NEW YORK KNICKS
Current Odds: 100/1 and 40/1
Current Starters: Raymond Felton (injured), Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony, Andrea Bargnani, Tyson Chandler
Bench Rotation: Pablo Prigioni and Beno Udrih, J.R. Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr, Metta World Peace, Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin
Other than the Brooklyn Nets, it is hard to pick a team in the Eastern Conference that has failed to meet expectations through 28 games more than the New York Knicks. Whether it has been injuries to Chandler, Felton, ‘Melo on Christmas or any one of their supporting cast, the Knicks have had a very tough time relying on anyone else for consistent production other than ‘Melo.
It is very hard for me to believe that a team with one dominant scorer,who has led his team in scoring every single game so far this season (when active) has a legitimate shot to be a threat to the well-balanced Indiana Pacers or the two-time champion Miami Heat. If the Knicks are going to make a splash, make the playoffs and win at least one or two series, they are going to need their bench to step up and for their core to stay healthy for an extended amount of time; it does not get much simpler than that — unless they make a major upgrade at point guard.
BETWORTHY? Your odds are better at an airport slot machine.
ATLANTA HAWKS
Current Odds: 100/1 and 40/1
Current Starters: Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Paul Millsap, Al Horford
Bench Rotation: Shelvin Mack and Dennis Schroder, Lou Williams, Cartier Martin, Gustavo Ayon and Mike Scott
The Atlanta Hawks are currently sitting in the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference, and they have definitely exceeded preseason expectations in terms of their current place in the East. But with their preseason over/under win total set at 40, their record is not so much the surprise.
Atlanta’s 11-4 home record is one of the reasons why they have had so much early-season success, but in reality their two home wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks were the only ones in the bunch that might cause an NBA fan to believe the Hawks could be a long-term threat. If Atlanta is going to make a post-season run and threaten either the Pacers or Heat in the playoffs, they are going to desperately need big play out of their front-court tandem of Al Horford and Paul Millsap.
One of the biggest positives for Atlanta is the fact that they receive a majority of their offensive production at three particular positions a team like Miami struggles at the most: point guard (Jeff Teague), power forward (Millsap) and center (Horford).
BETWORTHY? We cannot in good conscience tell you to treat cash like toilet paper. But we also do not know what Danny Ferry might have up his sleeve on the trade front.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Current Odds: 100/1 and 40/1
Current Starters: John Wall, Bradley Beal, Trevor Ariza, Nene Hilario, Marcin Gortat
Bench Rotation: Martell Webster, Otto Porter Jr, Al Harrington, Trevor Booker and Jan Vesely
The biggest contrast between the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks is the fact that their production comes from opposite sides of the court. What makes Washington just as explosive, but from a completely different aspect, is their youthful offensive dynamic duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal.
If given the right amount of games together along with enough regular season games that produce clutch-time experience and confidence, a duo like Wall and Beal could disrupt any opponent’s rhythm when the time is right.
I don’t think a team like Indiana or Miami would particularly be scared of any group of front court players starting with Nene (if healthy) Gortat (if happy) or Harrington (if he suddenly turns cold-blooded), but what Washington will need out of those type of players, if Beal and Wall can do their job, is to simply contribute at the right time to keep the pressure on. If the Wizards were ever able to acquire a Pau Gasol-type front court scoring option, that would keep a little bit of the defensive attention away from their backcourt, and I think the Wizards could turn into a very, very dangerous team.
BETWORTHY? You bettor believe it!
Evan Abrams writes about basketball gambling for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter @Betropolitan.
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