NBA: Mid-Season Analysis
1. What player is the NBA MVP right now?
James Harden edges out Russell Westbrook for the MVP right now. He has his team at 33-12, which is better than the 22-21 record they had around this time last year. His 28.7 points, 11.7 assists (leads the NBA), and 8.3 rebounds are unmatched. If he continues this pace and keeps his team near the top of the West, he is a clear cut MVP for the NBA.
2. What team that has been the biggest disappointment?
The New York Knicks, who seemed that they were poised to be top-five in the East and could make a run in the playoffs with the addition of Derrick Rose, even though he was coming off of two major injuries., it seemed he still had something left in the tank. Joakim Noah, a defensive juggernaut could help with the Knicks' troubles on defense. And Brandon Jennings, who is a solid backup point guard. Also, Kristaps Porzingis seems like he is really coming to his own.
It looked like Carmelo Anthony finally had the help he needed, but their season is going terribly. They are 18-24 as of right now, and now it seems like Phil Jackson and Anthony are at odds. It seems like nothing is going right for them.
3. Who is the Rookie of the Year at the half-way mark?
Joel Embiid. #TrustTheProcess. He is averaging 19.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.4
blocks a game. Embiid was drafted back in 2014 but injuries kept him sidelined until this year.
Even though the Sixers are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-26. Embiid is averaging 22.5 points a game in January which has helped the Sixers to a 7-2 record in the month. Embiid is simply a superstar in the making.
4. What team will make a push for the playoffs?
The Bucks are looking to make a playoff push for the second half of the season. They are sitting in the No. 9 seed right now in the Eastern Conference, and are in a pulling match for the No. 8 spot with Chicago. But with the Bulls looking weaker as the season counties to come into full swing, expect the Bucks to not only take that No. 8 spot, but sit somewhere near the No. 5 or No. 6 spot.
5. What team will fall out of the playoff race?
Right now the Bulls are struggling, with Rajon Rondo, who was benched “for his own good." It seems like the promising team the Bulls were looking like in the beginning of the regular season is not shaping out how people thought it could be.
There were talks about how they could fare with no real shooters on the team, and during the first three games it looked like things were looking up. But as quickly as it started the season, things started to derail, going 5-5 in the next 10 games.
Now sitting at 21-22 in the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference, the season is not looking bright for the Bulls. I see them falling out of the playoffs and ending the season somewhere near the No. 10 spot.
Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports.
