I enjoyed my first weekend away from football with my second love the NBA. I don’t care what anyone says, when it comes to All-Star festivities, no sport can compare to the NBA. The NFL is working hard to make the Pro Bowl sexier but its efforts have yet to reap great results.
The NHL All-Star weekend and game is exciting to watch especially when you get to see Vladimir Taresenko, the St. Louis Blues’ leading goal scorer, and his fellow countryman Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, interact in skills competition on the ice. You see guys let their guard down and smile instead of cross-checking, boarding or any other infraction that will cost a trip to the penalty box.
The Mid-Summer Classic has its one trick. The Home Run Derby has gotten better and the All-Star game has a different meaning than all the other sports I’ve mentioned since it determines home field advantage in the World Series.
However, nothing compares to the NBA. All-Star weekend tells me the second half is officially here. This year the West won the game led by Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook scored 41 points in 26 minutes. Say what you want about the lack of defense, Westbrook was making a definitive statement with that MVP performance.
When people talk about possible MVP candidates, you hear pretty much the same names; Kevin Durant, LeBron James, James Harden and Stephen Curry. You don’t hear Westbrook mentioned in that same breath yet but you should. Westbrook is one of the most exciting players in the league. Should the Thunder make it to the playoffs, they can beat anybody in the Western Conference.
The West is so good there are seven teams with a winning percentage over .600. How exciting would it be to have a #1 and #8 matchup with OKC vs. Golden State? What about a #2 and #7 matchup with Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs? One of those four teams will be in the NBA Finals.
What the East lacks in firepower it makes up with intrigue. Instead of eight contenders there are only five. The Milwaukee Bucks are breathing down the necks of the Cleveland Cavaliers who are only 2.5 games in front of them. Jason Kidd should be a candidate for Coach of the Year. Had they not lost Jabari Parker, they’d be in front of Cleveland for sure. The other fascinating thing with the Eastern Conference stems from the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors at #1 and #2, something we’ve never witnessed. And as good as the Chicago Bulls roster is, they should be better. With them, it’s NBA Finals or bust. They would find themselves in trouble if they get stuck facing the Milwaukee Bucks in a #3 and #6 matchup. The Bucks are young and very athletic. Kidd is coaching his assets off.
The Hawks have five guys averaging double digit in points, including former Missouri Tigers forward DeMarre Carroll who averages 12 points a game but never has a play ran for him. Point guard Jeff Teague doesn’t get the praise nationally but is deserving. The Hawks offense ranks 6th in points, and 2nd in assist and boasts a stingy defense. Just in case you’re interested, the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, and Brooklyn Nets are bringing up the rear in the and all three could make the playoffs with a sub .500 record. Regardless who emerges from the Eastern Conference, the next NBA champion will be from the West.
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