| Middle of the Pack | New York Knicks | Charlotte Hornets |
| Memphis Grizzles | Boston Celtics | Toronto Raptors |
| Golden State Warriors | Indiana Pacers | Denver Nuggets |
While they’re not title contenders fans exuberance about their teams play is palpable. Annexed from the scope of relevancy for the better part of two decades, hungry Knicks fans are learning their new place in the league, The Bar.
Referred to by a few different names, the good/bad (bad/good) team, tough playoff out; however in doing this we miss the chance for a more effective title, one of respect. I petition for that team, the one that beats bad teams and catches good teams sleeping and fight ever possession to be the NBA Bar.
Nestled right under .500 having played one of the other hardest schedules, NYK has flipped the Vegas script of being a top five, maybe top three lottery team. Under Coach Thibodeau these young Knicks lead by All-Star Julius Randle are not only playing better but have bulldozed their way to wins and league-wide relevancy. Winning 38 games over the prior two years, they could potentially reach the half way point over the next six. A lot of this rides on the roaster adjusting to play without their defensive anchor for 4-6 weeks (get well Mitch; Feb 13th), but looking to the eight teams between 14-16 wins can provide a bit of context for the next six games before All-Star break.
New York Knicks:
Starting with the primary focus for the Knicks fans, Julius Randle and his All-Star campaign are leading the Knicks potentially to their first post season since 2013. Inspiring play from the rookies and young roaster as they prove week after week, and game after game how together they are as a unit. With Maestro Tom conducting the players to their respective bests, this Knicks team us humming along; the vibes are good. Playing the Pistons twice, they also compete against Sacramento, Golden State, Indiana, and San Antonio. Competitive teams seem to bring the best and help the team reach the fullness of their potential. Champions? Hell no. Top Contenders? Still no but that’s not the point or what Knicks are refereeing too as far as bucking expectations and the trends. From Vegas and from any basketball media outlet, it seemed a forgone conclusion the Knicks were headed to another lottery mosh posh of a season filled with more losing than winning; more ridicule than praise. While it was slow and fraught with defensive denial, the team they’ve reached a point where old narratives have begun to wash away. Old habits are hard to rid and this (almost) half season of respectable Basketball can be an outlier, but this isn’t something new for Tom as he always maximize the roasters he gets for success.
Predication: (4-2)
Charlotte Hornets:
Despite some apprehension dollar figure on the Hayward deal and early season adjustments from the youngest Ball brother with a color commentary to excite, the Hornets are a great watch, and the Knicks direct competition for title of NBA Bar. They can score in so many different ways, the ball is on a string and Hayward is showing the contract may have been judged too harshly, even if the the production falls off as the end of contract approaches. He’s a past All-Star with All-Star considerations this year, played through adversity and injury, and has the skills to optimize good play and develop a confidence with their young players. Luckily, they face some harder teams approaching the break with games against some of the best teams of the West (UTA, PHX, POR). Games against Golden State and media favorite Kings could be coin flips and they end with a HUGE trap game against league worst Timberwolves.
Prediction (2-4)
Memphis Grizzles:
Infected with the injury bug the squad led by Superstar Ja Morant continues to utilize their depth and mix of skills to fill the gaps as to stay afloat. Miami lottery pick, current day Grizzly Justice Winslow is slated for return at the end of the month and Morant’s partner scheduled back sometimes next month if there’s no reassessment needed. Games against the drowning Wizards and reeling Mavericks are a repreive against the other three teams they face. Two against the Clippers, a game verse Houston and finishing up verse the lacking Bucks could leave them going 3-3, but the Bucks are going to be facing pressure to win, and Houston’s been playing hard. For those same reasons, you expect Dallas to be feeling the pressure to preform so they’re facing five hungry teams.
Prediction (2-4)
Boston Celtics:
If you have a Celtics fan in your life, they’re currently experiencing the exact opposite of Knicks joys. Scary Terry (Rozier) is putting together a career stretch and the capacity to play in a offense with multiple creators in the Hornets rotation. This is buyers remorse and seller dread and we’re only talking about one aspect of the tumultuous season, incomplete roaster, and suboptimal/disappointing play from Kemba Walker. All isn’t over with a lighter schedule, but Boston has proven as of late, no lead is too safe that they can hold. Their first four should be “easier” on paper but without their engine and hear in Marcus Smart, even those games seem bleak. Also if your team cannot function with just the removal of one player, unless their a superstar, how well positioned is that team to win. Auspicious horizon for the Celtics unless they can get Kemba right, fast.
Prediction (3-3)
Toronto Raptors:
Playing four teams with playoff hopes would make this seem more difficult then the opponents records would suggest. Games against 76ers are followed by Miami who appear to have (maybe) found themselves, the persistent Rockets, and the first guy in line outside looking in Bulls. The last two are verse the careening Celtics and the Odd Pistons. Odd in that they rise to the good teams but can’t put it together a decent stretch of games. Detroit is currently the worst team in the league and likely the one catching teams sleeping and maintaining their leads and energy. Raptors season was off the road to start the season and have recently rounded back into form behind the creative platoons. They play like Raptors, opportune pack hunters who will work it around to make opposing teams feel there’s too many leaks to fix. Defensively they’re no the same they’ve been, but with such a well rounded roaster and good coaching will lead them to success down this stretch.
Prediction (4-2)
Golden State Warriors:
Steph is leading this team with MVP numbers. While the team has a limited ceiling without Klay and the player he is, they’re causing anguish to people who claim to watch basketball and hate Steph Curry. Small Point guards have limitation, but we’re talking about the greatest shooter of all time when shooting is at an absolute premium. They play against our Knicks, the Pacers, and Charlotte first and finish off on three Western playoff teams (LAL, POR, & PHX). While they’re not the same lottery bound team as they were last year, facing the hardest schedule of the group leaves them facing the most adversity heading into All-Star break.
Prediction: (2-4)
Indiana Pacers:
The Pacers have been up and down. They’ve got some of the best defenders at the anchor of the paint. The awkward fit is offensively with Sabonis and Turner and the bench being hit or miss in their production has them a bit lower, but overall meeting expectations. Facing five playoff hopeful teams and the one team more on the outs has shown out against Brooklyn (Cleveland). They’re not world beaters, but if a team walks in thinking it’s going to be a walk in the park are in for a bit of surprise. I don’t think they go winless but they’ve got the best chance of the eight to see a donut in the win column.
Prediction (1-5)
Denver Nuggets:
Nikola Jokić putting together his best campaign to date for MVP, the team as a whole is a bit of a disappointment. Believed to be in the top half of the West after their inspiring bubble play, that overall team success is appearing more of lighting in a bottle than a standard to hold them to. Murray is back down on Earth and Jerami Grant wanting to take his talent elsewhere has definitely been cited for the disappointment. It would be a shame if that success lead to lax preparation for one of the better teams we saw last year. Keeping the more recent play as the standard, it’s most likely they go even despite being against lesser competition.
Predication: (3-3)
Until Next Time~
Knicks, Pics, & Politics 