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NBA BASKETBALL on InsideHoops.com

Around the NBA

By Marshon Robinson
Nov 6, 2000

TEAM OF THE WEEK
Philadelphia - The 76ers took out pretty much every major threat in the East, with three of the victories coming on the road.  Playing with a lot of heart and outstanding defense, the 76ers are proving that it doesn't take a lot of high priced players and big name trades to be successful in this league.  Now all we need to see is how well they can play against the West.

OTHER NOTABLES
Minnesota - Who apparently don't need Joe Smith nearly as much as we thought.  Chauncey Billups is looking like a great pick-up and Kevin Garnett is Kevin Garnett.

Cleveland/Vancouver/Boston - Off to their best starts in a while.  I had to go ahead and include these guys now, because who knows when the next opportunity to compliment these squads will come along.

Utah/San Antonio - The two forgotten powers in the West are its only unbeaten teams. 
 

GAME OF THE WEEK - LA Lakers at San Antonio - The Spurs have whipped Laker butt 7 out of the last 8 times and are itching to pay back Phil and Shaq for comments made about them.  Should be the game we all expected Portland vs. LA to be.

STINKERS
Portland Trailblazers - After being beaten in front of their home crowd, they turned around and were creamed by the Suns.  Saturday night they suffered another fourth quarter let down and almost gave the game to the Sonics.  Shawn Kemp saved them, and I've got a feeling that Kemp will wind up being their much-needed go to guy.

Chicago/Atlanta - At least some of the other losing franchises are showing signs of life and putting up half a fight before they go down.  These teams are playing just awful and might challenge for the worst record of all time. 

PRIME TIMERS
76ers - you can't really pull out one guy because they're winning as a team.

Karl Malone - Who is this guy, the Bionic Man?  Karl shows no signs of aging as he averages 30+ points and 9 rebounds while leading the Jazz to 3-0 record.

Danny Fortson - Making a serious run for the title of the league's best rebounder, Danny putting on nice numbers on the boards and scoring.

Shaq/Gary Payton - no real need to explain.

Kevin Garnett - ditto.

Antoine Walker - Could this be the year he finally becomes the superstar he was always meant to be?  Pitino's job is riding on it.

PINE TIMERS
Atlanta Hawks - Just plain bad.  Rider's gone so who are they going to blame now?

Jerry Stackhouse - What happened?  Yeah, he's still putting up nice numbers, but his shooting has been horrid in Pistons losses.

Larry Hughes and Mookie Blaylock - If the Warriors are going to have any chance this year, these two have got to shoot better.

Michael Olowokandi - I still can't believe that even the Clippers would pick him up as number 1.  The Kandi man has a long way to go. 

THE OVERLOOKED
The last 4 guys I picked are still doing pretty well 
Shammond Williams - Seattle - 12.3 points, 2.3 boards,  2.3 assists 
Predrag Stojakovic - Sacramento - 19.8 points, 5.0 boards,  2.3 assists 
Stephen Jackson - New Jersey (Rookie of the Year??) - 9.3 points, 2.3 boards, 2.3 assists in limited minutes
Baron Davis - Charlotte - 16.8 points, 4.5 boards, 5 assists

Here are some more guys to add to that list
Steve Nash - Finally the PG everyone thought he'd be.
Scot Pollard - Actually putting up better all around numbers than Vlade.
JR Rider - With everyone predicting his demise, JR is blending in well with the Lakers and win he moves into the starting line-up, we'll probably see his numbers rise as well.

X-FACTORS
Darrell Armstrong - With Grant Hill hurt, Tracy McGrady needs someone to take some of the heat off of him and Armstrong will have to be that guy.  The Magic will have to incorporate the team effort they put against the Hawks to their other opponents when McGrady returns.

Morris Peterson - A big load to put on a rookie, But Vince will put a lot of hollow statistics if someone on the team doesn't step up and help him win games.  Most of the other Raptors are past their prime, so it's up to the young guys like Morris and Corliss to help the Raptors win.

Horace Grant - Grant's putting up nice numbers, but he'll have to step up his D with Tim Duncan on the horizon.

THE TOP TEN
With so many teams getting off to lackluster starts, the Top Ten from last week was pretty much completely overhauled. 

1. San Antonio - They're getting a lot from their role players.  The Lakers are going to have to get a lot more production from their bench to take these guys this week. 
2. Utah - Jazz - Pulled off a nice win against the Lakers in LA.  Their Iron men will continue to make them a force. 
3. LA Lakers - The champs are still great, but they need a bit more time to learn how to play together. 
4. Philadelphia - Have stripped the heat of their crown as the league's best defensive team. 
5. Phoenix - Recovered from their loss on opening night with a big win against Portland. 
6. Miami - Not nearly as helpless as some thought. 
7. Charlotte - Baron Advise is the difference. 
8. Portland - They won't be down here for long, but they've got to learn how to use all their parts.
9. Seattle - Any team with Gary Payton is a contender.
10. Minnesota - The Twolves are playing with a lot heart, despite all their trials and tribulations.
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