Since We Last Spoke Pt. 8,734

I don't buy Cleveland as a legitimate championship contender yet. Yes, LeBron looks by far and away the best player in the league this year, but there's no way you can say that the Cavs are the NBA's best team.

As much as I dislike Boston (trust me, I do), I find the idea that the Cavaliers have eclipsed the Celtics to be laughable. First off, as of today Boston owns the better record, so if you're going by pure season statistics Cleveland is a game worse than them. Secondly, we have not seen this version of the Cavs in the playoffs. I know that's sort of a bullshit point, as they have yet to have the chance to appear in the playoffs; but I feel it's valid in this case. This Cleveland team is fucking brand new. They've only played 18 games or something. There's a lot of time for them to gel and a lot of time for them to fall apart. Boston lost James Posey, but it doesn't look like that fact has even registered with the team. Plus as I wrote the other week, Pierce looks terrifying in the second half of games. Plus, remember that the rest of the team isn't all that bad themselves in the second half.

Plus, if they were to theoretically win the east they would still have to beat whoever wins the west. After a slow start the western conference seems as if it's starting to shape up. The Lakers, Denver, and Utah (with a healthy Williams) look to be extremely legit. Portland is young but good. This teams still a preview, but one that'll make the playoffs. San Antonio is--well, San Antonio. You can't count them out. Ever. That's five solid teams, not taking into account three teams that should be good but look unimpressive so far: Phoenix (c'mon Joel, this is not that Suns teams), Dallas (so meh-worthy, its ridiculous) and Houston (I don't want to give up on them, yet). Yeah whoever wins the west will most likely be beaten up, but they'll be a better fucking team than Cleveland.

Oh, and one last thing...its fucking December.

P.S. In case anyone was wondering Joel is so distraught about the Lions that he's given up on sports. Their season will be over soon though, so I expect him back then at the latest.