After 25 games... (NBA Edition)

As the 2009-10 NBA season is well under way, it is time to evaluate the experts' (those affliated with the NBA) preseason picks for the various divisions and awards. Let's see which teams are actually on their way to living up to expectations and which are underperforming:

First let's start with the Eastern Conference:

The Boston Celtics were picked to represent the East in the NBA Finals and to also win the Atlantic division. With a record of 20-4, they are currently tied for the best record in the league. Their play hasn't been stellar at times but their defense has shown flashes of dominance. If Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen can stay healthy, and Rasheed Wallace can continue to find his role on this team, expect them to make a deep run in the playoffs.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were selected to win the Central division and have recently shown signs of living up to the hype, even though the LeBron James - Shaquille O'Neal tandem has yet to gel, partially due to the games that O'Neal missed a couple of weeks ago. However, there's still over 50 games for them to get things together, expect to see improvements as Shaq has shown the ability to adjust to other star players in the past.

The surprise of the East thus far into the season, is undoubtedly the Atlanta Hawks. They are currently second in the conference, above predicted power houses, Cleveland and Orlando. The Orlando Magic were predicted to easily win the Southeast division; however, if Atlanta continues to play at this level, the Magic may be looking at a lower seed than they expected come playoff time.

Onto the Western Conference:

The reigning world champion Los Angeles Lakers have been stellar thus far into the season. After a shaky start and a complete beat down from the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers have bounced back and have the look of a possible repeat champion. Kobe Bryant is looking like the MVP of 2 years ago, Pau Gasol has finally grasped the importance of him becoming a dominating big man, and Ron Artest has remained under control. They are tied with Boston for the best record in the league; however, they have been much more impressive in their wins.

Randy Martinez, a longtime Lakers fan and resident of Albuquerque, NM had this to say about the 2009-10 Lakers team in comparison to last season's 2008-09 NBA Championship team. "The Ron Artest addition and the mature and healed Andrew Bynum has upped the Lakers' defensive intensity while still containing an offensive threat to their opponents. Last season, the Lakers were what some may say as a mediocre defensive team, allowing 100 plus points a game and allowing a role player of the opposing team to have a career night. Compared to last season, the Lakers are now No. 1 in opponent field goal percentage and opponent 3-point field goal percentage, allowing some teams to score approximately 95 points or lower a game at a rather fast paced tempo. All in all, the Los Angeles Lakers are a much better team than last year solely due to their high-risen defensive intensity."

If the Lakers can maintain the defensive intensity and stay focused over a long NBA season, they will be extremely difficult to dethrone.

To the surprise of many critics, not including myself, the Denver Nuggets are currently sitting in second place in the Western Conference and have a solid hold onto the top spot in the Northwest division. Apparently, last year's run was thought to be a fluke, as the Portland Trailblazers were expected to win the division and challenge the Lakers for the Western conference crown. With the stellar play and growth of Carmelo Anthony, it appears as if the Nuggets are prepared to reach the Western conference finals and possibly the NBA finals. I expect to see a rematch of last year's Western conference finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers, home-court advantage will be key.

The surprise of the West goes to the Dallas Mavericks, who are currently third in the Western conference and first in the Southwest division over the San Antonio Spurs, who were thought to be contenders this season after their acquisition of Richard Jefferson. The Mavericks have gone under the radar so far this season but expect for teams to take them seriously from now on.

That's it for this installment folks! Be sure to keep watching the NBA season and I will bring you more of my thoughts on how things play out more often! Again, be safe this holiday season and cherish the time spent with your families.

Photo Courtesy of www.nba.com/lakers

Road to Redemption Cut Short

As most were tucked away in their warm beds Thursday morning, another NFL football player was lost at approximately 6:36 a.m. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry died from injuries sustained in an incident that authorities have labeled a domestic dispute between Henry and his fiancé, Loleini Tonga, Dec. 16th.

Reports indicate that Henry and Tonga were involved in a heated argument at their home in Charlotte, N.C. before Tonga attempted to leave the premises in Henry's pickup truck. It is unclear how or why Henry ended up in the bed of the pickup truck but multiple 911 calls were made by onlookers, claiming that Henry was banging on the glass window of the truck before eventually falling out. When paramedics arrived at the scene, Henry was unconcious and foaming at the mouth. Coroners have yet to release the cause of death.

The news comes at a time when Bengals fans, players and coaches, and various members of the NFL community were rooting for Chris Henry, as he attempted to rid himself of his troubled past and focus strictly on emerging as the once formidable offensive force he had shown flashes of becoming.

Bryan Robinson, a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals had this to say about Henry's on field play, "Henry was always a deep ball threat. It seemed like every time he touched the ball, he made a play for his team. It showed the team's depth at the wide receiver position, that they could bring him off the bench."

In the 8 games in which Henry played in, prior to this season-ending broken left arm injury against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 8, Henry had 12 receptions for a total of 236 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an average of 19.7 yards per catch.

Unfortunately it appears as if Henry's on-field accomplishments will forever be overshadowed by his off-field antics. In his relatively short collegiate and professional careers, Henry was arrested five times, suspended from a collegiate game while playing at West Virginia, suspended for half of the 2007 NFL season, and eventually released by the Bengals before being reinstated by Bengals president Mike Brown shortly after.

Carson Palmer, starting quarterback for the Bengals had this to say about this his teammate prior to the start of the 2009 season, "He ran into some trouble, made some bad decisions, and realized that. He's sorry for them, apologized for them, and has done everything he can to make himself a better person. I'm just proud of him."

It is my hope that up and coming athletes, no matter the sport, will take from this situation the importance of being a professional at all times. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and the entire Bengals organization.

On that note, I say so long to all my readers and I hope you all have a safe and beautiful holiday season. Until next time folks!

Photo courtesy of www.bengals.com