Preparing for the lockout-shortened NBA wars
Tomorrow, December 9, will signal the start of the 2011-12 season of the National Basketball Association beginning with the free agency deals as well as the start of training camp. A revised two-game preseason schedule has been likewise planned with a four-game sked on the 16th and will run until the 22nd, all US time.
The preseason schedule on December 16 will have Philadelphia at Washington, Cleveland visiting Detroit, New Orleans taking on Memphis at the Grizzlies’ home arena and Chicago taking on Indiana on the latter’s home turf. The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, host their neighbor LA Clippers on the 19th at the Staples Center while defending champion Dallas takes on Oklahoma City at their homecourt a day earlier.
But the D-Day will be on the 25th with five Christmas Day matches, two more than the usual, with the Lakers playing the Chicago Bulls at home in one of the five featured games. As of this writing, fans are already anticipating a huge and explosive season despite the fact that teams will play only 66 outings each, down from the usual 82-game schedule due to the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) impasse.
Miami will also play on opening day at Dallas while Australian-American Kyrie Irving, who was drafted No. 1 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, will lead all rookies in their maiden season in the NBA with Spain’s Ricky Rubio finally suiting up for Minnesota in the 66th offering of the NBA.
Some coaching changes will have Mike Brown in lieu of Phil Jackson for the Lakers, Kevin McHale vice Rick Adelman for Houston, Golden State’s Mark Jackson replacing former Philippine Basketball Association import Keith Smart as Warriors mentor, Dwane Casey taking over the coaching reigns for Toronto over Jay Triano, Detroit’s Lawrence Frank now calling the shots for the Pistons replacing John Kuester and Adelman taking over the Timberwolves vice Kurt Rambis.
Yet the biggest news probably after the lockout will be the free agent market dealings starting this Friday with such NBA big names as Chris Paul of the Hornets, Dwight Howard of Orlando and Vince Carter of Phoenix as well as Caron Butler of the Mavericks high on the trading/free agency list.
For one, the Tinseltown squad is reportedly keen on signing Paul and Howard in exchange for any Lakers player except Kobe Bryant. Likewise, the other LA in the Clippers are also willing to give away their players like Chris Kaman just to acquire Paul and/or Howard with the exception of Rookie of the Year winner Blake Griffin of course!
A scenario will have Pau Gasol being shipped to New Orleans for Paul while center Andrew Bynum and veteran Lamar Odom might be traded to the Magic for Howard and Hedo Turkoglu for that matter in order to boost the Lakers’ chances this season after getting waylaid by the Mavericks in their Western Conference finals duel during the 2010-11 campaign.
On the other hand, the Clippers are also eyeing the Mavericks’ Butler so do New Jersey, Detroit and Chicago while their own slotman in the veteran Kaman is reportedly being groomed by the San Antonio Spurs. As a die-hard basketball fan, your Sideline Spectator is keenly awaiting developments in the free agent market as well as other player swaps on or before Christmas Day.
By the way, let me congratulate the entire Negros Daily Bulletin family for last night’s 5th NDB Outstanding Awards and Christmas Party held at L’Sea Restaurant along Lacson Street here in Bacolod City with Negros Press Club prexy John Elmer Ubaldo delivering his inspirational address.
Kudos to the six Negrenses honored during the awarding rites namely Bro. Rolly Dizon, Mr Monet Kilayko, Engr Eddie Granada and former Congressman Monico Puentevella as well as outstanding profesionals Auke Idzenga and Hazel Stuart.
Hats off also to Mr Pert and Mr Arman Toga as well as Miss Ana Marie Garucho and the whole NDB family including my good friend Ritzy Robles Malo-oy for the wonderful evening!
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