Finally, the long wait was over. The 09-10 NBA season has opened. Indeed, opening night was hyped and anticipated by a lot. This is my first ever blog, and what a way to start writing than for NBA opening night.
The day featured 4 games. Before the season began, teams on the western conference made serious changes in their line-ups, for example Dallas. Mark Cuban brought back Jason Kidd before the Knicks could offer him and he traded for "The Matrix" Shawn Marion (which in my opinion, the best player who can guard Dirk Nowitzki). He also added Drew Gooden in the mix. The Washington Wizards visited them and got the W at their homecourt led by the returning and rejuvenated Gilbert Arenas (so nice to see him back). Agent Zero beat them in every facet of the game, what a comeback, 29 points and 9 assists.
Another texas team was playing also, the Houston Rockets, without the services of Yao Ming and Tracy Mcgrady but they had newly acquired fresh-from-a-championship Trevor Ariza. But I know they can still make some noise in the West, call them the dark horse. Let's face it, they have nothing to lose but everything to gain.
Couple of months ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers brought the King a gift, a huge one in the person of the "Diesel" Shaquille Oneal. The goal: To win a ring for the King. Meanwhile, while everyone was celebrating in the state of Ohio, the former champions were also busy fishing. Lucky for them they caught two big fishes, Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels. Opening night proved to be the perfect day for these two teams to test their new fishes, I mean guns. An anticipated and hyped match up, Lebron was in his MVP form, he was a monster swatting shots. I think he can win defensive player if he always play like that. He also had it going beyond rainbow country. But the night belonged to the Team in Green. KG was back in form, Rondo as usual was gutsy, Sheed had a decent game , and Paul Pierce was magnificent during crunch time. Oh, I almost forgot about Shaq, he had 10 points, 10 rebounds. Nice but not impressive. By the way, he looked fat and old. Looks like not only Houston has a problem.
The title defense has began. They brought everyone back except for Trevor Ariza but replaced him with a defensive player in Ron Artest. The night was all about the Lakers, they flaunted their new championship rings and they raised banner number 15. Everyone got a ring except for Artest. I know he is clamoring to have one this season. He had a solid night against the Clippers, 10 points, 5 rebounds. Kobe was brilliant. But if there was one man filling up the stat sheet, it was Andrew Bynum. 26 points for the night, not bad for a player that should have been an All-Star last year if not for the injuries. I hope he becomes healthy throughout the season because he is a focal part of this team if they want to defend their title.
The season is still long, a lot of teams have not yet played. Not to bypass some good teams but to see some of the contenders play earlier, I sense that the 2010 champions played on opening night. I think this wont be my last blog, consider this an appetizer. Til Nxt Tym
"Championships aren't won on the first night" -Shaquille O'neal
