When did the NBA become interesting again? After at least five years of completely ignoring the league, and a few more before that of only checking in when the playoffs started up, I have found myself watching playoff games nearly every night.
I am of the first post-MJ generation, more or less. I was 13 when he won his final championship with the Bulls. So, while I did see plenty of the classic Chicago-Jordan, and more than enough of the less classic Washington-Jordan, my true developmental years were spent with some slightly less exciting dynasties.
With only the fiery Knicks-Heat rivalry to delay the post-Jordan NBA hangover, the league fell into the misery of the infuriatingly stacked Lakers, and excruciatingly boring Spurs. Between 1999 and 2006 the NBA turned into the most predictable major sport around. Was anything ever more inevitable than the Spurs meeting the Pistons in the 2005 finals? Even the perennial contender Yankees are subject to a stumble here and there, and yes, the Patriots did finish 18-1.
But in 2008 we have competition! In the Western Conference there were at least six teams with a legitimate shot at the title. In the Eastern Conference—well, maybe not six teams—but at least a few who could stand a chance in the finals. Remember when the Celtics and Pistons had all those pesky teams making things difficult (early-Jordan Bulls, Hawks, Sixers, Bucks)? These new versions of the ‘80s top teams have run into their own speed bumps.
2008 is a year when the Celtics can have three superstar players and be guaranteed nothing. The Pistons and Spurs can have the most methodical, team-oriented styles, but still get knocked off. The best part? The talent around the league is spread so evenly that it’s hard to imagine teams like the Hornets or Magic falling off even a little next year. 2008 is only the beginning.
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