The NBA season has always started with little fanfare, at least in recent history. And that's to be expected when you start in October, just as college and pro football's playoff races are heating up. Most of us are still catching our breath from the Super Bowl, so casual NBA fans get a pass for not knowing who leads what division right now.
But the All Star Game signifies the handing of the baton, a symbolic reminder that fall and football are over...and spring and hoop time is upon us. This is when the die hard fan starts to check the standings on their lunch breaks, and the casual fan starts to lean toward one team or another.
If you plan on watching the All Star Game tonight, but have no clue what's been going on, have no fear. You'll be all caught up in less than five minutes.
NBA Finals Rematch? A rematch between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs will not happen. Quickly digressing.
New Big 3? No, not LeBron, Kyrie, and Kevin. The last five NBA champions had a 70% winning percentage at the All Star break. Three teams fit that criteria today, Atlanta, Golden State, and Memphis. They would never admit this out loud, but league headquarters would be perfectly ok with that streak ending this year...in favor of a LeBron James vs pick a superstar from the west showdown in the Finals.
Quiet King: And speaking of the King, not much to speak on here. The vitriol that used to be thrown his way has now dissipated, and as a result, James has become less polarizing. The Cavs have been nothing special to this point, but are trending in the right direction.
MVP Race: Ok then, who has been polarizing to this point? If I had to vote today, Golden State's Stephen Curry would receive it. He's been the most valuable player on one of the best teams in the league. Houston's James Harden is also in the mix. He seems to have his sights set on this year's scoring title. But my dark horse is Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook....he's playing some insane basketball right now. Fun to watch. If the Thunder climb their way into the playoffs, he will be the reason. And that gives him a chance.
Rivalry renewed? And speaking of the Thunder....what is it with them and the Memphis Grizzlies? We've talked in the past on how their rivalry actually shaped who they are as franchises today, and of how they always seem to find each other in the playoffs.
This year has an eeriness to it as well.
Last season the Grizzlies struggled out of the gate. Injuries, particularly to center Marc Gasol, left the Grizzlies in the bottom of the Western Conference last December. When they got healthy, they went on a roll and snuck into the playoffs as a dangerous #7 seed. Their opponent, the OKC Thunder, sat comfortably at #2 after an impressive regular season. They met in the first round and had another epic 7 game series.
This year it's the Thunder who sat near the bottom of the west in December. Injuries, particularly to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, were the main cause. Now everyone is back healthy, and the Thunder are starting to roll. They still have a ways to go, but don't be surprised if they grab a low seed late in the regular season...a la Memphis last year. By the way, the Grizzlies are sitting comfortably in the #2 slot right now...a la OKC last year.
Yep, they'll find a way to meet again in this year's playoffs.
Market Share: The NBA's two biggest markets (New York, Los Angeles), boasts two of the worst teams in the entire league. With the NBA taking center stage for the foreseeable Sundays, I should warn you casual fans...you will be forced to watch a lot of bad basketball. For some reason, the NBA refuses to flex games (replace one game with another) in order to give the fans a better brand of basketball. Instead, your after church meal will consist of a Carmelo Anthony-less Knicks or Kobe-less Lakers team on your tube.
Getcha popcorn ready.
Wild Wild West: Weekday games are a totally different story, and any night of the week you can find an important game between one of the top teams in the west. Several teams in the west have a legitimate shot at 50 wins, and the second half of the season will be a sprint to the finish. Regardless of who finishes where, the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs figures to be must see TV.
You're pretty much all caught up, with about a minute to spare. Enjoy the All Star Game.
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