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Early Disappointments

If you check out the standings you will see teams like the Lakers and Celtics where you expected them to be, at the top of the standings. You will see teams like Minnesota and Okalahoma City at the bottom where you expected them to be. You will also see teams like New Orleans, Toronto, and Philadelphia with extremely disappointing records. New Orleans which many people saw as one of the top two teams in the West is sitting at 9 and 6. They have had some injury issues but overall they are not scoring the ball well.

Philadelphia was supposed to be a contender with the addition of Elton Brand but they are only 7 and 9. Players like Lou Williams and Andre Iguodola are not playing like they did last year and that is a big reason they are off to a slow start. With teams like Atlanta, Miami, and New Jersey playing better than expected, the 76ers better get it together or one of those other teams will be in the playoffs and the Sixers will be at home.

Chris Bosh is playing great in Toronto but the Raptors are only 7 and 9. With the growth of Bosh’s game, the addition of O’Neal, and Calderon running point full time you would think they would be over .500. The are in the same boat as the Sixers, if they don’t play better they will end up at home watching the playoffs.

Kobe Drops 46 Points With About 7 Dunks On The Raptors

Walton Resigns With The Lakers, Kapono Goes To Toronto

The Lakers have agreed to resign Luke Walton for 6 years $30 million. He was very effective last year when he was healthy. He knows the offense, can handle the ball, and knock down open shots.

The Heat lost Jason Kapono to the Toronto Raptor. He signed a deal with the Raptors for 4 years and $24 million. That is a solid addition for the Raptors and a big loss for the Heat. They are already low on young guys and shooters so they will have to work hard to overcome the loss.

Weak Rookie Class

After the past few years with rookies like Lebron, Wade, Melo, Ben Gordon, Chris Paul, and Dwight Howard this years rookies are looking pretty weak. Adam Morrison is putting up 13.7 points per game. He is the only rookie averaging double figures in points. Bargnani is next averaging 9.7 points per game.

 A lot of people were predicting Foye, Roy, or Morrision to be rookie of the year. Foye hasn’t gotten the minutes he should be getting, who know why. Roy has been injured. Morrison is performing well but not on a consisitent basis. That guy can score 20 points one night and the next night go 2 for 16 on field goals. Right now he is shooting well below 40%. Next years rookies should put up better numbers with guys like Greg Oden, Joakim Noah, and Kevin Durant.

Mo Williams Is Better Than TJ Ford

Last year when TJ Ford came back from injury to claim his starting spot I was pissed at the Milwaukee Bucks. After seeing what Mo Williams did the season before it was clear that he was the better player. The biggest difference between him and Ford is that he can shoot and score. The Bucks dumped Ford on the Raptors and I was looking forward to seeing Mo get off but he started the year off slow and had me wondering what was up. He started the season shooting around 38%.

The last few weeks he has been getting his shot back and showing why trading TJ Ford was a great thing, he even had a triple double the other night versus the Heat. He is averaging 16.7 ppg, 6.3 apg, shooting 45% and shooting 33% on threes, not to mention the 5.3 rpg he averages. He is giving Michael Redd a lot of help in the backcourt that he did not have with TJ Ford.

TJ Ford on the other hand is averaging 15.1 ppg, 8.2 apg, 4 rpg, and shooting 44% and shooting 30% on just 23 three point attempts.

There has been talk about the Bucks going after Billups in the offseason but do the need him? Mo Williams is playing well although he is small and need to work on his Defense but he has worked his way up in the league as a second round pick hopefully he will kep improving and stay with the Buck for a few more years.

Raptors Preview

The Toronto Raptors added a few pieces this summer but nothing that is dramatic enough to lead them to the playoffs. They traded for TJ Ford, signed Fred Jones, and picked up a big guy in the draft.

This team has Bosh as a go to guy and they are playing to up the tempo this year but until they get some better players in that starting 5 they won’t go anywhere.

Lebron, Wade, and Bosh sign similar deals Melo doesn’t

Lebron, Wade, and Bosh signed 4 year deals in which they have the option for the 4th year. The reason behind this is money and age. By doing this the players will be able to sign their next deal at a younger age giving them a better chance of signing another max deal. Also the NBA bargaining agreement will be expiring and the new agreement could lead to more money. Some are saying up $150 million for six years. The only way this play could backfire is it injuries occur and decrease their value. Melo went with the max deal instead of a deal similar to the others. He has an opt out clause after the fourth year. The reason he went with the max deal is because it is guranteed and you never know what will happen in regards to injuries.

TJ Ford for Charlie V.

The Bucks made a good move by keeping Mo Williams and trading TJ Ford instead. Mo is a better shooting than TJ so teams cannot play off of him like they did to TJ. The trade give the bucks a quality starting 5 with Williams, Redd, Simmons, Charlie V., and Bogut. The bench is looking a bit light with Gadzuric, Joe Smith, and Charlie Bell but after they trade Magloire they should add a few more pieces.

Toronto gets the first pick in the draft

Toronto just recently won the first pick for next months draft. They got lucky but know they have to make sure they don’t mess up the pick. They already have their forwards set with Bosh and Charlie V. even with that said I still think they may end up picking Aldridge from Texas. Even though he is a 6 foot 11 inches he is not really a center, more of a power forward.

Although their are not many centers in the league playing big so it might end up being and okay choice. If they pick him they will have the best young frontcourt in the game but they still need a PG to get those guys the ball.

 An alternative to Aldridge would be a shooting guard like Gay or Morrison. They could also trade down and go with a Marcus Williams a very rare pure point guard. I think trading down for a  pg would be best and they could probably get a center or a shooting guard in a trade. Gadzuric and Maglore from the Bucks might be on the block. Plus their are some decent free agents available.

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