For the first time in my life as a sports fan something took my attention away from the NBA.
Have you been watching college football? The season has been amazing. The implementation of the 12-team playoff brought more interest and made for more important, intriguing matchups over the course of the season.
The NFL has been great too. The MVP race is as close as I can remember, with the likely winners (Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen) facing off in the main event of Divisional Round Weekend. My hometown Detroit Lions are the darlings of the league now. Detroit finished the regular season 15-2, earning the NFC No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history. If the Lions get to the Super Bowl, it’ll be a bit of a revenge tour, with matchups against Washington and Philadelphia on the horizon.
I haven’t completely been out on the NBA this fall, though.
- I know I won’t be sure about the Thunder or Cavs until the spring.
- I know I want both teams to be great because it’ll prove there are still some teams that want to have all-time great seasons, which hasn’t happened in eight years.
- I know something feels off about the defending champion Celtics.
- I know Giannis could put Milwaukee on his back this spring and lead the Bucks back to the Finals.
- I know Minnesota sure misses Karl-Anthony Towns.
- I know New York doesn’t miss Julius Randle at all.
- I know Denver is wasting Jokic’s prime.
- I know it’s more so because of the second apron rule than any one thing the Nuggets’ front office has or hasn’t done.
- I know that as long as Cade Cunningham is on the floor, the Pistons can be a threat to pull an upset in the East playoffs.
- I know Victor Wembanyama is must-see TV, but I HATE that he shoots nine 3s a game.
- I also know the Spurs could be a legitimate challenger in the West if they pull off the right deal before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
- Speaking of the 76ers: I know Joel Embiid needs to shut it down.
- I know, and hate, that LeBron, Steph, and KD are done winning titles.
- I know the league is as talented as its ever been.
- I know that talent doesn’t always translate to team success (looking at you Sacramento, Chicago, Miami and Philadelphia).
- I know that this year’s rookie class so far is one of the worst ever.
- I know next season’s class will be one of the best ever.
- I know one of Jokic, SGA, or Giannis will win MVP.
- I know Cleveland, OKC, Boston, New York, and Denver look like the only championship contenders right now.
- I know the Hate Online for the game is overblown.
- I know basketball is still the most beautiful game in the world.