NBA at the Break: Midterm Grades

Considering how mismatched their roster is, that the Kings are shouting distance of .500 is impressive. Kevin Martin is a star who can be built around, now it’s up to management to trade Brad Miller and Ron Artest for more pieces of the future.


San Antonio Spurs: C-

Is it a question of the Spurs saving their energy for the postseason, or have age and injuries taken their toll? Either way, the Spurs haven’t come close to playing championship-caliber basketball since 2007 came and went. Their rotations are confused, Tim Duncan’s trademarked bank shots are coming up empty, and the team hasn’t gotten any intangibles from Robert Horry, Fabricio Oberto, Matt Bonner, and Francisco Elson. If the Spurs don’t start peaking by the end of March, this may be yet another year the Spurs can’t repeat.


Seattle Supersonics: D+

The Sonics have too many duplicates on their roster that need to be let go. One of their point guards, Damien Wilkins, one of their power forwards, and one of their project big men need to be purged. And while the sky is the limit for Kevin Durant, his frailty is such an overwhelming obstacle to just how good he can be. Have the Sonics put themselves in a better position for next year? Doubtful.

Toronto Raptors: C+

The Raptors are right about where they should be. Since they’re soft, they’ll lose to any physical team they play. Since they’re unselfish, they’ll beat any poor defensive team they play. Since they’re strictly a jump shooting team, they’ll lose to any team better than them, beat any team worse than them, and they’ll split with teams on their level based on whether their jumpers are falling or not. Adjust the curve for being in the Eastern Conference, and you have a team hovering five games over .500.

Utah Jazz: C+

Kyle Korver’s sweet shooting masks the team’s desperate need for another creative shooter. A more athletic big is also imperative. The Jazz are fine at home, but their flaws are exposed in their unsightly 12-16 road record.

Washington Wizards: B-

They overachieved with Arenas out, but injuries and the NBA have figured out that the team lacks muscle inside, that depth is a huge concern, and that the team is purely a jump shooting team. Caron Butler is the only next level player on the roster.

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