Three the Hard Way

Now that the NBA season is back, some teams are having a tremendously hard time adjusting to the pace of the consolidated NBA season, most notably the Dallas Mavericks who are the top of the list of underachievers running neck and neck with the Los Angeles Lakers. Still it comes as no surprise, an obvious result of the near 5 month lockout. The condensed schedule provided teams with roughly 10 days to prepare for a whirlwind of games, including the almost never seen back-to-back-to-back games.

The 2011-2012 Dallas Mavericks have suffered through the first three games of the season. In my personal opinion their tribulations are the product of bad karma; Karma that is a by-product of bad personnel decisions which include the loss of defensive anchor Tyson Chandler, as well as its best one-on-one perimeter defender Deshawn Stevenson; and energy guy JJ Barea leaving town. To say the least, the Mavs have looked old. Not only has age caught up Jason Kidd and Dirk, but Lamar Odom has not gotten on track yet after being thrust into a starting role after only being with the team for about 2 weeks. To say that it will take the Mavs some time to get it together is an understatement. More importantly the question becomes, is that time available? Before you know it the All-Star game will be among us. The trade deadline will come and go with presumably minimal involvement by the Mavs, as they do not have much to offer any other team in return. The light at the end of the tunnel for the Mavs is the salary cap space that they have, which will be available this coming summer to entice the likes of Dwight Howard and Deron Williams.

For now, the fans of the organization can and will enjoy the days of last summer as they saw their team fight tooth and nail for its first NBA crown, wondering if the Mavs can emulate former dynasty's like the San Antonio Spurs and Lakers who have in recent times been able to hoist multiple trophies, is realistic for their team. In this time of Holiday spirit let me not play Scrooge, but if the first 3 games of the season are any indication, I do not see it happening. What I do see is an inevitable rebuilding process that will begin with the free agent class of Summer 2012.

On the other hand the Miami Heat's future is NOW and every game played thus far has been proof. Their most recent game against Boston showed just how lethal that combination of Lebron and D. Wade can be. Furthermore, with clutch shooting and fearless play such as what they have been getting from rookie Norris Cole I can see why Vegas has listed 9-5 odds that the Heat will win this year's ring.

It seems that while a lot of people took the NBA lockout for a joke and were at home preserving themselves, players like Kevin Durant, Melo, Lebron, CP3, D Wade, and the big dog Deondre Jordan have been prepping and it shows in their play, as all of their teams are off to fast starts. And to think, Chris Bosh hasn't even begun to bring his A game. His play has been modest, but let us not forget that he is a proven star and when the lights come on this Spring look for him to make the Big 3 go.

Rounding out my three the hard way is the New York Knicks. Their recent moves, dating back to trading for Melo mid way through last season, has provided a ray of hope to New York City fans. As a lifelong Knick fan (yes, I rep my city) it’s like a breath of fresh air to be able to turn to MSG and be enthused about the Knicks. The last time I can remember the Garden being this alive, #33 was still in the mix. Gone are the days of Allan Houston's sweet stroke, but Melo, Tyson Chandler and STAT have given the Big Apple something to be thankful for this holiday season. I'm not going to go out on the limb and put too much pressure on the team, or put my foot in my mouth but I will say that the Knicks will be something to deal with for years to come, if they can pull it all together, learn each other, and execute. That in and of itself is something to applaud.