Warriors, Celtics Early Comparisons

The Celtics too? Yes. I consider the Celtics to be one of the best teams out there. Even though they lost a key sharpshooter in Ray Allen, they've gained another in Jason Terry, plus they have young sensation Avery Bradley coming off an injury. The Celtics and the Warriors may be equally matched in the talent department, but I may be getting ahead of myself.

PG: Rajon Rondo, Stephen Curry: This is a tough comparison for Curry. A guy who averaged double digits and over 10 assists? That's tough to compete with. Rondo is a young stud, who has a high basketball IQ. Who knows what he can get done this year. If injury wasn't a factor here, maybe the winner of this matchup would be different. Winner: Celtics

SG: Avery Bradley, Klay Thompson: Because of Bradley's sensational performances last year, I hold him in high regard. He can shoot, score, and play defense well. There is, however, a reason that Klay Thompson was selected for the All Rookie first team, and that is because of skill. He's already one of the better sharpshooters in the NBA, and now he wants everyone to know that. Again, injury is a factor. Winner: Warriors

SF: Paul Pierce, Harrison Barnes: Youth vs. Veteranship? Paul Pierce has talent and veteranship, while Barnes has talent. There's no question here. The all-star always wins. Pierce and Barnes will be an interesting matchup, but Pierce will teach the young guy how it's done. Winner: Celtics

PF: Kevin Garnett, David Lee: The Celtics had an interesting lineup last year, with Bradley as their starting two-guard, and Allen coming off the bench. It left Garnett and Bass as the two big men. Garnett, however was the true PF. In this matchup, Garnett plays dirty, and tough, and Lee plays smartly and efficient. They have two very different playing styles. But the output of Garnett is a little better than Lee's. Winner: Celtics

C: Brandon Bass, Andrew Bogut: Although Bass is a great shooter and delivers in clutch moments, he's too small to guard Bogut efficiently. In this case, injury isn't a factor, and the Warriors have won possibly the most important position. Winner: Warriors

Bench Productivity: The Celtics have Terry, and Green coming off the bench, which is great for them. The Warriors, however, have Rush, Jefferson, Jack, Ezeli, and Green coming off the bench. Eventually, the Celtics are going to get tired. Winner: Warriors

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Shaq Era Opens with Disappointment

Shaquille O'Neal had waited since June for this day, a moment in this man's storied NBA career where he could begin helping LeBron James and his hometown fulfill a dream. For their dream is also Shaq's dream; he wants what they have long wanted: a championship.

No team wins an NBA championship in late October, not even if it does have Shaq and LeBron in its lineup. To dream overly much about one now might prove a distraction with a full season and a long, arduous postseason left to play.

But after seeing Shaq, LeBron and the Cavs play Tuesday night, people will need to mute their talk of an NBA championship. They ought not discuss the topic just yet, because not much the Cavs did against the Boston Celtics, another team with title aspirations, suggested such talk was anything but wishful thinking.

(Continue to Justice is Served)

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High Expectations for '09-'10 Season

NBA Commissioner David Stern’s no fool. He knows full well what’s in store for the 2009-2010 NBA season.

Over the last few weeks, Stern apparently must've worked behind the scenes and on Friday the NBA and regular refs finally ironed out a new two-year deal just in time for Tuesday night’s opening tipoff.

Apparently there was no way Stern was going to screw up the drama and action for the league or its fans this season.

Expectations are the highest in recent memory, so evidently Stern knew he needed his full-time guys on board to shore up things for this highly-anticipated 2009-2010 NBA season.

(Continue to All Net)

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