December 26 marks the return of the NBA in the Philippines. Am I the only one excited? I do not think so. Four months of agonizing emptiness of the NBA stuff must have gnawed not at just my own conscioussness. Admit it, Filipinos are basketball junkies. And having not seen Kobe Bryant, D-Wade or LeBron running in your boob tube, that’s a serious case of withdrawal.
Anyway, it’s time to celebrate not just the Christmas season but the opening of the NBA season! What better way to start the fireworks with the teams who duked it out in the Finals of last season and their conference finalists? I say, I’m biased towards the Chicago-Lakers game, being a Bulls fan. It would be a joy to see D.R. (a.k.a. Derrick Rose) run rings, penetrating the D and contorting himself in mid-air for a nice-looking lay-up. An added bonus would be cheering an old favorite in Rip Hamilton trying to tire his defender with unstoppable motion. Then of course there would be jeering Boozer for his defensive boo-boos (though I think I would be in for a surprise). As for the other big game of Dallas and Miami, I hope Dirk beats the Heat’s sorry behinds and stamp his class as the best forward of the game. And of course, to prove a point that the Mavs didn’t just luck their way in a choking (pun intended!) performance.
But probably one of the most surprising draws in the schedule would be... and be prepared... the Los Angeles... CLIPPERS! Amazing what human highlight reels (read: Griffin and Jordan) and an All-Star point guard can do to a team. I was half hoping to see them aired by Studio 23 but I guess they thought Clippers games would be passed by basketball fans. To tell you the truth, I’m intrigued. How will the Clippers respond to this new brouhaha? This will probably be one of their best teams since fielding in Elton Brand, Chris Kaman, Kerry Kittles, Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley way back in 2006. And guess what, keep those cameras rolling because this team will be known as Lob City. You thought that Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler were the best pick and roll team this side of Stockton-to-Malone? Well, CP3 just got his Christmas present a tad early in teaming up with “Bad” Blake Griffin and budding star DeAndre Jordan. No offense to David West but, he’s not in the same league with Bad Blake.
Let us not forget, however, that Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russ Westbrook and the rest of the Thunder will also be playing. The young Thunder have been making strides and are serious contenders. They’ve got ultra-athletic Serge “Air Congo” Ibaka paired up with the baddest bully in the paint in the body of Kendrick Perkins. Reliable subs like Eric Maynor, Nick Collison and primary stopper Thabo Sefolosha should be pretty good. Then you’ve got the Golden State Warriors. Yes, they’ve sucked last year. But hey, I’m optimistic that David Lee and Steph Curry can figure it out. It seems Monta Ellis will not be a part of their plan which is sad since the guy can flat-out score. But hey, Curry and Lee are stars in their own right.
It would’ve been better if the Portland Blazers did not lose Brandon Roy, or Greg Oden at full strength. Imagine what these young guns could’ve done, like LaMarcus Aldridge for instance. Nevertheless, the Christmas day schedule is full of fireworks and would be a delight to see. From D.R. to Black Mamba, Dirk and the Flash, to Lob City and the Thunder, this is a reason to celebrate more. Cheers everyone and Merry Christmas!