Report Card Time! Part Duece

Deron Williams has way too many absences, Summer School is a must.

Utah Jazz
That's right kids, it's the Northwest Division's turn to try and beat their parents to the mailbox. We start off with the Jazz, who get an "incomplete" at this point in the season, due mostly to Deron starting the first quarter of the season pretty much in fly suits and Carlos Boozer finally making his way back to his home away from home, the chilling list. Paul Millie has got his Mini-Me Mailman on this year and almost made the Jazz front office forget about Betrayal Skull Head Dude's discouraging words about his future with the franchise. What is it with Louisiana Tech products blowing up in Mormon City? AK47 looks to have played his way out of Jerry Sloan's doghouse, Ronnie Brewer has become an impressive energy guy and consistent scoring threat, and Okur and Korver are still having their own personal three point contests at times. Jerry Sloan is even finally giving C.J. Miles some burn as well, which as turned out to be a smart move, as most of the John Deere Gangster's decision's usually are. D-Will will without a doubt be even more motivated to get his name back in that Number One, running the one, convo. So far the this team has been up and down, and understandably so. But with Deron back, the continued improvement of Paul Millie and Brewer, this squad will only get better during the second part of the season and could be on some Miles Davis shit come playoff time. I see these guys at 31 and 24 at the break and finishing the season at 49-33 and sitting in the fifth seed come playoff time.


Oklahoma City Thunder
The newly labeled Tuff Kats, have pleasantly surprised fans as of late, winning 4 out of their last 6 games going into their match up with the Clips tonight. Kevin Durant has continued to flourish and is on the brink of becoming the full fledged superstar that the Sonics where hoping for when they drafted him. KD seemingly soaks up every game, win or loss, milking the experience of every lesson learned that will eventually equip him with the tools to carry a franchise into the playoffs. Jeff Green is becoming less of a sidekick and more of a certified co-star with his balanced bag of scoring weapons and ever improving defense. Russell Westbrook is quickly making what some people called a questionable lottery pick look more like a brilliant one. In my preseason preview I did for my boys over at Hibachi 2.0, I picked the Thunder to finish the season with a slightly improved record this year at 27-55. After their horrendous start I doubted I'd have any bragging rights on that one but given their recent improvement and some impressive wins against teams like the Pistons, I fully expect to look a lot smarter at the end of the season. If the Thunder can get some stability with Scott Brooks being rewarded with a multi year contract at the end of the year, they could be playing more than 82 games Sooner than you think.

Denver Nuggets

I hear this guy flies in any weather...

For as many questions the Chauncey Billups/A.I. trade that it caused for the Pistons franchise, it provided just as many answers for the Nugg Nuts. Chauncey has proved that he still has plenty left in the tank, energized by getting a second(third?) chance to be the hometown hero. Mr. Big Shot has proved to be the exact veteran presence that the Nuggets desperately needed to be able to accurately run George Karl's system. Melo's numbers are down and he has battled injuries this season, but he has also matured drastically and seems to be more comfortable being less of the vocal leader for this young squad. Nene is Brazilian waxing other big men(No Amechi), Kenyon is playing like it's 2002 all over again, and J.R. Smith is even showing a bit of self control lately. The one thing that people really seem to overlook on this squad is that they are deeper than a Mos Def joint with a lineup that boasts playoff hardened vet, Anthony Carter, to young hustla's like Linas Kleivas, Dahntay Jones, and everybody's favorite rehabilitated lunatic, Chris Andersen a.k.a the Birdman. If this squad can get better at it's interior defense and Carmelo can stay healthy, the sky is the limit on what they can accomplish this year. I see this constantly improving squad at 32-20 at the break and sitting at 50-32 at the end of the regular season, in the 4th seed in the West. One thing is for sure, this is NOT the same team the Lakers swept in the first round last year.

Minnesota Timberwolves
It seems like the young guns in the Northwest included "Let's stop sucking this year." on their New Year's resolution list. The Timberwolves started out this year on a winning streak that the Wolves haven't put together since KG was screaming at himself randomly in Minnesota. Al Jefferson isn't built in the exact same mold, but on the rare event that I've caught a Wolves game this season, he's reminding me of Timbot more and more. The footwork, the post moves, and the even the calm business-like demeanor almost sends chills up your spine. If he can keep playing at an all-star level and Randy Foye can make the way he's started 09 a regular deal this team could also be a playoff threat in a couple of seasons. Kevin Love has even proved that he may not have been the worst trade that McHale has ever made. I know people are saying that the West is kinda falling off a bit with the decline of the Suns and the Mavs, but when you look at all the young teams that seem to be starting to put it together it is almost frightening to think of what the conference could look like 2 or 3 years down the road. I see the Timberwolves at 18-35 at the break and 29-53 at the end of the year.

Portland Trailblazers

Dem Franchise Boyz

The same three words come to mind when you think of Meagan Good and the Portland Trailblazers, young, stacked, and talented, but for totally different reasons. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge have become one of the best guard/forward combinations in the league. Even though both will probably get shafted in the ASG this season just know that they will be making the guys who are there very uncomfortable inside the Rose Garden for the rest of the year. Steve Blake is still somehow playing well enough to keep his starting gig. Greg Oden is crushing that Sam Bowie bullshit that went on earlier this season and Rudy Fernendez would be a front runner in the ROY race during most seasons besides this ridiculously star studded one. Their bench's talent is only equalled by it's depth. Sergio Rodriguez, Ghostface, Outlaw, Bayless, and Martell Webster make up what is probably the most talented team in the league 1 thru 15. Nate McMillan is very aware of this and is making sure that he gets the most out of his squad with no excuses made for their inexperience. I see the Blazers at 31-19 at the break and ending the season at 47-35 sitting in the sixth seed in the West. If these guys match up with the Spurs in the playoffs, it could be one of the best first round series in the playoffs.