The NBA has officially passed the half-way mark in the season, as all 29 teams have played at least 41 games. Whare are your impressions so far?

My Blazers are coming on quite well as of late. They have gone 17-4 since opening the season 10-11. They have pulled into a tie for third place with San Antonio, 3 and a half games behind the Kings for the Pacific Divison lead. There are still some off-court issues (aren't there always?) but Portland has managed to pull itself together, especially on the road. Portland is 15-9 on the road, the second best mark of any team in the league. Good road records usually indicate that a team has a decent chance of advancing far into the playoffs. The remainder of their schedule is home-friendly, as the Blazers will finish with 23 home games and 17 road games.

The Jazz, my second favorite team, have also responded nicely from that awful 3-7 start. They have slipped a little recently, but look to make the playoffs for a 20th consecutive season, as they are holding down the sixth spot in the West.

The Supersonics have disappointed me this year. They are a paltry 19-23 after jumping out of the gate at 8-2. I think they have lost their confidence. Losing 3 consecutive games to last minute shots didn't help their confidence either. Is Payton going to be around much longer? I hope Seattle makes the playoffs, but with such a strong conference, I don't see it happening.

Surprises? I must start with the Lakers. Teams have been finding ways to beat them, in some cases handily. The Lakers have to finish 31-7 just to win 50 games. I don't see that happening. I'm pretty sure the Lakers will make the playoffs, but I don't see them eclipsing 45 wins and I see them as a 6th seed at the highest.

Golden State has REALLY picked it up as of late. They may be a sleeper time in the West. They may not necessarily make the playoffs, but they are causing a lot of strife for playoff hopefuls recently. They are a young team and are gaining confidence by leaps and bounds.

I really thought the Clippers were going to emerge as a decent team this year. That club is CURSED!

I really like the way Memphis has turned things around. For a franchise that has never won more than 23 games in a season, this year marks the beginning of a new era.

Toronto has really been disappointing. Certainly, they are riddled with injuries, but the lack of effort is astounding!

The East looked to open the season strong, but have fallen flat recently. Outside of the top 4 teams, nobody in the East is playing playoff-caliber basketball right now!

INDIANA PACERS

First place in their division thank you very much!

Atleast Reggie "cry baby" Miller is doing some good so far this year.


Indiana and Miami battled down to the wire Monday, with the Pacers pulling out a 102-95 victory. Reggie Miller led Indiana with 21 points and Jermaine O’Neal added 18 points and 11 assists. After trading leads down the stretch, Miller gave Indiana the lead for good when he nailed a three with 1:10 remaining.

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

Indiana has been REALLY impressive, but I get the feeling that they are a year away from taking the Eastern Conference. I think they'll lose to the Nets in the Conference Finals this year.

Moonbeam said:

PHUCK the colts chocked...so they will too...happens to me every year

As long as that shitty team called the Lakers does not win, then I will be happy.

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

You are talking to the number one fan of choking teams. Portland blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of the seventh game of the Western Conferenc Finals to the Lakers.

the Lakers

PS check ur cell phone voicemail btw

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

Ah! I haven't had it on me for awhile. I will!

The LAKERS are this year... im not sure you are right about making the playoffs at this rate... let's see if they perk up after all stars

thus far:My Lakers are facing a Uphill battle.Guard play&Power Forward Spot along with the Bench,Poor Defense¬ enough overall Scoring plus not making any Moves have hurt us.but the West is still up for grabs IMHO. Impressed with the Blazers they could beat the Kings or the Mavs IMHO.Spurs?Tim Duncan aside I don't know what too make of them.if the Rockets balanced out Yao Ming they would be better than they are. in the East:Nets are tough.Pacers:if Ron Artest don't chill that kind of Self-Destruct Blazers Behavior might come back too haunt them?? they are getting better.Jermaine O'Neil is getting better by leaps&Bounds.after that maybe the Pistons&that's it unless New Orleans can stay healthy&stop Messiny around with Paul Silas? but overall aside from the Nets&Pacers the East is the JV of the NBA&they truly Suck.Parity is in all Major Sports&it really shows it's Ugly Head in the East IMHO.I ain't watching the fixed All-Star Game.that is a Joke IMHO.Pulling for my Lakers versus I don't care.the truth is the Trophy will stay out West for a Few more years IMHO.this a Sorry Ass Season anyway overall.when Leron James gets as Much attention as Kobe,T-Mac,etc.. than you know the NBA is truly in Trouble because LeBron hasn't even Played on this Level Yet.

mistermaxxx said:

Baron Davis will be out at least a month due to torn ligaments in his knee. Can the Hornets pull it together without him?

How do you see the Lakers faring in terms of postseason seed?

I still think the Spurs are too soft to make it far in the playoffs.

I too think the Blazers can knock someone off. They beat Dallas IN Dallas (who was previously 19-2 at home) without Rasheed. When they keep their heads, Portland is damn near unstoppable.

Moonie, the only thing with the Blazers you have to worry about are major emotional meltdowns by Wallace & Company, or crack deals when Stoudamire and Wallace hang out. That team has been deep in talent for several seasons, but they are their own worst enemy. As long as Sabonis can play, don't worry about Dallas. They don't have a solid inside game, and don't play defense well in big games. The Mavericks are a paper team.

There isn't just one thing that's wrong with the Lakers, it's something different from week to week. The way they're playing they won't get to the playoffs at all if they keep that up. Barring a couple of trades (and of course the all important key players staying away from injuries) I don't expect things to change this season.

Utah??? They've been on their last legs since the 1998 Finals. They're older than the Raiders, for God's sake! They may get to the playoffs, but their heyday is over. And it couldn't happen to a more worthy player than Karma Loan aka Karl Malone.

If ever the Clippers go into the last 3rd of the season with a winning record, be SHOCKED. Donald Sterling is comfortable with losing. Just owning an NBA team is enough for him.

I've been impressed with the Timberwolves lately. Garnett is a baller.

You didn't mention Houston, but Stevie Franchise is STILL The Franchise on that team, Ming hype notwithstanding. Ming has some skills, but the hype sure isn't there because he's tearing through the league. Steve Francis is still that team's best player.

Moonbeam said:

Such a peaceful man such a wild team! :O I like the Blazers though, always ready to see Rasheed do damage... to somebody's skull

BTW, isn't Dallas in the #1 seat right now & Sac #2??



All I want is for the Lakers to keep sucking ass & not even make the playoffs. If they do get a seat, I'll have to worry all over again...



I've been to a few games this year & it's SO much more fun when they have a chance of winning! Better yet when they pull it off!! 100 points = free Chalupas Taco Hell needs a better promotion, but I digress... I swear Warrior fans are so used to saying, "Well, at least they got some points." I'm glad this team is looking better & I hope they keep going.

It's been a bad year for Bay Area sports. The Giants & the Raiders blew it @ the 11th hour, the A's & the 49er's played well all season (I guess) but blew it early on. The Warriors don't have a chance in hell to make the playoffs but I like the thought of them being pretty good in the years to come.





dribble edit.
[This message was edited Tue Jan 28 3:02:11 PST 2003 by CalhounSq]

Supernova said:

I looked @ the standings the other night, I was surprised to see them on the list (not like I keep up w/ every game though)... KG

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

Hey you leave the Lakers alone

Supernova said:

I just think it's impressive that the Jazz are still among the top teams in the West. I don't think they'll do very well in the playoffs, but I'm pretty sure they'll at least qualify...for the 20th consecutive season.

As for Houston, I'm still not sold on their dominance. I see them being no higher than the seventh seed in the playoffs, making a first-round exit. Francis is their heart and soul, as you said. If he remains healthy, they will make the playoffs.

CalhounSq said:[quote]Moonbeam said:[quote]
BTW, isn't Dallas in the #1 seat right now & Sac #2??

[quote]

Yes, Portland is 3 and a half games back in the Pacific Division, not the entire conference! I think they are 6 and a half games behind Dallas at this point.

Moonbeam said:

the hornets should have enough with Mashburn back&with the rest of there team.as wack as the East is the Hornets should have lock on 4th&5th spot easily.Lakers: Damn!it's gonna be all Mental from here on out.these Road Games coming up are Huge.teams are starting too slip&we gotta make a Move.if they get in then be afraid?Spurs:Tim Duncan to me is still the 2nd Best baller too Shaq&if He can get them Cats too believe in Him they can go deep.the Blazers with Socttie on the Point look very confident IMHO.the Mav's&Kings look beatable&I think the Lakers still feel they can beat them no matter what.Utah:Karl Malone is a Great warrior&I think alot of Hsi Play but Matt Harping ain't enough IMHO.the bench is still shaky.Stockten is still a tough Guard but overall they aren't gonna go too far in the playoffs but are Dnagerous.case in point:if they had Jeffy Horncheck last year&a Bench player or two in that Utah Series then they win that Series IMHO.they are a Piece or two off&lets be real: the Rule Changes with the Zoning Defense wrecked there whole Pick&Roll to bits IMHO.that&never getting a Replacement Shooter for Horny sealed there fate.but I respect the Hell out of Sloan. Rockets will be the Team of the Future once they build around YAO.

CalhounSq said:

KG is Badd&whatnot but watch He will be a One Man band in the Playoffs like He always is? when they had Mauberry&Gogs I saw them being a Contender but with Gill&Joe Smith I see First Round TKO yearly.I think the world of Kevin Mchale the basketball Player but Kevin Mchale the GM leaves alot to be desired IMHO.Timberwolves always look good during the season&whatnot but teams are just gonna allow KG too do his thing&shut down the rest of the team.Quiet as it's kept&it ain't so quiet they have been trying too unload Wally S. but can't get what they want in return for him.

Pierce and Walker are All Stars!!! I love my Celts!!

JAMIESTARR said:

you Guys are missing Kenny Anderson soemthing awful.Vin Baker is Your Celtics Version of Shawn Kemp.Irony huh?

mistermaxxx said:

True but this JR Bremer kid is playing point now
and it's working,I'd compare him to maybe David Wesley

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

co-sign! but i'm :wOOt: for the nets or the kings

Moonbeam said:

Well, no I wasn't exactly talking about dominance by any one team in particular.

CalhounSq said:

Who?

JAMIESTARR said:

the Celtics are a Jump Shooting team&you Guys will go up&down all year with your record but if you Guys stay Healthy&do what you are suppose to do I Can See the Celtics anywhere between 3rd&5th in the East.you Guys gotta Hold off the Pistons&Hornets because I still see the Nets&Pacers as the best of the East.

mistermaxxx said:

Agreed. I don't see the Celtics passing the Pistons in the standings though. I see them as a solid number 4.

Supernova said:

HIM!



Don't front, you know you want him...

theC said:

NO and you can't make me