High expectations for '09-'10 NBA season

NBA Commissioner David Stern’s no fool. He knows full well what’s in store for the 2009-2010 NBA season.

Over the last few weeks, Stern apparently must've worked behind the scenes and on Friday the NBA and regular refs finally ironed out a new two-year deal just in time for Tuesday night’s opening tipoff.

Apparently there was no way Stern was going to screw up the drama and action for the league or its fans this season.

Expectations are the highest in recent memory, so evidently Stern knew he needed his full-time guys on board to shore up things for this highly-anticipated 2009-2010 NBA season.

How could his league stage possibly one of its most exciting, memorable seasons in decades with scab referees jogging up and down the court?

For sure, there are plenty of intriguing questions and subplots entering into the ’09-’10 NBA campaign.

Yes, K.G.’s back. When Kevin Garnett (photo above) was healthy last season, the Boston Celtics were virtually unstoppable, racing out to a ridiculous 27-2 start. They added Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels in the offseason. So now what?

In Los Angeles, new acquisition Ron Artest says if the Lakers don’t repeat, blame it on him. With still the best player in Kobe Bryant, best coach in Phil Jackson and best set of complimentary players in the game, their chances look good. But is that hunger still there?

Big Shaq’s never been one to stay quiet or disappoint fans. This season Shaquille O’Neal has stated his mission with the Cleveland Cavaliers is to win a ring for The King, LeBron James. Who’s to say he can’t? He teamed to hoist NBA trophies with equivalent superstars, Bryant (2000, 2001 and 2002) and Dwyane Wade (2006).

In San Antonio, the Spurs (photo above) fell short on their traditional odd-year championship title (’99, ’03, ’05 and ‘07) in ‘09. So they reloaded in the offseason by acquiring Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess and rookie DeJuan Blair. But now can the aging Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili stay healthy?

Don’t sleep on the defending ’09 Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic who for some reason still seem to get little respect. The Magic appear poised to redeem themselves after falling short 3-1 during the 2009 NBA Finals in June. In addition to Vince Carter, they acquired Matt Barnes and Brandon Bass. But is that enough?

Then there’s still that “Who’s the best player on the planet?” debate. Kobe battling King James in the ’10 NBA Finals is quite viable… Also, there’s that “Which future NBA Hall of Famer will get his fifth championship ring first?” question. Bryant, O’Neal and Duncan equally have legit chances this upcoming year.

Appropriately, the 2009-2010 NBA regular season will start strong out the gates. On Tuesday night, a TNT doubleheader will feature the Celtics vs. Cavaliers in Game 1 and then the Lakers vs. Clippers in Game 2.

Which begs yet another question; will Baron Davis and 2009 NBA first-round pick Blake Griffin turn things around for the young Clips, who went 6-2 in the preseason?

Who will be first, Shaq, Duncan or Kobe?

One riveting sidebar story that will most likely persist the entire 2009-2010 season is which future Hall of Fame NBA player, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant (photo above holding trophy), will possibly capture his fifth championship title first this season.

Big Shaq won three straight titles with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001 and 2002) and one with the Miami Heat (2006). The Big Fundamental has captured four championships with the San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007). And Kobe, currently the best baller in the game, got all his rings with the Lakers of course (2000, 2001, 2002 and 2009).

All three dominant NBA players clearly have a legit shot at the trophy in ’09-‘10.

The Spurs acquired Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess in the offseason to give the aging Duncan, 33, a boost down in the paint. The defending NBA champion Lakers did lose a starter in Trevor Ariza but picked up Ron Artest and resigned Lamar Odom to appease Kobe. And O’Neal was shipped from Phoenix to the Cleveland Cavaliers who have the reigning NBA MVP LeBron James and posted a league best 66-16 record in ‘09.

Certainly this lively conversation will linger all season long, but here’s what some sportswriters are already saying about the NBA’s Amazing Race for 5:

“If pressed, I'd have to put my money on (Kobe) Bryant… He has the right system, motivation should not be a problem, and (Pau) Gasol's presence just seems to vault him over the top, to me.” Shaq, Kobe, TD… who’s the first to plead the fifth? (Yahoo!Sports).

“The winner presumably will be the best player of this generation, or more accurately put, in the post Jordan era. The plight to have each finger on one hand be engaged in basketball bliss will be a historic one.” The Drive for Five: Duncan, Kobe, Shaq battle for supremacy. (Bleacher Report).

"Breaking it down by the numbers, it seems more likely that Kobe Bryant will be the first to win his 5th NBA championship ring. However, with all three of these teams vying for the crowns - and potentially the strongest team in the field, the Boston Celtics, also in the mix – anything can happen.” First to 5: Kobe, Shaq, or Duncan? (Associated Content)

Well, on your mark, get set….

5 biggest stories in 2009 NBA offseason

The 2009 NBA offseason picked up exactly where the playoffs ended last season, supplying plenty of drama for basketball fans to ponder at home and in the office.

Here are five of the most intriguing NBA stories since the Los Angeles Lakers handled the Orlando Magic in five games to capture the 2009 NBA championship at the beginning of summer.

5). Rose cheated on SAT.
Should we really be surprised? Probably not. But it doesn’t seem fair.

While the Memphis Tigers basketball program was stripped of its 2008 Final Four appearance and a 38-2 season, the Chicago Bulls’ rising star Derrick Rose remains the No. 1 pick from the 2008 NBA Draft and the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Sure, the majority of blame should fall on the shoulders of former Memphis head coach John Calipari and the university, but the main culprit Rose should feel some guilt, too, and somehow make right with his ex-teammates.

4). Beasley sent to rehab.
Michael Beasley averaged 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24.8 minutes a game during his rookie campaign with the Miami Heat last season, but because all the hype he generated as an All-American at Kansas State haters viewed his inaugural season as a disappointment.

On Friday, news broke that Beasley’s personal problems are being overblown, and he actually entered the facility as a condition of him violating the NBA’s substance abuse policy during rookie camp.

Who really cares?

Whatever the case, it shows being the second-overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft doesn’t make an alcohol or drug fiend immune to substance and psychological issues. It actually may make matters worse.

3). Marbury cries on Webcam.

His pop’s death in 2007 and other family tragedies have had a major impact on Stephon Marbury’s fall from grace in the NBA.

I just wished Steph would’ve kept his emotional breakdown in the closet rather than exposing it to the entire world to see.

Remember this now-deranged crybaby was a two-time NBA All-Star who averaged 19.3 points and 7.6 assists during 13 years in the league. He was billed as the savior and one of the top ballers to come out of New York City.

Now it appears his pro basketball career’s a wrap.

2). Yao out for season.

A quality big man’s a hard find in the NBA nowadays, especially one who’s 7-foot-6, 310 pounds and a six-time NBA All-Star who averages 19 points and 9 boards a night during his career.

Yao Ming’s broken foot might’ve caused the Houston Rockets a trip to the NBA Finals in June. Now arguably the best big man in the game and iconic figure in China may miss the entire 2009-2010 season.

A recent report claims Yao’s currently working out for the first time since having surgery in June, but most likely the first overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft won’t sport a Rockets uniform until 2010 camp.

If Yao doesn’t play this season, the Rockets are left with Joey Dorsey, Chuck Hayes, and David Andersen at center.

Sadder still, the NBA would be down to Dwight Howard, 23, Tim Duncan, 33, and Shaquille O’Neal, 37, as the only lethal big men remaining in the paint.

1). NBA elite get a lot richer.
The 2009 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers acquired Ron Artest. The runner ups Orlando Magic obtained Vince Carter.

Shaquille O’Neal shifted to Cleveland, and the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics snagged Rasheed Wallace.

Guess it’s good to be rich in talent during a recession.

The problem for commissioner David Stern, though, is how will NBA fans and players in the other 26 markets respond to the seemingly lopsidedness throughout the league.

Do ’09 contenders like the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trailblazers or New Orleans Hornets have a true shot at the NBA title this upcoming season?

We don’t think so.