2007, January 21: The Rose Report – Volume #3
June 24, 2008
EAST:
Chauncey Billups (G) – Has earned the name Mr. Big Shot
Richard Hamilton (G) – Has led the Pistons in scoring & to the Eastern Conference Championship for the last 5 years
Lebron James (F) – This King has my vote for MVP right now as he leads
the league in scoring (29.7 points) & is averaging 7.8 rebounds
& 7.5 Assists
Kevin Garnett (F) – Has the #1 selling jersey while playing for the #1
team in the NBA – Big Ticket has brought expectations back to Bean Town
Dwight Howard (C) – Unless some unforeseen changes occur in NBA, you
can pencil him in at this position for the next 10 years or so
WEST:
Steve Nash (G) – Suns still lead the NBA in scoring and he still leads
the NBA in assists – efficient, intelligent, can score and pass from
anywhere on the floor
Kobe Bryant (G) – His versatility and killer instinct on both ends of the floor is second to none
Carmelo Anthony (F) – This scoring machine has vaulted himself into one of the premier small forwards in the game
Tim Duncan (F) – Will go down in history as one of the greatest power forwards of all time
Yao Ming (C) – 22.1 points, 10.6 rebounds & 50 FG%… AND still a tremendous upside
January 21, 2008 – Rose Rankings:
#1 – Boston: Reports say they may sign Damon Stoudamire if he is bought out by the Grizzles
#2 – Detroit: Best starting 5 in the NBA
#3 – Phoenix: Will need a consistent Marion playing at an all-star level
#4 – Dallas: Avery has kept his team confident and focused
#5 – San Antonio: Doesn’t seem to have the same championship swagger
#6 – Los Angeles Lakers: Without Bynum & Ariza will need consistent production from Odom & Walton
#7 – New Orleans: West is an underrated scoring power forward
#8 – Denver: Camby ranks 2nd in the league in rebounds (14.3) & 1st in blocks (4.0)
#9 – Portland: The 3rd youngest team in NBA history
#10 – Orlando: Turkoglu has been the go to guy with the game on the line and he has delivered
#11 – Golden State: Explosive backcourt of Davis & Ellis is as good as it gets
#12 – Toronto: Calderon has developed into a legitimate starting PG (leads league in assist to turnover ratio)
#13 – Washington: 0-5 with Arenas & 16-11 without
#14 – Cleveland: This team feeds off Varejao’s energy
#15 – Utah: Okur starting to find his game
#16 – Houston: Need a happy and healthy McGrady to be a contender
#17 – New Jersey: Lost 5 straight games
#18 – Atlanta: Smith has arrived (averaging 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.3 blocks & 1.8 steals)
#19 – Chicago: Smith’s production has been a pleasant surprise
#20 – Sacramento: Miller is averaging 13.8 points, 11.2 rebounds & 4.4 assists in the last 5 games
#21 – Indiana: Will be without O’Neal for at least 2 weeks
#22 – Charlotte: Trade for Mohammed has solidified their starting five
#23 – Milwaukee: Bogut (averaging 13.4 points, 9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks & 53.2% FG)
#24 – Philadelphia: Go figure, 0-6 since Korver trade
#25 – Los Angeles Clippers: Kaman is having a monster season (17.4 points & 8.1 rebounds)
#26 – New York: Crawford averaged 25.3 points over last 3 games & 6.3 assists
#27 – Seattle: Currently on a 10-game losing streak
#28 – Memphis: Gay is really developing into a player
#29 – Minnesota: Despite their 5-34 record, Jefferson is really getting it done
#30 – Miami: On a 14-game losing streak (longest of Pat Riley’s Hall of Fame career)
