Spurs -10
Kings +6
Bucks -7
40 -
Tough break, here are some post-game analysis notes - providing them in case they provide value/utility for you moving forward.
Spurs:
Brittle yet again - this team has issues/problems w/ young, athletic squads who play at least a modicum of defense and rebound. Duncah, Ginobili, and Parker all looked old and the younger personnel they possess aren't of the elite caliber of those 3. This team is no longer a 1 or 1A, more like a 2.
Expect them to have a challenge w/ a Memphis (similar to Portland), but an easier time w/ Charlotte (far less athletic) or a Golden State (no defense).
Kings:
Already spoke about the folly of youth and how a lack of veteran experience will cost you down the stretch. This in no way condones the return of Kevin Martin nor Francisco Garcia - both of whom stall the ball and ought to be traded for younger, less selfish assets. These are the growing pains that this team will undergo - against lesser squads, they'll be able to eke out victories (e.g. Milwaukee), not so versus elite (e.g. Cleveland). You can be pretty sure that Westphal will be providing instruction about not being myopic come a similar situation such as overtime and continuing to play the game as before (which had stood them in good stead up to the extra period).
Milwaukee:
Don't think it's a coincidence that the Bucks have been on a losing streak ever since Michael Redd returned to the lineup - he's a volume shooter (8 of 21 in the loss to Washington) and kills the offensive movement of the team. The Bucks would be well prudent to move his contract if at all possible. He would make a fine addition to a team of cast-offs that would include the aforementioned Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia complemented by the likes of Allen Iverson.
Random Miscellany:
As much as I'd like to posit Arenas in the group mentioned, his post-game response to Saunders's benching of his starting 5 against Philadelphia in the 3rd quarter prevents me from doing so - in short, he admitted/conceded that it was more than deserving. He looks to have gotten a bit more lift back in his game and is trying to remedy his scorer's mentality to adapt to Saunders's ball movement offense. The Wizards aren't necessarily as bad their record hints at given the 1/4 mark of the season.
Phoenix, Atlanta, Dallas - these are among the teams that one ought to revise an opinion of - not surprisingly, Dallas and Phoenix are older squads and the wear of the season is looking like it's beginning to exact a toll on 'em. Atlanta's most important player is Josh Smith, not Joe Johnson.
Portland has heart - they may not be the most creative offensive team in the league (and they're certainly not b/c of McMillen), but you cannot discount their commitment; notorious for being able to surmount a 1st half deficit 2 seasons back, they continue to demonstrate a resiliency and resolve that's unbecoming of a lot of today's celebrity contest in the NBA. Is Roy a volume shooter? Definitely, but unlike Redd (and Joe Johnson) and more like Kobe, he only begins to look for his shot if/when the team is desperate for it as opposed to stuffing his stat sheet.
Happy holidays to all...
