NBA First Quarter Progress Report: Eastern Conference

Pleasure Having In class: Boston Celtics

The Big 3 are still putting up great numbers. But the real story here is the attention being paid to this team’s youth. Powe, Big Baby, Allen (of the Tony variety) and Perkins have all seen increased minutes. And as Garnett, Pierce and Allen (of the Ray Variety) continue to age, I can’t help but think that Rivers is making all the right decisions on this one. I didn’t think it was possible, but the Celtics may in fact be better than they were last season.


Enthusiastic and Eager To Learn: Cleveland Cavaliers

I will give credit where credit is due. Mo Williams is a significantly better compliment to LeBron than I thought he would be. The most important thing about Williams is that he is the first teammate LeBron has ever had that commands defense (don’t anyone dare comment on Larry Hughes).

With the fun stuff said however, this team still has work to do. I am not impressed by their winning streak because they beat every bad team that the NBA could put on their schedule. You can however learn about your team through a series of victories like that. And Cavs fans should be confident in the nucleus of that team; but the supporting players must step up for a serious playoff run.


Shows Promise In The Classroom: Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are without a doubt the fastest rising team in the East. And for the first time that I can remember, their management deserves a ton of credit. Shelden Williams didn’t pan out, so they grab Harford. Joe Johnson will be more effective at the 2, so they grab Bibby. Their best bench player goes to Europe, so they grab Flip Murray and Maurice Evans.

This team has incredible upside, especially when you consider how young they are. More importantly, this team has the length and athleticism to play incredible defense. You have to play both sides of the court to win a ring, and the Hawks show a ton of potential.


Needs Encouragement: Detroit Pistons

I have a tremendous feeling that by the all-star break, they will have improved to the “Shows Promise in the Classroom” category. But for now, they just need some good coaching.

Putting Iverson into this offense was like putting the triangle into the circle hole in that playschool toy you all used to have. But here’s the good news, as soon as they find the circle to put in, the pistons offense will be thoroughly unstoppable. Iverson penetrates and kicks better than anyone not named Magic Johnson. The style of ball he plays is so much different that that of Billups, that it is just going to take more getting used to. But with the way that Rip and Prince run around to get themselves open, all that the Pistons really need is time and a little coaching. Trust me when I say that they will find their way back up to No. 2 or No. 3 by season’s end.


Needs Improvement: Philadelphia 76ers

Let’s face it. Mo Cheeks was fired because he couldn’t figure out how to fit Sir Elton Brand into this system. I consider it karma for the way Brand shafted Davis and the LA Clippers.

But even if it wasn’t, this team has entirely too much talent to be losing. I have a feeling that they may regret letting go of a great shooter like Kyle Korver, because what this team really needs is a reliable shooter and not just freak athletes.

Being at .500 will more than likely get you into the playoffs. For the Sixers to get there, they need to figure out how to incorporate smart basketball into an offense frequently compensated by dominant athletes.


Needs Divine Intervention: Charlotte Bobcats

As a lifelong Knicks fan, I can call a duck when I see one.

The real problem with the Bobcats doesn’t stem from Larry Brown or Michael Jordan. It comes from ownership. The Bobcats are run by people who don’t know anything about basketball.

As an organization, the Bobcats just look awful. It should not take this long to field a semi competitive team. The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t even have this much trouble landing talent, and they spent their early years in Vancouver.


Other Students worth mentioning:

Do not fear Magic fans. Your team is very good. They just didn’t fit into any of the conventional progress report categories. The Magic have great shooters and great interior play. They are also capable of playing defense. So, most of the formula is already filled out here.

My only complaint about this team is their lack of depth. Year after year, teams are relying more and more on their bench play, and the Magic bench is not giving them enough points. I would not be surprised to see the trigger pulled on a trade before season’s end.

The Heat and Bulls have similar stories: a few standout players, but not enough good players surrounding them. I expect both of these teams to fizzle out, and I can’t see either of them making the playoffs.

Somehow, the Knicks are still standing after getting rid of their two main scorers. And it really makes D’Antoni look like Socrates. Al Harrington has been nothing short of a perfect fit, and Chris Duhon is on the short list of Most Improved Player candidates thus far. If they play .500 basketball from here on out, they may find their way into the playoffs; and that will be one hell of an accomplishment for this team.

Last but not least, the Nets hit the jackpot on Devin Harris. And he will more than likely lead this team into the playoffs. They have enough young talent to get them there, and Vince Carter is actually playing some inspired basketball, this team has a nice little bit of potential.

Western Conference Tomorrow. Love you all to pieces.