2012-13 NBA Season A Marathon Not A Sprint

Photo: Detroit News

Let's pump the brakes a little. How many games have been played? That’s it? What is all the fuss about? The Lakers have a few new large additions into the starting lineup, and the fact that they haven't jelled off the bat shakes the west coast like an earthquake? 

I don't think the Laker's fans are to blame, I think rather the title hungry East coast is chirping a little too much at the Lakers and their slow start. If I recall, when Miami got a face lift done to their starting lineup it took sometime (and by sometime I mean losing a title to a team from the West with significantly lower numbers on their payroll). 

Coming from a Rockets fan, I cannot stand the Lakers but we can all agree that Kobe is Kobe and the guy doesn't know what it is like putting together a mediocre season. Now, remember how much of grind last season was with the compacted schedule due to the delayed start of the season and ease off of the gas pedal because this season will seem like it is an eternity in comparison. It is a marathon this year not a sprint.

I am already looking forward to Lakers/Heat final. I'd actually take Lakers in game six of that series, with the Rockets losing in game seven of the Western Conference final of course. 

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://www.collectiblesofthegame.com

Preview of the 2010 NBA All-Star Game

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game is Sunday, February 14 and will be played in Jerry Jones' house, Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Over 80,000 people are expected to attend and the game will be broadcasted on the TNT cable network. I guess none of the major networks see the game as a ratings getter. It used to be a big game back in the 1980's when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were battling it out on the floor. Then everyone wanted to watch Michael Jordan soar above the rim and put on a show. Now, the game has lost its luster with the mainstream media and fans.

The lineups for both the West and East Team are set and there are several well known players participating in this year's game.

Selected to start for the Eastern Conference; Celtics' Kevin Garnett, the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard, the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and the Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson. All great choices, well except for Iverson, he is a little past his prime and not really all-star caliber anymore. The reserves for the Eastern Conference include Atlanta Hawks' Al Horford, the Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo, the Charlotte Bobcats' Gerald Wallace,the Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose, the Hawks' Joe Johnson, the Celtics' Paul Pierce and the Toronto Raptors' Chris Bosh.

Selected to start for the Western Conference: Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire, and the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan. Definitely a formidable team. I think the west will have the advantage. The reserves for the Western Conference include the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol, the New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul, the Portland Trail Blazers' Brandon Roy, the Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph, the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant and the Utah Jazz's Deron Williams.

Whether you are a basketball fan or not, this year's game looks to showcase the talent's of some brightest and youngest stars in the NBA. It should be a high scoring affair, defensive during the all-star game is usually referred to as matador zone. My prediction is the game will be entertaining to those who attend and watch on TV and the score will be 136-124 Western Conference winning.

 For the fans who want to wear what the players wear check out the assortment of All-Star Jerseys available at Collectibles of the Game.



Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://collectiblesofthegame.com