Christmas Day Recap

For the casual fan, Christmas Day is the de facto start to the NBA season. The slate of games lets fans know who's good this year by placing the year's marquee matchups all on one day. Christmas also lets them know that the NBA has an endless amount of shoe and uniform ideas that get flashier every year. So, here's how the today's five games went down.

Celtics 93, Nets 76
As expected, this one got chippy late after the ejection-filled meeting they had last month. The Nets failed to show up for their first Christmas Day game in Brooklyn. Shooting 40% on the day and a poor 58% at the line, the Nets couldn't climb back in the game after a rough second quarter buried them by 14 at half. Rajon Rondo lead all scorers with 19 points, helped by Jared Sullinger and Jeff Green giving strong efforts off the bench. Kevin Garnett dominated the floor defensively, directing the game while fans heard his chatter (he was mic'd). Deron Williams could never get anything going for Brooklyn, and now these teams share identical 14-13 records.

Lakers 100, Knicks 94
This was a thoroughly entertaining back and forth contest that featured Kobe and Carmelo (the NBA's two leading scorers) duking it out for all 48 minutes. The Lakers found a pulse thanks to Steve Nash and his 16 point-11 assist game. Metta World Peace was huge off the bench with 20 points while containing Melo in the fourth quarter. Dwight Howard had a 14 point-12 rebound game, but was 6-9 at the line, continuing his lukewarm foul shooting. While the first three quarters were dominated by the two superstar scorers, the Lakers won thanks to a better team effort in the fourth. Only J.R. Smith helped Melo carry the load for New York, while Pau Gasol scored the biggest basket for L.A. His dunk with 12 seconds left put his team up 5, effectively clinching a fifth straight Laker win.

Heat 103, Thunder 97
This rematch lived up to the hype with the Heat walking away six-point winners over the Thunder. LeBron and Durant played like the best two players on Earth, both carrying their teams with not only scoring, but playmaking too. In the end, it was LeBron who found Chris Bosh for a dunk, putting the Heat up three with less than a minute. The Thunder's chances ended on the ensuing possession when Durant and Russell Westbrook both missed three-pointers that could have tied the game. Westbrook then got a technical for punching the scorers table and Ray Allen his three free-throws to seal the win for Miami. LeBron got good games around him from Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers to help the Heat win this one. This game had all the intensity of a playoff game and after seeing these teams play, a Finals rematch wouldn't surprise anyone.

Rockets 120, Bulls 97
This game got away from the Bulls in the second quarter and was downright ugly mid-way through the third. Omer "Turkish Hammer" Asik had a great return to Chicago with a 20 point-18 rebound game. James Harden, Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons all had good games for Houston, whose starting lineup outscored Chicago's 99 to 47. The Rockets just shot lights out in the second and third quarters and the offensively-limited Bulls just couldn't hang. For what it's worth, Nate Robinson lead all scorers with 27 points as he was dominant during garbage time.

Clippers 112, Nuggets 100
The Clips scored 42 in the second quarter and never looked back, winning a franchise-record 14th straight game. In a matchup of two of the deepest teams in the West, the Nuggets were outclassed and just looked like a playoff team getting crushed by a legitimate contender. Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford lead the way off the bench for L.A., while Chris Paul and Blake Griffin didn't have to do much in the second half of this one. The Clippers (yes, the Clippers) are the hottest team in the league right now, and were just way too much for the 15-14 Nuggets to handle.

Top Five Young Point Gaurds

Point guard has been the emerging position in the NBA for the last few years. An influx of athletic, score-first point guards have changed the style of NBA play and this trend isn't about to stop. In this article, a "young" point guard is one drafted in 2008 or later. There are a dozen names that were considered, but these are the five that made the cut.

5. John Wall
Okay, so he's on a horrible team and hasn't played at all this year, but can anyone deny his ability? His baseline to baseline speed is astonishing and only Rose and Westbrook are as athletic. Shooting is the one issue and that is fixable. His miserable sub-10% from three last year will go up once he gets back on the court. Before hurting his knee this preseason, Wall made the smartest move of his career. He hired trainer Rob McClanaghan this summer. And yes, McClanaghan, is the guy who improved Rose, Westbrook and Kevin Love in the summer of 2010. The Wiz are having a rough year, but once back Wall will make them a much more competitive and respectable team.

4. Stephen Curry
His ankles are healthy this year and Curry is doing great things for the Dubs. He is back up around 20 PPG and leading a Golden State team that is thinking playoffs. Coming out of Davidson, Curry answered skeptics who said he couldn't play point in the NBA. He's not a great athlete, but his passing has improved and his shooter's touch is as natural as it gets.

3. Kyrie Irving
Even though he has had multiple injuries since college, Irving is clearly a star in the making. He's just a prototypical modern point guard with his size, speed and shooting ability. Irving's Cavs are probably two years away from winning a playoff series, but there is not doubt around the league that he can carry a team. The guy is 20 years old and averaging 20 points a game. Not bad, young man. Not bad at all.

2. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook's career will be known for playing second fiddle, so number two seems appropriate here. Of all the players on this list, he is the hardest to rank for that reason. At the end of the day though, Westbrook has so much going for him. He's a physical freak who is a top-ten scorer in the league. Yeah, his shot selection could be better, but the Thunder would be worse off without him.

1. Derrick Rose
Not gonna punish him for being hurt this season. He's the only young point guard who's won MVP. Rose is the Bulls. No fan base loves a player like Chi-town loves Rose and that's because he's a winner. Sure, guys like Curry or Irving would be thrilled to lead their team to the playoffs, but Rose is only 24 and his mindset is ring or bust. He lead Chicago to two straight top seeds in the East and as long as he's on the floor, the Bulls will be a top-three team in the conference.

Five who missed the cut and why.
-Ty Lawson- Turnover prone, surrounded by similar talent on a deep team.
-Ricky Rubio- Need to see more scoring and a playoff appearance.
-Damian Lillard- Sample size, or lack there of.
-Eric Bledsoe- Good production, poor minutes. Welcome to a Del Negro coached team.
-Jeremy Lin- Just kidding! He wasn't considered.
-Jrue Holiday- Improved every year. Has size and athleticism. Playoff tested. Underrated. Bynum's presence could boost his stock.

Quiet Thunder

     They have the best record in the league. They have won 10 straight. They have two superstars and were in the NBA Finals last season. So, why is no one talking about the Thunder?
     Amid all the Laker turmoil and Knicks hoopla, OKC has been lost in the fold. They got all the attention for about a week after trading James Harden and struggling to start the season, but then the media backed off them. But with a guy like Kevin Durant, how are the Thunder escaping the public eye? Maybe that's just what they want.
     The first reason is that they have not had many nationally televised games. Oklahoma City is a small market, but these guys are the defending West champs, with a perennial MVP candidate to go along with a big fan base. Of course Miami, New York, Boston, San Antonio, and the two L.A. teams lead in national appearances. But wouldn't the Thunder be a logical addition to that list? You'd think. But Denver and Dallas have been the beneficiaries over the Thunder in terms of national exposure. Of course that will change Thursday once OKC kicks off a week of three national games, including the Christmas Day entree versus Miami.
     It's not that the Thunder are boring either, they have just haven't played a signature game yet that has been worthy of headlines. OKC leads the NBA in scoring at over 105 PPG, but it's their defense that has improved from last year, giving up only 96 PPG. They lead in point differential at +9.3, so there's been no need yet for Durant's last minute heroics.
     The star power isn't drawing as many eyes this year though. We all know about Durant and Russell Westbrook by now and their scoring averages are down, although KD is playing the best ball of his career. Also without James Harden, Serge Ibaka blocks are really the only other plays of interest that come from OKC. Kevin Martin has done a solid job as sixth man, but he is a run-of-the-mill scorer and doesn't have the highlight-reel creativity of Harden.
     So that's why we have come to an oxymoron, Quiet Thunder. In the end, no one is concerned about the Thunder except for the opposing coaches that must game plan for the two-headed monster that is OKC. This team is as elite as any and everybody knows it. And I promise they will be anything but quiet come playoff time.
   

Can the Knicks Beat the Heat in the Playoffs?

It's a realistic question. The Knicks have the best record in the East and are currently drubbing the Lakers at home. Carmelo might be the frontrunner for MVP, playing the best ball of his career. No one is saying that they will beat Miami or should even be favored, but right now it really looks like these two teams will meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

It Starts With Melo

This might be the first time that Carmelo has really grabbed hold of the reins for a team. On that very good 2009 Nuggets team, Melo starred, but the leader was Chauncey Billups. Four years later, he's coming off another Olympics and playing out of his mind. Since coming back from that lacerated finger, Melo has averaged 40 points a game. He's just taking over when it matters and even Kobe said that he's the toughest player to guard in the NBA. Remember that Melo was taken in the same draft with LeBron, Wade and Bosh at number three overall. Playing the Heat has to be personal for him. Against the Heat, Melo will go one-on-one with LeBron late in games. Could you ask for a more entertaining head-to-head battle? 

Downtown

No, I'm not giving directions to MSG, just saying that the Knicks are the best three point shooting team in the league. They make the most and attempt the most 3's in the league, and are third in percentage. Around Anthony and Chandler, the Knicks have the right guys to hit open treys. Steve Novak is on his way to leading the league in three-point percentage for the second straight year. J.R. Smith is a complete gamer who can go unconscious from three when hot. Raymond Felton has played very well lately, leading the Knicks to that big upset in Miami when he hit six 3's. And let's not forget Jason Kidd. He has completely turned himself into a great three-point shooter who can be counted on in the clutch (ask the Nets). Miami's defense is aggressive, but great three-point shooting is as effective an offense as any against them. 

They're Old 

The Knicks are the oldest team in NBA history. You may think this is a bad thing, but think again. Jason Kidd is 39 and a starting point guard. 38-year-old Rasheed Wallace signed during the season and is averaging 7.2 PPG. Kurt Thomas and Marcus Camby don't play as much, but they're both 39. They also have a 35-year-old rookie! The youngest guy in their rotation, Ronnie Brewer, is 27!  This veteran presence will prove to be helpful. Even though Carmelo is 28 himself, the championship pedigrees of Chandler, Kidd and Wallace won't hurt come playoff time.  

No playoff matchups can be set in stone in mid-December, but anyone who watches basketball can see that Miami and New York are the best two teams in the East. As these teams weather the regular season, it will become clear that it will take a seven-game series to decide East supremacy. 

The West's Second Tier

A top four has developed in the West this year. The Spurs and Thunder are there again and the Grizzlies and Clippers have climbed into that mix too. If the Lakers can ever figure things out they will be in this group. So assuming, the talent on the Lake Show works itself out, those five teams form the West's top tier this season. But what about the other three playoff spots? There are six teams that have a chance for those spots (sorry Blazers, you're not one of them). Here's where they are now and their outlook for the stretch run. 

Golden State Warriors

The Dubs are 13-7 right now with a winning road record. Mark Jackson has to be a Coach of the Year candidate, guiding this young team by first improving their defense. Stephen Curry is fully healthy and averaging a team-high 20 points a game, with forward David Lee right behind at 18.5 PPG. Klay Thompson looks like the real deal in his second year, not just as a shooter, but also as a stout perimeter defender. Carl Landry has provided solid scoring and rebounding as a sixth man and Jarrett Jack has been more than capable as a back-up point guard. It really looks like their tanking last season helped as Harrison Barnes is playing like the guy they selected seventh overall.  

Outlook: Great. There are plenty of shooters here that other teams (Lakers) would love to have. If Andrew Bogut can ever get healthy, this team should be able to hold court as a playoff team out West.

Utah Jazz

No they're not as fun to watch as the Warriors, but the Jazz are in the same comfortable position in the West as they were last year. As usual, they are dominant at home behind the frontline of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. Randy Foye/Mo Williams is not an ideal point guard situation and the trade deadline may shake this team up depending on where they are in February, but right now the size and home-court advantage of Utah has the Jazz over .500. 

Outlook: Fair. They get good scoring across the lineup and both Millsap and Jefferson are reliable commodities at this point. They beat the teams they're supposed to.  

Dallas Mavericks

You think O.J. Mayo likes being the go-to-guy? The number say yes. Mayo is a talented scorer who has been the one guy for Dallas that can create his own shot. Chris Kaman has provided stability since returning and Vince Carter is playing his best ball since his last year in Orlando. Once Dirk returns, this Mavs team will look more familiar, maybe not the 2011 champions, but definitely more inspired than last year's team. 

Outlook: Good. Cuban's not worrying here, but he is looking into the future. Dirk and Rick Carlisle are too experienced to miss the playoffs. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

My sleeper team in the West. Sure a lot has gone wrong, but here they are at 9-9. Kevin Love has provided the expected boost and Ricky Rubio will do the same when he returns. Alexey Shved is this year's free agent rookie steal. He's provided solid guard play with Luke Ridnour. Brandon Roy's injury is sad, but not surprising and Chase Budinger's knee injury further hurts their perimeter play. The Wolves play great D, but right now don't have the personnel to compete with all the high-scoring teams out West. 

Outlook: Fair. Every story out of Minnesota has been injury-related. Shopping Derrick Williams wouldn't be a bad idea. 

Houston Rockets

Well, they overpaid Jeremy Lin and anyone who wants to look into his struggles will only see that he's just not that good a player. James Harden is a stud who looks on track to be the next great scorer on mediocre team for this half-decade. Omer Asik and Chandler Parsons are mainstays in Houston's plans, but this group isn't one that can win now. The Rockets want to land another star, but they may have to wait until the summer to do it. 

Outlook: Poor. This team just can't stop anybody and James Harden needs to produce a Herculean effort night after night to keep them competitive. 

Denver Nuggets

Along with Houston and Golden State, the Nuggets are the third really fun team to watch on this list. A deep team with balanced perimeter scoring, Denver needs more defense and less turnovers. If George Karl can get that, which I believe he will, Denver should reel off a string of wins. Lots of talent here with Ty Lawson, Andre Iguodala, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, and Javale McGee. The Nuggets need to get the rotation solidified in order to maximize that talent.  

Outlook: Good. Only played six home games (5-1). Denver is a couple of dominant home stands from being over well .500.  

West Projections 

1. Thunder: Durant is playing great and the Harden trade worries seem distant now.

2. Spurs: Duncan and Parker just don't miss a beat. The Spurs like getting no preseason hype every year. 

3. Grizzlies: The toughest team in the NBA. There's not a bad loss on their schedule yet. 

4. Lakers: A mess right now, but you have to think the ship will get on course eventually. 

5. Clippers: Chris Paul will keep it up. Can Crawford and Griffin do the same?  

6. Mavericks: Assuming Dirk is back by January, her and Mayo would provide a nice 1-2 punch. 

7. Warriors: People have started to buy in to Golden State. Do you believe? 

8. Nuggets: Way too good to miss the playoffs. Need to cut down on the sloppy basketball though. 

9. Timberwolves: It just feels like the Wolves will the that snake-bitten team that just misses the playoffs. 

10. Jazz: Doesn't have the look of a playoff team. Even less so if they trade Jefferson. 

11. Rockets: By the end of the year, Jeremy Lin may be struggling to get minutes. 

12. Trail Blazers: Pretty solid trio in place, but too young and no bench to speak of. 

13. Suns: Scola and Dragic are nice players, but Beasley can't be the guy on any team that wants to win. 

14. Kings: Evans should be back soon and Cousins is playing well, but an implosion is likely coming. 

15. Hornets: Rivers has struggled, Davis has been hurt twice already and Gordon hasn't played. Not good.  

 

How Far Can Chicago Go?

     Without Derrick Rose, the Bulls season was supposed to be in shambles. Experts were predicting them to miss the playoffs and fans were hoping the they would mail in the season to get a high draft pick. Well Tom Thibodeau isn't one to mail in anything and he has the Bulls at 11-8 this year. A quarter through this season and Chicago is fourth in the East. There's no date yet for when Rose will return. So, with or without their star, how far can these Bulls go?

     We know that all roads go through Miami in the East, but who comes next? The Knicks are for real and look to have the inside track on the number two seed. But after that it's wide open. Boston seems to always figure things out, but they're old and inconsistent on defense. Brooklyn has the players, but they're inconsistent as well. The Sixers and Pacers have too many questions, and the Hawks may be a product of a soft early schedule. So all that being said, here's the case for the Bulls. 

     The Bulls lost a lot of things in Rose, but never once did they lose effort or defense intensity. They remain a top-five team defensively and never take a night off. The key for the Bulls has been shutting down the 3. Against the Knicks yesterday, the NBA's best 3-point shooting team, the Bulls won by holding the Knicks to a low percentage beyond the arc. But even more importantly, they they held the Knicks to only 23 attempts. New York is at their best when shooting 35 plus 3's, so the credit goes to the good perimeter D of Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler for not surrendering open looks. 

     The scoring was bound to suffer without Rose, and then even more so when second-leading scorer Rip Hamilton went out indefinitely last week. But the Bulls are getting the points at the line. Chicago ranks second in the NBA in free-throw percentage. They do not have the most talented scorers, but they are getting the easy points. For example, they were a perfect 18-18 against the Knicks last night. 

     The Bulls can get a top-four seed in the East. Deng continues to play well year after year and could be an All-Star for the second straight year. Joakim Noah plays his heart out every game and is the emotional force for Chicago. Despite a void at point guard, Butler and Taj Gibson represent young Bulls players who are willing to buy-in completely to Thibodeau's defensive philosophy. With a top-three coach and a huge, supportive fan base, the Bulls will make noise in April and will be downright scary if Rose is back in time to give them that emotional lift. Right now, the Bulls look like they can win a playoff series and give a team like Miami or New York a competitive series in the second-round. 

Knicks-Heat Rapid Reaction

     No Melo, no problem. The Knicks just went down to Miami and smacked the Heat in the mouth, winning 112-92. Raymond Felton tied a career-high with six made 3's in route to a season-high 27 points. Steve Novak chipped in with 18 off the bench and this one was all Knicks in the second half. 

     LeBron was the only Heat player to really show up tonight, finishing with a standard (for him at least) 31-10-9 line. Wade's struggles continued as he was 3-13 for only 13 points. Bosh was similarly awful going 3-12 with 12 points. 

     It's still painfully early, but the Heat have problems defensively. Their lineup is too small to really be an elite defensive team and Wade appears to have lost a step. LeBron is as good as ever, but right now, Miami's focus just isn't there. 

     But hey, let's make this one about the Knicks. They played great tonight despite missing Melo. Their 40+ 3's attempted per game is working right now and they shouldn't stop until the offense goes south. New York is now 2-0 against Miami and it's starting to look like more and more of a dogfight at the top of the Eastern Conference. 

The Next Wave

Yes, this is an NBA blog. Yes, these five guys have not played a single NBA game and are not guaranteed to even play in the league next year. But with college basketball in full swing, plenty of bright NBA prospects are emerging. Here are five names that you'll here in he lottery next year.

 Nerlens Noel, Kentucky
The top-ranked freshman this year, Noel will be under the pressure of Anthony Davis's season last year. Noel is not the offensive talent of Davis yet because his mid-range game is far from polished, but his athleticism makes him a dominant shot-blocker and rebounder. In typical Kentucky fashion, Noel is the top prospect on a roster loaded with one-and-dones. He probably won't win any player of the year awards, but there's not an NBA scout that doubts Noel's ability to star in the NBA.

 Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA
Similar to Noel, Muhammad is the best prospect on a talented young roster. Even though he spent the first two weeks of the season ineligible, Muhammad is on the court now and making an impact. The Bruins are struggling, but Muhammad has come in averaging 16 points a game. The kid can flat-out score and will likely be the first perimeter player taken in the 2013 draft.

Cody Zeller, Indiana
The third and last super-obvious name on the list, Zeller is the most famous man in college basketball this year. He is the best player on a top-ranked Indiana team and he's got an SI cover to prove it. He is a more talented prospect than both of his brothers who are in the NBA. Zeller has the ability to be a Kevin Love-type with his all-around game for a big man.

Tony Mitchell, North Texas
This is a good year for mid-major stars in college, and Tony Mitchell might be the best NBA prospect from those small schools. He's a solid forward with the ability to get a double-double every night. Mitchell is a sophomore who will stay under the radar if North Texas misses the tournament, but don't think a team his reaching when you see him on draft day.

James Michael McAdoo, North Carolina
If you watched UNC last year, McAdoo got limited minutes but made highlight-reel plays every so often. Now a starter, McAdoo has assumed the starring role for the Tar Heels this season. With opponents focusing on him, all McAdoo has done is average 16 points and 9 boards. And oh by the way, he's a great athlete too. He's a sure fire lottery pick if he enters the draft.

So Who's the MVP?

Through a little over a month, the usual suspects are in the MVP conversation. While it's way too early to hand out any hardware, here are the top five MVP candidates so far this season.

1) Kevin Durant
His scoring is down compared to the last three years, but Durant's all-around game has improved. Rebounds, assists and blocks are all career-highs and Durant's Thunder look formidable once again after a bumpy start to the season. The consensus second-best basketball player on earth will win an MVP eventually, so why not this year? His summer training with LeBron may be the reason for his well-rounded game this season.

2) Carmelo Anthony
Under constant scrutiny in New York, it has to feel good for Carmelo to be the best player on what looks to be the second-best team in the East. As expected, he is thriving under Mike Woodson's isolation offense, but now Melo has also taken on an increased leadership role. He is third in scoring, but that talent of his has never been in question. At this point in his career, Melo's goal is to string a playoff run together. He looks to be off to a good start this year.

3) LeBron James
The phrase "second-best" has been used in the first two sections, but no need to use it here. LeBron is the best player in the league, so third may seem too far down on the list for him. As usual, he has added more to his game this season. Shooting at the best clip of his career and closing out games with his tremendous play-making ability, it would be no surprise at all to see LeBron at the top of this list at some point. The expectations are higher for LeBron than anyone else, so it will be a great feat if he can win a fourth MVP.

4) Rudy Gay
Memphis has the best record in the West and Gay is their best player. He is the leader of a tough and balanced Grizzlies team. Gay's numbers have always been good when he's healthy, but never has he played this well for such a good team. A supreme athlete, Gay is on his way to an All-Star appearance and the Grizzlies look to be onto much more. 

5) Kobe Bryant
The only guy on the list who's not a small forward is none other than the Black Mamba. Kobe's Lakers have disappointed, but he has not. Leading the NBA in scoring and shooting the highest percentage of his career, Kobe truly looks ageless. The Lakers will form into a contender with time this year, and Kobe will be in any MVP conversation if he keeps playing at this level.

Recapping TNT's Thrilling Double-Header

Heat 105, Spurs 100
     You were probably confused if you started watching this one from the opening tip. No Tim Duncan or Tony Parker in the starting lineup and Manu Ginobli was also nowhere to be found. Minutes later we heard that coach Gregg Popovich had made the decision in advance to fly home Duncan, Parker, Ginobli, and Danny Green, essentially the Spurs four best healthy players. Popovich has done this sort of thing before. After all, this was the final game of an 11-day road trip and the Spurs have to host the Grizzlies Saturday night. But a nationally televised game against the Heat was a huge letdown on paper, and before halftime, David Stern announced that San Antonio will face substantial sanctions for resting their stars.
     Fortunately for fans and TNT, this game proved to be close and competitive until the end. Miami did play down the the Spurs B-Team, and if not for LeBron's final-minute heroics, San Antonio steals this one. While a loss could have been forgivable for the defending champs, imagine the hysteria if they dropped this game last season. But by now, you know the rest. LeBron found Ray Allen on the wing, and he hit an open three to seal the deal. Resting Duncan & Co. may have been Popovich's way of getting back at the league for giving San Antonio a grueling road trip over Thanksgiving. Whatever action Stern takes here will be unprecedented. He wants his league to be of the highest-quality and it is, but there's no way of knowing yet what sanctions San Antonio will face for this decision.

Warriors 106, Nuggets 105
     This was a supremely entertaining second half that featured two of the league's youngest and fastest teams. The Warriors needed 31 points from David Lee, his best game of the season, as well as strong efforts from Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jarrett Jack to pull this win out. In the end, Golden State shot 51% and that was enough to overcome a string of questionable calls in the final minute.
     On a rare night when the Nuggets shot free-throws well, they still couldn't get key stops in the fourth quarter. Danilo Gallinari and Andre Iguodala lead the way for Denver, with 20 and 22 points. Denver hung in this one mainly because of Kenneth Faried's ability to cause extra offensive possessions. The intrigue in this game is the sequence of the final five seconds, that featured four long replay look by the referees and took about 5 minutes in real time.                              
     It started with the Nuggets down three. With a foul to give and the clock just under five seconds, Jack fouled Iguodala just before the act of shooting. However, the refs incorrectly called a shooting foul. Since Iguodala was beyond three, he received three shots. He made the first two, then bricked the third. The ball came off the rim hard and last touched Draymond Green of the Warriors. With 2.1 seconds left, the Nuggets tried a bizarre lob play that bounced in front of the rim and looked to have been touched last by Ty Lawson. The refs looked at a replay and declared Nuggets ball with 0.5 seconds left.  Inbounding the ball from the corner, Andre Miller found Iguodala cross-court  for a three as time expired. Iggy swished it but, was about 0.2 seconds late and the Warriors held on for a one-point win. Warriors coach Mark Jackson had been steaming at times late, but was glad the replay system got it right in the end.
     This game had everything to be the typical NBA thriller. Two young, exciting teams. Nationally televised, but late enough to be seen by a limited audience. And of course, multiple head-scratching decisions by the officials. What else can you ask for?

   
 
 
 

Breaking Down the Brawl in Boston

Just days after the Nets played the Knicks in what looked like the start of a good Eastern Conference rivalry, the Nets and Celtics went at it last night. The Nets won by 12, but that't not the story. Rajon Rondo, Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace were all ejected in the second quarter after Humphries fouled Kevin Garnett hard, sending him to the ground. These two teams, along with the Knicks will compete for the Atlantic Divisional title. Here's why this brawl is only the start of a tough rivalry.
 
Celtic Pride vs. Brooklyn Swag
The Garnett era in Boston has been characterized by pride and toughness. He, along with Rondo and Paul Pierce, are extremely competitive and will not back down. However, the Celtics don't really have that tough big man for these situations. Even coach Doc Rivers called them soft. Brooklyn has its cool owners and nice new arena. They are an appealing franchise now and their games against the Celtics this season will show what kind of team they will be during the Deron Williams/Joe Johnson era.

The Point Guards
Rondo is absolutely no stranger to rivalries of any kind. Besides Boston's rivalry with Miami, Rondo has been involved in high-profile altercations with Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul. One of the chippiest players in the league, Rondo has never been a referee's favorite. Just ask Marc Davis. Williams hasn't been in a really intense rivalry before, but that will change this year. Playing in Brooklyn, more eyes will be on him. He is the best player on the Nets and will likely be the central focus in competitive games like this. With Rondo and Williams being two of the top-five point guards in the NBA, their paths will cross multiple times as this rivalry moves forward.

Scars, Emotional and Physical
Paul Pierce may still be icing his ankles today after Joe Johnson put the moves on him. While Pierce has lost a step defensively, this was still embarrassing. As you can see from the video, Celtics Jeff Green and Courtney Lee looked shell-shocked after seeing Johnson's little shake n' bake. Pierce will recover soon, but the same cannot be said for Humphries. He tweeted this picture showing his battle wounds (courtesy of Rondo) from the scuffle.

This mini brawl was great for the league. No one was hurt and it didn't get out of hand. It was just two good teams going at it and playing to win. Fights happen when teammates have each other's back. It just so happens that the Celtics and Nets play next on Christmas Day in front of a national audience. With plenty of fuel in the fire now, expect a tough and hotly contested game as these teams exchange the gifts of bumps and bruises.

The Lakers...Still Waiting

     Since Mike D'Antoni joined the sidelines on November 20th, the Lakers are 2-3 and Steve Nash can't seem to return soon enough. The popular opinion is that Nash's return and reunion with D'Antoni will bring automatic success, but with three stars on the court, the Lakers should be better than 2-3. Right?
     We're just looking at the five games with D'Antoni here, but  first, some very interesting statistics are found in the Lakers entire 7-8 season so far. For example, the Lakers have had the leading scorer in every single game they have played this year. Now this is nothing new for a team with Kobe Bryant, but still, a team with the leading scorer every game should be winning more often. Also, they have had the leading rebounder in all but two games. The immediate thought is to think Dwight Howard, but more than half of Lakers games have seen someone other than Howard lead the team in rebounds.
     When L.A. hired D'Antoni, everyone figured the scoring average would make a significant jump up. Scoring has not changed much. In fact, it has dropped one point and the Lakers are in the middle of the pack in terms of scoring average.
     Few things look different with D'Antoni on the sidelines. Kobe still takes a ton of contested shots. He will always score, but that in no way translates to wins. Howard has one double-double under D'Antoni and is still not close to 100 percent. Pau Gasol is still finding his place (sound familiar?). While D'Antoni insists that there is a role for him, trade rumors will be swirling around his name until the Lakers are well above .500. Role players Antawn Jamison and Metta World Peace have stepped up of late, but the bench is still weak overall.
     Finally, the one position that flourishes under D'Antoni, point guard, has done little if anything. While it's true that Darius Morris is not of starter quality, you would think that he'd have more than one double-digit scoring effort under D'Antoni. After all, the guy did made consistent scorers out of Raymond Felton and Jeremy Lin.
     Laker fans say the season won't until Steve Nash (or even Steve Blake for that matter) is back in the lineup. But pretty soon it will be Christmas Day and more eyes will be on the NBA. While Nash and Blake both have the three-point shooting ability to run D'Antoni's point, they are both old and fast breaks may not be all that fast with them. Nash-D'Antoni is one of the great player and coach combos in recent years, and the Lakers have to hope that the two can pick up where they left off in Phoenix.
     In the next nine days, the Lakers have games against Denver, Houston and Oklahoma City, three high scoring teams. The Lakers will have to execute offensively to beat these teams and we will have a better idea of their potential under D'Antoni after that stretch. It was said that D'Antoni's Lakers would be the most entertaining Lake Show since Shaqobe or even Showtime. Well they are not there yet and patience is not a luxury that this Lakers organization has.     

Can They Keep It Up?

Five Veterans Who Are Putting Up the Best Numbers of Their Career

Rudy Gay
Gay has always been a good player, but this year is playing like an All-Star. His 20.1 PPG is on par with his career high from 2008 , but his contributions mean more now that the Grizz are winning. The chances of Gay keeping up this production is very high because he's been playing at this level for five years now. Through about a dozen games, the Grizzlies are the NBA's best team, and Gay has been their best player.


O.J. Mayo
A talented scorer, Mayo disappeared in Memphis's offense the last two years, after he started his career with two seasons scoring 18 PPG. He got a much needed change of scenery in Dallas, and his numbers have bounced back and then some. On a Dirk-less Mavs team, Mayo has assumed the go-to-guy role and has thrived. He is scoring 21.5 PPG and shooting the best percentage of his career, especially from three. Mayo needs the ball and never fit in on a crowded Grizzlies team, but he is proving that he can justify his third overall draft selection when given chances to score.

Nicolas Batum
Batum's scoring average is up five points from his career-high, but the numbers are not all that shocking. He is playing 38 minutes, seven more than his career-high. His shooting is on pace with his career numbers, but impressively, both his assists and rebounds are up. Damian Lillard may be the main reason for Batum's breakout. Lillard has added an explosive element to Portland's offense. Also, the struggles of LaMarcus Aldridge has forced other Blazers to step up, and Batum's done a fine job.

Ramon Sessions
Playing for his fifth team since 2009, Sessions had played his best basketball when he started games. So it's surprising that Sessions is succeeding in a sixth man role with the Bobcats. He is averaging 17.1 PPG and 3.8 RPG, both career highs. Sessions has excelled coming off the bench and helping out Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in Charlotte. Sessions's improved play is a nice surprise for MJ, but the biggest surprise is that his Cats are above .500.

Jamal Crawford
It's nothing new to see Crawford play well off the bench, but after two below average seasons, Crawford is now with the Clippers and out to reclaim his Sixth Man of the Year Award that he won in 2009. He is shooting the highest clip of his career (save for his sophomore season with the Bulls) and is the leading scorer on a title contender. He is automatic at the line shooting .934 on 61 attempts and leads the league in fourth quarter scoring. Clipper fans love Crawford (especially his crazy dribble routine) and he is a very valuable scoring option off the bench.

Top 5 Rookies After One Month

Almost a month into the NBA season, a Rookie of the Year race is tight and an All-Rookie Team is shaping up. While Alexey Shved has been effective for the Wolves filling in for their injured guards, he is the only top undrafted rookie. As of now, our rookie top five is made up of players who were all very high draftees.

1. Damian Lillard
Lillard got off to a fast start when he lead an upset of the Lakers in his NBA debut. He scored 22 points that night and hasn't looked back. He currently leads all rookies at 19.6 PPG to go along with his 5.8 APG. Lillard looks like Kyire Irving last year, but with more talent around him. Portland is hardly a playoff team, but that's because there is a lack of depth. Lillard is the playmaker for Lamarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum and he certainly can score in this league. In a small sample of 11 games, he is the Rookie of the Year frontrunner.

2. Anthony Davis
Though missing four games with a concussion and then a foot injury isn't the best start to Davis's rookie campaign, his talent is evident. The number one pick is leads all rookies with 8.3 RPG and is second with 16.0 PPG. Davis gives the Hornets a star to build around and his shot-blocking ability and shooting touch show why he is such a rare prospect.

3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Like he did on Kentucky last year, MKG is quietly doing everything to help the Bobcats win this year. Aside from Kemba Walker's improvement, Kidd-Gilchrist's presence is the reason Charlotte is having a turnaround. He is shooting a nice percentage and ranks second on his team in PER. At 12 points and 7 boards per game, MKG is showing why Charlotte made the right choice in picking him number two overall.

4. Harrison Barnes
The Warriors are winning this year and Barnes fits right into their mold. He is a good shooter who has played a big part in starting for one of the better offensive teams in the West. Opposite Klay Thompson on the wing, Barnes knocks down open shots and is a smart, team player that the Dubs are happy to have. The Warriors fate may rest on the ankles of Stephen Curry, but Barnes is certainly a contributor for this exciting young team.

5. Dion Waiters
Cleveland is a struggling team, but that hasn't stopped Waiters from showcasing his scoring ability. While not a great shooter, Waiters is a strong guard who can create his own shot. It's Irving's team, but Waiters will need to step up now with their point guard out a month. The low PER indicates that he needs to expand his game, but the Cavs look like they have solidified their backcourt with Waiters.

First Wave of Injuries Arrives

The other day we looked at three players who have not played this season. Today we look at three guys who won't play for a month. The Spurs lost swingman Stephen Jackson after he broke his pinkie finger last night against the Clips. He's out 4-6 weeks. While San Antonio can afford to miss Jackson, the Cavs are not so lucky. Star point guard Kyrie Irving has a broken index finger and he will miss a month. Last, Brandon Roy will miss a month as he needs knee surgery, further adding to the Wolves injury woes.

Spurs Will Be Fine
Jackson's injury came after he was starting for the injured Kawhi Leonard. The Spurs will be on their thrid string small forward, but Gregg Popovich's team should weather the storm. It may mean starting Manu Ginobli and giving him and Danny Green more minutes, but a month from now, San Antonio will still be a top-four team out West and back to full strength. We all know the Spurs are old. But Tim Duncan is off to a great start and no one is doubting them as contenders.

Kyrie Irving Injury Prone
He only played 11 games at Duke. He missed 15 games last season. He broke his hand slapping a padded wall this summer. And now Kyrie Irving has a broken index finger. This guy needs to stay healthy. He is a young star who will receive max money for his next contract, but continued injuries will keep him off a list that includes Rose and Westbrook. Irving's Cavs have struggled this year, but he has not. He was up to 23 points a game and looked poised to be an All-Star. Cleveland is not a playoff team and this absence will likely help the progression of rookie Dion Waiters. But Cavs fans really don't want to see the face of the franchise miss further time now as injuries have become a problem for Irving.

The Sad Saga of Brandon Roy
If it seems like a whole career ago that Brandon Roy won rookie of the year and made three all-star games, that's because it was. Roy had a nice preseason with the Wolves after unretiring, but his latest injury may indicate that his degenerative knees are still a major problem. Roy may never be the player he was early on in Portland, but every NBA fan still wants to see him on the court. He'e likely to miss a month now and maybe more as he recovers from yet another knee surgery.

Awaiting the Returns of Bynum, Rubio and White

Andrew Bynum, Ricky Rubio and Royce White are not the only players yet to play this year. But their stories have drawn the most interest because all three are headed in opposite directions. Whether it's a rising star looking to return to form after a severe injury (Rubio). An established player whose latest ailments are causing concern for his new team (Bynum). Or a rookie who's unique situation may be a long way from being figured out (White). These stories have drawn more attention than the recoveries of high-profile stars like John Wall and Kevin Love. Here's why. 

Ricky Rubio Starts Practice

The Timberwolves 5-4 start has been nice for fans who picked this team to sneak in the playoffs, but the best of this team looks to be coming within the next month. Ricky Rubio started light practice today and could be on the floor before Christmas Day if his recovery stays on track. Rubio suffered a torn ACL last March that has kept him sidelined this season. The Wolves also practiced with Kevin Love today and they expect him to be on the court in two weeks as he recovers from a broken hand he suffered in preseason. Rubio and Love were the pulse of the Wolves last year and their progress (especially Rubio's) has to be a delight for a team that had such promise entering the year.  

Andrew Bynum vs. His Knees

The Sixers knew they were taking a risk by acquiring Bynum, and so far, the risk has not paid off. His latest knee issue comes after he went bowling on Saturday. Apparently a night at the lanes resulted in inflammation in his left knee. Bynum's year, as usual, has been marred by knee injuries. Between the bruising, soreness and inflammation, Bynum as been known only for his hair this season as he watches Sixers games in street clothes. The timetable was early January, but that's unclear now. The last thing Philly will want to do is play it safe and sit him all year though, becuase they would love to see their franchise center on the court...and soon. 

Royce White Says "No Flight"

Royce White has threatened to walk away from the NBA as he and the Rockets are at odds in discussing how the team will help with his anxiety disorder. White, the 16th overall pick, has yet to report for any team activities since the regular season began. This situation is unprecedented and it appears that both sides are in a standoff. White says he will not compromise his health for business and the Rockets have not backed down and will continue to fine White if he stays absent from team activities. Houston has arranged for therapy sessions, but White has skipped those as well. This is a messy situation that looks to stay unresolved unless one side makes major concessions.    

Wednesday Night Recap

Wednesday night in the NBA was a slate of 10 games that featured the Pistons getting their first win and James Harden getting back on track in a win over the Hornets, but here are four games that really stood out after a busy night in the association.

Grizzlies 107, Thunder 97
The Thunder had a 10 point lead after one, but it was all Memphis from there. Rudy Gay proved to be sensational down the stretch, scoring 28 and always keeping the Thunder from making this one really close. This win gives the Grizzlies six straight and they are now the hottest team outside of New York. They did it all without Marc Gasol and Mike Conley having their best games, but Zach Randolph, Quincy Pondexter and Jerryd Bayless all chipped in to help Gay hold off OKC. The Thunder got 34 from Kevin Durant and 17 from Serge Ibaka, but Russell Westbrook and Kevin Martin really struggled shooting. In a game that could easily be a playoff preview in the West, the Grizzlies have to feel great that they were able to win one in OKC.

Bobcats 89, Timberwolves 87
Kemba Walker relived his college days for a night when he hit a game-winner with 0.7 seconds left that was eerily similar to his signature shot at Connecticut. This win moves the Bobcats to 4-3, giving them their first three-game winning streak in almost two years. Minnesota did not have their best team on the court. Six of their top seven players were injured, leaving only Andrei Kirilenko and Luke Ridnour to carry the load. For Charlotte, they have to like how this season has started. Kemba Walker is up to 19 points a game and they are playing much more inspired ball than they ever did last year.

Bulls 112, Suns 106 in OT
The Bulls blew an 18 point lead in this one, but were able to fight off the Suns in overtime. Carlos Boozer lead the way with 28 points and 14 boards, and Joakim Noah and Luol Dend each had 21. The Suns rallied from 14 down in the fourth, lead by Luis Scola's 24-14 night and Sebastian Telfair scoring 17 off the bench. The talent of Chicago was too much for the Suns in OT and they have now won four straight out in the desert.

Clippers 107, Heat 100
The Clippers got a huge win last night and have now beaten the Heat, Lakers and Spurs. Jamal Crawford continued his stellar play off the bench with 22 points, Blake Griffin had 20 points with 14 rebounds and Chris Paul had an efficient 16 points and 10 assists. Only LeBron really showed up for Miami in this one. He had 30 points and almost outscored the rest of his starting lineup. Chris Bosh was dismal with 11 points on 3-13 shooting and Dwyane Wade was even worse with only six points. After a few big wins, this could have been a letdown for the Clips, but they showed a national audience that they are contenders in the West. This ended as a seven point game, but it felt more like 17 as the Clippers bench put away the Heat early in the fourth quarter.

Lakers Hire Mike D'Antoni

Unless you have been ignoring the NBA for the last four days, you know that Mike D'Antoni is the Lakers new coach. While I agree with most NBA experts that this is a good hire, there are some questions around the decision. Here are the answers to some of those:

Why not Phil?
The biggest question is why the Lakers did not bring back Phil Jackson after he seemed certain to take the job. First off, money. Jackson would have cost around $20 million to coach for two years. He wanted to bring in his own assistants, which means that L.A. would have to pay the new guys as well as their old assistants. In contrast, D'Antoni is getting $3 million a year over the next three years, with an option for a fourth. Also, Jackson had other demands. He wanted to not attend certain road trips and he wanted veto power over all front office decisions. Last, it seemed like the Zen Master was a little checked out in their 2011 playoff flop. While Jim Buss's ego may be a partial reason the Jackson won't be on the sidelines, I think that GM Mitch Kupchak looked at the roster and saw that D'Antoni is a good fit to win now, even if Jackson had the fan support. Sometimes decisions like these are all about basketball reasons.

How will D'Antoni's presence affect the four stars?
The obvious player who loves this hire is Steve Nash. He thrived with D'Antoni in Phoenix and their reunion will be a welcome one. Nash is the table setter here and it is best that he orchestrate an offense that he is comfortable in. Under this system, there's no reason Dwight Howard shouldn't play the best ball of his career. Howard is the most dominant center and he will be involved in an unstoppable pick-and-roll once he gets a handle on the offense. We all saw Stoudemire's apex in Phoenix and Howard's is coming now that he has the right coach and players around him. Pau Gasol will see many an open mid-range shot now. With the floor spread, and Nash and Howard doing their thing, Gasol will get the shots he wants without having to be all that strong in the paint. His passing ability will be an underrated part of this new offense that will create better shots for all his teammates. Sorry Mamba, saved you for last. Kobe is such a great player that he can fit in just about any system. We have seen him lead an Olympic team full of stars. He has been a 35+ point scorer and he has cut back shots for the benefit of winning championships. Kobe knows that this is the core of his last run, and his intensity will carry the Lakers late in games. He will still be the leading scorer in this new offense and there should be plenty more easy baskets coming his way now.

Defense?
It is widely accepted that D'Antoni is an offensive coach. So how will he fix a Lakers defense that has been struggling. Well, that is why they have Howard. He might be the biggest defensive game-changer and as he gets fully healthy, his dominance will be apparent. Although teams with a high-scoring point guard will be problematic, the Lakers defense will get better as the team jells and with D'Antoni, this team should be more inspired on both sided of the court.

Mike D'Antoni will be on the Laker sidelines within the next few games and only time will tell how he fits as their coach. On paper this is an improvement and the Lakers will be more competitive and certainly more entertaining. Mike Brown was not the right man for the job, but if D'Antoni can live up to the Lake Show's historically lofty expectations, he will prove that he is one of the best NBA coaches of this era.

 

Alternate Uniform Countdown Part 2

Of the 26 teams that have alternate uniforms, we have made it through half of them. Here is the top half, numbers 13-1. Enjoy.

13. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks rep their city with these cool red unis. The huge ATL lettering fits this team and these uniforms have been worn on the road in the playoffs the past two years. They followed in the Sun's footsteps with these and Josh Smith and the Hawks have now passed up Phoenix in the uniform category.

12. Boston Celtics
Boston is a franchise that may be too old-school for an alternate uniform, but this one works well. The black is cool and adds a third color to the mix. They may not be worn very often, but fans appreciate seeing the C's rock a more modern look once in a while.

 11. Orlando Magic
 The Magic's alternates are now three seasons old and have become a hit. The Shaq-Penny era meets today's team with these unis. The striping pattern looks better on the black jerseys than on the road blues too. Dwight's not around anymore to wear these, so the Magic are another well-dressed, lottery-bound team.

 10. Portland Trail Blazers
 Small changes made this season have improved the quality of Portland's alternates. The round, simpler number and letter design are an upgrade over the completely standard reds they used to have. With Damian Lillard, Portland is all about fresh changes this year and these jerseys are a change for the good.

9. Utah Jazz
The Jazz adopted this green third jersey last year as a further homage to their New Orleans colors. The dark green looks cooler on the road than  purple and a well-designed throwback will always be a hit. The new Jazz uniforms were well-received when they debuted a few years ago and these greens are the best of their three unis.

 8. Los Angeles Clippers
 New this season, these blue Clippers uniforms work very well for a standard third jersey. The blue Clips uni looks better this time around than the red-lacking jerseys of the Baron Davis era. Of course, it always helps a uniform's quality when it's being worn by Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

7. Houston Rockets
One of the rare same base-color third jerseys, this works as a alternate-throwback hybrid. The yellow down the sides reminds Houston fans of the days of Hakeem the Dream. The cool slanted font and logo on the shorts keep the modern look.

6. Miami Heat
Miami has a few alternates now, but these reds are the main ones. It is a cool switch from the black and the Heat wear these regularly during road playoff games. The Miami is a nice small change in the front. Any uniform worn by the King will be popular and these reds are the Heat's best look on the road.

 5. Chicago Bulls
While they may not be as ground-breaking as the Jordan-era black unis, Bulls     fans love when they bust out these on the road. Like Miami, the Bulls change the front by repping their city. In the all black, these unis make D-Rose look just a little bit faster than he already is.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last year people started paying attention to the Wolves and they noticed these cool black unis. The blue piping positively accents the uniform and these are by far Minnesota's premier jerseys. With Love and Rubio coming back soon, expect the Wolves to wear these more as their stars return.

3. Los Angeles Lakers 
For almost a decade now, the Lakers have worn these whites at home on Sundays and Christmas. While the Lakers famously hold the distinction of being the only team to regularly wear a home color, thy hit big on the white jerseys. They look so clean on game day when Kobe is hitting clutch shots. Jack Nicholson definitrly approves. 

2. Denver Nuggets
These brand new unis definitely shock. They are the most polarizing uniforms to hit the NBA in a while, that's for sure. The beautiful mountains and blue rainbow are the best part of this jersey. The Nuggets are among the league's most entertaining teams and these unis only make them more fun to watch. This is a classic high risk, high reward uniform.

1. New Orleans Hornets
Well I said yellow was trending in the NBA, and nothing beats it on the Hornets alternates. The teal and purple piping is a great compliment to this cool Nawlins gold. Everything just works here. The color and style of the numbers and letters is perfect. The pinstripes are a classic addition to pay homage to Charlotte. What separates these from the pack though is the NOLA. It gives these uniforms the hometown shout out that New Orleans deserves.




That is our uniform countdown. Hope you enjoyed it. Stay posted for the next article on how Mike D'Antoni will fit in L.A.
  

Alternate Uniform Countdown

For the past couple of years, alternate uniforms have become more popular in the NBA. This year, there are many new ones being introduced and it is the appropriate time to rank them. The only teams that do not carry a third jersey are the Bobcats, Nets, Wizards, and Warriors. While some teams have multiple alternates, only one the one worn most commonly will be considered. Today we countdown from 26 to 14. Enjoy.

26. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have been good for a long time, and their uniforms as well. That's why it was shocking when they brought out these disgusting new alternates this year. The off-center number in the front and that over-sized logo just makes this whole uniform a mess. There was no way Duncan, Parker or Ginobli wanted to be seen in these. Which is probably why young guys Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard got stuck unveiling these dreaded uniforms. 

25. Sacramento Kings

The Kings have long been bad and so has their style. The black third jerseys that started last year are just not good. Between the stripes on the shorts, off-center number and funky Kings script, these are as much of an eyesore as the Kings themselves. Sad thing is that they are better than those purple road unis they regularly wear. 

24. Oklahoma City Thunder
The long anticipated Thunder third jerseys debuted this year and are a complete flop. The navy and white is too plain and the vertical Thunder down the side is unusual. Everyone wanted to see the Thunder rock an orange OKC jersey this year, but unfortunately this very good team will have very bad alternate unis. 

23. New York Knicks

The orange Knicks jersey, set for Christmas Day, will not be much of a gift to anyone. The Knicks, who made nice improvements in their uniforms this year, really strike out with this over-the-top mess. Just way too much of one very bright color here. It's just not good when a uniform will cause people to check the contrast on their TV.

 22. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs alternates were unveiled last season and they are kind of a combination of recent Mavs uniforms. Not too different from anything they have done recently, but the Mavs script is ugly. These unis won't cause anyone to look twice and are average at best. 

21. Detroit Pistons

Another average uniform here. The Pistons just switched up the red and blue from their road kit to form this alternate. The red is a nice change of pace for this struggling team. Detroit has rocked this uni for a while now and it just doesn't have the creativity that fans want in a third jersey. 

20. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks complete a set of Christmas colors with these plain red unis. Not a lot going on here, but the over-sized letters to begin and end Milwaukee are peculiar. The red looks nice compared to that weird Bucks green, but overall these uniforms look bare and unfinished. 

19. Memphis Grizzlies

The light blue is a nice change for a third jersey, but there is just too much blue overall here. The navy comes in weird spots and the color doesn't always fit the tough style of Grizzlies basketball. They would benefit from using a little more white, but these uniforms aren't too bad. 

18. Indiana Pacers

Yellow has been a popular trend lately in the NBA, but Indiana's don't seem to work as well as the other teams. It's a standard third uni, with yellow and blue changing places. They look better at home, when contrasted with an opponent's dark jersey. These are pretty average overall. Much like the Pacers themselves. 

17. Philadelphia 76ers

The blue is new this year in Philly. These pay tribute to the classic Dr. J teams and are a nice change from the red and white. It was time to adopt a third jersey, and the Sixers played it safe in doing so. The one gripe here is that all three Sixers unis are exactly the same, with only the color changing.

16. Phoenix Suns

When Nash, Stoudemire, Marion and Co. first came out in these, they were awesome. But these uniforms have faded as the Suns have fallen out of relevance. The orange and gray together is a cool upgrade over the purple, but these unis are stale now. A change is rumored for next season.

15. Toronto Raptors
Another standard third uniform, the black looks cool when the Raptors go on the road. Unfortunately Toronto has been bad for so long that, unless DeMar DeRozan is in a dunk contest, no one can see the Raptos nice third uniforms.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Sometimes a simple scheme can do wonders. The Cavs wore nine alternates in the LeBron era, but these new ketchup and mustard unis will serve as this year's home alternate. The huge Cavs lettering works and Cleveland rides the NBA's yellow momentum with these quality new jerseys.

The 12 Greatest Nicknames in NBA History

Few lists are more difficult to narrow down, but after sorting through hundreds of great NBA nicknames, a an elite company emerges. The only criteria for this list is that a player must be out of the league. Nicknames get better with age and most of the great one were not born overnight. 

12. Brian "The White Mamba" Scalabrine

Without a doubt the worst player on this list, Scalabrine's nickname was invented by Bulls color man Stacey King in 2011. Known as one of the great chemists in NBA history, The White Mamba was a fan favorite in Boston and Chicago. No player has ever gotten more 'MVP' chants in garbage time than Scalabrine. 

11. Gary "The Glove" Payton

A well deserved nickname, Payton is the best defensive point guard of all-time. Known for his suffocating perimeter defense, he wrapped up the other team's leading scorer. Just like a glove. What also made The Glove great was his trash talk. He talked the talk and walked the walk. Payton sums up the 90's NBA. He had a great nickname. He played tough D. He was a great trash talker. And he couldn't beat Jordan. Maybe he'd like to forget that last one. 

10. Jerry "The Logo" West

The first great Laker, West brought all-around intensity which helped the league as a whole. His nickname comes from the NBA logo which bears his silhouette. In 1969, the NBA boosted its image by creating an official logo using one of the league's star players. West's famous photo of dribbling left has stuck ever since. West is long retired but will always be known as The Logo. 

9. Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon

The smoothest big man there ever was, the Dream was the most fundamentally sound center of all-time. With his perfect footwork and Dream Shake move, Hakeem was a coach's and teammate's dream. He may not have played with the dominance of Shaq, but the Dream was easily the most versatile center in the 90's. He also received Jordan's ringing endorsement as the center he'd most like to play with. Maybe it helped that MJ saw him win two championships and an MVP during his baseball hiatus. 

8. Karl "The Mailman" Malone

Malone delivered the ball to the hoop almost more than anyone. He ranks second in NBA history in points scored. Assisted by longtime pal John Stockton, the two formed one of the most formidable dish and dunk duos ever. With his raw power, no one could stop Malone when he neared the basket. He truly was the Mailman, always consistent and right on time. 

7. Allen "The Answer" Iverson

When he burst onto the scene in 2001, the league had never seen anything like Allen Iverson. He was flamboyant, volatile and cocky. People loved it. Iverson carried a Sixers franchise back to relevance and became The Answer on the court. What Iverson did in the NBA is so impressive considering his lack of size at 6'0". The Answer will forever be a Philly sports legend. 

6. Shawn "Reign Man" Kemp

In the rainy city of Seattle, Shawn Kemp soared over opponents with thunderous dunks that shook the old Key Arena. The Reign Man's athleticism reigned supreme. His skills were helped by Gary Payton's ability to find Kemp and feed him the rock. A complete force in Seattle. This is all you need to know about Reign Man.

5. David "The Admiral" Robinson

The greatest basketball player ever to come from the Naval Academy, The Admiral is an appropriate name for Robinson. One of the two legendary Spurs, Robinson was the franchise for most of the 90's. He won two championship with Tim Duncan and the two formed one of the great duel nicknames of all-time, "The Twin Towers." Since he actually did serve as a Naval officer before playing in the NBA, it's hard to dislike The Admiral as a guy and as a nickname. 

4. Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins

Chocolate Thunder is a great nickname to begin with, but it's even better when you know that it was given by Stevie Wonder. Dawkins was a good, not great player, but he was one of the NBA's first great power dunkers. Everyone cleared when Dawkins gained a full head of steam. This is how you get the nickname Chocolate Thunder. Stevie couldn't have said it better. 

3. Shaquille O'Neal

Where are the quotes? It's hard to fit just one nickname in there for Shaq, so here are a bunch he has gone by over the years. The Diesel, Shaq Fu, The Big Daddy, The Big Aristotle, The Big Cactus, The Big Shaqtus, The Big Shamrock, Wilt Chamberneezy, and Superman. Shaq is a big man with a bigger personality. His dominance of the early 2000's was unlike anything the league had ever witnessed. When you're as good as Shaq was, it's okay to give yourself a dozen nicknames.  

2. Michael "Air" Jordan

Weird to see MJ number two on any NBA list, but here he stands. His Airness is the greatest player there ever was and he soared where no one has. The highlight films of Jordan cause goose bumps for every basketball fan. Whether you prefer his dunk contests or is in-game heroics, such as the switch layup, Jordan had an extra jump in his step. Air Jordan is a whole brand and is not going anywhere. NBA players in 20 years would not have seen Air Jordan play, but they will probably be wearing his shoes. 

1. Earvin "Magic" Johnson

How do you become number one on this list? Try having a nickname so perfect that it becomes your actual name. Everybody knows Magic, you won't hear anyone say Earvin Johnson. It started in high school, such a gifted passer that it was like "magic". The name stuck with him in Michigan State and the Lakers and Magic now has his statue outside the Staples Center in L.A. He was a 6'9" point guard who won three MVP awards and five championships. What Magic could do with a basketball was legendary. 

So that's the list. Hope you don't totally disagree. Another list starts tomorrow when we countdown the best alternate uniforms in the NBA. 

 

Which NBA Nickname Reigns Supreme?

Spoiler Alert: Metta World Peace is not on this list. For every great player, there's twice as many great nicknames. That's why this is divided into two sections. First, there is the top five best nicknames of current NBA players. Of course, it helps to be a great player, but you don't have to be. Enjoy. 

Top 5 Nicknames of Current NBA Players

5. Kevin "Durantula" Durant

A silky smooth, tall and skinny guy like Kevin Durant is a good fit for this quality nickname. He can pull up and shoot from anywhere, and won't hesitate to attack a team with so many clutch shots that he eventually can bury opponents. Durantula is a fairly young nickname, but he is already a superhero, as seen in Nike's Air Alliance commercial. Durant will be great for a long time and his nickname will be too. 

4. Paul "The Truth" Pierce 

As a young player, Pierce was known as the best player on a decent Celtics team. But Shaq, the master of NBA nicknames, changed that. After an epic game by Pierce, Shaq crowned him the Truth. The name has stuck and so has Pierce. Winning a championship and Finals MVP in 2008, Pierce has climbed the ranks in historic Celtic lore. Few embrace the closing moments quite like Paul Pierce and when the game is tight, The Truth sets Boston free. 

3. LeBron "King James" James

Since his junior year of high school, everyone has known LeBron as King James. The most athletically gifted player in the NBA since he entered the league, James often looks like a King among men. His nickname has caused some critics, most notably Skip Bayless, but most of those critics disappeared when James won is first ring this summer. LeBron is the true king of the NBA right now and he finally has a crown in the form of an NBA trophy. 

2. Kevin "The Big Ticket" Garnett

The Big Ticket was the reason they were able to sell tickets in Minnesota. Still regarded as the greatest Timberwolves player ever, Garnett left for greener pastures in 2007. In Boston he still sells tickets, but he doesn't have to do it alone. This is such a fitting nickname because of Garnett's over-sized personality. Known as one the NBA's great trash talkers, Garnett will always be The Big Ticket. 

1. Kobe "The Black Mamba" Bryant

The most accomplished player in the league is also the owner of the best nickname. Kobe personifies his nickname. He is an assassin on the court. He can hit any shot late in a game and will crush the other team's psyche in doing so. Kobe even has the fang symbol and scaled shoes to go with his reptilian nickname. He may have lost a step at age 34, but Kobe is still among the most dangerous men with a basketball. He will strike at any time and is deadly clutch.  

Stay posted for the top 12 NBA nicknames of all-time. Coming soon!