While the Wizards have remained stuck in neutral, the NBA race is underway and most teams have reached the quarter pole. Here’s what we’ve learned — and it doesn’t include anything about where LeBron James might land next summer.
1. The best addition is by subtraction » The Los Angeles Lakers, Boston, Orlando and Cleveland all got inflated — er, better — in the offseason by adding above-average to superstar-level talent. But Shaquille O’Neal‘s departure from Phoenix helped the Suns more than the Cavaliers.
Steve Nash and Phoenix were just two games behind the Lakers headed into Tuesday, despite having played 10 more times on the road than the defending NBA champions, who leave Staples Center for just four of their first 21 contests. (We can’t wait to see how they fare in March, when the reverse happens.)
Atlanta, the second biggest surprise of the season so far, didn’t add anything to its starting lineup during the offseason, instead simply stocking Jamal Crawford (16.1 ppg, 2.6 apg) on the bench, from where he’s now a frontrunner for sixth man of the year. The Hawks are reaping the rewards of both patience and stability.
2. Things are never as good — or as bad — as you think » There was no doubt that rebuilding New Jersey would be awful. But a record-setting 0-18 start? If the Nets get their potential new owner, Russia’s richest man Mikhail Prokhorov, and an arena in Brooklyn, it’ll be worth it.
Sacramento was supposed to join the Nets in the cellar, especially after losing Kevin Martin for two months with a wrist injury. But Tyreke Evans (19.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.9 apg) has not only prevented 55-point scoring Brandon Jennings from running away with rookie of the year in Milwaukee, he’s also kept the Kings within sight of the rest of the Western Conference.
3. Yes, the Wizards are the biggest disappointment so far » Out West, San Antonio doesn’t look like it can defy age forever and Portland can’t seem to get comfortable, or escape the burden of Greg Oden. But neither team seems at risk of NBA Draft Lottery status next spring.
But Washington is headed down that dreaded road unless Gilbert Arenas can resurrect Agent Zero. At least the Eastern Conference is only five teams deep: Celtics, Magic, Cavaliers, Hawks and Heat. The Wizards thought they were in that elite group. With three quarters of the season left, they’re beginning to realize that the second tier may be as close as they get.
