Lakers Survive, Big 3 Fall to Boston

2010-2011 Season kicked in Bean town with much hyped Miami Thrice paying a visit to the East Champs. With a playoff atmosphere the latest version of the big 3 failed to live to expectations and would score a whoe 9 points in the first quarter. This is with 3 of of the best players in the league, and 2 in the top five! The two superstars of King Crab & Don't Call Me Flash had as many combined turnovers as the Heat had points. The Leprechauns would lead by as many as 19 before going back to their old last season habits and allow the Heat to come as close as 3. Boston did an excellent job in forcing the super friends to rely on jump shots and not attack the rim where their strength lies. With Mike Miller out, the Heat lacked that sharpshooter that could space the floor, while Eddie House can catch fire and drill it from downtown, he's undersized, and can't do much of anything else. The Heat shot only 36.5% with no one shooting at least 50% and only 2 players in double figures, King Crab and Wade. The third member of the trio shot 3/11 for 8 points and grabbed 8 boards, his bench counterpart produced the same points, 8 but pulled down 11 boards, and had no turnovers, oh yeah, he played 7 less minutes. The thrice scored 52 points with Crabby scoring 31 of them, the rest of team combined for 28. They had 21 turnovers as a team 14 from Wade/James. The 2 weakness were shown, point guard Arroyo played only 13 minutes, and contributed only 3 points, nothing else, no assists, Chalmers was not available to play, King Crab was stuck with ball handling duties. Not the way the bandwagoners and fans expected to start, but it's just game 1 of 82, I'm sure they'll come around, I wouldn't mind seeing them miss the playoffs though.

The Leprechauns fired on all cylinders in the first half, got bored in the 3rd, and had to come out and play in the final quarter. Quarterback Rondo out assisted the Heat all by himself with 17 dimes helping the Celtics to have 4 players in double figures, and 2 more just missing it by a bucket. They shot 46% overall nad 50 % from treys, with Allen hitting 5 of them, and the Lie adding 3 more. The Big Shamrock chipped in 9 pts and 8 rbs in just 18 minutes of play. The one stain the team had was the 18 turnovers

Lakers vs. Rockets

The re-crowned champs welcomed the Great Wall back as they begin their second consecutive title defense. After a new take on ring night that had the players introduce the next teammate including Phil Jackson giving nods to those four who were not present, the Lakers were able to survive scorching shooting by the Rockets backcourt who combined for 50 points, including 7 combined treys. The Rockets beat the Lakers in just about every statistical category except 3s & steals, but unfortunately turnovers, 20. Yao returned and looked decent with 9 pts, 11 rbs, but visibly disrupted the Laker offense with his size. Aaron brooks dished 9 dimes to go with his 24 pts, and running mate chiped in 26 on 8/17 shooting. Luis Scola was outstanding with 18 pts, 16 boards and almost stole the game for his team. The bench had 30 pts led by Budingers 13. Chuck Hayes was the low point of the team, 15 mins, 1 ast, 1 blk, 3 fouls.

The Champs had to work their way up and got some great contributions by their reserve bench, who looked great in the second half. Vet big man, Ratliff did his usual 2 boards, 2 blks, Matt Barnes with only 6 pts, showed his hustle in tying offensive rebs with 4 in just 16 mins, the other new face PG Steve Blake had the highest +/- with 13 finished with 10 pts, 3 asts, 3/4 from downtown including the game winner, the run was capped by Shannon Brown who caught fire and finished with 16 pts and 4 steals. After game 1, the bench looks superb. The starters shot poor with the exception of Odom but contributed in different ways Ron Ron chipped in 4 steals and 7 boards, Gasol and Odom had double doubles, and Mamba came alive to finish with 27 points and 7 assists.

Player of the Game: Kobe Bryant while shooting poorly, dished out 7 assists, came through when needed, but most importantly trusted his new 'mates.

X-Factor: New Face Steve Blake, got rid of pre-season slump and showed his not afraid to take the big shot

Should Have Been Benched: The Quiet Leader Derek Fisher was constantly beat by Brooks speed, and finished with 1/7 shooting, it's only October, he'll be fine come June.

Laker Hater: All Rockets players who played well, didn't do anything they can't do on a nightly basis, so no haters today.

Overtime: I wonder how Adam Morrison will get his ring since he is currently unemployed.

Opening Day 2010-2011

The NBA starts their 65th season with much anticipation from the much hyped Miami Thrice, the return of the Great Wall in Houston, the rise of OKC, the banged up but inspired Leprechauns, the improving Least, the still crowded West, and the quest for a three peat Champions LA Lakers, it has the making of one of the most anticipated season openers ever.

The NBA fan that I am will be here to follow and review the Lakers quest for a third three-peat in team history, just like last season pointing out, Player of the Game, X-Factor, Laker Hater, and random facts in Overtime.

I'll catch as many games as I can from the biggest challengers but will probably skip those games where even scalpers take the day off.

One thing I'll follow besides the champs quest will be, The Miami Heat Record Watch. Where I'll keep up with the many records the Heat will break according to "expert" Jeff Van Gundy. I'll also keep tabs on their quest for 70 wins as well as the 33 game win streak by the 1972 Lakers.

It will be fun, and I can't wait for the excuses to flow in.

Three games kick off the season, the non prime time will be the Phoenix Suns who begin life without Amare when they visit Portland. The other two games will get more attention as the Miami Thrice and company visit the reigning East Champs in what should be a high energy game, which Boston should win. After that, the Lakers will be presented their rings before they welcome back the Great Wall and hope Kobe shoots better than in pre-season and kick off the second title defense in a positive way.

It's good to be an NBA fan, they're will be plenty of drama to compliment the load of talent in the league. The East has three legit contenders and 3 more pretenders than will not go unnoticed. The West still will have 2 winning teams that will miss out on the playoffs and continues to be wide open after the Lakers.

Here's to a memorable season, a 17th Championship, and to the injury bug to take a load off and not ruin this season. Go Lakers!!