By Jeremy Burns
As we approach the midway point of another NBA season, it has been anything but predictable. History would lead us to believe a few now common truths about the NBA: The San Antonio Spurs will again be crowned NBA champions, The Boston Celtics still will struggle to even make the playoffs, and the Portland Trailblazers are once again cursed by drafting a 7-footer with injury problems.
Although the outcome isn’t final, the defending champion Spurs are not having the type of season they had hoped for. With just two weeks left until the all-star break, the Spurs are clinging to the 6th playoff spot in the western conference. As for the Boston Celtics, they couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect season thus far. With the additions of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, they hold the NBA’s best record. This after coming off a disappointing 06-07 season. And finally, the cursed Portland Trailblazers. Just weeks before the start of the season, thoughts of former UK standout Sam Bowie raced through the minds of Trailblazer fans everywhere when they discovered that their number one pick in the 07 draft, Greg Oden (Ohio State), would have to sit out the entire season due to microfracture knee surgery. Despite the preseason setback, Portland currently leads the Northwest division by 1.5 games over the Utah Jazz.
The Eastern Conference is starting to see some consistency amongst its top teams. With Boston in a comfortable lead for the top spot with a record of 34-6, the Detroit Pistons come in at the number two spot with a record of 31-11. The surprising Orlando Magic, lead by superstar big-man Dwight Howard, hold the East’s 3rd best record at 28-15. Rounding out the rest of the top 8 in the East is Cleveland, Toronto, Washington, Atlanta, and New Jersey.
The Western Conference defiantly has a new look from a year ago. The New Orleans Hornets hold the best record in the Western Conference at 30-12. The high-powered Phoenix Suns hold down the number two spot with a record of 31-14. The surprising Portland Trailblazers come in at number three with a mark of 26-17. Dallas, Utah, San Antonio, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver complete the top 8.
This NBA season is definitely off to a thrilling start. With traditional powerhouses struggling and young, upstart teams on the rise, the rest of the NBA season should provide plenty of excitement.
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