Okay, this is my second post in a row about sports, but it is my first about the NBA. As of 3:00 PM EST today, the trade deadline has come and gone. For the teams who were able to make a move, the trades are having the effect of turning an already interesting and entertaining season into a puzzle that should provide an equally interesting and entertaining denouement.
However, this post makes no attempt to analyze the impact of those trades. I'll leave that to the "authorities". With eight weeks left to the season, I have taken the time to go through the remaining schedule and select what I will call "impact" games, which I will define as a game between teams of such quality which, on its face, would seem to be an exciting game to watch. These games should also have some measure of playoff implication, by providing a look at a team's relative strength when facing a quality opponent.
Of the remaining games in the NBA season there are, by my estimate, forty-eight (48) impact games. My task, performed for your benefit, was to narrow those forty-eight games down to the "ten must-see games" left in the NBA season.
A few qualifying facts are in order. First, the initial forty-eight impact games involve only nine teams: Boston, Detroit, New Orleans, Los Angeles (Lakers), Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and Golden State. I have neither the time for, patience with, or interest in any of the remaining teams in the league. As such, the initial list, as well as the ten must-see games, reflect my subjective biases and prejudices as to what is and what is not good ball. I invite you to peruse the schedule and make your own choices.
And thus, with much fanfare and without further ado, the choices, listed in order of their occurence in time. Home teams are listed in bold, national network telecasts in parentheses. And if you don't have some kind of NBA package with your cable or satellite, what's up with that?
1. February 22 - Houston vs. New Orleans - New Orleans is currently tied for the best record in the Western Conference and many are questioning whether they truly belong among the league's elite. Houston is making their annual late push for the playoffs, having won ten in a row.
2. February 27 - Cleveland vs. Boston - Cleveland, having acquired Ben Wallace and Wally Szczerbiak, must demonstrate that it can compete with Eastern Conference stalwarts Detroit and Boston. This away game against the Celts gives them the opportunity.
3. March 2 - Dallas vs. Los Angeles (ABC) - Another team with plenty to prove is Dallas, who acquired veteran point guard Jason Kidd shortly before the trading deadline. By the time of this game, Kidd and the Mavericks should have had time to fully acclimate themselves to each other, and perhaps Kidd will have solved his shooting and turnover issues, and his tendency to take nights off from time to time.
4. March 5 - Detroit vs. Boston - The rubber and potential tie-breaking game between the titans of the East, with each team having previously won on the other's home court. Both teams have struggled lately, and both are currently in the middle of the tougher parts of their schedules. Additionally, home-court advantage throughout the playoffs is still in play between these two teams.5. March 9 - San Antonio vs. Phoenix (ABC) - A reprise of last year's Western Conference semifinal. Phoenix has acquired the Diesel, while the Spurs have picked up Kurt Thomas. This one should be interesting to watch, especially if the Spurs have started their perennial second half surge.
6. March 14 - Los Angeles vs. New Orleans - Many are touting the Lakers as the team to beat, bar none. I'm skeptical. Going into New Orleans and beating the Hornets in their gym would offer some proof.
6. March 14 - Los Angeles vs. New Orleans - Many are touting the Lakers as the team to beat, bar none. I'm skeptical. Going into New Orleans and beating the Hornets in their gym would offer some proof.
7. March 24 - Los Angeles vs. Golden State - Funny how the Lakers keep popping up, isn't it? This one should be flat-out fun, with Kobe, Baron, Stephen Jackson, and others. Look for the Warriors to issue a mild upset.
8. March 29 - Cleveland vs. Detroit (NBA) - Just when 'Sheed and the Pistons thought Ben Wallace had been rendered meaningless in Chicago, here he comes back to do battle with them for the Cavs. Look for a gritty, tough Central Division battle.
9. April 9 - Phoenix vs. San Antonio (ESPN) - This one will still have staying power.
10. April 13 - San Antonio vs. Los Angeles (ABC) - This game could portend the changing of the guard in the league - out with the old, in with the new. Are the Lakers really ready for a championship run? Stay tuned.
There you have it. Ten must-see games. And the beauty of it is that there are many other games which just as easily could fit in this category. I invite you to take a look and make your own choices. But most importantly, watch the games.
10. April 13 - San Antonio vs. Los Angeles (ABC) - This game could portend the changing of the guard in the league - out with the old, in with the new. Are the Lakers really ready for a championship run? Stay tuned.
There you have it. Ten must-see games. And the beauty of it is that there are many other games which just as easily could fit in this category. I invite you to take a look and make your own choices. But most importantly, watch the games.
The NBA, it's fan-tastic.
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