Season Preview: 2010-2011 NBA Season

 

Mr. James has been studying all summer to prepare for the new NBA season, but has anything really changed?

 

In preparation for the start of the NBA season tonight, why not read some of our season previews from last year?

Nothing much has changed, right? Right?

Even if there have been things that have changed over the summer, most of the information is still good– I’m not changing anything in my Clippers or Lakers preview (or for the Lakers, maybe I’ll just add this on). 

E Pluribus Unum

Is LeBron James the man? It seems a silly question that has no actual consequences. No, he is not the man in the same way Michael Jordan was. He is not Michael Jordan. He was never Michael Jordan. He will never be Michael Jordan. So what? How many people are (besides Kobe)?

Heat of the Moment

I don’t even know what to say. I don’t feel like blasting LeBron for being a quitter or being afraid of the challenge. I don’t feel like I need to convince myself that the Heat will in fact not work out. I just don’t know.

The End.

Everything has changed.

Long-time Cleveland fans know that the only real way to deal with the series of miserable sucker punches that comprises our area’s sports history is to be pessimistic. Last night, a new generation of Cleveland fans learned the same thing. The jerseys of our Chosen One were set afire; watching the wine, gold, and white burn on SportsCenter seemed to be a fitting metaphor for… something. For everything we thought we understood, even within the reference frame of a city sport scene that hasn’t seen a professional title in decades.

We had to know he was leaving. But we thought he would stay. How could he leave? He was King of Cleveland.

It’s Not You, It’s Me

Living in Northeast Ohio, it was like a volcano erupted last night. I don’t mean it just rushed through and wiped out everyone in the area, it was like a volcano erupted many miles away, but still in sight. We all felt something rush through us, like earthquakes and tremors triggered by the explosion.

I know personally, my chest tightened, my legs tingled, and I had this overwhelming sense that something was going to be missing for the next few years.

LeBron James “The Decision” Bingo

LeBron glares knowingly into your soul

LEBRON TV SPECIAL BINGO!

Instructions: Print out the LeBron James “The Decision” Bingo Card (PDF). Select any nine of the following events that you believe might happen, and arrange them in any way you want on the card. Play against friends watching with you, or against others on our Facebook Fan Page. Cross out the appropriate box in the grid whenever any of the actions on the card take place. When you get three in a row (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally), shout “BINGO” and let us know that you’ve won on our Facebook Fan Page or tweet us @paintsdudes.

• You can tell which eye is Stuart Scott’s glass one

Looking Forward to “The Decision”

This guy (and his smug mug) will get his own TV special about his future team, tonight (July 8) at 9 PM Eastern Time.

Who would have thought that LeBron might end up looking like a good guy after he announces his new team? Announced earlier today, LeBron will have a one-hour primetime ESPN special dedicated to… him. So, who are the winners and losers of this decision?

No Engine Brake

Even though Miami was the most rumored destination spot for Chris Bosh this offseason, with or without Mr. James, the news that he was definitely going to Miami is still a bit stunning.

Circling Thunderstorms

I don’t understand this Amar’e deal. I just don’t get it.

Beasts of Darkness and Free Agency

If there isn’t a Superteam created at this point, wont we all think this offseason was a disappointment?

LeBron James to the Chicago Bulls. And how.

Since we have spent the last year or so wading through the murky waters of free agency, don’t you think it’s about time we started drawing some conclusions?

But before we come to any real conclusions, a little role play. Imagine yourself as Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant. In just your second week on the job you are faced with the prospect of having to trade away the best player in franchise history in a do or die sign and trade, or watch the two time and defending league MVP simply leave town as an unrestricted free agent. Of course, there is also the possibility of resigning him, but I think the chances of that are very small.

Glad I’m not that guy.

Conclusion #1: The only one that really matters.

Idle Chatter on Draft Day

Joakim Noah celebrates his arrival into the NBA with Commissioner Stern.

Since I have taken such a lengthly hiatus from Paints in the Point, let it be known that I intend to return to the web better than ever. Mediocrity may have been my calling card in the past, but tonight is the beginning of a new era. The 2010 NBA Draft marks the return of the Paints in the Point Podcast (my personal favorite) and my return to our webpage. It also marks the arrival of John Wall to the NBA and begins the weeklong countdown to July 1st and Free Agency. Big day, wouldn’t you say?

Visit Miami-Wade County July 1-7

Miami-Wade County (highlighted)

Hey Paints in the Point readers. I know it has been a long time since we last talked. I’m currently in South Africa volunteering for the FIFA World Cup (where no one cares about the NBA Finals, nor is it broadcast on TV, especially with the World Cup action — or lack thereof), but that doesn’t mean I’m not trying to keep up with sporting news from the States.

In a fairly desperate attempt to keep 2010 free agent Dwyne Wade in Miami, Miami-Dade County Commissioners voted unanimously to rename the county to “Miami-Wade County” for the first week of the NBA free agency period.

Smoke Over Cleveland

Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty Images

Sad. Pathetic. Embarrassing. Woeful. That was the Cavaliers last night, especially in the last minute of the ball-game. They looked so clearly the weaker team. They didn’t even put as much of a fight up as Miami did, and they went whimpering into the night.

The Path Isn’t Paved

David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

First, a note to those who are ripping LeBron in northeast Ohio: shut up. Did he play poorly? Definitely. Did he lose a bit of aggression? It appears to be the case. But this doesn’t make sense. The last 7 years have been the best Cleveland basketball has ever seen and the worst thing that could happen is for LeBron to leave. So your response is? Booing and labeling him as the source of your losing when a lot of the responsibility lies on his teammates for not defending or making shots. Could he have played better? Absolutely, but this isn’t going to help your cause this year or in the ensuing offseason. He deserves to be criticized for his performance, it was bad. He hasn’t had too many of those in his career, although “3″ seems a bit under the truth. I expect him to come out guns blazing in game 6, otherwise the Cavs will be cast aside this season and possibly for the next several.