NBA SEASON PREVIEW - by Suman V

The Indians hired a 40 year old guy who got fired from the Washington Nationals. The Browns currently start a quarterback with a lower rating that Jamarcus Russell. So yes, I'm fairly excited about the start of the NBA season. Even though it will probably end in heartache as it has for each of my teams for my 26+ years on this planet, at least the Cavs have the best player in the game, and at least a shot at greatness.

But I can't mention LeBron James without also mentioning his big bro, Jay-Z. What an offseason it was for this guy. Releasing The Blueprint 3, and reclaiming his throne at the top of hip-hop. In my mind he is now undoubtedly the greatest MC of all-time. I don't know what some of these haters are talking about the BP3 being too pop. I loved it. So here is a preview of the upcoming NBA season with a track-by-track look at Jay-Z's newest masterpiece, and my favorite cd thus far this year. I'll have predictions at the the end, as always.

Track 1 - "What We Talkin' About"

So many storylines this offseason. There are about 5 or 6 teams that have a legit chance at winning it all. Of course, maybe the biggest is the addition of Shaq to the Cavs. But to be honest, as excited as I was... Shaq is a role player now. How about the Eastern Conferance Champion Orlando Magic kind of dismantling their team and rebuilding with even more pieces? I still don't think they have enough in the chamber for games that matter. The Spurs added Richard Jefferson and are looking at the proverbial window closing shut on their faces. The Celtics reloaded with some key vets. But what we talkin' bouttttttttt? Its the Lakers. The Greatest show on wood. Essentially trading Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest. Watching Lamar Odom marry the love of his life. Allowing Pau Gasol to maintain that thing on his face. And of course Kobe. As he chases Michael down you can tell this is a new Kobe. A more mature Kobe. That killer instinct is still there and always was, but I feel that he's more of an assasin now that picks his spots instead of the psychopathic loner he was before. Undoubtedly, this is the most talented team in the league on paper. BUT, it'll take a blending of all these combustible parts to create another champion. I'm the biggest Kobe hater there is, but you have to respect him. And that's why the Lake Show is the team to talk about.

Track 2- "Thank You"

To the New York Knicks and Isiah Thomas.....Thank you thank you thank you....you're far too kiiiiinnd. For royally fucking up their cap situation, and for creating a roster with virtually zero talent. You really think LeBron is going to leave for them now? It was the most logical destination if he were to leave. But not anymore. Now its a battle between the Nets, Clips/Lakers, and the more likely destination of Cleveland.

Track 3 - "Death of Auto-tune" (DOA)

Jay-Z tried to kill ring tone rap. And I think I can say that the crazy run-and-gun D'Antoni style offense of the past few years is almost officially dead. No, this style never won a title. But it revitalized the NBA after the Bulls/Heat/Knicks slobberknocker years. But over the past decade you saw a few teams (Golden State, Phoenix, Dallas, Toronto, Sacramento and more recently New York) try to implement this style of play. There were a few really good teams. But in the end nothing. No titles. Futility. Its really cute. Its fun to watch on TNT late on Friday night when you are at the bar. But its not going to win a title. And now with the Lakers, Magic, Cavs, Celtics, Spurs, and Nuggets firmly at the top of the NBA (not 1 run and gun team amongst them) I think that era has effectively passed. 

Track 4 - "Run This Town"

To the Los Angeles Clippers. In my mind there is going to be a real turf war of who runs the city of Los Angeles in a couple of years. Obviously the Lakers do now. Kobe is the king of L.A. But have you seen Blake Griffin play??? He is a genetic freak on par with Dwight Howard and LeBron James. He is going to be a great one. Then you add an amazing young nucleus of Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, and DeAndre Jordan to a veteran core of Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis (uhhhh), and Chris Kaman...well then. All I'm saying is that this year or the next its going to happen. It has too. Too much talent.

Track 5 - "Empire State of Mind"

You are probably thinking I'm going to write something about LeBron aren't you? Idiot. Who really has a New York state of mind? The New Jersey Nets. I'm not sure how much closer they are to moving to Brooklyn, but I'm sure having a billionaire Russian owner doesn't hurt that process. The Brooklyn Nets? I kind of like the ring to it. The Nets don't have any fans in NJ anyways...so why not. With a solid backcourt of Devin Harris and Courtney Lee, and a weird nerd big man on the verge of stardom in Brook Lopez....this team is right there. If this does happen, there needs to be a camera on Brook Lopez as he is allowed to walk the streets of Brooklyn. This is a must.

Track 6 - "Real as it Gets"

My boy the Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, always talks about the impending financial crisis in the NBA. Hell it already started. The salary cap lowered, and LeBron and other free agents chances of leaving their cities in the summer of 2010 got a lot lower. Thats about as real as it could possibly get. Could teams really retract? Could their be a firesale of players around the trade deadline from teams that have no shot at winning? Is the NBA turning into baseball where only a few cash-rich teams are able to compete for a title? I don't have the answer to any of these questions. I'm just hoping that Miami Heat tickets will get slashed so much that I'll be able to sit courtside for a few games.

Track 7 - "On to the Next One"

To the Orlando Magic. For more than 1 reason. First of all, to their GM Otis Smith for being brilliant. I was first in the line of haters that said the Magic weren't for real last year. Turned out they were ahead of the curve. Nobody realized how good Dwight Howard had become. Best big man in the game. "Niggas gonna be mad because its all about progression." D-Ho definitely progressed. He seized the moment. The Magic also moved onto the next swing man. They got rid of Hedo Turkoglu after he basically carried them to the Finals with his playmaking ability, and signed Vince Carter. Can Vince fill the role? I'm thinking no. I never thought he was a good playmaker. They are definitely deeper (pause) but are they better? I don't think so.

Track 8 - "Off That"

"Welcome ...to the... future" ......I'll give this to the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Hornets. "You can't bring the future baaaackkkk." These 2 teams are both on the verge of being OLD NEWS. A few years ago, remember in the playoffs when these were 2 of the more promising teams in the league? In the Hawks case its more a case of bad timing. With 3 legit title contenders in their conference they kind of got lost in the shuffle. And unless Marvin Williams makes that leap into the upper echelon of SF's in the league, its not happening for them any time soon. And I don't see that happening so sorry guys. For the Hornets, you have Chris Paul ...annndd...thats about it. I don't know what happened. They looked like THE team to beat last year, going into the year. I remember I had them as #2 in the West last year. Then nothing. However, I like the rookies they brought in with Marcus Thornton, and Darren Collinson. Maybe they'll take some pressure of CP3. If Emeka Okafur can be a real center, allowing David West to be a real power forward, then this team has a shot to bring their future back.

Track 9 - "A Star is Born"

To Kevin Durant. WOW. I already bought my tickets to the Heat v. whatever the Oklahoma team's nickname is in November. I can say that the only person I look forward to seeing play in person more than Durant is LeBron. He's right on the verge of averaging > 30. He is a 7 footer who can shoot from 30 feet out. He is the Durantula. He is Gumby. He is amazing, and he is going to be in the MVP race.

Track 10 - "Venus vs. Mars"

This would be gay if I tried to compare this to an NBA situation or player. So..... Have you seen this Miami Heat dancer?

Track 11 - "Already Home"

The sing is the official LeBron James anthem of 2009-2010. The lyrics fit perfectly. "Hey I'm Already Home." He's already gone because he's on another level. He's on the wall already. He's a Warhol already. And he's already playing for the team he will always play for. Plus Cleveland's own Kid Cudi is on the hook....need I say more?

Track 12 - "Hate"

To the haters. To the Kobe Bryant haters. Me being #1 on that list. He proved me wrong. And now that he has MJ's 6 rings in his sights I almost find myself pulling for him. He's not quite there yet. But remember when MJ retired, and we went through that first wave of the media hyping up players to be the "next" Jordan? Grant Hill, Penny, Vince, and even Harold Miner? Well it was embarrassing to MJ to even bring up comparisons to those guys. And now....its actually a discussion with Kobe. That's the amazing thing. If you bring it up now, its actually a topic not a disgrace. Whoever you are talking to has to listen. And with the way MJ"s life is going and the bitterness he is showing towards everyone including his family, its almost like I want Kobe to get #6....

Track 13 - "Reminder"

The to Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. The C's won it 2 years ago. They were almost there last year, but KG's body breaking down ended hopes. I think they have to send you a reminder, so here it is....KG, Pierce, and Jesus are back for one more push. Rajon Rondo is on the verge of being the best point guard in the game. Yes, THE best. Its between him and Derrick Rose in the east, and they are right behind CP3/Nash/D-Will. Having KG around and the other vets around him has pushed his career into high gear. I absolutely love him. Adding 'Sheed, Candace Parker's husband, and Marquis Daniels makes this a deep team. And the Spurs ...well what else can you say. People always sleep on them. But Duncan is finally healthy, and I think they got the steal of the draft in Dejuan Blair. It'll be interesting to see how Duncan operates with a stacked team again.

Track 14 - "So Ambitious"

I got a few teams in mind for this so I'll just lump them together. The Nuggets, Mavs, Blazers, Raptors, Sixers, Clippers, Pistons, and Wizards. All of these teams added key players through either free agency or trades either this year or last. Let me rephrase....all these teams added EXPENSIVE players via free agency or trades. They all know they are on the outside looking in, but are are ambitious enough to try to do something about it.

Track 15 - "Young Forever"

To Dikembe Mutombo . This will be the first season in my basketball loving life that Dikembe isn't around. He seemed like one of the good guys in the NBA. And it was kind of freaky that he got tangled up with Greg Oden (who is maybe he closest counterpart) on his final time on the court. If you haven't read this guy's wiki or read about his charitable endeavors take 5 minutes out of your day and do it.

Predictions

East:

1. Orlando

2. Cleveland

3. Boston

4. Washington

5. Toronto

6. Atlanta

7. Chicago

8. Miami

ECF: Cavs over Magic

West:

1. Lakers

2. San Antonio

3. Denver

4. Utah

5. Dallas

6. Clippers

7. Portland

8. Hornets

WCF: Lakers over Nuggets

NBA Championship: Cavs over Lakers

NBA MVP: LeBron James

Finals MVP: LeBron James

Defensive Player of the Year: LeBron James

Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin

Coach of the Year: Flip Saunders