Houlihan’s Super-Mega NBA Season Preview Blowout!

LeRoy Smith- My Gift to the Game. If this doesn’t get you excited for tonight, nothing will.

The fall leaves are hitting the ground, the temperature is dropping (unless you’re in Florida) and Halloween is coming up, which means it’s time to hit the hardwood again. The NBA season starts tonight with eight teams playing, two games being nationally televised (Boston v. Cleveland and Los Angeles v. Los Angeles; coverage starts at 7 on TNT). The other two games, Washington-Dallas and Houston-Portland, showcase plenty of new faces that hope to take their teams deep into the postseason.

There are many interesting storylines coming into the 2009 season, and here at Houlihan, we’ve got you covered as we look at some of the topics that will be discussed throughout the year, as well as teams to look out for and playoff picks.

Will Shaq be Cleveland’s missing piece?

Shaq does not care for your picture taking. Winning a title is on his mind.

The aquisition of Shaquille O’Neal has been one of intrigue, and rightfully so; O’Neal still has something left in the tank, and seems to be hungry to win a title and (possibly?) ride off in the sunset. While Shaq will be a great addition to the Cavs, and does provide Cleveland’s post game with some more toughness, in the end I don’t think it will be enough to put Cleveland over the edge. While it seems that the team will have more size at the two, due to the aquisition of Anthony Parker and ‘08 starter Delonte West probably not getting his old spot back, unless Mike Brown can set up plays to incorporate players in the postseason not named LeBron, the Cavs will be watching the Finals from home once again.

Garnett’s back, so are the Celtics?

Healthy knee and all, look for The Big Ticket to wreck shop this year.

Love the Celtics or not, they are one of the league’s top teams with or without KG. They were still very competitive late last year and throughout the postseason, partly due to the emergence of Glenn Davis and his ability to hit outside shots consistently. With The Big Ticket back now, they Celtics will once again compete for the East’s number one seed, and if Garnett stays healthy, Boston will be back in the Eastern Confrence Finals for the second time in three years. The addition of Rasheed Wallace only makes the Celts that much more deadly, and once they spread the ball around they’ll have the free will to hang up 100 as they please. Although the Celtics will be in the title hunt, I feel that their age will hinder with their championship hopes, as I see them falling short in the Conference Finals.

Will the Lakers repeat?

I call them Taz and Sabu. You may call them champs (again) by the end of this season.

When now-Houston Rocket Trevor Ariza left the Lakers for free agency, I am sure those in the West rejoiced, until they heard the news that Los Angeles signed the ballhawking agressor Ron Artest. By signing the “Tru Warrier”, the Lakers are now not just talking about repeating this year, but possibly next year and the season after. Artest’s track record as a defensive specialist while averaging 17 points per game is well documented, and his ability to take on the opposing team’s best player will take some of the load off Kobe’s shoulders. I expect newlywed Lamar Odom to continue to thrive in LakerLand, and Gasol will put up his usual number. However, a player that I am looking at to contribute more is Jordan Farmar. While he does have the talent, and did average 9.1 ppg last year, he was incosistent at times. While I am hoping my Nuggets have something to say about this, the Lakers will be back in the Finals this year, and are poised to repeat once again.

Has the window shut on San Antonio’s title hopes?

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are two of the league's elite, but has time passed on San Antonio?

The Spurs made some key signings this offseason, trading for Richard Jefferson and signing veteran Antonio McDyess. For Spurs fans these players, in addition to the fact that last year was unsuccessful mainly due to injuries, should provide hope for a great run in 2009. We should see a healthier San Antonio team, which will make a charge at the NBA title, and the team has done a good job of incorporating younger players (such as Roger Mason Jr. and George Hill) with their veterans, but I think San Antonio will once again fall short this year. While vets like Time Duncan are still very talented, teams like Denver, Dallas, and possibly Portland, have surpassed the Spurs. It appears that the dynasty that was created in 1999 has ended.

Are the Eastern Confrence Champion Orlando Magic a fluke or for real?

Stan's team is looking to return to the championship stage. Based off of the reactions of the player on the left, there is no other option.

If you asked me this question prior to last season I would probably have gone with the fluke option. However, last year Orlando showed what they are truly capapble of, and the the 2009 season should only see the Magic progressing. While the Cavs and Celtics did make great summer moves, overall Orlando arguably had the best offseason in the league, increasing their depth by trading for Vince Carter and signing Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes and Jason Williams. With each signing GM Otis Smith addressed an issue on the team- Carter gives the Magic that go-to guy for the fourth quarter, Bass helps out Dwight Howard with rebounds, Barnes gives Orlando a lockdown defender and Williams adresses the backup point guard hole left by the trading of Rafer Alston. Dwight Howard will also take his game to another level this season. Those around the game could see how losing in the Finals affected Howard, and I expect to see his free throw shooting improve, as well as his shooting from close range. While Orlando isn’t getting much love from the press, I think it will be the Magic, not the Cavs or Celtics, facing the Lakers in the Finals this season.

Will Carmelo and co. take the Nuggets to their first NBA Finals?

Great minds think alike, and great players like Chauncey and Melo pose in the same manner.

Despite me having the Lakers going to the Finals this year (more on that later), I do think it is very possible for Denver to make it to the championship round. When they play defense, they are the number two team in the West, and they seemed to finally make a comittment to do so last postseason. Carmelo Anthony has finally matured into the leader of the team, rather than the top player who scores the most points. If Denver can get a slightly more consistent effort out of J.R. Smith in the postseason- he seems to stop playing if his shot isn’t falling- I may have to re-evaluate my pick. Either way, the Nuggets will be a threat in the West, and like Orlando, should only improve upon last year.

5 non-playoff teams to look out for this year

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

The T’Wolves, now under glasses-free Kurt Rambis, should take a lead from the playing style of their coach and be a more agressive team. I think Minnesota will do better this year; whether that is ten games better than their 24-win season, that remains to be seen, but Minnesota will improve this year, and will turn that corner to being a good team again soon.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

I would have them as a playoff team, but the injury of Blake Griffin has him missing enough time to really hinder those chances. It seems as if the Clips management has finally decided really get behind the idea of putting out a competitive team, and Los Angeles should be this season, even though the first weeks will be tough without Griffin. Baron Davis will put up his usual numbers and look for Al Thorton to build upon his 11.8 ppg from last year. If Sebastian Telfair can get his act together, he may be able to contribute to the team, but those in Clipper Nation have good reason to believe the team will look better in 2009.

3. Washington Wizards

Injuries have derailed this team over and over again, namely Gilbert Arenas’. His health is the biggest question for Washington and how well his knee holds up will greatly determine how well the Wizards do this season. Just because I have Washington out the playoffs doesn’t mean I don’t think they will be much better than their awful 19-63 record, I think there teams that are slightly better than them, such as Indiana. Look out for Washington to get back to the team we saw a few years ago.

4. Memphis Grizzlies

After 14 years of being in the NBA, mark my words: Memphis will turn the corner this year. Hasheem Thabeet will provide the defensive presence that Memphis so sorely lacked, Rudy Gay has emerged as the leader of the team, and O.J. Mayo is a few years from making the All-Star game every year. When the Grizzlies made the playoffs in 2003, some wondered if Memphis would grow into a playoff contender, and despite three consecutive appearances, it never came to fruitition. While Memphis will not make the playoffs, their talent will show the league they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

5. Oklahoma City Thunder

Velvet Hoop (b.k.a. Kevin Durant) and his crew will put out a better product on the court this season. Russell Westbrook played well last season, averaging 15.3 ppg and 5.3 assists per game, and Jeff Green proved to be Durant’s wingman, scoring 16.5 ppg and taking down 6.7 boards per game. Durant will continue to elevate his game, and it will only be a matter of time before we talk about him arguably being the best three in the league. The young Thunder still have work to do, but I see them taking steps in the right direction this season.

Playoff teams, Conference and Finals picks

West
1. Los Angeles (Lakers)
2. Denver
3. Portland
4. Dallas
5. San Antonio
6. Utah
7. New Orleans
8. Golden State

East
1. Boston
2. Cleveland
3. Orlando
4. Philadelphia
5. Detroit
6. Miami
7. Chicago
8. Indiana

Western Confernce Finals
Lakers over Nuggets in seven games

Eastern Conference Finals
Magic over Celtics in seven games

NBA Finals
Lakers over Magic in seven games

Enjoy the games tonight. The NBA season is finally here.

Friends No More: The Johnson-Thomas Breakup

The NBA in the mid-to-late 1980s provided some of the best basketball we have even seen. Classic matchups between the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers took the game to higher levels of popularity, and are always brought up around playoff time. The stars on those three teams, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson have always kept the public perception (for the most part, save for these comments) that as great as tough as they were on the court against each other, they were good friends off it. In Magic and Isaiah’s case, they were the best of friends, pretty much like brothers. The kissing on the cheeks before games were well documented, they were seen at events together, playing to the public like they were still the buddies they had been for so many years.

However, in private, things were very, very different, as stated in Magic’s new book that comes out later this month. Co-written with Larry Bird and former Boston Globe writer Jackie MacMullan, places allegations against Magic’s former best friend that are shocking to fans like me, and judging from the reactions of those who covered the 1980s NBA, such as Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon, rumors and gossip heard before.

Whether this is old or new news, the rift between Magic and Isiah is a sad one that apparently has deteriorated over decades. It’s comparable to watching a movie where two great friends let differences or a certain situation demolish their great bond. For Magic, Thomas’ questioning of the former Lakers’ sexuality (in relation to his HIV) behind Johnson’s back seems to be a big reason for why all this has come to the public. It seems to be the reason why Magic has dropped so many verbal bombs in this book, such as many players, not just Michael Jordan, not wanting Isiah on the Dream Team.

Sure, Thomas’ personality has come into question many times. He has rubbed many of those he has come across the wrong way. Apparently many reporters indeed have heard Isiah’s questions on Magic being gay. Truth or not, it was not Thomas who decided to place his problems with a friend in a book, nor did Thomas who let this rift last nearly 20 years without confronting his friend about the rumors he heard.  And it was not Isiah Thomas who would act like nothing was wrong year in and year out when seeing Magic who would flash the pearly whites in every picture with his friend, despite feeling “hurt” by rumors made by him. If Magic was so bothered by these statements, why didn’t he do what many of us would have done and confronted the person making them?

This entire situation is a sad one, and I am sure we will see more come from this. Maybe we’ll learn more about Thomas’ divisive personality, maybe we’ll find out Isiah did say these things or maybe we’ll more reporters will emerge who will back up the book’s content. Either way, I have a feeling this is going to get even uglier as time moves forward, ironically into the sport Johnson and Thomas became great friends through.

Maybe someone can get these two together someday so they can air out their problems and getting back to having the relationship they once had. I know many fellow basketball fans share my feelings when I say it would be a great moment to see the two at an All-Star Weekend side-by-side, finally eliminating any differences they had.

Unfortunately, that day is not coming any time soon.

He Doesn’t Want Three Stripes on the Soles of His Shoes.

As Michael Jordan tied his son's shoes, Michael made Marcus promise him this would be the only brand he would wear.

During the second year of community college, I remember applying to different schools, looking at what each one has to offer. Being an aspiring journalism student, I looked at each of the prospective schools, and how they would help me get my degree, along with proximity and other characteristics. While looking at some of the universities, here is some of the things I picked up:

University of South Florida- Near the Poynter Institute, one of the universities’ four “Programs of Distinction”, Under Armour school.

University of North Florida- New facilities, Jacksonville is in one of the top-50 media markets, Nike school.

University of Florida- Pioneer in electronic publishing, multiple news positions available for students, Nike school.

University of Central Florida- New facilities, multiple internship opportunities, Adidas school.

Now while I may not be going to school for the same reason Marcus Jordan is, one thing that I seemed to do that he could not was notice what shoe company sponsored each school, which is saying something, because Marcus is going to UCF on an athletic scholarship, while I, like many students will be watching the basketball games from the stands.

For those that don’t know, Marcus Jordan, UCF shooting guard and son of basketball king Michael Jordan may not wear Adidas’ shoes because, well, his dad works with another company. You know, Nike, and the Jordan Brand? Yeah, I think that’s the name. The only thing is Adidas has a deal with UCF to sponsor their athletic programs, so as you would expect, the company is not too pleased with a player (even if it is one whose dad owns one the most influential basketball shoe) potentially turning down their sneaks for someone elses. However, Adidas may be the only people with a problem, as Central Florida’s athletic director Keith Tribble has said Jordan would be allowed to wear the sneakers. UCF has had someone wear another company’s sneakers before, as one of the football players didn’t like the feel of Adidas’ cleats.

While it is easy to roast Marcus for thinking about wearing Nikes, I understand why Tribble is so flexible with Jordan- look at his last name. Earlier this year FIU signed Isiah Thomas to bring the program more publicity, and you would be crazy to think UCF didn’t sign the son of the greatest basketball player of all time for the same reason. Having ties to the university, I have seen Central Florida’s athletic program grow. They’ve put money into a new football stadium and basketball arena, and they are in Confrence USA, which may not be a big-time basketball confrence, but it is home to one of college basketball’s big-time teams, Memphis. The Knights know that Jordan will bring attention to the university (Imagine a Michael sighting at the games), so if Marcus wants to wear the Jumpmans, I am sure no one outside of Adidas will have a problem with it.

However, I feel Marcus should wear the brand with the three stripes. It will help show to the team that the shoe choice isn’t as big of a deal as winning, eliminate this ridiculous media circus, and potentially stop more teammates from wanting to wear Jordans themselves. The Jordan 5, my favorite, would look really good in a Black and Gold colorway. If I saw my teammate wearing those, I would want a pair too.

Also I hate to beat a dead horse, but the school does have a contract with Adidas, Marcus. If you didn’t want to look like the spoiled rich-kid that you look like right now, you should have chosen a Nike school.

How about two of your prospective schools, Toledo or Iowa? They’re sponsored by this guy. Plus, the Jordan 8 would’ve looked really good in a Navy and Gold or Black and Gold colorway.

The Top 10 Buccaneer Moments, Number 7: The Tony Dungy Era Begins.

January 26, 1996: The day the Bucs organization changed forever.

While looking at past articles regarding the hiring of Tony Dungy, I stumbled upon a New York Times article that provided a great look into that significant January day, when the inept, lackluster Tampa Bay franchise of old was on its last legs. The young Dungy, comming off a defensive coordinator stint in Minnesota, was young, hungry, and ready to take on the difficult challege of turning around the league’s worst franchise. Reading the paragraphs on how he wanted to get his new team to play with a sense of consistency and agressiveness brings back many memories of what would come during his time in Tampa- a tenacious defense that would swarm to a ballcarrier quicker than the Florida humidity could.

There was excitement in the coach’s voice, too. He wanted this job, he wanted to turn this team around and make it into one of the league’s top teams.

Dealing with a difficult task and rising from it seemed to face Tony Dungy a few times in his life. And just with the other encouters, he would succeed with this one.

To realize the importance of the Dungy signing, one has to look back at the previous ownership of Hugh Culverhouse, that left the team in shambles. It all starts with the guys in the press box, and those sitting in the luxury seats seemed to only keep the team for the money it made them, rather than the potential to be a competitive ballclub. In 1992 the Bucs payroll was a mind-numbing 20 million, and throughout his time as owner of the team, Culverhouse would take team’s television money instead of putting it towards signing talented players. It’s the reason Doug Williams went to the USFL, before ultimately coming back to the NFL and winning a Super Bowl with Washington. When Malcom Glazer took over the team, he was, as the kids say, “In it to win it.” No more cheap ownership putting a terrible team on the field. It was time for a fresh start, and who better to give the franchise a new beginning but a face entirely new to head coaching.

Dungy’s first year was the one many call the season Tampa turned it around. Although the Bucs finished 6-10, they looked promising, and through the draft the team continued to improve, going 10-6 the following year, reaching the playoffs for the first time in 25 years. The 1998 season saw Tampa Bay go 8-8 in a NFC Central that featured a 11-5 Green Bay team and a Minnesota club with one loss all year. 1999 would be a special season for Dungy and the Bucs, caputuring their third division title, and reaching the NFC title game for the second time in team history.

The Bucs would lose to the Rams in the championship game, but the team shook off the infamous past that followed them for so many years. The final two years under Tony would be disappointing ones, as the team was eliminated in the Wild Card by the Eagles twice. The offense was extremely conservative, the defense struggled in the postseason, and many wondered if this great coach had taken Tampa Bay as far as they would go.

Warren Sapp was part of the reason offenses were scared of Tampa Bay's defense.

Dungy was fired after the 2001 season, and while Tampa Bay would finally win the big one the following year under Jon Gruden, for many Bucs fans it felt strange doing it without the man who helped built the team into the one finally hoisting the Lombardi trophy, though the Pewter and Red Nation would remind Gruden that he did it with “Dungy’s team” many times during his tenure in Tampa.

For all of his hard work with the Bucs, it felt good to see Tony finally win the big one in 2007. Though it was for Indianapolis, I celebrated the win as if it were 1999 all over again. Sometimes I wonder if Dungy had a offensive coordinator the likes of Indys, if he would have won the big one in Tampa. I believe he would have, but at the end of the day, Buccaneers fans love the legendary coach the same. He took a franchise that was the laughingstock of the league for decades and made them into a respectable team, one that remained competitive after his departure.

And he did it with the same enthusiasm and determination expressed in that article written 13 years ago.

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