And That’ll Do It: Wrapping Up the 2008-09 NBA Regular Season in 40 Lists – Part II

- The Season's Over -

And That’ll Do It: Wrapping Up the 2008-09 NBA Regular Season in 40 Lists – Part II

April 16, 2009

The Bryant Family Photo Credit: Icon SMI

That’s a wrap, folks. The 2008-09 NBA regular season is in the books. I don’t know about you, but I’m about ready for playoff time. In fact, I’ve been ready for and a month now – that first round just can’t tip off soon enough.

But before we move on to our NBA Playoffs coverage, ETB is taking some time to recap the 2008-09 NBA regular season in all it’s glory and ignominy. Today we have Round Two of the coverage, check here for Round One.

In this here round two of the annual listing we’ve got some of our more unconventional, controversial sets. The classiest and least classy guys in the NBA, the coaches who need to be fired, the guys we want to see and expect to see traded, the biggest surprise players – things sure to make the trolls blood boil. Then we cap it all off with our All NBA First and Second Team selections.

We’ve got it all covered. In fact, next season you don’t even need to bother watching the regular season. Just wait for these lists to come out next April.

So kick back and revel in the second and final 20 quintets encompassing the latest, greatest NBA season. As always, reader pissing and moaning is highly encouraged. Honestly.

21. Five Guys Who Came Outta Nowhere

Brian:

1. Will Bynum, PG, Detroit Pistons
2. Dominic McGuire, G/F, Washington Wizards
3. Mario Chalmers, PG, Miami Heat
4. Nene Hilario, F/C, Denver Nuggets
5. Flip Murray, G, Atlanta Hawks

Andrew:

1. Anthony Morrow, G/F, Golden State Warriors
2. Roger Mason, G, San Antonio Spurs
3. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, F, Milwaukee Bucks
4. Will Bynum, PG, Detroit Pistons
5. Nicolas Batum, G/F, Portland Trailblazers
5a. Chris Anderson, F/C, Denver Nuggets (I know, but dude’s 2nd in the L in blocks)

22. Five Most Exciting Teams to Watch

Brian:

1. Portland Trail Blazers
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Atlanta Hawks
4. Denver Nuggets
5. Oklahoma City Thunder

Andrew:

1. Golden State Warriors (When Maggette, Andris and Monta healthy)
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Miami Heat
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Cleveland Cavaliers

San Antonio Spurs Photo Credit: Icon SMI

23. Five Most Boring Teams to Watch

Brian:

1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Washington Wizards
3. Toronto Raptors
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Dallas Mavericks

Andrew:

1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. New Jersey Nets
4. Charlotte Bobcats
5.Toronto Raptors

24. Five Coaches Who Should Lose Their Jobs

Brian:

1. Mike Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers
2. Don Nelson, Golden State Warriors
3. Michael Curry, Detroit Pistons
4. Lawrence Frank, New Jersey Nets
5. Jay Triano, Toronto Raptors

Andrew:

1. Jay Triano, Toronto Raptors
2. Don Nelson, Golden State Warriors
3. Mike Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers
4. Michael Curry, Detroit Pistons
5. ~~Terry Porter~~ ~~Reggie Theus~~ ~~Eddie Jordan~~ ~~P.J. Carlisemo~~ Lionel Hollins, Memphis Grizzlies

25. Five of the Classiest Guys in the League

Brian:

1. Antonio McDyess, F, Detroit Pistons
2. Chauncey Billups, PG, Denver Nuggets
3. Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets
4. Kevin Durant, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Al Jefferson, F, Minnesota Timberwolves

Andrew:

1. Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
2. Shane Battier, F, Houston Rockets
3. Dwyane Wade, G, Miami Heat
4. Kobe Bryant, G, Los Angeles Lakers (Yeah, that’s right, I think he’s a classy competitor)
5. Dikembe Mutombo, C, Houston Rockets

Carlos Boozer Boxes Out Pau Gasol

Carlos Boozer and Pau Gasol Photo Credit: Icon SMI

26. Five of the Least Classy Guys in the League

Brian:

1. Shaquille O’Neal, C, Phoenix Suns
2. Zach Randolph, F, Los Angeles Clippers
3. Allen Iverson, G, Detroit Pistons
4. Nate Robinson, PG, New York Knicks
5. Stephon Marbury, PG, Boston Celtics

Andrew:

1. Shaquille O’Neal, C, Phoenix Suns
2. Carlos Boozer, F/C, Utah Jazz
3. Zach Randolph, F, Los Angeles Clippers
4. Kevin Pritchard, Portland Trail Blazers
5. Robert Swift, C, Oklahoma City Thunder

27. The Five Most Electric Dunkers in the NBA

Brian:

1. LeBron James, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks
3. Danny Granger, F, Indiana Pacers
4. Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
5. J.R. Smith, G, Denver Nuggets

Andrew:

1. Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks
2. LeBron James, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
4. JaVale McGee, F/C, Washington Wizards
5. Andre Iguodala, G/F, Philadelphia 76ers

28. Five Teams Worse Than Their Records

Brian:

1. Dallas Mavericks
2. Orlando Magic
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Phoenix Suns
5. New Orleans Hornets

Andrew:

1. Dallas Mavericks
2. Charlotte Bobcats
3. Atlanta Hawks
4. Indiana Pacers
5. Orlando Magic

The Largely Unknown Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves Photo Credit: Icon SMI

29. Five Teams Better (Or At Least More Talented) Than Their Records

Brian:

1. Atlanta Hawks
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Detroit Pistons
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
5. New York Knicks

Andrew:

1. Golden State Warriors
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Utah Jazz
4. Toronto Raptors
5. Sacramento Kings

30. Five (or Seven) Guys We Want to See on Another Team

Brian:

1. Chris Bosh, F/C, Toronto Raptors
2. Paul Millsap, F, Utah Jazz
3. Caron Butler, F, Washington Wizards
4. Andris Biedrins, C, Golden State Warriors
5. Marcus Camby, C, Los Angeles Clippers

Andrew:

1. Al Jefferson, F/C, Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Chris Bosh, F/C, Toronto Raptors
3. Dirk Nowitzki, F, Dallas Mavericks
4. Rudy Gay, F, Memphis Grizzlies
5. A’ma’re Stou’de’mi’re, F/C, Phoenix Suns
6. Kevin Martin, G, Sacramento Kings
7. Monta Ellis, G, Golden State Warriors

31. Top Five Glue Players

Brian:

1. Delonte West, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Lamar Odom, F, Los Angeles Lakers
3. Travis Outlaw, F, Portland Trail Blazers
4. Tayshaun Prince, F, Detroit Pistons
5. Shane Battier, F, Houston Rockets

Andrew:

1. Shane Battier, F, Houston Rockets
2. Lamar Odom, F, Los Angeles Lakers
3. Jeff Green, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
4. Thaddeus Young, F, Philadelphia 76ers
5. ~~Zach Randolph~~ Mo Williams, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
5a. Travis Outlaw, F, Portland Trail Blazers

Vince Carter, an All-Star and quite depressing

Vince Carter Photo Credit: Icon SMI

32. Five Guys Who Deserved Fewer Minutes

Brian:

1. Zach Randolph, F, Los Angeles Clippers
2. Vince Carter, G, New Jersey Nets
3. Mike Miller, G/F, Minnesota Timberwolves
4. Rodney Stuckey, G, Detroit Pistons
5. Beno Udrih, PG, Sacramento Kings

Andrew:

1. Tracy McGrady, G/F, Houston Rockets
2. Stephen Jackson, G/F, Golden State Warriors
3. Jamal Crawford, G, Golden State Warriors
4. Al Thornton, F, Los Angeles Clippers
5. Earl Watson, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

33. Five Guys Who Deserved More Minutes

Brian:

1. Anthony Randolph, F, Golden State Warriors
2. DeAndre Jordan, C, Los Angeles Clippers
3. Jared Dudley, F, Phoenix Suns
4. Hamed Haddadi, C, Memphis Grizzlies
5. Rodney Carney, F, Minnesota Timberwolves

Andrew:

1. Kevin Love, F, Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Jerryd Bayless, G, Portland Trailblazers
3. Thabo Sefolosha, G/F, Chicago Bulls/Oklahoma City Thunder
4. JaVale McGee, PF, Washington Wizards
5. ~~Jerome James~~ Jason Thompson, PF, Sacramento Kings

Selfish? Who, me?

Gilbert Arenas Photo Credit: Icon SMI

34. Five Most Disappointing Players

Brian:

1. Allen Iverson, G, Detroit Pistons
2. Baron Davis, PG, Los Angeles Clippers
3. Rasheed Wallace, F/C, Detroit Pistons
4. Gilbert Arenas, G, Washington Wizards
5. Randy Foye, G, Minnesota Timberwolves

Andrew:

1. Allen Iverson, G, Detroit Pistons
2. Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks
3. Al Thornton, F, Los Angeles Clippers
4. Baron Davis, PG, Los Angeles Clippers
5. Rudy Gay, F, Memphis Grizzlies

35. Five Teams Facing Big Overhauls This Summer

Brian:

1. Detroit Pistons
2. Sacramento Kings
3. Phoenix Suns
4. Washington Wizards
5. Dallas Mavericks

Andrew:

1. Detroit Pistons
2. Golden State Warriors
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Phoenix Suns
5. New York Knicks

The Maloof Brothers Can’t Be Happy

The Maloof Brothers Photos Credit: Icon SMI

36. Five Best Second-Year Players

Brian:

1. Kevin Durant, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Jeff Green, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Al Horford, F, Atlanta Hawks
4. Thaddeus Young, F, Philadelphia 76ers
5. Ramon Sessions, PG, Milwaukee Bucks

Andrew:

1. Kevin Durant, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Jeff Green, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Luis Scola, F, Houston Rockets
4. Thaddeus Young, F, Philadelphia 76ers
5. Al Horford, C, Atlanta Hawks
5a. Wilson Chandler, F, New York Knicks

37. Five Players Who Could Be Traded This Summer

Brian:

1. Caron Butler, F, Washington Wizards
2. Josh Howard, F, Dallas Mavericks
3. Tayshaun Prince, F, Detroit Pistons
4. Vince Carter, G, New Jersey Nets
5. Tyson Chandler, C, New Orleans Hornets

Andrew:

1. Vince Carter, G, New Jersey Nets
2. Kirk Hinrich, G, Chicago Bulls
3. Tyson Chandler, C, New Orleans Hornets
4. Josh Howard, F, Dallas Mavericks
5. Steve Blake, G, Portland Trailblazers

38. Executive of the Year

Brian:

1. Danny Ferry, Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Mark Warkentien, Denver Nuggets
3. Kevin Pritchard, Portland Trail Blazers
4. Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets

Andrew:

1. Donnie Walsh, New York Knicks
2. Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Kiki Vandeweghe, New Jersey Nets
4. Mark Warkentien, Denver Nuggets
5. Kevin Pritchard, Portland Trail Blazers

Doc Rivers, pleased with Rajon Rondo's fantasy game

Rajon Rondo Photo Credit: Icon SMI

39. All NBA Second Team

Brian:

PG. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
SG. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
SF. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
PF. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
C. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Andrew:

PG. Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
SG. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
SF. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
PF. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
C. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Dirk Nowitzki doesn't hear much about himself these days

Dirk Nowitzki Photo Credit: Icon SMI

40. All NBA First Team

Brian:

PG. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
SG. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
SF. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
PF. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
C. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Andrew:

PG. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
SG. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
SF. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
PF. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
C. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Last Year’s Lists: Summing Up the 2007-08 NBA Regular Season In 36 Lists

5 Comments »Posted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Apr. 16, 2009 at 3:15 am in NBA

5 Responses

Hey guys, great lists. Just a bit curious about what you said about the Pistons. You both said they were the number 1 team facing big overhauls this summer. Can you say a bit about what you see them doing? Iverson and Rasheed are probably never going to be Pistons again. But aren’t the rest pretty much going to stay where they are? And one of you also said Tayshaun was likely to be traded? I never even thought that was an option for Joe D.
Great work guys!

Posted by: Shehan on April 16th, 2009 at 11:20 am

I cant believe you couldn’t find space for Kobe on the all-nba first team! I think you should kick Dirk and Pau out, shift Lebron to PF, and then slot kobe in at SF. Just like the “small ball” redeem-team

Posted by: r.i.p_petrovic on April 16th, 2009 at 7:46 pm

Breaking news: The player formerly known as Amar’e Stoudemire (since October 2008) has reportedly added another apostrophe to his name – I think you missed one, Andrew. A glyph will be next.

Brian is right about Randy Foye: He was quoted in the Minneapolis papers as saying he was getting worn down and could no longer produce without Al Jefferson there to take all the pressure off him. IMHO he was NOT a good 7th overall pick and is not a prime time player.

Posted by: gurf morlix on April 16th, 2009 at 8:24 pm

I like lists. I’m ready for a part III. Instead of throwing out names how bout making a list of your top five memorable moments of the season, top 5 games watched, etc.

Posted by: WT on April 17th, 2009 at 12:59 am

Ha, “A’ma’re Stou’de’mi’re” cracked me up the most. N’ice on’e.

Agree w/ putting Pau Gasol in 1st team, and Kobe on 2nd team.

Posted by: Emma on April 21st, 2009 at 8:14 pm