A mid-season review

A look at the best and worst from the first half of the NBA season

Romer Bautista, staff

Now that half a season has passed in my beloved NBA, I thought it would be a nice time to take a look at a few of the highlights (and lowlights) of what’s been an entertaining first half to the 2007-08 season.

Most Impressive Team: Los Angeles Lakers
With the whirlwind of controversy surrounding the Lakers entering the season — by whirlwind, I mean Kobe Bryant’s on-again, off-again trade demands — it was thought by many, including myself, that the Lakers would be on the outside, looking in when it came to the playoff picture. Instead, they have put together a great first half that sees them 14 games above .500 and in a tight battle for top spot in the Pacific division. Bryant has evolved his game to become more of a team player, and the results speak for themselves. Bryant’s play has also been beneficial to the growth of Andrew Bynum, who was on his way to an all-star season before being sidelined with a knee injury. The recent acquisition of Pau Gasol only solidified the Lakers as a team to reckon with come the second half of the season.

Least Valuable Player: Shaquille O’ Neal
The 2007-08 season will not be one that the Big Aristotle will look back on fondly when his days as an NBA player finish, which by the looks of it will be sooner rather than later. Now in his 16th season, O’Neal is easily having his statistically worst season as a pro. He is averaging just 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, well below his career averages of 25.6 and 11.5. What’s worse is that the Miami Heat, NBA champions two years ago, are now the worst team in the NBA. And it doesn’t look like O’Neal will be able to come to his team’s rescue this time. Due to nagging injuries, he has only played in four games since the new year.

Most Valuable Player: Chris Paul
The New Orleans Hornets haven’t been to the postseason since the 2003-04 season — when they were still in the Eastern conference. Yet Chris Paul, in only his third season as a pro, has led the Hornets to top spot in the Southwest division, and a battle with playoff stalwarts, the Phoenix Suns, for top spot in the vaunted Western conference. He is not only playing at an extremely high level himself, he is also helping his teammates play better as well. As of Feb. 4, Paul is averaging 20.7 points, 10.9 steals and a league-leading 2.52 steals per game.

Most Disappointing Team: Chicago Bulls
While not everyone picked the Bulls to make the finals (there were many that did, however), I don’t think anybody predicted them to be as terrible as they have been midway through the year. The Bulls are 10 games under .500, and if the playoffs started today, they would be watching them from home. Scott Skiles was made the sacrificial lamb when he was fired as head coach before Christmas, but as the season has continued, it has become apparent that Skiles was not the main problem — scoring baskets was. Case in point: the Bulls’ inept offence managed only 67 points in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team ranked 22nd in defence, and owners of the second-worst record in the league.

Biggest Raptors-related surprise: Jose Calderon
I vividly remember in 2005 when the Toronto Raptors announced the signing of an unknown Spanish point guard. Then-general manager, Rob Babcock, compared the point guard to hall-of-famer John Stockton. I scoffed at the notion that a player with the skill set of a John Stockton had slipped through cracks and landed in Toronto. I didn’t believe it. Well, I was wrong. Calderon’s play this year has been very Stockton-like, especially since TJ Ford was injured. Calderon is a big reason why the Raptors are in the middle of the playoff picture in the Eastern conference.





Volume 95 Issue 20	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	Febuary 06, 2008

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly A mid-season review A look at the best and worst from the first half of the NBA season Romer Bautista, staff Now that half a season has passed in my beloved NBA, I thought it would be a nice time to take a look at a few of the highlights (and lowlights) of what’s been an entertaining first half to the 2007-08 season. Most Impressive Team: Los Angeles Lakers With the whirlwind of controversy surrounding the Lakers entering the season — by whirlwind, I mean Kobe Bryant’s on-again, off-again trade demands — it was thought by many, including myself, that the Lakers would be on the outside, looking in when it came to the playoff picture. Instead, they have put together a great first half that sees them 14 games above .500 and in a tight battle for top spot in the Pacific division. Bryant has evolved his game to become more of a team player, and the results speak for themselves. Bryant’s play has also been beneficial to the growth of Andrew Bynum, who was on his way to an all-star season before being sidelined with a knee injury. The recent acquisition of Pau Gasol only solidified the Lakers as a team to reckon with come the second half of the season. Least Valuable Player: Shaquille O’ Neal The 2007-08 season will not be one that the Big Aristotle will look back on fondly when his days as an NBA player finish, which by the looks of it will be sooner rather than later. Now in his 16th season, O’Neal is easily having his statistically worst season as a pro. He is averaging just 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, well below his career averages of 25.6 and 11.5. What’s worse is that the Miami Heat, NBA champions two years ago, are now the worst team in the NBA. And it doesn’t look like O’Neal will be able to come to his team’s rescue this time. Due to nagging injuries, he has only played in four games since the new year. Most Valuable Player: Chris Paul The New Orleans Hornets haven’t been to the postseason since the 2003-04 season — when they were still in the Eastern conference. Yet Chris Paul, in only his third season as a pro, has led the Hornets to top spot in the Southwest division, and a battle with playoff stalwarts, the Phoenix Suns, for top spot in the vaunted Western conference. He is not only playing at an extremely high level himself, he is also helping his teammates play better as well. As of Feb. 4, Paul is averaging 20.7 points, 10.9 steals and a league-leading 2.52 steals per game. Most Disappointing Team: Chicago Bulls While not everyone picked the Bulls to make the finals (there were many that did, however), I don’t think anybody predicted them to be as terrible as they have been midway through the year. The Bulls are 10 games under .500, and if the playoffs started today, they would be watching them from home. Scott Skiles was made the sacrificial lamb when he was fired as head coach before Christmas, but as the season has continued, it has become apparent that Skiles was not the main problem — scoring baskets was. Case in point: the Bulls’ inept offence managed only 67 points in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team ranked 22nd in defence, and owners of the second-worst record in the league. Biggest Raptors-related surprise: Jose Calderon I vividly remember in 2005 when the Toronto Raptors announced the signing of an unknown Spanish point guard. Then-general manager, Rob Babcock, compared the point guard to hall-of-famer John Stockton. I scoffed at the notion that a player with the skill set of a John Stockton had slipped through cracks and landed in Toronto. I didn’t believe it. Well, I was wrong. Calderon’s play this year has been very Stockton-like, especially since TJ Ford was injured. Calderon is a big reason why the Raptors are in the middle of the playoff picture in the Eastern conference.


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