Post by Larry Bird on Feb 15, 2014 14:54:25 GMT
Denver – 5-0
San Antonio 118-81, Lakers 117-64, Portland 104-96, Lakers 91-82, Sacramento 99-88
The Nuggets have a great young team, that could probably beat an All-Star teams starting lineup. Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Paul George, Carl Landry, and Brook Lopez. This team reminds me of the Thunder from a few years back with George, Harden, and Irving. So far Harden and George have been getting it done for this team in scoring. Lopez had a couple of big point nights. Surprisingly though off the bench is Luke Ridnour who has scored in double figures in almost all of their games. The scary thing is, along with their stellar offensive play they are holding teams to only 82 ppg.
Golden State – 5-0
Atlanta 102-75, Utah 128-99, New York 104-99, Milwaukee 98-96, Chicago 120-102
Upgrade version of Howard’s days in Orlando. Howard has joined with the Splash Brothers to create a winning combination. There are scorers everywhere you look up and down the lineup. Curry, Thompson, Howard, Jones, Crawford, and the surprising rookie sensation Michael Carter-Williams. They need another slot in the lineup because Carter Williams is playing too well to be sitting on the bench. Scoring is not the only thing coming from the Golden State, they have defense covered with their inside presence of Howard and Asik. Glue guy and outstanding defender Iguodala routinely slows down the star wing on the other team so that the Splash Brothers can do what they do.
Detroit – 4-0
Philly 112-89, Boston 112-90, Toronto 106-103, Sacramento 85-83
The Pistons are playing a solid all-around game. Every game there are numerous players in double figures in scoring. They are led by their two guards Brandon Jennings and Joe Johnson on a nightly basis these guys can go off, and if they do the other team should watch out. They are both capable of putting up points in bunches. Along with the two guards is the inside play of promising young center Greg Monroe. Monroe is the man in the paint, keeping the other team at bay and pulling down rebounds to kick it out on the fast break. The player to keep an eye on this team is Nick Young, with Monroe drawing double teams down low and The J Boys doing their thing he is just waiting in the corner for a 3.
Oklahoma City – 4-0
Clippers 98-96, Minnesota 113-103, Memphis 98-91, Cleveland 124-95
The real Sacramento Kings should learn something from Mr. O’Neal, they have found a true center and plugged him in beside Cousins. Both Cousins and Perkins like to play down low, but they are the yin to the others yang. Cousins has untapped scoring ability, but is slowed on the defensive end. Perkins is a gritty rim defender, but does not have the same skills on the offensive side of the ball. The really work well together. With the paint covered they then turn to their team leader and potential MVP candidate Kevin Durant. Durant is again one of the top scorers in the league. He and Cousins carry the team in points each night. If one of those two guys is not feeling it they can allow their two scorers in the guard slots, Marshon Brooks and Tyreke Evans to pick up the scoring slack. The player that leads their bench play is Aaron Brooks who can come in and run the offense as well as score some points.
San Antonio 118-81, Lakers 117-64, Portland 104-96, Lakers 91-82, Sacramento 99-88
The Nuggets have a great young team, that could probably beat an All-Star teams starting lineup. Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Paul George, Carl Landry, and Brook Lopez. This team reminds me of the Thunder from a few years back with George, Harden, and Irving. So far Harden and George have been getting it done for this team in scoring. Lopez had a couple of big point nights. Surprisingly though off the bench is Luke Ridnour who has scored in double figures in almost all of their games. The scary thing is, along with their stellar offensive play they are holding teams to only 82 ppg.
Golden State – 5-0
Atlanta 102-75, Utah 128-99, New York 104-99, Milwaukee 98-96, Chicago 120-102
Upgrade version of Howard’s days in Orlando. Howard has joined with the Splash Brothers to create a winning combination. There are scorers everywhere you look up and down the lineup. Curry, Thompson, Howard, Jones, Crawford, and the surprising rookie sensation Michael Carter-Williams. They need another slot in the lineup because Carter Williams is playing too well to be sitting on the bench. Scoring is not the only thing coming from the Golden State, they have defense covered with their inside presence of Howard and Asik. Glue guy and outstanding defender Iguodala routinely slows down the star wing on the other team so that the Splash Brothers can do what they do.
Detroit – 4-0
Philly 112-89, Boston 112-90, Toronto 106-103, Sacramento 85-83
The Pistons are playing a solid all-around game. Every game there are numerous players in double figures in scoring. They are led by their two guards Brandon Jennings and Joe Johnson on a nightly basis these guys can go off, and if they do the other team should watch out. They are both capable of putting up points in bunches. Along with the two guards is the inside play of promising young center Greg Monroe. Monroe is the man in the paint, keeping the other team at bay and pulling down rebounds to kick it out on the fast break. The player to keep an eye on this team is Nick Young, with Monroe drawing double teams down low and The J Boys doing their thing he is just waiting in the corner for a 3.
Oklahoma City – 4-0
Clippers 98-96, Minnesota 113-103, Memphis 98-91, Cleveland 124-95
The real Sacramento Kings should learn something from Mr. O’Neal, they have found a true center and plugged him in beside Cousins. Both Cousins and Perkins like to play down low, but they are the yin to the others yang. Cousins has untapped scoring ability, but is slowed on the defensive end. Perkins is a gritty rim defender, but does not have the same skills on the offensive side of the ball. The really work well together. With the paint covered they then turn to their team leader and potential MVP candidate Kevin Durant. Durant is again one of the top scorers in the league. He and Cousins carry the team in points each night. If one of those two guys is not feeling it they can allow their two scorers in the guard slots, Marshon Brooks and Tyreke Evans to pick up the scoring slack. The player that leads their bench play is Aaron Brooks who can come in and run the offense as well as score some points.