Now enough about the big bad NBA western conference. There are two teams in the east that have better records than any team in the west, the Celtics and the Pistons. The Pistons have won three straight games against big teams in the west(Spurs, Hornets, and Nuggets). Holding the Spurs down to only eleven points in the third quarter helped them in a close win against San Antonio on Friday. They completely dominated the Hornets, and last night they scored a big 136 against the Nuggets. the Pistons currently sit at 49 and 18, that’s three games up on the Rockets and the Lakers.

The Boston Celtics hold the best record in the NBA. The big three in Pierce, Garnett, and Allen, welcome a fourth party to their starting line in Sam Cassell. Last night the Celtics stopped the Rockets winning streak at 22, beating Houston with their defense and by twenty points. the only team that has been able to stop the Celtics since their three game losing streak after the all star game, was the Utah Jazz. One loss in the last fourteen games, helped the Celtics gain a five game cushion over Detroit and 8 games above the west. The Celtics currently sit at 54 and 13. 

the current number one seed in the west, is the LA Lakers. Ever since picking up Pau Gasol, the Lakers have been almost unbeatable. They are in a little bit of a slump though, losing three of their last seven games. the big test is coming up today, when they will travel to Houston to try to end a 21 game winning streak. if the Lakers lose this game, they will lose the number one seed. Gasol is out for the game, so the Lakers will have to beat Houston without him, it wont be easy either way. If they do win it will boost confidence, and the Lakers will be an even stronger candidate for the Championship.

The number two seed in the west is the San Antonio Spurs. The returning champion Spurs started out the season good, but stepped up their game even more as of late. With all of their starters healthy together they have made teams fight hard to even stay in the game. The Spurs are still one of the toughest teams to play against. Having won 16 of their last 19 games, they have moved back and forth with the Lakers for the top spot in the west. Parker and Ginobili are one of the best back court duo’s in the game today, and add the compliment of Duncan, and you have a very good chance of repeating.

Wow, finally people are giving me something to go on. I have taken more heat for my last post, by saying that the New Orleans Hornets aren’t the best team in the world, than I did when I ranted about how much I hate Bret Favre. I like the fact that people want to share their opinion with me, so people can see where I am coming from, and I can see where they are. To the people or person that just sent me a message that called me a name, and that’s it, I need some reasoning behind that. I might believe you if you give me a reason, I’m not just going to take you at your word. write me again explaining why you feel that way, or just don’t read my thoughts anymore. I appreciate everyones comments and keep them coming.

The New Orleans Hornets are a wonderful story in the NBA. This is a team that has been criticized for not bringing more fans into the stadium for home games, but yet climbed to the top of the western conference. The problem is that after the all star weekend, their play has gone down. Chris Paul is no longer playing like the MVP of the league and these guys aren’t winning the important games. The New Orleans Hornets are the new number five seed, being passed up  by the Jazz and the Rockets. The Hornets aren’t consistently great, but they are consistently good. Good enough to be in the playoffs this year, and good enough to put up a big fight with whoever they will play in the first round, but not good enough to beat their first round opponent. New Orleans will be the third seed in the west when all is said and done.

The number four seed in the west is the Utah Jazz. The Jazz have won their last three games and have somehow came in under the radar until lately. These guys are winning games, and winning games that count, keeping them up with the other big teams in the west. Boozer is averaging over 20 points per game and Deron Williams over ten assists per game. With good contribution from Oker and Kirilenko, these guys are finding ways to finish games and stay elite. Any team playing the Jazz, has their work cut out for them and can’t at any time, feel like they have the game won. After the regular season is said and done I see Utah holding the number four seed strong.

The new number seven seed in the western conference is the Dallas Mavericks. They have lost their last two, and three of their last four games. the Mavs dropped down because they can’t seem to beat the big teams anymore. Many people including myself believed that Kidd would be the missing piece for Dallas, but I am starting to wonder. If the Mavs want to get their money’s worth out of this trade then they have to start winning games against the teams that matter, or they aren’t going to even see the playoffs. All of this being said, I still believe that Dallas will be the number five seed come the playoffs.

Well it’s already becoming an interseting free agency period this off season. Some big names have switched teams, and here are a few of them now.

Donte Stallworth-Cleveland Browns

Muhsin Muhammad-Carolina Panthers

Zach Thomas-Dallas Cowboys

Alan Faneca-NY Jets

Kawika Mitchell-Buffalo Bills

Deshaun Foster- San Fran 49′ers

Asante Samuel- Philadelphia Eagles

Jerry Porter- Jacksonville Jags

At the number 6 seed in the west is the Phoenix Suns. They were number one until they traded to get Shaq. Since then they have gone 2 and 4, and dropped down five spots. I want to believe that once shaq gets into a grove with the rest of the cast, it will be a great show, but at this point I don’t know what to think of the trade. Everything will be made clear with these guys after they play Denver, Utah, and San Antonio in the first week of March. If things keep going the way they are, the Suns will be in deep trouble come April, when the playoffs start.

Yao is out, but are the Rockets. Sitting currently in the number seven seed is the Houston Rockets, who have won thirteen straight games. After losing Yao Ming for the rest of the season and the playoffs, the speculation was that the Rockets have no chance anymore. I think that their win over Washington (though it’s Washington) without Yao, may have put some of that doubt to rest, at least it did with me.  I feel that they will struggle some without him, but don’t count them out of the playoffs. I would see these guys at the number six seed come playoff time.