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Maybe Games Will Detract From Shame

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By MICK ELLIOTT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 29, 2007

Another NBA season tips off tonight, which is a good thing because nobody is quite certain just how much more offseason the game can take.

Since the San Antonio Spurs won their third championship in five seasons in June - along the way drawing the lowest TV ratings ever for a final - some sports fans may have noticed the NBA has had, well, let's just call them issues.

First there was the whole public trust thing, what with long-time official Tim Donaghy admitting to having conspired with gamblers to allegedly fix games. That embarrassment had barely faded from front pages before the 24-hour bachelor party that is the New York Knicks took over. Oh, and Kobe Bryant isn't happy and wants to be traded or cuddled, or both.

So, what happens once the season gets under way?

We'll take a guess.

Are the Los Angeles

Lakers back?

Absolutely, if you mean way back in the pack. The league's glamour franchise is a mess. The team has no quality talent outside of Kobe and the all-pro guard has made known his desire for a trade. They are a chemistry experiment gone bad. Through all this, Zen Master Phil Jackson is starting to wear out fast.

So who will be the teams to watch?

Expect the Western Conference to continue its reign as home to the league's best ball, and as has been the case for several years, the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks will be the teams to beat. In the East, perennial favorite Detroit will remain a force, while, after an extreme makeover, the Boston Celtics can return to competitive status.

What exactly have the Celtics done?

Nothing since Larry Bird retired, but it looks like that's about to change. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge pulled off a pair of blockbuster deals during the offseason, acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to a lineup that already included Paul Pierce. Just getting Garnett, one of the NBA's top talents, greatly improves the Celtics. With Allen and Pierce in the same lineup, the Celtics may have just fallen into step with the Red Sox and Patriots.

What's up with the

Magic?

Stan Van Gundy, who spelled Pat Riley for two seasons with the Miami Heat, takes over what will be another rebuilding phase in Orlando. The Magic begin play Wednesday night at home against Milwaukee with two talented big men, but with many questions in the backcourt. Six-foot-10 Rashard Lewis, a past all-star in Seattle, joins former first-round draft pick Dwight Howard (6-10) to give Orlando a formidable inside game. But inconsistent point guard Jameer Nelson and second-year player J.J. Redick need to prove their dependability.

Are only bigger and

better things ahead for Cleveland and star LeBron James?

Not necessarily. Cleveland was last year's surprise team, upsetting Detroit to advance into the NBA Finals, but along the way more than a few toss-ups went the Cavaliers' way. The team grew over-dependent on James and some of his novelty may have worn off. What was with the Yankees cap at an Indians' game?

Can Shaq still rule?

Is there sand on Miami Beach? For the first time in his 16-year NBA career, the Heat's Shaquille O'Neal is hearing suggestions that he may be on the slide, but if guard Dwyane Wade can return from injury to his past MVP form, expect the Big Guy to muster enough enthusiasm for one more run into the playoffs.

How 'bout those Knicks?

Coach Isiah Thomas was booed by the home crowd during the preseason. It will only get worse as the year progresses.

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2634 or melliott@tampatrib.com.

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