The butterfly effect: JaVale McGee morphs into defensive stalwart

Maybe we didn’t notice JaVale McGee’s defensive prowess because he toiled away on a horrible Washington Wizards team for the first three and a half years of his career but now that he is with the Denver Nuggets, Denver’s interior defense has been much improved.

McGee has taken his athletic, high-energy game and caused fits for the Los Angeles Lakers’ All-Star center Andrew Bynum. While Bynum has been productive in this series, he hasn’t been the offensive or defensive presence many thought he would be and that can be directly contributed to McGee’s presence in the middle.

Nuggets, Hawks are not Championship Contenders

The Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks will make the playoffs this season but neither team will make it to the NBA Finals. Sorry Nuggets and Hawks fans. Although both of these teams have deep rosters filled with talented players, neither team possesses a true superstar that can carry them through a deep playoff run.

Best and Worst of the Western Conference

Seeing the Oklahoma City Thunder sitting atop the West is not much of a surprise. The Thunder are a young and talented team that made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season. What is surprising is the teams that are currently sitting in the next few spots in the Western Conference standings.