http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6381724The A teamsThus far, the two best teams are easy to identify: The Mavericks and the Suns.While Dallas currently has the best record, there are several questions concerning the team's ability to perform on a championship level. To whit, a common thread that runs through the respective careers of Jason Terry, Devin Harris, Josh Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki a penchant for choking in the clutch of truly critical games.Yes, the Mavs defense is somewhat improved. And, yes, their offensive fire-power is awesome. But denial is ignorance, and unless Avery Johnson can somehow impart some of his own personal courage to these four key players, then the Mavs are doomed to suffer another frustrating off-season.The Suns' offense is even more dynamic than the Mavs, and, in Steve Nash, they are blessed with one of the league's most dependable end-game performers. Since Nash is the heart, brain and lungs of this team, any debilitating injury to him will reduce Phoenix to mere also-rans. That's why Mike D'Antoni must limit Nash's playing time.And while the Suns up-tempo style is perfectly suited for success in the regular season, the farther they advance into the playoffs the more their helter-skelter game plan becomes vitiated. That's exactly what happened last year, and there's little reason to believe the pattern won't be repeated.Other vital concerns are the Suns defensive deficiencies, and the continued soundness of Amare Stoudemire's surgically repaired knee.The B-plus teamsDon't underestimate the Spurs. For sure, too many of their players are showing their age, but because there are no back-to-back games in the playoffs, and because the traveling is much reduced, veteran teams tend to peak in the postseason. Besides, the Spurs know how to win.Once Lamar Odom returns to action, the Lakers will enter the money season on a roll. Give the credit for the team's surprising success to Phil Jackson, and also to Kobe Bryant for (finally!) becoming the type of leader whom other players are willing to follow.With a well-rested Shaq back in the saddle, Miami's biggest concern is the state of Jason Williams' wheels. Minus that extra zip that Williams provides, the Heat have to work too hard to find good shots. Other concerns: Does Antoine Walker have enough left to help the team in the home-stretch? Ditto for Gary Payton and James Posey.Know this: Should Pat Riley return to the bench, then he has become convinced that the Heat are ready to defend their title.The B teamsThe Jazz would be rated higher if they had a formidable shooting guard and a deeper bench.If Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming ever get to play together, then the Rockets will be the one low-seeded team that nobody will want to face. With an abundance of both inside and outside scoring, and with Jeff Van Gundy's habitual emphasis on defense, Houston's most significant flaw will be the poor judgment routinely exhibited by Rafer Alston.Detroit will be temporarily juiced by the addition of Chris Webber, but Rasheed is still MIA, and C-Webb has never been known to raise his game in the playoffs. The shift in emphasis from defense to offense has removed the Pistons from the pole position.The B-minus teamsThe Cavaliers lean too heavily on LeBron James, and that's likely to catch up with them in the playoffs. (Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images)Cleveland is handicapped by Eric Snow's decrepitude, by Ziggy-Ilg's softness, by Larry Hughes' inconsistency, by Damon Jones' atrocious defense, by Donyell Marshall's increasing ineffectiveness, and by their total reliance on LeBron James. One-man bands simply don't make enough good music in May and June.The Bulls can't score, have no inside presence, don't play well on the road, and depend too much on perimeter shooting. Seventy percent defense and 30 percent offense isn't an equation that solves enough postseason problems.The Wizards have the opposite problem. Good hit, no field. Still, given the disarmed state of the competition in the Eastern Conference, Washington could conceivably shoot its way into the conference finals.The C-plus teamsToo bad Orlando lacks a real point guard, a young Grant Hill, an attentive Darko Milicic, and a more athletic small-forward than Hedo Turkoglu. Also, Dwight Howard hasn't yet developed into the kind of inside force the Magic will require for them to be a bona fide championship contender. Give the young man a couple of seasons to refine his offense and improve the choices he makes on defense and he'll be an authentic franchise player.The C teamsWe're talking average here.Like the Nets without Nenad Krstic and with Vince Carter, One-Third-Human, One-Third-Amazing, One-Third-Choker. Only Jason Kidd's incredible competitiveness gives the Nets a chance.Like Toronto, which is a marked improvement over their sad-sack rating in recent years.Like the Pacers, who need a full season (and a new point guard) to fully retool their game plan and move up the scale.Like Minnesota, who will someday have to admit that while Kevin Garnett is a superstar, his lightweight game is also part of the team's problem. Indeed, it's only KG's presence that lifts the one-dimensional games of Mike James and Ricky Davis into solid mediocrity.Once the honeymoon is over in Denver, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson will have a stormy relationship. With no muscle in the middle, and with a muscle-head on the bench, the Nuggets remain nothing more than fool's gold.Nellie's teams are always entertaining, and the Warriors are no exception. But the name of the game is competition, and Nellie Ball is too gimmicky and too defenseless to last long in the hard glare of the playoffs.Blame the Clippers collapse on the mileage on Sam Cassell's legs, Chris Kaman's penchant for bouncing the ball in tight quarters, the unrealistic expectations projected on Shaun Livingston, as well as the full blossoming of Mike Dunleavy's characteristic paranoia.The C-minus teamsForget about all the crippling injuries, the Bucks are in dire need of a playmaking guard and some more toughness. It wouldn't hurt if Andrew Bogut could play as well against the elite teams as he does against the NBA's chumps.The Knicks are actually moving in the right direction. Defense remains a problem, as are shot selection and turnovers (when, if ever, will Eddy Curry learn to be comfortable when he's two-timed?). Look for Zeke to pass Jim Dolan's test, remain employed, and lead the Knicks into the playoffs next season.The D-plus teamsThe Trail Blazers are in good hands. Nate McMillian has apparently domesticated Zach Randolph. LaMarcus Aldridge is for real. As are Travis Outlaw (eventually, that is), and Juan Dixon. Too bad Brandon Roy and Martell Webster are flops, Jarrett Jack is really a backup, and Darius Miles will be (at least physically) healthy next season. The center position also needs work. Joel Przybilla is overpaid and overweight, and Jamaal Magloire is overrated (but only by himself). As it is, the Blazers are further along in their development than they were at this point last season.Like many other teams, injuries have blighted Seattle's season. With the return of Rashard Lewis, and with the addition of a legitimate center, the Sonics have a good chance to become a tolerable ball club that can occasionally surprise semi-elite teams at home.The down-and-dirty truth is that the return to action of both Peja Stojakovic and David West will only return the Hornets to mediocrity. Actually, what they miss most is Bobby Jackson's maturity and steadiness in the clutch. And where's the power on this team? How far can they go with the likes of Tyson Chandler and Marc Jackson as their operative bigs? However, with Chris Paul as their motor, the Hornets can travel far if they make the right personnel moves in the off-season.Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia represent the future of the Kings. Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, and Corliss Williamson represent the past. Ron Artest represents a descent into utter selfishness and marginal madness. Time to back up the truck.The D teamsThe Celtics are headed nowhere fast. The roster is filled with young players who have considerable up-sides. But Tony Allen is an airhead. Al Jefferson is a slow learner. Sebastian Telfair needs to play on a race-horse team. Delonte West is fragile and doesn't have a real position. Ryan Gomes is a tweener. At one end of the scale, Kendrick Perkins is a bust. At the other end is Gerald Green, who could easily blossom into an explosive scorer. Where does Paul Pierce fit? He's just another mismatched piece on this ill-conceived roster.The Bobcats have made huge strides since their inception three years ago. In Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton, Matt Carroll, Gerald Wallace and Sean May, Charlotte has the core of a semi-respectable team. They need a center, and they need Adam Morrison to get tougher and to play some defense (any defense will do!). Above all, they need to convince Bernie Bickerstaff to return as the leader, healer and nurturer of these youngsters.Atlanta is no longer the laughing stock of the NBA. Sure, they made a mistake in signing Speedy Claxton, and Marvin Williams looks like a career underachiever. But Zaza Pachulia is on the bench where he belongs, while Josh Smith and Sheldon Williams are legit. How can anybody think it advisable to fire Mike Woodson?The D-minus teamPhiladelphia has mortgaged today for tomorrow, a wise and courageous move. Andre Iguodala and Willie Green have promising futures. Andre Miller is a steady hand at the helm. Kyle Korver has expanded his game sans A.I. Everything depends on what Billy King does with his array of draft choices.The F squadThe Grizzlies new run-and-gun prescription is nothing more than a sugar pill. The only real-live players are Pau Gasol (who actually should be moved for the right return), Mike Miller, Dahntay Jones, and Hakim Warrick. Perhaps Jerry West isn't such a genius after all.
Everyone looks at West as a genius because he traded for Kobe (everyone looks at him as a god for one move) he destroyed a dynasty that Billy Knight built and he is an overrated piece of sh*t
Yeah, they can take that B- and stick it up there ass.They don't understand Hughes is not 100%. They don't understand that our PG avg like 2 PPG, they don't understand we got 3 bench players that get paid to where suits and do nothing to help the team.I know I didn't want a A for the Cavs, or a A-, or w/e. But they can take there grade and stick it!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Trail Blazers are in good hands. Nate McMillian has apparently domesticated Zach Randolph. LaMarcus Aldridge is for real. As are Travis Outlaw (eventually, that is), and Juan Dixon. Too bad Brandon Roy and Martell Webster are flops, Jarrett Jack is really a backup, and Darius Miles will be (at least physically) healthy next season. The center position also needs work. Joel Przybilla is overpaid and overweight, and Jamaal Magloire is overrated (but only by himself). As it is, the Blazers are further along in their development than they were at this point last season.</div>Brandon Roy a flop?!?!?!?! umm no. Joel isnt overpaid, hes just going through a slump. Darius Miles will always suck in my opinion
this is a terrible article. I mean there are just so many mistakes its ridiculous so Ill just talk about my team the c's. I love how they say perk is bust, at what is it......19 yrs old? good call there, along with saying delonte is fragile when in reality hes probably the toughest guy on our roster and only misses time when he is in SEVERE pain. Big al and allen take shots for nothing that this writer knows about. Im sure he talks with these players and determines that tony is an airhead and big al is a slow learner. Big al is dedicated to being a great player, there have been articles about this recently. This whole thing is bogus, they even said brandon roy was a flop when hes the best rookie this season....I have no idea who this guy thinks he is.
West is a genius..he knows how to build a team...one team has one bad season and everybody wants to jump on his ass.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Delonte4Prez @ Jan 18 2007, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>this is a terrible article. I mean there are just so many mistakes its ridiculous so Ill just talk about my team the c's. I love how they say perk is bust, at what is it......19 yrs old? good call there, along with saying delonte is fragile when in reality hes probably the toughest guy on our roster and only misses time when he is in SEVERE pain. Big al and allen take shots for nothing that this writer knows about. Im sure he talks with these players and determines that tony is an airhead and big al is a slow learner. Big al is dedicated to being a great player, there have been articles about this recently. This whole thing is bogus, they even said brandon roy was a flop when hes the best rookie this season....I have no idea who this guy thinks he is.</div>agreed
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>This whole thing is bogus, they even said brandon roy was a flop when hes the best rookie this season....I have no idea who this guy thinks he is.</div>Yeah I have no idea what Roy Fox Sports is watching, because it sure isn't the same Roy we are watching. Roy is the best rookie in the NBA.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Memphis Fan @ Jan 19 2007, 12:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>West is a genius..he knows how to build a team...one team has one bad season and everybody wants to jump on his ass.</div>you don't understand.....he didn't BUILD the Memphis GRIZZLIES Billy Knight got Pau Gasol, Billy Knight got Shane Battier, who West traded for an unproven rookie and the dumbest player in the NBA. All Jerry West did for us was pass on Carlos Boozer for Robert Archibald, traded our second pick in the 03 draft when we had a chance at melo, and pick an nbdl player and a high school player who hasn't done much, not only that he traded J-Will, Posey, and Andre Barrett (I think thats his name) for an old hag in Eddie Jones. If we kept those three we wouldn't BE so BAD so I think Jerry West is one of the sole reasons the Grizzlies suck right now
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MVPBaller @ Jan 18 2007, 11:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6381724The C-plus teamsToo bad Orlando lacks a real point guard, a young Grant Hill, an attentive Darko Milicic, and a more athletic small-forward than Hedo Turkoglu. Also, Dwight Howard hasn't yet developed into the kind of inside force the Magic will require for them to be a bona fide championship contender. Give the young man a couple of seasons to refine his offense and improve the choices he makes on defense and he'll be an authentic franchise player.</div>I think this cat is a blooming idiot, who has probably never played basketball before in his life. Reading through, I don't think he as allowed to say anything good about any of the teams but the Heat. He had something negative to say about every team on there.As for the Magic right up, I don't believe he has watched any games of theirs. Just because Jameer Nelson does not hold the ball as much as Steve Nash or some of those other point guards in the league does not mean he is not a real point guard. He sets up the offense, gets everyone in position, is a team leader along with Grant Hill, Tony Battie, and Bo Outlaw from the bench. He paces the team perfectly, does all the things that a point guard is supposed to do. He is not going to be the rack up assists, hold the ball forever type point guard, he's not asked to be. He's asked to be the point guard that gets the ball down court, and then gets the ball moving so it doesn't stay in one spot for to long.Hedo Turkoglu is out there for his offense, and he is athletic enough. At 6'10 he is able to do alot of things that cause problems for the other team. Furthermore, we do have athletic wing men on the bench in Ariza and Bogans. Ariza was getting alot of playing time this year, and was VERY athletic. Darko Milicic is not having a problem with attentiveness. He is more than trying when he steps on the court, and paying than enough attention to what he is doing. His problem is his nerves, and trying to rush things on the offensive end. He pulls off some nice moves down low, with nice footwork, but then rushes the shot midway through his move. If he slows down just a bit when he does his moves, and doesn't push up the ball so quickly he will make alot more baskets per game. There is nothing wrong with how he is paying attention.Onto Dwight not being the type of inside force that wins championships, and to improve his defensive decision making, I think that is pretty stupid. He is a very good defensive player and makes the right choice on defense alot. Sure his offensive game isn't as refined as it could be yet, but his defense and rebounding are amazing, and his power game down low is a handful for any defender. I think Howard would be more than capable of being the center piece to a championship team at this stage in his career already.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (valo35 @ Jan 19 2007, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think this cat is a blooming idiot, who has probably never played basketball before in his life. Reading through, I don't think he as allowed to say anything good about any of the teams but the Heat. He had something negative to say about every team on there.</div> Charlie Rosen played college basketball, coached in the CBA and has written a couple books with Phil Jackson. I generally like Rosen but sometimes I think he just says things to get a reaction...the guy watches a lot of basketball.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ Jan 19 2007, 08:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Charlie Rosen played college basketball, coached in the CBA and has written a couple books with Phil Jackson. I generally like Rosen but sometimes I think he just says things to get a reaction...the guy watches a lot of basketball.</div>He apparently changes the channel when the Magic come on TV. The only credible thing I heard him say in there was that the Magic lack a young Grant Hill. Other than that, he missed on every other point he tried to make. He also apparently does not like rookies. He did not say one good thing about any rookie on there. Called Brandon Roy a flop, why is that because he has been injured a bit this year?
LOL we are headed nowhere? Al Jefferson is a slow learner??? Last time I checked, he was averaging a double-double and improving a great deal in every aspect of his game. Tony Allen is only an airhead because he hurt himself on the fall... even if he missed the dunk and did NOT get hurt, nobody in the world would say anything about it. Gomes is a tweener? Try PF. Perk is a bust? LOL he was a late first round pick out of high school that is now starting on an NBA team. Man, what a loser. Also note that he has plantar fasciitis.This guy is an idiot.
I really like Charley Rosen. How many writers ever point the negative or make an original comment? I always disagree with Rosen on things but I can look past it. He's more entertaining and original than most NBA writers...Go read any other mid-season grades article and you get a whole bunch of boring crap telling you everything you already know. He's obviously watched Brandon Roy and doesn't like him for some reason. I don't agree with him being a bust. He just won't hate on the guy for no reason, and obviously knows he's been hurt a little bit. Hell, he called LaMarcus Aldridge 'the real deal'...Praised the Bobcats talent, praised Gerald Green and many other players... Just remember, you guys don't know everything...either does Charley Rosen...but I trust his analysis considering he's worked in the league for a long time, knows lots of head coaches personally and knows many of the players. Charley always rips on George Karl and Don Nelson...because he knows those guys well...how many guys have the balls to openly rip those two...Thats why I like Charley, sure he says some dumb sh*t sometimes...get over it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Yes, the Mavs defense is somewhat improved. And, yes, their offensive fire-power is awesome. But denial is ignorance, and unless Avery Johnson can somehow impart some of his own personal courage to these four key players, then the Mavs are doomed to suffer another frustrating off-season</div>lol This guy is an idiot.
yeah he made it sound like every team is either horrible, has a bad future, or wont make it far in the playoffs. hes a third rate sports writer who bashes people to get noticed
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>One-Third-Human, One-Third-Amazing, One-Third-Choker</div>Beautiful!
Yeah, Rosen is like that guy at the end of the bar whose always talking sh*t, you just don't really know what's right, wrong and just what to believe.And, Jerry West is a genius. Getting Kobe and Shaq werent the only things he did. He was a crutial part to Showtimes success and helped the Laker Franchise to winning 8 NBA Championships in the last 27 years.
