On The Ball

Keepin' It Real

It's been nearly one month since the 2005-06 NBA season tipped off - and there have already been several eye-opening surprises so far.

However, as the old maxim goes, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." Here are some of my random thoughts on the league as we quickly approach good 'ol Turkey Day.

The beast of the east:

I hate to anoint any team as being the champ before the season is even halfway over, but that's exactly what I did before the season started by saying the Spurs would unequivocally win back-to-back titles this year.

As an NFL referee would say, "After further review" I have taken a different stance on the 05-06 season. Not only are the Spurs going to the finals this year, but I am guaranteeing that they will meet .... drum roll please ..... the Detroit Pistons.

I knew the Pistons would have an "us against the world" mentality this season, but I must say, this team has been even better than they have been the past two seasons under Hall of Fame head coach Larry Brown.

Like most basketball experts, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect form the new age "Bad Boys" under new head coach, Flip Saunders, but it is clearly evident that this veteran team can coach itself.

No offense to Saunders, who has done a credible job of allowing his team to do what it does best, but the Pistons are a veteran team that has been together for a couple of seasons now and obviously knows their respective roles like the back of their hands.

I'll be shocked if the Pistons and Spurs don't stage an epic rematch of last year's finals. The baby beast in the east:

All I can say is the Cleveland Cavaliers should be thanking their lucky stars for Danny Ferry. Sure the one time poster boy of college basketball never lived up to the huge expectations he faced as a pro, but he has built a monster in Cleveland in just one offseason. The Cavs now have several competent players to compliment LeBron James in his quest for a playoff berth.

Not only will this team make the playoffs, but they could actually contend for a spot in the eastern conference finals. At any rate, it's going to be fun watching LeBron, Larry Hughes and company make the ESPN "Sportscenter" highlight reel night after night.

Huh?

Are the Sixers the team that looked absolutely atrocious to start the season or the team that won six consecutive games after those three consecutive opening season losses?

Talk about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In reality, I think the Sixers are just good enough to beat mediocre or average teams, but not good enough to contend with the powerhouse teams in the league. So, with Philly, what you see is what you get - literally.

Don't sleep:

Although many basketball insiders like the Indiana Pacers, they have been flying pretty much under the radar so far. However, I wouldn't rule anything out for a team with one of the best coaches in all of basketball (Rick Carlisle) and two superstars (Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest) who can go bonkers at any time. Once this team gets some more games together under its belt, the sky's the limit for this squad.

Going Gaga in LaLa land:

Hmmmm. The Clippers my be the most interesting story so far. Not only does it appear that Elton Brand has taken his game to another level, but the veteran contributions of Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley seem to have given the Clips a new sense of direction. However, after witnessing the vanishing act Cassell pulled on his Minnesota Timberwolves teammates last season, you never know what's going to happen. Check back with me in another month or two.

The best in the west:

I've already said enough about the Spurs. They are clearly head and shoulders above every other team in the conference. Call me in April when their gams start to really matter.

Jailblazers II

I promised myself I would give the Trailblazers a break from the name calling, but they make it so easy. Until head coach Nate McMillian rids his roster of the few underachieving malcontents that are still left in Portland, he'll continue to need to keep a bottle of Mylanta under his pillow.

Not so Gaga in Lala:

The Lakers look exactly like I thought they would this season. Lamar Odom still doesn't know how to use his vast talent correctly and Kwame Brown is still just as clueless. if it weren't for Smush Parker, Kobe Bryant would be crying himself silly right now.

Of course I've got more keen NBA observations but those will have to wait until next week. Until then, all of my readers are encouraged to send the comments or feedback to eklass66@yahoo.com.

Previous Editions

• Week One Of The NBA Season - November 11, 2005
• Sheryl Is Still A Pearl - November 1, 2005
• Southwest Division Preview - October 31, 2005
• Pacific Division Preview - October 26, 2005
• Central Division Preview - October 12, 2005
• Northwest Division Preview - October 11, 2005
• Southeast Division Preview - October 10, 2005
• Atlantic Division Preview - September 12, 2005
• The Rich Get Richer - September 12, 2005
• Heat May Be Colder Next Season - August 9, 2005
• The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Larry Brown - July 31, 2005

About Eric Williams

Eric Williams is an award winning sports columnist and six year veteran writer for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Eric was born and raised in Philadelphia and has covered all four major professional sports in the Philadelphia area. He has also covered golf, track and field, soccer, tennis and bicycling.

Lifetime Boston Celtics fan. Basketball and football are his favorite sports. Eric is married with five children and currently resides in Marshall, Missouri.

Comments and feedback can be sent to eklass66@yahoo.com