Celtics are leading the division, won't spend a lot of time here, started off slow with a 3-6 record and need to limit the turnovers, now fighting injuries.
The Wizards are second in the division and have Rashard Lewis scoring at an insane rate averaging 39.3 ppg as of this writing. Ray Allen and Alan Edwards are helping the highest scoring team in the league averaging 15 and 11 ppg respectively. What's more impressive is there are 4 other guys averaging at least 7 ppg. The Wizards were projected to be 2nd in the division so this shouldn't be such a surprise, but I must say I'm impressed the nicest GM in the league has put enough around Rashard to have the best offense in the league so far. They need to take care of business at home, but are playing decent on the road.
I must say I'm a little surprised at the next 3 teams, the 76ers, Knicks, and Nets.
The 76ers had some early injury trouble with Kyle Korver who's already missed 8 games this season. But Baron Davis is attempting to have a second straight season with at least 20 points and 10 assists, currently sitting at 22 ppg and 9.4 apg. This team has great balance with 5 players averaging at least 12 points per game, with versatile guys like Josh Childress and Tayshaun Prince doing more than just scoring.
The Knicks are getting some solid production out of Yao Ming, Elton Brand, and Carmelo Anthony, but even after a hot 6-2 start they now have a sub .500 record (14-16). They are second in the conference in FG%, but they also give up the most points per shot, and have the worst 3pt defense in the league. They have some young players who need to grow up fast in Nate Robinson, Shannon Brown, and Wilson Chandler.
It's still early in the season but I'm surprised to see the Nets so low in the standings. They are 5 games below .500 and currently 2 games out of the playoffs entirely. I think they'll definitely turn it around, RPF has built a great team in New Jersey and it can take time to put the right gameplan together and see what works. I'd still be surprised if the Nets didn't have something to say about the division before the season is done.
As far as the Heat go...Lebron hasn't quite lived up to the hype he had coming straight out of high school to the NBA, and Shaq looks like he's playing in quick sand. But all hope is not lost, Spencer Hawes and Monta Ellis look like nice projects and Al Jefferson should develop into a nice scoring/rebounding big.
The light at the end of the tunnel for the Magic is still a far ways off. They do have their pick this year to go along with the 76ers, and a Nuggets pick next year. But I'd say the plan here for the immediate future is to accumulate as many points as they possibly can.
