Milwaukee Bucks (6-11)
Michael Redd is a beast. The guy has been on a tear this season. Too bad his Bucks are hurting. Can a team miss TJ Ford this much? The answer is yes if the guy they traded Ford for (Villanueva) has yet to be healthy enough to contribute. We now hear that Bobby Simmons’ injury might be serious enough to shut him down for the season. And all this when MR is having a career year.
Recommendations: Voodoo, black magic, miracle doctors, anyone or anything that can get rid of the injury bug.

Washington Wizards (7-10)
What can help a team that is struggling as it stays winless on the road? I know, have them play at New York. The Garden crowd held their end of the bargain and booed their own players loud enough for the Wiz to win one finally. This team is just too up and down at this point. Consistency is a must in a long 82-game season, and this team is lacking it badly.
Recommendations: Get Gilbert Arenas interested in the games. If he’s hustling the team is winning, if he starts becoming laid back, the team loses. Any trade is more likely to mess with chemistry than it is likely to improve them, so they really just have to let the guys they have regain their confidence. This is still a good team despite the losing record.

Toronto Raptors (7-10)
In a normal conference, this team should be nowhere near a playoff spot by the start of December. But this is the 2006 version of the Eastern Conference, and the Raptors are currently tied for the last playoff spot. Drafting Andrea Bargnani with the first overall pick last year was a shrewd move if what we have seen so far can be regarded as a sneak peak of the future. Toronto are still a work in progress, but with the state of the east right now, one or two additions may just make them contenders within a matter of seconds.
Recommendations: That rumored Mo Peterson for Jamaal Magloire trade is as good as it gets right now. Any time you have a chance to trade for a center with all star credentials in today’s NBA, you make the move. A line-up of Magloire-Chris Bosh-Bargnani-Fred Jones-Ford is certainly capable of making the playoffs. Of course this is only true if Magloire even remotely still gives a damn about the game. Then anything could happen.

Miami Heat (7-10)
The defending champs are having it tough this year. Shaq’s injury has definitely cost them one or two games. All that, however, would still only get them barely around .500. The champs that return a full team can’t be this bad, can they? Well, there are other injuries as well, plus it will probably take another month or so before they realize this is no longer the pre-season, and then Dwyane Wade and company will turn it up, and make us remember why they won it all last year.
Recommendations: Come on, it’s the defending champs! Let’s wait ‘til the end of January for any judgment to be passed.


New Jersey Nets (7-10) 
Given the state of the Knicks and Raptors, the Nets are guaranteed a playoff spot by virtue of winning the Atlantic division, no matter how horrendous their record might be. Still, they’re trying to find a big man once again after that Shareef Abdur-Rahim fiasco a few years back. With a solid big man on the team they would instantly get the contender status. Recommendations: The Nets have to realize that their roster make-up has them in “win now” mode. That means they can’t hold on to two promising rookies like Antoine Wright and Marcus Williams. One of the two, plus a combination of younger fringe players and draft picks would land them Magloire. If that price is too steep, give one of the two rookies to the Wiz for Brendan Haywood.

Atlanta Hawks (7-9)
Wow! If I had a time machine, I’d go back to September and make a bet that the Hawks would have a better record than the defending champions on December 7. I’m sure I would have gotten some ridiculously high odds for that bet, with huge laughs from the bookie (I can imagine him trying to ask me whether I’m sane or not before he takes my money). Joe Johnson, you’re not an MVP (that’s too degrading for you), you’re this season’s official miracle worker.
Recommendations: Don’t ask me what they should do… whatever they did, they better continue doing it. I had them down for 20 wins this year; at this rate they’ll have 20 wins before the end of January (shows you how much I know about the game).

Chicago Bulls (8-9)
A five-game win streak gets them an 8-9 record? The Bulls start each season with a terrible record, and then play catch-up all the way to May. The annual visit of the circus in the United Center has allowed Chicago to start with a 3-8 road record. It’s actually better than last year’s 2-9 mark, so the team has improved. Now their real season begins, and look for the Bulls to be a beast in the east.
Recommendations: Don’t pull the trigger on the Kevin Garnett trade. Giving up Luol Deng and Ben Gordon would mean messing so badly with the team chemistry that it’s too much of a gamble, even if the reward is getting the best “good guy” in the league.

Indiana Pacers (9-10)
Throughout this past month it has been quite visible that this Pacers team will not get a sniff at the title. There’s no real unity, there are too many problem areas, and let’s be honest, this isn’t a team, it’s just a collection of players. They’re missing a sparkplug - can you imagine that in hindsight that was Ron Artest’s role, they’re missing a vocal leader, and they’re missing a true leader on the floor. Sorry, Jermaine O’Neil, you’re good but, much like KG, you’re not that type of guy.
Recommendations: It’s time! Larry Bird has to see it as well. This team needs to be blown up, since they’re going nowhere fast. There’s only one guy who’s untouchable and that’s the young Danny Granger. Anyone else is bait to get young talent.

Cleveland Cavaliers (10-7)
Is LeBron the next Garnett, or is he the next Jordan? It has become a legitimate question as King James is still winning with a rather weak supporting cast. Does he need a Pippen to complement him? Larry Hughes sure doesn’t look like that guy. Or does he need a scorer to help him get to the next level? GM Danny Ferry is going to have to find the right answer for this question. If Hughes is not the perfect sidekick for LBJ, then who will get them the next wannabe? In other words, if they don’t get to the finals this year the question is going to be, who is truly tradable, and who isn’t?
Recommendations: Not much the Cavs can do this season except ride it out. Hughes has to recover from injury and if he is their guy they at least have to get to the Eastern finals this year, as that would mean progress. Any other scenario has to include the search for a new number two.

Detroit Pistons (11-7)
Now we’ll find out how much interior defense is worth. This is the same Pistons team that made it to the final four last year except for the loss of inside enforcer Ben Wallace leaving town. There’s still enough power here to win the title. Yet the Pistons face the same problems they did last year - there’s not enough depth on this team to make that long run in the playoffs.
Recommendations: I don’t think they want to blow the team up, which means they have to make minor adjustments here and there. I’d also love to see Joe Dumars gamble a little. Maybe sign one of the disgruntled free-agent veterans (Keith Van Horn, Latrell Sprewell, etc.) They really don’t have much to lose with such a move; without depth they’re only underdogs for the title.

Orlando Magic (14-5)
Time Machine and Vegas thing once again. I probably would have gotten somewhat less favorable odds on the Magic leading the east by this date than with the Hawks-Heat bet; but I still would have won a considerable amount. Fact is, we all knew Orlando is solid. We all knew they’re talented. We all knew they had the right mix of players. What we didn’t know is that these kids are mature enough to win games now. We only hoped Grant Hill would stay healthy (and I’m still hoping it stays that way), we only guessed Darko Milicic is any good. However, nobody ever suspected that Dwight Howard would forego about three seasons of maturation and become the beast of the east overnight.
Recommendations: Keep doing that voodoo that you do. The team’s management should do everything in order to keep Grant Hill healthy, that means bringing in witch doctors, or even selling their souls if necessary.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Memphis Grizzlies (4-13)
Hurry back, Pau Gasol! Your team is really hurting in your absence. With all fairness, I believe the trade that sent Battier packing had more to do with the trouble that the Griz face now, than the injury of their top player. Last year’s team would most definitely hold a better record, even without Pau. But of course this is only my opinion and what do I know about NBA basketball?
Recommendations: With the impending sale of the team, financial reasons would have Gasol traded, most preferably for draft picks. From a basketball standpoint, you keep Gasol, but don’t rush him back; you get a lottery spot and win the Greg Oden sweepstakes.

Portland Trail Blazers (7-12)
The Blazers are on their way to respectability. They made some bold moves the past few years which got them finally to lose the “JailBlazers” moniker. Now they’re loaded with youth and hope; what they need is a veteran who doesn’t mind waiting for these kids to grow up. The Blazers are not even near the playoffs just yet, but one or two additions could get them there.
Recommendations: First and foremost, they need to rid themselves of Darius Miles, he’s the last drop of poison on this team. Second, they need either to get a very talented young player, or a savvy veteran with the attributes mentioned above for Jamal Magloire.

Seattle Supersonics (8-11)
Start rebuilding this team already, people. Just because Nate McMillan got them to play well for one season, it don’t make ‘em any good. With Ray Allen injured, Rashard Lewis once again not caring, now is the time for that dreaded rebuilding to take place. It’s been a decade since Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton headed a contending Sonics; since then the outlook has not been any good.
Recommendations: Tank the season and hope Greg Oden falls into your lap. Besides Luke Ridnour, this team has no relevant player who absolutely must be kept. Nope, not even beloved Ray Allen aka. Jesus

Minnesota Timberwolves (7-9)
Talk about a team that’s badly in need of being dismissed. A bunch of malcontents and good-guy extraordinaire Kevin Garnett make this a bunch of guys that never even comes close to being a team. Problem is, the Wolves probably need a total makeover. They’d need a new GM - Kevin McHale built this mess, he has to be the first one out the door, a new coach and staff and new players. That’s all this team needs. That ain’t much, right?
Recommendations: They need to fire McHale quicker than the Knicks need to axe Thomas. They finally need to trade Garnett, get some youth and mucho draft picks in return. The rest is up to the new GM.

Sacramento Kings (8-9)
Sactown is in trouble in more than one way. The team is still threatening to leave for Vegas, and their players spend more time doing MRIs than doing practice drills. Ron Artest, these guys miss you and need you back healthy. This is a great team, they should be better than what their record shows.
Recommendations: No need to panic just yet. Artest is listed as day-to-day, and as soon as he returns so will the wins.

Golden State Warriors (9-10)
Smallball is back. Don Nelson is at it again. It’s the re-run performance of the 80s hardwood show Run-TMC. Tim Hardaway is played by Baron Davis (good fit), Mitch Ritchmond is brought to life by Jason Richardson (OK fit) and Mike Dunleavy Jr. plays Chris Mullin (a huuuge reach here). Too bad these guys can’t play the way the old Warriors could, they can’t shoot as well as the old Warriors could, and they can’t stay healthy long enough for us to find out whether or not this thing would work.
Recommendations: Cancel health-care benefits for all the players, maybe they’ll take better care of themselves that way.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (8-8)
Following a hot start, they have stumbled of late. With Peja Stojakovic and David West injured, Chris Paul has been unable to lead them to victory by himself. Fret not, Hornets fans, neither injury is serious - both scorers are set to return soon. All of this means that the Hornets are going to be in the hunt for the playoffs.
Recommendations: Health is the only problematic issue, otherwise this team is close to becoming a contender.

Los Angeles Clippers (9-8)
What happened to last year’s Clips? This year’s version is more complacent, less hungry, or something in that mould. I sure hope Chris Kaman wasn’t just playing for a contract last year. He needs to get back to that level for this team to succeed. With the Hornets seriously contending for a playoff spot if the Clippers don’t right this ship now, they may be enjoying an earlier vacation than expected.
Recommendations: God knows what this team needs to make it snappy again. This is the same ensemble that tore most of the west apart last year. Get some sense of urgency, something has to happen.

Phoenix Suns (10-6) 
Amare Stoudemire  is looking more and more like he’s back. If Dwight Howard is the beast of the east, Amare has to be the same for the west. Steve Nash will make this team a winner, even if they lose all other starters to injury. It’s nice to see Leandro Barbosa having a breakout year as well. I’ve got a feeling the Suns have made some great investments as far as their young players are concerned.
Recommendations: This isn’t so much for the Suns (they’re doing fine without me telling them anything) but TV stations need to put more Suns games on their schedules as they’re the most fun to watch.

Denver Nuggets (10-5)
Carmelo Anthony is having a monster year, and nothing else matters hoops wise in Denver. They lost Kenyon Martin for the season, much like they lost Nene Hilario last season. This team still must be looking for an outside shooter, and a big body inside to help Marcus Camby.
Recommendations: Give the guy some help already. It’s bad enough they lost a starter for the whole season, but there’s no steady No.2 scorer here - and can anyone hit a three from this sorry bunch? I’m sorry but Denver still has too many leaks to mount a serious challenge.

Houston Rockets (12-6)
Besides team-mate Dikembe Mutombo, nothing has been able to stop T-Mac so far this season. With Yao Ming finally becoming the center many have envisioned him to be when he was drafted, and with Mr Everything, Shane Battier, joining this squad, the Rockets are quick becoming a legit contender for the title. Too bad the Bonzi Wells move didn’t pay off for them, that would have made them hot favorites to win it all.
Recommendations: None, unless you find someone who is willing to give any meaningful value for Wells Isaiah Thomas, maybe?

Los Angeles Lakers (12-6)
For the first time, an argument about this team being any good will not start with Kobe Bryant. The maturation of Lamar Odom has lifted the Lake show into true contender status. Odom this year is starting to become Pippen to Kobe’s Jordan, much in the way the team envisioned last year. Yet Kobe has seen his game evolve from gifted selfish brat to true veteran leader as well. And if we add the fact that the two young bigs, Andrew Bynum and Kwame Brown, have been looking solid and rookie Jordan Farmar has been far better than expected, well, we have a pretty good team in the making here. But will they still be there in June?
Recommendations: Get Phil Jackson to ease up on the youngsters just a wee bit. PJ doesn’t like mistakes from the young ‘uns and he lets it be known every time. He just needs to be more lenient once for every 20 mistakes.

Dallas Mavericks (12-6)
I’ll try to avoid mentioning Dirk Nowitzki too many times in this segment. Truth be told, this team goes as far as Dirk takes them. Despite the solid improvement low post enforcer Erick Dampier has made, or the great play of the young Howard and Harris, or the constant scoring of Terry, this team would be in trouble without the German Giant. Dirk does it all, he scores, he dishes, he slashes, he rebounds, he motivates, he erases errors - and he’s even showing some defense these days. Nowitzki is just a freak of nature.
Recommendations: This team made the finals last year, and was about to win it in five games before they had one of the biggest meltdowns in sporting history. Ride out the season with the team you have, guys. They don’t need more players, they might need a few psychologists however.

San Antonio Spurs (14-5)
Have you ever seen a more efficient team? To tell you the truth, watching a Spurs game is mega dull. They play old-school basketball, more effective than anything you’ve ever seen, but less flashy than a 24-hour chess telethon. Their star player, Tim Duncan, is the epitome of non-flashy basketball. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili would be flashier, but coach Gregg Popovich likes his teams to play fundamental basketball, which means more efficiency, less flair. At this early stage all we know is that once again they are a lock to make the playoffs.
Recommendations: Just like the team’s play, management has not made a blockbuster trade since who knows when. All they’ve done is make solid under the radar moves which got them players like at the time relative unknowns Parker and Ginobili.

Utah Jazz (15-4)
The Jazz have surprised us all with this incredible start. Last year’s lottery team has benefited from the fact that their youngsters have matured at a fast rate and unlike last year they have stayed mostly injury free. The play of second-year point man Deron Williams and oft-injured forward Carlos Boozer has been the talk of the season. With these two playing as well as they have, Mehmet Okur’s vastly-improved performance has gone relatively unnoticed. Everybody knew Jerry Sloan is a good coach, but the system he dreamt up to use the strengths of his current players is a work of genius.
Recommendations: Management better find a way of making Sloan want to coach for another 40 years - and they better make sure he sticks with their team.