With the first half of the season complete, I wanted to write a sentence or two and set the landscape of where each team is right now.
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks traded all those picks for Dejounte Murray but are still hovering around .500. Clint Capela and John Collins trades should have happened a while ago and when do we start wondering about a Trae Young deal?
Boston Celtics: The Celtics look like the best team in the NBA and the record says it as they have the best record in the sport. The offense comes and goes based on whether they make 3’s but the defense is back to being elite and that makes them one of the favorites to win the title.
Brooklyn Nets: The Nets looked like a real contender until the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant trades sent the franchise in a totally new direction but at 34-24, the playoffs are very likely.
Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo is really good and Mark Williams looks like he can become a real player for them.
Chicago Bulls: I can’t.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The number 1 defense in the sport and with Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell controlling the offense, Cavs fans are excited. However, I am worried about the wing position.
Dallas Mavericks: Luka and Kyrie are going to be so good offensively. Can Dallas figure out the defense?
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic is the favorite to win his 3rd MVP in a row and with the number 1 seed in the west, the Nuggets look like they can win the championship.
Detroit Pistons: The Pistons stink but Cade Cunningham has missed all but 12 games so I will give them a pass. Shoutout to Bojan Bogdanovic though, he has had a really good season.
Golden State Warriors: The Warriors have been awesome at home (22-7) and awful on the road (7-22), it makes no sense. The young players they bet on have not been so good, so that hasn’t helped in their title defense.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets need to start winning games soon because this is year 3 of the rebuild and there are no signs of improvement.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton is just so good and Bennedict Mathurin looks like he is a real player to pair with Haliburton.
Los Angeles Clippers: *mumbles very quietly* The Clippers are one of the best teams in the west and have a chance to win it.
Los Angeles Lakers: Was the win on Wednesday against the Pelicans the win that turns the Lakers season around?
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies are really good but I am not sold. I would really like it if Jaren Jackson Jr. would stop fouling out.
Miami Heat: Don’t worry, Kevin Love is coming to save the day!
Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks have won 12 in a row and are one of the best teams in the league. With the return of Khris Middleton as well, the Bucks are rounding into form and are one of the favorites to win the championship.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves have had an up and down season and are one of the biggest question marks in the second half. The main question is: how does Karl-Anthony Towns fit back in after missing all that time?
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels have to get Zion back because the slide without him has been drastic.
New York Knicks: The Jalen Brunson signing was awesome and Josh Hart looks like a great fit after the trade at the deadline but RJ Barrett has to be better.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is becoming one of the best players in the league and the young players are progressing well. With Chet Holmgren on the way as well, the future is bright in Oklahoma City.
Orlando Magic: Ever since Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris entered the starting 5, the Magic have been starting a real lineup and the results are promising. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner look like a duo that could be amongst the best in the league one day.
Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers are good but why should anyone believe that this season won’t end like every season has since 2001, before the conference finals?
Phoenix Suns: The Suns have had an up and down season but Kevin Durant is about to join their team so one would think that will help.
Portland Trail Blazers: Portland remade their team around Damian Lillard and still stink so who knows what they need to do next.
Sacramento Kings: 3rd seeded and multi-All Star Kings! Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox have the Kings looking at their first playoff appearance since 2006.
San Antonio Spurs: Two words: Victor Wembanyama.
Toronto Raptors: The Raptors are probably going to be in the play-in so there's that.
Utah Jazz: That’s All-Star Lauri Markkanen to you.
Washington Wizards: Play-In Tommy has the Wizards right where he wants ‘em.
The NBA season has hit the All-Star break so enjoy the festivities of the weekend and prepare for the stretch run of the season.
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