Dallas, Boston, and San Antonio, all teams that are over .500, are all only 5-5 in each of their last 10 games played, and a combined 16-22 in their last 38 games (San Antonio is 5-7, Boston is 5-7, and Dallas is 6-8). Is that really the type of record these teams want going into All-Star Weekend? Boston is 3rd in the East, and Dallas and San Antonio are 4th and 6th respectively in the West, but do their positions really show how good these teams are?
The Celtics have been suffering severely from injuries this season, and their game today against Orlando was a rare sighting of a lineup with all of their key players, but that can't explain everything. Portland (30-23) have had the worst luck of any NBA team, losing both of their centers (Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla) early in the season (and for the rest of it), as well as many other key players for periods of time. The Blazers have showed that any team can keep fighting through injuries, even if it means losing your star (Brandon Roy) and your head coach (Nate McMillan) along the way. Boston has to get their act together quickly, which means every player going out and giving it their all, not just Rajon Rondo. Injuries can't be the only excuse.
I have less to say about Dallas. Losses to the Lakers and Utah (twice) are acceptable, but losses to Philly, Phoenix, Portland, Toronto, and Minnesota are not. This team should be looking towards the Finals, but how could they after beating the Celtics and Wizards, then dropping one to the Sixers after 2 days? They have to stop giving up easy wins and start taking all teams seriously.
And now we reach the Spurs, the last team on our 3 team expedition, and also an endangered species. This team is hunted (ie. injuries) because of its rare and expensive quality of meat and skin (see Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili). Hunting is limited nowadays, although reproduction rates among the species is steadily declining (ie. aging). Survival of the fittest has taking its toll on these creatures, thus allowing younger, newer, and better adapting species (see Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz) to rise in the food chain and flourish in the area (see Western Conference). Is the this the last we see of these once extraordinary and unique species? Only time will tell (ie. Playoffs).
I have less to say about Dallas. Losses to the Lakers and Utah (twice) are acceptable, but losses to Philly, Phoenix, Portland, Toronto, and Minnesota are not. This team should be looking towards the Finals, but how could they after beating the Celtics and Wizards, then dropping one to the Sixers after 2 days? They have to stop giving up easy wins and start taking all teams seriously.
And now we reach the Spurs, the last team on our 3 team expedition, and also an endangered species. This team is hunted (ie. injuries) because of its rare and expensive quality of meat and skin (see Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili). Hunting is limited nowadays, although reproduction rates among the species is steadily declining (ie. aging). Survival of the fittest has taking its toll on these creatures, thus allowing younger, newer, and better adapting species (see Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz) to rise in the food chain and flourish in the area (see Western Conference). Is the this the last we see of these once extraordinary and unique species? Only time will tell (ie. Playoffs).
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