Since We Last Spoke

"From the ashes I rise like a phoenix."

I once started a blog post (or a live journal post, but how could it be that I am much to cool for Live Journal!!!) and one friend called me up at 4am to ask if my apartment had burned down and if I was okay. No I assured him, that was not the case at all, I was just returning from a prolonged absence, born anew and ready to write. So please, everyone reading this, fret not, my apartment is fine, even with two Canadians holed up next to me. But I am back to writing.

As I've been gone for more than a week there are quite a few things that I wish to cover, so please forgive the fragmented nature of the following post. It just seems like the most efficient way of saying what I want to say.

Last Wednesday, November 12th, was the first great day of this infant NBA season. We were treated to not one, but two quality games. First there was the Boston-Atlanta game that wasn't over until the final second when Pierce had to hit one of his now commonplace clutch shots.
And finally there was the Lakers-Hornets game which may not have seemed like it was great, but what looked like it would be a sure Los Angeles blowout turned into a tense game 7 point game that was closer than that.

I will now delve into what was important about these two games.

1. Atlanta showed that they're for real. No I doubt they'll finish in the top half of the conference, but I fully expect this team to make it to the playoffs. There's something refreshing about this, that even Childress' departure can't temper (I have a long history with Childress, maybe I'll go over it one day). I was sure that last year's showing against Boston was a fluke, but this team is going as far as a Hawks team can. They're not a title threat, but they can now make the playoffs AND! just might steal a series from someone.

2. Even I have to admit that Paul Pierce has now reached the rank of terrifying. He is a perfect example of what confidence does for a person. When he got the ball at the end of the game, there was no doubt in his mind (or any other Celtic) that the game was theres. That's just who Pierce is now. I really do miss the old likable and incredibly flawed Inglewood native who wasn't prone to over theatrics and all around assholeness, but this one is probably a better player. But as Joel and I have talked about before, those old drives to the basket were exhilarating.

3. Like everyone under the sun I fully expect the Lakers to be at the top of the west all season. But I've decided that the Hornets will be right there with them. New Orleans probably won't be a good as last year (people know what to expect from them this year), but they're a fantastic team, a player or some luck short of a championship. As I mentioned earlier, I was dissapointed when I finally checked in on the Lakers/Hornets game because Los Angeles seemed to be fully in control of things. But during the fourth quarter the game got flipped on its head. Next thing I knew the game was in the final minutes and New Orleans was within a basket. And this is the thing, the Lakers didn't let Chris Paul & Co. back into the game, the Hornets forced their way back. It was just good to see the team show such fight and I think this means it might yet develop into an awesome rivalry. I'm keeping my fingers crossed at least.

Some other notes not related to last Wednesday:

Portland is good. I know they got off to a rough start and with the exception of last night Oden has looked meh at best, but this team is fun to watch. Joel probably wouldn't agree, he's full of anti '07 draft backlash, but there's something very idealistic about them. They're a ways from actually being great, but they'll be there some day. Probably a little longer than the rest of the blogosphere thinks though.

Houston is a wreck. I wrote about my dissatisfaction with them last week (something that is partially my fault) but now the injury bug has got a hold of the team. Yao (foot!), Tracy (something!), and Ron Ron (a case of the crazies!) are all banged up and Artest is the only one the team will probably let play through the team. There is a lot of the season left but I feel the Rockets will never live up to their potential. What happens to Artest if they don't though. He's an unrestricted free agent. Unless he punches David Stern during their All Star Weekend dance off I think someone will pay him. I would.

Finally, because Joel demanded it I will mention Pao Gasol's monstrous game from last night. It was just that--monstrous. The fact that he is the Lakers' No. 2 is why they are dominant and will remain so for the time being. The thing is that's about all I have to say. I love Pao. I think he is at times: masterful, graceful, goofy, and kinda cool. But he is not Lamar, the player with whom my heart lies with on the Lakers. I can appreciate him, but I've yet to really embrace him. I'm so glad he's a Laker, but I still need time to adjust to him. Last season he was a novelty, but now the new car smell is gone and he's a just a nice import sedan. Let me spend a few more month rooting for him though. Then the luxury will sink in.