“Things You Need to Know and Should Expect for the 2009-2010 NBA Season”
With the NBA season starting this week, there are many things to be excited about. Of course there is Kobe vs. Shaq on Christmas day, as well as LeBron’s highlight reels on a nightly basis, but there are some other great things to look forward to. As usual, it was a busy off-season for several clubs making many transactions to look to improve their franchises. Intriguing trades and free agents acquisitions could be enough to make a few teams title contenders. Other teams have no other choice, but to go with the rebuilding method. Either way, this will be one great season for NBA fans and so many story lines to look out for.
Here are a few things you should know going into the NBA Season:
Big names have moved this off-season –
Vince Carter (Orlando)- Vinsanity is off to Orlando and joins the likes of Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis on last season’s Eastern Conference Champions. What do you do if you are the defending Eastern Conference Champions? Bring a little Vinsanity to the roster. While many analysts question if Carter can be a team player, coaches will be racking their brains on how to defend Dwight Howard down low, Rashard Lewis on the perimeter, Jameer Nelson in the open court and Carter with his propensity to score.
Ron Artest (Los Angeles Lakers)- Artest's head has been on straight for the better part of the last few years. Last season he shot the three well and continued to play arguably the best defense in the league. Kobe is sure to enjoy having Artest defend the opposing team's best player while Kobe can continue to deliver his clutch jumpers and unthinkable moves.
Shaquille O’Neal (Cleveland)- Shaq will try to “get the King a ring,” when he joins LeBron James in Cleveland. Arguably one of the most dominant centers of his time will look to get a ring with a third team. LeBron has been desperately seeking another superstar for a few years, and this could just be the guy to help bring the Cavs to the top. Shaq and LeBron. LeBron and Shaq. Need we say more?
Rasheed Wallace (Boston)- Wallace definitely is not the same player he was 5 years ago, but he can still help a team that is just one year removed from an NBA championship. He adds a defensive presence, a 3-point shot and a winning attitude to the Celtics.
Richard Jefferson (San Antonio)- As soon as you thought the Spurs were getting old and didn’t have what it takes to compete with the best of the West, they add borderline all-star Richard Jefferson to the mix. Along with Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan and the newly acquired Antonio McDyess, this will be one of the best teams in the NBA.
Shawn Marion (Dallas)- Shawn Marion will have many opportunities to show off his dunking ability when receiving passes from Jason Kidd in Dallas. He will fit in great and could be what gets owner Mark Cuban his first ring.
Allen Iverson (Memphis)- Iverson signed a one-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. It will be interesting to see if he bounces back from his short, disappointing stint with Detroit. How the mighty have fallen. The Answer in Philly became a question mark in Detroit and is now a downright joke in Memphis -- just like his ‘practice speech.’
Emeka Okafor (New Orleans) / Tyson Chandler (Charlotte)- New Orleans and Charlotte swapped big men to change things up a little. New Orleans needed more of a defensive big while Charlotte is using more of a running style that will fit Tyson to a T.
Ben Gordon (Detroit)- Gordon is off to Detroit to see if he can get them back into the elite status that they became used to for most of the decade. He is a great scorer, and should fit in nicely.
Here are some things you can expect to see this season:
1. Rookies Will Make Immediate Impact.
There are many known, as well as unknown, rookies that will have an immediate impact on their teams this year. Although the Rookie vs. Sophomore Challenge at the mid-season festivities will undoubtedly go to the Sophomores, this year’s Rookie class will be a good one.
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)- The first pick in this year’s NBA draft should see close to 30 minutes a game. Fans in L.A. that don’t root for purple and gold might be sick to their stomach with Griffin’s recent injury to his kneecap. However, adversity in his early career could go a long way in the future. The Clippers should be grateful for this kid who brings tenacity, leadership, as well as playmaking ability that we saw in the early days of Karl Malone.
Stephen Curry (Golden State)- If you watched Curry in college at all, the one thing you know is that he can just flat out shoot. After teammates recently expressed their grief with their roles in the offense, this rookie should fit in just nicely.
Jonny Flynn (Minnesota)- Especially given the fact that Rubio still has not had a buy-out with his contract from Spain, Flynn will get plenty of time running point for one of the inferior teams in the NBA in recent years. He will be a very solid NBA player and will be able to show that this year leading his team to some victories.
James Harden (Oklahoma City)- The former Arizona St. guard joins a talented young core, as Oklahoma City now has Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and Harden for years to come. Harden is arguably the most complete player in this draft class. He is a tough competitor that plays great defense, and can drive the ball to the lane as well.
Tyreke Evans (Sacramento) His rare size for his position makes him a very interesting NBA prospect. If he could work on his jump shot and take care of the ball, Evans will find his place in the NBA sooner than later.
Omri Casspi (Sacramento)- Casspi is an Israeli phenom and could be the steal of this years NBA draft. He played very well in the preseason and has landed himself a spot in the Kings rotation for the season.
2. Elite Teams Will Continue Their Dominance.
The honest truth is, only a few teams have the talent to compete for a championship. In the Eastern Conference there are the Celtics, Cavs and Magic. These three teams could all surpass the 60-win total and will blowout many teams along the way. The elite teams of the Western Conference will not have as many blowouts because the competition is better. However, when it come it comes down to the playoffs, the emerging teams will be the Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, and Trail Blazers. Obviously, teams like Dallas and Phoenix could have the talent and athleticism to compete with these guys, but I wouldn’t hold my breath to it.
3. The NBA MVP Award Will Go To One of the following Four All-Stars:
Kobe, LeBron, Dwayne, or Dwight, will win the MVP award. Their teams are solid and they are the go to guys on the roster. There are plenty of other superstars in the league like Kevin Durant and Danny Granger, but the “W” column goes a long way in the voting.
4. Charles Barkley Will Do Something Ill-Advised.
Who knows what he will do next, but there will certainly to be something amusing! Trrrible.
