NBA Weekend Wrap-up 2/14

I wrote this with the intention of it being posted yesterday but unfortunately sometimes technology tends to falter and let us down. No worries, I’ve made a few minor adjustments from the few games that happened last night.

In case anyone forgot, the NBA season has started. In fact it’s actually been going on since Christmas! Most people in sports world have made the smooth transition from NFL playoffs to the early action among the NBA courts around the country. Let’s take a look at some of the topics that are stealing the headlines the first six weeks of this season:

-Early season surprise teams : In a shortened season like this one there are bound to be several teams that can get off to hot starts. Turns out several of them are keeping their pace. Leading off the way is the Philadelphia 76ers with their young talent and youth have been able to maintain the third best record in the eastern conference. This weekend’s games at Orlando, against Dallas and in Minnesota should provide a great test for this team. Although Denver and Indiana haven’t been that impressive I think they have enough depth and young talent to keep their pace. I don’t know how much it’s going to cross into the playoffs but at the very least they’re going to be a team that a higher seed does not want to play come that time of year.

-Dallas Mavericks title defense : Or lack thereof. The Mavs haven’t been terrible this year by any stretch. Well, maybe the first few games or so but they are a top 4 seed in the west and with Dirk finally getting back to his form, things can only go up from here. There have been many rumors flying around Dallas that Deron Williams will in fact be with this team next season. Is that the reason Dirk is still partying from last June’s championship parade? Some other stories have included Dwight Howard here in Dallas but I remain skeptical about a deal being made for him.

-The battle for LA supremacy : The Lake Show vs. Lob City. Anyone who’s ever watched basketball before this season knows that the Clippers will never overtake the Lakers. Not anytime soon anyways but they’ve been making a strong case that this is their century. Right? Not really. It takes more than a few amazing dunks to make this Clipper-town BUT it’s been fun to watch. Leading the league in scoring, Kobe has been on an amazing tear and maybe this is one of the reasons. I don’t think enough people realize how incredible it is for Kobe to be playing this hard, this late in his career.

-Jeremy Lin : Inevitable subject to discuss when it comes to this season…especially as of late. He’s basically been the Tim Tebow of the NBA to a lesser degree. I know New York is excited but people in MSG need to chill out with the M-V-P chants because the Knicks are still below .500 and he’s not exactly Willis Reed. The most intriguing part about this whole Lin factor is that the Knicks are doing all this without Carmelo Anthony AND Amare Stoudemire. How will their return affect the chemistry of the team? If Lin is the point guard the Knicks have been hoping for then their return can only mean great things for this team.

Key games this week :

Tuesday: Heat at Pacers; Hawks at Lakers
Wednesday: 76ers at Magic;
Thursday: Celtics at Bulls; Clippers at Trailblazers
Friday: Heat at Cavaliers; Mavs at 76ers
Saturday: Spurs at Clippers; Hawks at Trailblazers

All these topics and nothing about the Miami Heat? It’s probably a good thing for them. Certainly for one LeBron James because so far he has been having one of the greatest statistical seasons of all time. Take last night: He had 35 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Did I mention this was it just over 33 minutes? Scary.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

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