Welcome to the Regular Season 2004-2005!

Yeah!
Welcome to the new, 2004-2005 season of the NBA! Finally, after the dull, basketball deprived summer months, the season of the best sport in the world has offically kicked off! The season opened with three big games:
L.A. Lakers Vs. Denver Nuggest
Rockets Vs. Pistons
Kings Vs. Mavericks

Excuse the partiality, but I must do this - YEAH!! GO LAKERS!!! As I said in a previous blog entry, I was devestated by the loss of Shaq, because I felt he was a significant presence in the team, and that his transfer to Miami would leave a huge void in the L.A. offense. But, obviously, another big man has come to L.A.! Most fans breathed a sigh of relief when the Lakers signed ex-Sacramento center Vlade Divac, as many thought he would be able to fill Shaq's size 22 shoes on the court. But, it was not him, but Chris Mihm, one of the three transfers from Boston in the Gary Payton trade, that has created a big buzz. In his debut game for the Lakers, Mihm has a career high 23 points, and not only did he score some major points [both in the game and with Laker fans], but he dominated the defence too, with an awesome 12 rebounds. I may be "counting my chickens before they've hatched", but allow me to be prophetic - Chris Mihm looks set to be a major player in the LA team, and if things continue at this rate, I have no doubt that new head coach Rudy Tomjanovic will have no choice but to make him a starter! At any rate, the final result of the L.A. - Denver game was 89-78, in the Lakers' favour of course! I see good things in the future for the Lakers, even though I thought they were done for after all the shuffling done during the summer. *ahem* should mention that Denver is a revamped team as well - they acquired Kenyon Martin over the summer break, in a bid to cut poor old Melo Anthony some slack - he took too much heat for not getting Denver past the first round of the playoffs...come on guys! He was a rookie! As far as I'm concerned, he did an amazing job last season. One more thing about the Lakers before I move on...ex-coach Phil Jackson was on Jay Leno's "The Tonight Show" on Sunday night. He said some very interesting things about the whole team structure - basically that Kobe was a selfish brat and Shaq felt like the older brother that always took the heat when something went wrong. The so-called "Zen Master" stopped just short of saying that it was the impending decision of keeping Kobe and shifting Shaq that made him quit the game. Well, it's a pity. But despite all the negativity surrounding the constant feuds, I think Phil will remain one of the most successful coaches ever to be in the NBA. He rivals the legendary Red Auerbach for coach with the most rings [championship rings, that is!]. They both have 9. But, he has left one last present to the fans and supporters - his autobiography of his last season. It's called, strangely enough, "The Last Season", and it basically details the locker-room events of the Laker's 2003-2004 season. No doubt a fascinating read, so I advise anyone with even the slightest inclination to read exciting and intriguing book to pick up this story, as I'm sure that the drama of the season will make this book something special!

Right, on to the other games.

Piston-Rockets. It was an 87-79 final score game. Obviously the Detroit bad-boys are back in the game to do as much damage as possible, and recapture the coveted Larry O'Brien trophy at the end of the season. Big-man Rasheed Wallace jump-started Detroit's offence, contributing 24 points, 11 of which were picked up in the fourth quarter. Houston's summer transfer, Tracy McGrady, who was anticipated to transform Houston into a title-hopeful-team, was not too effective in his first game...but even Yao Ming, who by his 3rd season should have been acclimatized to Houston by now, only scored seven points. But at least Yao had an excuse - an elbow injury, and the fact that they were playing in Auburn Hills, Michigan (Detroit had home court advantage).

And the last game of the season - opening day...Kings - Mavericks. The King's team is somewhat lacking this year, thanks to the defection of Vlade Divac to LA, and the injury of Doug Christie, the inability of Peja to connect his shots, and Mike Bibby’s plain inconsistence. Sorry, it's not that I don't like the Kings - I do; but they are not playing like monarchy. As a result, the Mavs, with their German powerhouse, Dirk Nowitzski, were able to overpower the Kings 107-89. Dallas’s Michael Finley admitted that“if Dirk doesn’t score, we’re in trouble”. This theory has yet to be proven, but let’s hope that the Mavs never have to find out what a game with a score-less Dirk is like.

So. That’s the rundown of the opening games of the brand new season. It’s going to be a long, tough ride to the end. Some teams will fall apart, some will gel together; but one way or another, that trophy will be won come June. Let me give a quick prediction of things as I see them now. This is based solely on how I think the teams, with all their new players, will perform. I am feeling good about the Lakers this year. Their new team seems to be working well together, something that obviously was impossible in the previous few seasons, thanks to the constant tension and “I’m the man” feuds of Kobe and Shaq. But, I think the new team looks as if they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming months. You have been warned. I also like the stronger Denver Nuggets, but I don’t see them getting past the first or second round of the playoffs, even with K-Mart. There just isn’t enough power. Detroit, which retains many of its key players from last year’s championship team will probably be a major player again. Miami, with Shaq, will also be a problem. Well, this is how I imagine things right now. Let’s see what happens, as there is still a long way to go before the road to the finals begins.

The annual NBA GM's survey was conducted recently. It covers the GM's picks for best all - round defensive player (Ron Artest), best perimenter defender (Ron Artest), best interior defender (Ben Wallace), best rookie, most likely to be the most effective in a new team, most likely to have a break out season, etc. Please take note - Kobe WAS NOT named into one of the "top defender" spots! Yes, I am still bitter. Blame it on Mitch Kupchak's [lack of] managerial skills. Still, the results are up on the NBA site. Follow this link to read the full list: http://www.nba.com/preview2004/gmsurvey_defense.html

Also, Charles Oakley has commented on what he thinks will be the top 10 storylines of the 2004-2005 season. Included in his list are Shaq's shift to Miami; K-Mart's appearence in Denver; LeBron's ability to lead; the new Charlotte team; a Piston repeat, and the possibility of a no-drama L.A. Lakers team. Read his comments by following this link to the offical NBA site: http://www.nba.com/preview2004/top10_storylines.html

Oh, forgot to mention. There is a new team in the NBA. Yes, the Charlotte Bobcats are back. Thanks to heavy nagging from rapper Nelly [who is, actually, part owner of the team], the team, which was dismissed from the NBA roster years ago, is back. They will have to prove themselves. Don't expect too much from this fledgling team. Also, the NBA divisions have changed. Instead of the two conferences and four divisions of the pervious seasons, the NBA now has two conferences and SIX divisions. The divisions are now:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Atlantic (Boston, New York, New Jersey, Toronto, Philly)
Central (Detroit, Chigago, Cleaveland, Indiana, Milwaukee)
Southeast (Atlanta, Washington, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Northwest (Denver, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, Utah)
Pacific (Lakers, Sacramento, Clippers, Phoenix, Golden State)
Southwest (Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, San Antonio, Memphis)

Now you know. Anyway, keep watching the game. Forget about the competition (for now). This is the regular season – enjoy the games for what they are! Save the competition and taunting for the playoffs!
Gayatri.