Golden State Warriors

Monta Ellis: The One Man Fast Break

Can Monta Ellis get some love?  The man is a human highlight-reel, and is instant offense, especially in the open court.  With his 19.3 points a game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 53.3% shooting, you could even make a case for Ellis to repeat as the most improved player of the year.  

• 06-07 Stats
• 16.5 ppg- 3.2 rpg-4.1 apg- 47.5% shooting
• 07-08 Stats
• 19.3 ppg-4.6 rpg- 3.7 apg- 53.3% shooting

Again, Monta has greatly improved, I’m not saying he should be the most improved player, but he certainly makes a strong case, and if you have seen any Warriors games this year, Ellis is that spark and energy that the Warriors thrive off of.  When he gets the ball on the fast break, it’s basically a guaranteed layup, or at least foul shots.  He attacks the rim with such quickness and finesse, he’s just too hard to stop.  I’m going to go ahead and say that Ellis is one of the top ten finishers in the league.   Monta’s emergence this year was crucial to the Warriors, due to the fact that Jason Richardson was traded this off-season.   His pull-up midrange jumper is basically unguardable since the defenders are so worried about his driving ability.  It’s hard to believe that he is still an under-the-radar type of player, hopefully in the playoffs he can get some exposure, and people will realize the talent that Monta possesses.  

Best of the Week (Mar. 3-9)

5.)  Baron Davis: 56.6% FG, 80.0% FT, 28.3 PPG, 4.5 Reb, 6.3 Ast, 1.3 Stl 

Davis led Golden State to a 3-1 record for the week and kept them within the top 8 teams in the West. Davis hit for over 30 in 3 of the 4 games. Davis is having a career year and has played in all 62 of the Warriors’ games.  This is a big deal for a guy who has been injury prone for the past 5 seasons. 

4.)  Joe Johnson: 52.9% FG, 81.8% FT, 30.3 PPG, 3.3 3PT’s, 6.3 Ast, 1.8 Stl 

Even though the Hawks played horribly over the past week, Johnson was a stud.  Though Johnson is having another strong year, this is his worst season since joining
Atlanta.  Johnson will need to have more weeks like this one, if Atlanta has a hope of holding on to their playoff spot. 

3.)  Chris Paul: 57.5% FG, 95.2% FT, 28.0 PPG, 13.3 Ast, 2.5 Stl 

Paul continued his case for the league MVP with a week that would have normally landed him on the top of this list.  He led New Orleans to a 3-1 record and kept them near the top in the jumbled West.  I don’t think it is a stretch to call him the best PG in the league. 

2.)  Tracy McGrady: 55.6% FG, 81.8% FT, 32.3 PPG, 5.0 Reb, 7.7 Ast 

He has carried Houston on his back since Yao went down, and this week he was awesome once again.  They are beating good teams easily, and McGrady is doing every thing on the court. 

1.)  LeBron James: 49.4% FG, 82.5% FT, 42.3 PPG, 4.7 3PT’s, 7.3 Reb, 5.0 Ast, 2.0 Stl, 1.7 Blk 

There is no denying LeBron the number 1 spot this week.  He has made this list almost every week.  Is it possible for LeBron to get any better?  He will mature and make better decisions like Jordan did, but is there anyway for Lebron to become more skilled.  I see him as a cross between Jordan, Magic, and Karl Malone.  He almost had a triple-double while scoring 50 points.  I’m sorry Kobe; Lebron is the best player in the league.      

Honorable Mention: Jason Richardson, Lamar Odom, Brandon Roy, Deron Williams, Kevin Martin, Charlie Villaneuva, Nate Robinson, Allen Iverson, and Antawn Jamison

Best of the Week (Feb. 26-Mar. 2)

5.)  Mike Dunleavy: 52.2% FG, 79.5% FT, 28.5 PPG, 3.0 Ast, 3.3 3PT’s

Dunleavy is one of many having a break-out season this year, but he really stepped it up over the past week.  His stroke from all over the court was dead on, and he hit for over 30 twice in the week.  He has gotten much more aggressive, as he attempted 39 free throws in only 3 games.

4.)  Amare Stoudemire: 62.3% FG, 88.9% FT, 27.7 PPG, 10.7 Reb, 1.7 Blk

I said last week that Stoudemire may average 30 per game for the rest of the season, and it looks like it may happen.  With Marion gone and Shaq only getting about 10 PPG, Amare has to score more and he is doing it.  Look at that FT%–maybe he can teach Shaq how to shoot those.

3.)  Monta Ellis: 57.1% FG, 9/9 FT, 24.3 PPG, 6.7 Reb, 5.3 Ast, 1.3 Stl

Ellis had a big week, but he is having a big year also.  He is shooting 53.2 percent from the floor for the year.  That is amazing for a perimeter player.  He is a more athletic version of Rip Hamilton.

2.)  Dirk Nowitzki: 46.5% FG, 86.5% FT, 30.3 PPG, 9.8 Reb, 3.5 Ast, 1.8 Stl

He lost the battle Sunday with Kobe, but not for lack of trying.  Dirk’s slow start to the season is ancient history now.  Dirk has put himself onto the short list of MVP candidates.  The playoffs in the West are going to be interesting and star studded.

1.)  Kobe Bryant: 50.0% FG, 82.0% FT, 34.0 PPG, 7.0 Reb, 6.0 Ast, 2.0 Stl, 1.0 Blk

He has some help this year, and he still managed to go for over 50 in a big game.  As a pure scorer, Kobe has no match in the league and he proves it week in and week out.  This season Kobe may be looking at an MVP trophy and a trip to the finals.

Honorable Mention: Lebron James, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Beno Udrih, Hedo Turkoglu, and Allen Iverson

Yao Out, Will Rockets Fizzle?

 Once again, Yao is hurt and the Rockets are without one of their star players, and arguably one of the best centers in the conference.  With the west being so tight this year, no team can afford to go on a losing streak.  Ming was averaging 22 points and almost 11 rebounds per game before the injury which couldn’t have come at a worse time.  The Rockets have won 13 straight games, including their thrashing of Washington last night without Yao.   Read more

Yao Done For the Season

Yao Ming has suffered a stress fracture in his left foot and, for the third consecutive season, he will miss a big chunk of the season.  This time he will miss the remainder and the playoffs and possibly the Olympics in his home country. The Rockets have won 13 in a row and were looking like a contender in the competitive West.

With the loss of Ming’s 20-10 night in and night out, things are looking sour for the streaking Rockets.  I don’t see how they can make the playoffs without him, and if they do, they’ll get swept out of the first round. Golden State, Denver, and possibly Portland may overtake them without the big man.  Carl Landry and Dikembe “long fingers” Mutombo are not going to get it done for the Rockets.

The problem with Houston is that they have two great players and both are incredibly fragile.  McGrady could go down tomorrow and the Rockets would finish under .500 for the season.  This is the third straight season Yao will play less than 58 games and McGrady has never played 80 games in a season and will not this year because of already missed time.

 With Houston dropping from the elite teams in the West, my prediction of Phoenix missing the playoffs looks to be in jeopardy. 

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

The season starts up again today, so I thought it a good time to reflect on the first half of the season and also look ahead to the second half and the playoffs.  There have been a few blockbuster trades that have happened and at least one more that looks like it will happen and this has changed the outlook for the second half. 

First let’s look back on the first half with some mid-year awards. 

EAST MVP: LeBron James 

Could it be anyone else?  He has Cleveland back over .500 and has done it all by his lonesome.  He leads the league in scoring (30.3 PPG), grabs 7.8 rebounds, and dishes out 7.3 assists per game.  He may one day average a triple-double for the year. 

WEST MVP: Chris Paul 

With Paul as their leader, New Orleans has the best record in the competitive West.  He is averaging 20.5 PPG, is second in the league in assists (10.9), and is the league leader in steals.  He may have passed Nash as the best point guard in the league. 

EAST ROY:  Al Horford 

This guy is turning into a beast on the boards.  In the last month he is averaging a double-double and should continue to improve.  He is one of the young guys pulling Atlanta out of the cellar of the NBA.

WEST ROY:  Kevin Durant 

Averaging almost 20 PPG, Durant is already a legitimate scoring threat in the league.  I see him in a couple of years getting 30 PPG.  Right now he is basically just a scorer, though he is averaging a block per game.   

2^nd Half Predictions 

Eastern Conference 

Teams to Beat: Boston and Detroit 

I really don’t see any other team in the East seriously challenging these two teams.  I don’t think Orlando as enough and LeBron would have to get on a roll of epic proportions to get past either of these guys. 

Team to Cause Some Trouble:  Atlanta 

You may be laughing now, but I think Atlanta is going to make the playoffs.  I don’t see them going very far, but they could knock someone off that’s not ready for them.  They have a ton of young talent, and now with Bibby they will be tough to beat night in and night out. 

Miscellaneous Prediction: 

New Jersey misses the playoffs by a lot, and Miami doesn’t finish with the worst record. 

Western Conference 

Teams to Beat:  Dallas, New Orleans, Lakers, San Antonio 

Dallas, if they get Kidd, will be my favorite to win the West and the whole damn thing. New Orleans will finish with a great record, but I don’t think they can hang with some of the more experienced teams in the playoffs.  If Kobe is not bothered by his finger and Bynum can come back, the Lakers are right behind the Mavericks.  I can’t leave out
San Antonio.  When the playoffs come around they can, and usually do, beat anyone and everyone.   

Team to Cause Some Trouble:  Golden State

I think they can pull off a playoff upset just like they did last year.  They have recently added Webber, who is not what he used to be but is still pretty good, and if they can get on a roll offensively, they can blow you away with points. 

Miscellaneous Prediction: 

This one may blow many of you away, but I think it is very possible that Phoenix does not even make the playoffs.  They are only 4 ½ games from the 9^th spot right now, and I think the Shaq trade has made them worse.  The West is so competitive it will not take much of a slip-up for them to be sitting at home come playoff time.  

NBA Catchup and Bones’ Thoughts of Trademania

Sorry all for the complete lack attention I have given my blogs and the website and of course my 4 fans (looking at you teamsuck).  I was back-packing through Europe, met some hot chicks at a hostel, wound up gagged and tied in some crazy factory, then had to bite through a guy’s nose before escaping.  Thinking about writing a screenplay about it actually.   So here’s my quick catchup and thoughts on the craziness that has happened the past couple of weeks with a little Stephen A. Smith color commentary.

 Gasol Trade - Just amazing fleece job by the Lakers.  I mean really, you’re not going to go after any of the top 5 young guys on LA? You trade a perennial all-star for the upside on his younger brother? Looking like Kobe’s hand injury could end the possibility of this being so big for this year(um and who else is a little worried for the Olympics), but think about Bynum, Gasol, and Kobe for the next 5 years of their prime.  Can I bet odds on the 2008-09 NBA champions yet?

Stephen A  - I JUST HATE THIS TRADE FOR THE GRIZZLIES, JUST DONT MAKE NO SENSE.  BUT AS MUCH AS I HATE IT, I LOVE IT.  DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK I WOULD MAKE A GREAT ADDITION TO CSI:MIAMI?

Shaq Trade - Wow, Steve Kerr! Have to agree with Sports Guy here about having some fuckin’ balls.  I love it in all regards. I haven’t seen Shaq this pumped since he read the script to Kazaam.  If you been crushed the last two years  in the playoffs bc Amare can’t cover Duncan, Nowitski, insert anyone in the NBA, your grandmother, why wouldn’t you rid yourself of the locker room cancer to get Shaq,  hope he eats his wheaties, and can play solid D the rest of the year.  I also think people forget how much money Marion makes.  On the flip side, Heat can use the rest of the season to see if Wade and Marion can gel and take one of the top picks on a point guard (just please have the sense to take DJ Augustin from Texas over Paulus or anyone else that is white)

 Stephen A. - WHAT IS STEVE KERR THINKING TRADING FOR A WASHED UP SHAQ?  FORGET THE CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE, I WAS TWICE THE PLAYER SHAQ WAS.  I AM NOT YELLING!!

 The Kidd Fiasco - Come on now, someone from the writer’s guild got bored while on strike, pitched this idea to David Stern, who then kidnapped Cuban and whoever owns the Nets’ families, forcing them to make it play out this way.  I just love this, so amazing for the NBA right meow.  I mean another blockbuster, only to be nixed by a crazy no trade clause, work magic to have that basically figured out, to then have Stackhouse run his mouth about re-signing with the Mavs in 30 days, so the NBA basically has to nix the deal or throw their own rules down the drain.  So Much Drama and Steve Kerr and Tim Duncan sit back and laugh.

 Stephen A. - YOU’VE SEEN WHAT THESE GUNS CAN DO IN THE MIDDLE EAST! NOW I WANT TO SHOW YOU WHAT THEY CAN DO IN THE RING!!

 Slam Dunk Contest - I am unbelievably excited for this contest as a bunch of young guys seem incredibly hungry for the title.  Howard issued the 12 foot rim challenge, Gay answered with I can do whatever you can do better, and returning champ Gerald Green followed suit with “12 feet might be a little short, I’ll hit 13!”  This is going to be an unbelievable showcase of these kid’s ridiculous talents.  Who wouldn’t want to see this?  Ohhh the NBA doesn’t.  I am in awe right now.  You have the most publicity going in the sport in 3 years, some pumped up young kids, and you go and reject any request whatsoever.  If Dwight Howard came to you and said I need the Pussycat Dolls, 2 cases of cheez whiz, one of those dragon heads they have in Chinese parades, and Greg Oden’s birth certificate from the vault, YOU STILL SAY YES. 

 I’ll probably still watch, TNT Sat. night at 8pm

Stephen A. - JUST AN ABSOLUTE ABOMINADADANATION BY THE LEAGUE! I WANT HOLYFIELD!!

Best All-Star Dunk Contest Dunks

This is sure to cause some argument, as it is purely about taste.  I tried to whittle it down to only the top 5, but I actually snuck in a 6^th dunk.  Here they are.  Let the arguments begin. 

5.)  Dominque’s Two-Handed Windmill  

This is a dunk that has been done and added to since Dominque first did it, but there is something to be said for the originater.  Also, no one does it with more power than Dominque did.   

4.)  Dr. J/Michael Jordan’s Foul Line Dunk 

I had to put these two together because I can’t think of one without the other.  Dr. J got the ball rolling in an old ABA dunk contest, but Jordan added the flair with the arm pump and the tongue. 

3.)  Jordan Coming in From the Side 

I don’t know what you call this dunk, but it sure looks pretty.  If you want to see what it looks like to fly this is it.  No one was as graceful as
Jordan in the air, and this dunk is a prime example. 

2.)  Vince Carter’s Reverse 360 Windmill 

Narrowing down Carter’s 5 best dunks would be difficult.  This one, though, I think is his best.  He is the best windmill dunker since Dominque, and this dunk has everything except going between his legs. 

1.)  Jason Richardson’s Toss Reverse Between the Legs 

This one is absolutely ridiculous.  Richardson, like Carter, has so many dunks it’s hard just to figure out which one of his is the best.  Richardson has done a couple of between the legs dunks, but this one is the most impressive.

When I was taking another look at some of the dunks of the past, I stumbled upon this dunk that I had forgotten about.  It may be the best dunk ever in a game situation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieXETZVLJa4&NR=1

Most Underpaid Players In The NBA

I know what you are thinking.  There is no such thing as an underpaid player in the NBA.  Truer words were never spoken; however, there are quite a few players who are not getting paid relative to the other guys in the league. 

Here is a quick run-down of the 10 guys who I think are getting less for their efforts. 

10.)  Lebron James/Dwyane Wade 12.45 million

9.)  Dwight Howard 6.1 million

8.)  Steve Nash 11.4 million

7.)  Brandon Roy 2.9 million

6.)  Andre Iguodala 2.8 million

5.)  Chris Paul 3.6 million

4.)  Josh Smith 2.2 million

3.)  David Lee 990,000

2.)  Kevin Martin 1.8 million

1.)  Monta Ellis 770,610 

You may be wondering why LeBron and DWade are on the list with their 12.45 million.  They are 2 of the 3 biggest stars in the league and there are barely in the top 50 in terms of salary.  I’m not going to be crying a river for either of these guys, but they make their teams and the league a ton of money. 

Steve Nash makes some nice cash, but should he really be making only slightly more than half of what Marbury makes?   

Most of these guys are younger players who are still playing through their first contracts.  They will get the big money later.  It is amazing that their is an underpaid Knick on the list.  David Lee is a solid player and isn’t even over the one million mark.  They will need a lot more than just one David Lee if they want to make up for the rest of their payroll.

The one that shocks me, and the reason he is first on the list, is Monta Ellis. Ellis is averaging almost 19 PPG and is shooting over 53% from the field.  He is an excellent passer and plays pretty good defense whenever Golden State actually tries to play defense.  The last time I checked, they don’t even have Ellis signed for next year.

Best of the Week (Feb. 4-10)

This week I had to break with tradition a bit and throw an extra guy onto the list. 

6.)  Monta Ellis: 85.2% FG, 29.5 PPG, 5.5 Reb, 4.5 Ast 

I had to go with 6 guys because I couldn’t leave Ellis off the list.  No, it is not a typo, Ellis did shot 85.2 percent from the field for the week.  Ellis is one of the most underrated and underpaid players in the league.  He can shot the rock and does a few other things on the court to help out as well. 

5.)  Mo Williams: 54.9% FG, 34.0 PPG, 4.0 Reb, 5.5 Ast 

Mo has had an up and down season, but this week was up.  He has shown over the past couple of years that he is a solid second-tier PG in the league.  His biggest problem seems to be staying healthy. 

4.)  Josh Smith: 47.8% FG, 14.5 PPG, 7.0 Reb, 6.5 Ast, 2.8 Stl, 4.3 Blk 

What is there really to say about this guy.  Freak is about the only word to say.  He is 2^nd in the league in blocks and plays mostly on the perimeter.  He does everything on the court and blocks shots like he was a young Alonzo Mourning, only a few inches shorter.  He should be in the dunk contest every year. 

3.)  Carmelo Anthony: 56.8% FG, 96.3 % FT, 33.3 PPG, 8.8 Reb, 3.0 Ast 

One of the best scorers in the league, and he had a 15 rebound game during the week.  After missing five games to end January he has been on fire, averaging over 30 PPG. 

2.)  LeBron James: 49.5% FG, 30.3 PPG, 8.0 Reb, 7.0 Ast, 2.8 Stl, 1.3 Blk. 

Josh Smith is a freak and LeBron is a freak among freaks.  He makes this list almost every week, and so I really have nothing more to say about him except just gawk at the numbers and watch him play as much as you can. 

1.)  Amare Stoudamire: 52.9% FG, 93.2% FT, 28.5 PPG, 13.5 Reb, 3.3 Blk 

Another one of the crazy athletes in the NBA, and one of the few guys where you can say it was a smart idea for him to skip college all together.  I’m not sure if the Shaq trade will help him or hurt him, but I guess the coming weeks will decide that for us.  Take notice of the fact the he is now a shot blocking force.  I would chalk that up to having a better understanding of the game.  He is only 25. 

Honorable Mention: Cory Maggette, Deron Williams, Al Jefferson, Rudy Gay, and Allen Iverson 

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