NBA 2012-13 preview
The NBA season tipped off on Wednesday with Miami Heat, led by the reigning MVP Lebron James, beating the ageing Boston Celtics.
In the other games on the opening day, the LA Lakers, with their off season acquisitions Dwight “Superman” Howard and Steve Nash, lost, unexpectedly to a Dallas team who were without their star man, Dirk Nowitzki. In the final game, a battle between two league minnows, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers, sophomore and current rookie MVP, Kyrie Irving again set the court alight leading the scoring with a game high 29 points.
The Wizards first round draft signing, Bradley Beal however will sure assure the Wizards fans that the franchise is going forward. With the season already in action and the merry-go-round of the summer free agents and trades, the question has again been raised: which team will win this seasons championship?
It seemed last year the LA Lakers, after years of dominating the league were finally struggling. However, after the summer of block buster moves in Hollywood, the Lakers signed Dwight Howard, who is widely considered, alongside Lebron James and others one of the best in the league. Last year he kept the Orlando Magic together and admirably helped them reach the play offs, this year it will be about winning an NBA championship. Alongside the Lakers other summer signing Steve Nash; it seems the Lakers have learned from their city neighbours the rewards of combining a quality big man with a skilled point guard.
The western conference like last season belongs to three teams: the Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs, despite their age, keep surprising fans and analysts, masterminding the league schedule and showing their experience in the play offs. However, this must be their last season with their core players in Duncan, Parker and Ginobli. OKC however is another story. After the surprising block buster trade with the Houston Rockets, who are now entering a rebuilding period, OKC are now equipped with a proven scorer in Kevin Martin, a highly regarded swingman in Jeremy Lamb and their two cornerstones; Kevin Durant, last season’s scoring champion and Russell Westbrook. Although they will miss Harden’s presence at the point they have cleverly restocked and finished with a winning formula. Expect the Thunder to give the Lakers another good run for their money.
Author: Joshua Jala