Here is the Eastern Conference who I believe is the better conference this year so its the top spot for the midseason report. Same stuff as we did in the West Here we go....
1. Boston (44-11)- The Good: Paul Pierce- You really could say any of the big three but I will go with Pierce. He has added some real swagger to him this year. I was always on his bandwagon from the start and my buddies just hated him. The Bad: Big Baby Davis/Tony Allen- I have listen to enough Bill Simmons to know how much Celts fans hate these two guys. Outlook: I believe they will be the NBA Finals again but they need a consistent Eddie House to be successful in the playoffs.
2. Cleveland (41-11)- The Good: Mo Williams- I could easily say Lebron but Mo proves to me that he is better when he has a superstar to play off. He doesnt look selfish anymore. The Bad: Wally Szczerbiak- He is such a tool and really just needs to leave. I am sick of Wally's World. Outlook: They could just one more player but they seem content with who they have. Lebron vs. Celts in the Conference Finals should be special.
3. Orlando (39-14)- The Good: Hedo Turkoglu- Dwight Howard is an obvious choice but Tukoglu has been great for the Magic right now. He jsut came out of nowhere. The Bad: Mickael Pietrus- Another bad free agent signing, hasnt done much for the Magic. Outlook: Dwight Howard could carry a team to the conference finals but needs Turkoglu to show up night in night out in the playoffs.
4. Miami (28-25)- The Good: Dwayne Wade- I tried to stay away from the big names but he deserves it. He is third in the MVP voting unfortunately because LBJ and Kobe are on another level. The Bad: Shawn Marion- He just proved once again what a cancer he is in the NBA. Outlook: Maybe its my D-Wade bias but I think they could be the four seed.
5. Atlanta (31-22)- The Good: Joe Johnson- He continues to be one of the most disrespected players in the game. Johnson has been the catalyst for the Hawks. The Bad: Al Hortford- He has been decent this year with 10 and 8 but still a disappointment for this year. Outlook- They are the team most likely to fall off this second half, i just dont see them that high by the end of the year.
6. Detroit (27-25)- The Good: Rodney Stuckey- He is slowly becoming a great player that jsut needs to learn how to play defense. The Bad: Allen Iverson- He is killing Rip Hamilton career game by game and its a reason why Stuckey rising. Outlook: They will be in the playoffs but nothing better than a 5 seed.
7. Philadelphia (27-26)- The Good: Andre Igoudala- Very good player whose been the star on a balanced team this year. Iggy will be good for a very long time. The Bad: Elton Brand- The only contract worse than Beno Udiah; he has been a disappointment to say the least. Outlook: They will be a playoff team but somewhere in the 6-8 range that wont do much in the playoffs.
8. Milwaukee (27-30)- The Good: Ramon Sessions- My buddy Doz was dead on about this guy. He knew last April that he would be a stud. Best call Dozer has made in a long time. The Bad: Injuries- They could be contending for the 6 seed if they had Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd were healthy. Just a bad break overall for the Bucks. Outlook: I think they have enough to make the playoffs but they will probably get just destroyed in the first round.
9. New Jersey (24-31)- The Good: Devin Harris- Even as a Marquette fan, I am happy for a guy from Wisconsin for being so successful. He has had an All-NBA first team. Brook Lopez a close second. The Bad: Vince Carter- Might be heading to Houston tomorrow but he is now washed up, nothing really left in the tank. Outlook: May push for the playoffs but probably come up short.
10. Chicago (24-30)- The Good: Derrick Rose- He was the right call for the first pick of the draft and he has such a promising future for the next ten years. The Bad: Tyrus Thomas- He is easily the most hyped player that hasnt lived up to a top five pick. Outlook: As they made a move to get Brad Miller, it will not help whatsoever.
11. Toronto (21-35)- The Good: Chris Bosh-He has had a solid year and now is building quite the career plus he is the forgotten player of 2003. The Bad: Jamario Moon- I know he is off to Miami but everyone thought he was the next big thing last year which he isnt. Outlook: The most disappointing team in the Eastern Conference; there is no reason why they shouldnt be in the playoffs.
12. New York (22-31)- The Good: David Lee- He wasnt a dominating center at Florida and has just blossomed into a great center. One of the best rebounder in the NBA. The Bad: Stephon Marbury- Could this be anyone else? Just been a cancer to his team. Outlook: Another lottery year just waiting on Lebron.
13. Indiana (22-34)- The Good: Danny Granger- The most underrated player in the NBA right now. People dont realize how good this kid because he plays on a horseshit team. The Bad: Mike Dunleavy- Hasnt done much this year because of being hurt but he falls under the "Duke Curse." Outlook: They have some tools to become a good team and have a very balanced scoring team right now. The Pacers could be very good in the next couple years.
14. Charlotte (22-32)- The Good: Boris Diaw- He has been a shining star in the Phoenix-Charlotte trade. Diaw has proven to be a good player in a different system. The Bad: Adam Morrison- Sorry Owen but he was the number three amounting to absolutely nothing now in LA. Outlook: Just another year with the lottery with hopes that next year they could be in the playoffs next year.
15. Washington (12-42)- The Good: Antwan Jamison- He has done well for the Wizards who havent done anything this year. The Bad: Gilbert Arenas- Agent Zero makes over 100 million dollars and hasnt played a quarter, such a shame. The Outlook: Well lets hope for a good draft pick position.
Well thats it until the playoffs.
-Charlie.
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