MKRob Sports

By Brandon Taylor

The Lakers are playing better defense and are 7-0. The Lakers are the best team in the NBA. As long as Kobe stays healthy, the Lakers don’t matter until April.

The New Orleans Hornets are 6-0 and I wonder does Chris Paul still want out in the near future? It seems like they have sent Peja into exile until they can trade him.

If Richard Jefferson can give San Antonio 18-20 points a game, they can get the Lakers in a 7-game series.

The Northwest could be the best division in basketball this season. I think Portland and Oklahoma City are the two best teams. If Carmelo Anthony stays in Denver the whole season, and is focused and committed, they will be in the race. You also have to keep Utah in the race if their defense gets better. Forget the often fragile Carlos Boozer. I’ll take the duo of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.

If Dallas and San Antonio met in a series, I would give a slight edge to Dallas because they are playing better defense right now. Jason Terry is lights out right now, and Dirk is not slowing down.

Rudy Gay is certainly trying to prove he deserves that max contract in Memphis. He has been dominant, and Mike Conley is starting to play like Memphis hoped when they drafted him.

I just don’t know about Phoenix. They have the weapons to outscore people every night, I just don’t know if they are good enough to get in the playoffs. It’s going to come down to Hedo Turkoglu. If he is productive, meaning 15 points, 3-4 rebounds, and 3-4 assists, they can win. I don’t like Turkoglu playing power forward. I don’t like him being a spot-up shooter either. Turkoglu likes to create. I know Steve Nash does 95% of the ball handling and then when he rests, Goran Dragic runs the team. I would like to see Turkoglu handle the ball some and he can create for himself or kick out for open looks to Jason Richardson, Channing Frye, or Jared Dudley.

Golden State is 4-2, and if they are around .500 near the All-Star break, Monta Ellis should make the All-Star team.