Ten Exciting Players
Reader Brien H. wrote to the Pipeline yesterday and expressed hope that Baron Davis make a strong recovery, calling him one of the 10 most exciting players in the league. I thought about that statement a bit, and couldn't disagree. I've only seen Davis play in person once, at the 2001 All-Star game in D.C., in the Rookie Challenge. He was electric, to be sure. Here is one take on who the 10 most exciting players in the NBA are. I can't really define my criteria; these aren't the "best" players. They are simply the ones that are most likely to make a play that you'll be talking to other basketball fans about, with an emphasis on atleticism, explosiveness and creativity.
Baron Davis
Steve Francis
Kevin Garnett
Kobe Bryant
Allen Iverson
Tracy McGrady
Richard Jefferson
Ricky Davis
Darius Miles
Yao Ming
Desmond Mason
OK. That's 11. I'm putting Yao Ming in there. He's not like the other guys, but people who have been watching him always end up talking about him. I know not everybody is sold, to which I can only say "Remember when Shaq had doubters?" I'm not comparing Yao to Shaq just yet, I'm just saying anytime you have something bust onto the scene, there are going to be doubters. I'm not one of them.
Cleveland has two players on that list, as does Houston. Shaq probably belongs there, too. Anyway, that's my list.
Who's hot?
There are two teams that are 8-2 in their last 10. One is Sacramento, which we probably could have guessed. The other? Utah. That's right, Stockton-to-Malone (and Matt Harpring) have that team at 12-9 now, after a 4-7 start. People were trying, hoping, to bury them after being so slow out of the gates, but haven't we all been trying to bury that team for four years now? I still say they have one of the most outrageous homecourt advantages in the league; getting a call in that building as the road team is a near impossible feat. But those guys are quietly putting together a nice stretch. Harpring has been amazing so far; he's perfect for Jerry Sloan's system. Does Utah have what it takes to be a 45-50 win team? I'm still a skeptic, I guess. Wouldn't Stockton or Malone have to suffer an injury at some point? Do they have enough depth over the long haul? Yeah, I know. We've heard it all before...
As for Sacramento, how does Bibby's return improve the team? Scary, scary depth. They don't have Peja, they don't have Pollard, they don't have Bibby. Dallas isn't the only team carrying around a Shaq-sized boogeyman in their psyche; Sacramento's entire season is all about beating the Lakers when it matters. Thing is, only one of Dallas or Sacramento will get the chance to slay their dragon and be successful. They can't both beat the Lakers in the playoffs this year. The team that doesn't eventually take out the Lakers (if anyone does) is always going to wonder if they could have faced down their biggest obstacle, instead of having somebody else do the dirty work.
Elsewhere, Jersey has won 4 in a row, and Memphis has put three wins together. Keep watching that Memphis team, to see how they improve as they gain confidence in themselves and Hubie Brown. There is talent there.
Who's not?
No surprise here, as both Chicago and Cleveland are 2-8 in their last 10, although Chicago's riding a two game win streak. I feel like both of these teams should be better than they are, especially Chicago. They have a veteran star in Jalen Rose, and a pecking order on offense. Chandler and Curry haven't progressed much yet this year; Chandler is nursing back injuries.
Philly and Orlando have lost three in a row, and Miami has dropped four in a row. Philly thought they would get better after coming back home, but Seattle put it to them last night.
10:30:47 AM 
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