The Hoop and The Harm

Apologies for missing a week, but we’re back and if not better than ever, at least just as good.

Since there’s no point in bringing up old news, I combed the past TWO weeks of NBA action (hence the asterisk) for the best Hoop and Harm in the land. And there were plenty to choose from; check out the Top Ten plays of the past week, several of which could have easily nabbed the top spot. But my vote goes to Dwyane Wade because A) apparently anytime there’s an asterisk involved with this award, he wins it - call it the Pookie Rule - and B) He claps his hands as he flips the ball up over his head (notice the second replay). Maybe if he could flip his team’s record, he wouldn’t be the only one clapping in Miami.

Yesterday on Full Court Press, they were discussing their top 12 players in each conference THIS YEAR. Not to be outdone and because their lists sucked, I have decided to throw my two cents in. This is not an actual all-star team list, as I’m not basing it on picking a team or by position or any of that bogus nonsense. That would make too much sense. This is just a straightforward list of my top 12 players in each conference so far THIS YEAR. Let’s start with the east.

In no particular order:

Bron Bron
D-Wade
Jermaine O’neal
KG
Paul Pierce
Chauncey Billups
Michael Redd
G-Force
Dwight Howard
Caron Butler
Jason Kidd
Joe Johnson

And now the West. Again, in no particular order:

Nash
Kobe
Chris Paul
Dirk
Tim Duncan
A.I.
Melo
Yao Ming
Amare
Baron Davis
Deron Williams
Chris Kaman

I know there’s a few left off that have deserved it in years past(I’m lookin at you T-Mac), but they just haven’t really done it for me this year. Injuries also played a part in this(Did Arenas retire?) So, there you have it. I’ll compare this to the actual all-star roster when it’s announced. Should be interesting to see what top players are left off because of their position.

Let’s start with the Pistons at the Heat. Both teams will be shorthanded. The Pistons short two rookies in Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson with the Heat going without star Dwayne Wade. The advantage here has to go to the pistons. If you look at the history of this match-up, the only way the Heat wins is on Wade’s shoulders.

I’ll take the Pistons 93 - 84 over the Heat in both teams season opener.

Next up, Houston at Utah. Utah was the surprise team last year and with the great play of point guard Deron Williams it is hard to pick against them. Houston is always a threat to blow away the competition with the McGrady/Yao combo and the rest of the team looked pretty good against the Lakers on Tuesday. This one should be a great game and come down to the wire. Look for turnovers to make the difference. Williams know how to take care of the ball but my gut is telling me that McGrady down the stretch will prove too much for the Jazz.

In an overtime thriller I will go with the Rockets 107 - 105 topping the Jazz.

In tonights final game the highly entertaining Suns will be traveling to Seattle to take on rookie standout Kevin Durant and the SuperSonics. All conventional logic says this one is a no brainer. The Sonics are young and inexperienced and the Suns are one of the top 5 teams in the league. Seattle looked pretty good at times against the Nuggets who are also one of the top teams this year in my opinion but they couldn’t hang on and they are playing for the second night in a row while Phoenix is on fresh legs with this being their season opener. Steve Nash will be impressive as always and will end up with double digit assists and Stoudemire will pull down 12 boards to go with his 23 points. You would have to be crazy to think Seattle has a chance. Well I have been called it before and it doesn’t bother me. The Seattle crowd should be crazy with their first look at Durant and we saw last night he is not afraid to shoot. I can’t imagine him not improving his percentage.

With a breakout performance from Durant and emotion from the crowd, look for 30 plus points and 12-15 boards in a 113 - 105 upset special Sonics over the Suns.

Brendan Howe can be reached at hoopsbrendan@yahoo.com

I hate this trade. Yesterday, the T-Wolves and Heat swapped a few players and I honestly can’t believe it. Why in the world would the Wolves want Antoine Walker? Yuck.

The season hasn’t even started yet and the Heat already have serious injury concerns. Combined with the fact that they have started the preseason 0-4, we may be on the verge of a meltdown in South Beach.