Mizzo’s NBA Top 5: Can’t Nobody Mess With Boston
The first post of its kind. Every Wednesday we will do this.
Now for the L…
These are the strongest teams in the NBA–right now.
I haven’t seen every NBA team up close, but I’ve covered enough games to get a gauge of who is for real and who is real fake. There’s obviously still a lot we don’t know as teams search for their respective identities, but it ain’t my fault. There’s a definitive top 3 and a bunch of parity–but it’s mad early so judge for yourself. Since this is the first, I’ll give my thoughts on the teams as they are ranked.
Let’s Get It!
No one should be shocked that the Champs are Here…
1. Boston Celtics.
20-2. They are outscoring opponents by 10+. Rajon Rando looks like Fat Lever. Leon Powe is banging on cats like Riddick Bowe. Like I told you last year when they hit 50, the C’s locker room will not allow for any T.O. type bs. They will remain focused until the job is done. The difference between Boston and the two teams below is their strict attention to defense. Nothing is going down the middle without a bump on ya ass. That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Say what you want about other teams with a dominating trio, but this team is the true definition of Earth, Wind and Fire. Just the law of averages, but I can’t see three losing to one. I don’t care who the one is…
2. Los Angeles Lakers
20-3. Like Anthony Gilbert told me last night…if the Boston Celtics are Earth, Wind and Fire, then the Lakers are Kool and the Gang because even though it’s early, we all should prepare for a league enriching bout of Summer Madness (Can you see Kobe spin and tomahawk rise right in Yao’s face to the mesmerizing flow of the synthesizer?). Also kickin’ cats in the head to the tune of 10+. Kobe and the fellas are funnin’ up the score when Phil let’s him loose and are leading the league in scoring at 108 per. He knows what he’s up against being in Boston’s rear view. The only way this team beats Boston in June is if they lock down every starter consistently for seven games. The Lakers are not that team yet. Andrew Bynum is going to be a major factor obviously, but is he ready? I’ll never forget walking by him before Game 1 of the Finals and seeing how pissed he was at not playing. Blessing in disguise? Kobe wants the league more physical so his team can shake off the softness everyone is attributing to them–validating his “Mikeness”. Phil will challenge this team all season, but the key is Lamar Odom.
There’s a gap between the rest of the NBA but LBJ and Mo Williams are closing it fast…
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
20-4. The Cavs lead the lig in point differential at 12.7 and also are number 1 in points allowed with 90 per. I’m not for that LeBron is the MVP so early in the season bs, that’s just ridiculous. It’s an annual award, not a quarter piece. What I will say is LeBron is becoming the player he was destined to be when we all initially heard of him. He is hypothetically Vince Carter’s dream of a shooting guard–bangs it like a power forward and is learning to shoot. He’s a cartoon he’s so damn good. It’s not about stats like my man John Smallwood says, but I wish he would make up his mind to average a triple double within the team dynamic so people who aren’t watching the games realize how amazing a player LeBron is. Mo Williams has made all the difference in the world and is proving the world wrong early on. He solidifies the franchise because when LeBron is a little winded, he can pass left or right and be confident Mo is gonna hit the shot. It’s gonna be interesting come playoff time to see if Boston can knock James off his rock in waiting, but we’ll see.
4. Orlando Magic
18-6. If there is any team that could crash through the East and make things a lot more interesting it’s the Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard is one of the best athletes to ever play in the game and I see something different in his eyes this season. There are few players who have both a fan rapport and NBA focus and Dwight has become one of the best. There’s no stopping him. He was out last night, but expect a steady dose of 20/20 vision in the upcoming weeks. Jameer Nelson hit for 32 and Orlando is one of the few teams that can bring both length and versatility every night out. Can they play defense consistently is the question.
5. Denver Nuggets
17-7. 16-4 since they welcomed Mr. Big Shot back home. What Chauncey Billups has done for this team is immeasurable. He’s a man’s point guard. He’s the daddy to these young fellas who know not the game and he’s helping Denver play the second best ball in the West. Joe you might have messed up here bruh. You can’t teach clutch. Sometimes it’s great to go home. Billups will also be a stabilizing force when George Karl gets a little crazy come playoff time. Anyone who has spoken to Chauncey personally knows how much he wants another shiny finger. Can they too play consistent defense and win on the road?
Just outside of The Starting Five, but not by much, are the omnipresent San Antonio Spurs. Watch ya back Denver.
Sphere: Related Content
December 17th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Michael this is a good piece of writing sir. I love how you equate the Boston superstars to Earth, Wind, and Fire. GENIUS man, pure genius black!
December 17th, 2008 at 4:44 am
Atlanta may not be in your Top 5 or even Top 10, but they are very capable team. Boston had trouble with the Hawks in last year’s playoffs and pushed the ‘anointed’ Celtics to a Game 7. And earlier this season, the Hawks traveled to Boston and closed the gap at the Boston Garden even though Paul Pierce hit a last second fadaway jumper that gave the Celts a win.
The Hawks have already ended one long winning streak this past weekend when Bron Bron and the Cavs came to the Phillips Arena, and the Hawks have an opportunity to make another statement on Wednesday night.
I am still a skeptical of coach Mike Woodson, but he has managed to fight off getting axed and has helped the team to get off to its best start since the tailend of the Lenny Wilkens era in 1998.
December 17th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Patrick said everything I would have said, but he used a lot more words. LOL I was just gonna say the Celtics are going down tonight.
December 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Nice piece Mizzo. I would add the Rockets. The addition of Artest will make a difference in the post season.
Co Co,
LOL!
December 17th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Don’t sleep on Detroit. I really see them making another run, especially in the second half of the season. They did well by getting McDyess back into their rotation. Their younger guys are playing with a lot of energy, and the veterans know how to win. I think A.I. is playing more conservative than usual. It looks like he’s trying to find his niche in that rotation. It should be fun to watch come June.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Rip and Chauncey were joined at the hip. I don’t see Detroit getting past the second round but it obviously depends on if Bubba Chuck is willing to do what it takes. It could happen with Joe in his ear every day. Fans just don’t know what type of influence Dumars is on this squad. Detroit in this run has played a full season worth of playoff games. Do they have it in the legs?
December 18th, 2008 at 12:24 am
The thing thats pissing me off about the Lakers is their lack of defensive discipline. As athletic and deep as this team is, they should be python-ing teams. Their margin of victory should be 20+. I’m not even trying to be funny. They’re THAT much better than every team they’ve played so far. I guess I should be complaining about a 20-3 team, but I want perfection damn it!!!
December 18th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Couldn’t agree more Diallo. Their Defense stinks, they were playing defense the first 10 games and now they are like F it.
Defense looks horrible. Phil Jackson benched Rodmano and put in Walton……..but he traded one buster starter for an even bigger buster in Walton.
Second I have sad it over and over for teh last 3 years. Phil Jackson ex acid using @ss still will not feed the post with Bynum. That is straight ignorant….that last night they were playing MODI’s midgets…….I.E. the Knicks and didn’t have Bynum pound them dudes in the paint.
Its like Phil Jackson believes Bynum is only good for oops and rebounding. This young dude has great post moves. But they never look for him on the offensive end. If they want to win the championship this year, Bynum must be used on teh offensive side and the lakers must play better defense.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:40 am
The Hawks are taking the Celtics to the wire once again….
Nine seconds left and the Hawks have the ball…..Celts lead by 2 (86-84). The Hawks led for most of the game but the Celtics made a late run.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Joe Johnson draws a foul….goes to the line to shoot two….hits the 1st….and misses the 2nd!!!!
Celtics win….
December 18th, 2008 at 2:53 am
Great game by ATL.
Man the Celtics are no freaking joke. And Ray ray has been hot all year too.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Hawks and Celtics will meet again. However, the Hawks have to explore trade options and find a taller guard who can shoot the three and find an athletic 7 footer who can defend KG better…
The games have been tight, but Pierce ended up shooting over the smaller Bibby way too many times, and KG, a 7-1 player ended up being defended by the smaller 6′8 Josh Smith and occasionally the 6′9 1/2 Horford..
Where is Dikembe Mutombo and Tree Rollins?
December 18th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
The Hawks shoot too many jump shots and don’t kick the ball in the low post enough. Al Horford is their best post player so they should be using him to his advantage. He was abusing Perkins last night when he got the opportunity but they strayed away from it and went back to shooting jumpers.
I don’t think the Hawks need a taller guard simply because Bibby just found himself in a mismatch too often and Pierce took advantage of it. What the Hawks should do is assign either Joe Johnson or Marvin Williams to follow Pierce everywhere he goes on the floor. However, I do agree that the Hawks need another big body in their front court.
I am now starting to agree with Coco about Mike Woodson being the wrong coach for this team. He doesn’t pound the ball inside enough to get to the foul line. Whomever is guarding Joe Johnson, I would foul them out because I would have him post up, and if they decide to double him, i’d have him kick it out to Flip or Bibby for the trey. Some of his decisions as of late I just don’t understand.
Also, Marvin missed a key shot in the 4th that could’ve increased their lead beyond by 8 points with around 5:00 to play. The shot came up shot and barely touched the side of the rim, which was probably an indication that he was tired.
But you got to give both teams credit….they played a great game but the Celtics know how to win close games consistently and Atlanta is still learning.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
That should be:
“The shot came up short and barely touched the side of the rim, which was probably an indication that he was tired.”
Sorry for the typo……
December 18th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I was surprised to see such early season intensity and a packed house in the city that killed professional sports.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I hate the Celtics. Just thought I’d put that out there and the third quarter officiating was absolutely atrocious. Like so bad you couldn’t do anything but laugh, cuz they can’t be serious.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Yeah, the officiating was questionable, especially for the home team. KG got away with a double-dribble, the refs call a foul on Josh Smith; and Kendrick Perkins literally pushed Horford with his knee and the refs called Horford for traveling.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Don’t forget about Paul Pierce falling and the official calling an official timeout instead of traveling. I mean seriously, you just had to laugh. I’ve never seen anything like that.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I guess its a good thing I only saw the last 2 minutes. CoCo, wouldn’t this all be water under the bridge if Joe Johnson doesn’t choke the chicken of anxiety while standing at the charity stripe?
December 18th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I don’t even think Joe necessarily choked. As a team we shot like 79% from the free throw so we were abysmal there all night. There’s no one we would have wanted in that situation more than Joe and his missing that free throw is not the reason they lost. It just made it hurt more. LOL
December 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Okay, CoCo. I was just giving you a hard time anyway. I know you’re very passionate about your ATL teams. It’s all good. Joe is still the man.
December 18th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
No no no I’m only passionate about the Hawks. Couldn’t really care less about the Falcons or the Braves.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
The Celtics have the hunger to win 2 or 3 titles and unless Cleveland gets a Chris Bosch to counter Paul Pierce’s scoring they will be forever No.2 in the East and last night’s game was a great playoff-type game for December.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:00 am
Sing with me, Mizzo:
I believe LeBron can fly . . . I believe he can touch the sky . . .
December 19th, 2008 at 2:26 am
Carolyn,
LOL! You are right!
December 20th, 2008 at 2:39 am
That’s some great analysis Mizzo. I think I’d put Houston just on San Antone’s heels too. Dwight Howard is such an incredible athlete. It’s nice that they have a back-up center in Gortat who doesn’t seem overwhelmed in the league either and Brian Cook is getting a few solid minutes a game too. Their rotation seems to have solidified somewhat and I think that is truly underrated as an barometer of a team’s success. Look at Nelly out in Golden State. He started playing some of the guys who had not gotten off the bench the vast majority of last year, toward the end of last year-but that seemed more out of vindictiveness toward what he thought was shortcoming on the part of his starters than anything else. Now he seems to be baffled at his rotation, given the injury problems and trades, etc. Anyway, the Magic seem to have solidified their rotation. The guys seem to get along and trust one another and they have a nice mix. I don’t know how that will translate further on into the season and in April, May, and June, but ya never know. Boston….well, as a Laker fan, I’m learning to hate them anew. I didn’t hate them last year coz Ainge and McHale weren’t out there and they were so easy to hate as a kid coming up. But…well, it ain’t even hate, it’s envy-which is what most “hate” is really, at core. I got mad respect for KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Ray…those guys play defense, they’re deep down low, and it’s obvious they’re all on the same page. I think the Lakers can get it done but as you said Mizzo, they need lockdown D on all the Celtics and right now the Lakers defense is intermittent. But like you said, it’s early. This is why we watch. And yeah, love the Hawks too; just as an exciting team. I can’t wait for another Hawks-Celtics series.