Post by Philadelphia 76ers on Mar 11, 2008 16:14:12 GMT -5
Who's Hot, Who's Not
HOT
- Shane Battier24.5 PPG | 7.8 RPG last 5 games
Battier couldn't have picked a better time to play the way he's been playing. Trade rumors have been swirling around Battier for quite some time after the new Kings GM announced he was going to rebuild the team. Despite the rumors, Battier has made a great transition to his new position, power forward. Since the position change, Battier has averaged 24.5 pts and 7.8 rbs a game.
It'll be interesting to see what the Kings decide to do with Battier in the next week. Will they hang onto their MVP and try to make a playoff push in the tough West, or will they trade him while his value is at an all time high?
- Tim Duncan30.7 PPG | 11.8 RPG last 10 games
Over the last few weeks, Tim Duncan has taken this Hornet team and carried them on his back. With Ben Wallace and Gerald Wallace both struggling to find their game, someone had to step up and pick up the slack. That "someone" has turned out to be the Big Fundamental who has averaged a whopping 30.7 pts and 11.8 rpg to lead the Hornets to a record of 8-2 in the last 10 games. He's been simply unstoppable on the offensive end utilizing his jump shot while creating double teams and dishing it out for an open 3. As of now, TD is the league's undisputed MVP.
- Al Harrington28.4 pts PPG | 13.6 RPG last 7 games
On a team that boasts the likes of Baron Davis and Paul Pierce, Al Harrinton seems to be the odd man out. Harrington has proven otherwise lately. He's been on one of the hottest streaks in the NBA averaging 28.4 pts and 13.6 rpg in the last 7 games. It will be an interesting matchup on Sunday when Harrington and the Warriors faceoff against Tim Duncan and the Hornets. If Harrington can put up more streaks like these, it won't be long before Al Harrington starts to hear his name in MVP discussions.
- Jason Terry33.7 pts PPG | 8.3 RPG last 10 games
Much like Harrington, Jason Terry was overshadowed on a Magic team that had stars like Al Jefferson, Tyson Chandler and Shawn Marion. Keyword is "was".
Since the trade that saw Orlando trade Caron Butler to the Twolves in exchange for Jefferson, the man known as "The Jet" has been putting up Kobe-esqe numbers at 33.8 ppg and dishing out 8.3 dimes a game.
Teams are now paying the price for not double teaming Terry. Frankly it doesn't matter. As an old saying goes "Good players make open shots, great players make semi-contest shots but the best players make any kinds of shots". Right now, all you can do is pray Terry is going to have a bad shooting night because god knows there's no way you're gonna stop him. This man has just been simply UNSTOPPABLE.
- Yao Ming31.7 PPG | 11.8 RPG | 5.3 APG
Yao has moved around quite a lot the past two seasons, started last season on the Houston Rockets until he was shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks where he spend the rest of the season. Earlier this season the Bucks decided to move Yao to the Nuggets where he currently still dominates the paint. With the way Yao has been playing lately, it doesn't look like he'll be going anywhere, anytime soon. Over the last 7 games, Yao has averaged 31.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 5.3 assists to boot. He's done everything imaginable for the Nuggets, from providing inside or outside scoring to dishing out an assist, Yao should be getting heavy consideration for MVP along with Tim Duncan and Jason Terry.
- Chris Webber25.6 PPG | 12.0 RPG | Stats over last 8 games
It seemed like yesterday when critic's wrote Chris Webber off as a wash-uped 38 year old with wonky knees. CWebb has silenced those critics with his play over the last 8 games averaging 25.6 ppg and 12 rpg. Webber has been playing on a different level since coming over from Philly in a trade that saw Ricky Davis sent to Philly in exchange for Webber. He credits the coach for having trust in him and giving him the ball down the stretch. In Philly, KG was the main man and Webber wasn't given much oppurtunity to show what he can do. Well he's certainly proved to everyone that he still has some game left.
- Eddy Curry 25.6 PPG | 7.8 RPG over last 5 games
With Al Jefferson now out of the picture, Eddy Curry has taken over the paint for the Twolves. With Big Al still in the lineup, there wasn't much space for Curry to do his thing down low. Now with Jefferson gone and Charlie Villanuava inserted into the lineup, Curry has the paint all to himself. Charlie V's outside game has been a pivotal reason as to why Curry has been putting up 25.6 ppg and 7.8 rpg during the last 5 games. Opponents will have to pick their poison when they play the Twolves. Either double Curry down low and leave Charlie V open for a jumper or leave one defender on Curry and hope he misses. This new look froncourt should create havoc for teams down the road.
- Sacramento KingsWon 4 of the past 5
This team has been playing the spoiler role against playoff hopeful teams lately. They've recently knocked off the defending champs, New Orleans Hornets (biggest upset this season?), red hot Golden State Warriors and star studded Los Angeles Lakers. A big part of their sucess has been the play of Shane Battier which was discussed earlier. Though Jarrett Jack has been pretty much a bust since coming over from Charlotte, Luol Deng and Marvin Williams have given the Kings strong play at the wing positions and should give the Kings hopeful something to look forward to next season.
- Minnesota Timberwolves5 game winning streak (SEA,DET,DEN,MEM,IND)
Warning to the Western Conference:
Watch out for the Twolves!
After starting a dissapointing start to the season, it looked like the Twolves were heading to the lottery except they didn't have their first rounder. The former GM then shocked the basketball world when he sent franchise cornerstone Al Jefferson to the Orlando Magic for Caron Butler. This move has totally turned their season around which has been evident in their recent 5 game winning streak which saw the Twolves deliver the Sonics their first loss in the past 10 games. Other victims of Minny's recent streak include Eastern Conference powerhosue, Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets and dysfunctional Indiana Pacers.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
-PHILADELPHIA 76ers [8-2 last 10 games]
-SEATTLE SONICS [9-1 last 10 games]
-MILWAUKEE BUCKS [8-2 last 10 games]-NEW ORLEANS HORNETS [8-2 last 10 games]COLD
- Ben Wallace2.6 PPG over last 11 games
One of the key parts of Hornets' championship team last season was Ben Wallace's stellar play on both ends. However, it looks like their gonna have to do it without him this season.
It's been a season to forget for Big Ben, he's been averaging only 2.6 pts over the last 11 games! For a guy that's making 15 million dollars a year, 2.6 pts just isn't going to cut it.
- Gerald Wallace10.6 PPG over last 7 games
Like Big Ben, Gwall has seemed to lost his scoring touch which made him a key part of last year's championship team. One of the premier slashers in the league, Wallace has fallen in love with the jumper since coming back from a minor hamstring injury. There's been quite a dropoff in points since coming back from the injury. Wallace averaged 15.9 pts before getting hurt and is now putting up 10.6 over the last 10 games since coming back. The Hornets are playing well without the scoring of Gwall but one has to wonder how long they'll be able to go without one of their best players.
- LeBron James12.8 PPG over last 20 games
If I didn't know any better, I would say LeBron James has been the most overrated player in this league. Many GM's picked LeBron as a player to build a franchise around. But let me ask you this, Would you want your franchise player to give to average 12.8 pts and go 20 games without scoring 20+ pts?
With Steve Nash out, LeBron is really gonna have to step up if Phoenix wants to stay in playoff contention. LeBron has failed to score 20 pts consecutively since coming over from Orlando. This is the same guy that once scored 20+ pts in 40 straight games! It's too bad to see such a talent go to waste.
- Josh Smith5.3 PPG and 6.3 RPG over last 3 games
If Josh Smith had any plans of cashing in when his contract ran up, he can flush them down the drain the way he's playing. His inconsistent offensive play was the reason Mavericks management dumped him. Smith hasn't been able to find a permanent home this season already playing with his 4th team in the 07/08 NBA season. It should be no surprise if Detroit dumps him after only 3 games with the team.
- Tayshaun Prince1.7 PPG and 7.25 RPG over last 4 games
Probably the biggest mistake by the Pacers coaching staff was moving Tayshaun Prince back to SF after playing PF for the whole season. Prince has clearly struggled at SF averaging only 1.7 pts since the move to SF. Don't expect things to magically come back to the way they were before with Prince at SF.
- HOUSTON ROCKETS14 game losing streak
Nobody should be surprised the Rockets are struggling the way they are. When you're best player is Boris Diaw, you can't expect much more than a top 2 pick. Looks like the only record the Rockets are gonna try to break this season is the longest losing streak record. Rockets fans are in for a long re-building stage and it's only going to get worse as the season progresses.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
-ATLANTA HAWKS [0-10 last 10 games]
-BOSTON CELTICS [2-8 last 10 games]
-CHARLOTTE BOBCATS [2-8 last 10 games]
-PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS [3-7 last 10 games]
