NBA DAY 2 Preview
Things I'm looking for
Celtics @ Cavs
Veteran Celtics hope to get off to a hot start and build a divisional lead. A big divisional lead would allow the Celtics to rest some of their veteran guys and keep them healthy for the playoffs. For the Cavs, they begin life without LeBron tonight. Wouldn't it be something if they upset the Celtics the night after LeBron and the super friends failed to.
Pacers @ Spurs
For the aging Spurs the question that will surround them all year is whether this is the beginning of the end for one of the most consistent teams in the NBA the last decade. Meanwhile, the Pacers are just hoping to become relevant again. Newly acquired point guard Darren Collison gives the Pacers a young point guard of the future they haven't had well ever. Keep in mind that Reggie Miller leads the Pacers in assists all time.
Bulls @ Thunder
This is the most intriguing match up of the night. The Bulls missed out on the Big 3 this summer but instead built a fantastic team adding a quantity of quality players instead of just one superstar. The Thunder were the surprise team of the NBA last year and became media darlings even pushing the eventual champion Lakers to 6 games in the first round. This year people expect them to be great. How they handle the expectations will be something to follow all season in OKC.
Pistons @ Nets
The Pistons and their surplus of scoring guards open up the season in New Jersey. The main storyline for the Pistons is the future of Rip Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince both of whom will likely finish the season with another team. For the Nets this is the beginning of the Mikhali Prokorov era. The Russian billionaire owner struck out with the big time free agents but is in the mix for Carmelo Anthony.
Heat @ 76ers
The debut for the biggest 3 was a disaster in Boston last night. Tonight the Heat hope to bounce back in a big way at the expense of the Sixers. The Doug Collins era begins tonight in Philly. Rookie Evan Turner is starting the season on the bench for the Sixers.
Knicks @ Raptors
Amare Stoudemire makes his debut with the Knicks tonight. Can he lead them back to the playoffs? The Raptors are in for a long season. Life without Bosh will be ugly but quite frankly Bosh never really did anything at least the Raptors by blowing up the team can finish last hopefully win the lottery and start over.
Bucks @ Hornets
The Bucks surprised everyone and made the playoffs last season. Brandon Jennings hopes to take the Bucks to the next level this season and contend in the East. With the Hornets its all about Chris Paul his happiness and health are essential to the franchise. If the team tanks what’s going to stop him from demanding a trade to New York teaming up with Amare and possibly Carmelo and creating another big 3.
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Kings @ Timberwolves
Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins could be the latest Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury combo. We all know how that turned out. Speaking of KG and Steph, the Timberwolves are a young squad but likely one of the worst teams. At least they have an entertaining GM in David Kahn.
Hawks @ Grizzlies
The Hawks threw 120 million bucks at Joe Johnson to keep him in Atlanta. The question now is can Johnson lead the Hawks to the next level and seriously contend for the Eastern Conference championship? The Grizzlies improved to almost .500 last season and theres a lot of hope in Memphis for maybe the first time ever. Can the Grizzlies mad scientist chemistry experiment work for another season?
Bobcats @ Mavs
The Bobcats are hoping to build off the franchises first playoff berth.
The Mavs and their 2005 all star team are hoping to take down the Lakers out West.
Jazz @ Nuggets
The Jazz plug in Jefferson for Boozer and hope to keep the tune that has had them in the playoffs nearly every year of my 25 year long life.
Carmelo watch 2010 is in full affect....stay tuned.
Rockets @ Warriors
The Rockets nearly took down the champs last night. Interesting to see how Yao performs on the 2nd night of a back to back
The Keith Smart era begins and David Lee debuts for the Warriors who also kept Husky favorite Jeff Adrien on their 15 man roster. Sorry my UConn homerism was bound to bleed through eventually.
Blazers @ Clippers
Was Nicolas Batum’s 19 point 11 rebound game a fluke or is he going to be a contender for the most improved player award.
Blake Griffins NBA debut , There is actually a little hope for the Clippers?
More Links
ESPN Experts play 20 Questions
Bill Simmons ranks the 30 teams based on appeal from a season ticket holders perspective
Video Links
(NBA.COM won't let me post the videos on here , either that or i can't figure it out)
Rajan Rondo dropping dimes
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/top_plays/2010/10/27/20101026_rondo_assists.nba/?ls=iref:nbahpt2http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmonsnfl2010/101015&sportCat=nbahttp://sports.espn.go.com/nba/preview2010/news/story?page=Roundup-20Questions
and @ReggieMillerTNT
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