I have to admit in recent years I haven’t been much of a NBA fan. Every since my favorite player of all time (Shawn Kemp) became irrelevant, my favorite team left town (Charlotte Hornets), and the strike in the late 90’s, the NBA has become like the ex-girlfriend that every now and then when you’re bored you think about calling her up, but then remember the reason you left her in the first place, and you put the phone back down.
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But I’m determined after watching some of the playoffs last year that I might just be missing out on a good thing here. The stars of my childhood are gone (Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Bird) and while I may never see today’s players in their same light, there’s actually a lot to be excited about in the NBA. Here are 10 things I plan on looking for this year.
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1. Can Greg Oden make the Blazers a playoff team?
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Perhaps the most glaring absence from last year’s season occured before the year even began. When Greg Oden got injured in the preseason, the hopes of the Blazers to jump back into Western Conference relevance were delayed a year.Â
The Blazers have steadily improved over the last three years, balancing things out last year for a 41-41 record. Brandon Roy led the team in scoring, and surprising LaMarcus Aldridge stepped up in a big way to help out with the lack of inside presence. Adding to that was Joel Przybilla, who started 67 games and grabbed 8-plus boards a game. There’s a lot of talk coming into the season about Rudy Fernandez and his “under the radar” talent that is certain to help relieve some of the pressure from Roy, if nothing else but to give him a breather or two down the stretch in games.
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However, Oden is going to be the face of this franchise. He has to be. So much was built up around him before last year, that now fans and media have had a whole year on top of that to analyze what he might do on the court. As tough as the West is, if Oden plays to his potential, and Roy and Aldridge continue their solid play, there’s no reason Portland can’t be a playoff team.
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2. Was last year’s Celtics squad a one-time fantasy or the beginning of a dynasty?
Anyone who follows the NBA had to be happy for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce last season. Garnett suffered and persevered through many tough seasons in Minnesota, and Pierce did the same in Boston. However, a casual outsider couldn’t help but feel like the Celtics had become a bit much like the New York Yankees with their attempt to “buy a championship.” Still, it brought a feeling of nostalgia having an Eastern team be that dominant, much like the Jordan-Pippen era of the 90’s. Of course, they won 6 titles. How many can this current Celtics team win?
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First, look at the big 3. Garnett, Pierce, and Ray Allen are 32, 31 (on Oct. 13), and 33 respectively. As far as NBA age goes, those aren’t necessarily “old” guys, but they ain’t gettin’ any younger either. Throw in Sam Cassell who looks like he’s old enough to be any of the big 3’s dad, and you’ve got a longevity issue. Now, there is talent on the bench. Doc Rivers has to be happy with what he saw from Eddie House and Glen “Big Baby” Davis down the stretch last year. Leon Powe will be counted on break Garnett as needed, and Rajon Rondo must continue to impress. He could be set for a big year again, but of course will be overshadowed in star-studded Boston.
The Celtics took a huge gamble on Darius Miles, who has already been suspended 10 games for violation the league’s drug policy. If he can finally live up to his potential by allowing the stars around him to make himself better, then he can contribute in a big way. The Celtics certainly seemed poised for a second straight title. Lucky for them, they play in the Eastern conference.
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3. Can Tracy McGrady finally get past the first round of the playoffs?
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With a healthy Yao Ming, the Rockets can matchup well against anyone in the West. Now that they’ve acquired Ron Artest, they bulk up their bench as well, considering either Artest or Shane Battier will be playing a bit of a “sixth man” role. Rafer Alston had a nice season last year, and looks to maintain his productivity at the point. Aside from Yao, however, this team may rely on the health of Steve Francis. If he can return fully from his quad injury and surgery, then the Rockets have perhaps one of the deepest benches on the league. But the health of Yao Ming cannot be overstated in it’s importance. There’s really no good backup for Yao, the one spot lacking coming off the bench. Luis Scola is a nice rebounder, but he’s not a center. Many wonder why the Rockets didn’t address a backup center in the draft. It could be a move that comes back to haunt them.
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4. Are the Heat really that bad, and will they still be this year?
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Boy how things can change in the span of a few years. It was 2006 when the Heat were parading down the streets of Miami with the NBA championship trophy. Last year, however, they matched their worst season ever as a franchise.Â
Things should turn around this year as long as Dwyane Wade can stay healthy. Miami unloaded Shaquille O’Neal last year and got a steal with receiving Shawn Marion for the big guy. Add onto that the number 2 pick in the draft Michael Beasley, and this team is an immediate playoff caliber squad. The big question is at the point guard spot, where Chris Quinn will likely be given the nod. Don’t be surprised if Mario Chalmers and Marcus Banks challenge for it themselves, however.
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5. Are the Lakers the team the beat in the West?
There’s so much to like about the Lakers, it can almost make the typical anti-Kobe fan put down his glass of haterade and admire. The addition of Pau Gasol early in the year was the best move made by any team, and it certainly paid off with a trip to the Finals. Now that Andrew Bynum has had time to recover from his injuries, the Lakers are poised to be every bit as deadly as last year. There’s manageable depth at every position, and the best player in the league still holding the “you can’t win a title without Shaq” chip on his shoulder. Anything short of a title will be a disappointment for this team.
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6. Who will end the year with the best shot at Tyler Hansbrough?
I don’t think it’s too far-reaching of an assumption that Tyler Hansbrough, the outstanding big man from UNC, will be the #1 pick next year in the draft. The question is, who’s gonna get him? While certainly it would be fun to see him stay in the Carolinas and play for Charlotte, I think the Bobcats will manage to avoid the NBA cellar. Perhaps the two likliest candidates are the Thunder and the Grizzlies. Both teams lack serious depth, and both franchises have stability issues. It will take some time for the Thunder to find their true identity in Oklahoma City. As long as the Grizzlies have been in Memphis, they still haven’t found their identity. I won’t be surprised to see that franchise moved in the next 5-7 years.
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7. Which rookies will live up to the hype?
I think right off you have to believe Michael Beasley will be huge in Miami. He’s got the luxury few others drafted in the top ten of getting to play right away for a contender. Wade and Marion will only make Beasley better. If O.J. Mayo can beat out Mike Conley for the starting point guard job in Memphis, he could have a big impact. Robin Lopez will be given a great opportunity to learn under Shaquille O’Neal in Phoenix, and still get plenty of playing time. Their potent offense will involve him right away. Derrick Rose will have some impact, but doesn’t come in as a guaranteed starter. Hinrich still will hold that spot much of the year unless Rose really shows he’s got what it takes.
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8. Will the Knicks continue to be the laughing stock of the NBA?
When Isiah Thomas was removed from the coaching job in New York, it was almost as if a collective “finally!” echoed across the northeast by Knicks fans. Mike D’Antoni comes in, leading a dominate Suns team for the past several years. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he’ll have basically the same old Knicks roster to work with. It’s not that the talent’s not there, it’s been more an issue of chemistry and heart. D’Antoni won’t turn this team into a winner overnight, but he just might remove them from David Letterman’s nightly monologue, and that’s a start.
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9. Does Baron Davis make the Clippers a playoff team?
The problem with the Clippers isn’t that they’re not a good team, it’s the fact that there are just so many better teams in the West. In their own division, the Clippers can’t match talent-wise what the Lakers and Suns have. Plus, much to Baron’s dismay, Elton Brand up and left what was a sure thing for a playoff run. Davis can make things interesting, but it sure would be nice to have a recognizable sidekick to go along with him.
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10. Which coaching change will turn out to be the best move?
I’ve already mentioned the D’Antoni hire, which is MUCH better than what was there before, but I’m not sure it will be the best move of all. Larry Brown was a smart hire in Charlotte with his Carolina ties, but you never know what kind of longevity you’ll see with him. I’m not sure Michael Curry is going to bring anything to that group of veterans on Detroit that Flip Saunders didn’t have before. The one move I actually really like? Rick Carlisle to the Mavericks. He’s a proven winner in his other stops, and Cuban had to make a change despite Avery Johnson’s successes there.
October 12, 2008 at 10:36 pm
[...] permalink 10 Reasons to Watch the NBA This Year I have to admit in recent years I haven’t been much of a NBA fan. Every since my favorite player of all time (Shawn Kemp) became irrelevant, my favorite team left town (Charlotte Hornets), and the strike in the late 90’s, the NBA has become like the ex-girlfriend that every now and then when you’re bored you think about calling her up, but then remember the reason you left her in the first place, and you put the phone back down. But I’m determined after watching some of the playoffs last year that I might just be missing out on a good thing here. The stars of my childhood are gone (Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Bird) and while I may never see today’s players in their same light, there’s actually a lot to be excited about in the NBA. Here are 10 things I plan on looking for this year. 1. Can Greg Oden make the Blazers a playoff team? Perhaps the most glaring absence from last year’s season occured before the year even began. When Greg Oden got injured in the preseason, the hopes of the Blazers to jump back into Western Conference relevance were delayed a year. The Blazers have steadily improved over the last three years, balancing things out last year for a 41-41 record. Brandon Roy led the team in scoring, and surprising LaMarcus Aldridge stepped up in a big way to help out with the lack of inside presence. Adding to that was Joel Przybilla, who started 67 games and grabbed 8-plus boards a game. There’s a lot of talk coming into the season about Rudy Fernandez and his “under the radar” talent that is certain to help relieve some of the pressure from Roy, if nothing else but to give him a breather or two down the stretch in games. However, Oden is going to be the face of this franchise. He has to be. So much was built up around him before last year, that now fans and media have had a whole year on top of that to analyze what he might do on the court. As tough as the West is, if Oden plays to his potential, and Roy and Aldridge continue their solid play, there’s no reason Portland can’t be a playoff team. 2. Was last year’s Celtics squad a one-time fantasy or the beginning of a dynasty? Anyone who follows the NBA had to be happy for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce last season. Garnett suffered and persevered through many tough seasons in Minnesota, and Pierce did the same in Boston. However, a casual outsider couldn’t help but feel like the Celtics had become a bit much like the New York Yankees with their attempt to “buy a championship.” Still, it brought a feeling of nostalgia having an Eastern team be that dominant, much like the Jordan-Pippen era of the 90’s. Of course, they won 6 titles. How many can this current Celtics team win? First, look at the big 3. Garnett, Pierce, and Ray Allen are 32, 31 (on Oct. 13), and 33 respectively. As far as NBA age goes, those aren’t necessarily “old” guys, but they ain’t gettin’ any younger either. Throw in Sam Cassell who looks like he’s old enough to be any of the big 3’s dad, and you’ve got a longevity issue. Now, there is talent on the bench. Doc Rivers has to be happy with what he saw from Eddie House and Glen “Big Baby” Davis down the stretch last year. Leon Powe will be counted on break Garnett as needed, and Rajon Rondo must continue to impress. He could be set for a big year again, but of course will be overshadowed in star-studded Boston. The Celtics took a huge gamble on Darius Miles, who has already been suspended 10 games for violation the league’s drug policy. If he can finally live up to his potential by allowing the stars around him to make himself better, then he can contribute in a big way. The Celtics certainly seemed poised for a second straight title. Lucky for them, they play in the Eastern conference. 3. Can Tracy McGrady finally get past the first round of the playoffs? With a healthy Yao Ming, the Rockets can matchup well against anyone in the West. Now that they’ve acquired Ron Artest, they bulk up their bench as well, considering either Artest or Shane Battier will be playing a bit of a “sixth man” role. Rafer Alston had a nice season last year, and looks to maintain his productivity at the point. Aside from Yao, however, this team may rely on the health of Steve Francis. If he can return fully from his quad injury and surgery, then the Rockets have perhaps one of the deepest benches on the league. But the health of Yao Ming cannot be overstated in it’s importance. There’s really no good backup for Yao, the one spot lacking coming off the bench. Luis Scola is a nice rebounder, but he’s not a center. Many wonder why the Rockets didn’t address a backup center in the draft. It could be a move that comes back to haunt them. 4. Are the Heat really that bad, and will they still be this year? Boy how things can change in the span of a few years. It was 2006 when the Heat were parading down the streets of Miami with the NBA championship trophy. Last year, however, they matched their worst season ever as a franchise. Things should turn around this year as long as Dwyane Wade can stay healthy. Miami unloaded Shaquille O’Neal last year and got a steal with receiving Shawn Marion for the big guy. Add onto that the number 2 pick in the draft Michael Beasley, and this team is an immediate playoff caliber squad. The big question is at the point guard spot, where Chris Quinn will likely be given the nod. Don’t be surprised if Mario Chalmers and Marcus Banks challenge for it themselves, however. 5. Are the Lakers the team the beat in the West? There’s so much to like about the Lakers, it can almost make the typical anti-Kobe fan put down his glass of haterade and admire. The addition of Pau Gasol early in the year was the best move made by any team, and it certainly paid off with a trip to the Finals. Now that Andrew Bynum has had time to recover from his injuries, the Lakers are poised to be every bit as deadly as last year. There’s manageable depth at every position, and the best player in the league still holding the “you can’t win a title without Shaq” chip on his shoulder. Anything short of a title will be a disappointment for this team. 6. Who will end the year with the best shot at Tyler Hansbrough? I don’t think it’s too far-reaching of an assumption that Tyler Hansbrough, the outstanding big man from UNC, will be the #1 pick next year in the draft. The question is, who’s gonna get him? While certainly it would be fun to see him stay in the Carolinas and play for Charlotte, I think the Bobcats will manage to avoid the NBA cellar. Perhaps the two likliest candidates are the Thunder and the Grizzlies. Both teams lack serious depth, and both franchises have stability issues. It will take some time for the Thunder to find their true identity in Oklahoma City. As long as the Grizzlies have been in Memphis, they still haven’t found their identity. I won’t be surprised to see that franchise moved in the next 5-7 years. 7. Which rookies will live up to the hype? I think right off you have to believe Michael Beasley will be huge in Miami. He’s got the luxury few others drafted in the top ten of getting to play right away for a contender. Wade and Marion will only make Beasley better. If O.J. Mayo can beat out Mike Conley for the starting point guard job in Memphis, he could have a big impact. Robin Lopez will be given a great opportunity to learn under Shaquille O’Neal in Phoenix, and still get plenty of playing time. Their potent offense will involve him right away. Derrick Rose will have some impact, but doesn’t come in as a guaranteed starter. Hinrich still will hold that spot much of the year unless Rose really shows he’s got what it takes. 8. Will the Knicks continue to be the laughing stock of the NBA? When Isiah Thomas was removed from the coaching job in New York, it was almost as if a collective “finally!” echoed across the northeast by Knicks fans. Mike D’Antoni comes in, leading a dominate Suns team for the past several years. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he’ll have basically the same old Knicks roster to work with. It’s not that the talent’s not there, it’s been more an issue of chemistry and heart. D’Antoni won’t turn this team into a winner overnight, but he just might remove them from David Letterman’s nightly monologue, and that’s a start. 9. Does Baron Davis make the Clippers a playoff team? The problem with the Clippers isn’t that they’re not a good team, it’s the fact that there are just so many better teams in the West. In their own division, the Clippers can’t match talent-wise what the Lakers and Suns have. Plus, much to Baron’s dismay, Elton Brand up and left what was a sure thing for a playoff run. Davis can make things interesting, but it sure would be nice to have a recognizable sidekick to go along with him. 10. Which coaching change will turn out to be the best move? I’ve already mentioned the D’Antoni hire, which is MUCH better than what was there before, but I’m not sure it will be the best move of all. Larry Brown was a smart hire in Charlotte with his Carolina ties, but you never know what kind of longevity you’ll see with him. I’m not sure Michael Curry is going to bring anything to that group of veterans on Detroit that Flip Saunders didn’t have before. The one move I actually really like? Rick Carlisle to the Mavericks. He’s a proven winner in his other stops, and Cuban had to make a change despite Avery Johnson’s successes there. 10 Reasons to Watch the NBA This Year [...]
October 13, 2008 at 12:38 am
It is a huge reach to say that Hansbrough will be the #1 pick. Mock drafts don’t even have him going in the lottery picks.