Straight From The Rook #6

Mat MacDonald AKA The Rook

The Rook is currently enrolled in Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. A frequent contributor to all NBA and Raptors debates along with other sports. Witty, quick and never afraid of a challenge, Mat's here to talk hoops with you and dish out his two cents whenever!

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The Monday Morning Hangover

So another week is complete and the NBA is just as messed up as it was in week one.

Who would have thought that the New Orleans Hornets would be undefeated?

Who would have thought the Houston Rockets would be the last team to get a win?

And honestly, who would have thought that the Golden State Warriors wouldn't have imploded by now?

First let's look at who's hot and who's not for this week.

HOT:

- The L.A. Lakers are so hot you might burn a hole through your retina just from reading this. Not only are they 7-0 but the Lakers are winning games with great efficiency.

Except for the game against the Raptors, the Lakers have looked dominant early and often in games this year. Kobe Bryant is the Kobe of usual, already posting a triple-double this year along
with doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants.


Add Paul Gasol's MVP production, Steve Blake's added depth at the guard position and Shannon Brown's freak-ish athletic ability and you have another contender for an NBA championship.

- New Orleans may have been worried that they were on the verge of losing Chris Paul when the season started. Now the only thing they're worried about is losing a game. The Hornets have been shocking this year, already knocking off the Heat and doing so in convincing fashion.

The biggest reason for this recent turn in success to last year's mediocre season has been the return of CP3. Chris Paul has put up MVP numbers already, as well as being dubbed the best point-guard in the league by LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. Needless to say the hearts of Hornets fans should be at rest right now in regards to Paul's future.

And if past events don't lie (see Dwayne Wade) then maybe a member of the 2011 free-agent class will end up joining Chris Paul in New Orleans...

NOT:

- The Toronto Raptors have started the year 1-5. A year removed from Chris Bosh the Raptors have some serious work to do. It's obvious that this is a much more group-oriented team, but when will someone step up and be a vocal leader for them?

After falling behind big to the Blazers on the road the Raptors looked dejected, and not interested. Can you really count on emerging star DeMar DeRozan as a vocal leader in the locker-room right now?

It seems as if there's a lot of talk right now which may be a good thing, but being a young team the Raptors need to start trying to pull the pieces together of their puzzle if they want to salvage their season...and their coach's job.

- Tracy McGrady used to be one of the faces of the NBA. The former frequent flyer has landed with the Pistons this year with hopes of rejuvenating his career one more time. Sadly, it looks like the Pistons are in even worse shape that T-Mac's knee. The Pistons picked up a win the other night in shocking fashion, without McGrady who is still hurt - we think.

Joe Dumars has put himself in a big hole with this team he's assembled and with no real prospects right now the Pistons should start looking to make moves to salvage their year.

It's only been two weeks so a lot can change in the NBA but quickly without reasoning, here are my early season award winners:

MVP: Pau Gasol

6th man: Manu Ginobli

Defensive: Reggie Evans

Most improved: Luis Scola

Rookie: Blake Griffin

Coach: Pat Riley - yup, I said it.

That's my thoughtless nonsense for this Monday morning. Enjoy and we'll check you later in the week. Go Eagles!

-MM