Offensively they look lost scoring just 91

If you look at their team stats, they’re middle of the road in points, FG, 3PT, assists, opp PPG, and actually are in the top 10 in FT and steals. They only categories they are really lagging in are rebounds and free throw attempts. Just five wins…and three have come against the Knicks and Nets.However, A.I. offers them just enough hope.He should take pressure off of Iguodala in the half-court set, and maybe even open up opportunities for Samuel Dalembert and Elton Brand. He’ll also assuredly increase the Sixers’ free-throw attempts with his ability to drive to the hoop.But as as much as I personally like Iverson, and I greatly admire his passion and love for the game of basketball, I don’t see the honeymoon lasting long in Philly.He’s probably not going to be enough to push them into a playoff spot, and he’ll take minutes away from Lou Williams when he returns from injury. And what will happen to Iguodala and Thaddeus Young in the half-court Will they stand around watching Iverson take 20 shots a game to protect his career scoring average How does this help the Sixers in the long run This was a desperate marketing move from Philly, but it’s enough to keep them out of the cellar…for now. The “I Have No Idea What The (Bleep) To Think” Group 21. Toronto Raptors (8-13)Almost the worst defensive team in the league, giving up an astounding 110 points per game, including 146 on Wednesday night’s beat down at Atlanta.

A dismal 2-9 record on the road and a 2-9 record in their last 11 games. In five of their seven wins, they’ve held opponents under 100 points; in all of their losses, their opponent has cracked 100. Hedo Turkoglu is not the player he was in Orlando and he just looks older than his age suggests (30).But still, the Raps have shown flashes of being a good team this year. Chicago Bulls (7-10)Just like Toronto, the Bulls have been all over the place. After allowing only one team (Boston) to score more than 100 points in their first 10 games, Chicago went 1-5 on their annual circus trip, giving up 105.5 points per game.Offensively they look lost, scoring just 91.4 a game and shooting a dismal 43.5 from the field, good for 28th in the league. But they’re 5-1 at home and still trying to fill the scoring gap left by Ben Gordon. Joakim Noah & Luol Deng have played good minutes this year and Derrick Rose is still coming into his own.

This team has much more potential than Toronto, and I think they can easily get back in the playoff picture…just play some defense! The “Strangely Intriguing” Group 19. Los Angeles Clippers (8-11) The Clips have played all season without 1 pick Blake Griffin and about half the season without starting guard Eric Gordon. They dropped their first four to the Lakers, Suns, Jazz and Mavs (all playoff teams) and quietly won four of five in late November.Chris Kaman & Marcus Camby are combining for 28 points, 19 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game, while Rasual Butler and Craig Smith are two great players to bring off the bench. So could the Clippers…the Los Angeles Clippers…be a legit playoff contender by the end of the seasonSeveral questions need to be answered. How will Blake Griffin fit into the rotation since Camby & Kaman are playing so well Can Baron Davis be durable enough to stay healthy all season How many games will Mike Dunleavy cost them in crunch time with his line-up juggling and poor play calling And can they survive two 6 game road trips in December and January to keep them in the hunt for an 8-seed come March 18.

Charlotte Bobcats (8-11) The league’s best defensive team has started to gel since the arrival of Captain Jack from Golden State, winning four in a row (including a thumping of my Cavs) before falling to Boston on Tuesday.Gerald Wallace is all over the boards (almost 12 a game) and the Nazr Mohammad/Tyson Chandler combo in the middle is doing enough to get by.I really loved the Stephen Jackson acquisition for this team; he gives them size on the perimeter and someone who can get his own shot at any time, which is what the Bobcats have seemingly lacked for years. But do they have enough scoring, especially inside When they play physical teams (like Boston), their interior players are really exposed. 17. Washington Wizards (7-11) My sleeper pick at the beginning of the year is quietly coming around, winning four of the last five and taking advantage of a soft schedule. It pretty much comes down to health issues for Washington: if the Wizards can get everybody healthy, they could give Boston or Orlando (or Cleveland especially) a real headache in the first round of the playoffs.Do you realize that Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler have only played together in about 30 games in the last 2 seasons This is by no means an elite team, but definitely a playoff one. The “Hey, These Guys Are A Pleasant Surprise!” Group 16. Sacramento Kings (9-8) I’d like the shake the hand of the man that predicted that Paul Westphal would lead one of last year’s most pathetic teams back into respectability so quickly. The Kings are exciting to watch; a youthful, up-tempo team that ranks in the top 10 in FGM, FGA, and FG.I love Jason Thompson inside; he’s a throwback big man that does the dirty work inside and doesn’t take anything off the table.