NBA; Half way mark..

With all teams having surpassed the 41-game mark, let's grade your favorite team in the following categories..

Your team's;

- Best player
- Most improved player
- Best defensive player
- Best rookie

- Team defense
- Team offense

- Chances of winning the title

While at last but not least, also give your choices for the entire NBA, so who's been the best lpayer in the NBA so far (MVP), most improved player, best defensive/offensive team, etc. etc..

- Best player Tied: Jason Kidd & Vince Carter (Kidd gets the edge, but Carter has been a steal for us)
- Most improved player Richard Jefferson
- Best defensive player Jason Kidd by default
- Best rookie Nenad Krstic -7 footer who works hard and has talent, keep a eye on this kid, the Nets got a real good one.

- Team defense Talent wise, not bad. Size wise, a disaster.
- Team offense If Jefferson was healthy and with a now healthy Kidd playing now the way he is playing and Carter continuing his re-birth, well you tell me.

- Chances of winning the title

None. But only because we have NO legit big men.

With all teams having surpassed the 41-game mark, let's grade your favorite team in the following categories..

Your team's;

- Best player
- Most improved player
- Best defensive player
- Best rookie

- Team defense
- Team offense

- Chances of winning the title

While at last but not least, also give your choices for the entire NBA, so who's been the best lpayer in the NBA so far (MVP), most improved player, best defensive/offensive team, etc. etc..
not sure if you mean best as in most valuable or outstanding.


As objectively as I can.....

for the suns best is Nash without question, and Staudamire most improved. Best defensive is likely Marion. Very underrated because of his size, but he manages a lot of boards and blocks. Best rookie would have to be Barbossa, can't wait till he gets back, the gaurd depth will be something. Not sure what you mean by team defence or offence, but since the Suns really only use the starting 5 in important situations, there wouldn't be much difference, except for defence I'd switch Stauds with Outlaw, and if he keeps it up Nash for Jackson on defence. Offence obviously would remain unchanged. Chances at the title are excellent, and certainly as good or better than any other serious title competetion. NBA mvp is without a doubt Nash at this stage. I'd have to think right now it is his award to lose. Most improved is tough to say, I don't want to take Hill because its not like his skills regressed, he just had griffeyitus. Best defensive player is tough to say, I'm looking out east for this one, and maybe Ben Wallace? Best offensive team is obviously the suns, and the flip is the Spurs. Incidendally both are the clear 1 and 2 in the league. Best coach right now is a tie for me between D'antoni and the guy in Seattle. His name escapes me oh Nate Mcmillan. Couldn't remember his last name.

Hey FOTS, just curious, who would you say is the best point guard right now in the NBA healthy.

I say it's still Kidd as he has been tearing it up of late, but I do love Nash's game, it reminds me of John Stockton but with alot more flash.

And how overrated is Stephon Marbury?

Your team - San Antonio Spurs

Best player ..

1) Tim Duncan
2) Manu Ginobili
3) Tony Parker

Most improved player ..

1) Devin Brown
2) Manu Ginobili
3) Tony Parker

Best defensive player ..

1) Bruce Bowen
2) Tim Duncan
3) Parker/Ginobili

Best rookie ..

1) Beno Udrih (West December rookie)

Team defense .. 9/10

Team offense .. 7/10

Chances of winning the title ..

Spurs are the favorite, but I have my doubts. Consistency worries me, as well as the lack of a true experienced veteran (Malone anyone?)..

Leaguewide;

MVP ..

1) LeBron James
2) Steve Nash
3) Tim Duncan

Most improved player ..

1) Grant Hill
2) Larry Hughes
3) Amare Stoudamire

Best defensive player ..

1) Bruce Bowen
2) Theo Ratliff
3) Garnett/Duncan

Best rookie ..

1) Emeka Okafor
2) Dwight Howard
3) Luol Deng

Hey FOTS, just curious, who would you say is the best point guard right now in the NBA healthy.

I say it's still Kidd as he has been tearing it up of late, but I do love Nash's game, it reminds me of John Stockton but with alot more flash.

And how overrated is Stephon Marbury?
You'll never hear a bad word from me about Jason Kidd. He is my favorite nbaer, and I saw first hand how good he was. Also, yes, Starbury is overrated. I hated that deal the day they made it, and when the Suns missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years the world knew why. Not too mention the Nets went to the finals the next 2 years. Marbury played 2 full seasons and most of a 3rd in Phoenix. Second year was good, the first and 3rd were awful. It doesn't take much too realize Kidd and Nash are both significantly better when you just look at how they fared in Phoenix and how Starbury fared.

Your team: Toronto Raptors

- Best player: Chris Bosh
- Most improved player: Chris Bosh
- Best defensive player: Morris Peterson
- Best rookie: Matt Bonner

- Team defense: 5/10
- Team offense: 7/10

- Chances of winning the title: None

You'll never hear a bad word from me about Jason Kidd. He is my favorite nbaer, and I saw first hand how good he was. Also, yes, Starbury is overrated. I hated that deal the day they made it, and when the Suns missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years the world knew why. Not too mention the Nets went to the finals the next 2 years. Marbury played 2 full seasons and most of a 3rd in Phoenix. Second year was good, the first and 3rd were awful. It doesn't take much too realize Kidd and Nash are both significantly better when you just look at how they fared in Phoenix and how Starbury fared.
Sorry man, never meant to suggest that you thought less of Kidd, just talking that's all.

And the reason I asked about Marbury because just like you guys as soon as we got rid of him and got Kidd we became a contender at that moment. I remember when we got Marbury he talked like he was the next Walt Fraiser and he wasn't even the next Kenny Anderson. Marbury's problem, he's a two guard in a point guard's body, the man knows NOTHING about leadership.

- Best player: Chris Bosh
- Most improved player: Chris Bosh

Hey dude, I remember when Carter got traded there was a opinion that Bosh would benefit from it the most and it looks like in fact he has, but why did Carter have to go for him to emerge? It's not like their game was the same and conflicted with each other unless I missed something.

he's a two guard in a point guard's body, the man knows NOTHING about leadership.
that's why Phoenix made the trade. They completly undervalued Kidd's leadership. I guess they felt they had good enough team defence to cover the loss, but at the time we needed outside shooting, particularly from beyond the arc. That is why we got Marbury. It was a very narrowminded decision then, and a stupid one now. It was made even worse by the dumping of Cliff Robinson that year. Not that Robinson was special, but it essentially offset the addition of Marbury as it removed another shooter, so we still needed one, except now we also needed leadership and defence.

Hey dude, I remember when Carter got traded there was a opinion that Bosh would benefit from it the most and it looks like in fact he has, but why did Carter have to go for him to emerge? It's not like their game was the same and conflicted with each other unless I missed something.Morris Peterson and Chris Bosh have improved quite a bit since the departure of Carter. I think with Bosh it's been him getting the touches, which definitely improved his confidence. Peterson used to throw up shots because he wanted to score with the limited chances he used to get with Vince here, now he gets more ops and has improved as a player.

Bosh is averaging 19.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.8 BPG, and he's shooting 47% from the field since the departure of Vince. So, like a lot of fans said before... addition by subtraction.

Team- Dallas Mavericks

Best Player
1. Dirk Nowitzki
2. Josh Howard
3. Jerry Stackhouse

Most Improved Player
1. Josh Howard
2. Dirk Nowitzki(really improved his defensive play)
3. Jason Terry(really improved from the start of the year)

Best Defensive Player
1. Josh Howard
2. Erick Dampier
3. Dirk Nowitzki

Best Rookie
1. Devin Harris

Team Defense 6.5/10

Team Offense 8.5/10

Title Chances
Pretty good, as I would say we have the 3rd best shot in the Western Conference(behind San Antoinio and Sacramento). Teams like the Suns dont concern me, as I've seen what happens to all out offense teams in the playoffs.

Leaguewide

MVP
1. LeBron James- He is the Cavaliers
2. Dirk Nowitzki- 3rd leading scorer in the league, the offense runs through him
3. Steve Nash- Saw how much he was needed when he was injured

Improved Player
1. Grant Hill
2. Chris Bosh
3. Larry Hughes

Rookie
1. Emeka Okafor
2. Dwight Howard
3. Ben Gordon

With all teams having surpassed the 41-game mark, let's grade your favorite team in the following categories..

Your team's;

- Best player
- Most improved player
- Best defensive player
- Best rookie

- Team defense
- Team offense

- Chances of winning the title

While at last but not least, also give your choices for the entire NBA, so who's been the best lpayer in the NBA so far (MVP), most improved player, best defensive/offensive team, etc. etc..

My Team- Toronto Raptors

Best Player-
Chris Bosh :bow:

Most improved player-
Mo Peterson

Best defensive player-
Marshall

Best Rookie-
Bonner

Team Defense- 4-10

Team Offense- 8/10 ( One of the best benches in the NBA )

Chance of winning title- Slim

League-

MVP- Steve Nash ( He is THE SUNS )

Most improved Player- Bobby Simmons

Best Offensive Team- Pheonix Suns ( No Question )

Best Defensive Team- Orlando Magic ( Cato, Battie, Howard... )

Player who has showed the most heart and determination- JALEN ROSE ( A class act on and off the floor )

Best Rookie- BEN GORDON! MR. CLUTCH! :yo:

Dallas Mavericks


Best player
1.Dirk Nowitzki
2.Josh Howard
3.Jerry Stackhouse

Most improved player
1.Jerry Stackhouse
2.Jason Terry
3.Josh Howard

Best defensive player
1.Josh Howard
2.Erick Dampier
3.Dirk Nowitzki

Best rookie
1.Devin Harris

Team defense
7/10

Team offense
9/10

Chances of winning the title
Pretty good IMO. The Spurs are obviously the favorite, but I can see Dallas upsetting them. The Kings are also good, but I've got a feeling they'll dissapoint in the playoffs. The Suns and Sonics IMO will fall off as the season goes on. The T'Wolves and Lakers could surprise, but I doubt it.

Leaguewide


MVP
1.LeBron James
2.Steve Nash
3.Dirk Nowitzki(homer pick, yes, but he's been very good this year)

Most improved player
1.Grant Hill
2.Amare Stoudemire
3.Chris Bosh

Best defensive player
1.Kevin Garnett
2.Shaquille O'Neil
3.Tim Duncan

Best rookie
1.Emeka Okafor
2.Ben Gordon
3.Dwight Howard

Phoenix Suns

Best players

1. Amare
2. Matrix
3. Nash

Most Improved

Joe Johnson

Best D-Fense

1. Q-Rich
2. Matrix
3. Amare

Sophomore ... no rookie ...

Barbosa

Team D-Fense

7/10

O-Fense

10/10

Title Chance

Excellent


League MVP

Tim Duncan


Most Improved

Grand Hill

Rookie

Ben Gordon

Raptors

- Best player- Chris Bosh
- Most improved player- Morris Peterson
- Best defensive player- Tough call... :dunno:
- Best rookie- Matt Boner

- Team defense: 6.5/10*
- Team offense: 7.5/10*

*very inconsistant*

- Chances of winning the title- None

League MVP: Nash
Improved: Grant Hill
Rookie: Okafor

Celtics
Best player- PAul Pierce
Most Improved- Raef Lafrentz(being healthy helps)
Best Defensive-nobody stands out,but because he use to be nasty on D ill nominate Gary Payton
Best Rookie- Al Jefferson (this guy is gonna be a force down low)
Team Defense- 5
Team Offense- 8
Title Chance- Slim and None and Slim just left

- Best player
Kirk Hinrich, to no surprise.
- Most improved player
Hinirch, Curry, or Chandler. Take your pick (since those are more or less your only options... but each has really improved in their own ways)
- Best defensive player
Tyson Chandler
- Best rookie
Luol Deng
- Funnest to watch
Andres Nocioni :D

- Team defense
A+. Among the league's elite, somehow
- Team offense
C. Gordon's too inconsistant, and the Bulls are in trouble if him and/or Hinrich get in foul trouble

- Chances of winning the title
The question has turned from 'will the Bulls make the playoffs' to 'will the Bulls win a series (and if they get paired with Philly, certainly), but have no chance of winning the championship. But down the road...?

MVP: LeBron James
MIP: Grant Hill
Best Offense: Phoenix
Best Defense: Orlando
Best Rookie: Okafor

[QUOTE=Ott = Snott]With all teams having surpassed the 41-game mark, let's grade your favorite team in the following categories..

Your team: Lake Show

- Best player - Kobe
- Most improved player - Odom
- Best defensive player - Chris Mihm
- Best rookie - Tierre Brown

- Team defense D
- Team offense C+

- Chances of winning the title: snowballs chance in hell

Just one general comment that comes to mind: how can people leave Andrei Kirilenko off their leaguewide "best defensive player" lists?

Just one general comment that comes to mind: how can people leave Andrei Kirilenko off their leaguewide "best defensive player" lists?

Ya start with the fact hes only played 20 games this year.

Detroit Pistons

- Best player - Richard RIP Hamilton
- Most improved player - Tayshaun Prince
- Best defensive player - Ben Wallace
- Best rookie - N/A Carlos Delfino has been hurt
- Best Surprise - Antonio McDyess

Might as well use this thread to discuss the All-Star selections..

What suprised me right away was how the team with the best starting 5 don't even have a single representation.

Chris Webber? If 20 - 10 - 5 aren't All-Star worthy, then what is?
Peja Stojakovic? NBA's top shooter, scoring over 21 points a game?
Mike Bibby? 17 - 6.5 - 4.5 while having averaged 31 with Webber out?
Or maybe Brad Miller who's IMO a better center than Yao Ming, who's starting?

Anyway, Spurs have Popovich and his staff on the sidelines coaching Duncan and Ginobili, while Benoh Udrih participates in the rookie/sophomore game. 4 In total fro the Spurs isn't bad at all.. I believe only the Suns have more (5) with JJ and Q doing the 3pnt, and their big 3 all playing in the ASG..

Phoenix Suns

- Best player - Steve Nash
- Most improved player - Staudemire
- Best rookie - None
- Best surprise - Steven Hunter
- Team defense - Defense? Whats that?
- Team offense - Best in the league
- Chances of winning the title - Not too shabby at all...

Might as well use this thread to discuss the All-Star selections..

What suprised me right away was how the team with the best starting 5 don't even have a single representation.

The Suns starting 5 is better than the Kings, that's pretty tough to dispute. I mean everybody is averaging at least 15 ppg.

[QUOTE=Ott = Snott]Might as well use this thread to discuss the All-Star selections..

What suprised me right away was how the team with the best starting 5 don't even have a single representation.
QUOTE]
The Suns starting 5 is better than the Kings, that's pretty tough to dispute. I mean everybody is averaging at least 15 ppg.

Only the Suns have 3 players playing out of position in order to have such a top 5. This makes them extremely small in general and rather weak defensively. The Kings top 5 is big, versatile and much better defensively.

Only the Suns have 3 players playing out of position in order to have such a top 5. This makes them extremely small in general and rather weak defensively. The Kings top 5 is big, versatile and much better defensively.
They only have 2, Marion and Staudamire. Who else?

They only have 2, Marion and Staudamire. Who else?Who the hell is Staudamire?

you know what he means!

Raptors

Best Player - Bosh
Most Improved - Peterson
Defensive Player - N/A the Raps can't play defense :shakehead
Best Rookie - Bonner
Offense - B+
Defense - F
Chances of a Championship - None at all

Might as well use this thread to discuss the All-Star selections..

What suprised me right away was how the team with the best starting 5 don't even have a single representation.

Chris Webber? If 20 - 10 - 5 aren't All-Star worthy, then what is?
Peja Stojakovic? NBA's top shooter, scoring over 21 points a game?
Mike Bibby? 17 - 6.5 - 4.5 while having averaged 31 with Webber out?
Or maybe Brad Miller who's IMO a better center than Yao Ming, who's starting?

Anyway, Spurs have Popovich and his staff on the sidelines coaching Duncan and Ginobili, while Benoh Udrih participates in the rookie/sophomore game. 4 In total fro the Spurs isn't bad at all.. I believe only the Suns have more (5) with JJ and Q doing the 3pnt, and their big 3 all playing in the ASG..

Doesnt help that Webber has Duncan, Garnett, Nowitzki all in front of him. Miller should definately be there though. Kind of cheap that Yao has a 1 billion person country who votes for him and him alone.

Doesnt help that Webber has Duncan, Garnett, Nowitzki all in front of him. Miller should definately be there though. Kind of cheap that Yao has a 1 billion person country who votes for him and him alone.
especially since he is only an average player, not even a starter on many teams.

I'm here to support the Cavs!

you know what he means!He's a Suns fan and he can't even spell the name of his teams second best player.

Seattle Supersonics

- Best player - Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis.
- Most improved player - Luke Ridnour
- Best defensive player - Ray Allen
- Best rookie - Ridnour??? Not sure if he qualifys.

- Team defense - 7.5.
- Team offense - 8.5.

- Chances of winning the title - decent. The Sonics are the clear division leaders, and could suprise some people. They can drop the 3 bomb like no other team, and have an array of weapons.

Best Player - Lebron
Most Improved - Bosh

especially since he is only an average player, not even a starter on many teams.
I have to disagree there, Yao starts on most teams IMO. You can't just go by stats, but he is averaging 18.3/8.5, thats better numbers than most centers in the game today, and I think he is better on the court than most of them, his presence alone on defense is huge, the real problem is that he can't play more, he just needs to keep getting in better shape.

I'd take Shaq over him. And Amare unless you switch him to the PF, but other than that, its pretty debatable I think.
Ilgauskas? Maybe
Miller? Maybe
Curry? Not Yet
Wallace? Maybe
Nazzy? No way
Brezec? Please
Dampier? I wouldn't
Camby? Nope
Mihm? Yikes
Olowakandi? Nope
Nesterovic? Nope
Magloire? If he's healthy, still no.
Okur? Nope

Really, only Shaq and Amare are noticeably better IMO. Big Z, Miller and Big Ben are the only guys in Yao's realm right now, maybe Curry soon (gotta pimp Eddy) and perhaps a healthy Magloire, but really, Yao starts on at least 25 teams in the NBA right now IMO.

It does seem ridiculous that Webber didn't make the all-star team though, but his comp is tough.

They only have 2, Marion and Staudamire. Who else?

Q and JJ are more SF's than they are SG's IMO.. but that's not a big difference anyway.

He's a Suns fan and he can't even spell the name of his teams second best player.
A suns fan knows Marion > Stoudemire. Stoudemire puts up points, but that's it. Marion is the one down and dirty picking up blocks and boards and playing defence. Marion is actually really the best overall player on the team, although Nash is the most important.

A suns fan knows Marion > Stoudemire. Stoudemire puts up points, but that's it. Marion is the one down and dirty picking up blocks and boards and playing defence. Marion is actually really the best overall player on the team, although Nash is the most important.Fine, Matrix > Amare... but you still couldn't spell his name.

Fine, Matrix > Amare... but you still couldn't spell his name.
do you realize how futile this arguement is? You have just made your third post harping on a spelling error.

do you realize how futile this arguement is?It's not an argument... it's mind blowing how one can't spell the name of a top player on his team when he's such a homer.

:p:

Tim Duncon rules!

Go Mats Sundeen!

Yes, Sakoi Koivoi!

Team: Detroit Pistons

Best player: Ben Wallace - the heart and soul of the team
Most improved player: Tayshaun Prince - 5-tool player who can shut down the opposition's best perimeter threat (whether a SG, SF or even PG)

Best defensive player: Ben Wallace - a monster in the low post
Best rookie: N/A

Team defense: 9.5 - terrific and second in the league only to San Antonio
Team offense: 5.5 - struggled early in the year, and lately has been coming around

Chances of winning defending the title: Good, but they'll have to find a way to get by Miami and whoever comes out of the West.

MVP
1) Steve Nash - ring leader of arguably the most entertaining offensive juggernut in the past decade.
2) Lebron James - So young, so good
3) Dirk Nowitski - Most dynamic big man in the league

Defensive Player of the year
1) Ben Wallace - Opponents fear the 'fro
2) Andrei Kirilenko - Mr. Everything on defense
3) Bruce Bowen - A perimeter player's worst nightmare

Rookie of the year
1) Emeka Okafor - Extremely polished post player
2) Dwight Howard - Extremely raw (but talented) post player
3) Ben Gordon - Also a 6th man of the year candidate

Coach of the year
1) Nate MacMillan - The Sonics are on top of the Northwest despite having less talent than any of their division rivals
2) Mike D'Antoni - Deviced a game plan to suit the Suns to a TEE
3) Scott Skiles - Young Bulls are learning with each passing game

Most Improved player
1) Dwyane Wade - A burgeoning superstar
2) Amare Stoudemire - See Above
3) Bobby Simmons - Went from a scrub to a above-average starter

Best player
- Kevin Garnett (still)

Comeback player
- Grant Hill (obviously)

Seattle Supersonics

- Best player - Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis.
- Most improved player - Luke Ridnour
- Best defensive player - Ray Allen
- Best rookie - Ridnour??? Not sure if he qualifys.

- Team defense - 7.5.
- Team offense - 8.5.

- Chances of winning the title - decent. The Sonics are the clear division leaders, and could suprise some people. They can drop the 3 bomb like no other team, and have an array of weapons.

Best Player - Lebron
Most Improved - Bosh

I'd put ray allen pretty far down the list for "best defensive player."

for me it's got to be either antonio daniels or reggie evans.