NFL
The First half of the 2020-21 NBA season has been filled with surprises. Teams are trying to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks and playing with limited fans or in some cases, no fans at all. Players can not rely on the home crowd anymore.
Grades for the NBA’s Eastern Conference:
15) Detroit Pistons (F): The Pistons are clearly in a rebuilding mode. They are last in their division and have the 2nd worst record in the NBA. Jerami Grant is averaging 23 points and 5 rebounds per game. He has been an excellent free agent signing.
14) Cleveland Cavaliers (D): The Cavs have been a disaster since LeBron James left Cleveland. Collin Sexton is averaging 23 points per game. Acquiring Jarett Allen will prove to be a good move. He is a legitimate 14 points and 10 rebounds per night player.
13) Orlando Magic (D):
The Magic continue to be mired in mediocrity. Over the past 3 seasons they have compiled a record of 25-57, 42-40, 33-40 and they are currently 13th in the Eastern Conference. They could be the most boring team in the NBA. Orlando will not make the playoffs this season. The best thing they can do is trade players on their current roster and stockpile draft picks.
12) Washington Wizards (C+):
The Wizards had a slow start to the season. That is starting to change, over the past 10 games they are 7-3. Bradley Beal is a legitimate MVP candidate. He is averaging 33 points 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He could be the best two-way player in basketball.
11) Atlanta Hawks (C):
The Hawks are building their team the right way. They have a good collection of young draft picks and added some veteran players. Trae Young is averaging 26 points and 9 assists per game. John Collins is averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds. When healthy, De’Andre Hunter can score 20 points a night. Clint Capella is averaging 14 points and 14 rebounds per contest. If the Hawks can get some production out of Cam Reddish, they can give teams a ton of problems in the 2nd half of the season.
10) Indiana Pacers (C):
T.J. Warren was one of the best players in the NBA Bubble last season. He is in a walking boot and months away from playing again. Domantas Sabonis is the best player no one outside of Indiana knows about. He is averaging 21.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists. He should have made the all-star game. This team will make the playoffs, but they do not have enough scoring to go far in the post-season.
9) Charlotte Hornets (C+):
Over the past decade Michael Jordan has been the worst decision maker in the NBA. He finally got one thing right. LaMelo Ball is the favorite to win rookie of the year. He is averaging 15 point, 6.3 assists, and 6 rebounds per game. Gordon Hayward has had a great start to the season. He is averaging 21 points per game. This team should make the playoffs.
8) Chicago Bulls (C+):
The Bulls have been a pleasant surprise. Former Oklahoma City Thunder Coach, Billy Donovan, has given this team consistent leadership at the coaching position. Has any player been more valuable to their team than Zach LaVine? He has played in 32 games, averages 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He is a legitimate superstar and should get more recognition across the country.
7) Miami Heat (C+):
The Heat started slowly but are starting to hit their stride. They have won 6 in a row and 7 out of their last 10. Jimmy Butler has been the perfect fit in Miami. Players love playing with him. Bam Adebayo has been “Mr. Everything” scoring 19 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1 block per game. This team should make a deep playoff run.
6) Boston Celtics (C-):
The Celtics have been a disappointment. They have been too inconsistent night in and night out. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are averaging 50 points per game combined. Rookie, Payton Prichard has been a pleasant surprise out of Oregon. Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker have missed a ton of games due to injury. General Manager Danny Ainge will have to make moves at the trading deadline if this team wants his team to go far in the playoffs.
5) New York Knicks (B-)
The New York has been a pleasant surprise this season. The Knicks are playing .500 basketball and that is a refreshing record for a team whose season is usually over by Thanksgiving. Julius Randle has been one of the most dominant players in the NBA. He is averaging 23 points 11 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. RJ Barrett is having a good sophomore season. The Former Duke Blue Devils stand-out is averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds per game. This team is nowhere no elite, but Tom Thibodeau has this team playing hard and they are competitive in the Eastern Conference.
4) Toronto Raptors (C+):
Have the Raptors hit their ceiling? Without Kawhi Leonard they just do not have a legitimate go to guy. They are very well coached but who is scoring 30 points in a game 5 on the road?
3) Milwaukee Bucks (B-):
The Bucks remind me of the Dominque Wilkins’ Atlanta Hawks team in the late 1980’s and 1990’s. They have a superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo and good players around him, but I just do not see them getting passed the 2nd round of the playoffs. They are fun regular season team but will fall short in the post-season.
2) Brooklyn Nets (A-):
James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are the greatest trio of offensive weapons ever assembled on an NBA Team. Joe Harris will be the man left open during the playoffs. If he can hit 45% of his open shots or higher, the Nets will make the NBA Finals.
1) Philadelphia 76ers (A):
Joel Embiid is my mid-season MVP. He is averaging 29.3 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Adding veterans Danny Green, Dwight Howard and Seth Curry has been a great compliment for Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris. This team should make the Eastern Conference Finals and Doc Rivers may win coach of the year.
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