In The Paint - Atlantic Division 2009 Breakdown

“In The Paint” is an exclusive breakdown of each NBA team’s outlook heading into the 2009 calendar year, broken down by division. The breakdown takes a look of how each team is looking in this current season, its prospects for the 2009 NBA draft and free agency, and what possibly their potential will be going into the 2009-10 campaign next fall. We start our breakdown with the Atlantic Division, where the Boston Celtics have laid the Blueprint for success.

In the Paint: Atlantic Division

Boston’s blueprint needs to be followed.

Over the past two seasons, there has been no team so dominant in their division than Boston in the Atlantic. A division with such storied franchises as the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Nets all take a back seat to the champs. But it is not just Boston’s play on the court that sets them apart, but also their calculated risks off the court in assembling a winner that makes the the blueprint for the division, and the league. Read more

Are Rookies of the Year Overrated?

A LayupDrill.com Exclusive
Words by Joe Buckley

Rookies.

Quite exiting to watch eh? We always love to see if they were worth their draft pick, if they can tranfer thier talent from college or overseas to the pro’s.

This year draft class appears to be very deep, and very interesting. More so than before a lot of rookies are making bigger impacts on teams. Because of this the race has thickened considerably, with Bulls guard Derrick Rose and Grizzlies star O.J Mayo leading the way.

But instead of merely picking out my favorite or ranking this seasons prospective, I’ve decided to look a bit more at the award itself.
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The Most Disappointing Teams in the NBA

Eastern Conference Top 2

Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 12-16
10th Place in Eastern Conference

The signing of Elton Brand during the off-season brought lots of attention towards the 76ers newly powered lineup. With Brand at the power-forward position, the Sixers looked like one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference.

But with the firing of head coach Maurice Cheeks and the lack of chemistry between the players, the Sixers have become one of the biggest upsets so far this season. To make things worse, Elton Brand recently injured his shoulder keeping him from action for at least a month.

Samuel Dalembert is having a horrific season thus far averaging just 6.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 1.4 BPG in only 25.3 MPG; after averaging 10.5 PPG, 10.4 RPG, and 2.3 BPG, in 33.2 MPG during the 07-08 NBA season.

The Sixers are in one big mess and need to re-cooperate if they have any hopes in making the playoffs this season. Once Brand returns to the Sixers line-up head coach Tony DiLeo must turn the Sixers into a winning team or else we could see another head coach firing before the end of the season.

ESPN sports writer Bill Simmons predicted the 76ers to finish the season in 6th place with a 43-39 record. I do not see that happening this season!

Toronto Raptors
Record: 11-17
12th Place in Eastern Conference

Acquiring Jermaine O’Neal gave Raptors fans a sense of hope making it past the first round of the playoffs. Jermaine was set to play the center with Chris Bosh at the power-forward position. The Raptors, along with head coach Sam Mitchell finally looked like one of the most powerful teams in the Eastern Conference.

After starting the season 8-9, general manager Bryan Colangelo decided to fire head coach Sam Mitchell. Assistant Coach Jay Triano took over the head coaching job and has done little to help the Raptors improve so far.

Jermaine O’Neal has not been living up to expectations this season averaging just 13.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 1.7 BPG in 29.6 minutes of play. Besides injuries being a concern already this season, Jermaine stated that he was 100% healthy at the start of the year and expected to rebound after a horrible season during his 07-08 campaign.

If the Raptors want to improve their lousy record this season, Jermaine must step up his play on both ends of the court as well as strengthening his chemistry with his teammates. Chris Bosh, Jermaine O’Neal, and Jose Calderon were expected to be one of the best trios in the league and have somehow stooped their way down to 12th place this season.

ESPN sports writer Bill Simmons predicted the Raptors to end the season in 7th place with a record of 41-41. At this rate, the Raptors are not going to reach the 40 win column.

Western Conference Top 2

Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 8-20
11th place in Western Conference

The signing of Marcus Camby and Baron Davis brought Clippers fans to their feet! For once the team actually looked good! With Chris Kaman ending his 07-08 season with career numbers in points (15.7 PPG), rebounds (12.7 RPG), blocks (2.8 BPG), and minutes (37.2 MPG), the Clippers looked like the team to beat.

But after starting the season with an 8-20 record, the Clippers look like they have totally lost all hope in making the playoffs. Chris Kaman has been injured for over two weeks with an injured foot and is not expected back until after the New Year. Zach Randolph injured his knee last night and Marcus Camby is out due to personal reasons.

Head-Coach Mike Dunleavy needs to spice things up in L.A. or he can be the next coach to get fired this season. When Kaman returns, the Clippers could become a big team in the West if they can work their problems out.

ESPN sports writer Bill Simmons predicted the Clippers to end the season with a 33-49 record. As of right now, that looks like a pretty accurate prediction.
Sacramento Kings
Record: 7-22
13th place in Western Conference

With the departure of forward Ron Artest, the Kings became a rather young team. (Exceptions to Brad Miller and Mikki Moore). Kevin Martin established a name for himself in the 07-08 season as one of the best scoring shooting-guards in the entire league while John Salmons was expected to start the new season for the first time in his six year career. Head Coach Reggie Theus expected big things from the Kings going into the 08-09 season.

After a 6-18 start, Reggie Theus was put to blame and fired. Kevin Martin suffered an ankle injury on November 9 and was out for a few weeks before returning to re-injure his ankle yet again. Martin has now been out for the last 12 games in a row and has no time-able return.

Brad Miller is on the trade market and looks to be leaving the Kings roster very shortly. Spencer Hawes would take over the starting center position and could excel tremendously.

Francisco Garcia has made a recent return to the Kings line-up, but has not done much to turn the Kings record around.

The Kings have no chances of making the playoffs this season. They have a terrible record of 7-22 and will need a season or two before they become a playoff contending team in the Western Conference.

ESPN sports writer Bill Simmons predicting the Kings to end the season with a 37-45 record. The Kings will be lucky to make it past 20 wins this season.

Elton Brand injury update

As if the Philadelphia 76ers needed anything else to go wrong this season, last night, forward Elton Brand injured his shoulder, and had to leave the game early in the first half. The injury luckily will not require any surgery, but due to the severity of the dislocation, Brand will be out a month. Brand, who is averaging 16 points and 9 boards a game this season, has not brought Philly the winning formula many expected after landing the former Duke standout this offseason. His $13 million dollar elbow better heal up quick, or else the Sixers will be on the clock, alongside the Wizards, Thunder, and Timberwolves.

NBA Coaches have no learning curve

LayupDrill.com Exclusive
Words by Brandon Ribak and D. Michael Lee

Six Head Coach’s have been fired in the NBA so far and it’s not even All-Star Break yet! Is it fair that General Managers are blaming their team’s horrific starts all on the Head Coach? Do coaches deserve to get let off so early into the season, or should they get a chance to turn things around? Here is a list of the six Head Coaches who have gotten fired.

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The NBA Top 50

The NBA Top 50
LayupDrill.com’s exclusive rankings of the 50 Best players in the game today, ranked by position.

LayupDrill.com brings to you what will be a Veterans Day tradition here, the unveiling of “The 50 Best”. This list breaks down the top 10 players in the game today at each position, compiling to the top 50 players in the NBA. There are some positions which are obviously deeper than others(point guard vs center, for example), so you may not see your favorite player making the cut. But we feel in order to be in the discussion as the best, you need to be at least in the top 10 among your peers. We also know there will be some fans of some veterans that may be upset their favorite future hall of famer is either low on the list of their particular position, or not on the list at all. Keep in mind, these rankings are not based on career achievement, but rather how good the player is playing today. We did not include players who are currently out, or have been due to injury for some time(the Agent Zero rule). Check out the lists, drop a comment or two, and let your voice be heard!
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