NBA Midseason Report

Well, the Celtics beat the Spurs today. That's right, Tim Duncan came to Boston and left with a loss for the first time since those ping-pong balls bounced the wrong way more than a decade ago. And it feels pretty damn good. Hell, they did it without Kevin Garnett! In what has been a season of disbelief for this C's fan, the green continue to entertain and surprise in equal measure. While the thought of challenging the Bull's all-time single-season mark is a distant memory, Boston continues to cement it's status as a true contender with each win, particularly those over the Western Conference. Raise your glasses in a toast to K.G., Pierce, Allen, Rondo, Posey, Big Baby, and co., and a few thoughts as the players head to New Orleans for the all-star break.

Chris Paul is my run-away pick for M.V.P., no small claim given the seasons submitted by Garnett, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, and especially Kobe Bryant, who I'm starting to fear will go down as the greatest player never to win one. But Paul's impact has been greatest, leading New Orleans to an astonishing 34-15 record, sitting atop the stacked Southwest division. Though I hate the cliche, Paul really is one of the rare players who makes his teammates better (You think it's a coincidence that David West is headed to the all-star game?). Averaging 20.4 points, 10.9 assists, & 2.57 steals per game, Paul has challenged Steve Nash's title as the league's top point guard.

Speaking of all-stars, the coaches did a relatively decent job picking the reserves this year. The biggest gripes among western stars belong to Manu Ginobili, Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Josh Howard, and Deron Williams. But looking at the roster, it's hard to pinpoint who to take off the squad. In the East, Ray Allen's exclusion is the most troubling, given the Celtic's record and the fact that his numbers are comparable to Richard Hamilton and Joe Johnson who were both selected. While I believe the all-star game is more about honoring invididual players than the teams they play for, the coaches have often thought otherwise. In 2004 they honored 4 Detroit Pistons, at least 2 of whom had no business being there. Allen's case is stronger this year for a team that might be better than that one, especially given his selflessness and willingness to sacrifice shot attempts. (As I write this I've just learned that Garnett is skipping the game due to injury and Rasheed Wallace, not Allen, has been named his replacement. Pardon me while I vomit on myself).

The biggest surprise in the league has easily been the Portland Trailblazers, whom many expected to suck in the wake of Greg Oden's knee surgery. But at 28-22, they are contending for a playoff spot behind their talented young nucleus lead by Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. The most disappointing team in the league has to be the Miami Heat. While Chicago has underachieved, the Heat are the only team whose win total still resides in single digits, inexcusable for any franchise with one of the league's top 5 players. You have to feel for Dwayne Wade, who plays hurt while leading the team in most statisitcal categories. A squad of elderly JCC ballers would be an improvement over the supporting cast he's had to work with. But help may be on the way in the form of an ugly Voldemort look-a-like.

During the past couple of weeks, 2 monster trades stunned the NBA. First, the Lakers traded a bag of doritos and a pack of wrigley's winterfresh gum to Memphis in exchange for Pau Gasol. I don't fault Memphis too much though, since they have sucked with Pau. They can now clear tons of cap space and build around promising guards Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, with the hope of signing a big free agent next summer. But the Lakers are the big winners here. Gasol, while never an intimidator, is a versatile and talented big man who can score inside and out and no longer has to be the leader, a role he never seemed comfortable with. Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Gasol will combine to provide Kobe with the best front-court he's ever had. While I disagree with those who say L.A. is now the favorite to win the title, they will certainly contend with the Spurs, Suns, Jazz, and Mavericks come playoff time, and could possibly reach the finals with a few breaks here and there.

The second and more unexpected trade occurred last Wednesday, when disgruntled Phoenix forward Shawn Marion was sent to the Heat in exchange for Shaquille O'Neal. While not the preeminent force he once was, Shaq's name and iconic status loom larger than most others, matched in team sports by perhaps only Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning. Most who cover the NBA have jumped all over Steve Kerr for breaking up the Sun's main nucleus, accusing him of panicking over recent losses and the Gasol trade. Give the guy a little more credit than that. The slam-bang nucleus they are referring to failed to reach the finals even once. Marion was unhappy and wanted out. While they will miss his defense, rebounding, and ability to thrive on the fast break, they won't miss his pouting, contract, or hideous-looking jump shot. His absense will also free up more playing time for Boris Diaw, as well as Grant Hill, who plays the same position and is as valuable in crunch time. A change of scenery may be just what Marion needs and playing with Wade will only help. The 2 stars could very well lead Miami back toward respectability and perhaps even a playoff berth, assumming Pat Riley takes his head out of his ass (the grease in his hair should provide sufficient lubrication) and they make 1 or 2 additional trades before the league trading deadline.

What O'Neal will bring to the Suns is a presence in the middle that they've been lacking, assumming he's healthy. If I were Phoenix, I'd rest Shaq as much as needed for the remainder of the regular season, giving him roughly 20 minutes per game. The team can remain a top 4 seed without him, but a fresh Deisel come May could very well get the Suns to the finals. He can still score against teams that won't be able to double him with Amare Stoudemire flying to the rim on the weak side. Always a terrific passer, Shaq will find the Sun's 3-point shooters, at least one of whom should regularly be open. If Shaq can clog the middle on defense, alter a few shots, and help Amare control the glass, the Suns will be very tough. And don't think the Suns will give up the running game. Having O'Neal find Nash to kick-start the break will be a plus. Is Shaq overpaid at his age? Yes. But I think Kerr and company saw an opening, a chance to obtain 1 of the 4 or 5 legitmate game changing players of the past quarter-century. I don't blame them for rolling the dice.

Best of luck to Gerald Green this weekend as he aims for his second consecutive slam dunk championship, with high hopes of becoming his generation's Harold Miner.