We are now three weeks into the NBA season. Already there have been some players and teams that are stepping up their game and outperforming expectations. So let’s take a look.

Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets
I picked Nawlins to squeak into the playoffs in the preseason. Who would’ve thought they would come out firing like this? Chris Paul is once again at the top of his game after missing extended time last year. Everyone pegged Deron Williams as the best point guard in the game, but they seemed to have forgotten just how good Paul is. The Hornets started out winning their first eight games with quality wins over the Bucks twice, Spurs, Nuggets, Heat, and Blazers. At 8-1, the Hornets are rolling along. The question is, can they keep it up? They’ve answered the dinner bell so far.

Richard Jefferson and the San Antonio Spurs
The silver and black stumbled out of the gate last year with a 4-6 start. At 8-1, this year is a completely different story. The Spurs offense is explosive, currently ranked second in the league behind the Lakers at 108.9 points per game. Richard Jefferson has looked markedly better and more comfortable than last year. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have been one of the best backcourt tandems in the league once again, all while Tim Duncan rests and has scored in single digits in each of the last three games. All that’s left to do is show what they’ve got against the elites. The only quality wins so far were against the Suns and Thunder.

Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat
So I guess that 72-10 mark isn’t going to be contested this year? First it was the Heat who had the chance to do this, then it was the Lakers once they started 8-0. Kids these days… We are so eager to demolish records before teams even play the games. But I digress. I included Chris Bosh because he has been unbelievably mediocre. He is averaging just 14.5 points per game at this point with only 6 rebounds. That’s no good with the label of the Big Three and the remarkably high expectations. This team is still figuring out the kinks. They might not figure it all out until the playoffs arrive. Could it be possible this team isn’t as good as advertised?

Cleveland Cavaliers
A lot of people said the Cavs would be dead in the water this season. One analyst said they would only win 12 games this year. Through 10 games they sit at 5-5 and are playing tremendous team basketball. The highest scoring guy is J.J. Hickson with 15.2. Granted, the only team they’ve beaten with a winning record are the Celtics, but let’s not take anything away from them. They’ve endured so much already. Cleveland should be ecstatic and optimistic for the future. Maybe this team wasn’t just LeBron James and a bunch of bums…

Monta Ellis and the Golden State Warriors
A 7-4 record to start the season with a new coach and a hobbling Stephen Curry ain’t too shabby. Their only marquee win was against the Jazz, but with their style of play, they can beat anybody on any given night. The trio of Curry, Ellis, and David Lee looks stellar. Ellis has been lights out since game one when he dropped 46 on the Rockets, averaging 26.5 points per game. Their play style and lack of defense probably won’t take them far in the long run, but one thing’s for sure, when these guys take the court, you better get your popcorn ready (in the famous words of Terrell Owens).

Michael Beasley
B-Easy, as some call him, has reemerged as the player everyone thought he would be as the number two pick. He is averaging 21.2 points per game, including 42 and 35 point performances against the Kings and Knicks respectively. Problem is, the Timberwolves still suck. They sit at 3-9 and have played a rough schedule to start out. Losses include games against the Hawks twice, Magic, Heat, and Lakers. The good news is there is renewed optimism with this franchise starting with Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

There are a pair of games on ESPN tonight that are sure to impress. The humiliated Bulls, who lost to the Knicks at home last night, travel to Boston to play the Celtics. In the night cap, Blake Griffin and the Clippers travel to the mile high city to play Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets. Both should be good games, but the one I wanted to see was the Heat going up against the surprisingly 4-0 Hornets. It will be interesting to see how the Heat match up with quite possibly the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul.

So without further ado, here are my picks for each of the 12 games on the Friday night slate.

Bucks over Pacers
Scott Skiles is having a hard time getting their opponents to fear the deer in this early season. They’ve stumbled out of the gate at 1-4 and are facing Granger and the steady 2-2 Pacers. I like the Bucks to get the road win against another East team who is still trying to find their way. Indiana looks pretty good though with the improvement of Roy Hibbert and the arrival of Darren Collison.

Magic over Nets
Stan Van Gundy’s crew is fresh off a butt-wooping they put on the lowly Timberwolves in which they scored 78 points by halftime. They get this win at home tonight over a Nets team that is still figuring out who they are with all of the new pieces.

76ers over Cavaliers
This was a tough one, but I’m going with the home team. I’m still waiting to see what Evan Turner has to offer this team. I had high expectations for him, but with Andre Iguodala still in Philly, it will be tough to figure out where he fits in on this team. Still, I like them over the reeling Cavaliers, losers of three straight after their opening win over Boston. Antawn Jamison is likely out but Mo Williams will play and start for the first time this year.

Bobcats over Pistons
Will this be the game where the Pistons get their first win? I don’t think so. After stumbling out of the gate a bit, the 1-3 Bobcats eked out a win against the Nets on Wednesday. I look for them to keep it going against the hapless Pistons.

Wizards over Knicks
I like the wiz kid, John Wall, to lead them to victory over the three-point happy Knicks who coming off a big win in the Windy City last night. This is the type of up and down game Wall should thrive in tonight. Don’t be surprised if he does a lot of the things he did against the Sixers on Tuesday where he almost got a triple-double.

Celtics over Bulls
Boston’s not good on back-to-backs. That was made evident in their loss to Cleveland after beating the Heat. Going on two days rest and a grind-out win over the Bucks, I think the Celtics get the win at home in a tightly contested battle of two top teams in the East.

Hornets over Heat
The undefeated “Nawlins” Hornets are at home for the slightly hobbled LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Chris Paul will impose his will whoever is guarding him. Which begs the question: who will that be? It should be interesting. On the flip side, who accounts for James and Dwyane Wade?

Hawks over Timberwolves
The Wolves are just bad. They’ve given up at least 100 points in each of their four losses, including 129 and 128 to the Heat and Magic respectively. The Hawks are undefeated at 5-0. They’ll easily win this one despite not having Marvin Williams.

Suns over Grizzlies
Steve Nash and the boys are coming off a close home loss to the Spurs. I think their bench gets it done against the Grizz with Zach Randolph questionable to return to the lineup.

Clippers over Nuggets
In the ESPN night cap game, I like the Clippers upsetting the Nuggets on the road. They played well against the Thunder a few nights ago and I think they will play well enough together to get this win. The Nuggets continue to be without post presence with the absences of Kenyon Martin and Chris Anderson. Griffin should be able to have a field day on the glass.

Warriors over Jazz
Golden State is a surprising 3-1 to start the season. They are at home for the Jazz, a team that just can’t win on the road. They do have an impressive road win against the Thunder, but they also got blown out by the Suns. Monta Ellis will continue his hot shooting streak in this one. I believe the Dubs get the upset win.

Lakers over Raptors
I don’t really have to explain this. Toronto is at the bottom of the East and L.A. is at the top of the West. It should be a blowout in a game where Kobe Bryant is done by the fourth quarter, maybe even sooner.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

NBA Rookie of the Year would be a nice honor for Stephen Curry, if he manages to beat out Sacramento’s splendid Tyreke Evans.

Much more important is the fact that the Warriors took a bit of a flyer on Curry and he wildly exceeded expectations. Whatever the Warriors do for next season – new owner, new coach, new home city, roster overhaul – it all has to revolve around their waif-like point guard.

Curry and Evans figure to fight their who’s-best fight for another decade or so, and Rookie of the Year is only one small step. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird fought a similar duel in 1979-80, two instant legends, and I don’t even remember who won the award, even though I witnessed every minute Johnson played that season.

I don’t care enough to look it up; their deeds that season outshine any trophy.

Click here to read the full article – By Scott Ostler of San Francisco Chronicle

For a team that has been so challenged to win this season, earning back-to-back victories is something to celebrate for the Golden State Warriors.

Especially against opponents the caliber of Phoenix and Boston.

Monta Ellis scored 37 points and converted two free throws with 2.3 seconds left, and the Warriors rallied from an early 18-point deficit to hand the Celtics just their second two-game losing streak this season with a 103-99 victory Monday night.

“It was a wonderful game for us,” coach Don Nelson said. “Wins are hard to find anyway, especially against two quality teams in a row.”

Anthony Randolph added 18 points and nine rebounds and scored six straight during an 8-2 run late in the third quarter to put the Warriors ahead. C.J. Watson had six of his career-high seven steals in the second quarter, matching the Warriors’ record for a quarter, and also contributed 11 points and seven assists.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Help for the shorthanded Warriors could be on the horizon.

Ronny Turiaf was cautiously optimistic Wednesday that his left knee sprain is healing and is calling it day to day.

The day before, coach Don Nelson said he thought Andris Biedrins, who will have his back and groin re-evaluated Monday, could join the eight-man rotation before Turiaf.

Turiaf, however, had a good rehab workout before Wednesday’s game. He’s cautious because he’s made similar progress at times since he was injured Oct. 30, but has backtracked the following day – feeling pain both inside and outside the knee.

Click here to read the full article – By Rusty Simmons of San Francisco Chronicle

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