The NBA season tipped off just in time for the holiday season and it did not disappoint. Games officially began the 2011-12 shortened season December 25th beginning at noon. Some teams are off to fast starts, others looked rather sluggish and some seem to be close to finally getting out of the cellar and becoming a force in the league.
The headline story from the first two days of this young season has to be the slow starts shown by the Los Angeles Lakers and the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers have started 0-2 in the post-Phil Jackson era with a heartbreaker loss to the Bulls (see D-Rose's game winner below) on opening day and then a tough loss on the road at the Kings. The Lakers are playing with a hurting Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum remains suspended from his elbow he landed in the NBA playoffs last season. I have no doubt that they'll turn it around.
Now for the Dallas Mavericks, yikes. Two games, two 30 point blow-outs nearing the end of the 3rd quarter on your home floor. Minutes after the championship was raised infront of buzzing fans, the Miami Heat wasted no time to take out their revenge and anger from last season on them. Miami led by as many as 35 in route to a 105-94 victory. Lebron (37) and D-Wade (26) combined for 63 points and looked to be in mid-season form. One night later, the Denver Nuggets ran the Mavs out of their own gym leading by 33 with two minutes to go in the 3rd quarter and coasted on to win 115-93. The Mavs look old, sluggish and slow after losing key players from last season (Tyson Chandler, JJ Barea, Caron Butler) and by adding old heads Lamar Odom and Vince Carter to the roster this season. Don't be surprised if they continue to struggle.
Some other stories that need to be mentioned, incase you missed them, Derrick Rose showed off his heroic skills yet again this year hitting a floater with 4 seconds to beat the Lakers on Christmas Day. Carmelo and the Knicks beat the Paul-Pierce less Celtics in Madison Square Garden. Melo poured in 37 and withstood a 31 point, 13 assist, 5 rebound, 5 steal performance from Rajon Rondo, the dude continues to do it all for the aging Celts. Kevin Durant showed why he has won the scoring title the past two years putting up 30 and 33 respectively in two early wins for the Oklahoma City Thunder. And lastly, the new look Lob City Clippers with the acquisition of star point guard Chris Paul, Mr. Big Shot Chauncy Billups and injury-free Caron Butler had plenty of dunks alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in a 105-86 blowout win on the road against Golden State.There is plenty of season left but early scoring leaders see Lebron and Carmelo atop the list at 37 points in their lone games. The top-picked rookies showed struggles in their transition to the NBA level. #1 overall pick Kyrie Irving was only 2-12 from the field but did dish out 7 assists, teammate (4th overall) Tristian Thompson put up 12 points, 5 rebounds coming off the bench. Arguably the most NBA ready player, Derrick Williams put up 13 points, 6 boards in his debut with the Timberwolves. Teammate Ricky Rubio finally brought his talents over to the United States putting up a 6 point, 6 assists, 5 rebound performance in only 26 minutes of action off the bench. NCAA national champion Kemba Walker finished 7 for 7 from the charity strip for 13 poitns, 7 rebound and 3 assists off the bench in a Bobcat victory. And one of the most hyped rookie sensations Jimmer Freddette hit on three of eight shots for 6 points and provided 3 assists in the Kings win over the Lakers.
The NBA season looks promising and continues to give the people what they want. It's been awhile for me but finally, I am interested in the NBA once again.
