Going Down?
There are some teams that are taking a nosedive in the standings that deserve our attention.
Philly has lost nine of their last 10, and six in a row. At least the Hornets, who have lost eight of 10 and four in a row, can blame their slide on Baron Davis' injury. What excuse does Philly have? The chemistry between Brown and Iverson, and between each of them and the rest of the team, is fragile enough when they are winning. What will happen if they don't make the playoffs?
Boston is sliding, too, going 3-7 in their last 10. Walker and Pierce are both hoisting a ton of shots, and both shooting .388 from the field. Could that team change if it had to?
In the West, Seattle is the only team of real consequence that is in a serious slide, dropping 8 of 10 and five in a row. Golden State is only a game behind the Sonics, and has a lot more room to improve. How long till Payton moves, and where does he go? Indiana is the team you read about lately.
Keep It Up...
Everybody knows Jersey and Dallas are hot. Who's making noise at the bottom? Well, the Wizards are now firmly entrenched in the playoff race. I don't know what to think about it. It's taking everything Jordan has to keep them competitive. Will it be a Pyrrhic victory if the Wiz make the postseason? Hard to say. I guess my take on it is, Jordan only has now, and although there is young talent on that team, who is to say that they are better served by getting playing time on the way to a 25 win season, or by playing bit roles in a playoff push? I guess I'm inclined to say that if they can make the playoffs by playing vets, they have an obligation to do that. You can't hold back for some forecasted payoff down the road. You only have the now.
Milwaukee's hanging around. Phoenix keeps converting believers. And of course, the Lakers have won seven of 10, and four straight. They are three games under .500, and two and a half out of the last playoff spot, temporarily held by the Timberwolves.
Purple and Gold objects in your rearview mirror are larger than they appear...
2:20:33 PM 
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