Here’s where I see things at the season’s mid-point.
Can you believe it? The NBA season is already halfway over. It’s sad if you think about it, but at the same time, that only means we are a few months away from the playoffs. And you can’t forget about the play in games either. So in a way, all of us NBA fans are conflicted about how we feel about how fast the NBA is marching on. Let’s be real, though. Most of us don’t care about the regular season. We want to see some 7-game series come down to the wire.
The Eastern Conference
76ers (24-12): Joel Embiid is one of the front runners to win this year’s MVP. He is averaging 30 points and 11 rebounds per game. His running mate, Ben Simmons, also has elevated his game to another level. These two stars have bought into Doc Rivers’s philosophy, and it is clearly showing in Philadelphia.
Brooklyn Nets (24-13): James Harden was traded just under 2 months ago, and since that time, he has gone on to average 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists. Harden’s ability to create for others is uncanny and has been on full display with the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets’ scary thing is that Durant, Harden, and Irving have only played 7 games together since joining forces. Brooklyn is a real force to be reckoned with.
Milwaukee Bucks (22-14): The same ole story, the Bucks are only built for the regular season and not the playoffs. If the organization wants to contend in the NBA Finals once and for all, they will have to ask Giannis Antetokounmpo to perfect his three-point shot. It’s the only way. He’s shooting the three-ball at a dismal 27.9%, and that’s not going to cut it. In other words, Giannas will have to become a better shooter. If he does that, the floor will open up for his teammates, and the game will be in their favor in the playoffs. But it’s not going to happen overnight.
Boston Celtics (19-17): Youth is the name, and experience will come into play down the stretch. The Boston Celtics have been on a roller coaster ride of a season. Boston’s two bright young stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have been riding in the front of that ride, called the NBA highs and lows. But for the most part, both stars have been playing as they should be. The tandem is averaging close to 50 points per game. They will have to continue doing that if they want to compete for an NBA Championship. Look for the Celtics to make some moves before the NBA trade deadline, which is March 25th.
New York Knicks (19-18): The Garden is alive, well not really, but I mean the Knicks are trying to revitalize it. Which they are on a positive track of doing. New York is heading into the All-Star break sitting right about .500 for the first time since the 2012-2013 season. The Knicks are a very scrappy team that first-time All-Star Julius Randle leads! But let’s not forget about Tom Thibodeau. He has done an excellent job so far, but can he get the Knicks to the playoffs? He just might!
Miami Heat (18-18): Jimmy Butler has been hobbled, and Bam Adebayo hasn’t been himself. Maybe last year’s trip to the Finals was a fluke?
Play-In teams
Charlotte Hornets (17-18): The collection of talent starts with their new star, LeMelo Ball. He has been nothing short of spectacular. The 19-year-old is playing like a seasoned vet. He is averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists a game. His game is only going to get better as this season moves along. Melo isn’t the only player making an impact on the team. Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward have been playing great as well. Both players are ready to lift this team into the playoffs, and their chances are looking pretty good.
Toronto Raptors (17-19): Kyle Lowry wants out, it seems, Kawhi is still gone, Toronto, I mean Tampa.
Chicago Bulls (16-18): Zach Lavine is more than a dunker. He has made that clear this season. So it is no secret he is the engine that keeps the Chicago Bull running.
Indiana Pacers (16-18): Early success for the Pacers has faded away as of late. They find themselves wondering what they need to do to get back on track. It all starts with Damantas Sabonis and Caris Levert.
Outside Looking In
Atlanta Hawks (16-20): A young core is struggling. Can they get it together?
Washington Wizards (14-20): Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook have the Wizards playing better, but is it enough?
Cleveland Cavaliers (14-22): Sexland has a ring to it, but they are far away from one.
Orlando Magic (13-23): There is nothing Magical going on in Orland.
Detroit Pistons (10-26): Blake Griffin is looking for a buyout.
The Western Conference
Utah Jazz (27-9): Are the Jazz a serious threat in the West? I would have to say yes. The pairing of the youthful Donovan Mitchell and the savvy vet Mike Conley Jr is paying dividends. Both are playmakers, both can run the offense, and both can shoot the three-ball at an exceptional rate. Players like Joe Ingles and Bojan Bogdanovic benefit from the two guards because easier shots begin to present themselves. With that being said, Utah is on the uptick.
Phoenix Suns (23-11): The Suns are back! It has been over 10 years since the Phoenix Suns made the playoffs. I think the drought might be over this year when it’s all set and done. And the biggest reason why is Chris Paul. The Suns went out and traded for a guy who changes organizations single-handedly. He instantly changed the Clippers organization, he changed the culture in Oklahoma, and now he is doing the same with the Suns. But we all know if the Suns want to be considered a serious threat, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton’s play will be the deciding factor.
Los Angeles Lakers (24-13): Lebron James is still playing at an extreme clip. He’s averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Even though he’s playing at a high level, he can only do so much. If we look at the last 10 games, they have only won 3. Those have all been without Anthony Davis, who is out with an Achilles injury. This All-Star break is much needed for the boys in L.A.
Los Angeles Clippers (24-14): Kawhi Leonard has been himself, Paul George has been playing well, but this team won’t be judged on how well it does in the regular season. People want to see if they will show up in the playoffs, and this year is their chance.
Portland Trailblazers (20-14): Damian Lillard is quietly having another spectacular year. And yet again, injuries have plagued the Blazers. That’s the thing if they want to get back to the Western Conference finals, the band needs to get back to touring.
Denver Nuggets (21-15): Nikola Jokic is casually putting up 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists a game. He is almost posting a triple-double as a CENTER. Jokic has unlocked his game, and there is no telling what else he has in his bag of tricks. With that being said, Jamal Murray is no slouch. The dynamic duo is special. Denver will be in the mix for a title.
Play-In Teams
San Antonio Spurs (18-14): The surging Spurs are quietly in the mix, and we don’t even know it. DeMar DeRozan will be the Catalyst down the stretch, and so will Dejounte Murray.
Dallas Mavericks (18-16): Luka has been doing his thing. He’s averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists per game. But he needs help. Maybe the Mavs can make a splashy trade before March 25th.
Golden State Warriors (19-18): Steph Curry is back in MVP form! Golden State is an exciting team. They are scrappy. But not having Klay for the season will ultimately hurt them down the stretch.
Memphis Grizzlies (16-16): Ja Morant leads the way, but not having Jaren Jackson Jr is limiting their style of play. Once he can return, the Grizzlies will be in much better shape.
Outside Looking In
New Orleans Pelicans (15-21): Zion is having himself a great second year, but the rest of the team hasn’t followed suit.
Oklahoma City Thunder (15-21): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is blossoming into a star, and so is Luguentz Dort. But they need more.
Sacramento Kings (14-21): At the beginning of the season, the King got off to a hot start. Since then, well, not so much. Fox and Halliburton are fantastic, though.
Houston Rockets (11-23): Since Harden left, it looks like everyone else wants to leave. Except for John Wall, who is healthy. But as a whole, the Rockets are in shambles.
Minnesota Timberwolves (7-29): This franchise is lost in its backyard. Can Anthony Edwards find a way to get this team on the right path? It may take a couple of years, but who’s counting?
