will only make the team that much more formidable. LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw need to get tougher, but the future of the Blazers is bright. They’ll make the playoffs next year, and will be legit contenders the year after.

Sacramento Kings: B

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