If NBA free agency were anything like the college admissions process, I might have been the next LeBron James. It’s certainly a stretch as long as King James’s wingspan. Nevertheless my imagination runs wild at the thought that instead of a “no-trade clause”, I could have finagled a “no-fail clause” from academic institutions vying for my application much the same way the NBA world over is wining and dining the biggest name in free agency of the most star-studded free agency class ever.
Of course my high school transcript reads like a loaded triple-double box score filled up on any given night that number 23 graces the hardwood. Whereas we may yet to have seen the best of LeBron James, I can assure you the only A’s in my future will be Triple A.
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After a much desired, very little deserved hiatus from the heavily opinionated blogging sports universe, yours truly is back with the much anticipated 2010 NBA Playoffs. The familiar mainstay playoff contenders of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and the Denver Nuggets (yes the Nuggets of this latter decade at least) remind us the importance of franchise stability in terms of long tenured coaches, the health and prosperity of cornerstone superstars, and the talent of the supporting cast. Newcomers to the big dance, namely the Charlotte Bobcats, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder will reintroduce the mass public to head coach Larry Brown, and introduce that same populace the brilliance of PG Brandon Jennings, and F Kevin Durant.
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A short blurb to declare my personal unreliable picks for the upcoming season:
Rookie of the Year:
- Tyreke Evans – Really strong bet to get ROY due to fact this talent was the heir apparent to Derrick Rose at Memphis, only he’s bigger, stronger (maybe not faster but darn close) and just as adept if not more so at scoring. He will struggle early on like most rookie point guards in the league with turnovers, but the ceiling is high for this high draft pick playing for a bad team with no competition at his position. All indications point to a seamless transition to the pros in terms of offensive production. Pretty much the only criteria to garner rookie of the year honors. His assists and defense (if he is that type of player) will come later in his career.
Sixth Man of the Year:
- Manu Ginobili – Going with the past winner, 2 seasons removed. With the San Antonio Spurs being deeper as to not rely on Ginobili to start, he will still be the first off the bench, and the last off the court in every game in the 4th quarter throughout the season. The big IF with Ginobili is his health. A summer of rest (no Olympic obligations), a contract year combined with the loophole that a bench player logging starter minutes make Manuuuuu the consensus logical pick to garner this award once again… that is if there were ever players with multiple Sixth Man awards. I’ll have to look it up. Then again if Gregg Popavich decides to start Ginobili and axe my predictions at the roots, we’ll just disregard this and say I had Lamar Odom all along.
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One of the more anticipated NBA seasons full of excitement in recent memory will tip-off Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers trek out to defend their 2009 title. Lots of moves, trades, free agent signings bolster the top half-dozen teams setting the stage for a furious race for the O’Brien trophy, not to mention the bevy of marquee free agents available next summer guarantees that the game’s biggest stars will perform beyond great to ensure a fat new contract with whichever team signs them.
So if the Lakers are the incumbent King of the Hill, who has the best chance to knock them off? I really think (mentioned above) that only a few or so other teams have a legitimate chance to knock off the mighty Lakers. Giddy with provocation, I will try my best to temper the kid-on-Christmas-morning mentality and provide a somewhat objective preview of the upcoming blockbuster (knock on wood health permitting) NBA season.
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The confetti had barely touched the ground after celebrations commenced for crowning the Los Angeles Lakers the 2009 NBA Champions, when potential usurpers sprung into action and started making moves to keep up with the “Kobes”. If this offseason is any indication, we are in for a very top-heavy action-packed season come October.
Several factors come into play that contribute to the hectic arms race thus seen this summer. The obvious economic recession that has also affected the NBA monetarily has also in turn caused smaller market teams to unload contracts and keep their salary under the luxury tax threshold. Some may simply be clearing space for the infamous summer of 2010 when a smorgasbord of elite free agents are to be had. However some indications and my “expert” opinion all point to the former, that a bad economy ultimately induces teams who are not as financially sound to trim the proverbial fat.
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