In
the Midwest, one NBA team has been on the uptick thanks to the work of “The
Butler,” while another team that had high expectations has been struggling. It
has been a team effort in the ATL that has them near the top of the East. In
the Pacific Northwest, last season’s big surprise has risen in the Western
Conference thanks to the continued emergence of their floor general. In Texas,
the team from “Clutch City” has added two major parts to its team to,
while its star player has emerged as an MVP candidate, while injuries to two
starters and a tough schedule have put the defending champs at the bottom of
the West playoff race. In the capital of California, their basketball team
relieved its head coach of its duties shockingly. Here is the Good, the Bad and
the Ugly of the NBA in the Month of December.
The
Good
The
Butler Working for the Bulls
Coming
into this season, the Chicago Bulls (23-10) were about getting lead guard
Derrick Rose (17.4 ppg, 5.0 apg) back on track after missing two seasons with
knee injuries and establishing free agent Pau Gasol (17.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg-leads
team, 2.3 bpg-leads team), Joakim Noah (8.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.8 apg) and Taj
Gibson (11.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg) as a strong front court trio.
While
both of those things have happened, there has been another major development
that has them rising in the East. The career season of swingman Jimmy Butler
(21.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.6 spg), who is shooting a career-high 48.3 percent from
the floor and 33.7 from three-point range.
To
bring the amazing season of the leading candidate for the 2015 Most Improved
Player Award into perspective, in the Bulls 92-90 win at the struggling Indiana
Pacers (12-21) on Monday night, Butler had 27 points and nine rebounds. It was
the 20th time this season that the fourth-year man out of Marquette
has scored 20-plus points this season. He had just nine games of such
production in this first three seasons.
In
the Bulls 107-100 win on Dec. 27 versus the New Orleans Pelicans (16-16),
Butler had 33 points, his fifth game of 30 points or more this season.
His
career-high in scoring came on Dec. 18 when he had 35 points, to go along with
five boards, seven assists and four steals in the Bulls 103-97 victory versus
the struggling New York Knicks (5-29).
The
rise in Butler’s game along with the additions of Gasol, who is tied for eighth
in the league with 16 double-doubles, guard Aaron Brooks (10.8 ppg, 42.4
3-Pt.%) and the rookie Nikola Mirotic (8.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 40.0 3-Pt.%) are some
of the reasons the Bulls are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for eighth in the
NBA in scoring at 102.6 points per contest. They are also ranked ninth in
three-point percentage at 36.7 percent and ranked 13th in the NBA in
assists per contest at 21.8.
Ever
since Tom Thibodeau became the head coach of the Bulls four seasons ago, they
have been a known as a team that has made their calling at the defensive end,
which has continued this season ranking 10th in points allowed at
98.5; rebounds per game at 45.6; fourth in field goal percentage at 43.2 and
first in block shots per contest at 6.6.
The
difference this season as from past years is that they can put the ball in the
basket now on a consistent basis and they have other options beside rose to go
to, which will make his life that much easier.
Aside
from their 96-82 setback this past Tuesday versus the Brooklyn Nets (15-16),
where their seven-game winning streak was snapped, the Bulls had a strong month
with 11 victories in 15 chances, the Bulls are getting their bearing about them
as the new year is beginning.
They
had some big time victories this month beating the Portland Trail Blazers
(26-7) 115-106 on Dec. 12 behind 31 points from Rose. They took another top
West team in the Memphis Grizzlies (23-8) on Dec. 19 103-97. On Dec. 22, the
Bulls took down the East leading Toronto Raptors (24-8) 129-120 as Rose put in
29 points and Butler had 27 points and 11 rebounds. Rose scored 15 of the Bulls
franchise record 49 points in the fourth quarter, helping his team take down
the Raptors for the second time in as many tries this season. The next night,
the Bulls won at the Washington Wizards (22-9) 99-91, led by the 25 points of
Rose.
The
Raptors, Atlanta Hawks (23-8) and the Wizards are in the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3
spots respectably, the Bulls are coming and have their best shot at not only
winning the East but, winning it all this season.
Soaring
Hawks
Do
you know who is atop the Southeast Division and in second place in the East? It
is not the Wizards, despite their best start in franchise history. It is the
Atlanta Hawks.
Yes,
the team that this off-season dominated the headlines because of comments made
by the front office.
In
the month of December, they made headlines by how they have piled up victories
on the court.
They
began last month with seven straight victories, although they came against the
likes of the Boston Celtics (11-18), Miami Heat (14-19), Nets, Denver Nuggets (13-20),
Philadelphia 76ers (4-26) and the Orlando Magic (13-22).
After
a 100-99 loss at the Magic on Dec. 13, the back end of a home-and-home, the
question became how would the Hawks do against better competition?
All
they continued to do was win, defeating the Bulls 93-86 on Dec. 15. Lambasting
the Cleveland Cavaliers (18-14) in their own building 127-98 going 16 for 28
from three-point range, committing just nine turnovers and garnering 36 assists
on 49 field goals.
Three
nights later, they won at the Houston Rockets (22-9) 104-97 garnering 22
assists on 38 baskets, shooting 51.4 percent from the field. It was the 14th
straight contest where the Hawks recorded at least 22 assists or more, their
most in a stretch since 1992.
On
Dec. 22, the Hawks garnered another victory against a top West team winning at
the Dallas Mavericks 105-102, behind a career-high of 22 points and six assists
of second-year guard Dennis Schroder. Shooting guard Kyle Korver had 18 points
and forward Paul Millsap had 13 points, 12 rebounds seven assists and two
blocks.
The
Hawks took care of business the next night with a 107-104 victory versus the
Los Angeles Clippers (22-11).
Following
a loss versus the Milwaukee Bucks (17-16) the night after Christmas, that ended
the their five-game winning streak as well as a seven-game winning streak
versus the Bucks, the Hawks won at the backs on the back end of a home-and-home
and they ended the month with their second victory over the Cavs 109-101, who
were without LeBron James because of knee soreness.
Unlike
most of the top teams in the league, particularly in the East, their success
stems from the fact that they have a star players that makes their world go
round.
The
Hawks have relied on ball movement, defense and attention to detail to get to
where they are right now.
They
are ranked 3rd in the business in assists per contest at 25.6 and
are 11th in the league in scoring per contest at 102.2. They are
seventh in points allowed at 97.4; tied for sixth in opponent’s field goal
percentage at 44.0 percent and 10th in opponent’s three-point
percentage at 34.4 percent.
This
style of play on both ends is reminiscent of a team out West. That team is the
San Antonio Spurs, the defending NBA champs, where current Hawks’ head coach
Mike Budenholzer cut his teeth as an assistant coach.
He
has brought that style of play to the Atlanta and last season he and the Hawks
as the No. 8 Seed gave the then No. 1 Seeded Indiana Pacers all they could
handle before falling in seven games.
While
the Hawks may not have a clear star like the Spurs with Tony Parker, Tim Duncan
and Manu Ginobili, they have players who can play in forward Paul Millsap (16.8
ppg, 8.1 rpg-leads team, 2.0 spg), starting lead guard Jeff Teague (16.9 ppg,
7.0 apg, 1.6 spg), Kyle Korver (13.0 ppg, 49.8 FG%, 52.0 3-Pt.%, 94.0 FT%), who
is having one of the best shooting years in the history of the NBA this season.
On
top of that, the team has their anchor back in Al Horford (14.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg,
1.5 bpg-leads team), who was lost a season ago around last Christmas because of
season-ending shoulder injury. His presence along with career years from
DeMarre Carroll (11.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 38.6 3-Pt.%) and Schroder (8.6 ppg) is why
the Hawks have proven this month that the East is not just about the Raptors,
Wizards, Bulls and Cavs.
“Everywhere
we go, we preach team basketball. That’s who we are. That’s what we are going
to continue to be,” Millsap, who had 14 points and six boards at the Rockets on
Dec. 20.
“We
are just want to go out there and continue to be humble. Continue to get wins
and at the end of the season just see where we’re at.”
The
Hawks, who went 14-2 in December have not won their division since 1993-94 when
they were in the Central Division. With the defending East champion Miami Heat
having a down season, this division and a top seed in the East will be between
the Wizards and Hawks.
"The
Dear" Putting Fear in NBA
With
their 107-77 victory at the Hawks the night after Christmas, the Milwaukee
Bucks got back to the .500 mark at 15-15.
While
celebrating get back to .500 may not be as big a deal to most, the Bucks
matched their win total from a season ago.
Following
a 90-85 loss on the back end of a home-and-home with the Hawks, the Bucks won
two straight at the Charlotte Hornets (10-23) on Monday night 104-94 in
overtime and on New Year’s Eve at the Cavs 96-80, who were without superstar
LeBron James because of knee and back soreness and All-Star forward Kevin Love
because of back spasms.
Earlier
in the month however, the Bucks lost rookie forward Jabari Parker.
The
No. 2 overall pick out of Duke University, who averaged 12.2 points and 5.5
boards in 25 games, suffered a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his
left knee in the second half of the Bucks’ 96-94 victory at the Phoenix Suns on
Dec. 15. He will miss the remainder of the season.
His
loss is huge because he was expected
along with other key cogs on the team like lead guard Brandon Knight (18.0
ppg-leads team, 5.1 apg-leads team), forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.3 ppg,
5.5 rpg), Khris Middleton (9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 40.0 3-Pt.%) and center Larry
Sanders (7.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg) to grow together.
With
that being said, the Bucks after the worst season in franchise history are at
least under new ownership and new head coach Jason Kidd are headed in the right
direction.
If
the season were to end right now, the Bucks would be in the playoffs as the No.
6 Seed.
While
a lot can happen as the next few months go along, the fact that the Bucks are
in the thick of it after where they were a season ago is a major
accomplishment.
Portland
is Blazing in the West
Last
season they finished with 54 wins and made it to the second round for the first
time in 14 years.
Thanks
to a 13-3 mark in December, the Portland Trail Blazers are not only leading the
Northwest Division, they are right now the No. 2 Seed in the very competitive
Western Conference.
A
big reason for stellar record is the incredible play of starting point guard
Damian Lillard, who took his snub from the Gold Medal Winning FIBA World Cup
Team this summer and has had a stellar season.
The
third-year guard out of Weber State is averaging career-highs of 21.9 points,
6.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
In
an 11-day span, the 2013 Rookie of the Year showed why he was an All-Star a
season ago and why he will be in New York for the 2015 All-Star Game.
On
Dec. 12, Lillard had 35 points, five boards, six assists going 13 for 21 from
the field, hitting 7 for 11 from three-point range, but the Trail Blazers lost
at the Bulls 115-106. He running mate in fellow All-Star forward LaMarcus
Aldridge (22.9 ppg-leads team, 10.7 rpg-leads team) scored 21 of his 35 points
in the first quarter to go along with nine boards.
Three
days later versus the defending champion Spurs, Lillard had 23 points, 10
rebounds and six assists and Aldridge had 23 points and 14 boards in the
Blazers 108-95 victory.
In
the rematch on Dec. 19 in San Antonio, the Trail Blazers defeated the Spurs
129-119 in triple-overtime as Lillard scored 26 of his career-high 43 points in
the fourth quarter and overtime. He went 16 for 29 from the field, 4 for 9 from
three-point range and 7 for 8 from the free throw line.
Aldridge
had 32 points, 16 boards, five steals and two blocks in leading the Trail
Blazers to their second win over the Spurs this season. Lillard’s running mate
Wesley Matthews had 16 points, seven boards, five assists and three steals.
Dorell Wright had 12 points and eight boards off the bench and back-up guard
Steve Blake had 10 points five boards and four assists.
The
next night, the Blazers took the Pelicans to the cleaners in their gym winning
114-88 as Aldridge lead the way with 27 points, 12 boards, three steals and two
blocks. Lillard had 17 points and seven assists.
After
a 110-95 loss at the Rockets, which ended their five-game winning streak, the
Blazers came from behind late in the fourth quarter to win at the Oklahoma City
Thunder (16-17) 115-111 in overtime.
Lillard
had an incredible performance outdueling Thunder lead guard Russell Westbrook
with 40 points, 11 assists and six boards going 11 for 21 from the field, a
career-high eight three-pointers in 12 tries and 10 for 11 from the charity
stripe.
Westbrook
had 40 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals before fouling out late
in overtime.
This
was the first time, according to Elias Sports Bureau opponents had 40-10-5 in
the same game since Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Clyde Drexler did it when the
Trail Blazers and Celtics met back in 1992. The only other time that has happen
in the last 50 seasons was back in 1983 when Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas of the
Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets forward Alex English did it in a game.
The
night after Christmas, Lillard had 28 points and nine assists in the Blazers
114-93 win versus the 76ers, who were without Aldridge because of an illness.
The
Blazers finished December with a 102-97 overtime victory over the Raptors on
Tuesday evening. It was their fourth win a row and their seven straight win at
the Moda Center, bringing their home record to 15-2.
Lillard
lead the way with 26 points and nine assists. Aldridge, who had missed three of
the last four games because of illness garnered his 17 double-double of the
season with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Matthews had 19 points and six boards,
going 5-10 from three-point range. This was the 11th time this
season that Matthews has scored 19 or more points in a game this season. The
Blazers have won 10 of those contests.
The
amazing play of the Trail Blazers’ dynamic duo of Aldridge and Lillard has
masked the absence of starting center Robin Lopez, who broke his hand against
the Spurs back on Dec. 15. He was averaging 9.8 points, 7.3 boards and 1.5
blocks in 25 games.
The
absence of Lopez has given more time to back-up center Chris Kaman (9.9 ppg,
6.3 rpg), who along with Blake have been solid additions to the Blazers’ bench.
For
this team to continue to remain where they are as the season goes on, they need
more from starting small forward Nicholas Batum, who is scoring 9.3 points per
contest, the lowest since his rookie year six years ago. His floor game has
been decent though, averaging five boards and 4.9 assists per contest.
If
they can get anything from the likes of forward Thomas Robinson, who had season
highs of 15 points and 16 boards in the Blazers 104-97 win on Dec. 17 versus
the Bucks; C.J. McCollum, the aforementioned Wright, swingman Allen Crabbe or
center Joel Freeland who had 12 rebounds versus the Raptors on New Year’s Eve
and 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Blazers 101-79 victory versus the Knicks
this past Sunday, the Blazers can be even greater.
The
Bad
Defending
Champs Struggling
It
took everything and them some for the Spurs to get back to The Finals a season
ago. Their hard work paid off as they defeated the East champion Heat in the
Finals 4-1.
In
the month of December though, the defending champs had their struggles going
just 8-10, which includes dropping three of their last five games.
A
big reason for those struggles in December was the fact that they played 18
games in 31 days. They had six back-to-backs and a lot of their keys players
played heavy duty minutes.
It
did not help that they played against some of the top competition in the West.
In games against the Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies (23-8), Rockets, Clippers
and Thunder, the Spurs went just 3-6 in December.
They
sustained four very difficult losses in overtime at the Nets 95-93 on Dec. 3;
versus the Los Angeles Lakers (10-22) 112-110 on Dec. 12; versus the Grizzlies
117-116 in triple overtime on Dec. 17 and versus the Trail Blazers two days
later 129-119 also in triple overtime.
What
has not helped in this stretch of games is that a number of Spurs have been
missing in action.
Between
Parker (hamstring), Kawhi Leonard (hand), Patty Mills (shoulder surgery) and
Tiago Splitter (calf), they have missed a total of 80 games because of injury
or rest. Mills had been out all season returned on Dec. 28 versus the Rockets
and scored eight points in 20 minutes off the bench.
In
this early part of the season, head coach Gregg Popovich normally likes to rest
some of his key players like Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Danny Green to name a
few.
The
injuries have not allowed that and the result is that a number of players have
had to play huge minutes and have worn down late in games, which has resulted
in losses.
Right
now, Parker and Leonard are on the shelf with hamstring and hand injuries
respectably and there is no timetable for their return. The Spurs have gone 5-7
without Leonard, the 2014 Finals MVP.
The
one good thing if anything that is in the Spurs favor is that they are the
defending NBA champions and as many times that they have been counted out, they
have proven a lot of people wrong.
With
that being said, the Western Conference this season is no joke and the fact
that the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, Rockets
and Dallas Mavericks are not slowing down, it means that the Spurs may not have
home court advantage in the postseason this year.
They
are the champs until someone beats them and they now how to win on the road.
They will need everyone to be healthy though just to have a chance to repeat.
Struggling
Cavs
After
eight straight wins, which included five in a row to start December, it looked
like the Cavaliers were finally on the right track.
Since
then though, the Cavs have gone 5-7 and their play on the court has been
nothing a team that had the expectation of winning a championship.
The
team’s biggest problem on the court has been at the defensive end where they
rank just 15th in points allowed at 99.6 points per game; 25th
in opponent’s field goal percentage at 46.9 percent; 18th in
three-point percentage allowed at 35.8 percent and 23rd in rebounds
per game at 41.1.
A
lot of the team’s issues came to the forefront after the team’s 101-91 loss on
Christmas Day at the Miami Heat, which was the return of superstar forward
LeBron James’ return to the place where he won back-to-back titles.
After
the game, it was reported on NBATV’s “Gametime” on New Year’s Day that James in
a conversation on the court with Dwyane Wade after that “Like I said, if we
aren’t better this year, we’re gonna re-unite and do some bigger and better things,
alright?”
While
James a couple of days later retracted from those comments, it just added more
fuel to the fire to a team that has dropped three of its last four to close the
month of December.
On
top of that, there have also been reports that there was disconnect between the
players and first-year head coach David Blatt.
Blatt
tried to defuse the situation earlier in the week after a loss versus the Hawks
[109-101] last Tuesday by saying to reporters, “We haven’t played perfectly
this year. I don’t claim that. On the other hand, were doing pretty good. We’ve
lost a couple of games. Down a few of our main players and last night did not
look good and we did not respond well to it during the game. I recognize that
and certainly when that happens, I’m every bit as much a part of that as
everybody else.”
James
also tried to defuse the so-called tension between the Cavs’ players and coach
Blatt by saying to reporters last week by saying, “He’s our coach. What other
coach do we have? ... I’m happy with who we have at our helm.”
Here
is the reality of this situation. When the Cavs hired coach Blatt, they saw
this a head coach who can grow into this position and with the roster they had
at the time, could develop the team that can eventually be a winner.
Things
changed this summer when James came back to the Cavs, they acquired Kevin Love
to team up with Kyrie Irving.
The
expectation now is make it to The Finals or this season is a failure.
Along
with losing three in row and the four out of their last five to close December,
the team lost its best front court player in Anderson Varejao, who tore his
left Achilles back on Dec. 23 versus the Minnesota Timberwolves (5-25). He had
successful surgery last Friday and will be lost for the rest of the season.
James
is expected to be out for the next two weeks with knee and back soreness.
If
there is one thing that the Cavs have to do from this point forward is to
understand that if they do not unite as one and get on the same page, this
season will end in disappointment and James, who has an opt out clause in his
contract, which he can use at the end of the season, be may be gone and so
might the Cavs chances of being the first team to bring the city of Cleveland
its first championship in five decades.
The
Ugly
Turmoil
in Sacramento
When
the Sacramento Kings got off to one of its better starts in over a decade,
there was thought in the organization that there is a slight chance that they
could compete for a playoff spot.
When
their best player DeMarcus Cousins, who leads the team in scoring (23.8),
rebounding (12.0) and blocks (1.5) per game when down with a virus, the Kings
struggled going just 2-8.
Those
struggles cost then Head Coach Mike Malone his job.
From
the outside, many in NBA circles saw this move by the team as a major shock,
especially since the Kings had a very slim chance of making the postseason in
the competitive Western Conference.
In
the days that followed the move, there were reports that Owner Vivek Randive
and general manager Pete D’Alssandro that the team had wanted to let Malone go
this off-season, mainly because of the difference in philosophy. The front
office wanted the team to play more of an up tempo style. Malone wanted to make
the Kings into one that can play strong defense and execute in the half court
offensively.
What
made the move even more of a head scratcher is the fact that since the team
parted ways with then head coach Rick Adelman nine years ago, the organization
has had six head coaches since then and no playoff appearances.
At
the helm now is former Utah Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin.
In
the eight seasons under Adelman, the Kings went from an NBA doormat to a
perennial playoff participant and even a championship contender. Along with
Adelman, the team had stability in the front office with Geoff Petrie as
President of Basketball Operations and owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. They also
had some of the best players in the league at the time in Chris Webber, Vlade
Divac, Doug Christie, Bobby Hurley, Peja Stojakovic, who recently had his
jersey retired. The only problem they had is the Los Angeles Lakers were pretty
good at that time and the Kings could never get past them in the postseason.
If
the Kings have any plans on getting back to becoming a contender, cohesion from
the front office to the players on the court must happen.
If
Corbin is the guy to lead this team forward, than the organization must get
behind him and let him coach the team how he sees fit.
He
at least has some talent to work with in Cousins, forward Rudy Gay (20.8 ppg,
6.3 rpg, 4.5 apg), this year’s big free agent in starting lead guard Darren
Collison (16.4 ppg, 6.0 apg, 1.6 spg), guards Ben McLemore (12.2 ppg, 40.4
3-Pt.%), Ray McCallum and rookie Nik Stauskas, forwards Carl Landry (8.1 ppg,
4.3 rpg), Derrick Williams, Jason Thompson and Omri Casspi.
All
they have to do is look at Wizards, Grizzlies, Raptors and Golden State
Warriors. When those organizations from the top on down got on the same page,
they began to win at a high level, especially this season. They stuck with
their head coach in the worst of times and only made a change when it was
necessary. Those organizations are now serious contenders this season and in
years to come.
Information, quotes and statistics are courtesy
of; 12/20/14 3 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime” with Rick Kamla, Steve Smith
and Rick Fox; 12/21/14 3 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime” with Matt Winer,
Stu Lantz and Rick Fox; 12/22/14 6 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime” with Rick
Kamla, Rick Fox and Brent Barry; 12/23/14 2:30 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime”
with Matt Winer, Steve Smith and Brent Barry; 12/24/14 2:30 a.m. edition of “NBA
Tonight” on ESPN 2 with Cassidy Hubbarth and Bruce Bowen; 12/27/14 6 a.m.
edition of NBATV’s “Gametime” with Rick Kamla, Steve Smith and Mike Fratello;
12/28/14 6 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime” with Matt Winer, Rick Fox and
Brent Barry; 12/29/14 12 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime” with Rick Kamla,
Rick Fox and Brent Barry; 12/30/14 1:30 a.m. edition of “NBA Tonight” ESPN 2
with Cassidy Hubbarth and Tim Legler; 12/30/14 2 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime”
with Matt Winer, Dennis Scott and Brent Barry; 12/31/14 8 a.m. edition of NBATV’s
“Gametime” with Rick Kamla, Steve Smith and Isiah Thomas; 1/1/15 4 a.m. edition
of NBATV’s “Gametime” with Vince Cellini, Dennis Scott and Isiah Thomas;
1/11/15 12 a.m. edition of “NBA Tonight” on ESPN 2 with Cassidy Hubbarth and
Chauncey Billups. 
No comments:
Post a Comment