Training Camps are over and now the daily grind of practices and exhibition games begin as teams get ready for opening night at the end of the month. It's a fun time. Everyone is optimistic about their chances of a good season but the reality will set in during the coming weeks and months ahead. Here are five NBA Stories that intrigue me as we enter the 2009-10 NBA season. Should be fun!
1. Shaq to the Cavs
LeBron wants to get the Cavs to the NBA Finals again and the folks in Cleveland want LeBron to stick around past 2010. Enter the 'Shaq-Daddy' to the equation. The question is: How much does he have left? I think Shaq has a good deal left if he's in tip-top shape and is willing to sacrifice his game and fit into what is needed to make the Cavs' situation a functional one. He's going to score points for you and rebound. Will he pay the price defensively? Particularly in pick and roll scenarios when in the past he was lazy in those coverages. Only time will tell. Good gamble by Danny Ferry to roll the dice here. I hope for the Cavs' sake that Delonte West gets his act in gear - what a mess!
2. L.A. Lakers - Can they repeat?
Why not? They're loaded with size, talent, a great coach, Kobe and now add Ron Artest to the equation. If Ron-Ron keeps his head on straight and defends with the passion we've grown to love he'll add a defensive element and an edge to the Lakers that might be a good dynamic to a team coming off a championship and a Finals appearance in '08. Things won't get stale with Artest around. Interesting chemistry experiment.
3. San Antonio Spurs - Do they have one final championship run left in them?
Tim Duncan is slowing down a tiny bit. Manu Ginobili is injury prone yet is the X-Factor for the Spurs and is a free agent after the season. They pick up Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff to fortify their rotation and are now in Luxury Tax territory. They're going for it. If they stay healthy - a big if - they'll be in the hunt in the West.
4. Boston Celtics
People forget that the Celtics were awesome last year in the first 60% of the season before injuries did them in. Can KG get back to a high level? Can Ray Allen fool Father Time? Can Paul Pierce carry them in the clutch one more time? Is Rajon Rondo ready to mature and be consistent? They bring in Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels - good moves to strengthen the depth. If they get after people defensively like they've done in the past the East will be a big-time dogfight between the Celts, Magic and the Cavs.
5. Young Guns
Two teams that opened some eyes last year with their talented young players (Atlanta-East / Portland-West) are a year older and I think capable of being better. Joe Johnson and Brandon Roy are two of the better and most dynamic players we have in the game today. The additions of Jamal Crawford to the Hawks and Andre Miller to the Blazers will help but I'm not sure that gets either one of these teams in the category of elite in the respective conference. But I'll tell you what - they'll be tough teams to play every night.