Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
February 9, 2001, Washington Post

A Roundball Report Card

The National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game is in Washington this weekend. That means that some of the best basketball players in the world will be in the nation's capital for the big game.

The All-Star Game also means that the NBA season is about half over. So let's take a look at some of the season's stories so far.

• The Philadelphia 76ers. Surprise. Surprise. The 76ers have the best record in the NBA. The Sixers' quicksilver all-star guard Allen Iverson made the wrong kind of headlines last summer for recording a mean-spirited rap CD. Now, Iverson is all about basketball. He is scoring, stealing, passing and almost willing his team to win after win.

Iverson is the star of the show, but the Sixers are getting solid help from a hardworking supporting cast of Aaron McKie, Tyrone Hill and surprise all-star Theo Ratliff. If the 155-pound Iverson does not wear out, the Sixers have a shot at the title.

• The Los Angeles Lakers. Last year, the Lakers were fighting for a title. This year, the defending champs are fighting among themselves.

According to reports, Shaquille O'Neal is mad that teammate Kobe Bryant takes too many shots. (Kobe takes plenty -- more than 23 per game.) Kobe wants to be the Lakers' main man (instead of Shaq). Believe it or not, there has been talk that the Lakers will trade one of their two superstars.

Unless Shaq and Kobe can make up, or at least play together like they did last year, the Lakers may be this year's big disappointment.

• Empty Seats. Has the NBA lost some of its sizzle? The pro game just does not seem as hot as when Michael Jordan was around.

The games are slow, low-scoring (some teams can't even score 60 points in 48 minutes) and filled with fouls. Check out the attendance figures below the basketball box scores in the paper, especially during weekdays. The All-Star Game will be packed, but lots of times even all-stars are playing in front of empty seats.

• More Surprise Teams. The Philadelphia 76ers are not this season's only surprise. The Sacramento Kings (31 wins, 15 losses), led by former Washington Wizard Chris Webber, are among the best teams in the West. Webber is making a strong case that he should be the NBA's Most Valuable Player, scoring about 27 points and snaring around 12 rebounds a game.

The Dallas Mavericks (31-19) and the Denver Nuggets (27-23 through Wednesday) also are playing better than anyone expected. That gives hope to some of the league's worst teams.

• The Washington Wizards. Before this season, the Wizards' Michael Jordan said that the team would win at least half of its games. MJ shot an airball on that one. The Wizards are 12-37.

Lately though, the Wizards are showing signs of life. Juwan Howard has been solid, almost an all-star. Younger players such as Chris Whitney, Richard Hamilton and Jahidi White have given the Wizards some much-needed speed and spirit.

Who knows? Maybe the Wizards will win half their games. In the second half of the season.

FRED BOWEN is the author of sports novels for kids. Write to him at KidsPost, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the subject field): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company