"What if... there was an MVP trophy awarded, who would it be for the Brooklyn Nets"?

by Wilfredo Lee/ AP from http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/plumlee-blocks-lebron-final-play-nets-sweep-heat-article-1.1750239

           I can see Mason Plumlee as the future of the Brooklyn Nets. His work ethic and defensive presence reminds me of Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers. Blake Griffin's game developed faster because the team wasn't a playoff team. In Griffin's rookie year, the next best player behind him was Eric Gordon, who looked like a max contract player at the time. The Clippers also had Eric Bledsoe but he was also a rookie like Griffin who didn't have much playing time. With Kevin Garnett moving back to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Plumlee will have more minutes. I would not be surprised if Mason Plumlee averages 15 points and 10 rebounds next season. The Brooklyn Nets are not a young team and Plumlee has the ability to improve his game which is hard work. If he can develop a consistent mid-range jumper and a low-post game, the Brooklyn Nets might be a top 4 team in the Eastern Conference. Deron Williams and Brook Lopez are suppose to be the center pieces of the franchise but instead are more of a liability than an asset. The organization needs to acquire younger pieces because Mason Plumlee is an energy-type player who can be effective as a starter or coming off the bench. His offense is not quite there and through time, he can play at both ends of the floor. I don't see Plumlee being traded in the near future.

"What if... there was an MVP trophy awarded, who would it be for the Boston Celtics"?

by Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports from http://fantasy.usatoday.com/2014/12/basketball-daily-sleepers-busts-evan-turner-russell-westbrook

          When I look at the Celtics, I think of a team who can be as good as the Hawks. The Atlanta Hawks doesn't have a superstar, yet they play in a system where winning comes first and that's what makes a good basketball team. The Celtics has moved around players this season resulting to a distraction as a whole. My MVP for the team would be Evan Turner. He can guard multiple positions and play different roles under head coach, Brad Stevens. I would love to pick Jared Sullinger but until he plays defense, we'll talk more about him then. Turner reminds me of Lance Stephenson when he was with the Indiana Pacers. He can do a little bit of everything. He's not good at one skill but good in most categories. This was a tough choice between the two but I think Turner can contribute more to the team if he puts in the effort. There's no more Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green. The team could use his talent and he could be an efficient player if he shifts to a second gear.

"What if... there was an mid-season MVP trophy awarded, who would it be for the Atlanta Hawks"?

by Brian Rauf from http://www.chatsports.com/atlanta-hawks/a/What-Does-Al-Horfords-Return-Mean-for-Atlanta-10-64-115

          My candidate be would be Al Horford, no doubt. I know, I know, there's many good players on the team. Jeff Teague is improving as a leader and point guard. Paul Millsap has seemed to be their most consistent player. But to me, Horford has been the man. His footwork and versatility, not just on the defensive end. For a center, he has a great mid-range which few in the league possess.
I know others are going to say, Hey, shouldn't Millsap or Teague be the MVP of the team? Well, what if you take a look at the Hawks with and without Horford? Last season, he played only 29 games and they were 44-38. This year, they have only one less in the win column and it's still not the All-Star break yet. Horford has been the difference maker whether he knows it or not. His stats are not career best but players around him are playing better because of him. Would you agree or is there anyone else on the team you would give it to?

What If... James Harden stayed with Oklahoma City Thunder instead of Russell Westbrook?

by Matthew Wellington from http://www.sixthmanjournal.com/2014/11/12/when-the-mighty-fall/

          The arrival of James Harden to the Houston Rockets has made him an All-Star if not a Hall of Famer. He has revived the city of Houston thanks to his ability to break down defense averaging over 25 points per game in each of the three seasons with the Rockets. My question is what would his impact  if he stayed and played alongside Kevin Durant instead of Russell Westbrook. Would they have been a better duo than Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook? Let's think about it and see the differences between the two dynamic superstars. Both players are ball dominant meaning they're effective when the ball is in their hands. They can create their own shots and there has been many controversies in a few instances when Westbrook attempts more shots than Durant. But when Westbrook is on his A game, there is no one who is as fast and aggressive as he is. On the other hand, James Harden has numerous isolation moves making him hard to predict what's his next move. If I have to pick which player would be better, there is so many other factors to take into consideration.

          Let's compare Russell Westbrook and James Harden side by side. From a free throw standpoint, James Harden is a better free throw shooter and goes to the line more often. But that's not to say Westbrook doesn't go to the line as much. On average, Harden attempts 9.0 attempts per game and Westbrook attempts 8.6 per game. Both players are always in attack mode and as a result, this category would have to go to James Harden by a small margin because he has the ability to create space with his fancy footwork. Durant would be glad whomever is his sidekick because there is less pressure and knowing there's another player he can kick the ball out when he a double team comes to him. Moving on, the fast -break department would be in Westbrook's favor. As Steve Smith of NBATV quotes "little rage", Westbrook is fearless on the break. He can stop on a dime and pull up for a jumper. His ability to blow by two or three players and score with his speed is amazing to watch and soak in. Sometimes people refer to him as the one man's fast-break. They are special in their own ways which is why both players earned a spot on the All-Star roster.

          When it comes to the other categories, Westbrook is the better rebounder especially playing the point guard position. He can really get up there and one of few point guards who has an inside and outside game. As for passing, both players can distribute the ball, keeping their teammates involved. They can also get you a couple of steals a night which shows you James Harden can play defense. When James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets, people were noticing more on his defense than offense. On several occasions, he can be a little tired but that's because he consumes his energy on scoring. His defense is undervalued and he has improved over time. Overall it's tough to say which is the better teammate for Kevin Durant if he had to pick one. Who would you pick?

What if... the Washington Wizards had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Howard Beck, NBA Senior Writer from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1811204-entering-year-four-john-wall-ready-to-deliver-on-his-promise

          The presence of Paul Pierce in the locker room and on the floor has been all about leadership. We know the departure of Trevor Ariza is missed but having Paul Pierce on your team is not bad in exchange. The Washington Wizards starting line-up consists of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Paul Pierce, Nene, and Marcin Gortat, is a pretty scary team to go against every night. They are an exciting and upcoming team in the Eastern Conference. John Wall has really changed his game and developed a mid-range jumper who can control his quickness and attack the paint at times. He is a better decision maker and thus has the ability to share the ball. In the league today, it is important to have a great point guard because they determine the tempo of the game.

          John Wall is averaging a league-high 10.2 assists along with 17.5 points. Last year, it was his first taste of playoffs and the Wizards managed to pass the first round. They went against a Chicago Bulls team without Derrick Rose but it was the experience that matters. Now that John Wall and his team knows what it's like to be in the playoffs, they will have a better preparation. With Paul Pierce, he understands how to win in the playoffs. Last season, it was very different for him to win with the Brooklyn Nets because it was an injured filled roster where Deron Williams and Brook Lopez were missing a portion of the season. This year, Pierce is surrounded by younger stars who gives him the most chance of winning another ring before he retires. They have the ability to go through to the Eastern Conference Finals this year. That should be their goal. Never aim low.

What if... the San Antonio Spurs had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Marc J. Spears/ Getty Images from http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--spurs--kawhi-leonard-taking-on-an-impossible-mission--stopping-lebron-james-184112531.html

                                   
          The Spurs are off to an average start of 30-17. But they're 7th in the West. 7TH! Since the Tim Duncan era, the Spurs have managed to win 50 games each season, not counting the shortened season of 2011-12. With the way the West is shaping up to, the Spurs will not have homecourt advantage in the playoffs. Homecourt or not, they have enough experience in the playoffs and it will play a key role because coach Gregg Popovich knows how to prepare his team. He knows when to rest his players and when to limit players minutes on a daily basis. He utilities each player to their full potential like Boris Diaw and Kawhi Leonard especially in the playoffs. Leonard has already missed 18 games this season due to a hand injury. But he has come back strong and put career numbers in all categories including 15.3 points and 8 rebounds on a star-studded roster. Leonard is a great complementary role player for Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker.

          Kawhi Leonard is not vocal and to become a team leader for the San Antonio Spurs when Tim Duncan retires, he needs to communicate with his teammates. Right now, it is still early in his career and is still learning from the best of the best. He is known for his one-on-one defense like the one in the NBA finals against Lebron James. If the organization offers him a max contract, great for him. If Tim Duncan wants another ring, Kawhi Leonard needs to step up his game just like last year when he won the NBA Finals MVP. He doesn't speak up but his game handles most of the talking for him. The San Antonio Spurs are a winning organization and signing Leonard is a great piece to keep after Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker aka the "Big Three" are done with their Hall of Fame
basketball careers.

What if... the Orlando Magic had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Tyler Perez/ Fox Sports from http://thesportsaga.com/why-nikola-vucevic-is-a-top-5-center/

          Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo are the future of the Orlando Magic organization. After the Magic traded Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Nikola Vucevic from the Philadelphia 76ers, they thought no one would replace Howard. Vucevic has improved his scoring each of the last three seasons he was with the Orlando Magic and made it clear this year, he is the first option for offense. They are a great duo to build around with the draft pick of Elfrid Payton. Tobias Harris who was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks has been a great complement player next to Vucevic. Harris is having a steady season averaging 17.8 points per game through 39 games. The Orlando Magic also has Channing Frye who can play the stretch four position and open up the lane for Oladipo and Harris. The Magic are still young who has high potential under head coach, Jacque Vaughn.

          Victor Oladipo is someone who can average a triple-double and give you steals and blocks because he doesn't take a day off on the defensive end. He was in the run for Rookie of the Year last year right behind Michael-Carter Williams of the Philadelphia 76ers. With Nikola Vucevic, he can easily give you a double-double, sometimes in one half. On occasions, he can get you more rebounds than points. In the upcoming years, the team will need to develop their younger players on the bench like Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier. Don't be surprised if you see Nikola Vucevic or Victor Oladipo in the All-Star game within the next five years. They remind me of a young Shaquille O'neal and Kobe Bryant duo. Who am I kidding? I know they are not superstars but it doesn't hurt to see what they can be. For now, their goal is to develop their young players and give their fans hope their team can make a push for the playoffs soon.

What if... the New York Knicks had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Dan Favale, Featured Columnist/ Getty Images from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1990273-carmelo-anthony-says-phil-jackson-wont-have-impact-on-free-agency-decision

          With Carmelo Anthony as the New York Knicks franchise player, they have the worst record in the league, percentage wise, with a record of 7-36. The Knicks recently won two games in a row. The fans still love them. I still watch them. Phil Jackson still believes them. Let's give them a few years and see what he can do with the team. Amare Stoudimire is in the last year of his 5 year, $100 million contract and we will see if Jackson wants him back in New York. Carmelo Anthony is the obvious center piece Jackson wants to build around but is he the right player?

          Carmelo Anthony has pointed out he doesn't want the team's mentality of tanking for the season. At the beginning of the season, they traded away Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks and in return for Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert who was waived in the beginning of this year. I had a problem trading away Tyson Chandler because he was a crucial player who won a championship with the Mavericks but I guess Phil Jackson didn't believe he fit in the triangle offense. In the middle of the season, they also traded away Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas, who are both on 10-day contracts at the moment. Can they develop rising player, Tim Hardaway Jr. into two-way shooting guard who can dominate the game? Hardaway has shown signs of greatness but at times can take too many shots like Carmelo Anthony. As of now, the Knicks are running two point guards, Langston Galloway and Jose Calderon, on the floor at the same time. According to Galloway, he is basing his game on Chauncey Billups. He brings defensive intensity which the Knicks lack. The Knicks need to develop their young players to help bring Carmelo Anthony into the playoffs before he gets too old.

          According to rumors within the last week, Tobias Harris would love to win a championship with the Knicks. If the Knicks do reach a deal with Harris, the small forward position would be clogged. Tobias Harris needs to work on his defense but he is only 22 years old so he has time. Tobias Harris does not seem like a good fit with Carmelo Anthony because they play a similar role. The Knicks need to go after a player like Marc Gasol who can play both ends. It would have been great if Pau Gasol signed with the Knicks but instead took his talents to the Chicago Bulls. He has done a wonderful job playing alongside Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, and Derrick Rose. Pau Gasol is also starting for the All-Star game as well as his brother, Marc Gasol, for the West. Congratulations to both players as they both deserved it this year. More importantly, let's see if Phil Jackson has something up his sleeve and pull off a trade to turnaround the Knicks franchise.

What if... the Minnesota Timberwolves had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Nathaniel S. Butler/ NBAE/ Getty Images from http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/andrew-wiggins-lebron-james/

          The Minnesota Timberwolves are the definition of rebuilding. They traded away Kevin Love and in return for the number one draft pick of last year, Andrew Wiggins. He started slow but has increased production since the dawn of the new year. The Timberwolves has only two wins in the month of January, meanwhile, Wiggins is averaging 19.9 points in January and 15.1 points
for the season. Mo Williams has been a solid contributor after Ricky Rubio when down. A young and athletic team like the Timberwolves are just not ready for the playoffs. They are developing players like Andrew Wiggins, Zach Lavine, Gorgui Dieng, and more draft picks to come in June. Their resolution is to have Wiggins become that leader for the Timberwolves in the next three or four years. He has playing extremely well for his rookie year and has tons of time to develop his game. Once Wiggins is comfortable on the court, he will make his teammates better because he'll communicate with others. It's been a great start for him and they will be a fun team to watch in the next few years.

          It will be good for Andrew Wiggins to continue this run even after Kevin Martin returns from his wrist injury. We will see if Wiggins moves from the shooting guard position into the small forward spot. Wiggins has exceeded at the two guard spot and he is the Timberwolves bright spot. The future relies in the hands of Andrew Wiggins. If they can get another top five pick from this year's draft, the Timberwolves might have a chance at the eighth seed of the Western Conference. In the meantime, all the fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves can do is watch Wiggins grow.

What if... the Milwaukee Bucks had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Jeff Hanisch- USA TODAY Sports from http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2014/07/18/milwaukee-bucks-guard-brandon-knight-said-jason-kidds-recent-hiring-was-unexpected/

          The Milwaukee Bucks are ahead of their schedule. Many teams had doubts about them winning games and had them no where near the playoffs. They are currently two games over .500 and more importantly, 5th seed in the East. They have won more games than all of last year and we haven't reached the All-Star weekend yet. Head coach, Jason Kidd, has done a remarkable job with a team of young players led by Brandon Knight. He is averaging around 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists and it's obvious Kidd made him the focal point of the team. Jason Kidd was also a point guard in the league who knows the importance of having a point guard making good decisions. He understands if they want to have a great ball club, it starts with the point guard  running the show.

          Another rising player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has averaged 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 rebounds. He has shown great signs of potential playing the point guard position as well as a forward who can post-up. He is a headache guarding on the defense end because of his length and quick first step. So far, it has been a great first half for the Milwaukee Bucks and could upset in the first round. Their maturity level has been on point but Larry Sanders career has been going on a downhill since signing a 4 year, $44 million dollar contract. He hasn't averaged double digit points and rebounds so far in his career. If he can start producing and start contributing, this Bucks team can be very dangerous in the next few years. Otherwise, he could be waived like Josh Smith from the Detroit Pistons.

What if... the Memphis Grizzles had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Carter Johnson from http://isportsweb.com/2014/10/20/memphis-grizzlies-season-preview-player-projections/

                                 
          The Memphis Grizzles have an inside game and an outside game. They also have an identity preaching defense first. Their New Year's resolution? Why not the NBA championship? The Grizzles have all the tools to win a seven game series against any team in the league. Newly acquired Jeff Green from the Boston Celtics is a great upgrade over Tayshaun Prince. He is younger than Prince but won't be asked to be part of the offense for the Memphis Grizzles. Green is the 4th option after Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley Jr. His role will be adjusted as he can focus more on defense. Head coach, David Joerger, is using Green as part of a great secondary unit the Memphis Grizzles has. With Green part of the bench, the depth of their roster is key to their success because they have so many weapons.

          Despite having 27 wins, they are still the third seed of the West. The West is so stacked, if you go on a three game losing streak, they might end up as the fifth seed. Between the first seed and eighth seed of the West, there is just a difference of eight games. But the Memphis Grizzles have an established objective coming into each game where defense always comes first. The team is still young and they will have many more years contending for a title if Marc Gasol stays. There are not many centers like him who can run the pick-and-roll, make a hook shot, pass the ball, and make the mid-range shot. It would be nice to have Jeff Green play a similar role like Andre Iguodala. His role from the bench is defense and leadership. Green was never known for his defense and the team doesn't need to rely on his scoring. Green might need to sacrifice playing time for team to succeed. Limited minutes might equal to more wins. Instead of scoring, he could be setting better screens or taking charges. These small changes can be two or three more wins which is critical if they want to maintain home-court advantage. They have a really good chance this year getting to the NBA Finals.

What if... the Los Angeles Clippers had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports from http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/03/nba-chris-paul-iowa-university-mccafferty-fran-pat-cancer

          Is Chris Paul and Blake Griffin enough to bring the Clippers to the NBA finals? Not until the powerhouse of the West starts to decline. If the Clippers were to shift to the Eastern Conference, they will have a  better chance but the West is so loaded. We have the Golden State Warriors led by new head coach, Steve Kerr. Portland Trailblazers is on the rise as well as the Memphis Grizzles and Dallas Mavericks. Then there's the Los Angeles Clippers standing right in the middle of the clump. The team is good but not great. Each year, it will be a struggle to make it pass the first round.

          Can DeAndre Jordan be like Tyson Chandler? Chandler is a decent free throw shooter and can shoot the mid range at times. DeAndre Jordan as of now, is a poor man's Chandler. He can get you rebounds, defend the paint, and block shots. If he wants to stay on the floor at the end of games, he needs to work on his free throws, otherwise the organization might be heading towards another direction. We see signs of Blake Griffin improving his jumpshots and free throws. Maybe he needs to practice in the gym with Griffin and dominate on both sides on the floor. The West is very competitive and if the Clippers aren't improving, Chris Paul might decide to move around because we can't control time. Age is part of life and Paul is inching close to 30. He has championship mindset but is his team ready?

What if... the Indiana Pacers had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports from http://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2014/11/9/7180157/solomon-hill-arrived-indiana-pacers

                               

          The Indiana Pacers are in a developmental stage where the playoffs doesn't matter. They need their franchise player, Paul George, healthy at the start of next season. So far, no one on the team is averaging more than 15 points per game. Is this a bad thing or a good thing? Well, we understand David West and George Hill are coming back from injuries and it will take time to shake off their rust. With the absence of majority of the starters, Roy Hibbert should be the offense who controls the paint on both sides of the floor. He's not an athletic big man like Anthony Davis but he should be scoring more when Paul George is still sidelined. Through 35 games, Hibbert is only averaging 11.4 points per game. The offense should run through him because he can post up, make hook shots, and capable of hitting that mid-range shot. He is also a great passer but not the transition type player who can run the fastbreak. Roy Hibbert is one of the many concerns head coach, Frank Vogel, has to fix.

          The Pacers resolution is all about Solomon Hill. He is the type of player who can play a similar role like Jimmy Butler. When Derrick Rose was down, Jimmy Butler stepped up and played extremely well. His tough defense allowed him to stay on the court and thus play major minutes. Hill has had a reduced role since C.J. Miles and Rodney Stuckey are taking up the small forward minutes. Solomon Hill has shown signs where he can be a slasher who can get easy baskets and go to the free throw line. He has so much potential and the Pacers need a player who can step up and contribute next season when Paul George is healthy. We will see if the Indiana Pacers decide to trade away players for Solomon Hill to expand his game. 

What if... the Golden State Warriors had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Saam Esfandiari from http://www.warriorsworld.net/2014/11/18/draymond-green-should-start-at-pf-for-the-foreseeable-future/

         
          We would have thought the Golden State Warriors were going to be the #1 seed in the western conference middle of January? They are currently 29-5 and have only lost one game at home which was against the San Antonio Spurs. Their resolution is to make it to the Western Conference Finals which is doable. They have the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who are carrying the offense and Draymond Green, who is their glue guy. He does all the little things like going for lose balls and offensive rebounds. Andre Iguodala is buying into the system and coming off the bench bringing the leadership they need for their second unit. First year head coach, Steve Kerr, is doing a nice job slowly bringing David Lee back into the rotating after suffering a hamstring injury. Draymond Green is having a fantastic season and would likely remain as a starter averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 8.4 rebounds. For his height, he is plays as an undersized power forward for the Warriors but Kerr likes his ability to run the floor and make smart decisions for the team. Green reminds me of Kawhi Leonard, who doesn't need plays for him to be on the floor. He knows his role and if he's open on the offensive end, he will take the high percentage shot.

          Since they are in the Western Conference, it will be a difficult task to reach the Western Conference Finals but they have all the tools with their roster. Usually, each round gets tougher but in the West, it's different. This year, they might end up going against a team like the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder first round. The Golden State Warriors are heading in the right direction and the fans couldn't be more happier to see their team finally having a successful season.

What if... the Detroit Pistons had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Gregory Shamus/ Getty Images North America from http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/1NVysp9b40w/Indiana+Pacers+v+Detroit+Pistons/57ZcAj-eZVR/Brandon+Jennings

            

          Boy, what a turnaround after my blog about the Detroit Pistons as the most disappointing team so far in the NBA. Let's see the position they were in about a month ago. The Pistons were 5-19 and went on to lose four more games. After the Josh Smith trade, they were on to win seven game straight and here we are today. They just lost to the Atlanta Hawks which is reasonable considering the Hawks are on top of the East. Now the Pistons are 12-24 who are creeping for the 8th seed, Miami Heat. They are just three games back and if the Pistons can make it to the playoffs this season, it was be a great season. Their goal is to get to the playoffs this year and maybe even try to pass the first round.

          The Detroit Pistons should be getting better year by year. With Andre Drummond as their center, he is a great piece to build around. Now that Brandon Jennings and D.J. Augustin is able to handle the ball instead of Josh Smith, they have been playing great team basketball and winning against quality teams such as Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks. The Piston's resolution is to go get a player like Draymond Green who can play the small forward position and make the hustle plays. His defense and second chance opportunities are what's going to make the coach happy and Green is one of those special players who doesn't need plays to have an impact on the game. The future is bright for the Pistons who will be on the rise.

What if... the Denver Nuggets had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Gerren Keith Gaynor from http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/kenneth-faried-fights-homophobia-in-sports/

         
          For the past decade, the Denver Nuggets have always been a team around the 6th-8th seed in the West. We all know what Kenneth Faried is capable of. After displaying a showcase of both offense and defense playing with Team USA, he would surely make a huge contribution with the Denver Nuggets. Despite playing like a MVP with Team USA, he is only averaging a dash under 12 points per game and only 8.6 rebounds through 33 games. Head coach, Brian Shaw, at times is bringing him off the bench and that's a huge question mark. Kenneth Faried brings intensity to the team because he works hard on every possession. He should average around 30-35 minutes per game. The Denver Nuggets are a solid team and Ty Lawson has to become that leader the Nuggets need to surpass their current position.

          In the NBA today, it is the league of point guards. If the team has a great point guard, they will have a higher chance of making the playoffs like Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, John Wall, and Damian Lillard. Every night Lawson will have to go against solid players and it allows him to develop his game further. Like Jeff Green from the Boston Celtics, Ty Lawson has to be more consistent in order to consider him as an All-Star caliber type of player. I would like to see Kenneth Faried improve on the New Year as he has been stepping up his game lately. On December 26th, Faried has a 26 points and 25 rebounds night. That is unbelievable considering the fact he only played 30 minutes. He has so much upsides and if Brian Shaw starts giving him more minutes, he won't disappoint coach Shaw. There's a reason why Faried's nickname is "The Manimal".

What If... the Chicago Bulls stayed healthy all season?

by Tom Loxas from http://www.chicagonow.com/loxas-factor/2013/01/interview-espns-nick-friedell-talks-bulls-derrick-rose-kevin-love-and-the-next-ron-atrest-jimmy-butler/

                                 
          We all know what Derrick Rose is capable of when he is healthy on the floor. So far, he is averaging 18 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. He may not be getting the stats before he was injured but that's because the team has so many options. Through 30 games, he has missed 10 games due to either a knee injury or rest. He will be the key if the Chicago Bulls want to win a championship. Joakim Noah is also having a setback after an off-season surgery. He is only averaging 8.6 points and 9.8 rebounds but newly acquired Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers is averaging almost 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds which balances the frontcourt. As a veteran player of the NBA, Gasol is turning back time as one of the leaders of the Bulls as the are off to an 19-11 start, good for 4th in the East. The Bulls have all the tools to win a title because they have a good starting unit and bench. But in order for them to make it to the end, head coach, Tom Thibodeau, must make adjustments like Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs. Jimmy Butler, who is leading the league in minutes played, almost 39 minutes per game. If he plays to much minutes in the season, Butler will feel the wear-and-tear in his body. He is young but still needs to be careful. But as Chris Webber quoted, "If it wasn't for the injuries of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler would not have developed into the player he is today. He plays with so much passion on both ends of the floor. He guards the best player on the opposing teams and if the Bulls want to make it far into the playoffs, Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler needs to stay healthy.

"Holiday Edition" - What If... the All-Star game started next week, who should be on the team?

by Yahoo, @CHold from http://solecollector.com/news/damian-lillard-wears-fan-designed-adidas-rose-3-5/

       
          Welcome to the special edition of theNBAwhatIF. Today, we created a list of starters and reserves who should be on each side if the All-Star game was next week. The list includes first time all-star, Brandon Knight, who is averaging 18 points, 5 assists, and almost 5 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks, as of now, are in the 6th seed of the playoffs who has exceeded their expectations so far into the season. We also have Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant on the roster even though their teams aren't in the playoffs. I would've placed Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup but he missed a few games and the Oklahoma City Thunder are a few games below .500 With Kevin Durant back they should be heading nowhere but up in the West. I would love to see Marc Gasol in the starting lineup with averages of 20 points, 8 rebounds, and almost 4 assists. Stephen Curry should belong with the starters as well who is averaging 23 points and 8 rebounds. We would also like to note the Golden State Warriors are off to a 23-4 start which is the best record in the league. Should there be any changes? Let us know in the comments below!


Eastern Conference

John Wall, Washington Wizards, starting guard
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, starting guard
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, starting forward
Chris Bosh, Miami Heat, starting forward
Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls, starting forward

Brandon Knight, Milwaukee Bucks, reserve guard
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers, reserve guard
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks, reserve forward
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers, reserve forward
Demar Derozan, Toronto Raptors, reserve guard
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks, reserve forward
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls, reserve guard

Western Conference

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, starting guard
James Harden, Houston Rockets, starting guard
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans, starting forward
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzles, starting forward
Lamarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers, starting forward

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers, reserve guard
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, reserve guard
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers, reserve forward
Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers, reserve guard
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder, reserve guard
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks, reserve forward
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs, reserve forward

* exception to Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Dwight Howard for missing games

What If... Paul George came back at the end of the season?

by Alex Expinoza, Correspondent, Bill Baptist/ Getty Images from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1812392-paul-george-will-miss-wednesdays-preseason-clash-with-bronchitis

       
         Paul George was at the point of his career where he transforms from a great player to an all-star caliber type of player. His weakness is a consistency stat line on a night basis. Sometimes he would give you great numbers others not so much. But he's a young player and will learn from the small mistakes. Frank Vogel is a great head coach for Paul George to have as he will push it to his limit. Coming back from a serious injury, George should forgo the rest of the season to rest up. We know if the Indiana Pacers are in the playoffs, they won't have home advantage.

          

          We saw how Danny Granger came back from an injury. He was just not the same player. One reason could be his confidence never came back or he didn't have enough time to heal up and come back to the player he was before. We want Paul George to come back healthy and play great basketball again. Every player wants to come back as soon as possible but if he wants to have a long career, staying out this season is highly recommended. The team is struggling to find offense and rhythm without him but he is their franchise player. Don't worry PG13. Your time will come very soon.

What If... Ricky Rubio had a jump shot?

by David Nurse from http://hoopshype.com/columns/david-nurse/how-to-fix-ricky-rubios-shot

          If Ricky Rubio had a jump shot, he would be close to a poor man's Steve Nash or Jason Kidd. Their visions on the floor is unbelievable and had a steady mid range and outside shot. Ricky Rubio has to improve on his jumper. More than three years into his career, he should be averaging more points and assists year by year. Instead, it has either stayed the same or decreased. He is also susceptible to injuries as he has only one full season in his short career. In three years in the league, 15 points 10 assists per game should be reasonable for the type of player he is. He would make the game easier for himself in late game situations if others aren't open for a shot. Rubio should be worried because veteran point guard Mo Williams and rookie Zach Lavine has been looking good since Rubio went down in his 5th game of the season. Whether or not Rubio develops a jumper is still a concern for the Minnesota Timberwolves if they want to make the playoffs. Rookies Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine with rising star Gorgui Dieng as a back up center. The team has potential with all these young players. Ricky Rubio with a jump shot will be scary for the Western Conference after a few years when all the young players develop. If there is no change in Rubio's game, his career will long soon be over as this has become a point guard dominant game.