The Association

Well the NBA is a few days into the season, and I need to spend some quality time talking about the Association. Say what you want about the NBA, negative or positive, but people love to give their highly opinionated views on this league. We will have to hear Paul, a loyal reader, post his anonymous comments tell us all how the NBA sucks ass. Martin A. Kester, a loyal reader, will bore you all to death with his rants about how good Allen Iverson is this year, and how white people don’t give him enough credit. Wee Willie Pipher, a loyal reader, may chime in with stuff about how we have to vote for Tyron Lue for this seasons 6th man of the year award. But I will say one thing, it certainly will be interesting.

TEAMS I THINK ARE GOOD

San Antonio Spurs- Obviously, I am not breaking new ground here. But as I stated earlier this year, their second five is an Eastern Conference playoff contender (Van Exel, Finley, Brent Barry, Horry, & Nesterovic). This team is so good defensively and so well coached that they will not have a lackadaisical regular season. They will most likely get the #1 overall spot, but as always in anonymity. They have the talent to challenge the Bulls record of 72 wins, but it means nothing to guys like Popovich and Duncan to have such a record, so they will not push themselves to that limit, like Jordan and Phil Jackson did.

Indiana Pacers- I really think this team could be the best team in the league. As long as Ron Artest does not go all Pier 6 brawl on us again this season. The Pacers added the two things they needed, some quality depth in the back court and versatility at the 3 spot. The signing of Sarunas Jasikevicius makes this team so much better; he was probably the best player in the world not in the NBA last season. He allows the Pacers to now play all kinds of combinations in the backcourt, he can play the 1 or the 2 spot, so now when Tinsley gets tired or in foul trouble they can bring some scoring off the bench. Also, the drafting of Danny Granger gives them more athleticism in the front court, and now they can slide Stephen Jackson & Ron Artest into the 2 spot. This team is the deepest in the league, they have 6 guys who can actually play center, which allows Jermaine O’Neal to be a fulltime power forward.

Denver Nuggets- I really liked this team before last season, but it took a coaching change before things really picked up in the mile high city. They have a great starting five, but lack serious depth, especially since it was announced that Nene is out for the season. I do think Carmelo Anthony will have his breakout year, and help carry them to the top of the Western Conference. I love there limited bench with guys like Earl Boykins and Greg Buckner, just solid veteran role players, they juts don’t have enough of them.

Cleveland Cavaliers- It is LeBron’s NBA the rest of us are just getting a front row seat. This off season the Cavs finally showed a commitment to improve this team and get Bron some help. They added Damon Jones for shooting, and Larry Hughes to help take some defensive responsibilities away from James. They have the perfect frontcourt for their team with the big Z and Drew Gooden, and veteran backups Donyell Marshall and Alan Henderson. If this team can get it together defensively they could be scary, or should I say it would be scary to face LeBron in the playoffs.

Houston Rockets- I know people will get mad at me and tell me what hack Tracy McGrady is, but I am on the Rockets bandwagon (be for warned Rockets fans, the last bandwagon I was on was the Jets). The additions of Rafer Alston and Derek Anderson in the backcourt provide depth and flexability with veterans Bob Sura, Jon Barry and David Wesley. Up front they needed some athleticism and they added perhaps the best athlete in the league in Stromile Swift. You know a Jeff Van Gundy team will defend, so I think this team will be a force, especially come playoff time.

Miami Heat- This team was put together for a short championship run, and to knocl off the San Antonio Spurs. They added veterans like Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, and Jason Williams (guys who have been known to rock the boat). But they still have the Big Fella and an emerging leader & star in Dwayne Wade. This team will muttle its way through the regular season, especially if Shaq’s knee bothers him, but they are built for a playoff run. We will see who the coach is by the time the playoff roll around and whether or not the Big Fella can keep everyone in line.

There are bunch of other teams who everyone thinks will be good but I am just not drinking the Kool Aid. The Sacramento Kings, haven’t I seen this dog and pony show before? Now they add Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Bonzi Wells. Have you ever noticed those guys have never been on winners, there is a reason for that. Another en vogue team in New Jersey, but again I have seen this act before. They have put a great deal of stock in Nenad Krstic being the answer up front, and some serious bums on the bench. Their division is weak so they will make the playoffs but I do not think they are very good. Then other teams like Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, and Phoenix are all decent but I do not think they are serious contenders.

And now, my outlandish predictions for who will win what awards this season:

6th Man- Marquis Daniels, Dallas Mavericks

Most Improved- Andre Igauodala, Philadelphia 76ers

Defensive Player- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Coach- Jeff Van Gundy, Houston Rockets

AND

MVP- Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers