SUNS, NETS, ON THE RISE

 

 

(Images taken from NBA.com)

 

They may still be LA's form side overall but the LA Clippers have been slipping recently. They may have opened 2006 with a 100-94 win in Portland but a rough December resulted in them slipping to a 17-12 record. The main side to have taken advantage of that was the Phoenix Suns, who have been duelling with the Clippers for the lead of the Pacific division over the Xmas period while on a five game road trip picking up wins in Minnisota, Washington, Charlotte and Chicago, only falling in New York 140-136 after a triple overtime scrap with the Knicks, leaving them with a 19-11 record. Along with the Suns and Clippers, the Warriors are also in a playoff position with the Lakers having risen to fourth(though currently on a five game losing streak) while Sacremento brings up the rear.

In the Northwest Division the TWolves are hanging on in there with a 15-14 record gained with a 91-78 win over Dallas though the Jazz are definately giving Kevin Garnett's crew quite a scrap.

The side still running the show out West though is the San Antonio Spurs with a 24-7 record and a three game winning streak, the chasing pack headed up by the Mavs, the the Grizzlies, then the Hornets, then the still floundering Rockets.

Out East, the biggest movements are in the Atlantic division with the Nets currently holding the upper hand in their duel with the Sixers thanks to an amazing eight game winning streak putting them at 17-12 while Philly have been running through choppy seas, though they're not done yet, their last game having been a 111-88 win in Sacremento. The Celtics are back in the playoff race while the Raptors and Knicks(back in the doldrums) complete the division in that order.

However, though it's been over a month since this site's basketball section last got an update the side that still look like they'll run away with the League are the Pistons, Flip Saunders's side have a record of 25-4 and if they keep that sort of form up throughout the regular season they'll end up with a record second only to the legendary Michael Jordan led Bulls side of 95/96, who finished with 72-10...though I'd still root for the '96 Bulls against the '06 Pistons any day of the week. Behind Detroit in the Central Division are the Cavs, then the Bucks, then the Pacers, then the '06 vintage Bulls on a seven game losing streak.

In the Southeast Division, the Heat still head up a Florida 1-2 but are the only side on anything approaching decent form with the Wizards, Bobcats and Hawks making up the numbers.

Last but not least though, it's been done, I have voted and now let us flashforward to Houston on February 19th

And now please welcome the Eastern Allstars starting five:

	Luol Deng: UK raised sophomore forward for the Bulls. He's got ability but I'll admit this was a heart over head vote, maybe he'll get a bench spot.
	LeBron James: The last guy to get given as much we're not worthy treatment coming into the NBA was Michael Jordan. Now in his third season and running the show in Cleveland.
	Allen Iverson: It's wierd to think that this guy's now technically a vet - I remember his rookie year and he's still quality when on form.
	Dwayne Wade: Same year as James though with none of the early hype. Is Shaq's junior partner of choice though and ran the Miami show well enough during Shaq's injury
	Shaquille O'Neal: Now he's back in business, an Allstar game without Shaq is just insane

 

And now, the Western Conference Allstars starting five.

	Elton Brand: One of the main faces behind the Clippers revival
	Tim Duncan: Another guy that's been around so long it's wierd but another banker for the Allstar Game.
	Kobe Bryant: The Lakers aren't what they were but I'd give this guy one last Allstar Game at least.
	Steve Nash: Always had a lot of respect for this guy, the ultimate point guard.
	Yao Ming: Shaq's only real rival for the best centre in the NBA crown.

 

Fingers crossed.