With the trade deadline right around the corner and the All-Star game on the horizon, there's plenty to talk about around the NBA, so let's get right to it.
Hired to get fired:
We’ve already had five coaches fired during the season and for much of the last few days it looked like that number would grow to six. The Kings decided to hold onto George Karl, for now. David Blatt and Kevin McHale guided their teams to the Conference Finals and NBA Finals respectively last spring and were still shown the door. Lionel Hollins never had a chance in Brooklyn, but his success in Memphis should still carry weight and he'll likely get another shot in the near future if he chooses. Same goes for Jeff Hornacek. He did a brilliant job for most of his time in Phoenix. Two years ago, the Suns were the feel good story of the season as they nearly nabbed a playoff spot with 48 wins. Misguided signings, trades and the handling of the Morris twins have doomed the Suns since and unfortunately, as is normally the case, the head coach took the fall. Derek Fisher was a reach from the jump and although the Knicks have been better this year, their recent slide doomed him. I suspect he’ll need to put in some years as an assistant before getting another crack at a head coaching gig. It wouldn’t be surprising if another one or two coaches get the ax before the season is over. Brett Brown and his 45-171 record, safe as can be.
Surprises and Disappointments:
The Milwaukee Bucks took the Chicago Bulls six games in last year’s first round playoff series, they signed coveted free agent Greg Monroe and they’d be getting back former second overall pick Jabari Parker. They were the darlings of the offseason and expected to make a big jump up the Eastern Conference standings. Hasn’t happened. Milwaukee is currently 21-32 and six games back of a playoff spot. Defense has been their biggest problem, where Milwaukee is 26th in efficiency (points given up per 100 possessions at 106.3). Michael Carter-Williams continues to struggle from the perimeter, shooting 29 percent from three-point range and Jabari Parker still doesn’t look comfortable, not yet showing what many had envisioned for him coming out of Duke. On the bright side, Milwaukee is still very young, has cap flexibility and appears to have found themselves a potential stud with Kris Middleton.
For the Western Conference version of the Bucks, look no further than the New Orleans Pelicans . Despite being swept by the Warriors in the playoffs, they acquitted themselves well. Anthony Davis is a top five player and was seen by many as a legitimate MVP candidate. They brought in Alvin Gentry to replace the fired Monty Williams and were thought to be a lock for another playoff spot. They currently sit at 19-32 and 6.5 games back of the eighth seed. Injuries have played a huge part but nonetheless they should be better. Expect the Pelicans to be active at the deadline with them looking to move Omir Asik, Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon. Tyreke Evans could be very well be out for the season though due to surgery, according to an ESPN report. On a positive note,of- injured and former Sixers guard Jrue Holliday has been terrific lately and while the Pelicans are probably still regretting that trade, maybe he’ll wind being what they had hoped after all. Interesting note on New Orleans, many may just assume they’d go in tank mode from here on out but Anthony Davis has $23 million reasons to bring it every night the rest of the season.
In the off-season the Blazers lost four of their five starters, Wes Matthews to Dallas, Robin Lopez to the Knicks, traded Nicolas Batum to Charlotte and of course LaMarcus Aldridge went to the Spurs. They were almost unanimously picked to finish near the bottom of the Western Conference. Since falling to 15-24 on January 8th, Portland has won 11 of 14 and is only ½ game behind Houston for the eigth spot. Damian Lilllard, and to a lesser degree CJ McCollum, are the headliners but Allen Crabbe, Al-Farouq-Aminu and Mason Plumlee have all played well. Crabbe is going to get paid this summer either by Portland, who can match any offer sheet, or another team looking to spend.
The Mavericks also warrant mentioning. The roster keeps changing around them but with Dirk Nowitzki and head coach Rick Carlise, Dallas always seems to stay in the mix. They rebounded nicely from the DeAndre Jordan fiasco by scooping up Zaza Pachulia, who has been a God send. Deron Williams has rediscovered his game after a disastrous few years in Brooklyn, and as of late Chandler Parsons is showing is 2014 self. Dallas is currently in the sixth spot in the West.
Some trade deadline names to keep an eye on:
- Markieff Morris
- Hassan Whitside
- Rudy Gay
- Al Horford
- Jeff Teague
- Thaddeus Young
It’s going to be a wild deadline and Toronto could be among the most active. They have to get over the hump this year and they see Cleveland as being vulnerable. Go make a move!
Also, the Atlanta Hawks could shake things up on their roster and according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Hawks and Magic have discussed a possible swap of Jeff Teague and Victor Oladipo.
Next week, we’ll talk about the sprint to the finish line, post All-Star break and predict playoff seeds, possible end of era’s,Chicago and OKC and last but not least, can the Warriors win 73?
12 games tonight and we have some picks for you: Pistons -5 over Denver, Pelicans -2.5 over Utah and Bulls +3.5 over Atlanta
Daniel Grugan, contributor for Sixerdelphia.com
