<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>In a moment, you will be accosted by the urge to roll your eyes.There are at least two reasons why you should avoid such a maneuver: 1. Unless you're using a surface that's soft and unusually clean, rolling your eyes always is a bad idea. 2. What I'm about to declare just may be true. OK, here's my big announcement (if you have the drum-roll option on your computer, use it now):The NBA is close to becoming fantastic, again.Sure, I'm aware of the obvious reasons to reject this notion.Let's begin with the New York Knicks, who are sufficiently horrible to burden first-year coach Larry Brown with an acid reflux condition. But I worry that Knicks president Isiah Thomas could be in for an even trickier gastronomic crisis if he attempts to eat Stephon Marbury's contract.The NBA also must reconcile the issue of tights being worn by one of its two leading MVP candidates. When Michael Jordan began filming commercials on behalf of Hanes, we had little idea it would come to this.Anyway, those issues notwithstanding, the NBA really is coming around. So, with the playoffs now within sniffing distance, I've listed a few reasons why the league is much better than a lot of you alleged basketball purists may want to believe:# The San Antonio SpursIt's true ? the possibility of seeing the point guard's girlfriend is the most exciting element attached to a Spurs game.But ? much like Eva Longoria's Desperate Housewives character ? the Spurs are dangerous playing fast or slow.The chance to see Eva Longoria courtside may be the most exciting aspect of a Spurs game ... but it isn't the only one. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)If you prefer a quick tempo, Longoria's guy (Tony Parker) will team up with Manu Ginobili to run the ball down your throat. If the pace is a bit slower, the Spurs can throw the ball into Tim Duncan; the opposition then must decide between the poisons of single coverage and open 3-pointers out of double teams.By the way, the Spurs also play great defense.# The Detroit PistonsNow that Brown is in New York, the Pistons ? who were playing good defense before Larry showed up in Motown ? are playing very well on offense.They also honor purist sensibilities by thriving without suiting up a dominant star.# The Phoenix SunsIf you prefer a ridiculously fast tempo, this is your team. For the record, the Suns have achieved the Western Conference's second seed while playing without superstar big man Amare Stoudemire.They continue to be even scarier in transition than your mother-in-law's makeup kit.For the sake of full disclosure, we must point out that the Phoenix defense still can be as toothless as Steve Nash's comb.# LeBron JamesHe has the size, strength and athleticism of a cartoon character.According to Akron insiders, LeBron has been on the radar for greatness since he bypassed the tricycle and went right to a two-wheeler.# AnnouncersYou will not hear Dick Vitale or Billy Packer during an NBA telecast. But you may hear Bill Walton (preceded by Stephen A. Smith), so this one's a push.# Mrs. Andrei KirilenkoThe former Russian pop star allows her hubby ? the best player currently employed by the Utah Jazz ? to take a road-trip lover for one night per season. We're just wondering if Andrei would be allowed an infidelity bonus if the Jazz made the playoffs.# Player developmentYou may disagree, but I believe Dwight Howard showed more improvement last season as an Orlando Magic freshman than Josh McRoberts did at Duke this year.# Dwight HowardThe kid looks good enough to take some of the pressure away from Darko Milicic.# Best-of-sevenThe NBA's playoff format almost guarantees that the best team from each conference will survive to provide us with a compelling final.Even though I love college basketball, the one-and-done variable of March Madness left us with a dull championship game.# Chris PaulThe Oklahoma City-New Orleans rookie point guard is considered by many to be the second coming of Isiah Thomas.Let's just hope he doesn't go into coaching or team management.# L.A. ClippersSam Cassell continues to crave that precious ring, but Elton Brand is much easier to follow than Frodo.# Avery JohnsonThanks to a voice seemingly assisted by the intake of helium, Avery has been able to drown out Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. More important, Johnson has convinced the Mavericks that defense is the way to win in May.Before Avery arrived in Little D, the Mavs were incapable of keeping a Kia under 100.# No zone offense requiredCommissioner David Stern allowed the zone defense to return a few years ago, but passing and shooting skills have limited its use.In the college game, the disturbingly close 3-point line encourages teams to attack zones by shooting over them. The proper way to gut a zone is to flash a player into the middle (near the foul line) and pass him the ball, but we don't see enough of that.The NBA's lack of zone usage preempts the chore of watching inappropriate zone offense.# Kobe BryantWhile wearing those stylish tights, Kobe has dragged a rag-tag L.A. Lakers team into the Western Conference playoffs.Think of him as a magician working with scab rabbits.# Ron Artest in SacramentoIt's difficult to establish street cred when some of the streets have cattle guards. With Artest on board, the Kings now offer more than cow bells to stop opposing stars.# VenuesA football stadium will not be the site of an NBA Finals series.# European influenceWhile European players often sabotage the concept of team defense, they do provide an upgrade in shooting skill.In summation, the early returns have been favorable, but we'll draw the line at armpit hair on a Laker Girl.Randy Hill is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.</div>http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5513716?GT1=8021
He's got a point, I like what he said about Kobe.But I don't think the NBA will be what it was in the 90s. The players actually had personalities and what not. The NBA has storylines like the WWE. And there were so many greats in different cities all over.I think the Lebron Wade rivalry will be a good thing to come in the upcoming years. And I want to see what the Lakers can do with Kobe's prime.
I'm having trouble watching the NBA. Their are no rivalries anymore and they let the guards score as much as they want. Their are no Knicks/Heat like battles or Kings/Lakers battles or Jazz/Bulls battles...it's just boring until you get to the finals.
The Heat/Laker rivalry is very serious. It gets the highest ratings every year. If they were in the same conference that would be a great rivalry.But I guess you are right, no real rivalries.I guess you could start calling the Spurs/Pistons rivals though.
Those games get ratings because they are highlighted on ESPN on good nights not to mention LA and Florida have huge audiences.Their is no great rivalry in the NBA right now and if you think their is your kidding yourself.
Not to mention the Shaq/Kobe rivalry. I think that rivalry took a hit when they made up a while back though.
Thier is no Shaq/Kobe rivalry. They play on different teams but thats about all, it's all ESPN media hype.
If you look at it. Most rivalries are ESPN hype. ESPN are the guys who create that <Censored>. But seriously, Shaq and Kobe had some beef I think. They wouldnt shake hands or anything. They "rivaled" eachother. Thats my point.
They have not played any meaningful games...rivalries are in the game and the NBA has nothing right now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Apr 21 2006, 12:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If the Pistons/Spurs matchup again, that could turn into a major rivalry.</div>That would be interesting, like a poormans Celts Lakers 80s rivalry. Some are doubting San Antonio can make the finals again since the West is loaded this year though.
The Mavericks and Spurs have had a large quantity of exciting battles.I would personally consider those two teams currently in a rivalry.
There are a few rivalries around in the NBA but nothing very serious (like the NFL or MLB). Obviously, you have the Spurs/Pacers and the Kings/Lakers. You can throw the Wolves/Nuggets into that equation as well.ESPN does over-hype things a lot, but it's their job and they do it well. I try not to pay too much attention to ESPN because they are usually going on and on about either A. Kobe Bryant, B. LeBron James or C. Barry Bonds. If you turn on SportsCenter you have a great chance of seeing one of those three faces on the screen.
The NBA is fun to watch again because we have stars on every playoff team, and guys like LeBron, Kobe, Vince, Wade who are now in a position to prove something to us, to show us how great they are.Before Kobe getting into the Finals was the norm. Wade's only been there twice, LeBron none. Vince Carter is playing arguably the best basketball of his career, and is in a position to shine.Gunna be fun
