The first half of the NBA is coming to a close, as the 2008 All-Star game approaches on February 17.
We've seen some surprises, like the resurgence of a young Portland Trail Blazers team, the consistent play of the New Orleans Hornets, and the disaster that is the Miami Heat.
But what can we expect to see in the second half of the season?
1. The Utah Jazz will win the Northwest Division easily.
Jerry Sloan's team has already won six in a row and is peaking at the right time. The Nuggets have been inconsistent and have failed to play solid defense in back-to-back games at any point this season.
Portland had a remarkable run earlier, but the adrenaline seems to be waning a bit for this young team. They may still sneak into the playoffs, but Utah's core of Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams, and Andrei Kirilenko will be too much to handle at the end. Experience will win out, and the Jazz have found their stride.
2. The Nuggets or Warriors will be the odd team out in the Western Conference.
It pains me to say this as a Denver fan, but the Nuggets have been too inconsistent for me to think that they're ready to compete in the postseason. With several players injured and a lack of cohesion on the starting line, George Karl has few options if the team doesn't make a move by the trade deadline.
The run-and-gun style of play may be exciting, but in the West, if you don't play solid defense, you're not going to win a lot of games.
The same goes for the Warriors. You can only run up and down the court and shoot so many 3s until it catches up with you. I love watching both teams play, but this style of basketball is not fit for the playoffs. Both Denver and Golden State find themselves just 1 game ahead of Portland, and two ahead of Houston for the final playoff spot. Don't be surprised if one of them falls out of the top eight by season's end.
3. The Detroit Pistons will win the East.
Detroit is riding a six-game winning streak and, as of late, has been the most consistent team in the conference.
Boston charged out of the gates early, but after blowing teams out for the first 15 games, they have lost eight and won several nail-biters. The injury bug is slowly catching up with the Celtics and they seem to have lost a step or two.
The Pistons have played together with this same core for over 4 years and know what it takes to win. Add to that, the Celts still have two Western road trips where they have to travel to Denver, Golden State, Phoenix, and Portland in one trip, and San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and New Orleans in the other.
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10 months ago
Not quite ready to say that Utah will win the Northwest Division. They lead it now--but your Nuggets could get hot, and even Portland has a chance although I don't think they will make the playoffs.
10 months ago
You can't be considered a Nuggets fan anymore giving up and not believing they will pull through. Turn in yo badge you no longer a Denver Nuggets fan. Hold yo head down in shame.
10 months ago
sounds pretty solid to me. I can't stand Houston but I don't see them being left out of the playoffs. Love the Blazers but looking at it objectively, if you take away their 13 game win streak, for the rest of the season they are 8 games under .500 so they won't make it in. Dallas is trying to wreck their team by bringing in playoff poison Kidd...if they can avoid that error, they have a decent shot to get back to the Finals.
There is one dark horse team you did not mention. It is the last thing I want to see happen, but if the Lakers keep their heads above water while Bynum is out, I can see him coming back with fresh legs and just dominating. With Odom, Bynum and Bryant I could see the Lakers sneaking in. It is not a high percentage call but if things break right that could happen. Let's all hope it doesn't.
10 months ago
It's easy to say the Lakers now that they added Gasol, the Pistons have a very easy schedule down the stretch, while Boston has big road trips against the West, at least two teams in the East will make the playoffs under 500. All said and done very well written. You have Houston and GS/Portland getting in over Denver and GS/Portland loser right?
10 months ago
I got Houston and either Denver/GS. One of the two will make it. I think Portland's 1 year away, but they're a great story. Thanks for the props. And yeah, now that the Lakers have Gasol, of course it all changes.
10 months ago
dallas over detroit in 6 --ppplease,dallas lost in the first round to a eight seed and choked in the finals with a 2-0 lead,clearly they don't have what it takes.detroit lost to cleveland when they had the series won and we all know what happen to cleveland in the finals,even though san antonio is having a bad first half they will get it together,history has proven that---san antonio and boston in the finals with S.A. winning 4-3
10 months ago
i know, i said disregarding history. just from what we've seen in the first 40+ games, as I clearly stated. i realize the spurs do it every year, and i love it, but from the first half, they don't look like champions
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