Early Picks For NBA MVP

Whatever the criteria you use for determining at this early stage of the NBA season who will eventually become the MVP of the entire season, we first have to determine who, at this point, is the most important part of their particular team's success.

Now, this may or may not be sustainable by mid-season, (I'll probably do a few of these before the season's over) but as of right now, these are my top picks:

1. LeBron James - I swear if there were two LeBrons in Cleveland, The Cavs would win it all.

2. Kobe Bryant - I swear if there were two Kobes in LA, The Lakers would win it all. (Sorry.)

3. Dwight Howard - The Magic's Backbone. A total freak of nature. Shaq Who?

4. Kevin Garnett - Don't be fooled, KG is the main reason the Celtics are on top of their Conference, but he does have some help.

5. Steve Nash - A True Master of his skill - but he can't possibly get any better, right?..right..?

Pint-Sized White Kid Pours in 25 Points In First NBA Start

It isn't often that a sub-6ft. white guy comes up big in an NBA game. Puertorican-born Jose Barea not only did that, he did it in his first "real" NBA start. The 5'11" dynamo, who last year was sent down to the NBDL - dominated that league - and was quickly called up, poured in 25 points, dished out 5 assists in 28 and a half minutes before leaving early in the fourth quarter to a standing ovation.

Now keep in mind; Barea plays for the Dallas Mavericks - one of the elite teams of the NBA - where everyone is capable of creating their own offense off the dribble.

You would have to listen to an interview with Dallas Coach Avery Johnson in this video from late last season. So will he overtake Devin Harris' starting PG spot? Too early to say; but I will say this: JJ Barea is the next little big thing in the NBA.

Orlando Should Go Deep Into The Playoffs

Judging by what I saw in this pre-season and in last night's opener, I'm stating that The Orlando Magic are definitely better than advertised, better than Miami and probably even better than the Boston Celtics this year.

In last night's game Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard dominated (which I believe will happen all year long) and, even with the dynamic Jameer Nelson and his back-up Carlos Arroyo having sub-par games, the supporting staff (namely Hedo Turkoglu) carried more than enough offense to keep the game wide open from the beginning of the second half to the end.

If Lewis and Howard can stay consistent all year long, I'm sure the third and fourth scoring options (which will vary night to night) will do enough to win at least 55 games this year. And if Nelson and Arroyo can co-exist and play well regardless of who's starting or who's getting more minutes than the other, than this team is headed for greatness for many years to come.

Oh and by the way, Stan Van Gundy for Coach of the Year.

Top Ten Dunkers of All Time

These are my pick for top ten dunkers of all time. These players come from all leagues, not just the NBA. I had to go beyond the NBA, cause it just wouldn't be fair to say that no players beyond the NBA are good enough to be on this list. So here goes - MY top ten for Best Dunkers of All Time.

1. Vince Carter - Did YOU see the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?
2. Michael Jordan - Could argueably be #1.
3. Kadour Ziani - Look him up on YouTube.
4. Dominique Wilkins - Gave His Airness a run for his money.
5. Julius "Dr. J" Erving - way ahead of his time in the 70's.
6. Kobe Bryant - In-game dunks are the best i've seen since Jordan.
7. Taurian "Air Up There" Fontenette - Best ever dunker in And1.
8. Clyde Drexler - Wasn't called "The Glide" for nothing.
9. Tracy McGrady - Although he's NOT the best dunker in his family (Vince is).
10. Jason Richardson - Should've been 3-time NBA dunk Champ.

So there it goes MY top 10. If your favorite player's name is not up there, well it's because he's NOT top 10... LIVE WITH IT! Remember their not all from the NBA.

My Top Ten Fantasy Picks for 07-08 Season

My top ten fantasy picks for the 2007-2008 NBA season probably won't look like anybody else's. As a matter of fact, I'm probably going out on a limb on some of them. But these are the players who I seriously think are going to stand out this year, especially for those fantasy owners out there. So, without further mumbo-jumbo, here goes:

1. LeBron James - Might be a push, but I think this will be the year he's called the greatest.
2. Kobe Bryant - This year might be his best to date, after all, he's probably auditioning for a new team next year.
3. Kevin Garnett - Maybe his scoring will suffer a little in Beantown, but I believe we'll see Moses Malone type rebounding numbers every day.
4. Dirk Nowitzki - This guy just keeps getting better and better each year.
5. Dwight Howard - With the new guys in Orlando, he'll finally get to play his true position.
6. Chris Paul - Push - Huge upside if he stays healthy
7. Steve Nash - I can't believe this guy actually got better last year.
8. Carmelo Anthony - Might be in the top three by next year.
9. Vince Carter - Has kept healthy for the past three years, his game has matured immensely.
10. Gerald Wallace - Somebody has to do the scoring in Charlotte - Well this guy just fills up the stat sheet.

So there you have them, MY top 10. I hope you're not TOO mad at me.