Back from vacation

Welcome back to the season everybody! After taking a brief hiatus from posting, I am back as well. NBA 09-10 so far looks to be a good conclusion to this resurgent decade of basketball. There are so many story lines that are happening right now it is hard to pick which ones to write about, but all three games from yesterday will be a good start. I will talk about them and their implications for the season:

Lakers vs. Clippers
After Griffin went down, I couldn't help but wonder if this team is destined to be the Chicago Cubs of basketball. Continually awful, disappointing, and never able to catch a break, even in the form of a talented first draft pick. The Lakers, without center extraordinaire Pau Gasol, looked slightly sloppy, but had no real need to try hard or play well. Kobe is dominant as always, Ron Artest crazy as ever (the hair/shorts combination is unbeatable), and Phil Jackson cool, calm, and collected. I think this team is probably still the favorite in the league and nothing I saw yesterday changed my mind.

Blazers vs. Rockets
There is plenty of excitement for Brandon Roy and the Blazers up here in the Northwest. In fact, I have them as the third best team in the Western Conference this year. Last night did not help their image though. After a good preseason, Greg Oden was hot and cold. The cold felt really cold to me. There were a few times after a silly mistake or characteristic foul that he looked up in desperation, the agony plainly painted on his face. The crowd desperately wanted him to succeed and took to cheering every time he touched the ball, but to no avail. He had some good blocks, but against a very mediocre Houston bunch. They certainly looked like they were feeling the lack of all of their stars. I expect to see Portland get better and Houston too probably. I hope that Oden gets better over the season, but I remain sceptical. I can't help but see him as a sort of tragic case, never living up to his potential. He would do very well under a coach like Doc Rivers who could ask for the best that he could do and no more.

Celtics vs. Cavaliers
Clearly the most exciting match up of the evening, it was a good game to watch. The Rondo issues have not cleared up and neither has KG's knee. If they both do, which is a big if, then this team should be favored to win a championship. What excited me most from Boston was their depth and defense. Both have been discussed extensively all off season, and both did not disappoint. I actually believe that this bench could start and make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Paul Pierce is looking good, and Rondo is still immensely talented and quick. KG was obviously hurt still. As for the Cavs, they were not very exciting. LBJ is truly a gift to this sport. He is so immensely talented that teams seem content and almost used to him putting up 38 points. Boston, which played good defense, was not stunned nor even surprised when James would drain a 3-point shot with hands in his face. Their philosophy seemed to be "Well, he can't outscore all 10 of us, so we should be good." It is my opinion and fear that this is still the case with the Cavs. James is amazing, the rest, mediocre. When push comes to shove, the Magic and Celtics will have an answer and Lebron won't be able to outgun the entire other team.

The lasting message from last night? Thank God for basketball.