With 40 days left until opening night, here are the things I'm most looking forward to, in no particular order:
1. Boston vs. SA: The two best teams in the NBA. KG vs. Duncan, Ray Allen vs. Bruce Bowen. Doesn't get any better than that. The Spurs have some legitimate compe ion on their hands when they play Boston in the NBA Finals 2008.
2. Kevin Durant - Like a high draft pick should do (who places expectations on season ticket holders), he has taken care of himself and we will get to see the probable ROTY bring Seattle out of the dumps.
3. Golden State vs. Dallas - Jason Richardson is gone. But it'll be fun to watch Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Barnes, and Biedrins continue to frustrate Dallas. Golden State is the most explosive team in the league, and Dallas is intimidated by it.
4. Spurs getting their well-deserved Rings. The game after that though, not so much.
5. Phoenix vs. SA - Phoenix will try to make up for their 3rd series loss to SA in 5 seasons by trying to dunk and jump shoot on us. It'll be fun to watch the Spurs go out there and shut the Suns the down.
Here are the things that I least look forward to:
1. Dirk and Amare coming out and saying how all they can think about is winning the championship. Everyone wants to win it, not just you two. And you're not en led to it, like you think you are. No one gets it by just wanting it. You have to be good enough and you're not.
2. The horrible ABC Christmas Doubleheader on ABC. Miami vs. Cleveland: Two teams that got swept out of the 2007 playoffs. Enough said. We also have the most one-sided athletic game in the history of the universe: Phoenix vs. LA. Zzz. Also, Seattle vs. Portland? Durant will be a great player, but not even the best rookies deserve the spotlight when they're not even halfway through their first season. Besides, who on Portland is worth watching on Christmas? Even if they had Oden, the answer is still no one.
3. Pretty much any Eastern Conference game except when Boston plays SA.
4. The Spurs vs. Portland on opening night: You could've picked Boston, Phoenix, you know..a game that would be interesting vs. the Spurs...but no, we have to face the Portland Failblazers. Even with Greg Oden this game would be pointless to have on national television on opening night.
5. When intriguing matchups can only be seen on NBA TV. Not everyone has NBA TV. Save NBA TV for Eastern Conf. games.