I'm So Happy, I'm Gonna Join The Band

My use of Led Zeppelin quotes to title these pieces will not be deterred by the sudden prevalence of optimism in the NBA world. That's right, ladies and gents, the season is officially back on and barring some unforeseen catastrophe, will begin on Christmas Day and drastically outshine anything I find under the Christmas tree. (Seriously, it's usually just socks and various holiday themed retail gift cards.) Here are a few things to note now that the lockout is behind us.

1. I had a feeling a deal was coming, honestly. I know that would be something any young, arguably quite good-looking, reporter would say to make them sound smarter and borderline clairvoyant, but at the risk of over-quoting in this article, I'd like to pull a line from 'The Dark Knight' and say "the night is darkest just before the dawn." The desertification of the NBA Players union essentially showed the owners the players' metaphorical hand regarding labor negotiations. With talks not to resume and lawsuits taken to court, there would be no other moves for the players to make. Essentially, in my non-expert opinion, following the desertification we were either on the verge of talks resuming or the fabled "nuclear winter" eluded to by Commissioner Stern. When faced with that kind of ultimatum of extremes, I guess you're forced to either be an optimist or pessimist as a fan, and once Billy Hunter said talks would resume, I had a feeling the sun was finally rising.

2. Keep your criticism of David Stern in perspective. I can't say that I've always been an advocate for him throughout this situation, but the man fought for the owners and then the players to improve the league and keep it intact. This lockout, while maybe uglier (I'm a little young to compare the two, but I know the 1998 NBAPA never disbanded.) was resolved quicker than the lockout of 1998. Like I said, I can't say I've been this supportive all along, but the man got the job done, and albeit cliche, all's well that ends well.

3. For a while, much like Adam Morrison, these games are only going to look good on paper. Temper your expectations for a stretch this season. We won't be sure who'll be coming back in shape and who won't. The increased limelight given to overseas play likely motivated many players to maintain game legs, but that won't apply to all players, and no matter how in shape an athlete is, playing three games in three nights to make up for lost time is going to hinder their performance. It won't be pretty for a while, but it's still NBA ball, and by the the post-season it should be running smoothly.

4. Absolute only upside of the lockout is Dirk and the Mavs getting their rings on opening night while LeBron, Wade, and Bosh have to watch from courtside. Merry Christmas, indeed. I'm hoping Cuban will spring for some coal for the Heat, so they don't feel left out of the holiday spirit of giving. Though, I would mind their chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

5. My analysis of team previews won't mean much until the closing of the free agency period. For that reason, I'm going to abandon my cumulative season previews. Expect an article on a few sleeper teams next week as I continue to provide filler until Christmas tip-off.

Be well, my friends.

Twitter: @Poliwastaken

What Is And What Should Never Be

Confession #1- I had a wide variety of Led Zeppelin songs to choose from regarding this title.

Confession #2- I’m a little embarrassed to be scribing these bad boys at this point with the league in such disrepair. It feels a little bit like reporting on professional wrestling in the sense that I’m micro-analyzing something that isn’t real in the first place. Bear with me and with the power of positive thinking and an inkling of denial, these statements may have relevance in the near future.

With that said, let’s get down to business and preview the coming season for the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Boston Celtics (56-26, 3 seed, lost in Eastern Conference semis)- As much as these cats are old dogs at this point, it’s hard to over look the core of Pierce, Allen, and Garnett in the context of a shortened season. However, it’s equally hard to ignore the complete and utter flop that was the Kristic/Green trade last season. The squad looked out of sync on offense and seemed to lose at least a good bit of their collective backbone on the defensive end without the ever-scowling Perkins holding the physical bigs of the league in check. It’s not hard to imagine an adapted Celtic offense that can utilize the perimeter game of Kristic and the mid-range skills set of Green, who may well replace Pierce in the starting lineup sooner than we think. With the still maturing
Rondo who’s already capable of breaking down most any opponent and/or finding his teammates, the sky is still the limit for that offense, barring an injury. But that Celtic team has built this era of their championship mentality on suffocating defense that with the absence of Perkins has involuntarily disappeared entirely. Garnett is still there and no one I’d like to tango with on the blocks (lest I take a shot to my basketballs) but he’s more bark than bite at this point anyway. A shortened seasoned favors this merry band of savvy vets, but I think they may well have lost too much too late to be a title threat barring the acquisition of a true back up point guard or a true emergence of Green or the injury riddled Daniels.

New York Knicks (42-40, 6 seed, lost in First Round)- Yes, my friends and those wary of me calling them that without meeting them first, the Knicks are indeed relevant. I’m writing this article from Long Island, so don’t for a second believe that I’m not just as excited as you are, but let’s temper our zeal, shall we? The Knicks are improved, but are a squad more built on market-value than potential production. Amare’s knees are time bombs which depreciate in value with every stroke of this keyboard. Chauncey Billups is arguably Springfield bound, but Mr. Big Shot looked far from healthy towards the close of the season and will likely end his career in the Empire State without much fanfare. The Knicks are not a very deep team that traded two of their best defenders in Gallo and Ill Will last season only to look rather impish against the already less-than-imposing Celtic team. If someone were to make the argument that Douglas in the point of the future, I’d certainly hear them out. It’s not too absurd of a feeling, but as relevant as the Knicks suddenly are, they’re that far away from contention. Let’s not forget whom the Knicks
acquired last season. If there’s one x-factor that can cause me to put my size 12 Nike in my mouth, it’s Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks will certainly be fun to watch (except when Jeffries touches the ball) and I look forward to getting the chance to tune in.

Philadelphia Sixers (41-41, 7 seed, lost in First Round) Just so you understand that I’m not
a total pessimist, I want to say that the stock of Sixers, in my opinion, has never been higher. Running into a Heat team that simply had them outmatched on every level was the only reason that the tremendous job done by Doug Collins was overlooked on a national scale. Collins made Iggy realize that his superstar potential rested in becoming a playmaker and not a scorer. That alone is worth a Nobel Peace Prize as far as I’m concerned. The growth of this team is worthy of a separate article that I’ll likely resort to writing before the year is out, but for the sake of summarization this team is young, has Elton Brand to anchor that offense, and has everyone on that squad knowing their role and filling it well. Young players are growing and eager to learn. I know that analysis is painfully brief, but like I said, if I got started, I’d type your eyes off. (The print journalism equivalent of “talk your ear off”… I’m not sure if that worked.)

New Jersey Nets (Not Good)- How is it possible that a team can have Deron Williams and Brook Lopez and still be the least interesting team to watch? I want to believe in this squad. I was a big supporter of Outlaw in his Portland days and Kris Humphries is one of the most gifted rebounders in the game today. Williams is a great player, to be sure, but I think we’re kind of seeing the magic of Jerry Sloan’s Utah system as he looks much more human than he has in recent years. Let’s not forget, however, Williams’ lack of weapons to give the ball to. Lopez
has flashes of true brilliance, but is still far too easily bossed around on the blocks given his size and his apathy or inability to rebound is puzzling to say the least. Be they in Brooklyn, East Rutherford, or my backyard, this team is regrettably nothing to get excited about.

Toronto Raptors (Even Worse)- Who? I’m sorry, I know that’s insensitive, but other than
Bargniani and Amir Johnson not being awful and DeRozan being guaranteed a slot on Sportscenter once a week, there’s nothing here to muse about. Even their draft picks will be marinating overseas for some time before the Maple Leaf nation sees a return on their investment. No offense intended, but hopefully next year there will be something more to write about. (Note that the squad has a new coach in Dwayne Casey. See my previous article for further, albeit brief, thoughts on that.)