Can Danny?

Another week, another prediction falls apart. My faith in the San Antonio Spurs looks about as misplaced as my fantasy football faith in Torry Holt. The Spurs were struggling with Tony Parker and now that he's going to out for a month, the Spurs are facing the very real possibility that they could be digging themselves into a hole they can't climb out of. While I wouldn't bet against them making the second season (they could reel off a winning streak when Manu comes back), they are going to struggle to get home court and will face a very tough road. Probably too tough of a road to get to the Finals.

The Knicks have been better than expected. Wilson Chandler is looking like he could run away with the Most Improved Player award. The big question is whether the Knicks look to move David Lee now that he's out of the starting lineup. Lee is looking for at least 10 million a year and I doubt the Knicks are going to be willing to agree to that. Perhaps Lee could hook back up with Larry Brown in a deal for Gerald Wallace?

The most disappointing team in the league are the Wizards. They looked good last year without Gilbert Arenas but this year has been awful. Even worse, I don't think Arenas's return will make things that much better. The team plays with no energy whatsoever. They look like a team playing out the string at the end of the year, not a team trying to establish themselves at the start of the season. The re-signing of Arenas, Jamison, and Butler seems more suspect with every passing game. If this keeps up, coach Eddie Jordan won't make it to the All-Star break.

On the bright side, Javale McGee looks like he definitely has some potential. He seems more like an energy guy off of the pine but if he puts on some weight and develops his shot, there's no reason he could be a Sam Dalembert type big man.

Many people thought the Knicks would take time to adapt to Mike D'Antoni (or that Donnie Walsh would take time to adapt the roster to D'Antoni's system) but the team that seems to be struggling with their big name addition is the Sixers. While Andre iguodala has been getting most of the blame, I think the real issue is that Andre Miller's weaknesses as a point guard are being exposed (just like they were the last time he and Brand teamed up with the Clippers). There's no excuse for Miller being the team leader in field goals attempted. I think it's time to try to move Miller or, at the very least, move him to the second unit (where he can be the primary scorer) and let Louis Williams take over the starting PG role. Williams isn't exactly a playmaker either but I think you can have Iggy run the offense more as Williams has more 2 guard skills than 'Dre.

The Golden State Warriors can make all sorts of threats about Monta Ellis and his contract but the bottom line is that the team isn't much of a threat to win without him.

I'm still not sold on Kevin Durant. An amazing scorer but he still hasn't expanded his game and doesn't make much use of his height. I'm not saying that I'd have taken Horford or Thad Young over him but I also wouldn't say that Durant is helping his team out more than a lot of guys in his class right now.

Flip Murray is having a great year so far. One oddity though is that whie his three point percentage has gone from a career 28% to an impressive 46% this year, his free throw percentage has fallen from 71% percent to 53%. Granted, it's early in the season but still... I also mention the free throws because it seems to me like I've seen more quality shooter bricking free throws this year. Paul Pierce especially has been a head scratching 67% this year. 

Gerald Green is at it again. Showing flashes of actual basketball ability but still being pretty dense and remaining the worst shooting supposed shooter in the league (which is impressive since Adam Morrison is also a shoddy shot despite his reputation).

Kirk Hinrich's injury is exactly the opening Ben Gordon has been waiting for. The Gordon/Rose backcourt could be impressive on the offensive end. Yes there are concerns on the defensive end but I think it's obvious that Thabo Sefalosha has no business getting more minutes than Ben.

The Rockets will be a completely different team (and a much better team) once they get Shane Battier back. 

The Hawks are proving that last year's playoffs weren't a fluke. Losing Josh Smith could hurt but they'll still be a team nobody wants to face in the first round. In fact, there's a chance they could take the division title from the listless Orlando Magic. 

Watching a Magic game is like watching an NBA LIVE game when the computer starts helping the losing team get back into the game. 

Brad Miller is quickly establishing himself as a possible trade deadline difference maker. Not only is he playing well but his contract runs out before the much hyped 2010 offseason. I also wouldn't put it past the Bobcats to overpay for his services.