NBA Tips Off Tuesday Night

The NBA opens the 2009-10 season with 4 games Tuesday night. The marquee games feature the new look Cleveland Cavaliers welcoming the Boston Celtics to town, while the Lakers will host the Clippers at Staples Center. This will be the first regular season game for the Cavs new duo of Lebron James and Shaquille O'neal. Cleveland fans are hoping Shaq can finally provide King James with the support to help lead them to a long awaited championship. Time will tell, but I am a bit skeptical of the move. James' success comes largely from his ability to get to the rim, and he will now have to contend with Shaq taking up space in the lane. Unless Shaq shows a new found quickness, I just do not see how it is going to work out. Meanwhile, the Celtics have added veteran forward Rasheed Wallace to the mix. Wallace should provide them with another deep threat to help stretch opposing defenses, and give them insurance behind Kevin Garnett. Their season will depend greatly on Garnett's ability to stay healthy. In Los Angeles, the big question is Ron Artest. You can really only describe him as a question. If Artest stays focused and behaves, the Lakers could be even better than last year. He is one of the best defenders in the game and has a better than average offensive game as well, but will he stay focused? You would have to think Phil and Kobe have as good a chance as anyone to keep him on track. Look for the other Staples Center tenant, the Clippers, to return to the playoffs behind a rededicated Baron Davis and number 1 pick Blake Griffin.
Overall, the West looks to be a two team race between the Spurs and Lakers. Ron Artest should give the Lakers the ability to rest Kobe Bryant more and keep him fresh for the playoffs. At the same time, the Spurs have arguably the deepest team in the league and should be able to keep their veterans fresher and healthier than past years. The East looks to be a three team race with Cleveland, Boston and Orlando battling it out all season. Ultimately, I think the Celtics' acquisition of Rasheed Wallace trumps the Shaq to Cleveland and Vince Carter to Orland moves. I'll take a rematch of the 2008 Finals with the Lakers taking on the Celtics. This time, the Lakers come out on top.