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Don’t sleep Avery Johnson’s New Jersey Nets

• Brook Lopez is the second best big in the East next to Dwight Howard.  I see some Tim Duncan and some Pau Gasol in the former Stanford Cardinal.  Lopez is a 23-12 guy who can lead New Jersey to the Playoffs.  Anthony Morrow, the hero who hit the game-winning three point shot in the team’s 101-98 win over the Pistons, will benefit from Lopez’s post presence.  He has the opportunity to be among the league leaders in shooting from beyond the arc.  I can see him averaging an easy 15 points per game.  Along with Lopez and Morrow, the rookie Derrick Favors will team up with Lopez to form the one of the best front court duos in the NBA.  Have I even mentioned Devin Harris?  Boy, did he look super-quick penetrating to the basket against Detroit.  Remember, he was hurt for the majority of last year’s debacle.   Most improved team in the Association?  The “Little General” is ready to compete for a Playoff spot this season.

• Brandon Roy has ice water in his veins.  When we mention clutch performers, why is his name rarely brought up in the discussion?  Roy is a 25-5-5 player who is a triple-threat offensively.  MVP candidate written all over the Blazers go-to-guy.  As for one of Roy’s running mates, Rudy Fernandez, it’s good to see him back in action and playing well.  Such a well-rounded asset for Rip City.  They will count on him for valuable playing time at the 3-spot next to Roy.

• Has Blake Griffin landed yet?  I don’t know if there’s a more explosive player at the power forward position than Griffin.  Who would you rather have Amare Stoudemire or Blake Griffin?  Amare is Griffin’s best comparison because of his ability to finish with such ease and unprecedented power.  Two strong players with unlimited athleticism.  Make it a habit to tune into any game one of these two stars are featured in.

• As much as I love to talk about the young guns in the league, let’s not forget about Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki.  They combined to shoot an astounding 21-25 for an alarming 51 points in their openers.  That’s a little better than two point per shot, talk about efficiency.  I don’t know how these superstars can get overlooked.

• Glad to see T.J. Ford back and healthy.  He went 4-4 from the floor against San Antonio.  Speaking of San Antonio, their rookie sharpshooter James Anderson from Oklahoma State, reminds me of a former Spur – Michael Finley.  He had a stellar debut playing 27 minutes off the bench, going for two threes and a total of 10 points.

• James Jones of the Miami Heat reminds me of James Posey.  If Jones can play like Posey, shooting consistently from downtown and using his length to defend top perimeters players, his role will be immeasurable to this club.  Many tend to forget how good of a talent he is because he rarely stays healthy.  He’s a perfect fit playing alongside LeBron and Wade, as he showed against Philly going for 20 points on six connections from deep.  Oh, and as for Wade, he went for 30 and stuffed the stat sheet with three steals and two blocks.

• Carl Landry is one of the most undervalued players in the game today.  He went for 22-11, with seven of his 11 boards coming on the offensive glass.

• Jason Kidd is getting any younger, however at the same time, he is getting any slower.  He dropped 18 dimes on Charlotte and showed why he is one of the Top 10 best PG’s of all-time.  As outstanding as Kidd played against the Bobcats, just wait until Roddy Beaubois is ready to accompany him on the hardwood.  The tandem will clearly exhibit an electrifying display of blazing speed in the open court.  Talk about pushing the ball in hurry, it won’t get any better than this show in Dallas.  Don’t blink.

• Joakim Noah value goes beyond the box score.  He is in on every rebound, either tapping it out and keeping it alive, grabbing the board, or just drawing a foul.  He is by far hands down the most active big guy in the Association.  It’s not even close.  I could not imagine the Bulls without his presence.  Defensively, they are a Top 5 unit with him, and offensively he makes a lot of things happen.

• Derrick Rose really worked on his game this past Summer.  You could tell he added some moves to his arsenal and improved his shot.  However, as much as he upgraded his game, he and the team needs Carlos Boozer.  Without Boozer, the Bulls face the same problems they did last season, as they just don’t have enough offense.  Now, I’m not doubting Rose’s ability to become an elite player and the #1 clear-cut option for the Bulls, but I don’t believe he has to take 30+ shots like he did against Oklahoma City in the opener in order to be effective.  As much as I enjoy and think highly of this team, I wonder if they are a contending team in the East.  They have the defense, the stars, the role players, and everything in place to be there in the end.  I think they would have beaten the Thunder if Boozer was healthy -they were just one player away, and unfortunately, that player is hurt on the sidelines.

• Oklahoma City can flat out defend.  They are extremely active and move like crazy to contest and block shots.  Everyone talks about their offense, but it’s the defense that will potentially put them over the top.  I’m not ready to say they are there yet but you have to believe this young squad is close.

• The Utah Jazz are horrendous on the road.  Night and day at home and on the road for Jerry Sloan and his team.

• Chris Paul is the best PG in the NBA.  There is no doubt about this when he’s healthy.  Virtually unguardable.  As for much attention goes to his quickness, he can also take it strong and knock down the J.  He’s so good, Marco Belinelli looked like an All-Star scoring 18 points playing alongside him.  It was entertaining to see Paul and Brandon Jennings go at it.  I never thought I would say this, but Jennings had to shoot more in the team’s 95-91 loss to the Hornets.  I thought he wasn’t as aggressive as he was last season.  I understand some of its due to trying to get his new teammates involved with the flow of the offense.

• Rockets-Warriors: Offensive basketball at its finest.  Run and gun at the highest level possible.  Curry and Ellis are both unbelievably ridiculous.  They take a lot of shots, but make a lot of shots.  They score and at a such efficient rate.  The most dynamic back court in the past decade that I can remember.  I can’t think of another 1-2 punch better scoring the ball.  Monta Ellis is impossible to defend because of his quickness and mid-range game.  You stop one part of his game, but both parts of his game?  I don’t think so.  As for Curry, as effortless and smooth as they come.

• Luis Scola is one of the best under the radar players.  I don’t think he will be under the radar for too long.  With Yao slowly coming back he could average 20-8 a game.