Top 5 Defensive Ends In The NFL (2009 Edition)

Top 5 Defensive Ends In The NFL (2009 Edition)
M.D. Wright
10.31.09

Defensive End used to be a tough position to pick, but these five guys are better than the rest, and it's not really close after the 5th guy.

1. JARED ALLEN.



Jared Allen is a savage beast. He plays defensive end like one. The end.

2. JUSTIN TUCK.



Began making a name for himself when he sonned THOMAS in Super Bowl XLII, and has played some of the best football from everywhere along the defensive line, anchoring the New York Giants' front four. He plays both LE and RE and at times lines up at DT. And gets to the QB for sacks, stuffs the run and even makes plays in the flat against the short pass. What do you want from a DE outside of that?

3. JOHN ABRAHAM.



John Abraham still gets it done. Bulked up and hasn't lost a step. He came into the league not really being a stout run defender, but he does it all well and REQUIRES double-teaming every week.

4. DWIGHT FREENEY.



The whirling dervish himself. He has patented the spin move against slow-footed LTs. On his way to another 15+ sack season, even with missing a couple of games with a leg injury. Freeney is a nightmare for offensive coordinators and line coaches.

5. MARIO WILLIAMS.



Who cares about Reggie Kardashian anymore? Mario Williams deserved to be the #1 overall pick in 2006 IN 2006 and has played like it since. Reggie Bush HAS NOT. All us football people knew Bush was going to be a lite version of Eric Metcalf (which is an insult to Metcalf, who at least ran between the tackles and was TOUGH). Williams is an excellent combination of size (6'7", 285), speed and has an array of moves that get him to the QB -- even if it's not always sacks, he gets there and plays well against the run.

Honorable Mention: Osi Umenyiora, Leonard Little, Will Smith.

Top 5 Quarterbacks In The NFL (2009 Edition)

Top 5 Quarterbacks In The NFL (2009 Edition)
M.D. Wright
10.31.09

More than ever, I have to remind people this is 2009 Edition only; not career stats or "rings". It's all about what they've done through the first half of this season -- versus what they were expected to (which allows me to avoid putting Kyle Orton on anything other than the Honorable Mention list DEAR GOD HA).

1. PEYTON MANNING.




He seems almost robotic out there, it's so easy. He's making guys from Division II FBS schools (Garçon) look good. He doesn't have Anthony Gonzalez and Reggie Wayne is nicked up and they're still blowing teams away. The truest test of Manning's greatness was going to come once Marvin Harrison and Tony Dungy left.

(YAWN).

Same old Manning.

2. DREW BREES.



This guy is amazing. He's 5'11" and barely 200 lbs. Amazing how he never gets knocked for being "too short", right? Anyway, he has a quick, Dan Marino-like release. He is amazingly accurate and the offense that the Saints run caters to all of his strengths and masks his weaknesses (height being the only real one). You can't blitz him, because he has too many weapons to throw a "hot" to, plus the aforementioned quick release.

3. BEN ROETHLISBERGER.



I hate him, but he's doing something (somewhat quietly) that has never been done -- and should he keep it up, he's going to break Dan Marino's 5,084-yard record set in 1984 (which Brees approached last year, but fell a dozen or so yards short of). Regardless of whether the Steelers can run the ball or not, he's extremely accurate and passes for tons of yards. The biggest knock on him is that he tries to make SportsCenter's Top Plays too often (i.e. holding the ball to make a big play downfield instead of chucking it into the stands or even taking a sack occasionally). You can tell he played Madden growing up, because he plays QB the way Madden players use their QBs on the game.

4. PHILIP RIVERS.



To think, he, his WRs and the team in general could be better if play-calling was better. But as it is, he puts up all world numbers with some of the highest football IQ out there. He's like the wily old veteran who's not even 30 yet.

5. JOE FLACCO.



OLD MAN FLACCO. He has a great arm, and it's ACCURATE (JaMarcus Russell, here's to you, buddy). He throws the best deep ball, and knows how to put touch on it for the intermediate and underneath routes. Considering he has an old guy (Mason) and a B-level WR (Clayton), he's playing amazing ball. Imagine if he had top tier WRs like Kurt Warner has at the X, Y and Z positions?

Honorable Mention: Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Kyle Orton, Tony Romo.

Top 5 Wide Receivers In The NFL (2009 Edition)

Top 5 Wide Receivers In The NFL (2009 Edition)
M.D. Wright
10.31.09

This is by far the toughest position to pick a Top 5 for, so don't obliterate me for picking one guy over another.

1. ANDRE JOHNSON



Best combination of size, speed and hands. A bit under the radar being on a previously middling team, but he's getting recognition throughout the league, fantasy football and even casual football fans.

2. LARRY FITZGERALD.



Best hands in the game. Makes catches I've never seen before. And I've been watching the NFL for 25 years. If he didn't have a very good WR and a nice slot WR to spread the ball around to, he could easily catch 100 passes every year, and not look any different than pre-game warmups doing so.

3. CALVIN JOHNSON.



YOUNG MEGATRON. He can't stay healthy and he doesn't have a QB, a consistent RB nor an offensive line that could block for even Peyton Manning, but he somehow manages to put up the numbers. Even without the numbers (upon which these rankings are NOT based), he is a game-changing WR unlike those we have seen in years so soon in his career.

4. RANDY MOSS.



My knock on Moss is he never goes across the middle. But he's made a career off working the perimeter, so why knock it? He makes catching the ball look like he's playing pitch and catch with a little kid. If the Patriots really wanted to, they could throw to him 20 times a game and he'd have 12-15 catches per game.

5. REGGIE WAYNE.



Ironman. He never misses a game. He may miss one in Week 8 of the 2009 season, but that would be his first since 2001. He makes some of the prettiest catches along the sidelines and in the corners of the end zone while going out of bounds. Old Man Harrison taught him well. Runs great routes, never drops Manning's passes. Makes Manning look great -- and has for all these years.

Honorable Mention: Donald Driver, Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin, Relevant Steve Smith (i.e. New York Giants), DeSean Jackson.

Top 5 Cornerbacks In The NFL (2009 Edition)

Top 5 Cornerbacks In The NFL (2009 Edition)
M.D. Wright
10.31.09

You know the drill by now. This isn't like the Pro Bowl, where a guy gets by on past achievements. This is who is playing THE BEST AT CORNERBACK RIGHT NOW IN THE NFL THIS SEASON.

1. DARRELLE REVIS.



If you have not had the joy to watch this guy play, please tune in soon. He plays the position THE RIGHT WAY. The way I was taught to play cornerback. It makes me sit up and watch. Screw WRs, this guy gets it DONE. Locks down the best WRs in the game and makes it look easy. Not afraid to come up in run support, either.

2. NNAMDI ASOMUGHA.



A shame he plays for one of the worst teams in the NFL and plays on the West Coast. No one really sees him play. However, football people know this guy is as fluid as they come. He's like a younger version of Champ Bailey, with a step more speed. Teams rarely even throw to his side anymore and he hasn't even been in the league 5 years.

3. COREY WEBSTER.



Ever since clinching the 2007 NFC Championship Game with a stellar interception of Green Bay's Brett Favre, Webster has been locking down the best WRs in the NFC with relative ease. He has great hands, great closing speed, and superb awareness. He plays well in space and also comes in and helps in the box. A sleeper at this position, if that is possible here in New York.

4. ANTOINE WINFIELD.



He has managed to play all these years in Buffalo and Minnesota and no one really talks about him amongst the best. Honestly, he is the toughest CB out there. I have seen him come up and absolutely lay guys out no homo. He's great at everything. Why he doesn't get mentioned is beyond me. He saves the Viking defensive secondary from being an absolute SIEVE.

5. CHAMP BAILEY.



He's still got it. If he's lost a step, he makes up for it with guile. He's making plays he made in Washington. Still excellent in coverage, teams foolishly throw to his side thinking he's losing it. Champ can bump and run, play deep or come up in run support. One of the best cornerbacks ever once he hangs them up.

Honorable Mention: Terence Newman, Courtland Finnegan, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Quentin Jammer, Rasean Mathis.

Top 5 Running Backs In The NFL (2009 Edition)

Top 5 Running Backs In The NFL (2009 Edition)
M.D. Wright
10.30.09

***EDITOR'S NOTE: These selections have been influenced in part by the halfway-complete 2009 NFL Season. Nevertheless, these are the most complete Running Backs in the NFL, rushing, blocking and receiving.

1. ADRIAN PETERSON.



YOUNG ALL DAY, himself. It's not close, either. He can do it all. As someone who watched guys like Eric Dickerson and saw highlights of OJ Simpson before he became THAT OJ Simpson, this is the guy who reminds me of both them. Mixed in with a bit of Jim Brown -- see here: AND HERE if you don't believe me ha. Underrated receiver out of the backfield and blocks when necessary. This is one of the few guys I'd lay down $115 and go see in person without thinking.

2. STEVEN JACKSON.



You gotta feel for this guy. Wasting his prime on a team that will never win anything as long as he's in his peak years. But even without TV coverage, I have seen Steven Jackson singlehandedly carry the Rams... to the only 7 or 10 points they score every week. His runs are explosive, he's powerful, still fast for a guy who is pushing 245 lbs and has probably the best VISION outside of Peterson and Tomlinson.

3. RONNIE BROWN.



Mr. Wildcat. He does it all for the Dolphins. He rushes. He blocks adroitly. He passes at times. He runs routes. He too has excellent vision. He is Mr. Do It All for the Dolphins and is still somehow not readily mentioned by most people. (Putting on John Madden Voice) When you think of the best RBs in the NFL right now, you think of Adrian Peterson, you think of Steven Jackson, but I don't know that you don't put Ronnie Brown in there. Because when you have a guy who can do THESE types of things... you-you-you gotta think he's one of the players in the league".

And I'd agree.

4. FRANK GORE.



Can't stay healthy to save his life, but he's dynamic as heck. There isn't much that he cannot do. He'd get more publicity if he wasn't playing on the West Coast and on teams, previous to this year at least -- that weren't middling at best. His come-up is NOW.

5. CHRIS JOHNSON.



I hate putting rookies or 2nd year guys up this high on lists like this, but he belongs. He is the fastest RB in the NFL and he's not one of those track-cum-RB guys. He's a FOOTBALL PLAYER. He has speed, and those of us who have it (myself included) know it CANNOT BE TAUGHT. To go along with it, he is not just a straight-line runner, he is elusive, doesn't lose speed on his cuts whatsoever and he has superb vision for such a young player. I saw him play at East Carolina and was amazed that he was there and not at The U. or Florida State or even USC.

Honorable Mention: Maurice Jones-Drew, Thomas Jones, Felix Jones, Ray Rice, Ahmad Bradshaw, DeAngelo Williams, Marshawn Lynch, Ricky Williams, Clinton Portis.

Top 5 Players In The NBA (2009-2010 Edition)

Top 5 Players In The NBA (2009-2010 Edition)
M.D. Wright
10.30.09

There are varying measures by which people affix the label "Best Player", but from someone who has played (25), coached (4) and refereed (3) the game for 25 years, I know it's not about who one's teammates are, or what their physical stature is, but rather Basketball IQ, ability to score in a variety of ways, dexterity used to make pivot moves and overall getting the most out of their ability and not just getting by on sheer raw talent. With that, here is the Top 5 List for 2009-2010:

***Oh, one more thing, the list is not going to change, so the pointless LeBron >>> Kobe debates will be ignored.

1. KOBE BRYANT.


Bryant is the most complete player in the league. At 6'6", 210, he gets the most out of his physical abilities. Still in the prime of his career, Bryant gets it done without having to drive 1 on 4 as he was known to do for years. Michael Jordan did the same for the first 7 years of his career. Bryant has changed. He's more cerebral now and has a superb basketball IQ. The perfectionist in him causes him to cover every detail of the game with precision. It is what sets him apart from the other four on this list who are either more physically gifted, score with even greater ease, have more explosive ability and are otherwise not "beneath" him in any other way.

2. CARMELO ANTHONY.


Some may hate me for suggesting this, but I've been watching this guy since his senior year at Oak Hill (VA) Academy. He can score so easily it's maddening. The only person who makes scoring look more effortless is Ben Gordon -- who I'm SURE doesn't have a pulse rate of above 40 himself. He scores on a variety of moves, and every possible way: posting up, nice array of pivot moves, step-back jumpers, a mid-range game, a superb free-throw shooter, a better-than-advertised rebounder (especially when he is into it), can stroke it from deep (pause), and even plays defense when motivated. He's going to win the MVP this year. Kobe's eyes are on titles and the Cavs will slip a bit with O'Neal clogging up their team, thereby disqualifying James from winning it. Carmelo Anthony is the best SCORER in the NBA -- and it's NOT CLOSE. Real NBA fans know this.

3. LEBRON JAMES.


Could easily be the best player ever... someday. He's not yet, as much as the Kool-Aid drinkers like/liked (before he had even played a game in the NBA) to profess. He has all the ability in the world at 6'8" 268 lbs. He has developed a relatively consistent jumpshot and is one of the fastest players in the league end to end. He isn't polished on defense, and although he has the ability to shut anyone down, he doesn't have the guile to be in position so he doesn't have to work as hard. Some look more at his trailing/blocking layups, which are great, but on ball defense or even using shrewd ability to hide on defense to help over in critical junctures are precisely why the Cavaliers did not make it the NBA Finals last year. His teammates were overmatched and while that may happen with Bryant in LA, he uses guile and smarts, rather than overwhelming physical prowess to be in the right place to make plays. It will come, for James. He doesn't have the killer instinct to put opponents away; and it is not something that can be contrived. He's easily the most completely talented player from a physical standpoint, but his game IQ and ability to score in the ways that Bryant and Anthony do (consistently) warrant his placement 3rd, instead of 1st or 2nd.

4. DWYANE WADE.


Dwyane Wade is a G. He is explosive, plays both ends of the court with infectious fervor. He blocks shots at a rate expected from a 6'11" guy, not a guy who stands 6'4". He does it all for his team, led the NBA in scoring, was one of the league leaders in assists and rebounds at a rate that would make most coaches smile from ear to ear. He gets his (let's face it, they're mostly scrubs, has-beens, never-will-bes and a crop of potentially good young guys) teammates involved and barring injury, could lead them to a 50-55 win season this year. Easily could have been the MVP last year and will definitely be in the running this year.

5. DWIGHT HOWARD.


The best big man in the NBA. Hands. Tim Duncan is slowing down, Yao Ming is hurt (again) and with all those injuries, and will be 30 when he is healthy again -- he won't overtake Howard, who is still on the rise. Shaquille O'Neal is washed up and should retire and everyone else 6'10" and above is masquerading as a shooting guard or is named Erick Dampier. Howard is a physical specimen. He's 6'11" 265 and can leap out of the gym. He lives to block shots and rebound ferociously. He showed flashes of developing more moves offensively, which is going to make him a nightmare to guard for every team in the league. Once he learns to shoot free throws consistently, it's a wrap. But just by sheer force alone, he belongs here. He can easily average 25 and 15 this year if he wanted.

Do I Know You/Do You Know Me?

Do I Know You/Do You Know Me?
M.D. Wright
10.30.09

I'll keep this one short and to the point. In lieu of a lot of conversations that have been brought to me and ridiculous things I've overheard over the years, I have to get this out. Some of it is downright hilarious, some is beyond belief and it gets me tight. I'm flummoxed as to how someone who doesn't know someone can speak about facts (or things that never happened) as if they are authorities on the matter. And be so vehement and vocal about it at that.

These are Five Simple Truths -- Five that show whether you KNOW ME and Five that show whether you DON'T KNOW ME. That easy.

You KNOW ME If:

1. You went to school with me either in North Carolina or New York. AND we associated outside of class, whether we were neighbors or played on sports teams or just knew each other from around the way. I've never been mysterious. If you were around me, you knew me. That's that.

2. You fellowshipped with me at Mt. Zion in Greensboro and/or (in a couple of cases) First Baptist in Jersey. I know a couple of people who have been members at both churches also and we hung out apart from services.

3. You worked with me at Aetna, Kinney Shoes (near the World Trade Center in the late 90s) or SIDC and we actually hung/hang out/speak outside of there. Again, what you see is what you get. But just SEEING me and never holding conversation, commiserating or anything of the sort? Nah.

4. You added me on Facebook, and even with the lingering stigma of doing so, you've come to know me and even hung out with me outside of there. It's no different than hanging out with someone you met in class or at the bar. You have common interests and you build friendships off that. However, if you just linger on my page and never speak, well...

5. You met me through my parents, sister, my best friends, College and Singles Ministries (and you PARTICIPATED) or other relatives and took the opportunity to get to know me.

Pretty simple right?





You DON'T KNOW ME If:

1. You only saw me in passing at the aforementioned places, never spoke to me, never took the time to get to know me, but uttered such unconscionable BS as "he's stuck up", "he's such a holy roller" (my personal favorite ha), "he's shy", "he's boring", "Oh he's not the type to ____________ (insert your malapropism/inaccurate superlative here)". How would YOU know?

2. You only know of me through my immediate family, relatives and friends. And by "know of" I mean MY NAME. Those people can only reveal so much about me, and while you can know OF someone, going around and in turn talking as if we've actually met and associate with one another is borderline libel ha. Adding me on Facebook or stealing me off one of your friends' pages because you thought my profile pic was poppin' does not mean you know me. I appreciate being thought of as attractive, but FB stalking/adding and never even speaking -- agh, bad taste.

3. You were one of the many people who only went to high school with me and nothing prior to or after that. Most everyone who claimed to be my friends before high school deserted me when I nearly died of my illness. And ever since high school I've never been in one place for more than 2 consecutive years (much like I did earlier in life, I spent every summer here, so if I was only around you in school and never hung out, how on EARTH do you profess to know me by sitting in a class with me).

4. You, like high school, only saw me around UNCG and "got a vibe" off me. What do I look like? One of them chicks that R. Kelly & Public Announcement sang about? I don't got that VIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIBE. You gotta get to know me and that means spending time around me. Otherwise, why are you reciting facts (or, which is much more common, LIES AND INACCURACIES) about me that you heard from my parents? What do you LOOK LIKE?

5. You sat in church with me, or only went on trips with the groups, but were too worried about remaining in your clique to get to know someone who has no allegiance to no cliques? Also, if you only worked with me at Aetna and never hung outside of there with me, GET OUT OF HERE. You don't know me. The way I carry myself in the workplace is different purposely and necessarily. No need to act shocked or befuddled when I am outside of work and able to "be myself". It flummoxes me how people can think they know you by walking past you.

I don't get it, do I look THAT menacing that people are scared to *gulp* take the time to get to know me? I don't bite. I'm not a hoodrat. I'm not ghetto (I can be, if necessary, but I'm not posted up on it sheesh), I'm laid back. I'm not at all shy (which baffles me -- quiet and shy are not synonymous; most people who know me know I'm not the least bit quiet and DEFINITELY not shy -- the total opposite). If you knew me, you'd know that, but some of the people I'm calling out here are those who have overheard conversations of my parents doting on me and all of a sudden they come and rehash a (highly inaccurate at times) chronology of my life. I'm standing there completely aghast because I wonder to them (sometimes I've done it aloud) 1) WHO ARE YOU, DUKE? and 2) WHO TOLD YOU THAT? AND WHO TOLD YOU THIS, BECAUSE IT NEVER HAPPENED? Ha. It slays me because I've had people say "I heard you were in the Marines back in the day". ME? GREAT SCOTT what tall tales people tell. Others have come up talking about things that have happened in the 15-20 years since they've last seen me when half my life has taken place in that window. In some cases, I was over 500 miles away from some of these people. Some of them, I was right under their noses for the better part of 12-15 years right here in New York and they never bothered to get the drop from the horses mouth.

Anyway, I had to get this out there, because people are funny. I've had those even argue WITH ME FACE TO FACE about things that have happened in my life, attempting to tell me I've done something I'm pretty sure I've never done. I've never been in a coma and the only time I was out of consciousness was under anesthesia. And lying on a hospital cot in the process, I'm pretty sure I wasn't pulling B&E's or playing for such and such team in a place I've never lived. Point blank and simple, if we never hung out in New York, Newark, Greensboro or Henderson, YOU DO NOT KNOW ME. For those who persist in talking instead of coming to me and getting to me know me, let's place a little game. Go to GOOGLE. Conduct a search for "THE DIPLOMATS - HARLEM CLASSICS". Then under that album, look at Track #4. Read it aloud.

Yeah, DO THAT.

2009-2010 NBA Forecast & Almanac

2009-2010 NBA Forecast & Almanac
M.D. Wright
10.30.09

The NBA is back! We have been waiting for this day since the NBA Draft in June. This season should be very exciting, with intriguing trades, free agent moves and subplots with the final four teams in each conference only getting better (although it is debatable with the Cavaliers). I will break down each conference, by division and provide a little synopsis of where they are projected to go this year, with the moves they made in the offseason.

First, the prediction of the order in which they will finish:

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
1. Boston.
2. Philadelphia.
3. New York.
4. Toronto.
5. New Jersey.

Central Division
1. Cleveland.
2. Detroit.
3. Chicago.
4. Milwaukee.
5. Indiana.

Southeast Division
1. Orlando.
2. Washington.
3. Miami.
4. Atlanta.
5. Charlotte.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Northwest Divsion
1. Portland.
2. Denver (tie).
3. Utah.
4. Oklahoma City.
5. Minnesota.

Pacific Division
1. LA Lakers.
2. LA Clippers.
3. Phoenix.
4. Golden State.
5. Sacramento.

Southwest Division
1. San Antonio.
2. Dallas.
3. New Orleans.
4. Houston.
5. Memphis.

Now, for how the teams may have improved (or taken a step back, depending...) this offseason. If a team doesn't warrant mention, believe me, I won't mention them ha.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics.

The Celtics did not trade Rondo, which would've been a stupid move. They picked up Rasheed Wallace and get Kevin Garnett back somewhat healthy. Their health and depth will be key all season in back to back games and in the playoffs, because guys like Ray Allen and Garnett are aging; with over 2,500 games under their belts combined. Barring major injuries, they are the favorites in the Eastern Conference.

New Jersey Nets.

Not sure what their plan is. They basically gave Vince Carter away for emerging Courtney Lee. However, they have no real nucleus. It's just stand back and hope Devin Harris can make a bunch of 3rd tier players into NBA forces.

New York Knicks.

The Knicks aren't as bad as people who never even watch them think, but they have a couple of major holes (no real center, no stud offensive player), plus they don't play defense in critical moments (i.e. closing games with the lead). But they do not have a 2010 1st Round draft pick. They have to count on being able to sign two superstars with their cap space. But in the meantime, they can score and are entertaining.

Philadelphia 76ers.

Not sure what they have. Sweet Lou Williams is fun to watch. Will Brand slow them down? Iguodala is not a top tier player, although he masquerades as one and tries hard to dispel the facts. They don't do anything great. They're like the NBA version of the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.

Toronto Raptors.

Not sure what to make of them, either. They took two major steps back last year after making progress with their young guys. Bosh is probably going to leave. This team is unwatchable.

Central Divsion
Chicago Bulls.

They have emerging PG Derrick Rose, but they let Ben Gordon walk for nothing. They have tons of youth, but no real veteran leadership. They can run for days, but don't expect them to be any more than .500.

Cleveland Cavaliers.

They'll win 60-65 by just stepping on the court with LeBron. But they aren't title contenders. Shaq should retire, first of all. Mo Williams lost any heart he had in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. Anthony Parker is good, but again, he's still not going to be enough to push the Cavs past Orlando or Boston and definitely not the Lakers. Delonte West is having personal issues and isn't starting. Zydrunas Ilgauskas does his job and he's healthy, but they really haven't done anything to surpass Boston, Orlando or Los Angeles.

Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons made a few nice moves, and a few questionable ones. Their run with the 2001-2008 team was obviously over, so they began by trading Billups to Denver. They continue by letting Rasheed Wallace leave in free agency. In the process, they pick up Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, and move Rodney Stuckey over to PG. Rip Hamilton returns to starting off the ball. The Pistons need a big man to be taken seriously, however. The UConn Connection will be great to watch and great for fantasy basketball.

Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers have a nearly all-White lineup ha. Not a bad thing, just funny how it all came about. All jokes aside, Danny Granger is a MAN. And Troy Murphy, the Notre Dame product, is a double double machine. Not much else noteworthy about them, however.

Milwaukee Bucks.

What on EARTH are they doing? Do they even have a plan?

Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks.

No improvements. Bringing Joe Smith in does not an improvement make. They still lack leadership. They still play poor halfcourt ball. They still play lackadaisical and unfocused defense. They'll still win 47 games, but so what. Doing the same thing every year seems to be a trademark for Atlanta pro sports teams.

Charlotte Bobcats.

What if Michael Jordan cared? How long before Larry Brown quits? Just when you thought they would turn the corner, they make moves that set the team back. 59 points... for AN ENTIRE GAME THAT MATTERED? Unforgiveable.

Miami Heat.

Interesting team. Wade is a G. Beasley is ready to prove he's not a lifetime stoner. Jermaine O'Neal is relatively healthy. Haslem is still there. They have young Chalmers and young Cook. This team can do damage as long as they are healthy. Could challenge the Magic for the division.

Orlando Magic.

Hard to tell yet whether Vince Carter will be an improvement over Hidayet Turkoglu, but HE SHOULD BE. This is his chance to prove he hasn't taken the past 7 1/2 years off in the NBA. This is his best chance to win. He has a center who is entering his prime and is a beast. He has a serviceable PG and a matchup nightmare for other teams in Rashard Lewis. The Magic should win 60+ games and be back to the Finals if they play as well as they are capable.

Washington Wizards.

The Wizards can't stay healthy. They get Arenas back, and dependable Butler is there, Haywood finally learns how to play and now Jamison gets hurt. Oy.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets.

They might be ready to go to the NBA Finals. They are healthy and added young Tywon Lawson. If they can keep all the egos in check and Carmelo Anthony continues as the best/easiest scorer in the league, the Nuggets CAN do it. Will they? Depends on the Lakers.

Minnesota Timberwolves.

Hard to gauge them. They effectively gave up on young Randy Foye. They have Kevin Love and Al Jefferson coming back healthy, but they completely screwed up their draft by taking Ricky Rubio who only wants to play in New York or Los Angeles. FAIL. They have Jonny Flynn, who is electric, but no real shooters who can stay healthy or defend. That's going to kill them.

Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder will be much better this year. They have some pieces in place. High scoring Kevin Durant. Jeff Green, playing like he did in high school and at Georgetown. Russell Westbrook. And they have size across the board. 35-40 win team.

Portland TrailBlazers.

The Blazers were on the cusp last year. Again, health is the issue. Martell Webster missed 81 of 82 games last season. Greg Oden hopes to make it through the season. Brandon Roy is an absolute MANE. They can win the West.

Utah Jazz.

They are a decent team. They can't win on the road, however. They just aren't fun to watch at all. They have a couple of exciting players, however.

Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors are a bettor's best friend. Just wager on the OVER in any game they play and you're good money, plus they're fun to watch at that ha. They have Monta Ellis, Anthony Randolph, young Stephen Curry, Stephen Jackson and their role players, who all get good minutes. They'll be in the running for the final playoff spot, but Don Nelson doesn't seem to care about anything. He's just... there. "Coaching".

Los Angeles Clippers.

One upside to all that losing is high draft picks. They're stocked with nothing but top tier 1st round picks. Young rookie Blake Griffin is out until about Thanksgiving with a recurring knee injury. But they have a svelte Baron Davis, rising stud Eric Gordon and the rest of their returning players including Al Thornton, Chris Kaman and a couple of under-the-radar signees including Ricky Davis. They could compete for the last playoff spot as well. They're not going to lose 63 games this year.

Los Angeles Lakers.

The class of the league. They are the defending champions and got better by adding Ron Artest. When Pau Gasol comes back, the Lakers can win 70 games. It's their title to lose.

Phoenix Suns.

They commit to defense. Somewhat. No more 140 point games this year with this outfit. Well, not every other game anyway ha. They'll take a step back without a bona fide big man.

Sacramento Kings.

I have no idea what they're doing.

Southwest Division.
Dallas Mavericks.

They're my sleeper. Before they became EVERYONE'S sleeper.

Houston Rockets.

DEAR GOD.

Memphis Grizzlies.

All those high picks and trades have to start paying off soon, right? It doesn't appear to be anytime this year, though. Iavaroni isn't the guy to make this team into a real NBA team.

New Orleans Hornets.

These guys may miss the playoffs this year. What did they do to get better? Chris Paul can't win alone. Tyson Chandler may want out of town after the team tried to trade him twice. They can't beat the Spurs. They can't run with the Lakers. They don't match up with Denver. Dallas got better and can beat them now. Portland is too physical for them. Phoenix is a mirror image. Golden State can run them ragged. Doesn't look good for Byron Scott and the boys.

San Antonio Spurs.

The real challenge to the Lakers is this team with their stacked deck -- with Popovich's coaching. Duncan is losing steam (even if people won't admit it), but he has some players around him again in healthy Ginobili, Richard Jefferson and young DeJuan (don't call me Mike Sweetney) Blair. We'll see how this pans out. They always coast through the season and land the 2-4 seed, then go to work. The Spurs are to be taken SERIOUSLY.

Tim Donaghy eat your heart out!