Are you ready for some foot...err NBA Action?

Yes, the NBA will open its 9 month season tomorrow. They start on Halloween and the Finals wrap up just short of Independence Day. You're talking Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, MLK, Valentine's Day, St. Patty's, Mardi Gras, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, and Memorial Day. That's a long year. Let's see they are going for all of the major holidays except the aforementioned 4th of July and Labor Day. Looking at it this way drains me before the season starts. For me the NBA has become the third tier pro sport. Until February my main focus is the NFL. Soon MLB starts Spring Training. So from mid-February to April the NBA has my full attention (aside from March Madness). April-September baseball is top dog. I'll still pay attention when the NFL gets rolling, but baseball gets pushed aside. Nothing stops the NFL train. Yeah, I'll see what's going on in baseball and basketball, but the NFL is where it's at for me. I'm sure fantasy football is part of the reasoning. I do fantasy basketball, and usually I do pretty well, but it's not the same. I am exicted to have LBJ on my team for the first time. I actually did a free public yahoo to prepare for my real draft that I also netted the first pick. In both leagues my first four picks are the same. I started with LBJ, took Jermaine O'Neal (mainly because of his Center eligibility) and Jason Richardson with my 2nd and 3rd swing picks. I took Okur (also Center eligibility) and Jamison (technically I took him 4th round, but Okur was one pick later). Having a PF and a C that can drain 3's gives me a nice bump in that category. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my team.

OK, back to the NBA. Red Auerbach passed away over the weekend. His impact was immeasurable for the NBA, obviously even more so for the Celtics. His Celtics won 8 straight titles. Eight! He coached 11 Hall of Famers. His personnel moves over the years have brought him even more. Larry Bird, Robert Parrish, and McHale to name a few. Parrish and McHale came over in the same deal when he dealt the #1 pick (Joe Barry Carroll) for the #3 pick (McHale) and Parrish. He is gone, but he will not be forgotten.

Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be talking about the NBA. First I got sidetracked by fantasy basketball talk. Then I had to pay homage to a man who was a key figure when I actually really loved the NBA. Well, Miami will try to defend their title. There is a slew of teams taking aim at them. In the East, Detroit, New Jersey, Cleveland, and Chicago are the main challengers. In the West, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, and the Clippers are the early favorites. I am leaning towards LeBron taking the Cavs on his back and heading to the NBA Finals. Seeing Wade win the title and hearing everyone proclaim him the best player in the NBA will fuel LBJ's desire. They will face the Suns in an up tempo title round. The Suns will be too much for LBJ and the boys to get by this year. LeBron will take home the MVP. My ROY pick is Brandon Roy. He makes the Timberwolves regret drafting and trading him.

There you have it. I dipped my feet in the NBA pool. I'm not ready for a full swim, but at least I got my feet wet. Do you have any comments? Want to make your predicitions on MVP or ROY?