Being mighty in the NBA

In the early 90’s, having multiple talents on a single squad to create super teams is a rarity. There were always the few lucky ones, either thru brilliant deals or the luck of the draft that made those teams rise above the rest. Fast forward to the present, draft picks don’t necessarily give a team the W’s expected, rather, it is how much that team is willing to spend. This holds true to all major league sports in the US, Europe and anywhere else on the planet.            

Let’s talk basketball. The 1994-1995 Orlando Magic could have made the blueprint for multiple talents in a single uniform. Shaquille O’Neal is coming off his Rookie of the Year the previous season, Penny Hardaway is still peaking and Horace Grant is being himself. Dennis Scott, Nick Anderson and Brian Shaw completed the strong six and this team did not disappoint. Orlando went all the way to the 1995 NBA Finals but was swept in 4 games by the Houston Rockets.

“Big Three” might have originated in Houston during the ’96-’97 season. If you have guys like Clyde the Glide, Hakeem the Dream and the Round Mound of Rebound flaunting their nicknames on one team, you can rocket all the way to the holy grail of basketball glory. But it was not meant to be. Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley failed to glide over the round mounds of the opposition and their championship dreams became nightmares, losing the Western Conference Finals to Utah.

The hype belonged to the Los Angeles Lakers when the 2003-2004 season began. Reason? They had Karl Malone and Gary Payton together with Kobe and Shaq. Derek Fisher then was a sixth man, a reliever to GP. Yup, they reached the Finals but the basketball gods smiled on the lesser mortals that was the Detroit Pistons and gave them the championship. Malone promptly retired when the season ended, Payton went on to collect his ring with Shaq and the Miami Heat.

We all know what the Celtics did during the 2007-2008 wars. Instant and immediate was the result. What made it even sweeter was that Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo prevailed in the title matchup over their bitter rivals – the LA Lakers. The next year, both teams meet again and the tides were turned.

It took two years for Miami’s super team to reach the top of the NBA. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh lost to the Dallas Mavericks in their first crack at the title but were triumphant the following year, jelling and peaking at the right moment to win over a youthful Thunder squad.

When the 2012-2013 NBA season opens late October, only one team, on paper, can send shivers to Miami’s title retention bid. The purple and gold had become obscenely fortified this group will be good for at least two more titles. On theory, that is, and if they stay together for at least two seasons.

Let’s just say their starting unit is the Fatal Five. Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace (or War) up front, Steve Nash and Kobe manning the backcourt. This is one outrageously strong (but aging) first five and coach Mike Brown won’t have problems as to offensive production with Nash as the facilitator.

Containing Kobe’s ego, Metta’s confusing quirkiness and Howard’s man-child attitude will be Brown’s biggest concern.   The Lakers will have the benefit of a pre-season camp and that will give them some time to adjust and get acquainted with each other and the just-adopted (as per reports) Princeton offense. If the Fatal Five can harmoniously co-exist, then titles will be achieved. If egos prevail and remain unchecked, the ghosts of 2003-2004 will come be back to haunt Laker Nation.

* * *

Fifty years of Bosconian Family tradition will be celebrated and reminisced on January 2013. Don Bosco Technical High School batches ’68, ’73, ’78, ’83, ’93 and ’98 will co-host with Batch ’88 this 2-day event beginning on the 26th with a Gala Night at J Center Convention Hall and an Alumni Thanksgiving Mass and mini sports fest on the 27th at the DBTC Campus in Punta Princesa.

Everyone concerned is informed this early as the batches involved had began preparations already. If you intend to join us on this celebration, do make plans for these dates.   Entertainment, raffles and yes, drinks, will be aplenty.       

All past pupils of Don Bosco Cebu are encouraged to join. Please coordinate with your respective batch representatives for more details. Batch ’78, you may get in touch with Nigel Wenceslao or thru Bobby Motus.

E-mail me at [email protected] – THE FREEMAN