NBA PREVIEW
This Week in the NBA
<December 17, 2001>

By InsideHoops.com

Monday, Dec. 17: Boston at Philadelphia features the hottest team in the league against an early disappointments. The Celtics have won 9 of their last 10 games, three in a row, and are just half a game out of first place in the Eastern Conference. Lately, they've engaged in close battles, and managed to come out on top. Boston loves the 3-point bomb, tossing and making it more than anyone. They've actually shot more 3-pointers than free throws. Kenny Anderson is doing fine at the point. Joe Johnson started the season hot, fell into a slump, and now plays decently and creates for the team. Some added consistency would be nice. Paul Pierce, coming off a Player of the Week award, is one of the league's best. Antoine Walker misses a lot, but puts up huge stats, and as second-fiddle to Pierce, can step up when needed. Even Tony Battie is waking up, playing with the energy he had before spraining his ankle one year ago. Boston's bench is inconsistent but rugged. The Celtics hit the boards, steal the ball, and do what they never did under Rick Pitino - play consistently good defense. The 76ers, meanwhile, haven't won a game in 2 weeks. One major issue is that they aren't doing all the little things that add up to wins. Hustle, heart, extra effort - missing. However, there's no real reason to panic just yet, as Philly was destroyed by injuries and are relatively new to being healthy. If 2002 arrives and they're still not looking better, then it's ok to worry a bit. Point guard Eric Snow is finally back. Allen Iverson still forces some shots with plenty of time left on the shot clock, often resulting in a fast break for the other team. Matt Harpring works harder than just about every other Sixer, doing the dirty work. Derrick Coleman needs to step up and imitate Matt Harpring, but he's been hurt. Even when playing well, he's never been one to really scrap and fight. Tyrone Hill would help in that department. Dikembe Mutumbo rebounds, but teams are learning to avoid taking it to him, instead choosing to challenge other Sixers. Philly would be happy to approach .500 by the time midseason rolls around.

Tuesday, Dec. 18: Detroit at Sacramento features Eastern shockers against the league's deepest team. The Pistons lead the entire league in field goal percentage. Everyone on the team has stepped up. Chucky Atkins was hot, cooled off, but is still playing better than anyone expected. He's short, but with Dana Barros equally short and still hurting, Atkins is the best option at point. Jerry Stackhouse actually creates a lot for the team. In the past, he was a one-man scoring machine, but didn't really make teammates better. This year, when defenses crunch him, he dishes, and someone eventually winds up with an open shot. Stack is coming off a groin injury, but playing. Small forward Michael Curry, who you may not even know exists, is shooting close to 50% from the field, and playing fantastic defense. Ben Wallace rebounds, defends and dunks. Cliff Robinson is slumping lately, but overall you'd think he was closer to 25 than 35. And Jon Barry, Corliss "Not Scoreless" Williamson and rookie Zeljko Rebraca are terrific off the bench. Rodney White isn't a disappointment, there's just no reason to force him into action when things are going so well. The Kings, however, aren't too shabby either. With Webber back, they're among the league's elite. One difference between these two teams is that while everyone on Detroit goes over the top when hustling, only some Kings do it. Chris Webber can definitely be more active defensively and when going after boards. Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic, and other Kings are efficient in that department, but limited athletically. Mike Bibby is steady, not explosive. Doug Christie is the defensive stopper in the backcourt. Peja has a sore back, and while he's not quick to begin with, right now he's slower than usual. Getting Webber back is quite a luxury. Vlade Divac has been incredible all season, and must continue to be a leader. When the Kings are focused and puts their heart into it, they win.

Dallas at Minnesota features Kevin Garnett on one end and Dirk Nowitzki on the other. Two insanely talented telephone polls with quickness and complete games. For Dallas, Steve Nash has been clutch, Michael Finley rocks, Dirk Nowitzki should make the all-star team, and everyone else tries to follow their lead. The team is still weak up front. Eduardo Najera has been a nice surprise off the bench. Minnesota is carried by Kevin Garnett and Wally Szczerbiak, with steady play from Terrell Brandon (his assist-to-turnover ratio has recently been incredible), and dirty work from Joe Smith and Rasho Nesterovic. The Wolves have killer instinct, something they lacked in the past. They still play more zone defense than anyone else... L.A. Clippers at Phoenix features lots of hot young stars and should be fun.

Wednesday, Dec. 19: Minnesota at New Jersey showcases a wanna-be contender in the West against one of the most fun teams in the NBA. Getting back to Terrell Brandon, he had a 5-game stretch last week where he dishes out 55 assists and only committed 2 turnovers. Wally is Minnesota's X-factor, putting them over the top. He's quicker, smarter, and playing like an emerging star, rather than as a good support player. Having just met the Mavericks last night, it'll be a true test for the Wolves to fly to New Jersey and deal with the fast-breaking Nets. Led by Jason Kidd, New Jersey pushes the ball every chance they get. The entire team boxes out, and runs the moment they have possession. Kenyon Martin has emerged as one of the league's hottest young power forwards. He's a joy to watch, actually showing emotion and love for the game every time a big play happens. Martin dunks as if the rim robbed him in the parking lot prior to the game. His throw-downs are awesome. Kerry Kittles keeps rising, and is playing as good as ever. Keith Van Horn is inconsistent, but fits in. Todd MacCulloch may never be an all-star, but he's as good as the Nets hoped he'd be. Richard Jefferson comes off the bench to draw charges, play solid defense, and explode towards the basket. This should be a great game.

Detroit at Golden State features Ben Wallace and Danny Fortson battling for rebounds... Sacramento at Seattle should feature Gary Payton trying to rattle Mike Bibby by talking 'bout his momma... Portland at San Antonio showcases Rasheed Wallace and Tim Duncan. Rasheed is under control this year. With Portland consistently unimpressive, they should look to make a superstar out of Wallace. No more "fitting in with the team" stuff. Let him go off. Here's a chance to do it against the best power forward in the game... Atlanta at Washington is worth paying attention to only because the Wizards are hot, and some Hawk will have to guard Michael Jordan. Watch Richard Hamilton's continued emergence.

Thursday, Dec. 20: Milwaukee at Dallas showcases teams that are good, but rarely great. This summer, Dallas picked up a bunch of guys that were expected to solidify their bench. It hasn't really happened. Najera is excelling, and Adrian Griffin is starting at power forward only because Juwan Howard has been disappointing. Griffin has no offense, but his defense and hustle is useful. And with Greg Buckner still healing his knee, few other bench guys are stepping up. Tim Hardaway's quickness is long gone, and he's more useful as an imitation shooting guard than at the point. Shawn Bradley has been unimpressive, and his ankle hurts, making him seem that much worse. Basically, Nash, Finley and Nowitzki are fantastic, and everyone else is still finding their niche. The Bucks, meanwhile, are busy being insulted by their coach. Sam Cassell is trying to prove that he's a leader - to George Karl, at least. Ray Allen's knee hurts, but he's playing. Glenn Robinson was in a shooting slump, broke out of it, and hopes to keep it up. Anthony Mason still isn't in the shape he should be in, and not as quick and strong as needed. Yet. He does draw attention in the post, pass well, and defend. But the team needs more. Milwaukee still has no center of note. Tim Thomas is ok but not excelling. Darvin Ham recently erupted, and it would be nice if he could consistently provide energy off the bench. This is a terrific matchup at the guard and small forward positions.

Chicago at Toronto gives the Raptors a chance to destroy somebody. They could use a big, convincing win... Memphis at New York could be more fun than it sounds. The Knicks have struggled under new coach Don Chaney, and like the Raptors, need to take advantage of lesser opponents. This gives them a chance to play effectively as a team and build some momentum. As for Memphis, Jason Williams could have a big game against the no-defense-playing Knicks point guards. Shane Battier will test his defensive skills against Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell. Pau Gasol can shine, and may go for a big night. Lorenzen Wright was having a terrific year, averaging a double-double, but he's injured... L.A. Lakers at Houston gives the defending champs a chance to win by 800 points, if they want to.

WEEKEND:

Friday, Dec. 21: Washington at Orlando lets us watch Michael Jordan and Tracy McGrady at the same time... New Jersy at Indiana features a great point guard matchup, Jason Kidd against Jamaal Tinsley. Neither guy shoots particularly well, but both are top passers and floor leaders. Look for Tinsley to try to prove that he can perform against the best... Atlanta at Philadelphia showcases Jason Terry and Allen Iverson. Both are shooting guards in point-guard bodies. Both need to take smart shots and give up the ball when the defense forces them to... Charlotte at Minnesota features Baron Davis and Wally Szczerbiak possibly matching up. Quickness versus size.

Saturday, Dec. 22 : A busy weekend for Tracy McGrady. After meeting Jordan, Orlando and Dallas meet, and he gets to face Michael Finley. With Grant Hill's ankle still a mess, watch Mike Miller continue to emerge... Washington at New York - Michael Jordan in Madison Square Garden - enough said. Watch Brenden Haywood, as he's defending and rebounding well and has impressed everyone in Washington... Sacramento at L.A. Clippers features Chris Webber battling the undersized Elton Brand, and Lamar Odom against Peja Stojakovic... Detroit at Seattle features Gary Payton making fun of Chucky Atkins for whatever reasons he thinks of... Charlotte at Atlanta showcases Jason Terry and Baron Davis. Watch Charlotte's Lee Nailon continue to do a terrific job filling in for Jamal Mashburn... Indiana at Cleveland is a battle of team leaders, as Andre Miller and Jamaal Tinsley go at it... Utah at New Jersey should be good, as the Jazz try to regain their status as a team that matters... Minnesota at Chicago will feature Kevin Garnett dunking about 28 times... Portland at Phoenix is solid.

Sunday, Dec. 23: Milwaukee at San Antonio is the game of the day. The Spurs aren't surprised that Tony Parker has cooled off, they just want him to stay consistent and keep improving, especially on defense. Parker's quickness makes opponents work hard. Steve Smith creates his own shots due to intelligence and court-savy, and hits from outside as well as anyone. Bruce Bowen shoots worse than you do, but he's a top defender. Tim Duncan is simply awesome. And David Robinson, when active on defense, as he's lately been, puts these guys over the top... Phoenix at Sacramento showcases great matchups where the Suns excel, at the 1, 2 and 3 spots. Tom Googliotta is hurting and can't be counted on to do too much, if he plays at all. After a slow start, Rodney Rogers has been stepping up. Stephon Marbury is still on a mission to prove himself. Penny Hardaway's shooting fell off recently. Shawn Marion is the sparkplug on both ends of the floor. Other than the streaky Tony Delk, few other Suns are helping.