Heat are hot, Nuggets are not
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
One week in and conventional wisdom already is taking a coffee break with the election night exit pollsters. Who would've thought, after one week, that:
[size=-1]Dwyane Wade[/size]
[size=-2]Guard
Miami Heat[/size]
[size=-2]Profile
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]28.7[/size][size=-2]6.3[/size][size=-2]7.7[/size][size=-2].560[/size][size=-2].806[/size]
The most dominant Heat player would be Dwyane Wade in a landslide over Shaquille O'Neal?
The Suns, who finished last in the West last season, would start 3-0 and lead the league in scoring at 110 ppg?
Last year's Cinderella, the Jazz, would be this year's behemoth, blowing out teams by an average of 24 ppg?
The NBA's expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats, would get their first win in their second game?
The Kings would be in last place in the West?
Kobe Bryant would lead the league in scoring ... well, at least some wisdom still holds true.
Each Monday, Insider will break down the week that was – the good, the bad and the upside.
THE GOOD
Miami Heat: Kobe Bryant may have been the most dominant scorer in the league (28.7 ppg), but Shaq has been the NBA's best teammate. While Shaq is getting out of the gate slowly due to a pulled hamstring, his teammates are posting career highs, and a 3-0 record, in their first full week alongside the Big Fella.
Dwyane Wade was the best player in the NBA in week one, averaging a scintillating 28.7 ppg on 56 percent shooting. He's also posting career highs in assists (7.7 apg), rebounds (6.3 apg) and steals (1.7 spg). He's not alone.
[size=-1]Rasual Butler[/size]
[size=-2]Small Forward
Miami Heat[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]12.0[/size][size=-2]3.3[/size][size=-2]1.3[/size][size=-2].484[/size][size=-2].500[/size]Rasual Butler averaged 6.8 ppg and 1.4 rpg last season. This year he has doubled that to 12 ppg and 3.3 rpg. Udonis Haslem averaged a modest 7.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg. He's up to 12 ppg and 8.3 rpg.
The only significant player who's posting less impressive numbers is Eddie Jones, whose scoring average is down to 12.7 ppg. But even that is misleading. His assists are at a career high of 4.3 per game, and he is shooting 48 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. He's just taking fewer shots.
While some of the increase in offensive output can be attributed to increaseed minutes, Shaq's teammates are swearing the Big Fella's presence has been the primary difference.
How much easier is it to play with Shaq? "A lot," Wade said. "It means everything. I know the man guarding him is never going to leave him. I can go down there with more confidence than I ever did before."
But don't expect the trend to continue long. Both Wade and Van Gundy claim the team will begin featuring Shaq more as his hamstring slowly heals.
"I want him to be the No. 1 option," Wade said. "He's the best player in the world. There are going to be nights where Shaq is going to dominate, and I'm probably going to be invisible. Early on I think it's good that he's not 100 percent, for the simple fact that it's giving our team confidence to know that when he's on the bench, we can still go out there and play with guys."
[size=-1]Carlos Boozer[/size]
[size=-2]Forward
Utah Jazz[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]24.3[/size][size=-2]12.3[/size][size=-2]3.3[/size][size=-2].625[/size][size=-2].765[/size]Utah Jazz: Jerry Sloan is known for his tough defensive teams, so it's no surprise the Jazz lead the league, through the first three games, in points allowed (80 ppg). But what's up with the sudden outpouring of points on the offensive end? The Jazz are averaging 104 ppg (third in the league). That means they're beating their opponents by a stunning 24 ppg. And they're doing it without their top two point guards. How?
Start with Carlos Boozer, who not only has been a beast on the boards (12.3 rpg) but also in the paint, averaging 24.3 ppg. He leads the league in field goals per minute while shooting an eye popping 62 percent from the field. Combine him with Andrei Kirilenko, who leads the league with a stunning seven blocked shots per game, and the Jazz are fielding one of the toughest front lines in the NBA right now. When Carlos Arroyo gets back this week ... watch out.
Phoenix Suns: We predicted before the season the Suns would lead the league in scoring, and so far they've lived up to it, averaging a league-leading 110 ppg. What we didn't expect is they would rank third in points allowed (86 ppg). They were supposed to be terrible defensively, but so far they've been quite good, limiting opponents to 37 percent shooting from the field.
If that wasn't enough good news, the team got a huge shot in the arm over the weekend when they won the Bo Outlaw sweepstakes. Before you roll your eyes, Outlaw should really help the Suns. The team already was thin at power forward, and Outlaw's energy, defense and the chemistry he brings to the team will be welcome additions. Expect things to keep rolling this week, as all three opponents – the Bulls, Cavs and Kings – look vulnerable. The Suns' stock is rising.
[size=-1]Dirk Nowitzki[/size]
[size=-2]Power Forward
Dallas Mavericks[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]24.7[/size][size=-2]10.0[/size][size=-2]3.3[/size][size=-2].563[/size][size=-2].762[/size]Dallas Mavericks: Did we misunderestimate the Mavs – as fellow Texan George W. Bush might say? The Mavs are 3-0, with all three wins coming against teams that made the playoffs last season. The team is as potent as ever on the offensive end, averaging 108 ppg.
On the defensive end, they're limiting teams to 92 ppg – a full 8 ppg less than what they gave up last season. The big question mark early on was whether Dirk Nowitzki was going to step up and become the leader the Mavs believed he could be. He's been awesome through the first three games, averaging career highs in scoring, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, steals and blocks.
Indiana Pacers: Rick Carlisle has to be happy. His team is playing with a hobbled Jermaine O'Neal and without key contributors like Jeff Foster and Jonathan Bender, but they still managed to eke out three critical wins against the Cavs, Celtics and Bulls. That's the benefit of the great depth Larry Bird talked about in the preseason. Starters like Ron Artest (24 ppg, 7 rpg) morph from defensive stoppers to offensive unstoppables, and bench players like Austin Croshere (15.7 ppg) rise to the occasion. With the exception of Tuesday's game in Minnesota, the Pacers should cruise until the Nov. 19 road game in Detroit.
[size=-1]Rafer Alston[/size]
[size=-2]Point Guard
Toronto Raptors[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]14.7[/size][size=-2]4.3[/size][size=-2]6.7[/size][size=-2].548[/size][size=-2].500[/size]Toronto Raptors: Here we go. My inbox this morning was full of e-mails from Canadians screaming "I TOLD YOU SO" in all caps. Can you blame them? The Raptors won their first three games for the first time in franchise history. Just about everyone had written off the Raptors coming into the season, but after impressive wins against the Pistons, Rockets and Blazers, we're all scrambling for an explanation.
There's a lot to like, starting with Rafer Alston, who has given the Raptors two things they've desperately needed for a long time – a real point guard and a dead eye from beyond the 3-point arc. Alston is averaging an impressive 6.7 apg – that's the most of any Raptor since Damon Stoudamire played in Toronto (1995-96 to 1997-98). He's also shooting 53 percent from downtown while ranking third in the league in 3-pointers made.
Charlotte Bobcats: So much for the "worst team ever" theory. The Bobcats won a stunner against the Magic on Saturday and rank sixth in the NBA in scoring at 103 ppg. Emeka Okafor (5.5 ppg and 12 rpg) and Primoz Brezec (17.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg on 67 percent shooting) were one of the league's more formidable front lines in Week One. Jason Hart has come through big time at the point, averaging 8.5 apg, and veteran Steve Smith (14.5 ppg on 57 percent shooting) has proven there's still some juice left in the tank. Let's not go overboard here, but if you're the Warriors, who come into town Saturday, you're sweating right about now.
THE BAD
Denver Nuggets: Should we begin the Jeff Bzdelik watch yet? After a rough summer in which Bzdelik wasn't able to convince management to extend his contract and amid huge expectations, the Nuggets have laid a pretty big opening-week egg. They were embarrassed in Los Angeles in the opener, barely squeaked out a win against the Timberwolves and then were blown out by the Jazz at home. What gives?
[size=-1]Carmelo Anthony[/size]
[size=-2]Small Forward
Denver Nuggets[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]15.3[/size][size=-2]8.3[/size][size=-2]3.3[/size][size=-2].254[/size][size=-2].733[/size]The team ranks 28th in the league in points scored (84 ppg) and 29th in field goal percentage (37 percent).
Most of the fingers are being pointed Carmelo Anthony's direction. He's off to a terrible start, averaging 15.3 ppg on 24 percent shooting. He was benched for the entire third quarter of the Nuggets blowout loss to the Jazz after going 2-for-13 in the first half.
Teammate Kenyon Martin claims Anthony might still be suffering from the trauma he experienced during the Olympics, when coach Larry Brown benched him and generally bad mouthed him to the media.
"Whatever happened this summer, I think that still might be on his mind a little bit, showing people that he still can play, that he knows how to play the right way, with those comments that were made about him," Martin said. "I don't know. Now is the time for him to just relax and play. I'm more than comfortable with the fact he's going to do that."
Bzdelik said he's concerned about Anthony's poor shot selection and lack of team play – something that has spread to the rest of the team, as well.
Combine that with the loss of Voshon Lenard, a key element in the Nuggets' offensive attack, and suddenly things don't look so rosy in Denver. The Nuggets are working the phones in an attempt to replace Lenard, but otherwise claim they aren't panicking yet.
"I think it's clear that the team has lots of talent and at times is trying to find itself and find the right mix," GM Kiki Vandeweghe said. "It's very early. If this were two months into the season, I would be very worried. ... We have a great young core. But is it going to take a little while to really hit on all cylinders? Yes. ... We have lot of confidence in our team."
New York Knicks: The booing began early this year after the Celtics blew out the Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Lenny Wilkens called the loss "devastating," and Stephon Marbury said the team just didn't play hard in its home opener. "We just got in a really bad funk," Marbury said. "When I say, 'We weren't playing as hard as we should have,' I think guys were playing hard. ... [The Celtics] came in on a back-to-back, but they came in with way more energy than us." That's not the Knicks' only problem. Through the first two games, the team is getting virtually nothing offensively from its starting front court of Tim Thomas, Kurt Thomas and Nazr Mohammed.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies were one of the few teams we believed had the continuity from last season to get off to a hot start. Instead, they're 0-3, including a ridiculous loss to the Wizards at home (where they were outscored 58-24 over two quarters), and a blowout loss to the Mavs at home.
[size=-1]James Posey[/size]
[size=-2]Guard-Forward
Memphis Grizzlies[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]3.7[/size][size=-2]2.3[/size][size=-2]1.0[/size][size=-2].333[/size][size=-2].500[/size]Two things appear to be bothering the Grizzlies. One, opponents are averaging 15 offensive rebounds and 30 second-chance points against them. Second, their starting unit is shooting 38 percent from the field. James Posey, in particular, has been a disappointment. After having a breakout season last year, he's averaging a pathetic 3.7 ppg on 33 percent shooting.
The Grizzlies players are praying head coach Hubie Brown can fix this mess. "I'm counting on Hubie (Brown) figuring this out," C Lorenzen Wright said. "I'm really looking forward to Hubie figuring this out. I'm a very big Hubie fan. He's been through a whole lot of things in his career. Hopefully, he can pull us out of this." He may need some help, Lorenzen.
Sacramento Kings: The team is off to an 0-3 start, and Chris Webber already is pointing fingers and making excuses. Do you buy them? The team played its first three games on the road against conference powerhouses Dallas, San Antonio and Houston. Doug Christie isn't healthy. C-Webb claims he's still not recovered from last season's knee surgery. Good, open shots just aren't falling. A home game against the Raptors on Tuesday may be just what the doctor ordered, but remember ... the Raptors are 3-0.
Where does that leave Kings fans? Without Vlade Divac, the offense has become more stagnant. Peja Stojakovic still seems bothered by the turn the team took this summer (he's shooting just 22 percent from 3) and Webber is no longer the dominant player he once was. If things keep going this poorly, expect a big trade (probably involving Stojakovic) sooner rather than later.
New Orleans Hornets: Welcome to the Western Conference, Byron Scott. After complaining all fall that his team wasn't getting enough respect, Scott was introduced to reality this week as the Hornets lost their first three games to three teams – the Mavs, Wolves and Magic – that will be in the playoffs next spring. The Hornets aren't bad, but they aren't better than most of the teams they're going to face in the West this year. Baron Davis has been great in the early going, and David Wesley has proven he still has some juice, but the Hornets' front line has been flat – evidence that they're no longer playing in the height-challenged Eastern Conference.
[size=-1]Richard Jefferson[/size]
[size=-2]Small Forward
New Jersey Nets[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]23.0[/size][size=-2]10.7[/size][size=-2]6.0[/size][size=-2].389[/size][size=-2].923[/size]New Jersey Nets: Jason Kidd was right, it's going to be real ugly this season if Week One was any indication. The Nets were blown out by the Heat and Suns and barely survived a double-overtime game against the lowly Bulls. Beyond Richard Jefferson, who's been great, there just isn't much else. Combine that with the revelation, first reported in Insider last week, that Alonzo Mourning is trying to force his way out of New Jersey, and there isn't much to hope for.
Kidd will be back eventually, but it will only be an extended audition for other NBA teams. The Nets, in essence, are an expansion team with one nice piece in place in Jefferson. How long can he carry the load by himself? His 26-point, 21-rebound, nine-assist night against the Bulls may have been the single most impressive individual performance of the week, but for the season, Jefferson is shooting under 40 percent from the field and ranks second in the league in turnovers (6 tpg). Things are going to get much worse before they get better.
Golden State Warriors: Welcome to the Warriors, Mike Montgomery. Your team, which GM Chris Mullin has deemed playoff worthy, is 0-3 at home, ranks dead last in scoring and already has lost to the Clippers. Mike Dunleavy, Mullin's favorite player, is averaging 13 ppg on 41 percent shooting. Mullin's $70 million man, Jason Richardson, is shooting 30 percent from the field. Mullin's $60 million man, Troy Murphy, is shooting 34 percent from the field. And his $40.6 million dollar man, Adonal Foyle, is averaging 6 ppg in 19 minutes. The team now heads on a five-game road trip against Mavericks, Spurs, Grizzlies, Bobcats and Cavs. When the Bobcats are circling you on their calender, you know things aren't looking good.
Atlanta Hawks: Al Harrington is calling the team a "work in progress." That may be the understatement of the year. The Hawks are giving up a league-worst 108 ppg while only scoring 85 ppg. That minus-22 point differential ranks last in the NBA. The blowout losses to the Suns and Lakers weren't unexpected. But losing to the Sonics by 21? To be fair, the Hawks played their first three games on the road, but in reality, will they really fare any better in upcoming home games against the Cavs, Spurs, Rockets and Jazz. The more I watch the Bobcats, the more I'm not sure the Hawks' visit to Charlotte on Nov. 29 is such a slam dunk for Atlanta, either.
THE UPSIDE
[size=-1]Kobe Bryant[/size]
[size=-2]Guard
Los Angeles Lakers[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]4[/size][size=-2]28.8[/size][size=-2]4.5[/size][size=-2]4.5[/size][size=-2].406[/size][size=-2].867[/size]Los Angeles Lakers: The good news? When Kobe Bryant has six more assists and less than 15 shot attempts, the Lakers win. When he shoots the ball more than 15 times, therefore passing the ball less, they don't. It may be too early to call that a trend, but the logic stands up. When Kobe is all about Kobe, the Lakers struggle. When he gets his teammates involved (six players had 10 or more points in Sunday's win), they've got a chance to be good.
When Vlade Divac returns, the team will have an even better shot at becoming unselfish – if Kobe lets him. "We're sharing the ball," said Lamar Odom in a veiled reference to Bryant. "Sometimes you get caught up playing isolation one-on-one basketball like we did in Utah. That's easy to defend. It's harder when the ball is touching everyone's fingertips."
Houston Rockets: Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady might be one of the most fearsome one-two punches in the NBA on paper, but it's taken them a little while to get on track. For the most part, each player was trying to play one-on-five in Houston's first two games. The coordination got better Friday in a win over the Grizzlies, and by Saturday the two looked as advertised. Yao had 33 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. McGrady had 23 points, 13 boards and five assists, and the Kings just had no answer for either of them.
Without a real point guard to run the show, the Rockets are going to rely on McGrady to do most of the playmaking until they find another solution. He had nine assists against the Grizzlies on Friday and was constantly looking to get his teammates involved on Saturday. "We just can't rely on us two every night," said McGrady. "With me being a playmaker, that's what I have to do. I'm trusting my teammates. Regardless if they miss 10 shots in a row, I'm going to keep coming back to them."
Orlando Magic: The Magic, off to a brilliant 2-0 start, saw their Cinderella beginning derail after a huge 111-100 loss to the expansion Bobcats on Saturday. The game wasn't even close. The Bobcats outplayed Orlando on both ends of the floor. "We definitely overlooked this team," Steve Francis said. "When you overlook teams, these are the results you get."
The Magic better take the loss seriously. How can the worst team in the league last season start overlooking teams three games into this season? That's what got the Magic into early trouble last year, and it could spell trouble to a team still struggling to find its confidence. The Magic's next four home games are against the Mavs, Lakers, Jazz and Blazers. Things can turn ugly quicker than you think.
[size=-1]Maurice Williams[/size]
[size=-2]Guard
Milwaukee Bucks[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]2[/size][size=-2]10.0[/size][size=-2]6.0[/size][size=-2]10.0[/size][size=-2].400[/size][size=-2].000[/size]Milwaukee Bucks: With Mike James joining T.J. Ford on the injured list, the Bucks have been forced to start second year point guard Maurice Williams. So far he's been fantastic, averaging 10 assists per game, good for second in the league. You think the Jazz are kicking themselves for letting Williams slip through their fingers this summer?
Williams isn't the only unknown making a big contribution. Center Zaza Pachulia is turning into the big, physical center the Bucks lacked last year. "He's been great," head coach Terry Porter said. "We got him, and he went to summer league, and he was great in the summer league in Minnesota, and he was great in the preseason games and has looked good in practice. He's been a blessing for us as far as the pick we gave up for him, a second-round pick. We wouldn't have been able to pick up anyone who could do the things he's done."
Simmons
Wilcox
Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers are off to an impressive 2-1 start despite being without the services of starting two guard Kerry Kittles and center Chris Kaman. Chris Wilcox, in particular, has been huge in Kaman's absence. Playing out of position at center, the 6-foot-9 Wilcox is averaging career highs of 18.7 ppg and 7 rpg. Bobby Simmons also has been huge in place of Kittles. He had a 30-point night in the opener against the Sonics and dropped 22 points on the Warriors on Saturday. For the season he's averaging 18.7 ppg on 69 percent shooting from the field.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The team is 0-3, but when you factor in the competition – the Heat, Pacers and Bucks – it isn't a shocker. LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas have been great. Drew Gooden has been solid, as well. But where are the Cavs' 3-point shooters? Sitting at the end of the bench, is where. The team's two best shooters, Sasha Pavlovic and rookie Luke Jackson, aren't in the rotation yet, and it shows. Cleveland is shooting just 21 percent from behind the arc.
Chicago Bulls: Don't despair, Bulls fans. Your team is 0-2, the No. 3 pick in the draft, Ben Gordon, still looks shaky, and we're still wondering when Eddy Curry will grab a rebound. However, there's good news, too. The team is playing hard, something they rarely did last season, and the other rookie, Luol Deng of Duke, has been great, averaging 21.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg on 50 percent shooting. Free-agent pick up Andres Nocioni has been as good as advertised. Forget about the poor shooting percentage, the Bulls will take the 10 rpg and tough physical defense. And Kirk Hinrich's 34-point, 8-assist performance on opening night offers hope that he'll turn from a solid player into a star.
THE REST
[size=-1]Rashard Lewis[/size]
[size=-2]Forward
Seattle SuperSonics[/size]
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]24.7[/size][size=-2]5.0[/size][size=-2]0.7[/size][size=-2].480[/size][size=-2].909[/size]Is this the year Rashard Lewis finally breaks out of his "pretty good" pattern and becomes the star the Sonics have believed he can be? He's come up huge in Seattle's first three games, averaging 24.7 ppg on 48 percent shooting. The Sonics are 2-1. ... The Blazers are giving up an average of 85 ppg this season – the second lowest total in the NBA. They also rank second in the league in defensive rebounding and second in the league in blocked shots. ... Maybe Sam Cassell is going to make good on his threat that things might go badly this season if the Wolves don't give him a contract extension. He's averaging 13.3 ppg and 6 apg but shooting just 35 percent from the field and averaging 3.7 turnovers per game. ... Manu Ginobili is making the most of his new starting role on the Spurs. He's averaging 21 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.7 apg and 3 spg while shooting 52 percent from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line. ... Allen Iverson is off to a hot start, shooting just a smidgen under 50 percent from the field. Unfortunately the rest of the Sixers are shooting less than 40 percent. Talk about your role reversals. ... It looks like Tayshaun Prince will be getting the call as back-up point guard in situations where Chauncey Billups and Lindsey Hunter are hurt or in foul trouble. Gar Heard, calling the shots in Detroit while coach Larry Brown recovers from hip surgery, called on Prince in the third quarter Sunday to guard Iverson and run the offense. Prince was great, locking down Iverson while keeping the offense running. ... Kwame Brown threw some cold water on the Wizards hot start when he announced his injured foot would keep him out until December. ... With a number of Red Sox players in the stands for the Celtics opener, Paul Pierce, caught up in the moment, exclaimed, "Let's make it three in a row, y'all." When you stop laughing we'll remind you the Celtics are off to an 1-2 start.
<LI>
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
One week in and conventional wisdom already is taking a coffee break with the election night exit pollsters. Who would've thought, after one week, that:
[size=-1]Dwyane Wade[/size]
[size=-2]Guard
Miami Heat[/size]
You must be registered for see images attach
[size=-2]Profile
[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]28.7[/size][size=-2]6.3[/size][size=-2]7.7[/size][size=-2].560[/size][size=-2].806[/size]
The most dominant Heat player would be Dwyane Wade in a landslide over Shaquille O'Neal?
The Suns, who finished last in the West last season, would start 3-0 and lead the league in scoring at 110 ppg?
Last year's Cinderella, the Jazz, would be this year's behemoth, blowing out teams by an average of 24 ppg?
The NBA's expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats, would get their first win in their second game?
The Kings would be in last place in the West?
Kobe Bryant would lead the league in scoring ... well, at least some wisdom still holds true.
Each Monday, Insider will break down the week that was – the good, the bad and the upside.
THE GOOD
Miami Heat: Kobe Bryant may have been the most dominant scorer in the league (28.7 ppg), but Shaq has been the NBA's best teammate. While Shaq is getting out of the gate slowly due to a pulled hamstring, his teammates are posting career highs, and a 3-0 record, in their first full week alongside the Big Fella.
Dwyane Wade was the best player in the NBA in week one, averaging a scintillating 28.7 ppg on 56 percent shooting. He's also posting career highs in assists (7.7 apg), rebounds (6.3 apg) and steals (1.7 spg). He's not alone.
[size=-1]Rasual Butler[/size]
[size=-2]Small Forward
Miami Heat[/size]
You must be registered for see images attach
[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]12.0[/size][size=-2]3.3[/size][size=-2]1.3[/size][size=-2].484[/size][size=-2].500[/size]Rasual Butler averaged 6.8 ppg and 1.4 rpg last season. This year he has doubled that to 12 ppg and 3.3 rpg. Udonis Haslem averaged a modest 7.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg. He's up to 12 ppg and 8.3 rpg.
The only significant player who's posting less impressive numbers is Eddie Jones, whose scoring average is down to 12.7 ppg. But even that is misleading. His assists are at a career high of 4.3 per game, and he is shooting 48 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. He's just taking fewer shots.
While some of the increase in offensive output can be attributed to increaseed minutes, Shaq's teammates are swearing the Big Fella's presence has been the primary difference.
How much easier is it to play with Shaq? "A lot," Wade said. "It means everything. I know the man guarding him is never going to leave him. I can go down there with more confidence than I ever did before."
But don't expect the trend to continue long. Both Wade and Van Gundy claim the team will begin featuring Shaq more as his hamstring slowly heals.
"I want him to be the No. 1 option," Wade said. "He's the best player in the world. There are going to be nights where Shaq is going to dominate, and I'm probably going to be invisible. Early on I think it's good that he's not 100 percent, for the simple fact that it's giving our team confidence to know that when he's on the bench, we can still go out there and play with guys."
[size=-1]Carlos Boozer[/size]
[size=-2]Forward
Utah Jazz[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]24.3[/size][size=-2]12.3[/size][size=-2]3.3[/size][size=-2].625[/size][size=-2].765[/size]Utah Jazz: Jerry Sloan is known for his tough defensive teams, so it's no surprise the Jazz lead the league, through the first three games, in points allowed (80 ppg). But what's up with the sudden outpouring of points on the offensive end? The Jazz are averaging 104 ppg (third in the league). That means they're beating their opponents by a stunning 24 ppg. And they're doing it without their top two point guards. How?
Start with Carlos Boozer, who not only has been a beast on the boards (12.3 rpg) but also in the paint, averaging 24.3 ppg. He leads the league in field goals per minute while shooting an eye popping 62 percent from the field. Combine him with Andrei Kirilenko, who leads the league with a stunning seven blocked shots per game, and the Jazz are fielding one of the toughest front lines in the NBA right now. When Carlos Arroyo gets back this week ... watch out.
Phoenix Suns: We predicted before the season the Suns would lead the league in scoring, and so far they've lived up to it, averaging a league-leading 110 ppg. What we didn't expect is they would rank third in points allowed (86 ppg). They were supposed to be terrible defensively, but so far they've been quite good, limiting opponents to 37 percent shooting from the field.
If that wasn't enough good news, the team got a huge shot in the arm over the weekend when they won the Bo Outlaw sweepstakes. Before you roll your eyes, Outlaw should really help the Suns. The team already was thin at power forward, and Outlaw's energy, defense and the chemistry he brings to the team will be welcome additions. Expect things to keep rolling this week, as all three opponents – the Bulls, Cavs and Kings – look vulnerable. The Suns' stock is rising.
[size=-1]Dirk Nowitzki[/size]
[size=-2]Power Forward
Dallas Mavericks[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]24.7[/size][size=-2]10.0[/size][size=-2]3.3[/size][size=-2].563[/size][size=-2].762[/size]Dallas Mavericks: Did we misunderestimate the Mavs – as fellow Texan George W. Bush might say? The Mavs are 3-0, with all three wins coming against teams that made the playoffs last season. The team is as potent as ever on the offensive end, averaging 108 ppg.
On the defensive end, they're limiting teams to 92 ppg – a full 8 ppg less than what they gave up last season. The big question mark early on was whether Dirk Nowitzki was going to step up and become the leader the Mavs believed he could be. He's been awesome through the first three games, averaging career highs in scoring, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, steals and blocks.
Indiana Pacers: Rick Carlisle has to be happy. His team is playing with a hobbled Jermaine O'Neal and without key contributors like Jeff Foster and Jonathan Bender, but they still managed to eke out three critical wins against the Cavs, Celtics and Bulls. That's the benefit of the great depth Larry Bird talked about in the preseason. Starters like Ron Artest (24 ppg, 7 rpg) morph from defensive stoppers to offensive unstoppables, and bench players like Austin Croshere (15.7 ppg) rise to the occasion. With the exception of Tuesday's game in Minnesota, the Pacers should cruise until the Nov. 19 road game in Detroit.
[size=-1]Rafer Alston[/size]
[size=-2]Point Guard
Toronto Raptors[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]14.7[/size][size=-2]4.3[/size][size=-2]6.7[/size][size=-2].548[/size][size=-2].500[/size]Toronto Raptors: Here we go. My inbox this morning was full of e-mails from Canadians screaming "I TOLD YOU SO" in all caps. Can you blame them? The Raptors won their first three games for the first time in franchise history. Just about everyone had written off the Raptors coming into the season, but after impressive wins against the Pistons, Rockets and Blazers, we're all scrambling for an explanation.
There's a lot to like, starting with Rafer Alston, who has given the Raptors two things they've desperately needed for a long time – a real point guard and a dead eye from beyond the 3-point arc. Alston is averaging an impressive 6.7 apg – that's the most of any Raptor since Damon Stoudamire played in Toronto (1995-96 to 1997-98). He's also shooting 53 percent from downtown while ranking third in the league in 3-pointers made.
Charlotte Bobcats: So much for the "worst team ever" theory. The Bobcats won a stunner against the Magic on Saturday and rank sixth in the NBA in scoring at 103 ppg. Emeka Okafor (5.5 ppg and 12 rpg) and Primoz Brezec (17.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg on 67 percent shooting) were one of the league's more formidable front lines in Week One. Jason Hart has come through big time at the point, averaging 8.5 apg, and veteran Steve Smith (14.5 ppg on 57 percent shooting) has proven there's still some juice left in the tank. Let's not go overboard here, but if you're the Warriors, who come into town Saturday, you're sweating right about now.
THE BAD
Denver Nuggets: Should we begin the Jeff Bzdelik watch yet? After a rough summer in which Bzdelik wasn't able to convince management to extend his contract and amid huge expectations, the Nuggets have laid a pretty big opening-week egg. They were embarrassed in Los Angeles in the opener, barely squeaked out a win against the Timberwolves and then were blown out by the Jazz at home. What gives?
[size=-1]Carmelo Anthony[/size]
[size=-2]Small Forward
Denver Nuggets[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]15.3[/size][size=-2]8.3[/size][size=-2]3.3[/size][size=-2].254[/size][size=-2].733[/size]The team ranks 28th in the league in points scored (84 ppg) and 29th in field goal percentage (37 percent).
Most of the fingers are being pointed Carmelo Anthony's direction. He's off to a terrible start, averaging 15.3 ppg on 24 percent shooting. He was benched for the entire third quarter of the Nuggets blowout loss to the Jazz after going 2-for-13 in the first half.
Teammate Kenyon Martin claims Anthony might still be suffering from the trauma he experienced during the Olympics, when coach Larry Brown benched him and generally bad mouthed him to the media.
"Whatever happened this summer, I think that still might be on his mind a little bit, showing people that he still can play, that he knows how to play the right way, with those comments that were made about him," Martin said. "I don't know. Now is the time for him to just relax and play. I'm more than comfortable with the fact he's going to do that."
Bzdelik said he's concerned about Anthony's poor shot selection and lack of team play – something that has spread to the rest of the team, as well.
Combine that with the loss of Voshon Lenard, a key element in the Nuggets' offensive attack, and suddenly things don't look so rosy in Denver. The Nuggets are working the phones in an attempt to replace Lenard, but otherwise claim they aren't panicking yet.
"I think it's clear that the team has lots of talent and at times is trying to find itself and find the right mix," GM Kiki Vandeweghe said. "It's very early. If this were two months into the season, I would be very worried. ... We have a great young core. But is it going to take a little while to really hit on all cylinders? Yes. ... We have lot of confidence in our team."
New York Knicks: The booing began early this year after the Celtics blew out the Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Lenny Wilkens called the loss "devastating," and Stephon Marbury said the team just didn't play hard in its home opener. "We just got in a really bad funk," Marbury said. "When I say, 'We weren't playing as hard as we should have,' I think guys were playing hard. ... [The Celtics] came in on a back-to-back, but they came in with way more energy than us." That's not the Knicks' only problem. Through the first two games, the team is getting virtually nothing offensively from its starting front court of Tim Thomas, Kurt Thomas and Nazr Mohammed.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies were one of the few teams we believed had the continuity from last season to get off to a hot start. Instead, they're 0-3, including a ridiculous loss to the Wizards at home (where they were outscored 58-24 over two quarters), and a blowout loss to the Mavs at home.
[size=-1]James Posey[/size]
[size=-2]Guard-Forward
Memphis Grizzlies[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]3.7[/size][size=-2]2.3[/size][size=-2]1.0[/size][size=-2].333[/size][size=-2].500[/size]Two things appear to be bothering the Grizzlies. One, opponents are averaging 15 offensive rebounds and 30 second-chance points against them. Second, their starting unit is shooting 38 percent from the field. James Posey, in particular, has been a disappointment. After having a breakout season last year, he's averaging a pathetic 3.7 ppg on 33 percent shooting.
The Grizzlies players are praying head coach Hubie Brown can fix this mess. "I'm counting on Hubie (Brown) figuring this out," C Lorenzen Wright said. "I'm really looking forward to Hubie figuring this out. I'm a very big Hubie fan. He's been through a whole lot of things in his career. Hopefully, he can pull us out of this." He may need some help, Lorenzen.
Sacramento Kings: The team is off to an 0-3 start, and Chris Webber already is pointing fingers and making excuses. Do you buy them? The team played its first three games on the road against conference powerhouses Dallas, San Antonio and Houston. Doug Christie isn't healthy. C-Webb claims he's still not recovered from last season's knee surgery. Good, open shots just aren't falling. A home game against the Raptors on Tuesday may be just what the doctor ordered, but remember ... the Raptors are 3-0.
Where does that leave Kings fans? Without Vlade Divac, the offense has become more stagnant. Peja Stojakovic still seems bothered by the turn the team took this summer (he's shooting just 22 percent from 3) and Webber is no longer the dominant player he once was. If things keep going this poorly, expect a big trade (probably involving Stojakovic) sooner rather than later.
New Orleans Hornets: Welcome to the Western Conference, Byron Scott. After complaining all fall that his team wasn't getting enough respect, Scott was introduced to reality this week as the Hornets lost their first three games to three teams – the Mavs, Wolves and Magic – that will be in the playoffs next spring. The Hornets aren't bad, but they aren't better than most of the teams they're going to face in the West this year. Baron Davis has been great in the early going, and David Wesley has proven he still has some juice, but the Hornets' front line has been flat – evidence that they're no longer playing in the height-challenged Eastern Conference.
[size=-1]Richard Jefferson[/size]
[size=-2]Small Forward
New Jersey Nets[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]23.0[/size][size=-2]10.7[/size][size=-2]6.0[/size][size=-2].389[/size][size=-2].923[/size]New Jersey Nets: Jason Kidd was right, it's going to be real ugly this season if Week One was any indication. The Nets were blown out by the Heat and Suns and barely survived a double-overtime game against the lowly Bulls. Beyond Richard Jefferson, who's been great, there just isn't much else. Combine that with the revelation, first reported in Insider last week, that Alonzo Mourning is trying to force his way out of New Jersey, and there isn't much to hope for.
Kidd will be back eventually, but it will only be an extended audition for other NBA teams. The Nets, in essence, are an expansion team with one nice piece in place in Jefferson. How long can he carry the load by himself? His 26-point, 21-rebound, nine-assist night against the Bulls may have been the single most impressive individual performance of the week, but for the season, Jefferson is shooting under 40 percent from the field and ranks second in the league in turnovers (6 tpg). Things are going to get much worse before they get better.
Golden State Warriors: Welcome to the Warriors, Mike Montgomery. Your team, which GM Chris Mullin has deemed playoff worthy, is 0-3 at home, ranks dead last in scoring and already has lost to the Clippers. Mike Dunleavy, Mullin's favorite player, is averaging 13 ppg on 41 percent shooting. Mullin's $70 million man, Jason Richardson, is shooting 30 percent from the field. Mullin's $60 million man, Troy Murphy, is shooting 34 percent from the field. And his $40.6 million dollar man, Adonal Foyle, is averaging 6 ppg in 19 minutes. The team now heads on a five-game road trip against Mavericks, Spurs, Grizzlies, Bobcats and Cavs. When the Bobcats are circling you on their calender, you know things aren't looking good.
Atlanta Hawks: Al Harrington is calling the team a "work in progress." That may be the understatement of the year. The Hawks are giving up a league-worst 108 ppg while only scoring 85 ppg. That minus-22 point differential ranks last in the NBA. The blowout losses to the Suns and Lakers weren't unexpected. But losing to the Sonics by 21? To be fair, the Hawks played their first three games on the road, but in reality, will they really fare any better in upcoming home games against the Cavs, Spurs, Rockets and Jazz. The more I watch the Bobcats, the more I'm not sure the Hawks' visit to Charlotte on Nov. 29 is such a slam dunk for Atlanta, either.
THE UPSIDE
[size=-1]Kobe Bryant[/size]
[size=-2]Guard
Los Angeles Lakers[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]4[/size][size=-2]28.8[/size][size=-2]4.5[/size][size=-2]4.5[/size][size=-2].406[/size][size=-2].867[/size]Los Angeles Lakers: The good news? When Kobe Bryant has six more assists and less than 15 shot attempts, the Lakers win. When he shoots the ball more than 15 times, therefore passing the ball less, they don't. It may be too early to call that a trend, but the logic stands up. When Kobe is all about Kobe, the Lakers struggle. When he gets his teammates involved (six players had 10 or more points in Sunday's win), they've got a chance to be good.
When Vlade Divac returns, the team will have an even better shot at becoming unselfish – if Kobe lets him. "We're sharing the ball," said Lamar Odom in a veiled reference to Bryant. "Sometimes you get caught up playing isolation one-on-one basketball like we did in Utah. That's easy to defend. It's harder when the ball is touching everyone's fingertips."
Houston Rockets: Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady might be one of the most fearsome one-two punches in the NBA on paper, but it's taken them a little while to get on track. For the most part, each player was trying to play one-on-five in Houston's first two games. The coordination got better Friday in a win over the Grizzlies, and by Saturday the two looked as advertised. Yao had 33 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. McGrady had 23 points, 13 boards and five assists, and the Kings just had no answer for either of them.
Without a real point guard to run the show, the Rockets are going to rely on McGrady to do most of the playmaking until they find another solution. He had nine assists against the Grizzlies on Friday and was constantly looking to get his teammates involved on Saturday. "We just can't rely on us two every night," said McGrady. "With me being a playmaker, that's what I have to do. I'm trusting my teammates. Regardless if they miss 10 shots in a row, I'm going to keep coming back to them."
Orlando Magic: The Magic, off to a brilliant 2-0 start, saw their Cinderella beginning derail after a huge 111-100 loss to the expansion Bobcats on Saturday. The game wasn't even close. The Bobcats outplayed Orlando on both ends of the floor. "We definitely overlooked this team," Steve Francis said. "When you overlook teams, these are the results you get."
The Magic better take the loss seriously. How can the worst team in the league last season start overlooking teams three games into this season? That's what got the Magic into early trouble last year, and it could spell trouble to a team still struggling to find its confidence. The Magic's next four home games are against the Mavs, Lakers, Jazz and Blazers. Things can turn ugly quicker than you think.
[size=-1]Maurice Williams[/size]
[size=-2]Guard
Milwaukee Bucks[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]2[/size][size=-2]10.0[/size][size=-2]6.0[/size][size=-2]10.0[/size][size=-2].400[/size][size=-2].000[/size]Milwaukee Bucks: With Mike James joining T.J. Ford on the injured list, the Bucks have been forced to start second year point guard Maurice Williams. So far he's been fantastic, averaging 10 assists per game, good for second in the league. You think the Jazz are kicking themselves for letting Williams slip through their fingers this summer?
Williams isn't the only unknown making a big contribution. Center Zaza Pachulia is turning into the big, physical center the Bucks lacked last year. "He's been great," head coach Terry Porter said. "We got him, and he went to summer league, and he was great in the summer league in Minnesota, and he was great in the preseason games and has looked good in practice. He's been a blessing for us as far as the pick we gave up for him, a second-round pick. We wouldn't have been able to pick up anyone who could do the things he's done."
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Simmons
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Wilcox
Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers are off to an impressive 2-1 start despite being without the services of starting two guard Kerry Kittles and center Chris Kaman. Chris Wilcox, in particular, has been huge in Kaman's absence. Playing out of position at center, the 6-foot-9 Wilcox is averaging career highs of 18.7 ppg and 7 rpg. Bobby Simmons also has been huge in place of Kittles. He had a 30-point night in the opener against the Sonics and dropped 22 points on the Warriors on Saturday. For the season he's averaging 18.7 ppg on 69 percent shooting from the field.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The team is 0-3, but when you factor in the competition – the Heat, Pacers and Bucks – it isn't a shocker. LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas have been great. Drew Gooden has been solid, as well. But where are the Cavs' 3-point shooters? Sitting at the end of the bench, is where. The team's two best shooters, Sasha Pavlovic and rookie Luke Jackson, aren't in the rotation yet, and it shows. Cleveland is shooting just 21 percent from behind the arc.
Chicago Bulls: Don't despair, Bulls fans. Your team is 0-2, the No. 3 pick in the draft, Ben Gordon, still looks shaky, and we're still wondering when Eddy Curry will grab a rebound. However, there's good news, too. The team is playing hard, something they rarely did last season, and the other rookie, Luol Deng of Duke, has been great, averaging 21.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg on 50 percent shooting. Free-agent pick up Andres Nocioni has been as good as advertised. Forget about the poor shooting percentage, the Bulls will take the 10 rpg and tough physical defense. And Kirk Hinrich's 34-point, 8-assist performance on opening night offers hope that he'll turn from a solid player into a star.
THE REST
[size=-1]Rashard Lewis[/size]
[size=-2]Forward
Seattle SuperSonics[/size]
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[size=-2]Profile[/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]3[/size][size=-2]24.7[/size][size=-2]5.0[/size][size=-2]0.7[/size][size=-2].480[/size][size=-2].909[/size]Is this the year Rashard Lewis finally breaks out of his "pretty good" pattern and becomes the star the Sonics have believed he can be? He's come up huge in Seattle's first three games, averaging 24.7 ppg on 48 percent shooting. The Sonics are 2-1. ... The Blazers are giving up an average of 85 ppg this season – the second lowest total in the NBA. They also rank second in the league in defensive rebounding and second in the league in blocked shots. ... Maybe Sam Cassell is going to make good on his threat that things might go badly this season if the Wolves don't give him a contract extension. He's averaging 13.3 ppg and 6 apg but shooting just 35 percent from the field and averaging 3.7 turnovers per game. ... Manu Ginobili is making the most of his new starting role on the Spurs. He's averaging 21 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.7 apg and 3 spg while shooting 52 percent from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line. ... Allen Iverson is off to a hot start, shooting just a smidgen under 50 percent from the field. Unfortunately the rest of the Sixers are shooting less than 40 percent. Talk about your role reversals. ... It looks like Tayshaun Prince will be getting the call as back-up point guard in situations where Chauncey Billups and Lindsey Hunter are hurt or in foul trouble. Gar Heard, calling the shots in Detroit while coach Larry Brown recovers from hip surgery, called on Prince in the third quarter Sunday to guard Iverson and run the offense. Prince was great, locking down Iverson while keeping the offense running. ... Kwame Brown threw some cold water on the Wizards hot start when he announced his injured foot would keep him out until December. ... With a number of Red Sox players in the stands for the Celtics opener, Paul Pierce, caught up in the moment, exclaimed, "Let's make it three in a row, y'all." When you stop laughing we'll remind you the Celtics are off to an 1-2 start.
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