I love the NBA. It has always been and always will be my favorite sport. If you don't love this game, you don't know what you're missing. I guess you'll just have to read someone else's column today. I bet there is a fascinating Op-Ed piece running today on the honor system that has once again reinvented the wheel.
But to all the fans, either of the league or me, I present to you my 2005-06 NBA preview.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
The day after the deals that brought Antoine Walker and Co. to Miami, I couldn't figure out why the sports world had decided to ship the Larry O'Brien trophy to American Airlines Arena 11 months early. I thought the trade was bizarre. Here's why:
One, I think the Heat made a major mistake letting Damon Jones go and not finding an adequate outside shooter to replace him. And you know who agrees with me? Dwyane Wade. On the "Budweiser Hot Seat" the other day, Wade was asked if he could have any player in the league on the Heat this year. You know who he said? Damon Jones. DAMON JONES. When asked, "What about Tim Duncan?" Wade responded, "No man, we already got Shaq." Maybe Wade should have said Ray Allen, but we get the point.
Two, Antoine Walker and Jason Williams have both been on this type of ensemble team before. (Dallas and Sacramento). How'd that work out? Plus, they're not tough defenders.
Three, Shaq is old. He's not unstoppable anymore, and he'll most certainly break down at some point in the next three years. This year could be that year.
All in all, I think the whole deal was done to make Stan Van Gundy's, a.k.a. Ron Jeremy's, head explode and get Pat Riley back in the coach's seat, a theory that was nearly confirmed this summer, and judging from training camp rumors, it is now a matter of time.
So what's the deal with the East? I like the Pacers to be the No. 1 seed. After all the stuff that happened last year, they still played great. They don't have Miami's chemistry issues, and they don't have Flip Saunders as their coach. Getting Ron "Penthouse" Artest back is huge. As Ron himself said in an interview, "I'm going to continue playing hard and out of control, like a wild animal that needs to be caged in." Wow.
Miami will be the two seed, the Nets will be the three seed and the Pistons will be the four. This sets up a great Eastern Conference semifinal between Indiana and Detroit, with Indiana prevailing over Detroit and then Miami. The following four teams round out the East in some order: Chicago, Washington, New York, Cleveland. (Total homer pick with the Knicks. Milwaukee and Philly are both better.)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
The Spurs are going to crush everyone. In other news:
Phil and Kobe compete for the eighth seed -- but don't get it. No homicidal rampage ensues, and everyone becomes disappointed due to a total lack of drama.
Tracy McGrady finds new ways to lose big games. Yao looks confused.
Phoenix is way down without Q Richardson, Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire for most of the year. Ditto with Seattle and no Nate McMillan.
I'm very high on Denver, although I think they trade my man Nene at some point for more offense. Solid team.
Kevin Garnett continues to wake up every morning and think, "This is what it must have felt like to be Chamberlain." Then he goes swimming in his pool of money, à la Scrooge McDuck.
The reloaded Kings once again lose in the second round of the playoffs.
The Clippers and Warriors both improve significantly, and no one on the East Coast cares.
Playoff order: Spurs, Nuggets, Kings, Rockets, Mavericks, Sonics, T-Wolves, Suns. (But don't be shocked to see Golden State or the Clips in the battle for one of the last two spots.)
In the finals, sons of the ABA rejoice as the Spurs face off against the Pacers. The ratings are horrible and the general public tries to make it look like the NBA is falling to pieces, as usual. (The only worse TV matchup would be Utah and Milwaukee, by the way.) Casual sports fans ignore how good the games will be or the fact that Tim Duncan is the greatest post player of my lifetime or that Gregg Popovich is a Hall of Fame coach. Instead, they make up reasons for why the NBA is struggling and how bad the quality of play is. These same critics didn't watch a single game all year. A huge brouhaha over the new dress code lasts until my next column, yet no player dares to disobey.
And you know what? I'll STILL love this game.
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