nba season so far!

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Okay so as of right now most teams have played about 29 games each and I figure I go through the list of biggest surprises and team rankings up to this point. 1. LA LAKERS They were my number one pick at the beginning of the year to repeat and so far they haven't disappointed. They currently hold a 23-4 record and hold a strong control over the Western Conference. The new addition of Artest is working out well and all is right in the world of basketball since on paper they were the best team. 2. BOSTON CELTICS I would like to send out my sincerest apologies to the Celtics who I gave little credit to at the beginning of the year. I figured with the aging talent on their team and the loss of Big Baby Davis that they would be plumeting to about 3 or 4 in the east. To my amazement they have held on to the top spot in the Eastern Conference and are looking good. This next few weeks will be interesting since Paul Pierce is going to be out after having minor knee surgery and it is infected causing him to miss some time. 3. ORLANDO MAGIC I was very concerned with this team at the beginning of the year with a suspended Rashard Lewis and a brand new Vince Carter who seemed to be on the decline over the past few years. This year however the magic are proving to be who we though they were even without Turg. Vince leads the team in points and Dwight continues to remain a beast on the defensive end. 4. CLEVELAND CAVS Very foolish of myself to think that Shaq was going to provide a big enough boost to put the Cavs over the top. But, how can you not account for a 7 foot 300 pound guy in the paint. Turns ou Shaq is facing the reality that his days are numbered. I am going to throw this out there, but maybe the Cavs should consider having Shaq come bench. Ilgauskas is still getting a good portion of the minutes out there so make the switch since he will be more productive. Overall though not bad that they remain less than two games behind the Celtics for the top spot in the east. 5. DENVER NUGGETS Can't say im too surprised how well the Nuggets have done so far this year. They have Billups, Anthony, and J.R Smith coming off the bench providing the instant offense. What more do you need? Plus, I have to give a shout out to Ty Lawson. Guy is getting his points off the bench as well and is hitting more than 50% of his shots and 43% from 3 point range. While the cold and snow will continue to fall in Denver at least the Nuggets are remaining hot. 6. ATLANTA HAWKS I had Atlanta in my preseason top ten, but never did I expect them to hold pace with the likes of Cleveland, Orlando, and Boston. Turns out Atlanta is the team that I thought they would be. They have young talent surrounded by some experience like Bibby and they are playing great. Joe Johnson and Al Horford are leading the charge of one of the most exciting teams in the NBA right now. 7. DALLAS MAVERICKS The Dallas Mavericks are sitting pretty much where I thought they would be. Dirk is having another solid season and with the additions of Marion this team is looking stronger than ever. This could be the year that the Mavericks make it past the first round. Personally I am routing for a Mavericks championship so I can see Mark Cuban step in the ring again Legacy for all of you WWE fans out there! 8. PHOENIX SUNS To me this team has been surprising. With an aging Nash I figured they would be lower to the bottom of the Western Conference, but they remain at number 4. Amare is still doing it all and Nash continues to be the passing machine he has always been and has kept this team high in the west. 9. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS Well the Blazers have been struck by the injury bug yet again with their big man Oden, but being use to it the Blazers are still performing with solid play from everyone else. While they remain the ninth best team in the league I expect them to probably drop off to about 6th in the west when it is all said and done. 10. HOUSTON ROCKETS This is the biggest surprise I have seen so far this year. No Mcgrady, Yao, or Artest....No problem. Aaron Brooks has continued to improve and become the standout player on a team that had one of the biggest shake ups over the offseason. Ariza has turned out to produce better than I thought he would while getting solid play from Scola as well. Mcgrady is back in action, but is in a very limited roll for the team. It is safe to say that Mcgrady's days in Houston are numbered and will probably be moved by the end of the year. Biggest surprises? NETS Now I expected them to be bad, but not this bad. I figured probably win their first game in say oh 8 or 9 games but as we know it took much longer than that. I was applauding and praying every night that they would continue to lose to see the imperfect season. Unfortunately they ahd to win. TISK TISK! SAN ANTONIO Now at the beginning of the year I had them ranked high on my preseason list at number 3. Sadly I was mistaken. Currently they are 7th in the west despite having pretty good production from its players. Tim Duncan is doing what he has always done pulling down double doubles consistantly and Parker, Jefferson, and Manu are playing some good ball. While I am surprised they aren't doing better, I still expect them to be a team to watch since they do have the experience along with the Blazers being banged up this is a team that can rise. Well the season is in full swing and I look forward to the Christmas day games including the LAKERS and CAVS. It will be a good one and no not because Shaq and Kobe face off, but because the best two players in the league are going head to head. Enjoy it as we close in on the halfway point of the season.