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NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

By Joe Boikess | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Dwight Howard - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

It's been two weeks since the last edition of my power rankings, where the East's mighty trio of Boston, Cleveland and Orlando took the top three spots. But that was last year, and now that 2008 has come and gone, it's time for a new leader: the Lakers. There was plenty of repositioning elsewhere as well, including the Detroit Pistons re-entering the top-10 for the first time since mid-November.1. Los Angeles Lakers (27-5) - Technically the Lakers are still a half-game behind the Celtics for the NBA's best record, but after L.A. beat Boston pretty convincingly on Christmas Day, then downed both Utah and Portland by double digits, there's no question who should be #1.2. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6) - LeBron couldn't rally the Cavs past the Heat last week on his birthday despite dropping 24 of his 38 in the second half, and I can forgive him for that. But...

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Eight-Second Violation: Tuesday, December 6, 2009

By Zach Harper | January 6, 2009 | Talk Hoops

By Zach HarperMarbury Potential Hard For People To Give Up OnWhat is it about potential, skill sets, and athleticism that makes us all clamor for those who don't deserve the attention? Is it because not even one percent of the world can accomplish the things that we see on the hardwood/parquet floor every night? Is it because we can make anybody in NBA 2K9 a threat to be great?(First side note: It really is true that NBA 2K9 is the Matrix for anyone that we want to turn into Neo and give them free reign on the pixilated battle ground that resides in my XBOX 360. I have seen Kevin Ollie and his mustache drop 62, Steve Francis play like he actually still existed, and Earl Watson perform like Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas settled their difference, had a love child, and named him after Earl Monroe and Matt...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Caron Butler, Crab Dribble, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Stephon Marbury, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

NBA Stock Market: Stuckey Has Pistons Pushing Forward

By Joe Boikess | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Tayshaun Prince is Detroit's most consistent player (Photo via flickr.com/Jeffrey Simms Photography)

Every week here at NBA Outsider we look at which teams and players are hot and who's not from the Association. Here's the contenders for the first week of 2009...Rising:Detroit Pistons - Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess have all missed time recently for Detroit, yet the Pistons have somehow found a way to win seven in a row. Their latest win came on Sunday night when a last-second Allen Iverson floater was goaltended by the Clippers' Al Thornton to give Detroit the 88-87 win. A big part of their success has been the play of Rodney Stuckey, who is averaging just under 23 points per game during their seven-game winning streak. The Pistons are 13-3 with Stuckey as the starting point guard, and it clearly seems obvious at this point that he'll be sticking around.Kevin Martin (Kings) - Martin had missed 22 of Sacramento's first 24 games with...

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Who Will Top The East This Season?

By Eric Sandi | January 5, 2009 | Cavalier Attitude

The race is on for the best record in the Eastern Conference, and subsequent home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference Finals. Right now it is a three team race between the Boston Celtics (29-6), the Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6), and the Orlando Magic (26-8). I would like to take a moment to mention to the fans of these teams that losing is inevitable in the NBA. Even the finest teams in NBA history lost occasionally. I make this obvious overstatement because every fan of the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Orlando Magic will be taking each loss for the remainder of this season as if they just belly-caught a cannonball shot at close range and were blown into a vat of used razor blades. Yesterday, all three of these powerhouse teams lost to teams that, on paper at least, they should have beaten; as Boston lost to the...

Read more | 11 Comments | Tags: Anderson Varejao, Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Daniel Gibson, Danny Ferry, Darnell Jackson, Delonte West, Doc Rivers, Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Hickson, Jameer Nelson, James Posey, Joe Smith, John Hollinger, Keith Bogans, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Brown, Mo Williams, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Paul Pierce, Portland Trail Blazers, Rajon Rondo, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Sasha Pavlovic, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Allen, Utah Jazz, Wally Szczerbiak, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Lakers vs. Jazz: After Thoughts

By Michael C. Teniente | January 3, 2009 | The Lakers' Journal

Last week I read a piece in the L.A. Times sports section about how Kobe Bryant is a student of the game. The story mentions how Kobe likes to study "his opponents." The way the story goes, you get the impression that Kobe knows everything that happens on the court. That's a good thing and what a champion's mind is all about. After tonight's game against the Jazz, I have to wonder what Kobe will be looking at when he watches this game tape. I wonder if he notices how often Bynum and Gasol are pushed out of the lane on an entry pass to initiate the triangle. Does he notice that when Bynum and Gasol recieve the entry pass that almost everytime they're closer to the free throw line than they are to the rim? I have to ask if Kobe understands what that means? It means that when the game...

Read more | 8 Comments | Tags: Lakers' Journal, Los Angeles Lakers blogs, Los Angeles Lakers Championship Run, Los Angeles Lakers' games, Los Angeles Lakers' Team, Michael C. Teniente, Utah Jazz

New Year's Resolutions -- 2009 Edition

By Zach Harper | January 2, 2009 | Talk Hoops

Posted by Brandon GallawaSince last year's resolution article was such a hit and countless people have been clamoring for another edition, I decided to do some research on what NBA players, coaches and teams will be trying to accomplish in the New Year. Here are the NBA's 2009 resolutions: Dwight Howard - Learn a post move. At some point it has to happen, right? Kyle Lowry - Be seen in the same room as MA$E. Until this happens I won't be convinced they aren't the same person. Ricky Rubio - Roll the dice and declare for the draft. Sure he could end up in Minnesota, OKC or Sacramento, but he also has a chance to land in a large market like Washington, LA or Golden State. As Zach's favorite movie Summer Catch would say "If you want big rewards, you gotta take big risks." Jose Calderon - Pull a Tanya...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Andray Blatche, Andre Iguodala, Baron Davis, Brian Scalabrine, Brook Lopez, Chauncey Billups, China, Chris Mullin, Danny Granger, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, Glenn Taylor, Greg Oden, Jason Thompson, Jeff Green, Joe Alexander, Joe Dumars, Jose Calderon, Josh Howard, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Martin, Kevin McHale, Kobe Bryant, Kyle Lowry, Larry Brown, Lawrence Frank, LeBron James, Luol Deng, Michael Beasley, Mike D'Antoni, Mike Woodson, Nate Robinson, NBA, O.J. Mayo, Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul Pierce, Ricky Rubio, Robin Lopez, Sasha Vujacic, Stephon Marbury, Tim Duncan, Toronto Raptors, Tracy McGrady, Utah Jazz

Lakers vs. Jazz

By Michael C. Teniente | January 2, 2009 | The Lakers' Journal

PREGAME Celtics' starting five: Williams, Brewer, Miles, Millsap and Okur Lakers' starting five: Fisher, Bryant, Walton, Gasol and Bynum Key match-ups: Gasol/Bynum vs. Millsap/Okur. Gasol should be able to use his height to have a big game against whoever the Jazz send out to play the power forward positiion. Miles is listed at 6'6. Millsap is listed at 6'8. Kirilenko is list at 6'9. Of those three players, only Millsap could present a problem for Gasol. Millsap is listed to weigh 250 lbs. 250 lbs. at 6'6 is a power player. He might be able to use his strength to give Gasol some trouble but, I don't believe, it will be enough to contain Gasol. The Bynum/Okur match-up should favor Bynum. Okur is listed to weigh 263 lbs. compared to Bynum's 285 lbs. Okur isn't exactly known to be a standout defender. That should play into Bynum's favor unless Okur gets hot from the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Lakers' Journal, Los Angeles Lakers blogs, Los Angeles Lakers Championship Run, Los Angeles Lakers' games, Los Angeles Lakers' Team, Michael C. Teniente, Utah Jazz

NBA Studs and Duds: 12/26/08

By Stu Holdren | December 26, 2008 | NBA Noise

Studs:Kosta Koufos, Utah JazzNo Carlos Boozer, no Mehmet Okur, no Paul Millsap. It's no problem when you have Kosta Koufos on your team...wait, what? Koufos, a rookie averaging 4 points per game in about 12 minutes per contest, put together an impressive performance with his newfound playing time. With Koufos in the lineup, the Jazz didn't miss a beat as he scored 18 points and grabbed 8 boards to go along with 2 steals and a block. [boxscore]Chris Paul, New Orleans HornetsAfter finding himself on the "Duds" list last night after a lucklaster performance, Paul redeemed himself by leading the charge in a gritty Hornets win over the Rockets. Paul looked like a new man as he controlled the pace of the game and always kept the Hornets' head above water. Paul dropped in 26 points to go along with 10 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. [boxscore]Sebastian Telfair, Minnesota...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Allen Iverson, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Detroit Pistons, Jermaine O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Kosta Koufos, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Sebastian Telfair, Studs and Duds, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

By Joe Boikess | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Dwight Howard - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

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NBA Stock Market: Stuckey Has Pistons Pushing Forward

By Joe Boikess | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Tayshaun Prince is Detroit's most consistent player (Photo via flickr.com/Jeffrey Simms Photography)

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, NBA, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz

NBA Stock Market: Rondo Keeping Celtics on Record Pace

By Joe Boikess | December 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Rajon Rondo surveying the floor (Photo via culhanen/flickr.com)

Note: We at MVN Outsider have re-organized our posting schedule in an effort to make our sports coverage more well rounded and timely. For those of you expecting to see the NBA Power Rankings today, that post has been moved to Tuesdays. With these changes, get ready to see more fresh content every day on every major sport. Thanks, and enjoy!Rising:Boston Celtics - Honestly, this team has been on the rise this entire season, piling up wins at a rate that we haven't seen since the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. They now have won 18 in a row and have tied the league mark for the best start (26-2) for a team with two losses. Their recent success has been due in large part to the play of point guard Rajon Rondo. When the team needs him to score, he does it (as we saw on Sunday in the C's win...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Outsider, New York Knicks

Why Paul Millsap Should Make the Utah Jazz Forget About Carlos Boozer

By Amar Panchmatia | December 16, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The Utah Jazz have a problem. Oh, it's a good problem, to be true. The Jazz are 15-11, playing great basketball under a coach who has been with them since before a lot of this year's rookies around the league were born, and are fighting for their third consecutive Northwest Division crown.Not only that, but Jerry Sloan's group is remaining amongst the league's elite despite being banged up more than any other team in the league. The Jazz started the season without point guard Deron Williams, who was fresh off of winning a gold medal with Team USA in the summer. They went a stretch of games without Williams and former All-Stars Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur. By the time those guys returned to the lineup, Sloan's crew was missing two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer from its starting lineup. That Boozer injury, however, may have been a blessing in disguise...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Cleveland Cavaliers, Deron Williams, Jerry Sloan, Mehmet Okur, NBA Outsider, Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz

NBA Stock Market: Smith returns to surging Hawks

By Joe Boikess | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Rajon Rondo dunks as Bill Belichick looks on (flickr.com/Eric Kilby)

Wednesday night was a busy one in the NBA, and here's some teams and players that are on the move...Rising:Atlanta Hawks - Without Josh Smith, the Hawks' most complete player and best defender, the Hawks floundered after starting the season 6-0. He made his return last night against Memphis, and his presence opened up the floor for Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby, who combined to shoot over 65 percent from the field. Smith was active defensively from the start, finishing with a couple steals and a block in addition to 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes. The Hawks are a much better team with Smith in the lineup, and they'll need him as they prepare to tackle the Texas triangle beginning on Saturday in Dallas.Rajon Rondo - In guiding the Celtics to their league-best 18th win of the year on Wednesday, the wiry point guard got...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Rajon Rondo, Utah Jazz

NBA Week 4 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | November 24, 2008 | MVN Outsider

There was minimal shuffling among the top teams this week. The Magic made their first appearance in my top five, while the leading triumvirate of the Lakers, Celtics and Cavaliers stayed put after all three had solid weeks. Boston is probably playing the best out of the three, having won five straight (including an 18-point win over the Pistons) and currently sitting pretty as the only team to hold their opponents to an average of under 90 points per game. The Lakers remain #1, however, thanks to another perfect week that included a pair of double-digit wins over the Suns and Nuggets in back-to-back games.1. Los Angeles Lakers (11-1) - The buzzsaw that is the Lakers just keeps on rolling, with two more convincing wins over Phoenix and Denver now added to their growing resume. They should continue to roll with a relatively easy schedule leading up to their Christmas...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz

NBA Stock Market: Ford's play has Pacers soaring

By Joe Boikess | November 13, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal (flickr.com)

A week ago I tabbed the San Antonio Spurs as the team on the rise after Tony Parker led them to their first win of the season. Then Parker went down with a badly sprained ankle, sidelining him for about a month, and the Spurs have since managed only one win. This only proves that things can change in an instant in the NBA. Here's my risers and fallers for this week...Rising:Indiana Pacers - Indiana's schedule to begin the season was about as tough as it gets: games at Cleveland and at Detroit, and two home meetings with the Celtics and Suns. But after starting out 1-3, the Pacers have won their last three after notching a couple wins over the Nets and one against the lowly Thunder. T.J. Ford has carried much of the load during this latest win streak, getting within a few rebounds or assists shy of...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Andrei Kirilenko, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Tracy McGrady, Utah Jazz

NBA Week 2 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | November 10, 2008 | MVN Outsider

A week ago there were seven undefeated teams left. Now there's only two, and who would have thought that one of them would be the Hawks? Atlanta is the big winner this week, but they weren't the team that made the biggest rise in my week 2 power rankings...1. Los Angeles Lakers (5-0) - After a 2-0 week was punctuated by a dominating win against the Rockets, the Lakers are one of only two undefeated teams remaining.2. Boston Celtics (6-1) - More impressive than Boston's spoiling of Iverson's debut in Detroit has been the play of Tony Allen and the C's bench.3. Phoenix Suns (5-2) - The Suns rested Shaq during their loss to Chicago last week, but he sure did make his mark the next night, notching his first 25/10 game since last November.4. Atlanta Hawks (5-0) - Losing Josh Smith for a few weeks will hurt, but Atlanta...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz

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