The bad news this season was supposed to be Tim Donaghy, not that the Bulls are on pace to finish 32-50.
Anyone have that? I was close. I missed by 20 wins if it goes that way. Like I’ve always said, if I knew what was going to happen, I’d live in Las Vegas. After the last few weeks of cold weather, I’m wondering why I don’t.
The NBA hit the halfway mark last week and the question I most get — in addition to being asked if I’m still doing taxidermy — is what’s wrong with the Bulls. Not having a great answer for that, I usually ask what’s wrong with the Nets, Bucks, Rockets, Shaq and Sylvester Stallone. How do you make another “Rambo” movie when you only can eat soft food? But I digress.
There was no referee scandal and no trade of Kobe Bryant, though Luol Deng and Ben Gordon still don’t believe it. The NBA decided it didn’t need a new ball or better clothes for the players. And maybe not a team in Seattle. Why it has one in New Orleans nobody understands.
The story of this season was supposed to be Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce coming through the door, and they seem to have closed the door on the ugly post-Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish era in Boston.
Rookie-sensation-to-be Greg Oden is sitting out this season, but the Trail Blazers forgot to feel sorry for themselves. The Western Conference still is terrific with one of the great races shaping up, while the Eastern Conference seems predictably post-Michael Jordan disappointing. The Spurs hardly seem dominating while the Heat seems done.
Here’s a look at the league at the halfway mark:
MVP
Kevin Garnett, Celtics. For a lot of reasons, though I loved most their last-second win over lowly Minnesota last week in his first game against his former team. Garnett, coming back into the game despite an injury, made a game-saving dive and steal and then ran the floor, sticking out his new Celtics uniform in celebration. The guy still tries to win every possession, the most elusive sign of greatness.
Coach of the year
Nate McMillan, Trail Blazers. The Hornets’ Byron Scott and the Wizards’ Eddie Jordan are good choices, too, but everyone gave up on Portland without Oden — except McMillan. His toughness has carried over to his relatively starless team.
Rookie of the year
Kevin Durant, SuperSonics. Not a particularly great class with the likes of Jamario Moon and Juan Carlos Navarro in contention. On one of the league’s worst teams, Durant competes and scores.
Most improved
Beno Udrih, Kings. OK, Timberwolves GM Kevin McHale may have gotten it right by getting Al Jefferson in the Garnett trade, but he also gave up Udrih for nothing and the longtime Spurs reject looks awfully good. Jose Calderon in Toronto, meanwhile, is quietly becoming one of the league’s better point guards since replacing T.J. Ford.
Defensive player
Garnett. Marcus Camby is a 20-rebound machine and former Bull Tyson Chandler also is an inside force now. But Garnett transformed an entire team’s defense by playing multiple roles.
Sixth man
Manu Ginobili, Spurs. He’s ideal in the role of firing up a team and has no true peer.
Surprise players
Each of these players has played at an All-Star level and been a major contributor to a winning team despite little serious mention going into the season, except perhaps for Caron Butler, who has emerged even more with Gilbert Arenas out. The Lakers’ trade of Butler for Kwame Brown could be the major factor if the Lakers don’t win a championship.
Jose Calderon, Raptors
Caron Butler, Wizards
Hedo Turkoglu, Magic
Stephen Jackson, Warriors
Andrew Bynum, Lakers
Disappointing players
Vince Carter still is averaging more than 20 points, but he takes about three fewer shots and hangs more on the perimeter than ever, if that is possible. As for old friend Eddy Curry, a year ago the Knicks were promoting him as an All-Star. Tyrus Thomas? Heck, Andrea Bargnani was the No. 1 overall pick in 2006.
Vince Carter, Nets
Ben Wallace, Bulls
Andrea Bargnani, Raptors
Jameer Nelson, Magic
Eddy Curry, Knicks
Surprise teams
In no particular order, but the Hornets and Trail Blazers have to be 1-2. Most doubted the Hornets would even make the playoffs, but they might have the league’s most well-rounded starting five. Reggie Theus has done a surprising job in Sacramento keeping the Kings competitive with injuries and various other issues, and Phil Jackson continues to show why he’s probably the best coach around.
Hornets
Trail Blazers
Lakers
Wizards
Kings
Disappointing teams
I had the Bulls and Nets, along with the Pistons and Celtics, in the top four in the East. Oops. It’s equally confusing since the Nets have multiple All-Stars Carter and Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson is having a career season. The Heat is bad, but it still has Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal. How can it be that bad?
Nets
Bulls
Heat
Bucks
Rockets
NBA first team
Steve Nash and Chris Paul have played so well and are so valuable, they even push Kobe Bryant down. Healthy, Baron Davis has been terrific and Chris Bosh has been getting better. Oh, yeah, Tim Duncan. Too easy to forget. Probably the best all-around player of his era.
Kevin Garnett, Celtics
LeBron James, Cavs
Dwight Howard, Magic
Steve Nash, Suns
Chris Paul, Hornets
Stars on the rise
Just think how many teams could have had these guys, who look like they’ll be big stars. Rudy Gay’s draft rights were acquired by the Grizzlies in a trade for Shane Battier, the Timberwolves gave up Brandon Roy for Randy Foye and none of the others were even lottery picks.
Rudy Gay, Grizzlies
Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers
Kevin Martin, Kings
Al Jefferson, Timberwolves
Josh Smith, Hawks
Comeback kids
We figured most of these guys were done, either from injury, age or being overrated. They’ve all been pleasant surprises.
Mike Dunleavy, Pacers
Grant Hill, Suns
Joe Smith, Bulls
Peja Stojakovic, Hornets
Baron Davis, Warriors
Unexpected prizes
Who really knew? You figured they had a chance to produce, but Tyson Chandler and LaMarcus Aldridge have played major big-man roles with good teams. They were supposed to be complementary pieces but have stood up well. Linas Kleiza scored 40 points in a game and has averaged 21 in the last six with Carmelo Anthony out.
Tyson Chandler, Hornets
John Salmons, Kings
LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers
Linas Kleiza, Nuggets
Keith Bogans, Magic
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sasmith@tribune.com
