Post by bringit - CHA on May 11, 2009 0:55:20 GMT
January Standings
Phoenix Suns: 14 – 1
The Twin Towers (Kevin Garnett and Drik Nowitzki) have been absolutely unstoppable so far this year. They have led the Suns to an impressive 14 – 1 in January and being the best team in the West as well in the NBA. The only downside to Phoenix success is Mike Conley is not stepping up his game but again who needs to when you have “The Twin Towers” in the front court.
Utah Jazz: 13 – 2
Utah had an amazing January and hope to build from it, with Wade and Gasol both putting up more than 20 a game, there no stopping them. With Redd and Brand both playing really good as well, Utah will be the team to beat down the stretch. They question is, will they be healthy?
Charlotte Bobcats: 12-3
What a story for the Bobcats, putting up great numbers in January. Going into February 1st, Bobcats had a 5 game lead over Atlanta and also lead the East for 35 wins. O’Neal and AK47 have been amazing as well, not only in offences but in defense. If Bobcats want to go far into this season and playoffs, JO, AK and Billups both have to play there hearts out every night, and so far it’s working.
Golden State Warriors: 8 – 3
G-State had a great January and with a team that has slowly lost there veterans, it’s still producing which is a great sign for the city. With losing R-Rich and Baron Davis in the past few months, Caron Butler and David West have picked up there game and is the main reason for the success of the team.
Sacramento Kings: 11 – 5
If you look up amazing, you might just fine Kobe Bryant name. After New Jersey traded Kobe, Kobe has gone off, putting up over 30 points per game. Kobe had led the Kings back into the playoff race, and in Sacramento, Kobe is God.
Chicago Bulls: 10 – 4
CP3 has been the best Bull by far and is the main reason why Bulls are back on top of the division. Paul and Iguodala have been the best players on the team, and if there on there game the bulls can go very far.
San Antonio Spurs: 10 – 4
Tim Duncan has been clutch for the Spurs so far this season. After his recovery from injury, he has posted a double double in majority of games this year. Also with acquiring Terry, Spurs should have a great February.
Dallas Mavericks: 8 – 4
Dallas has been a decent team in the month of January, posting an 8 and 4 records. Much thanks to the success has to go to McGrady who has been on fire in the past few weeks, posting 22 points per game. Having a front court angering a double double per game helps as well.
Toronto Raptors: 10 – 5
Toronto has done it all, coming from the basement of the league to the top and that has to be because of Tony Parker and Brandon Roy who have been outstanding for Toronto. Only downside could be there front court as it is very inexperience.
Boston Celtics: 9 – 5
Down and out, and there still fighting back. Boston who are on an impressive streak as over come all odds and found themselves back into the top 8 seeding. With help from Bosh and Williams, this team can be very scary down the road. With getting so much younger, Boston is not only set for now, but set for years with the group they have.
Atlanta Hawks: 9 – 6
The lost of Big Al has been huge for Atlanta as they find themselves 4th in the east and not 1st. Atlanta was on fire this season and lost steam after Al Jefferson went out for 8 weeks. Yet they posted a decent record and Bynum has been the main reason, posting 20 and 11 per game, which is outstanding.
New Orleans Hornets: 8- 7
Almost a .500 record, Hornets are ranked 6th in the west. A person who has been clutch for the team has been Artest. After signing that big deal in the off season, Artest is playing very well and seems to be very comfortable in New Orleans.
New York Knicks: 8- 8
I believe one of the comments New York GM made during a game “Marry me Yao!!!” and I can see why. Posting up 27 points and 10 rebounds is unbelievable. After New York got Yao, he’s been playing amazing, and it must be the spot light. New York, trying to make the playoffs for the 1st time in a few years, needs help from everyone and Ming has helped. They need Howard to step his game up in order to get higher in the east.
Oklahoma City Thunder: 7-7
Posting a .500 record in January, OKC cannot be pleased with the result as they are trying to make the playoffs. So far Harris and Marion have played great but if only 2 players are playing well, what about the other 11 players. With Marion a FA next year, I wont be surprise if OKC traded Marion, if there out of the playoffs.
Detroit Pistons: 7 – 8
Ray Allen is god in Detroit, but yet he’s the only one who is producing. Detroit had awful month as they went under .500 mark, posting a 7 and 8 record. The reason why they have been struggling has to be injuries, with K-Mart gone for a bit and slowly coming back, they lose a stud in Wallace. With a healthy group, Detroit can be scary but now it’s a bumpy road.
Washington Wizards: 6 – 8
Arenas has been very good for the Wizards this season, posting over 28 points a game. Sadly, Arenas is the only player on that team doing well. With trading shaq, the wizards find themselves without a big presents in the front court, and need to address that issue asap.
LA Lakers: 6-8
It has been a rebuilding mode for a very long time but there record speaks otherwise. 6 and 8 for Lakers is not as bad as it looks, being a young team; they had a decent month in January. Gay has been the main reason, posting 20 points a game.
Indiana Pacers: 6 – 9
Break out years from Nelson and Hawes is the bright spot for the pacers this year. They are also rebuilding and will need some help to make the playoffs this year.
Minnesota Timberwolves: 6-9
Not great news for Minny, they need to make the playoffs, and they should. With a roster of Amare and Nash, they must make the playoffs. They need to regroup in February and have a great month to get themselves back into the race.
Denver Nuggets: 6- 9
Melo has been great for the Nuggets again, and Davis has done well. The nuggets need the other to step in and help the team; it can’t be the Baron and melo show all the time.
Orlando Magic: 6 – 10
Doesn’t add up, with 3 players posting 20 points or more per game, and yet they had a 6- 10 record. What more can Orlando do? The only thing I have to say is, they need a better PG, maybe that’s all there missing to make a big run this year.
Houston Rockets: 6 – 10
Rebuilding mode is the key word here. With a lot of young players, this team will take a while before they become scary. Lucky for Houston, they have O.J Mayo already.
Portland Trailblazer: 5 – 8
What a mess, with big contracts and overpaid players, the Trailblazers need a lot of help. Portland needs to rebuild and the new GM is starting very slowly.
Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 – 10
James has been James, but sadly the other players on the cavs have not played up to there potential. They need a full team effort every night; it can’t be “Give it to LeBron all the time”
Memphis Grizzlies: 5 – 10
With trading Terry and soon to be Jackson, Memphis is rebuilding right now. They have many old players and they are looking for young guys. Posting a 5- 10 records seems just right for Memphis.
Miami Heat: 4 – 11
Yikes, from a team that looked to be the real deal when the new GM came here, it has just gone south. The team needs a PG badly after trading away Rondo. I think with a decent PG, the heat could find themselves in the top 10.
Philadelphia 76ers: 4 – 11
That’s right, another rebuilding team. Posting 4 – 11 is not what Philly wants, I bet they wanted to go 0-15, but sadly you have to win some games. The GM understands this season is a ride off, so the rest of the season, expect Philly to be around the bottom 10.
New Jersey Nets: 3 – 11
From the best, to the worst, that’s how New Jersey season has been. Lucky for New Jersey they have a great GM, after trading away names like Jason Kidd and Kobe, they have young studs in there lineup, such as Rondo and Durant. The playoffs are not that far off for the Nets, they just need to get the team to “Click” again.
Milwaukee Bucks: 3 – 13
The bucks have been rebuilding for a while now, and cant seem to get it right. With the team looking to make the playoffs this year, it will take team work and hard work to make it into the playoffs.
LA Clippers: 2- 12
Clippers have the worst record in January, posting an ugly 2-12 record. With the team trading Lewis, it looks like AI is next. That’s mean, Clippers are rebuilding, and this is a shocker, after last year they did pretty well.