RealGM

1 (1) Celtics

32-6 It's the Celts' right to scoff at criticism of their depth, PG play and ability to (A) guard athletic swingmen and (B) score against zones. But facts is facts: Boston is playing only .500 ball, at 3-3, since winning in Detroit.

2 (6) Hornets

27-12 Don't know that we can make him the favorite, but Byron Scott has a real shot in the race to coach the West All-Stars in New Orleans. Which can only count as more evidence that Chris Paul should be starting in that game.

3 (3) Mavericks

27-12 With the Suns' D'Antoni ineligible and Phil's Lakers banged up, New Orleans native Avery Johnson is suddenly the guy most likely to prevent B-Scott from coaching the West, at 15-4 since Dallas' worrying 12-8 start.

4 (7) Suns

29-12 Big weekend in the desert. First Sarver announces that Amare and Marion ''are just flat-out not getting traded.'' The Suns then stabilize further by routing New Jersey to complete a stretch without Grant Hill at 5-2.

5 (2) Pistons

29-12 It's not just Boston wobbling in the wake of the last Beasts of the East showdown. The Pistons have since lost in New York and Chicago and at home to Sacramento to fall to 5-5 in January after a 15-2 December.

6 (8 ) Warriors

25-17 The Warriors were one hideous quarter in Indiana away from sweeping a four-game trip. Now to see if they can capitalize on a cushy schedule between now and March 4, with all of three road games in that span.

7 (4) Lakers

26-12 You'll recall what injuries did to last season's Lakers after a similar 26-13 start. So maybe all these injuries (Bynum, Mihm and now Ariza) are just another chance for these Lakers to prove how much they've grown.

8 (5) Spurs

25-13 We have to violate our own edict about never dropping these Spurs below No. 5. The defending champs left us with zero choice by losing their last seven games -- yes, seven -- against teams with winning records.

9 (9) Trail Blazers

24-16 With two stops left, Portland is a passable 2-3 on the trip expected to be the Blazers' downfall. So how can you be so sure they're the team -- now 19-4 since Dec. 2, remember -- that will fall out of the West's top eight?

10 (15) Cavaliers

21-18 The committee (of one) certainly can't condone LeBron's way-too-cavalier attitude about speeding. But apart from that and his free-throw shooting, LBJ has been irresistible in 2008, averaging (yikes) 33, 10 and 7.

11. Washington Wizards
12. Denver Nuggets
13. Utah Jazz
14. Orlando Magic
15. Houston Rockets
16. Toronto Raptors
17. Sacramento Kings
18. Charlotte Bobcats
19. Atlanta Hawks
20. New Jersey Nets
21. Chicago Bulls
22. Philadelphia 76'ers
23. Indiana Pacers
24. Milwaukee Bucks
25. Los Angeles Clippers
26. New York Knicks
27. Memphis Grizzlies
28. Seattle Supersonics
29. Minnesota Timberwolves
30. Miami Heat

Read the rest HERE

Cavs are too high...

now begins the lakers decent to mediocrity

MagicFan3 wrote:Cavs are too high...

way too high

hermes wrote:now begins the lakers decent to mediocrity

As proven tonight..

hey i'm glad they proved me wrong keep it up lakers

Is it that the west is getting even more competitive or that the top west teams are losing a step?

The Spurs, Suns, and Mavs aren't looking quite as dominant.

MagicFan3 wrote:Cavs are too high...

After being 11-3 in last 14 games beating the Lakers, the Mavs (at Dallas) and the Spurs (at SA) in the process? After being 22-12 with LeBron playing? And 2 of those 3 losses coming from the #2 and #6 on this list...

Cavs should be below the Wizards. The Wizards are fresh off knocking Boston off twice and completing a season sweep of the Mavs thanks to their new found defense.

Suns should be over the Mavs.

yea wiz get no love....cavs and wiz play on wed. so we'll see who better then

Hail2theRedskin wrote:yea wiz get no love....cavs and wiz play on wed. so we'll see who better then

Yeah, this will be an interesting game. LeBron vs Caron should be fun.

Man_Up wrote:Is it that the west is getting even more competitive or that the top west teams are losing a step?

The Spurs, Suns, and Mavs aren't looking quite as dominant.

the west is really competative this year

warriors are too high. they lost to minny

TheKingOfVa360 wrote:Cavs should be below the Wizards. The Wizards are fresh off knocking Boston off twice and completing a season sweep of the Mavs thanks to their new found defense.

Suns should be over the Mavs.

Sorry man, but I just had to call you out.

rutheredfox wrote:warriors are too high. they lost to minny

phx just lost to minny

Don't even want to think about what we went through last season

B Mac wrote:-= original quote snipped =-




Sorry man, but I just had to call you out.

I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

If something so enthusiastic/definite/bold/arrogant was said, there should be accountability and recognition for what was put out there before. As long as that recognition isn't intended in an insulting or overly-exhuberant way.