2007, January 21: The Rose Report - Volume #3

EAST: Chauncey Billups (G) - Has earned the name Mr. Big Shot Richard Hamilton (G) - Has led the Pistons in scoring & to the Eastern Conference Championship for the last 5 years Lebron James (F) - This King has my vote for MVP right now as he leads the league in scoring (29.7 points) & is averaging 7.8 rebounds & 7.5 Assists Kevin Garnett (F) - Has the #1 selling jersey while playing for the #1 team in the NBA - Big Ticket has brought expectations back to Bean Town Dwight Howard (C) - Unless some unforeseen changes occur in NBA, you can pencil him in at this position for the next 10 years or so WEST: Steve Nash (G) - Suns still lead the NBA in scoring and he still leads the NBA in assists - efficient, intelligent, can score and pass from anywhere on the floor Kobe Bryant (G) - His versatility and killer instinct on both ends of the floor is second to none Carmelo Anthony (F) - This scoring machine has vaulted himself into one of the premier small forwards in the game Tim Duncan (F) - Will go down in history as one of the greatest power forwards of all time Yao Ming (C) - 22.1 points, 10.6 rebounds & 50 FG%... AND still a tremendous upside January 21, 2008 - Rose Rankings: #1 - Boston: Reports say they may sign Damon Stoudamire if he is bought out by the Grizzles #2 - Detroit: Best starting 5 in the NBA #3 - Phoenix: Will need a consistent Marion playing at an all-star level #4 - Dallas: Avery has kept his team confident and focused #5 - San Antonio: Doesn't seem to have the same championship swagger #6 - Los Angeles Lakers: Without Bynum & Ariza will need consistent production from Odom & Walton #7 - New Orleans: West is an underrated scoring power forward #8 - Denver: Camby ranks 2nd in the league in rebounds (14.3) & 1st in blocks (4.0) #9 - Portland: The 3rd youngest team in NBA history #10 - Orlando: Turkoglu has been the go to guy with the game on the line and he has delivered #11 - Golden State: Explosive backcourt of Davis & Ellis is as good as it gets #12 - Toronto: Calderon has developed into a legitimate starting PG (leads league in assist to turnover ratio) #13 - Washington: 0-5 with Arenas & 16-11 without #14 - Cleveland: This team feeds off Varejao's energy #15 - Utah: Okur starting to find his game #16 - Houston: Need a happy and healthy McGrady to be a contender #17 - New Jersey: Lost 5 straight games #18 - Atlanta: Smith has arrived (averaging 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.3 blocks & 1.8 steals) #19 - Chicago: Smith's production has been a pleasant surprise #20 - Sacramento: Miller is averaging 13.8 points, 11.2 rebounds & 4.4 assists in the last 5 games #21 - Indiana: Will be without O'Neal for at least 2 weeks #22 - Charlotte: Trade for Mohammed has solidified their starting five #23 - Milwaukee: Bogut (averaging 13.4 points, 9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks & 53.2% FG) #24 - Philadelphia: Go figure, 0-6 since Korver trade #25 - Los Angeles Clippers: Kaman is having a monster season (17.4 points & 8.1 rebounds) #26 - New York: Crawford averaged 25.3 points over last 3 games & 6.3 assists #27 - Seattle: Currently on a 10-game losing streak #28 - Memphis: Gay is really developing into a player #29 - Minnesota: Despite their 5-34 record, Jefferson is really getting it done #30 - Miami: On a 14-game losing streak (longest of Pat Riley's Hall of Fame career)