Celebrating The Sports Blog's favorite time of year.
Welcome to the start of a new NBA season, also known as The Sports Blog's favorite time of year. Your humble correspondent once quit a part-time job in high school to watch the Charlotte Hornets play the Chicago Bulls on TV on opening night. I was a Larry Johnson fan, and the job wasn't that great anyway. I'm not proud of it, and yet, I kind of am proud of it. Even as a youth, I knew what my No. 1 priority was.
Today, a marginally more mature version of that impetuous teen brings you a guide to the 2007-08 NBA season. I think you'll join me in wishing for a year defined not by the controversies of gambling and arbitrary suspensions but by the achievements of the world's greatest athletes. And some minor controversies, too, because those are fun when they're not eroding the integrity of a major sports league.
I'm excited to see Kevin Garnett chew up what passes for a power forward in the East, and I can't wait to see if LeBron James can make the playoffs with 11 people tied to his back. I want to see Grant Hill play in Phoenix and Kevin Durant take 40 shots a game. And I want to see Kobe Bryant score 50 points per game and dare the Bulls not to trade for him.
In Orlando, I want to see which void Rashard Lewis will fill for the Magic: that of a 20-ppg perimeter scorer or an unmovable, lifeless contract suffocating the payroll. In Miami, I want to see if I should buy the hype that Shaquille O'Neal is in better shape than he's been in years. I'm keeping my wallet closed for now.
But hey, maybe he'll surprise me. I hope he does. That's what makes the games worth watching.
EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW
The Contenders
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A relaunched Boston Celtics team will dominate the East if healthy, and that's a big if...The Chicago Bulls did nothing to address their biggest weakness, scoring in the post, and will again die by the jumper...The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to be the best one-man team in NBA history...The New Jersey Nets' summer saw them resign Vince Carter and fortify the frontcourt.
The Playoff Teams
The Toronto Raptors have turned it around fast, but Eastern teams are catching on to their Eurocentric style...It's always hard to count out the Detroit Pistons, but it's getting easier every fall...The New York Knicks have too much talent to miss the postseason regardless of how mismanaged they are...A late start for Dwyane Wade and another year of wear-and-tear on Shaquille O'Neal mean the Miami Heat will be playing from behind.
The tough outs
Gilbert Arenas is playing for a new contract, and that means trouble for the Washington Wizards...Dwight Howard is a beast, but the rest of the Orlando Magic roster is still badly flawed...An injury will keep the awful Adam Morrison out of the way, but Jason Richardson isn't enough of an upgrade to lead the Charlotte Bobcats anywhere of note.
The field
The running tally of Yi Jianlian's minutes will make the Milwaukee Bucks a sideshow...The Atlanta Hawks won't contend until Acie Law is an all-star...The Philadelphia 76ers are spectacularly devoid of talent...The overrated Jermaine O'Neal is all the Indiana Pacers have going for them.
The Conference Finals
OVER
The All-Stars
The Dwight Howard (C, ORL) era begins in earnest as Shaq falls into further disrepair…An inspired Kevin Garnett (PF, BOS) celebrates his escape from Minny with a career year…If LeBron James (SF, CLE) can drag this abysmal team into the playoffs, he deserves something more than an MVP trophy…Jason Kidd (PG, NJ) could play point guard on one leg, and he’ll prove it this year…Dwyane Wade (SG, MIA) will get a late start, but he’ll catch up.
Reserves: C Shaquille O’Neal, MIA…F Chris Bosh, TOR…F Luol Deng, CHI…F Paul Pierce, BOS…G Gilbert Arenas…G Joe Johnson, ATL…G Ray Allen, BOS.
WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW
The Contenders
If Shawn Marion will shut his big yapper, this is the best Phoenix Suns team yet...The Dallas Mavericks tried to prove something in the regular season last year, so what's the approach now?...They look impenetrable, but the San Antonio Spurs aren't getting better with age...The Houston Rockets absolutely must get to the second round this year.
The Playoff Teams
The Golden State Warriors were a novelty a year ago, but this year's team looks legit...The Utah Jazz will progress only if they slap some sense into Andrei Kirilenko...The Los Angeles Lakers aren't as terrible as Kobe thinks they are...Look no further than the Denver Nuggets for the league's biggest disappointment.
The tough outs
A rookie point guard, even one as gifted as Mike Conley, means no playoffs for the Memphis Grizzlies…The New Orleans Hornets have the personnel of a playoff team, but the injured list of a late lottery team…Kevin Durant can only do so much for the oddly-constructed Seattle SuperSonics.
The field
Three years ago, the starting five of the Los Angeles Clippers was a group you'd love to start. Today, it's a group you'd love to start three years ago...It's hard to believe the Sacramento Kings were contenders in the current century...The Minnesota Timberwolves have three players who have been on the team more than one season. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing…The Portland Trail Blazers greeted Greg Oden as a savior, and I’m supposed to be excited about the team’s other young talent?
The Conference Finals
OVER
The All-Stars
While Yao Ming (C, HOU) will be voted in either way, he’ll deserve it…Tim Duncan (PF, SA) is smart enough to pace himself, but his value is clear…Dirk Nowitzki may curl into a ball in the playoffs, but he’s money through April…Steve Nash has more weapons this year than ever before…Kobe Bryant is an awful human being, granted. He's also the best ballplayer on the planet.
Reserves: C Amare Stoudemire, PHO…F Carmelo Anthony, DEN…F Tracy McGrady, HOU…F Pau Gasol, MEM…G Kevin Durant, SEA…G Chris Paul, NO…Guard Deron Williams, UTAH.
Most Improved Player
Opportunity meets preparation in the form of Kendrick Perkins (C, BOS), a still-developing young big. Perkins hit the jackpot when Boston got Kevin Garnett, among the most versatile and unselfish power forwards the game has seen. If he defends, rebounds and regularly converts the drop-off passes KG will leave on his plate, he'll shine. Hakim Warrick (PF, MEM), Walter Hermann (PF, CHA), Ronnie Brewer (SG, UTAH), Andris Biedrins (C, GS) and former Celtic Gerald Green (SG, MIN) are other good bets.
Sixth Man of the Year
Grant Hill (SF, PHO) chose his ring-chasing destination wisely. He'll fit in perfectly spelling Raja Bell and Shawn Marion on the perimeter. For other candidates, I'll take Paul Millsap (PF, UTAH), Bonzi Wells (SF, HOU), Andres Nocioni (SF, CHI), Jason Maxiell (PF, DET), and former Gator David Lee (PF, NY).
Rookie of the Year
Kevin Durant (SG, SEA) might earn MVP votes, let alone ROY. Former Gator Al Horford could make a run if the Hawks prove competitive, Florida State product Al Thornton is a dark horse on an injury-ravaged Clippers team. For an ultra-sleeper, try Luis Scola (PF, HOU).
Coach of the Year
This may just be the year for Jerry Sloan (UTAH) to be recognized for his body of work. He's got a good team back, and a 50-win season would put him in contention. The COY usually goes to the coach of a good team that wasn't supposed to be - such candidates this year could be Mike Woodson (ATL), Sam Vincent (CHA), Larry Krystowiak (MIL), Marc Iavoroni (Memphis) and P.J. Carlesimo (SEA).
MVP
Tim Duncan shares too readily, Dirk Nowitzki made a laughingstock of last year's award, Steve Nash's time has come and gone, and voters are hesitant to reward Kobe Bryant's petulance. That leaves LeBron James (SF, CLE) to claim the MVP trophy he should have won last year.
NBA FINALS
OVER
There will be times where the Suns wish they'd found a way to bring Kevin Garnett on board, but those thoughts will fade quickly as their roster's overall awesomeness takes over. Boston's in over their heads in this five-game series.
Enjoy the season!