The NBA Guide for the Average College Football Fan

No survey has been taken regarding the matter but, it seems to this observer many college football fans do not follow the National Basketball Association with any great interest.

Because of this, or in some instances in spite of it, let us boil down the sport known as "The League, "The Association", or "The Next Level" in terms familiar to the everyday pigskin audience that does not care very much for the NBA.

In the beginning there were the dinosaurs.

Seriously, we do not want to offend anyone's sensibilities but, the original teams of the NBA in the late 1940s bear little resemblance to the spectacles seen around America during the playoff season each Spring.

For better or worse, we have the NBA in Los Angeles and Chicago and no longer in Fort Wayne and Rochester. Lucky us.

A team that emerged to dominate the early league went by the name of Lakers but, was located in Minnesota. Hence, the nickname, for land of a thousand lakes.

After a decade of playing in the "great white north", the Lakers opted for the sunny shores of the Pacific coast in Los Angeles.

But, why keep the same nickname if it doesn't apply? Why not become "The Coasters"?

In regard to the early Lakers, they mostly closely resembled that longtime titan of college football fame, Notre Dame's Fighting Irish.

However, when discussing the BCS era alone, their counterpart could be considered the Oklahoma Sooners. An early champion of the BCS who continues to be a powerful contender currently, the Sooners are much like the Lakers franchise.

A case could be made that the NBA equivalent of the Alabama Crimson Tide is the Boston Celtics.

Why? Several reasons beginning with winning the most titles in their class and the iconic head coach Red Auerbach, the round ball version of Bear Bryant.

The golden days of each team were a lifetime ago. However, these majestic names have recently shaken off the cobwebs of less than stellar eras and produced powerful championship outfits once again.

The Chicago Bulls won several NBA Championships during the decade of the 1990s. For this reason it seems they can be equated with the Miami Hurricane football teams who won four National Titles in an eight year period of 1983 to 1991.

In short, the NBA Champions are much like college football champions, a closely held monopoly among a few teams.

Oh, there are spikes of outside joy from other cities and other schools but, it appears the usual suspects are most often at the winner's circle, collecting the trophy.

There will be joy in Mudville, for one must acknowledge the success of the San Antonio Spurs in this decade, so reminiscent of the Southern California Trojans under Pete Carroll.

NBA players may be misunderstood by some, admired by many, and held in awe by  sports announcers of the world. A revealing handicap of the stars in the two current playoff series seems in order.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers:  He has no weakness on the court but, for some apparent off-court reasons, appears to be the most villified player in the game.

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic: Known as Superman for his extraordinary physique with the ability to perform in a spectacular manner. The only question remaining is can he stop television analyst Charles Barkley from calling him "De-White" Howard?

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets: It seems Anthony could be the most dangerous player on the court because of his versatility, size, and skill. Contrary to popular belief, he is not named after a candy bar, that is a different spelling.

We should ask about his middle name, Kiyan. Could he be considered "too hot"?

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: Voted the top player in the NBA this season. He is the Joe DiMaggio, Johnny Unitas, and Muhammad Ali of his time, all rolled into one.

The big question regarding the player known as "King James" is whether he will end up in New York City for maximum star power exposure.

As if a man known for dancing on one leg in a State Farm insurance commercial needs anything else.

So, there we have it, a somewhat functional review of the hardwood in the play for pay world. 

The only discussion that needs to take place is why doesn't the NBA use computer rankings to seat their teams for the championship?