Standings for the teams that matter

[Findog]

Lakers record against .500 or better teams: 9-6
Lakers Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +5

Celtics record against .500 or better teams: 6-3
Celtics Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +9

Cavaliers record against .500 or better teams: 9-3
Cavaliers Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +10

Magic record against .500 or better teams: 7-7
Magic Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +7

Hawks record against .500 or better teams: 8-3
Hawks Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +7

Mavericks record against .500 or better teams: 10-5
Mavericks Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +6

Nuggets record against .500 or better teams: 9-4
Nuggets Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +5

Suns record against .500 or better teams: 6-9
Suns Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +6

[Findog]

Big surprise, but the Suns are not for real. And maybe not the Magic either.

[JoeTait75]

Big surprise, but the Suns are not for real.

I don't think they are either. I'm not counting out Orlando, although I do think swapping out Turk for The Vince is a net minus for them. They're a more conventional team than they were last year.

Dallas is the real surprise to me. I'll admit, I didn't think they were going to be this good.

[Findog]

I didn't list the Spurs because frankly the metrics for them are pretty bad.

[BadOdor]

I didn't list the Spurs because frankly the metrics for them are pretty bad.

it's only december".

[Xylus]

The Suns are a work in progress, that's for sure. I still think they'll make it to the 2nd round and no farther.

[IronMexican]

it's only december".

It'sOnlyDecemer troll is awesome. S.P.A.D!

[Findog]

I don't think they are either. I'm not counting out Orlando, although I do think swapping out Turk for The Vince is a net minus for them. They're a more conventional team than they were last year.

Well, they didn't want to give Hedo an extension at his age, and they're in short-term win now mode. I thought Hedo was definitely a better passer and distributor, but Carter in theory is supposed to be able to bail out their offense with his ability to create off the dribble. I think he's a loser and I've never been impressed with him, so I probably would've kept Hedo.

Dallas is the real surprise to me. I'll admit, I didn't think they were going to be this good.

And the Mavs could be better: Damp missed 8 games with AIDS, Josh missed 20 games and is doing his Good Josh, Bad Josh routine, and Terry has been mired in a shooting slump for the past 3 weeks. Marion has overall been a good addition I think. His defense is better than I thought it would be and makes up for his offense not quite being as good as I thought it would. One of our biggest weaknesses over the past several years is perimeter defense (McGrady, Nash, Wade, Davis, Paul, Parker all destroyed us). Marion and Howard together have really shored this area up.

This team has not been firing on all cylinders and starts JJ Barea at shooting guard. We've gotten away with it thanks to Dirk playing out of his ing mind. Dallas has lots of room for improvement.

[23LeBronJames23]

I knew it that the lakers are pretty bad against good teams thanks for showing it.

Mavs are actually better wow I cant believe what Im saying.

[JoeTait75]

I thought Hedo was definitely a better passer and distributor, but Carter in theory is supposed to be able to bail out their offense with his ability to create off the dribble.

Which is not their game. They excelled last year by going inside-out with Dewey, with Turk distributing and running the pick 'n pop and with ball movement on the perimeter with their squadron of tall shooters. When The Vince is going one-on-one their whole machine just grinds to a halt.

If I'm playing Orlando I'm good with The Vince taking 25-30 shots. I like my chances if they're playing that game.

[23LeBronJames23]

btw can you just show portland, okc, spurs and miami too?

[DAF86]

Well, they didn't want to give Hedo an extension at his age, and they're in short-term win now mode. I thought Hedo was definitely a better passer and distributor, but Carter in theory is supposed to be able to bail out their offense with his ability to create off the dribble. I think he's a loser and I've never been impressed with him, so I probably would've kept Hedo.

Hedo > Carter for teams with championship aspirations and that IMO makes Hedo > Carter as a basketball player, I don't care about stats, athletic abilities, natural skills, points made for crappy teams or any of that bull . The Magic made a mistake when they replace Hedo for Carter IMO.

[Lukor]

Isnt Carter currently shooting 35% or sth....

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Big surprise, but the Suns are not for real.

Way to go out on a limb with that one.

[JoeTait75]

Isnt Carter currently shooting 35% or sth....

40.3 to be exact- 32.8 from downtown. He currently leads the team in three-point attempts- which won't be the case for long now that Rashard is back and hoisting at his usual frenetic rate- but he's still taking too many.

[Findog]

Spurs record against .500 or better teams: 2-10
Spurs Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: Even

Zombie Sonics record against .500 or better teams: 5-12
Zombie Sonics Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +1

Trail Blazers record against .500 or better teams: 9-8
Trail Blazers Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +4

Heat record against .500 or better teams: 5-9
Heat Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: -2

Rockets record against .500 or better teams: 8-11
Rockets Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +6

Jazz record against .500 or better teams: 6-10
Jazz Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +1

[Medvedenko]

While the Laker record doesn't show too well, we didn't have Gasol for a bunch of those games.

[Findog]

While the Laker record doesn't show too well, we didn't have Gasol for a bunch of those games.

Before Gasol (11 games):

Lakers record against .500 or better teams: 4-3
Lakers Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: Even

After Gasol (19 games):

Lakers record against .500 or better teams: 5-3
Lakers Road Win/Home Loss +/- differential: +5

[tlongII]

Dallas isn't any good. They will tank eventually.

[tlongII]

The Cavs are easily the best team in the league at this moment.

[Findog]

Dallas isn't any good. They will tank eventually.

lol Portland trainers

[BlackSwordsMan]

2-10, cia-pop. Just tanking the season in order to play the lakers in the first round.
non-issue

[BlackSwordsMan]

2-10, cia-pop. Just tanking the season in order to play the lakers in the first round.
non-issue

[Findog]

I think Boston has the most complete and balanced team so far. They don't drop back to backs to the Clippers and Dubs with Pierce.

[Mavs_man_41]

I was actually surprised about the stats on the mavs at first glance, but after thinking about it I'm really not. Findog just about covered it all, our defense has really improved and we still have LOT'S of room for improvement. I'd definately say that we're a darkhorse this year behind the big 3. (Cleveland, LA, Boston)