This article is also posted at hoops4life.com, an NBA fan site.
We all love redemption stories. We only have to take a look back to the Olympic basketball tournament to understand about what I’m talking about.
USA Basketball finally clinched the gold medal, recovering their position on the top of the world of basketball. After struggling in recent championships, USA Basketball played with pride and aggressiveness, pushed by the aim of redemption.
Redemption never ends—and this upcoming season, many players will face their own chance at it. Let’s take a look at the biggest redemption stories for the upcoming season:
1. Will Kobe finally win a championship ring without Shaq?
Three years ago, the L.A. Lakers made the most important decision in their recent history. They solved the problem of competing locker room egos by sending the big man to the Miami Heat.
A huge part of the Lakers' fan base supported Shaquille, and the front office was criticized. Things got even harder couple of years later, when O’Neal helped the Heat to their first NBA title.
In last season opener, Kobe was booed by the Lakers’ fanatics after he asked to be traded. Nine months later, after another Finals appearance, things have changed a lot at California.
Kobe was named League MVP, and led his team to the NBA Finals. It seems like he got the monkey off his back—however, after struggling in the finals, his critics are back in charge.
This season, he will have a tremendous shot to silence them.
He is, without a doubt, the best player of the decade, and he will compete this year with a nice supporting cast. We should remember that this team reached the Finals despite of Andrew Bynum’s injury.
Bynum made huge improvements last year, and he was able to dominate the game. He will allow Gasol to play PF, and the defense will improve a lot with his presence.
Kobe will have to show his leadership; put all his heart on the game, and play the best for his team night in night out.
2. Can Jason Kidd lead the Mavericks through the NBA Playoffs?
After clinching the gold medal, the USA Basketball captain will add another chapter to his redemption story. Lots of analysts are arguing that his career is over, and his presence in the National Team was a lifetime honour.
He was the starter, but he didn’t play in crunch time.
Last year, he didn’t help the Mavericks to change the dynamic of their season. After reaching the Lone Star state in February, Kidd wasn’t able to establish his way of playing. His lack of speed and his problems building chemistry around him led his critics to charge against him.
In my opinion, he still has petrol in the tank. This season, he will be with his teammates from the first day of the season, and he will be able to establish his rhythm. He is a leader, and I’m sure that he will be able to dominate again.
3. Will Tracy McGrady finally advance to the second round?
Agents Mulder and Scully should take a look at this NBA X-file.
T-Mac has suffered plenty of situations during his career which have conspire to keep him form winning a playoff series.
His injuries, his teammates' injuries, bad decisions in the clutch, Tayshaun Prince’s appearance—yes, the first time the NBA took notice about Prince was in the 2003 Eastern Conference playoffs. Prince shut down McGrady, and helped the Pistons to rebound from a 1-3 deficit in the first round.
Last season, with his team riding a big wave of momentum, All-Star center Yao Ming got injured for the entire year. The Rockets eventually made the Playoffs, but weren’t able to hold off the Jazz.
Well, no one can ensure that he and his teammates are going to stay healthy—but for now, T-Mac has some reasons to be happy.
Yao showed in the Olympics that he has completely recovered from his injuries, and the front office has brought in Ron Artest. These two players should be the difference from 2008, and help T-Mac to advance to the second round in the playoffs.
6 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Nick The Only 10 months ago
#3 is the only one likely to happen. Kobe just is not good enough to win without a dominant big man. Jason Kidd looked extremely slow and old in the Olympics.
Edit Comment Cancel
sam the fact checker 10 months ago
is pau gasol and a healthy andrew bynum not dominant...i think there defenitly one of the best big men combos in the nba...
Edit Comment Cancel
sam the fact checker 10 months ago
but yea...i believe #3 is the most likely to happen...
Edit Comment Cancel
Inaki Angulo 10 months ago
Nick, you say that ''Kobe is not good enough to win without a dominant big man''. I question you.
Is there any player in this League able to win a championship w/o a dominant big man?
Appreciate your contribution guys.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leonard Flournoy 10 months ago
Nick Nick Nick, you should really take a look at the laker line up and consider what a healthy Laker team can do. "Kobe just is not good enough to win without a dominant big man" ?? I think the Laker bigs will dominate the league this year. Lets hope they have Gasol in the gym bulking up.
Edit Comment Cancel
tone lowque 10 months ago
I'm going with Door Number 3. Between TMac, Yao, Artest, Battier, Alston and co. not only should they make the playoffs, but get a decent seed, so the first round isn't against the Jazz. That said, if TMac gets injured, you just have to shake your head and start believing in curses. Someone that talented should have better luck.
As for Kidd and Kobe, don't see it this year, don't see it next.
Kidd is too old. Dirk is a softie, can't bang. Dampier isn't scaring anyone. Howard is a big question mark -- all the talent in the world, but with a head that makes you go Hmmm.
Kobe isn't good enough, even with a healthy Bynum back. West himself said he couldn't see Bynum playing alongside Pau well. Fisher is another year older and slower. Odom hasn't settled into a player yet, don't see why this year would be different. And Kobe's record as the man in playoff crunch time, believe it or not fan boys, is pretty weak.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.