The Good, Bad And Ugly

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under SDC COMMENTARY

I will admit, the season is what? One week old (give or take a day)? Yet even after that length of time, there is a window pane to glance out of in reference to how some players are doing. Some are doing real well and some…let’s just say that they’re stinking up the arena which they call their home court.

I submit to you the players who are overachieving along with the underachievers:

Overachievers:

Carmelo Anthony, Denver. Anyone who has an ounce of NBA knowledge already know that Melo can score. But as of right now, he’s downright dangerous. And he’s even providing some leadership.
Trevor Ariza, Houston. In the Rockets’ scheme of things, Ariza seems to be the go-to guy in clutch situations as his 20 PPG attests to. Sounds like his chats with Kobe are bearing some fruit.
Andray Blatche, Washington. A pleasant surprise in D.C., Blatche is the beneficiary of the injury bug hitting the Wizards (Jamison, Butler, etc.). Doing a good job at a 16.0 PPG clip; there’s no telling how long that will last once Butler returns to the lineup.
Aaron Brooks, Houston. There’s a reason why Rafer Alston isn’t in a Rockets uniform anymore. Intangibles come to mind. 19.8 PPG and 8.0 APG made that decision easier to swallow.
Larry Hughes, New York. Lately, he’s been the renaissance man for the Knicks. How long will that last? If Hughes’ track record is any indication, probably not very long; Hughes is a prime example of what happens to a player whose ego is more proficient than his scoring.
Jermaine O’Neal, Miami. So far, so good for Jermaine. The big question for him is: Will his wheels last the entire season ?
Lou Williams, Philadelphia. Methinks that 76ers management knew they had something good in Williams when they let Andre Miller go to Portland. He’s putting up Miller-type numbers, so at the worst, they have a younger version of Andre.

Underachievers:

Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers. I think we all acknowledge that he is talented. Will the change of scenery do him some good? Too early to say, but I wouldn’t bet my 401K on Ron suddenly becoming a “model citizen”. Lakers coach Phil Jackson will definitely earn his paychecks this season.
Carlos Boozer, Utah. Ahhh, in this winter of discontent. Oops, my bad – I went into writers prose. Seems like Carlos’ time with the Jazz is getting shorter and shorter. While averaging nearly a double-double per game (12.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG), that means nothing if the team’s owner is throwing smoke screens about Boozer out there already this season. Look for Carlos to wear a uniform doesn’t say JAZZ across the front this season.
Tyson Chandler, Charlotte. The results from the Emeka Okafor-for-Tyson Chandler trade are mixed thus far, but just know this. Anytime that you’re in Bobcats coach Larry Brown’s doghouse, that doesn’t bode well for you if you’re name is Tyson Chandler. Some advice for Tyson – get into shape, young man.
Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers. His numbers are rather pedestrian (11.4 PPG, 7.6 APG). Definitely the Baron Davis I am not accustomed to seeing. Perhaps it this is because of the dysfunction that permeates the Clippers (Donald Sterling, we hardly knew ya!). I am willing to bet right now that he would rather be ballin’ anywhere than at the Staples Center right about now.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland. You know that the Cleveland Cavaliers are hitting a rough patch this early when coach Mike Brown has both Z and Shaq on the court at the same time. Not only is watching both on the court at the same time painful, but it can be compared to watching paint dry. Which is unfortunate because Ilgauskas deserves a better fate than this. I’m just sayin’.
Stephen Jackson, Golden State. Despite his obvious talent, Jackson gave up his captain moniker on his team, the Golden State Warriors – which is a good thing. After all, it seems like his mood swings and/or his narcissism always seem to get in the way of the Warriors trying to getting some wins – of which the team is always in short supply of. It’s safe to say that he went from Captain Jack to Private Dysfunctional – but I digress.
Courtney Lee, New Jersey. Considered to be the answer at SG, Lee seems to be, at the moment, suffering a fate similar to former Mafia boss Jimmy Hoffa – buried deep in New Jersey in an undisclosed location. In Lee’s case, the location is a bit clearer – the bench. But that could change at the drop of a hat as this is the New Jersey Nets, after all.
Vladamir Radmanovic, Charlotte. The Los Angeles Lakers are smarter than people give him credit for. With his limited skill set now even more limited, his future is bright – as a bench warmer for at least the short-term.
Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans. I wouldn’t want to face him in a game of H-O-R-S-E. On the court? My chances are better. He and his current team (New Orleans) have something in common – both are regressing; I can understand why Chris Paul isn’t exactly a happy camper in the Big Easy. I see Peja’s future – and it coming off the bench.

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One Response to “The Good, Bad And Ugly”

Ron Paul » Blog Archive » The Good, Bad And Ugly » Slam Dunk Central on November 15th, 2009 4:03 pm

[...] Alisyn Camerota wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptRon Artest, Los Angeles Lakers. I think we all acknowledge that he is talented. Will the change of scenery do him some good? Too early to say, but I wouldn’t bet my 401K on Ron suddenly becoming a “model citizen”. Lakers coach Phil Jackson will definitely … He and his current team (New Orleans) have something in common – both are regressing; I can understand why Chris Paul isn’t exactly a happy camper in the Big Easy. I see Peja’s future – and it coming off the bench. … [...]

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