In this two part column, I got together with my good friend and writing partner Dillon Besser to discuss what has already been a very exciting NBA season.
Dillon: We are starting to approach 25% through the regular season. New acquisitions should be comfortable with their new teams now and making a difference. Josh, who has had the biggest impact for their new squad?
Josh: It
seems the obvious choice would be James Harden who is currently sitting
as the number five scorer in the entire league. Not only has he been
productive on the court, but he has brought relevancy to a team that had
toiled in the middle since the Yao/T-Mac era. His work has not
correlated into the wins, but it is hard to put that against a team
going through so much turmoil after the loss of coach Kevin McHale's
daughter. Another person to bring up would be the addition of Jamal
Crawford for the Clippers. Their biggest problem last season was the
inconsistency on the wing especially their lack of someone other than
Chris Paul being able to manufacture their own shot down the stretch of
games. He has come out of the gates blazing and is a major part of the
Clippers looking like they could be for real this season.
Harden
and Crawford have been great signings for their respective teams, but
is there anyone that comes to mind who has been a disappointment to
expectations or seem to have just stolen money?
Dillon: I
agree Harden has completely changed the atmosphere around Houston.
However, they still need plenty more to be taken serious. I am very
intrigued by OJ Mayo in Dallas once Dirk Nowitzki is back as well.
Disappointments are
harder to judge so soon. Dwight Howard's attitude hasn't been meshing
with the Lakers so far but I am not going to rule that team out this
quickly. Another piece to that trade has not seen the court yet and who
know when he will. Andrew Bynum has acted about as immature as possible.
Whether it is with his new look or
his overall attitude of not showing much concern for when he is coming
back. Philly gave up a leader and their defensive stud for a chance at
an impact player that could propel the franchise. Instead, they have
gotten nothing.
Moving on, which team is better
equipped to sustain their hot start for the whole season: the New York
Knicks or Memphis Grizzlies?
Josh: I
would say Memphis because they have a very solid core put into place,
and I have a feeling they will be making a splash in the free agent
market before it is all said and done. The Knicks are a great story, but
you cannot help but wonder what is going to happen once Amare comes
back into the fold. Will he be satisfied coming off the bench because it
has become clear that even though Carmelo would rather play the three
than the four, he has been absolutely killing it in his time in the
front court. They have a nice mix of offensive/defensive players but you
have to question if J.R. Smith can continue playing as he has and if
Tyson Chandler can continue scoring at such an efficient rate. Although
they are looking good, I still think they couldn't keep up with Miami in
seven games.
If you look at the Grizzlies, what
are they're major weaknesses? The only thing they really lack is a
consistent spot up shooter. We saw glimpses of Wayne Ellington taking
that role, but since his explosion he has returned to being who we
thought he was. Look for the Grizzlies to trade for a J.J. Reddick/Kyle
Korver type to sure up their rotation. Those kind of guys are usually
not that difficult to find and or trade for. They can pound you inside
offensively and defensively with Marc Gasol and T-Dog,
get after you on the wing with Mike Conley and Tony Allen and Rudy Gay
is a player that can get you twenty a night with the right match-up.
There is no team in the west like Miami which makes me think they have a
better shot at reaching the Finals.
Joshua Jackson & Dillon Besser
@JoshJackson_TID & @DillonBesser65
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