Early Returns From The NBA 2010-2011

The NBA has returned to action in the past two weeks and it seems that the balance of power has finally shifted back to the Eastern Conference after being mostly dominated by the West for the better part of the last decade. That of course begins with the Miami Heat triumvirate of Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh who have played some exciting basketball but have started the season 5-3. However what the Heat have been most successful in accomplishing this year has been to help create a renewed sense of animosity between teams that simply don't like each other. This was abundantly clear in the opening game of the season where the Heat were out-muscled by the defending Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics. Besides Miami and Boston we have seen basketball revitalized in Chicago and even the beginnings of the same in New York where the Knicks are playing some decent basketball with Amare Stoudemire and a myriad of young talent (just wait until they add Carmelo Anthony, which they must do to save Knick basketball).

I feel we are seeing the birth of a whole new set of rivalries that we haven't seen since the 80s when teams like the Celtics and Pistons seemingly engaged in blood-baths every time they took the court together.

Out in the West it appears the LA Lakers are going to run away with the conference after starting the season 8-0 (although the New Orleans Hornets may be the team to give them a run for their money with a 7-0 start of their own.) The only other teams that I can really see challenging the Lakers are the Portland Trail Blazers who had surprising success last season despite some major injuries as well as the super-young Oklahoma City Thunder lead by Kevin Durant. Durant proved that he was one of the best in the game last season and only confirmed that belief this summer as he lead Team USA basketball to its first World Championship in 16 years.

Lastly I wanted to comment on the rookie class which once again is promising fans greatness. Specifically I'm talking about what I have seen from 2009 Number 1 overall pick by the LA Clippers Blake Griffin (who missed all of last year with a knee injury so he is still a rookie) and 2010 top pick John Wall of the Washington Wizards. Both of these stars are flashing their supreme talent night-in and night-out and are going to be the face of their respective franchises for years to come.