October 28, 2008 – Dr. Dime
It’s hard to believe the summer is already over, and the new NBA season is finally on our doorstep! We hope you are all as excited as we are over at The Hoop Doctors to get right into the drama the NBA provides. This season is sure to be one of the best yet. Just when you think NBA excitement hit an all-time high last year with everything from the new look Boston Celtics, to the tightest Western Conference playoff race in history, to the trading of Shaquille O’Neal, to Dwight Howard going Superman at the dunk contest, to Kobe Bryant finally getting his much deserved MVP award….
The summer comes…….and the 2009 season primer’s started, like Baron Davis headin’ home to L.A. only to find Elton Brand flipped the script and was on his way to Philly, or Monta Ellis signs a huge contract only to get hurt in a moped accident and get challenged by the Dubs, or Lebron finally getting some help in the form of Mo’ Williams, and so on, and so on…
Here are tonight’s season opener’s and summary of what to watch for:
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Tonight in the NBA opener, the defending champs are taking on their toughest competitors from last year’s championship run. Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers gave Boston the biggest scare of the playoffs by taking them to a 7th and final game, and keeping it close throughout that Game 7 to a wild finish. Cleveland teams over the past few years have been known to be scrappy, great defensive ball clubs. With that being said they’ve also been thought of us a one trick pony on the offensive end. It’s all Lebron, Lebron, Lebron. Everyone in the organization has known that to win it all they would need to get Lebron some help. Enter Mo’ Williams. He is exactly the type of offensive-minded point guard the Cavaliers need to make them a more balanced ball club. The experiment starts tonight.
The Boston Celtics will get their rings tonight. Expect an emotional start to the opening night festivities for all of the players, but especially the veterans which include the ‘Big Three’. But don’t expect the Celtics to take this game lightly either. The Celtics roster remains relatively unchanged, however they took a big hit in losing impact player James Posey to the New Orleans Hornets. I’m interested to see how this affects their play in close games where Posey was known for coming up big. The C’s have talked all summer about how they are not going to just be content with their championship and roll over to the next up and comer. They are taking this championship defense very seriously, and it starts tonight. Who better to face to kick things off then the air to the throne of “best in ball”, Lebron James.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls
I know everyone wants to watch the defending champs and Lebron James on opening night, but don’t sleep on this Bucks vs. Bulls game folks. There is plenty to watch for….plenty of drama. After the near brawl in the last pre-season game between these two clubs a few days ago, Richard Jefferson made it quite clear he doesn’t like Andres Nocioni, and considers him a dirty player. The tensions ran so high in their last pre-season game that even the mild mannered guys on each club, Luke Ridnour and Kirk Hinrich, were in on the action. But if NBA brawls don’t get your blood pumpin’…..
Milwaukee has a new coach in Scott Skiles, a new star in Richard Jefferson, a newly anointed Olympic gold medalist in Michael Redd, and plenty of young talent to put on a show. I’m interested to see what their on-court chemistry will be like, and what style of play Skiles is going to gun for. As for Chicago, they are show casing for the first regular season game their #1 overall NBA draft pick, Derrick Rose. How will he fare? The Bulls have been at the center of a media storm all summer long about why they haven’t made a move where Ben Gordon’s contract is concerned. Should they have worked out a sign and trade for him due to their overcrowded back-court? These questions and more will be on display tonight for Chicago.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trailblazers
Were there two more talked about big men in the game this summer than Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden? And for good reason, as both these teams are hoping their star Centers can get them over the hump. Now keep in mind it’s a different hump for each team. In the case of the Lakers that hump is getting that elusive NBA title come June. For the Trailblazers that hump is getting into the post-season in the extremely tight Western Conference. Sure the Blazers would like to go further than just ‘making the playoffs’, but you have to learn to walk before you can run.
There is a lot more to offer in this game besides just seeing how much Bynum and Oden will help their teams. Kobe Bryant will want to send a message that the Lakers are the team to beat this season. Jordan Farmar will be looking to take on a bigger role in the rotation now that his game has improved and his confidence level is at an all-time high. And what about Lamar Odom? Will he work well with the two bigs, Gasol and Bynum? Will Odom start? How will Gasol adapt to occupying the same space as Bynum? Then what about the up shot Trailblazers….Brandon Roy, Sergio Rodriguez, LeMarcus Aldridge. These guys are ballers, and exciting to watch. And will Greg Oden bounty hunters get paid out with any dunks on Oden? Will Oden be doing some bounty hunting of his own? Hmmmmm….should be quite the game.
