2012-13 NBA Schedule: Equating Each Team's Season with a Song Lyric

Last season was a big NBA season, and it ended with a grand finale when the Miami Heat took the championship back home to South Beach.

For every single team, we're going to compare it with a lyric for next season. 

Atlanta Hawks

Artist Big K.R.I.T

Album Krit Wuz Here

Song Just Touched Down

Lyric I'm one of a kind though/ make em hit the floor/ see do what I like/ been doing this since 2005/ This ain't overnight

In 2005, the Hawks got the NBA All-Star Joe Johnson on their roster. Grinding every year since, the Hawks finally broke through in 2008 when they made the NBA playoffs. It was the first time since 1999 that the Hawks made the playoffs. Every year since 2008, the Hawks have made the playoffs. After losing Joe Johnson this year to the Brooklyn Nets, we will have to see if that trend will continue to stay or change. The burden is now on the shoulders of Josh Smith, if he wants to make the All-Star team, Smith will need to take the next step in his game and take the Hawks past the first round. 

Boston Celtics

Artist Jay-Z

Album The Blueprint

Song Renegade

Lyric Do you have any clue/ for what I had to do to get here/ I don't think you do.  

The Celtics created the Blueprint when they created the Big Three—Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to team up with their All-Star Paul Pierce. All of the veterans had to face difficult playoff losses, though each of their teams made deep playoff runs. Even facing losing seasons, the All-Stars were consistently hopeful, until Danny Ainge brought them all to Boston. Giving birth to a championship team, the Celtics reached the mountaintop in 2008, which was the Blueprint for the Miami Heat. Now losing Allen to the rival Heat, the Celtics will be led by their point guard Rajon Rondo—a healthy Avery Bradley is also coming back from an injury as is Jeff Green. Look for rookies Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo to have an impact. The Celtics may once again be contenders in the NBA Finals. 

Brooklyn Nets

Artist Meek Mill

Album Dreamchasers

Song Wont Stop

Lyric I'm a make me love me!/ Until the day that I die/ Swag on a hundred/ I'm so fly/ I bought a place in the sky/ Like the Jetsons/ I'm destined/ to do it like the best did.

The newly created Brooklyn Nets are chasing dreams. At first, after trying to attempt to land Dwight Howard, the Nets settled on their plan B, who is a six-time NBA All-Star in Joe Johnson. Now playing with Deron Williams, the Nets are creating a team to rival the New York Knicks. The newly created Barclays Center is an arena that will make most basketball courts jealous. Supremely gifted, the Nets will have a top-four Eastern Conference team next season. 

Charlotte Bobcats

Artist J.Cole

Album Cole World: The Sideline Story

Song Sideline Story

Lyric I put my heart and soul in this game/ I'm feeling drained/ unappreciated/ un-alleviated/ tired of coming up short/

The Charlotte Bobcats had the worst luck last year, when they put together the worst team in NBA history. Having a team that accomplished nothing last year is something painful, and in order to get off the sidelines and start fighting for playoff spots as they once did before, Michael Jordan and Rich Cho had to revamp their roster. Bringing in Michael Kidd Gilchrist, Ben Gordon and Brendan Haywood is a nice start. 

Chicago Bulls

Artist Kanye West

Album Late Registration

Song Gone

Lyric Sometimes I cant believe it when I look up in the mural/ How we up in Europe/ Spending Euros/ They claim you never know what you got till its gone/ I know I got it, I don't know what y'all on. 

The Chicago Bulls will be heavily devastated next season after losing crucial pieces in their team. After seeing the youngest MVP in NBA history have a sick ACL injury in the 2012 NBA playoffs, the Bulls seemed to have taken a turn for the worst. Not to mention how the once decorated bench mob that the Bulls used to have is all but gone. Kyle Korver, C.J Watson, Omer Asik and Ronnie Brewer are all on different teams next season. 

Cleveland Cavaliers

Artist Stalley

Album Savage Journey to The American Dream

Song Petrin HIll Peonies 

Lyric It's like some type of trippy movie/ that all ends up on the loose leaf/ and every time I leave I lose peace/ God please have mercy on my soul/ accept everything I owe/ and help me let go.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are once again in a rebuilding mode. After losing LeBron James, they saw their most prized player leave for South Beach and win a title for the Miami Heat franchise. Owner Dan Gilbert, who was not a happy camper, even stopped a trade for Dwight Howard because he feared it would bring another Big Three, rather than helping to improve his roster, which the trade would have. With another stallion on the roster, Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers are still looking for pieces to win a championship.

Dallas Mavericks

Artist Drake

Album Drake Griffin

Song Free Spirit feat. Rick Ross

Lyric Rolls Royce rollin/ rose gold roley/ NBA accountants' amounts they get unholy. 

Since winning the 2011 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks have completely dismantled their championship team because of money. In attempts to land major free agents in Dallas the Mavericks have lost Corey Brewer, Caron Butler, Tyson Chandler, Brendan Haywood, Jason Kidd, Jose Barea, DeShawn Stevenson and now Jason Terry. All the players that left were major pieces in their lone NBA championship, and all left to cash out and make a payday. Paying to win or being cheap to lose, the Mavericks have taken steps back.

Denver Nuggets

Artist Kanye West

Album The College Dropout

Song Never Let Me Down feat. Jay-Z  

Lyric I've been here from the start,/Seen them put it together/Watch them take it apart/See the Rovers roll up with ribbons/I've seen them re-poed, re-sold and re-driven/So when I reload/ he holds No. 1 position/When you hot I'm hot/And when your feet cold/ mine is sizzling

A franchise that has been a model of consistency in the last decade, the Denver Nuggets, have not had a losing season and have made the playoffs since 2004. Despite going through trials nearly every season, the Nuggets continue to be good. After losing Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks, getting a complete overhaul on the roster and most importantly when George Karl was diagnosed with cancer—the Nuggets have persevered though obstacles. Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried and JaVale McGee will also help with that cause.  

Detroit Pistons

Artist Joe Budden

Album Mood Musik 2 

Song Are You In That Mood Yet 

Lyric You spending more money trying to fix it/ than what you did trying to get it/ bridge is empty but I survive the hunger 

The future is bleak in Detroit—the Pistons have been still trying to rebuild their franchise since 2004 when they won an NBA Championship. After the drafting of Andre Drummond and having other young talents like Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe, the Pistons will not be in playoff contention next season—a sad tale for a very proud franchise. Hopefully, if their young talent does develop, they could be a dangerous team in the near future. 

Golden State Warriors

Artist Eminem

Album Recovery 

Song On Fire

Lyric This ain't a song/ This a warning to Brook/ Hogan and David Cook/ that the crook just took over so book/ run as fast as you can 

The Golden State Warriors are on the right path after having a great NBA draft. Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green will have impacts on the team immediately. This team could be the sleeper in the Western Conference. Having an athletic team and now a center in Andrew Bogut to bang next to David Lee, the Warriors will be ready to take the next step in 2012. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, David Lee and Andrew Bogut are a legitimate starting five. Having Richard Jefferson and Jarret Jack off the bench as well will pay dividends. The uptempo style of the Warriors will only cause nightmares for teams trying to match up. 

Houston Rockets

Artist Big Sean

Album Finally Famous 2

Song Hollywood ft. Early MacMillion  

Lyric Now when they see you getting change/ thought you didn't change/ say you got big and ain't never act the same/ don't you dare act Hollywood.  

Strictly a message to Jeremy Lin. Despite how he is a wonderful talent and how, next season, he will be rewarded for a well deserved contract, Lin cannot take the time to revert in his game. If he wants to make the Rockets a playoff team, he will need to work on his turnovers and continue in his progression as a point guard. While playing in the Western Conference with a bunch of great point guards, Lin will have to study and get better at his craft as the captain of the ship that is the Houston Rockets. 

Indiana Pacers

Artist Rick Ross

Album Teflon Don 

Song MC Hammer 

Lyric You gotta judge a man by his principles/ Teflon Don I am invincible 

The Indiana Pacers play with one of the biggest chips on their shoulders. Next season, after taking the Miami Heat to a great and physical series, they will only continue that trend. Despite having a rowdy bunch of players on their team, the Pacers are led by their hometown legend Larry Bird, who is the President of Basketball Operations. In the playoffs, Larry Bird went on to say "I can't believe my team went soft. S-O-F-T. I'm disappointed. I never thought it would happen." With Larry Bird leaving the Pacers due to health reasons, his high standards  will stay with Donnie Walsh, who taking over the Pacers next season.

Los Angeles Clippers

Artist Tyga

Album Rack City Remix 

Song: Lob City

Lyric I'm a lob city star/ Look at the JumboTron/ arm in the rim/ why I go so hard/ yeah I'm from the streets/ Used to play on boulevards/ I need the ring pronto 

The Clippers,the younger brother of the city of Los Angeles, are trying to over take the throne of the Lakers. In a now heated rivalry between the two teams sharing the Staples Center, the Clippers have quietly put together a good team. Jamal Crawford is a great addition for the Clippers, who needed a shooting guard badly. Crawford's scoring ability only helps their cause. Chris Paul is coming back from his attempts to win his second gold medal and will again be teamed up with Blake Griffin, making the Lob City combination deadly. 

Los Angeles Lakers

Artist Gucci Mane

Album Ferrari Music

Song Don't Believe That 

Lyric Your whole crew like food for my tummy/ And I'm hungry right now so its OV/ I'm the hood MVP with a trophy/ I got five rings on like Kobe. 

Since Kobe is enamored with Italian cars, it's only right that Ferrari music suits him. Once being called a Corvette by Shaquille O'Neal on Christmas Day, Bryant replied with saying that he was a Lamborghini. A true competitor, Kobe Bryant is always hungry for another trophy and another accolade. Playing alongside new additions, Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison, Bryant may have his best chance to catch the legacy of Michael Jordan and win his sixth NBA championship. 

Memphis Grizzles

Artist Lupe Fiasco

Album Enemy of the State

Song The One

Lyric The game was looking weak the whole scene starved/so I came through with some muscle milk and protein bars/ barbells and jump ropes, bowflex to body it/and a couple Billy Blank Tae-bo karate kicks

One of the most physical teams in the NBA, the Memphis Grizzles have a front line that is big and strong. Always going hard in the paint, the Grizzles are not afraid to bang inside. Marc Gasol will always be a nightmare to match up with because of his size and strength, and having Zach Randolph on his side increases their success. The Grizzles will soon be on the inside of an interior near you.

Miami Heat

Artist Jay-Z

Album The Blueprint 3

Song Already Home feat. Kid Cudi

Lyric I'm in the Hall already, on the wall already/I'm a work of art, I'm Warhol already/ On another level, on another plane already/HOV, I got my own lane already, already/ I done cooked up the rock already/ So why the frick can't y'all get hot already  

The Miami Heat are the team to beat this season after winning the 2012 NBA Championship. With a roster that potentially has three Hall of Fame players in LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Miami Heat are on the brink of a dynasty. Unlike the other 29 teams in the NBA, if the Miami Heat don't repeat their win, it will be a disappointment. Playing in what could be their third finals in three years, the Miami Heat are on a different level than the other teams in the league. Their MVP, LeBron James, has put his critics to sleep and has proved to everyone that signing with the Miami Heat was the best decision.

Milwaukee Bucks

Artist The Game

Album California Republic

Song Skate On feat. Lupe Fiasco

Lyric Like Cinderella barefoot/ no matter how many ankles of crews/ the moral of the story you can't fill my shoes.  

This line applies to the Bucks because they haven't been able to fill the shoes of Michael Redd or Ray Allen, who have both had huge impacts on the franchise. Since 2004, the Milwaukee have not had an all-star player; their last All-Star was the Olympian Michael Redd. Redd took the Bucks to the playoffs numerous times, and under the guidance of Brandon Jennings, the Bucks have made the playoffs once. Last season the Bucks did get Monta Ellis, which creates a sick backcourt for Milwaukee, but they are still undersized. We will have to see if the two scoring guards can coexist, score points together and translate their efforts into wins. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Artist Jay-Z

Album Reasonable Doubt 

Song Dead Presidents

Lyric Hospital days/ reflection when my man laid up/ on the Uptown high block/ He got his side sprayed up/ I saw his life slipping/ this is a minor setback/ Yo, still in all we living/ Just dream about the get back/ that made him smile/ though his eyes said pray for me.  

After losing their point guard to an ACL injury, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a minor setback in their plans. The dynamic passer, Ricky Rubio, has been able to bring excitement, along with Kevin Love, to the Twin Cities. The Wolves still have a bright future—when they get Rubio back they will still have Love and Derrick Williams. If they can get anything from Brandon Roy, they will be a playoff team next season.

New Orleans Hornets

Artist Big Krit

Album Return of 4eva

Song Highs & Lows

Lyric If you ain't winning in this game, then you barely played/ If you ain't buying what you want/ then you barely paid…..Life ain't nothing but an EQ of highs and lows.  

Next season, the New Orleans Hornets will be going through rough patches. Though they will be competitive with a front line that includes Anthony Davis and now Robin Lopez, they will still be led by a rookie point guard in Austin Rivers. Having Eric Gordon should make the transition easier for Rivers, but at the end of the day, the educations of Rivers and Davis will be the deciding factors for whether the Hornets win or lose games. Be prepared for a roller coaster season—the highs and lows will be there next year. 

New York Knicks

Artist Fabolous

Album The Soul Tape

Song That's Not Love feat. Lil Wayne

Lyric Say what’s on your heart if you’re real/ Cause the scars you can’t see be the hardest to heal/And I used to chase money, now I have it brought/ Cause you can only chase something that you haven’t caught

The Knicks are in a difficult position. Losing Jeremy Lin damages their ability to win a title, but they did bring in Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd to bandage the point guard situation. The Knicks are chasing an NBA Championship, something that they have not won since 1973. It will ultimately be on the shoulders of Carmelo Anthony to lead the Knicks to the promise land. While chasing an NBA title, he will need to grow into a leader that can change the culture in New York. 

Oklahoma City Thunder

Artist Wale

Album Ambition 

Song No Days Off

Lyric When you reaching your dreams/ you have reasons to brag/ Ambition over everything/ and I never plan on settling/ and my wish is to have everything 

This relates to the Thunder because they finally reached the finals. Despite beginning the franchise anew, the Thunder have continued to win with Kevin Durant. The Oklahoma City Thunder are now one of the best teams in the league, and they have a lineup that could include four NBA All-Stars in the near future. Next season though, they may have to decide to get rid of Serge Ibaka, or James Harden. The drafting of Perry Jones III is panning out in the right direction—the richer could get richer. 

Orlando Magic

Artist Kanye West

Artist 808's & Heartbreaks

Song Coldest Winter

Lyric On lonely nights I start to fade/ her love's 1000 miles away/ memories made in the coldest winter/ goodbye my friend

The Magic will eventually need to get rid of their superstar center, Dwight Howard. As a potential franchise changer, he will destroy the Orlando Magic's hope of ever winning a championship and bring them into an automatic rebuilding situation. With a tragic ending to a great run in Orlando, Howard will make another franchise very happy, as he instantly makes it elite and a title contender. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Artist Wale

Album The Eleven One Eleven Theory

Song The Podium

Mine is family over everything…../my people pass the collection plate/ he buy the Benz riding cause the crazy real estate/ that's motivation  

The 76ers are a tight knit group that have a bunch of interchangeable players on their roster. While playing together as a family, the 76ers made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season and have slightly gotten better with the additions to their roster. Though the 76ers lost Louis Williams, they still have their Olympian, Andre Igoudala. If the motivation to be better is there, the Sixers will be back stronger next season.

Phoenix Suns

Artist Young Jeezy 

Album TM: 103 Hustlerz Ambition 

Song Never Be The Same

Lyric I don't look at you the same my brother/ It'll never be the same no more my brother/ I don't want to play the game no more my brother/ It'll never be the same no more my brother 

After losing what could be the greatest point guard to ever play for the Phoenix Suns to the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns fans will not never again see Nash the same way. Though having a deeply cut franchise, the Suns did help their situation when they drafted point guard Kendall Marshall, who will bring excellent court vision to the Suns organization. 

Portland Trail Blazers

Artist Big Sean

Album Finally Famous 3

Song Supa Dupa Lemonade

Lyric Bank account got me feeling well/ Fargo/ Balling till I get milicic/ Darko! 

The Blazers bring in point guard Damian Lillard, who was named the Co-MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League. For a rookie point guard, Lillard is seasoned and should be fine to manage the point from the beginning of the season in Portland. As for the other lottery pick in Portland, Meyers Leonard, who is leaving school early, Leonard will need to develop in order to have the impact that the Blazers need.  There is also a high ceiling for bust potential like Darko Milicic.

Sacramento Kings

Artist Wiz Khalifa

Album Mac & Devin Go To High School

Song French Inhale feat. Snoop Dogg 

Lyric You ain't gotta sell it/ Cause it's already sold/ you ain't gotta roll one/ cause it's already rolled.  

The point guard position is in flux in Sacramento. With the 2010 Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans no longer playing the point guard position, the Kings are looking at the services of Isaiah Thomas and Aaron Brooks.  Jimmer Fredette no longer has any minutes and could be traded next season. Thomas Robinson will add stability to their front line and will bring a winning attitude, but it may not be enough. If Sacramento does not change their losing ways, they could be in for an exit. The Maloofs might sell the Sacramento Kings and doing this could mean a possible relocation. 

San Antonio Spurs

Artist Wale

Album Back To The Feature

Song Life's A Witch feat. Talib Kweli 

LyricI walked many soils/ crossed many roads/ face covered with pantyhose/ because I stole the show and got a standing O  

The Spurs last season stole the show and were the talk of the town when they were in the NBA playoffs. When they played against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they were overmatched and overpowered. Next season, the Spurs again will make a deep playoff run.  They might be  expected to fight the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, since most of their team is returning. 

Toronto Raptors

Artist French Montana

Album Mac & Cheese 2

Song Juuuu Heard 

Lyric See them brothers living clean/ rolling up with doubt/ already got the streets/ just need the money and the power/ I do this in my sleep. 

The Colangelo family is no stranger to evaluating basketball talent and putting together good rosters. Though being in the NBA basement over the last few seasons and putting together losing records, the direction of the Raptors is going to be better next season. After signing Landry Fields and drafting Terrance Ross to play with another signee, Kyle Lowry, the Raptors are trying to establish themselves in the Eastern Conference again. 

Utah Jazz

Artist Lil Wayne

Album The Drought Is Over 4 

Song Brand New 

Lyric I'm cold like a midnight in Aspen/ I am the president & the assassin/ Cameras on/ big lights flashing/ welcome to the show I am the main attraction 

In this brand new season, the Jazz will be the main attraction in Utah. No longer playing on potential, last season the Jazz made the playoffs when they got the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Trading for Marvin Williams, they are bringing in a winner to help them continue the trend. The Jazz can either move in two directions after having a successful season—either completely tank and take a step back or else rise above and soar as expected. The continued progression of Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward will be the give the Jazz results.

Washington Wizards

Artist Wiz Khalifa

Album Rolling Papers

Song Hopes & Dreams

Lyric Long money/ hopes and dreams/ always be around them brothers with paper/ but got your own money/ it's your world. 

John Wall could be the best point guard in the league. For a 6'4" guard with freakish athleticism, he could easily steamroll the league and take it over. Working hard on his jumpshot is something that will need to be done in Washington if Wall wants to ascend into the upper echelon of point guards. With Bradley Beal on the wing, it will make it easier for the athletic Wall to drive to the rim and get easy points in the paint.