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NBA Makeover Is CompleteThe National Basketball Association (NBA) has allot to be excited about. Just a few years ago critics were predicting the demise of the NBA, with thugged out high schoolers going straight to the NBA, the media in constant search for the next Michael Jordan, and the boring yet sound San Antonio Spurs winning championships. However, this year the NBA feels different, the NBA's Western Conference is so good top to bottom any of the top six teams could make its case for the NBA title. In the east, the Boston Celtics with the additions of Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen along with Paul Pierce has made the Celtics a must see team like the Bulls of Jordan or the Shaq and Kobe show. Coupled with the fundamentally sound Detroit Pistons, the top two teams in the East may be better than all those top teams in the west.Story lines abound in this years NBA. Kobe Bryant may win his first NBA MVP award with steady and when needed spectacular performances after a difficult offseason where he was frustrated with the Lakers for going nowhere and making bad moves while in the prime of his career. The Lakers who this season finally made a great deal in acquiring all star Pao Gasol are now title contenders for the first time since Shaq left. Kobe finally has a big man running mate whose game is truly complimentary to his own. Shaq two seasons from winning a title in Miami, jumped ship and is now running with the Phoenix Suns. Shaq gives the Suns a defensive presence needed in the grind of the western conference playoffs. Kobe and Shaq are not the only interesting story lines there is New Orleans and their surprise success. Lebron James' continued growth and evolution as one of the best players in the game. He willed the Cavs to the finals last season. The enigmatic Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic could make the playoffs in the East allot more interesting than anyone expects. The NBA ratings had been on a downward spiral since Michael Jordan's exit with a brief blip during the Shaq and Kobe run. Jordan was a once in a lifetime superstar who brought in the casual fan. It is also important to note that during the Bulls' run, the New York Knicks were a competitive franchise in the biggest media market, which naturally brought up ratings. So no New York, Chicago, or Los Angles (in the post Shaq years), the three biggest markets for ratings and the result was dismal ratings and a perception that the NBA was falling apart. The makeover. NBA Commissioner David Stern institutes a controversial dress code, apparently young black men just don't seem so menacing in a suit and tie, the nba issues a rule that players entering the draft must be at least one year removed from their high school graduating class which in theory serves to improve the overall quality of the game. The game is openned up by teams like the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors, who went away from the boring slow down two man game. The NBA is awash with youth talent and good character guys. Look no further than the loaded Portland Trailblazers with a potential superstar Brandon Roy and whose top draft pick did not play this year Greg Oden. Miami a few years from winning the title will likely get the number one pick, have a healthy Dwayne Wade, and possibly Shawn Marrion a chance to make a run in the near future. So if you have not been following consider taking another look at the NBA. |
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