12/17/2006
2006-07 NBA appreciation list
It is this time of the year again when allegiances change, at least for me, in the NBA. There is not much of a shakeup going on at the extremes. It is more of the battle of who would get the fourth to 24th spots in my annual list.
1 Indiana Pacers
There is no need for much explanation here. I told myself that I would change teams when Reggie Miller retires. Guess what, it has not happened yet. With a new and young core, there is a newfound hope and persona emanating from the Pacers. And finally, Ron Artest is officially gone. That is a big sigh of relief. Don't believe the standings. They are better than what they seem.
2 Phoenix Suns
What is with the Suns? This is not the kind of start I am expecting. Some say it is the new ball. I guess everybody is adjusting with a recovering Amare Stoudemire who has found his groove back as of late, and Mike D’Antoni is finally utilizing his bench (but sucks to be Steven Hunter because he is still the 12th man in a small team). I would try to take this in stride as long as Steve Nash is dishing out MVP-like numbers.
3 Houston Rockets
Speaking of MVP-like numbers, Yao Ming has finally woken up! Just sucks that Juwan Howard is now finding himself out of place in the rotation with the arrival of Shane Battier. I only find it weird that T-Mac is unusually quiet, which I think works in favour of the Rockets.
4 San Antonio Spurs
Bruce Bowen controversies aside, it is a good year to be a Spurs fan this year. Manu Ginobili has emerged from the shadows of his international teammates and Eva Longoria is single once again. Boring snoring (do they really have to rhyme?). Tim Duncan is still the most effective post player there is. May you have a good season over there, James White. Sorry you just had to be cut at the last moment.
5 Los Angeles Clippers
I find it weird that there is a Los Angeles team this high in my list. Plus the fact that they have Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley in the lineup, two non-likeable players in my personal list. But if they are necessary evils for Elton Brand to make it to the next level, why not. There is Shaun Livingston to placate for the two. Chris Kaman may not be a David Beckham, but when he got balls grabbed differently, we are into something here.
6 New Orleans Hornets
For a team that is actually flying low in the radar in the offseason save for their trade moves, they are up here. Makes me wonder also. Let me see… they have fantasy fodders Chris Paul, David West, and unlike Ron Artest, there are no ill feelings between the Pacers and Peja Stojakovic.
7 Denver Nuggets
Two names: Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby. Although I have learned not to gamble on Camby in fantasy, he is still a likeable player. Better thing that K-Mart is out for the season. And what is the idea with signing Nene long-term when he is not even playing? What is up with that, Kiki?
8 Charlotte Bobcats
Yes, I have been making fun of crybaby Adam Morrison. That is because everybody is conceding to him the Rookie of the Year. I beg to differ. Still, if you have fantasy baby and almost Defensive Player of the Year Gerald Wallace, you would rise up in my charts. Raymond Felton, Brevin Knight, and Emeka Okafor. They are loaded from 1 to 5. Now to see some wins go their way.
9 Boston Celtics
For a Paul Pierce team, they are still bereft of an identity. Maybe it is this yearly shuffling they do. One time you have Antoine Walker, next time you do not have him, then you have him again the year after, then waive him the next offseason. Now that is over and done with, the Celitcs have nowhere to go but up. Rajon Rondo, Sebastian Telfair, Kendrick Perkins, Al Jefferson, Delonte West. Young guys and all likeable. How could I forget Wally Szczerbiak, the rich man’s Kyle Korver?
10 Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs had two separate deals with the Pacers and I would like to thank them for giving us DA, Rawle Marshall, and Josh Powell. The odd thing is, save for the former Pacers, there is no other likeable player in that lineup. Despite the finals appearance, my views regarding Stack, Van Horn, or Terry haven't changed a bit. Also, Devean George is part of the ‘old Lakers’ that I abhor so much. For some strange reason, this thing works. Care to share your secret, Mark?
11 Orlando Magic
This is a team that is on its way up. Granted that Grant Hill is actually playing, the thing is, the attention is not him. Rather, eyes and ears are on perpetual fantasy sleeper Jameer Nelson, phenom Dwight Howard, and relative overachiever Darko Milicic. Finally, the franchise has conquered its post-Penny Hardaway demons.
12 Toronto Raptors
Another team that has moved on from its “former superstar” issues. They have an all-new identity, partly with the help of former Phoenix Suns extreme makeover artist (who is also trying to do the same with USA Basketball) David Colangelo. The running game is there. But what is more noticeable is that they are one of NBA’s resident team United Nations. You have a Spanish point guard, a Ukranian center, an underrated Team USA member, and a former Indiana Pacer in a Canadian team. Oh yeah, Indiana is not a country. But what the heck, I just need to mention Fred Jones.
13 Chicago Bulls
This is my “dark horse” team. They would probably be the next Eastern Conference team I would cheer for in case Indiana gets eliminated. They are just fun to watch. Fantasy cannons in all five positions. You will never lose if you have a Bull in your lineup. Even their bench could erupt on a good day, and it is not because Ben Gordon is relegated to sixth man after starting the first few games of the season. Just because Ron Artest is such a bigger ash, I may forgive Ben Wallace sometime soon for what he did back in Detroit.
14 Golden State Warriors
You will never know what to expect from Baron Davis. There are times he is this likeable do-it-all, at other times he is this annoying ballhog. I guess something good is going on at that part of California for their pleasantly-better-than-usual start. I just do not know what. It seems that neighbor teams take the entire spotlight.
15 Atlanta Hawks
If I am correct, I have mentioned previously that the middle slots are reserved for the ‘forgotten’ teams. I do not hate you that much to be at the bottom ten, but I would not exactly jump high up in excitement if I found out you won or are actually doing well. And to a certain extent, the Hawks fit the bill. That Joe Johnson for Boris Diaw and draft picks trade last year made for some head-scratching headlines, but after that, it is back to the back of the pack for Atlanta. There is a devoid of news coming from Georgia that their latest newsmakers are the Al Harrington homecoming to Indiana and that Speedy Claxton was projected to be a fantasy sleeper. And somehow, their top draft picks also end up being shelved out of Rookie of the Year talks.
16 Cleveland Cavaliers
Single-handedly, nailbiter LeBron James keeps the Cavs in circulation. Trade him away and Cleveland would become ‘just another team’ even if you have Drew Gooden, Zadrunas Ilgauskas, Donyell Marshall, Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, and Carlito look-alike Anderson Verajao. And somehow, Zaza Pachulia always gets mentioned in blogs. Then again, if he taunts that he would play an offseason and decided to sit out instead, there is something wrong with the picture.
17 Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee who? Andrew Bogut, yeah yeah. Charlie, not Enrico, Villanueva was a fantasy surprise. Who else rings a bell than-God-zoo-reek? I do not know how the Bucks do it, but they still manage to make it to the playoffs even if they are in a competitive division. It must be with the water over there. I do not know. Tell me.
18 Memphis Grizzlies
I wonder what is going on in “Logo land”? With the season-ending injury of Pau Gasol, everything is so quiet in Tennessee. The only thing making news over there is Mike Miller’s new do. I do not know what philosophy they use over there right now, but two seasons ago they were considered a fantasy black hole since they had this “everybody must play” mantra. Tell me if things have changed in Elvis’ birth city.
19 Minnesota Timberwolves
Another one of them ‘silent’ teams. Yes, they have Mickie James, Rashad McCants, Randy Foye, and the eternal Kevin Garnett. But they also have Ricky Davis (who is particularly well-behaved the past few seasons, good for him) and some others. Do not be surprised if KG leaves for purpler pastures next season if the Wolves continue to sputter... or if they don't fulfill Garnett's wish of having AI as a teammate.
20 Seattle Supersonics
One thing is for sure. They are leaving the land of grunge and coffee for somewhere else. I heard they are going to Katrina-land. Wherever. Their most recent first round picks suck. That being said, there is obviously something wrong there. You acquire Chris Wilcox and his game declines. What is up with that? Hello, Ray Allen?
21 Utah Jazz
If not for Carlos Boozer and the ghosts of John Stockton and Karl Malone, Utah would have been higher in my list. You have two young likeable guards, Mehmet Okur, and of course, AK47. Better yet, Greg Ostertag is nowhere to be found.
22 Washington Wizards
Sigh… Gilbert Arenas. Where would the Wizards be if you are not there? Maybe higher in my list, but probably lower in the standings. That said, I am stumped. How could I go wrong? Jarvis Hayes, Etan Thomas, and Antawn Jamison. Another case of one guy pulling the team down in my list. Groin injury, my neck. Just say you do not have the balls to be manly cut out of the national team.
23 Portland Trailblazers
They are this high because I just hate the teams below them a wee bit more. Things actually became clearer when they traded Sebastian Telfair away. As for Jarrett Jack, two things are imminent. He would be dealt away because he does not fit the bill or he would overstay and transform into one of them guys. That is how you enter into Jailblazer prison.
24 New Jersey Nets
Just their misfortune that Vince Carter is not acting up because he is on a contract season. Vincesanity is just one big caveat waiting to happen. You have been warned, Jason Kidd. Keep Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic. Waive Carter and shop for a free agent/s that has/have more value in the long run and not keep a choosy whiner. Speaking of whiners, there are more down the list.
25 Sacramento Kings
Thank you, Maloofs, for taking in Ron Artest. Just pray he does not explode within your lifetime. After a surprising playoff run, there is a relative silence going on. The last time I heard nil from the other purple squad (meaning, the Kings) was when Mitch Richmond was the leading scorer and they were piling losses. I say, Artest, punch a security guard or something, so that interest would return that side of the coast.
26 Detroit Pistons
Now that Ben Wallace is gone, the Pistons do not know where to go next. This is what you get for under-utilizing your bench and a coach whose philosophy is poles apart from the one he replaced while trying to replicate previous successes by doing the same things, albeit ineffectively. You are going down. And because of that, the Pacers are going up.
27 New York Knickerbockers
Need I say more? Sucky as general manager who is ‘demoted’ to coach (and he was proven to suck at that department also) having sucky players in a sucky city. Not many would agree to that, but come on. You have the Knicks and the Yankees in the same state. Again, need I say more? Well, Nate Robinson’s block on Yao Ming is a classic. But that is it.
28 Philadelphia 76ers
As long as the old AI is there, my opinion on the Sixers would not change. Even if you fill up the rosters with players I prefer, which is not even halfway of the current lineup. I am not surprised that Chris Webber (and surprisingly, Iverson himself) wants out.
29 Miami Heat
Just because they became overnight champions, they now have a right to act like brats? Wrong-o! First they rant about the ball, then complain that he did not have an offseason playing for flag and country. Welcome to the club, D-Whine Wade. You are now a certified superstar, especially after getting those ‘Jordan fouls’ in the finals. No need to be coy about it. Go on, the air pressure on that head is going to blow soon. I predict a team dissolution if they would have a disappointing season. Since they set the bar high up, anything less than a finals conference appearance is considered a dud.
30 Los Angeles Lakers
A change of number, a change of attitude coming from my side? Not exactly. I still hate one player in that team even if I like the makeup of the current roster.
1 Indiana Pacers
There is no need for much explanation here. I told myself that I would change teams when Reggie Miller retires. Guess what, it has not happened yet. With a new and young core, there is a newfound hope and persona emanating from the Pacers. And finally, Ron Artest is officially gone. That is a big sigh of relief. Don't believe the standings. They are better than what they seem.
2 Phoenix Suns
What is with the Suns? This is not the kind of start I am expecting. Some say it is the new ball. I guess everybody is adjusting with a recovering Amare Stoudemire who has found his groove back as of late, and Mike D’Antoni is finally utilizing his bench (but sucks to be Steven Hunter because he is still the 12th man in a small team). I would try to take this in stride as long as Steve Nash is dishing out MVP-like numbers.
3 Houston Rockets
Speaking of MVP-like numbers, Yao Ming has finally woken up! Just sucks that Juwan Howard is now finding himself out of place in the rotation with the arrival of Shane Battier. I only find it weird that T-Mac is unusually quiet, which I think works in favour of the Rockets.
4 San Antonio Spurs
Bruce Bowen controversies aside, it is a good year to be a Spurs fan this year. Manu Ginobili has emerged from the shadows of his international teammates and Eva Longoria is single once again. Boring snoring (do they really have to rhyme?). Tim Duncan is still the most effective post player there is. May you have a good season over there, James White. Sorry you just had to be cut at the last moment.
5 Los Angeles Clippers
I find it weird that there is a Los Angeles team this high in my list. Plus the fact that they have Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley in the lineup, two non-likeable players in my personal list. But if they are necessary evils for Elton Brand to make it to the next level, why not. There is Shaun Livingston to placate for the two. Chris Kaman may not be a David Beckham, but when he got balls grabbed differently, we are into something here.
6 New Orleans Hornets
For a team that is actually flying low in the radar in the offseason save for their trade moves, they are up here. Makes me wonder also. Let me see… they have fantasy fodders Chris Paul, David West, and unlike Ron Artest, there are no ill feelings between the Pacers and Peja Stojakovic.
7 Denver Nuggets
Two names: Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby. Although I have learned not to gamble on Camby in fantasy, he is still a likeable player. Better thing that K-Mart is out for the season. And what is the idea with signing Nene long-term when he is not even playing? What is up with that, Kiki?
8 Charlotte Bobcats
Yes, I have been making fun of crybaby Adam Morrison. That is because everybody is conceding to him the Rookie of the Year. I beg to differ. Still, if you have fantasy baby and almost Defensive Player of the Year Gerald Wallace, you would rise up in my charts. Raymond Felton, Brevin Knight, and Emeka Okafor. They are loaded from 1 to 5. Now to see some wins go their way.
9 Boston Celtics
For a Paul Pierce team, they are still bereft of an identity. Maybe it is this yearly shuffling they do. One time you have Antoine Walker, next time you do not have him, then you have him again the year after, then waive him the next offseason. Now that is over and done with, the Celitcs have nowhere to go but up. Rajon Rondo, Sebastian Telfair, Kendrick Perkins, Al Jefferson, Delonte West. Young guys and all likeable. How could I forget Wally Szczerbiak, the rich man’s Kyle Korver?
10 Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs had two separate deals with the Pacers and I would like to thank them for giving us DA, Rawle Marshall, and Josh Powell. The odd thing is, save for the former Pacers, there is no other likeable player in that lineup. Despite the finals appearance, my views regarding Stack, Van Horn, or Terry haven't changed a bit. Also, Devean George is part of the ‘old Lakers’ that I abhor so much. For some strange reason, this thing works. Care to share your secret, Mark?
11 Orlando Magic
This is a team that is on its way up. Granted that Grant Hill is actually playing, the thing is, the attention is not him. Rather, eyes and ears are on perpetual fantasy sleeper Jameer Nelson, phenom Dwight Howard, and relative overachiever Darko Milicic. Finally, the franchise has conquered its post-Penny Hardaway demons.
12 Toronto Raptors
Another team that has moved on from its “former superstar” issues. They have an all-new identity, partly with the help of former Phoenix Suns extreme makeover artist (who is also trying to do the same with USA Basketball) David Colangelo. The running game is there. But what is more noticeable is that they are one of NBA’s resident team United Nations. You have a Spanish point guard, a Ukranian center, an underrated Team USA member, and a former Indiana Pacer in a Canadian team. Oh yeah, Indiana is not a country. But what the heck, I just need to mention Fred Jones.
13 Chicago Bulls
This is my “dark horse” team. They would probably be the next Eastern Conference team I would cheer for in case Indiana gets eliminated. They are just fun to watch. Fantasy cannons in all five positions. You will never lose if you have a Bull in your lineup. Even their bench could erupt on a good day, and it is not because Ben Gordon is relegated to sixth man after starting the first few games of the season. Just because Ron Artest is such a bigger ash, I may forgive Ben Wallace sometime soon for what he did back in Detroit.
14 Golden State Warriors
You will never know what to expect from Baron Davis. There are times he is this likeable do-it-all, at other times he is this annoying ballhog. I guess something good is going on at that part of California for their pleasantly-better-than-usual start. I just do not know what. It seems that neighbor teams take the entire spotlight.
15 Atlanta Hawks
If I am correct, I have mentioned previously that the middle slots are reserved for the ‘forgotten’ teams. I do not hate you that much to be at the bottom ten, but I would not exactly jump high up in excitement if I found out you won or are actually doing well. And to a certain extent, the Hawks fit the bill. That Joe Johnson for Boris Diaw and draft picks trade last year made for some head-scratching headlines, but after that, it is back to the back of the pack for Atlanta. There is a devoid of news coming from Georgia that their latest newsmakers are the Al Harrington homecoming to Indiana and that Speedy Claxton was projected to be a fantasy sleeper. And somehow, their top draft picks also end up being shelved out of Rookie of the Year talks.
16 Cleveland Cavaliers
Single-handedly, nailbiter LeBron James keeps the Cavs in circulation. Trade him away and Cleveland would become ‘just another team’ even if you have Drew Gooden, Zadrunas Ilgauskas, Donyell Marshall, Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, and Carlito look-alike Anderson Verajao. And somehow, Zaza Pachulia always gets mentioned in blogs. Then again, if he taunts that he would play an offseason and decided to sit out instead, there is something wrong with the picture.
17 Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee who? Andrew Bogut, yeah yeah. Charlie, not Enrico, Villanueva was a fantasy surprise. Who else rings a bell than-God-zoo-reek? I do not know how the Bucks do it, but they still manage to make it to the playoffs even if they are in a competitive division. It must be with the water over there. I do not know. Tell me.
18 Memphis Grizzlies
I wonder what is going on in “Logo land”? With the season-ending injury of Pau Gasol, everything is so quiet in Tennessee. The only thing making news over there is Mike Miller’s new do. I do not know what philosophy they use over there right now, but two seasons ago they were considered a fantasy black hole since they had this “everybody must play” mantra. Tell me if things have changed in Elvis’ birth city.
19 Minnesota Timberwolves
Another one of them ‘silent’ teams. Yes, they have Mickie James, Rashad McCants, Randy Foye, and the eternal Kevin Garnett. But they also have Ricky Davis (who is particularly well-behaved the past few seasons, good for him) and some others. Do not be surprised if KG leaves for purpler pastures next season if the Wolves continue to sputter... or if they don't fulfill Garnett's wish of having AI as a teammate.
20 Seattle Supersonics
One thing is for sure. They are leaving the land of grunge and coffee for somewhere else. I heard they are going to Katrina-land. Wherever. Their most recent first round picks suck. That being said, there is obviously something wrong there. You acquire Chris Wilcox and his game declines. What is up with that? Hello, Ray Allen?
21 Utah Jazz
If not for Carlos Boozer and the ghosts of John Stockton and Karl Malone, Utah would have been higher in my list. You have two young likeable guards, Mehmet Okur, and of course, AK47. Better yet, Greg Ostertag is nowhere to be found.
22 Washington Wizards
Sigh… Gilbert Arenas. Where would the Wizards be if you are not there? Maybe higher in my list, but probably lower in the standings. That said, I am stumped. How could I go wrong? Jarvis Hayes, Etan Thomas, and Antawn Jamison. Another case of one guy pulling the team down in my list. Groin injury, my neck. Just say you do not have the balls to be manly cut out of the national team.
23 Portland Trailblazers
They are this high because I just hate the teams below them a wee bit more. Things actually became clearer when they traded Sebastian Telfair away. As for Jarrett Jack, two things are imminent. He would be dealt away because he does not fit the bill or he would overstay and transform into one of them guys. That is how you enter into Jailblazer prison.
24 New Jersey Nets
Just their misfortune that Vince Carter is not acting up because he is on a contract season. Vincesanity is just one big caveat waiting to happen. You have been warned, Jason Kidd. Keep Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic. Waive Carter and shop for a free agent/s that has/have more value in the long run and not keep a choosy whiner. Speaking of whiners, there are more down the list.
25 Sacramento Kings
Thank you, Maloofs, for taking in Ron Artest. Just pray he does not explode within your lifetime. After a surprising playoff run, there is a relative silence going on. The last time I heard nil from the other purple squad (meaning, the Kings) was when Mitch Richmond was the leading scorer and they were piling losses. I say, Artest, punch a security guard or something, so that interest would return that side of the coast.
26 Detroit Pistons
Now that Ben Wallace is gone, the Pistons do not know where to go next. This is what you get for under-utilizing your bench and a coach whose philosophy is poles apart from the one he replaced while trying to replicate previous successes by doing the same things, albeit ineffectively. You are going down. And because of that, the Pacers are going up.
27 New York Knickerbockers
Need I say more? Sucky as general manager who is ‘demoted’ to coach (and he was proven to suck at that department also) having sucky players in a sucky city. Not many would agree to that, but come on. You have the Knicks and the Yankees in the same state. Again, need I say more? Well, Nate Robinson’s block on Yao Ming is a classic. But that is it.
28 Philadelphia 76ers
As long as the old AI is there, my opinion on the Sixers would not change. Even if you fill up the rosters with players I prefer, which is not even halfway of the current lineup. I am not surprised that Chris Webber (and surprisingly, Iverson himself) wants out.
29 Miami Heat
Just because they became overnight champions, they now have a right to act like brats? Wrong-o! First they rant about the ball, then complain that he did not have an offseason playing for flag and country. Welcome to the club, D-Whine Wade. You are now a certified superstar, especially after getting those ‘Jordan fouls’ in the finals. No need to be coy about it. Go on, the air pressure on that head is going to blow soon. I predict a team dissolution if they would have a disappointing season. Since they set the bar high up, anything less than a finals conference appearance is considered a dud.
30 Los Angeles Lakers
A change of number, a change of attitude coming from my side? Not exactly. I still hate one player in that team even if I like the makeup of the current roster.
// posted by Unknown @ 13:27 
