NBA 2010-2011 Season Thread

[Space Cadet]

Well, last night, the much-hyped Miami Heat lost to the Boston Celtics, 88-80. Of course everyone is talking about it today and wondering what will happen from here on out.

This is the thread is for the 2010-2011 NBA regular season. Talk about your favorite teams or observations from around the league.

[Tohya]

Can anything possibly top watching Miami's big three lose on opening night?

Id say the Heat blowing out the Magic by 30 tops that. If I was the other teams in the NBA,id be scared out of my mind right now. Any other time I would of kept asking the question "how long can Lebron, Bosh and D-wade hold their egos in check" but because there so hated I dont ever foresee that being a problem. The shear amount of motivation the big three are getting for being hated for absolutely no reason should be enough to keep them in eff you mode until they completely figure it out.

[Tay the Cat]

The Heat will be a big force as long as their bench shows up, like it did against Orlando.

Especially watch out for Udonis Haslem, one of the most underrated big men in the league.

[Grave]

I was not expecting the Heat to do what they did to Orlando. I always knew they were going to be a force, but wow, to shut them down like that... I know they're a work in progress, but if they continue to play like that, all I'll say is I want to see that rematch between Boston and Miami.

[Space Cadet]

John Wall almost had a triple double tonight as the Wizards won their first game tonight in overtime against the 76ers. I know the Wizards probably won't make the playoffs and this is a rebuilding process, but the future looks bright with players like Wall around.

[Kiddington]

Wow... the Pistons are just downright terrible.

As I think about it, it's not as if I'm really surprised, though. Until we get a new owner, and the house cleaning can really begin, they will continue to... well, stink (that's the nicest way I can put it). Joe Dumars has got to GO, and that will only happen once Mike Illitch finally takes over (God knows Karen Davidson doesn't care about fixing this mess).

[Taekmkm]

How do the Pistons lose a 20-point lead twice in 6 minutes? Wha....

[Tay the Cat]

Rajon Rondo continues to be an assist juggernaut, getting another 17! tonight against Detroit.

[ABrown]

Poor Tony Parker. Getting the privilege of being with Eva Longoria, only to have her file for divorce.

"Eva Longoria Parker Files for Divorce—for Real This Time" - http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b211...ker_files.html

I always had this weird feeling that ABC set up this marriage. It's like they said "Hm, how can we promote both Desperate Housewives and the NBA? Let's pair up two of their biggest stars!"

[BigLouMan20]

I can say Spurs fans' are so happy with this killer start to the season that the news of Tony Parker flew over people's heads. Now if they would've lost to the Bulls last night then the topic would be brought up.

[Tommy Lawson]

I didn't see a regular season and postseason thread for the current NBA 2010-2011 season yet. Tonight is the night when Lebron James returns to Cleveland for the first time, as a visitor, as the Miami Heat take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The game will be on TNT tonight at 8:00 pm ET.

[Space Cadet]

I didn't see a regular season and postseason thread for the current NBA 2010-2011 season yet. Tonight is the night when Lebron James returns to Cleveland for the first time, as a visitor, as the Miami Heat take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The game will be on TNT tonight at 8:00 pm ET.

Actually a thread was made already: NBA 2010-2011 Season Thread

[Tommy Lawson]

Actually a thread was made already: NBA 2010-2011 Season Thread

Sorry about that, and I even tried using the "search" feature too.

[ABrown]

Tonight is the night when Lebron James returns to Cleveland for the first time, as a visitor, as the Miami Heat take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Even as a Chicago Bulls fan, I was hoping to see the Cavs beat Lebron and the Heat. Oh well. I still have the whole season to look forward to seeing someone knock the Heat out of the playoffs.

[bigddan11]

Tonight should provide a very interesting match-up. Dallas heads to Salt Lake to take on the Jazz in a game that will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN. Both Dallas and Utah come into the match with 7 game winning streaks in tact and as their current division leaders.

[dmxx116]

We’ve played 20 games, let’s give out some awards
Most Valuable Player

1. Chris Paul (PG, New Orleans Hornets). This race is going to be interesting because the preseason frontrunners — Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant — are around but kind of a step back right now. They are behind Chris Paul, who is healthy and back to being one of the league’s dominant players. The rest of the Hornets roster isn’t that good, but they look it when Paul is setting the table. We’re overlooking the Hornets recent slide — for now.

2. Dwight Howard, (C, Orlando Magic). The guy gets overlooked every season, but he is the anchor in the middle on a contending team. A defensive force. And before you say, “he doesn’t have enough offensive moves” I suggest you go watch his play again this season. Best he has played in his career so far.

3. Russell Westbrook (PG, Oklahoma City Thunder). Durant who? Okay, maybe it’s not quite that bad but early on this season the Thunder have been Westbook’s team. He is attacking in transition, making shots, setting up teammates and has the second best PER in the league. He’s in the mix.

Others in the mix: Kobe, LeBron, Manu Ginobili, Dirk Nowitzki, Al Horford and Deron Williams.

Biggest Disappointment (Player)

1. John Salmons (G, Milwaukee Bucks). This is very subjective because it is based more on expectations than anything. And Salmons is getting scapegoated here for a disappointing Milwaukee team. But the last two seasons he was the guy traded at the deadline that sparked his new team into the playoffs. Last season with the Bucks he scored 19.9 points per game on 46.7 percent shooting, this season he is averaging 12.6 points on 36.9 percent. Injuries are a part of that, but still.

2. Yao Ming (C, Houston Rockets). Again hopes and expectations dashed by injury. Not that this is his fault, it’s just disappointing.

3. Tyreke Evans (G, Sacramento Kings). His reworked jump shot is no better than his old one so far, he is attacking less, and he is at the helm of the worst team in the NBA right now. Again, injuries play a pretty big role.

Others in the mix: Joe Johnson, Terrence Williams, Brendan Haywood… really, we could go on forever here.

Rookie Of The Year

1. Blake Griffin (PF, Los Angeles Clippers). This would be a runaway right now. Not that other rookies haven’t been good, but Blake has been just a beast scoring inside, rebounding, running in transition. Oh, the highlight reel dunks are in there too.

2. John Wall (PG, Washington Wizards). We all knew he’s a blur with the ball, but Phil Jackson made a good point about him before the Lakers game Tuesday — Wall is just starting to figure out his spots on the floor in the NBA. Every scorer has his spots he wants to get to, Wall is just discovering his, and as he does his shooting numbers will improve.

3. Landry Fields (SG, New York Knicks). Steal of the draft. Out on the West Coast we saw plenty of this Stanford product and thought “he’ll make a nice rotation player in a few years” but he is starting for the resurgent Knicks, giving them 11 points and 7.5 boards a game, and is just playing smart ball. Some guys just get how to fit in the NBA faster.

Most Disappointing Rookie

1. Evan Turner (G, Philadelphia 76ers). He was supposed to be the guy with the NBA-ready game who could slide right in and play. Maybe not the ceiling of others, but he could play now. Or not. He’s not sure how to fit in the system, Doug Collins doesn’t seem to know how to use him, but if he would just make some shots (41 percent overall and 1 of 11 from three) things would look better.

Others in the mix: Nobody is really close to Turner here. Some slow starters but you see potential elsewhere that Turner has yet to show.

Most Surprising Team/Coach of the year

1. San Antonio Spurs/Gregg Popovich. We lump these two together because the coach of the year is usually the guy whose team surprised us the most by exceeding expectations. And so far that is the Spurs – we knew they would be good and solid, but so far they look like contenders. They are pressing the tempo with Tony Parker, forcing turnovers, and counting less on Tim Duncan and more on their fantastic guard play. We’ll see if they can stay healthy, but 20 games in they are the biggest surprise because they are such a threat.

2. New York Knicks/Mike D’Antoni. Hey, who knew — you can run an up-tempo offense in the East. Well, of course you can, it’s a matter of having the talent to do it, and with Amar’s Stoudemire and the fast-improving in the system Raymond Felton the Knicks now have it. Wilson Chandler and others are playing their roles well. The schedule has been soft, but they have been better than advertised so far.

3. New Orleans Hornets/Monty Williams. If one team is really going to fall from this list, my pick is the Hornets. Not because of Chris Paul or the players so much — although the roster’s limitations will catch up with them — so much as teams going through ownership turmoil just tend to crumble.

Just missing out: Indiana Pacers/Jim O’Brien.

Most Disappointing Team

1. Milwaukee Bucks. How does a team with Brandon Jennings, John Salmons, Andrew Bogut and Corey Maggette have the worst offense in the NBA? Yes there have been injuries but this team has been flat out ugly to watch.

2. Portland Trail Blazers. Injuries are the reason here — another season lost for Greg Oden and Brandon Roy’s knees will never be right — but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing. Hopes were high.

3. Houston Rockets. Again injuries, to Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks have hurt. But even when they have played this team just has not molded together well.

Some quick hits on my other votes (well, if I had a vote):

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic. (Kevin Garnett is close behind.)

Sixth Man of the Year: Wilson Chandler, New York Knicks. (Jason Terry will probably win it, and he has earned it, but I wanted to vote for someone different).

Most Improved Player: Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

[dmxx116]

Magic trades Phoenix Vince Carter and others for Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu :

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...adetalks121810

[bigddan11]

Magic trades Phoenix Vince Carter and others for Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu :

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...adetalks121810

That's actually one of two trades the Magic made today. The Magic also traded with the Wizards: Gilbert Arenas for Rashard Lewis.

The full trades are:
with Phoenix
(to Phoenix)
Vince Carter
Marcin Gortat
Mickael Pietrus
2011 first round pick
cash considerations

(to Orlando)
Jason Richardson
Earl Clark
Hedo Turkoglu

with Washington
(to Washington)
Rashard Lewis

(to Orlando)
Gilbert Arenas

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5932861

[Wonderwall]

Seems Orlando is trying to see if Turk can reclaim some magic that he had from 2 years ago when they made the Finals. Getting rid of Carter can only be a good thing but I don't know about Arenas, guess it depends if they can keep him in line.

[dmxx116]

Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings, Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka, Washington's JaVale McGee and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers were named Wednesday as entrants in February's NBA Slam Dunk Contest :

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201....dunk.contest/

Why would I want to Serge Ibaka and JaVale McGee in the Slam Dunk Contest where they can get LeBron James and D Wade I payed to see star not role players in there.