While I’ve grown to become somewhat reliant on statistics, it’s nice to just kick back, relax and write about what we see on the tube from a fan’s perspective (in other words, I’m game to write about the basketball games I’ve seen on tv, but is just too lazy to do added research and will leave that to the experts). That being said, here are a couple of things we’ve learned so far about the league that we all love:
Spurs up!The San Antonio silver and blacks are back atop the NBA with a nice 13-2 slate thanks in large part to a number of key offensive adjustments. 1) Manu Ginobli is starting and playing five more minutes per game, more than making up for Tim Duncan’s diminished production 2) Richard Jefferson has finally learned how to play the “Bruce Bowen” role, sinking in corner 3s while doing his own thing on the break 3) Matt Barnes is shooting an insane clip from downtown and 4) everyone’s HEALTHY.
Blake Griffin IS better than Dwight Howard
In case all you’ve seen of the Clippers’ prized rookie are the highlight, Youtube worthy dunks, take time to really dissect his style of play. He can play with his back to the basket, rebounds has acceptable handles for a big and plays adequate defense. Granted, his team is at the bottom of the standings, but that’s what you get when your team is waiting for its’ once franchise point guard (Baron Davis) to get in shape. Think Amare Stoudemire’s offensive game (minus the jumpshot) with Dwight Howard’s strength but with Charles Barkley’s tenacity.
King Dwyane, Queen James and court jester Chris
If they ever get their acts together, this is still a championship-caliber squad with an orchestrator (James), a solid role player (Bosh) and a closer (Wade). So what’s a little drama here and there? Like it or not, Miami’s less than stellar win-loss record is more of a reflection of LeBron James’ transition than anything else. He’s being asked to shoot less (or shoot more but provided that it’s in the paint), pass more (in this case, making the extra pass and not the “assist” pass) and learn to play solid defense. He has frowned on playing heavy minutes and playing “point guard” full time, but if Erik Spoelstra can lead him to the right direction, then James could and probably would be on his way to another MVP-worthy run. As for Dwyane Wade, the player I admire no longer looks like the “Jordan-esque” Wade of old. If anything, the guy is clearly deferring to James and is content in riding his spotlight (which is ironic considering Wade made his switch from Converse to Jordan to help build his “brand”—so how can he if he’s clinging on someone else?).
Lakers’ slump
Kobe’s doing it again. He’s out to prove that he’s the best, and in doing so, derailing what was once a fluid offensive game plan for the Los Angeles Lakers (give the ball to Gasol, play in-out basketball). It’s not enough to convince me that this team won’t be in the Finals yet again (unless the Spurs remain healthy all season long which remains to be seen), but it is enough to maybe, just maybe, say that Kobe is no longer the Lakers’ best player—given the rule changes, opponents and circumstances. Think about it. If you took Kobe out of this team, the Lakers would still win based on the composition of the team alone (solid on all positions). If you took Pau Gasol out, then the Lakers would be in the same boat as maybe, Denver and Oklahoma (solid PG, scorer, no inside presence).
Detroit’s dilemma
On some nights, the Pistons have arguably the best offensive line-up in the NBA with known scorers Charlie Villanueva, Ben Gordon, Rip Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey and even the ghost of Tracy McGrady at their disposal. On others, they look just as lost as having a natural shooting guard masquerading as a point guard (which would work if they surrounded him—Stuckey, with role players, not scorers). personally, I believe that this team is a young, solid point guard and a championship diva-less (Rip Hamilton) away from where they want to be.