NBA By The Month - October/November

Well, we are a little more than a month into the NBA season and so far, it's been pretty exciting. A blockbuster trade just 2 weeks in seeing Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups swap sqauds. Also, 10% of the coaches getting fired less than 25% into the season. Oh, and then there's the strong and sluggish starts from various teams.

Again, I am not the biggest NBA fan. In fact, I normmaly don't watch a regular season game unless my Pacers are playing. But since I try to be "all-knowing" in all sports, I have paid better attention this season and have some thoughts on the first full month of play.

(W-L records as of 12:00am December 5th)

MOST IMPRESSIVE

Portland (14-6) - We all knew they would be better this season with the additions of Rudy Fernandez and Greg Oden. But at 14-6 and the lead in the Northwest Division, that may be more than we thought. And it's even more impressive considering Oden missed 6 games. This is going be a tough team to take out in the playoffs with their youth. I look at them as the Tampa Bay Rays of the NBA.

Atlanta (11-6) - After taking the Celtics to 7 games in the playoffs last season, teams should have realized the potential of this team. Well so far, so good in proving that their playoff performance was no fluke. They have simmered since their 6-0 start but no doubt, they are moving into the discussion of legit Eastern Conference teams.

Miami (10-9) - When Pat Riley resigned as head coach coming off a 15-win season, I didn't see much hope for this team. Yeah, they had Dwayne Wade and an aging Shawn Marion, but I thought it would take at least a few seasons before they became relevant again. Well, maybe not. Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers have been quite a supporting cast and the Heat are above .500 with 10 wins. And they didn't get win #10 last season until February 26th.

LEAST IMPRESSIVE
San Antonio (9-8) - I know they are getting older and that Manu Ginobili has been injured but 9-8 for this team is disappointing. They still have Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and one of the best coaches in Gregg Popovich. But instead of dominating, this team has limped out of the gate, despite the fact their strength of schedule is .470 and 10 of the 17 games have been played at home.

Toronto (8-9) - Though I disagree with the firing of Sam Mitchell, I do agree that this team has not been good. In a weak Eastern Conference, they are easily in the top 6 when it comes to talent. But at 8-9, they aren't playing like it. They have played a tough early schedule and injuries haven't helped but again, they're too good to be playing this bad.

Washington (3-13) - So what Agent Zero isn't playing? There's no way this team is worse than the likes of Minnesota and Memphis? Eddie Jordan has already been canned so can't blame the coaching. Now it's just time for Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler to bring this team back to being respectable.

TEAMS OF THE MONTH

LA Lakers (15-2) - The only question mark about this team is are they good enough to get to 70 wins. Kobe is playing like Kobe, Pau is providing some big time points and boards, and Andrew Bynum is healthy, giving the Lakers just another scoring threat. This team is scary good.

Cleveland (15-3) - Not only are they winning, but they are winning by a healthy margin. 12.3 points in fact, best in the conference. And the philosophy of winning hasn't changed either with the Cavs giving up a little more than 92 PPG, second in the conference. Oh, and that Mo Williams pickup may be the best offseason move in the Eastern Conference.

Boston (18-2) - It's really not a surprise to see them at 18-2. The conference is not good and their schedule so far hasn't been too strenous. Right now, they are in the midst of a 10-game winning streak. Can we just put the Cavs and Celts in the conference championship series now?

INDIANA PACERS THOUGHTS

So far, I'm pretty happy with my Pacers. Yeah, the record of 7-11 is nothing to get excited about but considering the tough schedule they've played, it may look a bit misleading. Mike Dunleavy is still injured but when he returns, it will be a welcome addition for a team who could use a spark off the bench. Danny Granger has been an all-star in every sense of the word and T.J. Ford has been a steady PG, something the team hasn't had since Mark Jackson. The wins against the Celtics, Rockets and Lakers prove to me this team can play with the big boys. Now, they just need to win some more of the games that they are losing by 10 or less.

MVP WATCH

1. Lebron James, CLE
2. Kobe Bryant, LAL
3. Dwayne Wade, MIA
4. Dwight Howard, ORL
5. Chris Paul, NO

ROOKIE WATCH

1. Derrick Rose, CHI
2. O.J. Mayo, MEM
3. Michael Beasley, MIA
4. D.J. Augustin, CHA
5. Russell Westbrook, OKC

BEST GAMES OF DECEMBER

Portland @ Boston (Dec. 5th) - Good matchup of youth vs. veterans. Not sure how well Garnett will matchup against Oden but that may be the matchup to watch. Should be a fun one to watch no matter what.

Memphis @ Oklahoma City (Dec. 10th) - Right now, the Thunder are on pace to be the worst team in NBA history. If they want to avoid that distinction, they need to win games like this at home.

New York @ Phoenix (Dec. 15th) - Mike D'Antoni returns to the city that he had such success in. Unfortunately, he brings in his new team to be embarrassed.

Boston @ LA Lakers (Dec. 25th) - Merry Christmas everyone! After opening up your gifts and chugging down some egg nog, sit back and enjoy this dandy of a game, featuring the two best teams in the NBA so far record-wise.

Chicago @ Miami (Dec. 26th) - Battle of the top 2 picks of the draft. Derrick Rose has been better so far but Michael Beasley is starting to show flashes of greatness.

PACER SPECIAL: New Orleans @ Indiana (Dec. 28th) - Chris Paul and company travel to Conesco Fieldhouse where the likes of the Celtics and Lakers have fallen victim to the Pacers.