Mr Matt's Sports Blog

1. LAL (7-2)-Will the real Lakers please stand up? Are they the team that demolished the Suns Thursday night or the team that was beat badly by the Nuggets on Friday night. 2. BOS (8-3)-They've lost 2 straight but are still considered by many to be the best team in the NBA. 3. PHO (8-2)-Their record doesn't lie, plus Nash and Amare are both playing like superstars. 4. ATL (8-2)- They've won 4 straight including wins at Boston and blow out over Denver. 5. POR (8-3)-They are the hottest team in the NBA, winning 6 straight. They will face another red hot team in the Hawks on Monday night. Both teams are young and talented. 6. ORL (7-3)-When healthy, they will probably be in the same class as the Lakers and Celtics, but who knows when they will be healthy. 7. DEN (7-3)-Big win over the Lakers Friday night after losing 3 of their last 4. Melo is playing as good as LeBron, Wade or Kobe. 8. CLV (7-3)-Speaking of King James, he and the Cavs proved they were a little bit better

-Like I have said before the Cavs big men cannot defend the perimeter. This was evident in the first two games of the year which resulted in losses against the Celtics and Raptors. I am not saying the Cavs won’t make the playoffs or won’t win 60 games, but they will struggle against teams with versatile or great shooting 4 or 5 men. These teams include BOS, ORL, LAL, DAL, ATL, TOR, Utah, PHO, OKC, MIA (if Michael Beasley continues to start at PF) and PHL (if Thaddeus Young starts at PF once Elton Brand gets hurt, it will happen eventually) -The Lakers, Celtics and Magic (with or without Vince Carter) all look capable of winning 65 or more games this year. -The Nuggets might also belong in that class and they will stay in the top tier with the NBA’s elite as long as Melo plays the way he has. Melo has more skill than LeBron and is looking to put himself in the NBA’s elite class along with Kobe, DWade, and Bron. -The Thunder is 2-1 and if they make a playoff push this yea