NBA Playoffs 2011: Report Cards for Every Team Through the Second Round Thus Far
Although the 2011 NBA Playoffs are just a few weeks old, it's never too early to take a look and evaluate how each team has performed thus far.
Nine teams have already been sent packing for the offseason, leaving just seven teams alive with the opportunity to fulfill their championship aspirations.
Here is a report card for every team through the second round thus far.
Atlanta Hawks: A-
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The Hawks were able to carry the success that they had against the Orlando Magic in the regular season over into the postseason, beating the No. 4 seed Magic in six games.
Atlanta hasn't stopped there, however. It has proved to be a thorn in the side of the Chicago Bulls, splitting the first four games of the best-of-seven series as it heads back to Chicago for a pivotal Game 5.
Derrick Rose has been sensational, but the Hawks have proven why they are the very definition of "team basketball." They currently have six players averaging double figures in points during the postseason, and Josh Smith has shown why many consider him one of the best all-around players in the league (although he still could work on that jumper of his).
It's that balance that has this team two wins away from the Eastern Conference Finals.
Boston Celtics: B-
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The Celtics handled their business in the first round of the playoffs against the Knicks, although they caught a huge break when both Chauncey Billups and Amar'e Stoudemire sustained injuries early on in the series.
The C's narrowly escaped what would have been an embarrassing loss in Game 2 of the series when Carmelo Anthony, without Billups or Stoudemire, put New York on his back and poured in 42 points. Boston was able to pull the game out in the end, though, once again showing that it is the best team in the league at executing in the final two minutes of a game.
The No. 3 seed in the East then moved on to face the Miami Heat, where they have looked a bit more their age through the first four games of the series.
The Celtics were run out of the gym during the first two games in Miami but bounced back nicely on their home court in Game 3 to make it a series again. Unfortunately for Boston, they lost any momentum they may have gained by losing Game 4 last night in Beantown.
Chicago Bulls: B-
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Although the Bulls were able to defeat the Indiana Pacers in five games in the first round of the playoffs, Chicago found itself in an absolute dogfight in each and every game of that series. In fact, Indiana held a lead in each of the first four games of the series, but the Bulls were able to take the lead late in three of those games.
Derrick Rose, recently named the NBA's MVP, has been terrific. He is averaging 29.4 points and 7.6 assists thus far in the postseason and is the main reason why the Bulls have a chance at making a run to the Finals.
However, where has his help been? Carlos Boozer has basically been a complete non-factor, and the Bulls have looked much better with Taj Gibson on the floor instead of Boozer. Besides Rose, the rest of the roster has been plagued by inconsistency, and they should consider themselves fortunate to be tied 2-2 with Atlanta right now.
Dallas Mavericks: A-
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The Mavericks defeated a pesky Portland Trail Blazers squad in the first round of the playoffs in six games and then moved on to sweep the Los Angeles Lakers, denying them a chance at a third consecutive championship.
Against the Lakers, the No. 2 seed in the West, it seemed like Dallas couldn't miss. It shot the ball extremely well all series, especially from downtown. In Game 4, the Mavericks shot an absurd 62.5 percent from distance, totaling 20 three-pointers made.
Dirk Nowitzki has played like the All-Star he is, and the Dallas bench has performed extraordinarily well. This team is scorching hot.
Denver Nuggets: C-
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The Nuggets were one of the hottest teams towards the end of the regular season and were an exciting team to watch with all of the new pieces they acquired from the New York Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony trade.
Unfortunately for them, that success did not carry over to the postseason, where they were beaten in five games by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets put up a good fight, but ultimately the Thunder were just quicker, stronger and had the two best players on the court in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
With so many free agents on the roster, it promises to be a very busy offseason in Denver.
Indiana Pacers: B+
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Even though Indiana lost its first-round series to the Bulls in five games, the Pacers were still one of the toughest, if not the toughest, outs of the first round.
The Pacers weren't bullied by the East's top seed, and they were more than willing to match the physicality of their division rivals. They held a lead in the fourth quarter in each of the first four games of the series but ultimately were only able to grab one win.
Still, it was an impressive effort by the Pacers. Danny Granger showed why he continues to be one of the league's most underrated players. The future is bright for the young Pacers.
Los Angeles Lakers: D
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After winning two consecutive NBA championships, the Los Angeles Lakers were due for a downfall.
But it wasn't that they lost; it was the way they lost.
The Lakers were completely manhandled by the Mavericks and were swept away in the second round. Pau Gasol was a complete no-show, and even Kobe Bryant didn't look himself. To make matters worse, the Lakers exited the playoffs showing absolutely no class. Both Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom were ejected in Game 4 against the Mavericks for outrageously dirty plays.
In the first round, the Lakers struggled to put away the New Orleans Hornets, needing six games to eventually win the series.
Memphis Grizzlies: A+
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The Grizzlies have been the "Cinderellas" of the NBA Playoffs thus far.
After defeating the top-seeded Spurs in six games during the first round, they are tied 2-2 with the Thunder heading into Game 5 of the series.
Memphis has a young but talented roster, and it has also shown it has some serious depth. The Grizzlies are a outstanding defensive team and are able to overmatch opponents with their physicality.
Zach Randolph has been an absolute beast for the Grizzlies, averaging 22.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game during the playoffs.
And they are doing all of this without one of their best players, Rudy Gay. Amazing.
Miami Heat: B+
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For all of the criticism bestowed upon the Heat this year, they actually have been very impressive so far this postseason. They look like they are finally coming together, and if they continue to play like they did in the first two games against the Celtics, it's hard to imagine anyone stopping them from winning the championship.
Miami had a slip-up in Game 4 against the 76ers in the first round, blowing a late lead en route to its only loss of the series. Aside from that game, it handled Philadelphia pretty easily and now leads the Celtics 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Heat just look too quick and too athletic for the Celtics to handle.
New Orleans Hornets: B
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Not much was expected of the Hornets entering the playoffs, but they played the Lakers tough and even stole Game 1 in L.A. before succumbing to the Lakers in six games.
Chris Paul showed why, when healthy, he is the best point guard in the league, and it was a step in the right direction for both the franchise and city of New Orleans.
New York Knicks: C+
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Yes, the Knicks were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round. Making their first appearance in the playoffs since 2004, they competed in the first two games before getting blown out in the final two games, both of which were played at Madison Square Garden.
However, given the circumstances, it wasn't a terrible showing for the Knickerbockers.
Chauncey Billups injured his knee towards the end of Game 1 and was unable to return to play in the rest of the series. Amar'e Stoudemire tweaked his back while warming up before Game 2 and was unable to play in the second half of that game. Although he returned to play in the final two games of the series, he clearly wasn't the same.
In Game 2, Carmelo Anthony almost led an epic comeback, playing the entire second half and dropping 42 points for the game. He was surrounded by four role players with limited talent, and he almost beat the accomplished C's by himself.
It wasn't the result New York wanted, but the Knicks gave the city something to be proud of this year. The future is bright in the Big Apple.
Oklahoma City Thunder: B+
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The Thunder sent the Nuggets packing in five games during the first round and looked quite good in doing so. However, the going hasn't been as easy against the Grizzlies thus far in the second round.
The Thunder tied up the series 2-2 after blowing a double-digit lead in Game 3. The young Thunder still need to develop a killer mentality and will struggle to close out series until they do. Even in last night's thriller, the Thunder blew multiple leads late in the game.
Russell Westbrook has become a major question mark as well. Through his first eight playoff games, he was shooting just 39 percent while attempting a whopping 21 shots per game. On Monday night, though, he exploded for 40 points in a triple-overtime victory in Memphis.
Orlando Magic: C-
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You could see this playoff dud coming from a mile away.
When Dwight Howard is the only one who shows up to play on a consistent basis, the Orlando Magic simply can't win. And that's exactly what happened. The Magic lost their first-round series 4-2 to the Atlanta Hawks.
Jameer Nelson was banged up throughout the series but played decently in defeat. The combination of Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas, however, was absolutely brutal in the series. Richardson struggled, Turkoglu couldn't even manage to shoot above 30 percent and Arenas looked like he had no business being on a basketball court.
That midseason trade GM Otis Smith made couldn't have worked out worse, and he should be placed squarely on the hot seat as a result.
Orlando should prepare to bid Dwight Howard adieu.
Philadelphia 76ers: B-
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Head coach Doug Collins did an outstanding job with the young 76ers during the regular season, but it just wasn't meant to be against the Heat in the first round.
Philadelphia managed to grab a game away from the Heat but ultimately fell to Miami in five games. The Sixers have a number of nice young players, however, and should be a force to be reckoned with for a number of years to come.
Portland Trail Blazers: B
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Although the Blazers lost to the Mavericks in six games during the first round, they were part of perhaps the most exciting playoff game to date this year.
In Game 4 of the series, Portland erased a 23-point deficit in the second half and came back to stun the Mavericks, winning 84-82. Brandon Roy, who battled knee trouble throughout the season, scored 24 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter, to lead the comeback.
Ultimately, the Blazers didn't have enough to hang with Dallas. However, that Game 4 performance won't soon be forgotten.
San Antonio Spurs: C-
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Well, it was a fun ride, San Antonio.
The Spurs had an excellent regular season and were able to grab the No. 1 seed in the West. However, they were matched up with the Grizzlies and simply ran into a buzz saw. The Spurs wound up losing the series in six games.
Manu Ginobili was forced to miss Game 1 due to injury but played well upon his return. The rest of the Spurs looked a step slow, and Tim Duncan's days as an elite player seem to be over.
