NBA SEASON UNDER WAY

         With the 2012-2013 NBA Season kicking off, here are a few observations from the first few days of the season, as well as some expectations for the rest of the year (assuming the Mayan Calendar is incorrect).

• Everyone is saying "Don't worry about the Lakers. They will be fine." I'm not convinced. We saw this with the Heat, where they got together, took a while to figure out exactly how to play with each other, and then got on track and look at them now. Here's the thing; The Miami Heat were dealing with 25-26 year old stars. The Lakers are looking at 3 dudes with a lot of miles on their legs, and one guy coming back from back surgery.  If I was a Lakers fan would I be worried? Yes, I would. The Lakers may not have 2 seasons to get this all figured out and rolling. More importantly, the Lakers look slow. I know that they will improve, and I'm not saying they will suck (I still have them as the 2nd seed in the west) but I don't see a championship this year, and if they can't get it done next year, when does the window close? PS-Mike Brown will not be coaching this team much longer. If the media has you on the hot seat after 2 games, you're doomed. How many times have we seen this play out? 

 

• Damian Lillard will be the rookie of the year. Why? 1-He's going to have a great year in Portland. He's getting the minutes, he's getting the ball, and he'll be getting buzz. 2-Because Anthony Davis is the #1 pick, so when he does well its totally expected. And finally 3-Because we tend to like perimeter players more than big men. In their debuts Lillard's 23 and 11 feels far more impressive to us than Davis' 21 and 7.  

 

•  The Jazz are loaded with talent. When 2nd year player Alec Burks doesn't sniff the floor, you know you've got depth.  He's good. (Personally I'd rather see him playing with Foye as the 1 than Tinsley at the 1 and Foye at the 2). Point is, watch out for the Jazz. They've got a deadly combination of big men inside, good perimeter shooting, decent enough defense, and tempo. Not to mention that of all the teams I've watched over the first 3 days (league pass) the Jazz seem to have that chemistry that you notice when you watch them. 

• Russel Westbrook is so interesting. He is so incredibly good, but can really hurt his team.  In our first post, we mentioned someone had asked us who was better out of D-Will/Westbrook. Let me repeat myself. I think Westbrook is a better player individually, but I'll take D-Will any day. If D-Will and Westbrook traded places, would the Thunder be better, and I say yes.  I can think of 7 or 8 possessions off the top of my head last night where Westbrook had Kevin Durant WIDE OPEN, and either didn't see him, or decided he was going to get his look.  What I am really curious to know is if the Thunder fans feel the same way? Thunder fans, were you outraged with Westbrook last night? Here's the thing for me, Westbrook is a star. He helps you win a lot of games. But you don't usually see stars that will also cost your team several games as well, and that is exactly what Westbrook does. If he ever slows down a little, develops some court vision and can manage the offense, team, and game better as a point guard, watch out. 

• James Harden is the real deal. I won't be surprised if he makes the all-star team. This whole time many people thought that he was benefiting as a player from the attention Durant and Westbrook received, and I think we might be realizing at the end of the season just how much Durant and Westbrook benefited from him.  

• Finally, I'd just like to say how great I think this season is going to be. There are so many great players (I dare argue this is the most talented the league as ever been from top to bottom), so many interesting story lines, and many possibilities for the outcome of this season.