NBA Jam (Today) Roster: Atlantic Division

Based on today's rosters if the game was released now here is who should be in.  Sub in parenthesis.

BOSTON CELTICS

Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger (Marcus Smart)


BROOKLYN NETS

Deron Williams, Brook Lopez (Joe Johnson)


NEW YORK KNICKS

Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire (J.R. Smith)


PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Nerlens Noel, Michael Carter-Williams (Joel Embiid)


TORONTO RAPTORS

DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry (Jonas Valanciunas)

5 Questions With Mike Bibby

I talked with New York back up point guard Mike Bibby prior to Sunday afternoon’s Celtics-Knicks game at the TD Garden? Why Mike Bibby you ask? Well Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire were getting pre-game treatment and not talking. Tyson Chandler declined an invitation to go on “5 Questions,” as he was also getting some treatment. I talked to Landry Fields last time the Knicks were in town and Jeremy Lin was shooting around, getting treatment, going to pre-game chapel. Plus, I’ve always been a fan of Mike Bibby, so here we go.

1. What do you think of Rajon Rondo as a player? Obviously you guys had some good match ups while you were playing with the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs.

Bibby: Good player. You know one of the top Point Guards in the league. Had about a week that I worked with him when he was at Kentucky. He knows my cousin so, we brought out when he was in school. Great player.

2. Speaking of College, you had a great run back in ’97, were there any players that you either played with or against that didn’t develop into solid NBA players that you thought would?

Bibby: Umm. Not that I can think of right now. I mean there is still a lot of people, well a few people that was in college at the same time as me and came in the same draft. So there is still a few of us left and we’re just hanging in there.

3. What was your thoughts on Sacramento keeping the Kings in town?

Bibby: It’s good. I’m happy for the city and the Maloofs. I think it’s good for the city to just keep it going. It’s a great basketball town and it would be sad to see them leave.

4. Less than 2 weeks to the Trade Deadline, you’ve been a part of a lot of these. Does it change the feeling in the locker room? Is there more tension?

Bibby: It depends. You just want to… some guys want to get traded, some guys don’t want to get traded. It’s a buisness. What ever happens happens. But when you’re still on that team, you got to play for that team.

5. With Baron [Davis] back and Jeremy [Lin] you aren’t getting a lot of minutes. What do you do to stay ready?

Bibby: I get my work outs in still. Get the treatment that needs to be done and just keep going.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Landry Fields

I talked with New York starting guard Landry Fields prior to the Celtics-Knicks game at the TD Garden. Here is what the 2nd year man out of Stanford, who is averaging 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists had to say.

1. I’m sure you guys are frustrated with your record to this point of the season (8-14), but do you feel that you’re close to putting it all together?

Fields: I do. I think as of late it’s been good, we’ve been playing hard and learning from our mistakes and film and getting with our coaches, I think it’s been good as of late.

2. What’s it like playing without a true point guard? I know Shumpert has come in and started a bunch of games, Carmelo has had to run the offense a lot through him, so how does it change things?

Fields: It’s different in some regards, but I think they’ve done a great job. I think Shump’s been doin the best he can in his first year. I’m sure whatever can be cleaned up will be by the coaches.

3. Is there a Knicks-Celtics rivalry, like the other New York-Boston team rivalries?

Fields: I mean, you know, a lot of time yeah, but right now all the games are important.

4. What’s it like guarding Ray Allen, having to chase him around all night?

Fields: It’s tough, but it’s something you got to go out there and do. Watch a lot of film on it, so go out there and do my best.

5. You have to pick the Giants because you’re in New York?

Fields: Yes, I have to pick the Giants because I’m in New York.

Did you have a team growing up?

Fields: Not really, so I’ve adopted the Giants.

-Keefe

Thoughts from the Game 1's

I watched as much as I could over the weekend, and this is what I came up with.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

#1 Bulls vs. #8 Pacers (104-99 Chicago, 1-0)

Shocking. Well as shocking as it can be without the #1 overall seed actually losing. Indiana was leading from start to almost the very end. Tyler Hansborough? Where did that come from? Looked like he was playing a Tuesday night game against Clemson for a few minutes.

I thought Danny Granger summed it up best by comparing Derrick Rose to a stalker ex-girlfriend, every time you turn around she’s there, at your door wherever. I think this game will wake up the Bulls and they will win in 4 or 5.

#2 Heat vs. #7 76ers (97-89, Miami 1-0)

Give credit to Chris Bosh, ok you don’t have too, but he played well and helped the Heat avoid a loss. For the Celtics sake let’s hope Philly can win a game, or two at home, so LeBron and company have to work rather than coast into the 2nd round. I have faith the 6ers can make them fight after watching on Saturday. Game 2 is tonight.

#3 Celtics vs. #6 Knicks (87-85, Boston 1-0)

Jermaine O'Neal! Watching that game was the first time all season when I actually had a JO in Indiana flashback. The way he narrows his body and gets all skinny when he shoots and it a pretty good shot blocker. Now I don't expect that to keep up the rest of the playoffs, but it was fun nonetheless.

The Celtics were lucky in the fact that Carmelo Anthony played well for 1 quarter, and they still nearly lost the game. Melo is going to be better, however if Billups misses a game or two or just isn't effective, it may not matter.

#4 Magic vs. #5 Hawks (103-93, Atlanta 1-0)

The Hawks don’t seem to like playing with each other and they certainly don’t enjoy coaching in general, but they stole home court from Orlando. Dwight Howard 46 points 19 rebounds… in a loss. Let the big man get his and take everyone else out. It worked once, will it work again? I’m going to stick with my pick of the Magic winning this series, the Hawks self hate will overcome.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

#1 Spurs vs. #8 Grizzlies (101-98, Memphis 1-0)

How about this one? Tony Allen starting for a contender? Ok contender is a bit aggressive, but they do present some tough match ups even without Rudy Gay. Memphis get its first playoff win in franchise history (0-12 coming in), and they follow that up by giving Zach Randolph a 4-year contract extension. And you know what? I like it. Sure he seems like the obvious, pay for play guy, 1-year, incentive deals, but go for it Memphis!

It’s the same team Chris Wallace led front office that dealt Pau Gasol for nothing (although Marc Gasol has turned out pretty nice) and drafted Hasheem Thabeet #2 overall, only to pair him with another 1st rounder to get Shane Battier… back.

Manu’s elbow could be the key to this series, however I still think San Antonio advances, but they sure seem ripe for the picking.

#2 Lakers vs. #7 Hornets (109-100, New Orleans 1-0)

I thought New Orleans was the worst Western Conference Playoff team, and the only one not capable of winning a series. Winning a game I figured would be a stretch, let alone at the Staples Center. Hats off to Chris Paul. Maybe he hasn’t been as explosive as we’ve seen earlier in his career, but can we ease up on Derrick Rose is waaaaaay better than CP3, and so is Deron Williams, maybe even Russell Westbrook. Chris Paul is still here folks.

#3 Mavericks vs. #6 Trail Blazers (89-81, Dallas 1-0)

This could be a classic case of everyone picks the “underdog,” making them not the underdog any longer, and they end up losing to the original favorite. Teams 5-8 in the West were hoping to get Dallas. Well Portland did, what can they do with them? As Bill Simmons pointed out in his recent podcast, the Mavs have the best player in this series (Dirk) but Portland might have the next 4 (Aldridge, Wallace, Miller, Camby?) It’s debatable.

Wes Mathews is a good player who had a poor Game 1. Brandon Roy is a total wild card. His injuries knocked him down from a potential Top 10 player, to the team’s 7th man.

As poor as Dirk’s supporting cast is, I believe in this series, he can win 3 games while his supporting cast can take 1. Hey J. Kidd had 24 points in Game 1. Jason Terry is capable of 30 one night, and I’m probably the only person in the country that thinks Shawn Marion could slap up a 20-12 in one of these games.

#4 Thunder vs. #5 Nuggets (107-103, OKC 1-0)

This is the series (outside of Boston-New York obviously) that I am the most interested in watching, and will find ways to be in front of the TV for every minute.

Funny how the 4 playoff teams that really changed at the deadline are involved in 2 series. The Nuggets made a franchise altering deal with the Knicks, and the Celtics shocked their own fans… and players, by trading with the Thunder. A couple months later and you get Celtics-Knicks and Thunder-Nuggets.

I like watching Perkins play. I never, ever, thought I would say that. I yelled at every moving offensive screen, every time he put it on the floor near the basket and did his infuriating “gather move.” But now that he’s gone, I’m like, “Wow look at that screen! Did you see that board? There’s the scowl!” The question remains with OKC, how far can Durant-Westbrook carry them as their only offensive options?

As for Denver, it’s amazing how they don’t have a single star player but can still go a legit 11 deep with each guy bringing their own flavor. George Karl has them meshing well, but you got to wonder if it’s just a fun regular season team that surprised, only to bow out in the playoffs.

If the first weekend is any indication of how the rest of the 2011 post season is going to be, we are in store for one of the all time greatest. I’ll be back throughout the playoffs with scattered thoughts.

Playoff Rotations: Eastern Conference

The trade deadline has passed in the NBA and now players who reached buyout agreements are talking to and signing deals with playoff teams. There are 6 contenders in the East. I think it's a clear Tier 1 (Celtics, Heat, Bulls) and Tier 2 (Magic, Hawks, Knicks). The 76ers are above .500, good for them, they can have Tier 3. But I will breakdown the 6 best teams in the East with what their likely playoff rotation will be. You tell me who is best equipped to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

TIER 1

Celtics:

• Rajon Rondo
• Ray Allen
• Paul Pierce
• Kevin Garnett
• Shaquille O'Neal
• Glen Davis
• Jeff Green
• Delonte West
• (Nenad Krstic/ Troy Murphy when needed)

Heat:

• Mike Bibby
• Dwyane Wade
• LeBron James
• Chris Bosh
• Center X
• Udonis Haslem
• James Jones
• Mike Miller (he can still shoot right?)
  
• Mario Chalmers (if Bibby & James foul out)
  

Bulls:

• Derrick Rose
• Keith Bogans (he'll start and that's about it)
• Luol Deng
• Carlos Boozer
• Joakim Noah
• Taj Gibson
• Kyle Korver
• Ronnie Brewer
• Kurt Thomas
• (Omer Asik depending on match up)
• (Brian Scalabrine for a victory lap)

TIER 2

Magic:

• Jameer Nelson
• Jason Richardson
• Hedo Turkoglu
• Brandon Bass
• Dwight Howard
• Ryan Anderson
• J.J. Redick
• Gilbert Arenas

Hawks:

• Kirk Hinrich
• Joe Johnson
• Marvin Williams
• Josh Smith
• Al Horford
• Jamal Crawford
• Zaza Pachulia
• Jeff Teague (maybe)

Knicks:

• Chauncey Billups
• Landry Fields
• Carmelo Anthony
• Shawne Williams
• Amar'e Stoudemire
• Toney Douglas
• Bill Walker
• Anthony Carter
• Ronny Turiaf

Unless he goes to the West, it appears that Corey Brewer will likely join one of these teams (specifically Tier 1). Each team has at least 1 All-Star. The Celtics have 4, Heat 3, Bulls 1 (but it's the MVP), Magic 1 (2-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year), Hawks 2, Knicks 2 (both started in the game.)

That's impressive. Throw in the fact that 4 of these teams will be matched up against each other in the 1st round, and you just know its going to be a great post season. I'm also pretty sure that all the teams dislike each other as well. Everyone hates the Celtics and the Heat. The Knicks can't be liked in the league, and they got an edge once again. I'm excited for April.


-Keefe

Keefe on Melo Deal

I started the DA Show last night with my reaction to the Carmelo Anthony deal to New York. What does it mean for the Knicks, Celtics, and Eastern Conference? Check out most of the first segment below.

Carmelo to the Knicks by Keefe21

Around the NBA: Dissecting The Amare Effect

(written originally for CelticsHub.com)

The NBA season is past the quarter mark and the Celtics are right where they want to be, sitting atop the Eastern Conference, owners of the 2^nd best record in the league. This week on “Around the NBA,” I will take a close look at the Atlantic Division, specifically the Amare Stoudemire Effect, and top scoring duos in the league, but we start as always with a trip to South Beach.

-Heat Check: Not surprised by the Miami Heat’s 8 game winning streak. They were at one point 9-8 on the year after losing 3 of 4, but suddenly the Heat lead their division at 17-8. The winning could continue as their next 5 are: vs. Hornets, vs. Cavs, @ Knicks, @ Wizards, vs. Mavericks. Miami also travels to LA to face Kobe and the Lakers on Christmas day.

I truly believe the team used that Cleveland game as a rallying point and it’s hard to argue. Not only have they won 8 straight, but they have all been by double digits. LeBron James claims that he and Dwyane Wade have, “figured it out.” Well maybe they have, but the Heat still trot out a below average point guard and get to play an exciting game of Washed Up Center Roulette with Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Juwan Howard, Jamaal Magloire, Erick Dampier, and Joel Anthony. How can you lose?

Wade and LeBron are a ruthless combination though, you can’t joke about that. I still expect the Heat to meet the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

-Division Dissection: Atlantic

Since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce in Boston, the Celtics have been the only team in the Atlantic Division to finish the season with a winning record. Think about that for a second. For three straight years the 76ers, Raptors, Knicks, and Nets have all finished with 41 or fewer wins. (Philly and Toronto tied for the best record since 2007 at 41-41).

Well as of right now the New York Knicks are an impressive and surprising 16-9, thanks to an 8 game winning streak and an MVP like start to the year from Amare Stoudemire. Only the Celtics, Heat, and Magic have a better record than the Knicks in the East. They outscored the Nuggets 129-125 on Sunday monster performances by Stoudemire and Raymond Felton.

Those additions of Stoudemire and Felton combined with the out-of-no-where rookie Landry Fields, and 3^rd year man Wilson Chandler have the Knicks playing with a spark for the first time in seemingly forever.

The Knicks have not won 40 games in a season since 2000-2001, which was just two years removed from their trip to the NBA Finals. They were led by Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, and Marcus Camby during that span. New York has not made the playoffs since 2003-2004 where they were bounced out in the 1^st round. As for now, they are on track to potentially host the 1^st round. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves though. With the state of the Eastern Conference as long as the Knicks stay healthy (very weak bench, despite Bill Walker being on the team!); they should be a playoff team. And if Carmelo Anthony gets his wish and is traded to New York? Their goals change.

But did anyone think New York would be in this position after 25 games? They couldn’t get LeBron, D-Wade, Bosh, or even Joe Johnson or Rudy Gay. Instead they signed Amare Stoudemire and heard rumors of how Carmelo and Chris Paul or Tony Parker would one day work out a deal to form another Super Team. Well Amare is there and playing like a man possessed, 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks for the season.

-Amare Effect: (quick timeout from the Atlantic breakdown to discuss Stoudemire) During the Knicks 8 game winning streak, Amare has scored 30+ points in each game and is averaging just under a 34-11. I was always under the assumption that Stoudemire was a good, not great player, and a bit overrated. I thought he was an incredible athlete, and coupled with the Suns’ system and Steve Nash he couldn’t help but put up 23-8. He was a great offensive player, but poor rebounder for his size and lazy defender.

I might have to rethink my stance. New York is 16-9 with Amare playing like the league’s MVP while his former team, Phoenix, is struggling at 11-12. Is Amare more than just a good fit in a Nash offense? Yes he is. Although I do understand he is still playing in an up-tempo system with his old Suns coach, and Ray Felton is proving to be better than anticipated. But remember when Stoudemire dominated, and I mean dominated Tim Duncan in the playoffs a few years back? He has the ability, and teams outside of Boston and Orlando in the East are all going to have their hands full with him.

Amare is a 5-time All-Star and 4-time All-NBA selection (one 1^st team, three 2^nd teams), but I have not been this impressed by him, in the regular season, until this year. He’s going to have to keep it up, obviously, to warrant a complete change of heart by me, but he’s on the way. For the first time in his career, he is the number one option, talent, threat, you name it, and he’s living up to the billing.

Of course another reason why I think the Knicks will end their playoff drought this year is because they have so many games with the Raptors, Nets, and 76ers.

The Celtics just saw the young 6ers this past week and needed a near buzzer beater to knock them off, but Philly is clearly a few years away from contending, if not more. They have seven players 23 or younger including the #2 pick in the draft Evan Turner and second year man/ boy Jrue Holiday. Doug Collins is trying to get the most out of them and he has his hands full. They are not a threat this season.

The Nets, like Philly, have a new coach this season. Avery Johnson is back in the league after spending time as an analyst at ESPN. There is really only one way to go after a 12-70 season; however 6-18 out of the gate has got to lead to thoughts of more of the same. Devin Harris and Brook Lopez is a good combo… right? Well are we sure? 18-88 in the last year plus doesn’t sound like a good anything. Derrick Favors could blossom into a star. Reports are New Jersey offered Denver Favors, Troy Murphy, and two #1 picks for Carmelo, but Anthony won’t sign a long term deal, so that’s a no go. New Jersey is also a clear non-factor this year.

The last team in the division, currently in 3^rd place, is the Toronto Raptors. You watch a Raps game and you say, “Who?” or “Oh, he’s on the Raptors this year?” Former #1 Andrea Bargnani is average over 21 points per game, but who else is going to score for this team. Leandro Barbosa, DeMar DeRozan, Sonny Weems, and Linas Kleiza are all averages double digits for this team. Not a team I’m dying to see play 2-3 times a week that’s for sure. Save to say Toronto is also not a playoff factor this year. Take that Canada.

The Atlantic Division can be broken into three groups. The Title Contender: Celtics; the Playoff Bound: Knicks; and the What’s Jay Bilas Saying About Him?: Raptors, 76ers, Nets.

-Batman & Robin: We all know the most talked about duo in the league, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but are they the highest scoring? A high scoring duo does not mean much; the Celtics top tandem is Paul Pierce and Ray Allen at 34.6 combined points per game, which ranks no where near the top. But I’m interested in it, and maybe you are too.

Top 10 Scoring Duos

1. Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook, Thunder, 51.5
2. LeBron James & Dwyane Wade, Heat, 47.3
3. Kobe Bryant & Pau Gasol, Lakers, 46.2
4. Amare Stoudemire & Ray Felton, Knicks, 44.4
5. Monta Ellis & Stephen Curry, Warriors, 44.4
6. Blake Griffin & Eric Gordon, Clippers, 44.3
7. Kevin Martin & Luis Scola, Rockets, 43.4
8. Derrick Rose & Luol Deng, Bulls, 42.9
9. Michael Beasley & Kevin Love, T-Wolves, 41.8
10. Deron Williams & Paul Millsap, Jazz, 40.7

-Keefe

Blake Griffin dishing out facials for free

Over the weekend the big NBA hype was this monster game that Blake Griffin had against the Knicks, with a few ridiculous slams added in. Check out two of them in the video below. Absolute porn star stud with the facials he gave out. Nut everywhere.



A couple things about these dunks...with the first one, I love two aspects: a) he actually pulls the guy's head into his crotch with his left hand, completing disrespecting him in the worst of ways; b) his hand never touched the rim. Just threw it straight into the hoop. Unreal.

Also, the second one is fantastic just because Gallinari had no freaking clue what to do. Sometimes you just need to abort. Get the hell out of there so you don't end up in a highlight reel or on a poster. Sadly, Gallinari chose to ignore such advice and now qualifies for both.

I won't even ask you which one is better, because we all know it's the first one. But both are fantastic.

-Bess