NBA Round-Up

A few standout story lines so far this season (in no particular order)...

• The 5-0 Atlanta Hawks: The balanced Hawks have six players averaging double figures, plus a seventh at 9.0 PPG. Josh Smith and Al Horford are becoming quite a tandem, and Joe Johnson is solid as usual. I know the "experts" are handing the East to Boston or Miami, but this should be a dangerous squad come playoff time.
• The 3-1 Dallas Mavericks: Why do we always forget about these guys? They still have Super Dirk, Caron Butler, and the two Jasons (Kidd and Terry), plus they added the always intriguing Tyson Chandler. They won't take the West, but another 50-win season looks likely.
• Monta Ellis: Through four games, Ellis is averaging 30 points and six assists for Golden State. He's shooting it at a 55-percent clip, including 40 percent from three-point land.
• Rajon Rondo: I had to include a Celtic. How about 17 assists per game? Forget the "Big Three." Rondo is the key to Boston's success this year.
• John Wall: So far so good for the Wizards rookie point guard (24 PPG, 10 APG, 4 SPG). He needs to cut down on the turnovers, but the sky is the limit for Mr. Wall. It's hard to believe that he just turned 20.