NBA 2009 season tipoff tonight!

The 2008-09 NBA season seems like oh so long ago... not for some... not for me. Just yesterday it feels like I was wearing my Orlando Magic jersey, cheering on my favorite team of 15yrs as they faced the LA Lakers in their first NBA Finals appearance ever! Game 4 - Amway Arena the site, the Magic had just won game 3 and were looking to tie up the series at 2 games apiece. And then it happened... just like that... they fell apart. One huge Derek Fisher 3pointer and our fate was sealed. Lakers would win that game and the next to win the championship 4-1. Kobe got the last laugh, something I only envisioned in my nightmares. Looking back now, I can realistically look at Orlando's season as a great success. As a team that has seen major superstars come and go - Shaq, Penny, T-Mac, Steve Francis, and the latest Hedo Turkolu. Ever since their first dominating season with Shaq and Penny Hardaway together (a forgettable ending, a 4-0 sweep by the Rockets in the NBA Finals), I have been one of their biggest supporters. They have always faltered in the playoffs, collapsing at the most important moments, giving away huge leads or just not showing up to play. Last year was nothing of the sort, with a young team that brought lots of energy every night, they finished the season with 3rd best record in the East. In the playoffs, after taking out the 76ers, they faced the Boston Celtics. Many felt that even without KG Boston would have no problem pushing Orlando aside. They were slightly mistaken. After 6 intense games, a game 7 in Boston would be the conclusion. The Celtics couldn't lose a game 7 at home, they were too strong right? WRONG! Orlando went in and dominated from the start, eliminating the defending champs. Next up would be a date in the Eastern Conference Finals with the team that had the best record in the NBA and perhaps the best player in the league, the Cleveland Cavaliers. It only took Orlando six games to eliminate the Cavs, outplaying them in almost every game (had it not been for a Lebron miracle 3pointer in game 2, the Magic would have swept them 4-0). Led by the most dominant center in the league, Dwight Howard, Orlando shocked the world by advancing to the NBA Finals. They had the perfect inside-out game; dump the ball down low to Howard, defense double teams, and he kicks it out to his choice of many 3pt shooters. But in the end, the Lakers were the better team, the more experienced team. Now Orlando has tasted success, they've been so close to the championship trophy they could almost touch it. I have a feeling this will be the driving force for this year's team. I certainly hope so. It would be a lot of fun to be wearing my Magic jersey in June again.

Ok, enough with the memories, we have a new season about to start tonight, let's take a look at some storylines for this year:

• Rasheed Wallace joins the 'Boston Three Party': The Boston Celtics are already mad. And you haven't seen anything yet, so says they're newest teammate. They're steaming. They're ready for payback. Last season when they lost Kevin Garnett to a season ending knee injury, they felt they still had enough to go all the way. They were mistaken, and thus went out with a mere peep to the Orlando Magic, in a blowout loss at home in game 7 of the Eastern Conf. Semifinals. Well, everyone's healthy and they've brought in some reinforcements. Sheed has been there, he knows how to play in pressure situations, and most importantly he won't stand down to anyone (especially the refs). The C's also added Marquis Daniels as a reserve off the bench. Let's be honest though - Pierce, Allen, Garnett, Rondo. These four are quite a bunch and are starved for another title. Should be a lot of fun watching them go against the other 2 major contenders in the East. Big question for them: how will their health hold up? Garnett, Allen, and Wallace aren't getting any younger. Their postseason success will truly fall on the shoulders of Rajon Rondo. The Celts energetic point guard will make or break them. Has he improved his shot in the offseason? Will he make better decisions in crunch time? Can he play tough-nosed defense? The answers to theses questions will help us figure out who plays in the Finals in June.


• The Big Diesel comes to Ohio: Lebron James. Shaquille O'Neal. On the same team. Three years ago this would have been MUCH more impressive, now Shaq is older and not anywhere near as durable as he used to be. But Cavs GM Danny Ferry felt it was necessary to go out and get a big man that could guard the most dominant center in the NBA (Dwight Howard, don't worry we'll get to him). So he went out and got the FORMER most dominant center in the league. It's a big move. A bold move. Cleveland had to go out and do something after last season's finish. The Lebrons finished with the best record in all the NBA but it did them absolutely no good. In the Eastern Conf. Finals against Orlando they looked outmatched, outcoached, but most importantly: they got outplayed. They better change that this year if they want a different outcome. Adding Shaq is huge no doubt. But I don't think we'll see a lot of him early on and in the middle of the year. The Cavs cruised to the best record last year and had no problem riding Lebron all the way. But in the playoffs they couldnt match up with the Magic's Superman and cover all their 3point shooters. That is the sole reason for bringing him in. Cleveland thinks they found the missing piece to their puzzle, did they? TBD. (To be determined!)
• LA brings in Artest, aim to repeat: As much as it pains me to say, the Los Angeles Lakers look strong, very strong. All I can pray for is that Ron Artest is as much a cancer as TO is to Bufflao, and he has the same effect on the Lakers. Unfortunately, I wouldn't bet on it. Kobe showed the world last year that Mariano Rivera has some competition for the label of "Best Closer Ever". Bryant can do it all, score at will when necessary, get teammates involved, and most importantly, when it matters most, with the game on the line he makes the right decisions and some of the hardest shots I've seen. Can this team gel like last year's? Trevor Ariza left for Houston, and in return Ron Artest is Bryant's new teammate. Remember Artest? Former Rocket that plays tremendous defense and will now be assisting Kobe rather than blocking him. Should they get along like peas and carrotts look for a return to the NBA Finals. However, if by some slim chance, they aren't like peanut butter n jelly, look for a few teams to take advantage... which leads us to...
• Spurs reload with healthy Duncan, add Jefferson: They may be getting old but their experience and depth might just make them the Lakers only true challenger for the Western Conf. crown. Tim Duncan AND Manu Ginobili are healthy. They've added Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess. Gregg Popavich is still head coach. Tony Parker is still fast. They drafted one of the best rebounders in the history of college basketball, DeJuan Blair. Make no mistake about it, the Spurs are ready to get going... one more time. Again like we said about Boston, San Anotonio's key will be keeping the core healthy over the regular season so that in the playoffs they can push LA. Jefferson should take some of the heat off Duncan, and I'm personally looking forward to seeing them matchup against the Lakers during the regular season.
• Orlando loses Hedo, adds Carter, tries to get back to Finals: After getting by both the Celtics and Cavs last season, the Magic made their way to their first-ever NBA Finals. After losing to LA, they must take the next step -not only get back to there but this time win. It will be a tough feat. Orlando lost Hedo Turkolu to free agency but managed to trade for Allstar Vince Carter. Carter is extremely talented but has never played for a true contender. That changes immediately. Magic GM Otis Smith is hoping to plug Carter in for Hedo and put Orlando right back in the mix for a spot in the Finals. Having Dwight Howard helps... A LOT. PG Jameer Nelson is healthy and ready to return to allstar form. Orlando also added Brandon Bass to come in and get clutch rebounds. The Magic lost young Courtney Lee in the trade for Carter but received bigger, stronger Ryan Andersen, another 3pt threat. I like Orlando's chances to win the East, they are young and hungry. It will be interesting to see if they can live up to the pressure of winning after an amazingly successful season. There will be big-time games with Cleveland and Boston. Their conquering of each in last year's playoffs will undoubtedly give Orlando a confidence boost, just remains to be seen how they will handle the bullzeye on their back.
• We've gone over the top 5 teams in the league, other contenders include: Denver, Dallas, and Portland. Notice no other teams from the East. The West is loaded with middle-tier talent while the East is very top heavy. I think this year's final four will include Boston, LA, San Antonio and Orlando. Cleveland will come up short once again, which will ultimately lead to Lebron's departure. If I had to say right now I would predict a rematch in the Finals: Lakers vs. Magic. It's definitely a possibility. However, I always fall back on what Chris Berman says: "And that's why... they play the games!"