WE delay today’s glance at Western Conference teams built to win it all with a New York Post exclusive: It has been learned the “secret scout” on NBA TV is Bubbles from “The Wire.”
LAKERS: Logical chalk outline to repeat, as long as Kevin Garnett comes up lame for the playoffs, Stan Van Gundy continues to abide by Magic management manipulation of playing time, and the Cavaliers keep looking for Shaquille O’Neal instead of relying on their instincts. Trevor Ariza has turned into Ron Artest.
On paper, it’s an upgrade but comes with the (aste)risk of The Lake Show becoming A Freak Show. If Kobe Bryant proves defensively demonic, it’s no comp. If he shirks responsibility and coasts because Ron Ron is aboard, trouble lies ahead.
SPURS: It’s real simple. When Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and genius Paul Popovich are all in residence, they are in the midst of championship conversation. Has any team ever had a more lethal weapon as its fourth (Richard Jefferson) offensive weapon? Not since West-Wilt-Elgin-Goodrich, I’m guessing. Rookie DeJuan Blair would make The Bruise Brothers cower.
“When he gets hit, he smiles,” noted Hornets voice Gerry Vaillancourt during the first game domination by San Antonio.
NUGGETS: Made Final Four a season ago, Chauncey Billups, as advertised, stabilized George Karl‘s gang, as well as the coach. Three of core haven’t hit their prime yet, as the evolution and maturation of Carmelo Anthony, Nene and J.R. Smith takes another (shaky) step — Just Remanded starts season under suspension for seven games for his fatal reckless-driving conviction.
Despite not making conspicuous improvements, incoming Aaron Affalo is better than outgoing Dahntay Jones, and Ty Lawson figures to really help the second unit. He plays with his head up, is very explosive, finishes at rim and defends position.
“He seemed quick as hell against kids in college,” a Denver official raves, “and he’s the same against men in the NBA.” Think Parker-Brooks-Paul-like quickness.”
JAZZ: Can there be enough power forward minutes for Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko, who looked like his old self when briefly observed in exhibition L.A. Shootout?
“I always thought Andrei was more a four than a three, so when they got Boozer and Okur it affected his game,” a West Coast scout submits. “But he looks stronger and just as active. With C.J. Miles out to start season I see him having a big year. But they will struggle against teams with size and length like the Lakers and Blazers, as well as teams that are tough and physical like the Nuggets.”
Jerry Sloan‘s No. 1 job is to avoid the Lakers in the first round. Deron Williams is so good he’s made the good folks of Illinois forget Rod Blagojevich.
CLIPPERS: Clearly, deepest and most dangerous 19-win team in Office Supply Center when Blake Griffin recovers from mob-unrelated busted kneecap. Which Baron Davis do my Paper Clips get? Hopefully the chiseled one we’ve seen during preseason and opening two losses . . . the one who has bagged thoughtless 3-point pot shots and is taking pride in getting into his man’s bone marrow . . . not the one who allowed Steve Nash, 35, to beat him off the dribble for Wednesday night’s game-winner.
Good news re Griffin, he’s out for six weeks vs. six months. Bad news is, Michael Olowokandi is day to day.
BLAZERS: Greg Oden has been declared healthier than two-thirds of U.S. financial institutions. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge have been richly rewarded with mega-million five-year extensions.
Steve Francis (not sure about Darius Miles) is no longer on the books. And maestro Andre Miller (he has always gotten his just respect in this space) is conducting a redoubtable second unit now one short due to Martell Webster‘s forced promotion resulting from season ending injury to Nicholas Batum.
Note to editor: Time again for me to spend some quality time in the Northwest.
MAVERICKS: Feds can accuse Mark Cuban of many things, but trying to win on a balanced budget isn’t one of them. However, his strong pitch for restricted free agent Marcin Gortat proved unsuccessful and timing also cost him Brandon Bass.
Shawn Marion brings multiplicity to Dallas’ set. Drew Gooden‘s offensive diversity and persistent pursuit of missed shots permits Dirk Nowitzki to concentrate more on performing fewer duties. Still, Jason Kidd is 36, and Josh Howard is coming off two surgeries.
HORNETS: For the moment, my defensive rotations and communication alertness on screens grades out higher than Byron Scott‘s team. Questions about scoring at off guard and small forward is creating stomach suds.
Peja Stojakovic has been erratic, and last I looked outcast Rasual Butler had downed a 3 at crunch time for the Clips) is creating stomach suds. But they do have Chris Paul and David West and Emeka Okafor.
But last year Denver sent two hombres after Paul and got the ball out of his hands and into the mitts of a no-dribble, non-attack teammate. I suspect one of two opponents in this copycat league might’ve picked up on that.