The Knicks don't open until tomorrow night, but tonight is the real season opener. How much are you looking forward to the TNT doubleheaders -- Cavs-Celtics at 8 followed by Blazers-Lakers at 10:30?
The Berger boys will be getting hitting the rack early tonight. Well, the oldest loves LeBron and Kobe, but he'll get to see about as much of them as he does the World Series. Think about it, with all these late games, in about 20 years half the population will have grown up never having witnessed a sporting event. Sounds like a topic for Neil Best.
I'm looking forward to getting a glimpse of whether the Cavs with Mo Williams are enough of an improvement to allow LeBron to knock the Celtics off their Eastern Conference perch. I'm even more eager to see the late game -- Greg Oden vs. Kobe-Bynum-Gasol & Co. It will be nice to see some ball.
So for your opening night enjoyment, here's my list of must-see games between now and the All-Star break. (I've included only national televised games, in case your name is not Jimmy Goldstein.)
* Nov. 6: Houston at Portland. A chance to see if the Rockets and Blazers are as good as I think they're going to be.
* Nov. 14: Pistons-Lakers. Is Detroit really too old?
* Nov. 26: Magic-76ers: First national look at the new-look Sixers.
* Dec. 5: Blazers-Celtics: Oden & Co. can make a big statement against the Big Three.
* Dec. 12: Hornets-Celtics: Finals preview?
* Dec. 15: Knicks-Suns: OK, not a national game, but D'Antoni's first trip back to Phoenix should be fun to watch locally.
* Dec. 25: Celtics-Lakers. Finals rematch on Christmas Day.
* Jan. 9: Celtics-Cavs: When LeBron and KG are on the same floor, I watch.
* Jan. 14: Lakers-Spurs: Even if Pop doesn't grow his beard back, this is a chance for the Spurs to show they're not too long in the tooth.
* Jan. 16: Hornets-Cavs. The best PG on Earth (this side of Deron Williams) vs. the best player on Earth (this side of Kobe).
* Jan. 19: Cavs-Lakers. The season hasn't started until a) the calendar says 2009 and b) Kobe faces LeBron.
* Jan. 25: Rockets-Pistons. Ron Artest goes back to the Palace. The story line would be getting old, but for Artest's new team.
* Feb. 2: Lakers-Knicks. Again, not nationally televised. But whenever Kobe comes to the mecca, it should be.
* Feb. 5: Lakers-Celtics. Another chance for Kobe to show why things will be different this time.
Enjoy the hoops.
Comments (5)
The Rockets? Oh man Ken done lost his mind. McGrady has never even made it out of the first round of the playoffs. Ming is coming off another injury and Artest is one fan haymaker away from going to prison for life. I haven't even gotten to Alston, Francis, or Dorsey yet. I'll make this bet with you, if the Rockets don't win, I get to pick the name of your blog.
The Rockets, lol. Next your going to tell me McCain wins Illinois.
What about LeBron coming into town? Kobe is old news man! (half-kidding).
Last year was magical! A half-court buzzer beater, and then he TOLD SPIKE HE'D GET 50! That was so awesome!
www.breakindownthegame.com
I DON'T CARE AT ALL. I ONLY LIKE TO WATCH THE KNICKS. IF THEY SUCK THEN I WON'T ATCH THE NBA.
ANd I won't Watch the NBA either
oh, yeah, D. Miz. Forgot about him. ... and thanks for checkin' in, T! great stuff!