NBA Preview Part 1

NBA SEASON PREVIEW CHAPTER 1: THE CONTENDERS
These predictions are immensely condensed, but the essence of this review will have its typical common sense choices and some surprises. As we prepare for a new season and we set our fantasy squads, let the Rappaport Report finally deliver its 2009-10 season preview. First off, the Contenders.

BEST OF THE EAST

Orlando Magic

The Magic WILL NOT RETURN TO THE FINALS. Don't get me wrong, the Magic are still a deep team, especially with the additions of Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, and Matt Barnes. J-Will? Ehhh nobody cares. But what will stop them returning to the big show is the losses of Turkoglu and Courtney Lee, who were both very good at changing and adapting to the pace of the game. Will Carter defend the way Turkoglu did? Can Shaq shut down the NEW Superman?

EXPECT: EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
HOPE FOR: NBA FINALS


Boston Celtics
The Celtics WILL BE THE TOP CONTENDER IN THE EAST. The only, and I mean ONLY threat is the King himself. Last year, the Celtics were in top form but they had lost their mask of invincibility. This year won't be about invincibility but about revenge. The Eastern conference crown is very much up for grabs and the Celtic Big Three know that with a new talent infusion they have every right to win it all.

EXPECT: EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
HOPE FOR: 2010 NBA CHAMPIONS


Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers WILL BE THE TOP CONTENDER IN THE EAST. Hah! Sounds repetitive, but seriously it's either the Celtics or Cavs this year in the East. Shaq will be helpful, but as much as he wants to win for the king, is he finally ready to take a step back? Will he ever? LeBron keeps getting better and the Cavs are close as they ever will be. Now is the time to strike, with or without Delonte West.

EXPECT: EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
HOPE FOR: 2010 NBA CHAMPIONS

BEST OF THE WEST

Los Angeles Lakers
The comparisons between Ron Artest and Dennis Rodman during his run in Chicago made me see the Lakers in a way I did not anticipate. The trio of Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman formed one of the deadliest threats to grace the court, while Jordan and Pippen formed one of the most dangerous offensive weapons for over a decade. This year the trio of Kobe, Pau, and Artest can create a potent offensive and defensive threat, create mismatches for most teams in the league. Plus, remember Artest with a championship caliber Pacer team? A hungry Artest is ready to play.

EXPECT: NBA FINALS
HOPE FOR: 2010 NBA CHAMPIONS


San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs WILL HAVE A LAST HURRAH. I have been a longtime supporter of Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess, two players who conveniently have finals experience to go along with Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli. The Spurs are as versatile as ever, and behind Duncan, the Spurs should have no problem finding their way to the top of the West. But only time will tell.

EXPECT: PLAYOFFS PAST FIRST ROUND
HOPE FOR: NBA FINALS


Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are WAY TOO GOOD ON PAPER. But will it translate to on-court success? Shawn Marion, Tim Thomas, and whoever else joined the Mavericks this year sounds too good to be true. But as Reggol B. reminded me, the Mavs are reminiscent of earlier Dallas teams of this decade that included Nick Van Excel, Raef LaFrentz, Antawn Jamison, and Antoine Walker all in their career primes. For all that talent, the Mavs managed to fall in the playoffs. Still, if the ,Mavs find the Spurs in the playoffs, expect an amazing series.

EXPECT: PLAYOFFS PAST FIRST ROUND
HOPE FOR: NBA FINALS

COMING VERY SOON! 2009-2010 NBA SEASON PREVIEW

"Get your hand off me and cut your hair, Booker T. We got business to handle!"- Hedo

COMING SOON! 2009-2010 NBA SEASON PREVIEW

This flop of a trio was only a year ago. Who's gonna get fired, traded, and over-tweet this season?

The Return of Yellow

PART 1 OF 2 PART SERIES

Coming Soon... Part 2 written by Reggol B. !!!

As the new season begins, new jerseys have also arrived and will surely lower the team popularity of the Sixers and the Bobcats, while nobody will really notice the Mavs adoption of their alternate as their primary.

Sometimes new jerseys signify new eras of potential success, while others may absorb a generation of failure(Denver!)

There was once a day when the Seattle Supersonics(RIP), The New Orleans Hornets, and the Atlanta Hawks all had yellow alternate jerseys. In all honesty, they weren't particularly nice nor that creative, but the yellow was a refreshing change from the overbearing shades of red and blue present throughout the league.

Those three jerseys have since been discontinued, but not forgotten! Recalling the days of the yellow alternate and their own championship winning heritage of the '90s, the Houston Rockets unveiled their first alternate jersey in team history by re-introducing yellow into their team colorway. No, it is not overly yellow like its predecessors, but its a piece of legacy and sophistication most teams have forgotten.

full video here:



Calvin Rappaport's List of Least Favorite Jerseys

Charlotte- Reggol B. disagrees on this one, but stealing Orlando's Lines and dropping their Orange away jersey just proves they are a team lacking an identity.

Los Angeles Clippers- Love their alternate, I wish they did what the Mavs did.

Milwaukee- Green/Red VS. Green/Purple. Both not great. But in the end....I'd choose purple.

New Jersey- Hard to change after the franchise had its best years in those jerseys, but I really hope RocaWear designs something new for the Brooklyn Nets

Philadelphia- No explanation necessary. They are terrible.

Sacramento- They should have never changed it in 2002. Period.

Toronto- Bring back Purple. Bring back lines. Anything but ripoff red.


Least Favorite Alternates

Detroit/New Jersey- The lack of effort in making these is unbelievable. Red jerseys to complement the 7 other teams that have Red jerseys. "OH, WEDDING IN HAWAII, REAL ORIGINAL!"- Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Sacramento/Washington- Overly shiny jerseys never work. Remember the silver Dallas alternate?

Toronto- See above.

They Tried to Make Me Go to Rehab...

"Stay Classy...and out of rehab!"
- Reggol B.

I Had Nothing to Write About

Frankly I haven't seen anybody wear Iverson's sneakers in four years. So why does he have a new pair of signature sneakers for a season he may not even play? The answer? Sonia Sotomayor!

Close to a Deal!

Somebody wants The Answer!

"Showing skin is for pussies! Tights 4 Life!"

As little faith as I have left in Allen Iverson, I'd really like for him to take this opportunity, wherever that may be, and repair his career. I have a great respect for Allen Iverson and early in my basketball fan life I staunchly cheered him on as he took the Sixers all the way to the finals in 2001. He makes brave drives at 34, his body refuses fatigue, and he has a swagger that remains unbruised despite a career of little team success. He sweats tough.

As little faith as I have left in Allen Iverson, I am sure that which ever team does sign him will be dissappointed. Iverson has lost my respect in so many ways and I have wondered privately whether he would even be considered a Hall of Famer without his 2000-2001 season. Great individual stats with no team success to show. The Sixers didn't falter too bad when he left, and the Niggets thrived without him. The Pistons were a disaster, however A.I. sticks to his guns and demands the right to play his game by demanding many minutes and many shots. Will this contract allow Iverson to transition into a supporting veteran player? Or will we be treated to an encore of solitary play accompanied by a suffering team?