NBA High Five

1. Rocket fuelled

Perhaps the biggest suprise of this young NBA season is the Houston Rockets who are sitting atop the tough Southwest Division ahead of San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans.

Currently 3-1 on the young season, most experts would have predicted a 1-3 start, 2-2 at best. Consider their opening week's schedule:

Tue, Oct 27 @ Portland L 87-96
Wed, Oct 28 @ Golden State W 108-107
Sat, Oct 31 Portland W 111-107
Mon, Nov 2 @ Utah W 113-96

Three games away from home including Portland and Utah, and one at home against Portland. Portland and Utah are no easy beats, certainly Utah at home where they have been a virtual lock for the past two seasons, and Portland are a Top 4 Western Conference calibre team.

All of this without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. For the past two seasons this team has exceeded expectation without their two best players even on the floor which poses the question. Should one or both of their top two players be moved while they stilll have a decent market value?

Well we all no the answer to that one. McGrady is unmovable. His contract runs through the 2009-10 season and is worth a touch over 23 million. Any takers? No way. At least not this season.

If Yao Ming can rehab and come back with half a decent jump shot still intact look for Houston to be one of the Top Four Western Conference teams along with LA, Denver and Portland. Consider the potential of their line-up for a second.

They are the clear winners of the Ariza/Artest swap (well L.A do need Artest's D) - having a young player who can already contribute but will only get better. Aaron Brooks is already showing his chops as a the leader at the point. You also have Luis Scola, Shane Battier who are both good defenders who can rebound and also have a nice shooting touch. Then you have two proimsing youngsters in Lowry and Landry off the bench.

What does this add up to? A team which has no ego. A team that has a cagy scrappy defensive mentality with something to prove.

2. A.I Returns

"The Answer" is back. Or should his nickname now be "the Question"? A career 42.5% shooter, he's the 16th all time leading scorer and 2nd amongst active players. Iverson's game has shown little signs of decline over the past few seasons - his numbers actually improving in his time with Denver where he shot 45.4% upon coming over from Phily in 06-07. Im his only full season with the Nuggets he shot 45.8% while going for 26.4 PPG.

But he was traded to Detroit in what at the time looked like a win talent-wise for the Pistons, but this theory was quickly dis-proven as the Pistons stumbled into the playoffs while Chauncey Billups tok the Nuggets into the Western Conference Finals.
Teams now see the answer as more of 'the question', can we win with 'The Answer' on our team? Hopefully in Memphis he can mentor a group of youngsters back into the playoffs for the first time since the Pau Gasol led Griz were swept by the Mavericks three seasons ago. I think the playoffs are a stretch this season, but after a year's development of the likes of O.J, Thabeet and Gasol they could be fighting for a spot in the next few seasons.
3. And then there were Three.

After wins last night for the Knicks, Clippers and Kings we have only three winless teams remaining.

The Knicks have been working hard this season. Already putting in two extra periods in back-to-back games coming away winless, firstly going down to Charlotte 102-100 in Charlotte, the following night a 141-127 overtime loss was served to them by the Sixers. Happy Halloween Mike D'Antoni!

Finally they took care of business on Monday against the Hornets thanks to a nice 4th quarter burst with 6 minutes remaining. Leading 94-92  David Lee and Al Harrington fueled the offense while holding the Hornets scoreless for 3:10 to bust the game open, leading 102-92 with 3 and change left on the clock.

The Clippers have also come close with agonising losses to Phoenix and Dallas at home, even looking solid against Utah in Salt Lake before folding in the fourth quarter. Last night it looked like they may have lost it again in the fourth quarter, but a key 3 pointer by Baron Davis midway through the fourth on an otherwise horrible shooting night (2-10) and a go-ahead lay in from Eric Gordon (6-12 FG for 17 points) with 1:32 remaining helped the Clippers limp to the win. The stand-out once again - Chris Kaman (25 points).

And last but by no means least Paul Westphaul and the Sacramento Kings outlasted the Mephis Grizzlies in OT coming away with 127-116 win. Kevin Martin was simply outstanding with 48 points. Beno Udrih (16 points), now back on the bench this season, was also clutch coming up with some big buckets - including a game-tying layup at the end of regulation.

So that leaves us with only three teams yet to notch up a W. Last year it took until the 12th of November for every team to have a win (Washington def Utah  95-87). When will it happen this year? Let's take a look.

Indiana should be able to take care of New York in MSG with Spike Lee watching on, if not they'll have five days after their game against Washington on Friday to regroup and take care of Golden State at home on Wednesday 11th.

New Jersey have their work cut out for them hosting Denver, then playing Philidelphia away, then returning home to host Boston the following night. Their best chance for a win comes on Wed 11th when they take on Philidelphia at home.

Golden State - despite being 0-2 after losses to Houston and Phoenix have a really good schedule over the next two weeks which should see them jump over Phoenix (who are about to go a tough 5 game eastern confernce road trip - Miami, Orlando, Boston, Washington, Philidelphia). If coach Don Nelson and Stephon Jackson can sort something out the Warriors could have a record of 7-2 going into Clevleand on Tuesday the 17th. These next two weeks will define the Warriors season.

Wed, Nov 4 Memphis
Fri, Nov 6 LA Clippers
Sun, Nov 8 @ Sacramento
Mon, Nov 9 Minnesota
Wed, Nov 11 @ Indiana
Fri, Nov 13 @ NY Knicks
Sat, Nov 14 @ Milwaukee

4. One week down. 3 overtime games in the books.

You've got to love your round ball. Only a week in an already three overtime games. While featuring none of the first teer teams, it sure has been an exciting start to the young season. Way to wear in those new 09-10 sneakers.

New York played in two consecutive OT contests, firstly against the Bobcats narrowly going down , before going down to Phili at home the following night in OT . Last night the Kings took care of the Griz 127-116 in OT.

5. Tonight's schedule

After last night's lull, which actually turned out be a pretty darn good night of NBA action, the schedule blesses us with a bevy of tasty matchups tonight.

Washington @ Cleveland - Are Washington the real deal? Tonight they face a big test, heading into the Q to face LeBron and a fired up Cavs outfit.
Boston @ Philidelphia - Just how good are the Sixers? Tonight they host their biggest rival who also happen to be ranked #1 in the Power Rankings
Phoenix @ Miami - Both teams are undefeated. Neither are considered playoff threats. Who will keep their unbeaten record alive?
Utah @ Dallas- Can Utah turn things around? D-Will vs J-Kidd, Boozer vs Dirk, Kirilenko vs Marion. Should be exciting
Atlanta @ Portland - Both tteams are on the rise and are looking reasonable so far in this short season. Which up-and-comer will come out on top?

Top Performers

Chris Kaman (Lac) - 25 pts (10-15), 11 rebs, 2 blks +5 rating
Zach Randolph (Mem) - 30 pts (12-21), 16 rebs +8 rating
Chris Paul (N.O) - 32 pts (12-18), 4/5 3's, 13 asts +5 rating

The Mayne Mayne is:

Kevin Martin (SAC) - 48 pts (14-27), 7/10 3's, 5 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls +10 rating