Posted by HoopsAvenue on November 9, 2008 under Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, General NBA, San Antonio Spurs | 
We haven’t even gotten through the first two weeks yet and some things have happened that have taken even the most attentive NBA fans by surprise. Of course not everything has been a surprise. The Celtics and Lakers are in first place as expected, Dwight Howard and Lebron James continue to dominate, and Inside the NBA is as entertaining as ever, but this list takes a look at 5 things we didn’t see coming.
4. The Spurs are 1-4.
The Spurs are known for their slow starts, but this is ridiculous. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are both putting up good numbers, but the Spurs can’t seem to guard anybody. They’ve only held 2 of their opponents under 100, at 98 and 99 points. That’s not the defense this team is known for. Now with Parker joining Ginobili on the injured list, things are not looking good in the city of the Alamo.
3. Tony Parker dropped 55 on the Timberwolves.
The T-Wolves aren’t exactly the best competition in the world, but since when did Tony Parker become MJ dropping the double nickel? For the last 3 years this guy has averaged just under 19 points per game, like clockwork. 18.9, 18.6, 18.8. He even opened the season with 32 and his season low was 22 in his first four games. Unfortunately, Parker is out the next 4 weeks with an ankle sprain. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of pace he can keep up when he returns.
2. The Atlanta Hawks are undefeated.
Don’t look now, but the Hawks are undefeated at 5-0. It was only last year this team finally moved past joke status to become and up-and-coming team, and now they are tops in the East?!? Ok, so it is only 5 games and they aren’t going to be the #1 seed in all likelihood, but they are among select company with the Lakers being the only other undefeated team (as of tipoff Sunday night). The Hawks have won at New Orleans and Orlando, too, so it’s not like they are beating up on chumps. Don’t be surprised if this team is hosting an opening round playoff series.
1. Allen Iverson traded to Detroit for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and Cheick Samb.
Ok, if you predicted this, you must be Nostradamus because there’s no way I could imagine Chauncey Billups not wearing a Pistons jersey in early November. Iverson being traded? Eh, stranger things have happened, but if you told me he was traded I would assume he had a hissy fit first and refused to play. That was not the case. This was simply a straight-up blockbuster trade the Pistons and Nuggets both felt would improve their team in one way or another, on the court and/or in the balance sheet. It doesn’t surprise me the Pistons made a move as they needed to do try something new if they want to dethrone the Celts, but trading Billups was shocking. He’s a clutch performer and has even earned the nickname “Big Shot”. You usually don’t want to give up your team leader and go-to guy, but sometimes you have to to get a guy like Iverson. Kudos to the Pistons and Nuggets for shocking us with a big deal that makes sense on both sides early in the season rather than making us wait until the trade deadline like most teams do.
Posted by HoopsAvenue on November 3, 2008 under Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons |
Via Yahoo, Allen Iverson has been traded to Detroit for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess. Wow!
It’s not often we see a blockbuster trade like this so early in the season. This has the potential to be a good move for both teams. As I said before the season started, Detroit might want to “shake things up a bit.” Well, they’ve done more than shake things up by acquiring Iverson. I don’t know if this trade will or will not work for Detroit, but it’s a gamble they had to make. Without making a big move, they just weren’t going to be able to compete with Boston. Now, they still might not be good enough, but if AI meshes well they could get over the hump. It’s nice to see AI get one more legitimate shot at a ring, too. On top of all that, if it doesn’t work for Detroit, AI’s contract is expiring and they’ll have a shot to change directions after the season.
As for Denver, I think it’s a good move as well. The AI-Melo combination just never completely worked in Denver. They could have given it another year to see what would happen, but bringing in a more balanced guard like Chauncey is only going to help Melo out. It’s not like Chauncey can’t score either so now you’ve still got one of the league’s top guards, but he’s probably a better fit with Anthony.
What do you think of the trade? Who got the better deal?
Posted by HoopsAvenue on October 24, 2008 under Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City, Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz |
The Northwest Division team previews are here so check out what bloggers are saying about the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Blazers, Thunder, and Jazz. HoopsAvenue will be chiming in with our Washington Wizards preview tomorrow! Look for that and the rest of the Southeast Division in the coming days.
Denver Nuggets
Jeremy: Pickaxe and Roll
Nick Sclafani: The Nugg Doctor
Minnesota Timberwolves
Derek Hanson & Staff: TWolves Blog
Andrew Thell: Empty the Bench
wyn: Canis Hoopus
Oklahoma City
xphoenix87: BallerBlogger
Zorgon: Blue Blitz
Royce: The Thunderworld
Portland Trail Blazers
Mookie: …a stern warning
Benjamin Golliver: Blazers Edge
Coup and SJ: Rip City Project
Utah Jazz
UtesFan89: The Utah Jazz
Basketball John: SLC Dunk
Also see links to all the previews at CelticsBlog.com
Posted by HoopsAvenue on October 16, 2008 under Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards |
Just as Ohio and Florida are key swing states that could go either way for the candidates, there are a few NBA teams that could go boom or bust. How do you define a “swing team”? Well, here’s my definition:
swing team 
(noun)
- a team that is “good on paper,” but regularly falls short of expectations
- a team that relies on 1 or 2 players with a history of injuries
- an unproven team with a lot of talent, but little experience
So, here are 5 swing teams for the 2008-2009 season
- Toronto Raptors - After a .500 season last year, the Raptors decided to mix things up a bit and traded T.J. Ford for Jermaine O’Neal. O’Neal, of course, is a former all-star, but missed half of last season due to injury and put up just average numbers when he was on the floor. Then, there’s 22-year old Andrea Bargnani who has lots of potential, but is coming off a sophomore slump. Raps fans are hoping JO is his healthy old self and Bargnani blossoms. If that happens, the Raptors will do some damage.
- Denver Nuggets - A lot of fans were scratching their heads when the Nuggets basically gave Marcus Camby away to the Clippers this off-season, but maybe their roll of the dice will pay off. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are still a scary duo and maybe Anthony’s gold medal in Beijing will rub off on his teammates. For the Nuggets to swing upward, they need those two to play well and as a team, plus some help (and health) from Camby’s replacement Nene.
- Washington Wizards - It’s the same old story for the Wizards. Injuries, injuries, injuries. Remember this is the same team that was in 1st place in the East in 2007 at the All Star break before injuries decimated them. They’ll start off without Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood, but a cast of youngsters along with Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison will try to hold down the fort until 2009. It seems unlikely, but if everyone gets back to 100% this team could swing in a big way.
- Miami Heat - Coming off a 15 win season, there’s only one way for Miami to swing, but they could really surprise some people. They’ll need Dwyane Wade to stay healthy and for Michael Beasley to make an immediate impact. Shawn Marion needs to play up to his capabilities as well.
- Houston Rockets - Talk about a swing team! The Rockets two stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming are two of the league’s best talents, but have spent more time with ice packs than they have on the floor the past few seasons. Add the combustible Ron Artest to the mix and that’s like adding vinegar to baking soda. Unbelievably, the Rockets could realistically win the Finals or see their best 3 players injured and suspended by December.
Unfortunately there’s no voting when it comes to swing teams or we’d all be stuffing the ballot boxes….all we can do is sit back and watch. Any predictions?
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