AROUND the NBA: Pat Bev Suspended 4 Games Next Season| PHX Fires Vogel

[Chicagojk]

West is brutal. Luckily Mavs built some cushion over 500, but they were not in a that much different position similar time last season. Need to get healthy soon or Luka will be burnt out till all star break.

In the East, Chicago is playing much better with LaVine out. Won 7 of their last 10. If it continues this way, total rebuild might come into question, if they manage to get any decent players for LaVine.

The overplaying of Luka really bothers me.  He should be treated with extreme caution....especially in Nov/Dec/Jan regular season minutes.    

I expect a rough stint for the Mavs in the upcoming week or so.  Injuries can really derail a season...especially in the west.  With that being said, even if their record may be similar to last year at this stage, I have a much better feeling with this years team.  Last years team was DOA for me and it was pulling teeth to watch.   I can see the vision with this team.  It may not be true contender but they appear to be on the right track.   My big thing is can they make it just a little harder for teams to score?  Can they get to league average?  If they can, they are going to be tough to play in a playoff series.