NBA Midterm Report By Ross Benjamin

[Dr. Jack]

NBA Midterm Report By Ross Benjamin
by: Ross Benjamin


After watching several hundred games so far this season on the NBA League Pass courtesy of Direct TV. I have decided to write an article on my insights on the first half of the season. Who the best teams,players and coaches are and of course who the worst are also. Professional handicappers observe games for several reasons the most important of which is why they won or how they lost. It helps them in assessing future selections and along the way they get to watch individual players,teams and coaches perform on a nightly basis.These are my personal insights on what I have observed to this point of the year.Once in a while it is nice to get off the direct streamline of handicapping and talk about your general observations.Of course they are obtained by your profession and career but nevertheless I believe they are noteworthy and accurate.

Midterm Awards:
Coach of the 1st half year award:
ISIAh Thomas/Indiana Pacers:This was an easy selection.Thomas is molding this team along the lines of his old Piston teams. A millenium version of the bad boys. He has blended a nice mix of youth and veteran leadership into a very cohesive unit.After making the playoffs on the last day of the season last year. The Pacers nearly upset the Eastern Division Champ New Jersey Nets in the first round.The Pacers have carried the momentum right into this season and currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference.I do not see them as a match for the best in the West but they will be a force in the East the rest of the Way.
MVP Award for 1st half:Tim Duncan/San Antonio Spurs...
Nobody does more for their team than Tim Duncan.
Stat Line:23.2 ppg 12.6 rpg 3.8 apg 2.99 blocks per game
Bottom line is without Duncan the Spurs would not be a .500 team let alone one of the tops in a strong Western Conference.He is a force in the paint,a strong defensive presence,and opens up the perimiter game for his teamates.Gone are the days of the twin towers as the Admiral David Robinson stood around for one seson too long and no longer is close to as effective and dominating as he once was.Duncan makes a very mediocre team very good.

Honorable Mention:
Stephon Marbury/Phoenix Suns
Dirk Nowitzki/Dallas Mavericks

Rookie Of The Year:
Amare Stoudemire/Phoenix Suns
This guy is just an unbelievable specimen for a 19 year old.
Stat Line:13.1 ppg 9.4 rpg
He is a stud underneath with great athleticism and poise for a youngster.Along with Marbury is a main reason the Suns are one of the pleasant surprises so far.
Honorable Mention:Yao Ming/Houston Rockets
Caron Butler/Miami Heat

Best Up And Coming Team :Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are very youthful and on some nights they play like it. On other nights they are one of the most explosive teams in the league.They are a year away possibly from playoff contention but they are awfully fun to watch at times.
Honorable Mention:Memphis Grizzlies
After an 0-14 start the young Grizzlies have been coming on under Their relic of a new coach 69 year old Hubie Brown.

Best Team So Farallas Mavericks
Record speaks for itself but the jury is still out.

Worst Team So Farenver Nuggets
They blend a most boring style of basketball, strong defense and a team that can't put the ball in the ocean.I hate watching them especially a 10:30 est start I am sleeping by halftime. So much for astute observations.

Honorable Mention:Cleveland Cavaliers,Toronto Raptors

Most Disappointing Team:Boston Celtics
After last years trip to the Eastern Conference Finals and two young supertstars like Walker and Pierce I expected big things from the men in green.The offseason trade of Kenny Anderson for over the hill Vin Baker and overrated Shammond Willams really killed the chemistry of this team.They look like a first round playoff casualty waiting to happen.

Coaches Fired By End Of Year:
Alvin Gentry/Clippers
Nate McMillan/Seattle Supersonics