I don't know if y'all are like me, but I have trouble keeping up with all the goings on around the NBA when I'm so focused on our beloved Spurs night in and night out. So, what I thought I'd do is share a few things that I found out when updating my knowledge of the rest of the NBA.
1. The Memphis Grizzlies are now 3rd in the Western Conference
Say what?! Weren't they out of the playoffs like two weeks ago? I guess going 10-2 in your last twelve games will help improve your teams place in the standings. Seems like being without the services of Zach Randolph has not hampered the Grizz as much as I would have thought. The good news, if they can keep up this level of play, the Spurs would not have to face the team that knocked them out last year in this year's first round. I'm all for it, though I'd rather them end up with the 4th seed. Also, they are 1 game in front of Dallas for 2nd in the Southwest Division. Crazy.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves are currently the 8th seed.
This is just getting nuts. The T-Pups are 7-3 in their last ten. What in the world is going on in the West? The Minnesota Point Guards have a good chance to make the playoffs! I do not like the match up the Spurs would have with the T-wolves, so I sure hope they don't manage to slide to the 7th spot if the Spurs remain the 2nd seed. I have a feeling that they may not be able to continue their current level of play and that a team like Portland will finally get it together and over take them for that final playoff spot. It'll be interesting.
3. The Lakers are not too good.
I know they've got good players and their defense is solid, but they've got an offensive rating of 15th. They're average, at best, on offense. If they have this hard of a time scoring on regular season defenses, I can't imagine it's going to go well for them in the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up playing the Mavs or Grizzlies in the first round and if they do, I think they'll be one and done with the level of defense those two teams are capable of. That said, I like their chances against the Clippers, not enough defense from LA's "other" team. Of course it wouldn't surprise me to see the Lakers get all the right match ups for their playoff run.
4. Boston should blow it up.
Wow, talking about falling off the table in a hurry. They're "Big 4" is down to one. They went on a nice run earlier in the year, but they just can't keep the wins coming at a good enough pace to move up the standings in the East. They're still solid when defending (they're currently 4th in defensive rating) but they are 24th in offensive rating. Yikes. I wouldn't be surprised to see them give Miami or Chicago a tough time in the first round series, but I cannot imagine them winning. I guess the 2-3 year run was worth it since they got their title, but it's amazing how quickly they've gone down hill.
5. OKC is really, really good.
Ok, I already knew this, but it is so true. Their defense could use some improvement, and I think that might ultimately be their downfall, but good grief are they good with the ball! I think they might be one of the only teams, besides the Spurs of course, that when clicking on all cylinders would be able to beat the Bulls and Heat.
It's amazing to see how quickly things can change for teams. I am glad the Spurs have finally gottne kind of healthy, and look to be able to start getting in sync for the playoff push. I think it's unlikely that the anybody will catch the Thunder, but the Spurs will have to be careful not to lose their hard earned spot in the standings. There are plenty of good teams out there that are more than capable of getting hot and knocking the Spurs down a few rungs.
Whatever happens, this has been a crazy year and I am looking forward to seeing how things play out.