NBA ’09/10 Preview

To begin my blog, I want to offer some clarity on the start of the NBA ’09-10 season.   As all you crazed sports fans know, the NBA pre-season is currently underway which means teams have to grapple with certain issues such as tweaking roster spots, growing comfortable with the coaching staff and, above all else, building team cohesiveness.  As your crazedsportsguy, here’s a look at what’s next for ”where amazing happens.”       

TEAMS TO WATCH:

1) Boston Celtics: Too many ego’s to control?  Not if your name is Doc Rivers.  The over-the-top antics of the Boston Celtics have been scrutinized by the media and NBA experts alike.  But never has the Celtic’s behavior been questioned to the extent that it is after the signing of Rasheed Wallace.  Is Rivers ready for the unexpected?  Paul Pierce and company feel as though Doc is the driving force behind the team’s success. It comes as no accident that Doc has worked hard to get the C’s at a championship level , but their success this season also hinges on staying healthy and playing as a cohesive unit.   Come June, I believe things could be looking up for the Celtics.

2) San Antonio Spurs:  I like the Spurs to give the Lakers some competition in the playoffs out West.  Aside from a few other teams like Portland, Dallas, and Utah, the Spurs are sprinkled with guys who could make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor.  Anytime you can add a dynamic wing-presence in Richard Jefferson for virtually nothing in exchange, it only proves how serious the organization is about winning.  Not to mention, the Spurs have still maintained their core in the fold with Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan – as Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff, and rookie DeJuan Blair give the Spurs a much needed boost inside.  Their weakness?  Old age and a slow-transition running game.  Hey, just look at the bright side Spurs fans: If Timmy can bring another championship to San Antonio, you may have the bragging rights to the best power forward who has ever played the game. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

Rasheed Wallace, Boston Celtics – I’m sure a lot of you have followed player’s careers with as much vigor as I do.  So, it goes without saying that Rasheed Wallace remains high on my priority list of players to look out for this season, because of these two reasons:  On the one hand, Wallace must prove to the loyal fans of Boston that he can stay acclimated to any role – even if that means playing limited minutes.  Secondly, Wallace is not the same  Wallace we’ve seen in previous years.  The 35-year-old averaged a disappointing 12 ppg last season for the Detroit Pistons and never regained his swagger back.  While his perfomance is at a bit of a crossroads right now, one thing is for certain:  Wallace is still a stud and as soon as Boston chants his name (“Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeed”), he’ll understand why playing for the Celtics can make you relevant again. 

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets – Chris Paul is target number two on my list, mainly because he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder.  If you can remember, the Hornets were absolutely deplorable  last season in their series against Denver, and a lot of it was due in part to the lack of depth at multiple positions.  The Hornets swapped Tyson Chandler to the Bobcats in exchange for Emeka Okafor to give the team a new outlook and, hopefully ease the burden off of Chris Paul’s shoulders.  Not only is Chris Paul a gifted athlete, but he’s also the type of player you can build a team around. Oh, I almost forgot; I love Chris Paul’s attitude.  He measures success based on wins and losses, meanwhile stats mean little to him.    But in order to survive the demands of the NBA’s 82-game season, Paul can’t just be content with the win and loss column – instead, winning a championship must become his only focal point.         

Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers – This is the same guy who almost knocked-out Kobe Bryant as tensions ran high in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.  This time, however, Artest will be joining forces alongside Kobe and the defending champions as they prepare a relentless seek-and-conquer mission that will leave in its wake a list of hungry teams.  In acquiring Artest, the Lakers’ championship window will remain open for several years.  If that isn’t enough, Artest has proven time and time again throughout his career that he is a stellar on-ball defender.  Whether it’s Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, or Brandon Roy, Artest rises above all challenges on the defensive end.  The Lakers are his best shot at winning a championship so, let’s just hope we don’t see Kobe vs. Artest II.  Come to think of it,  that would make for a great headline.

 The NBA -Where Amazing Happens!!!!.

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