So What Else is New?

Yesterday I covered the big stories (on the field, at least) in the NFL thus far this year. Today, let's take a look at what we know so far in the NBA season.

1. There are three teams that can win the title. The Lakers, Caveliers and Celtics are the clear-cut favorites for the NBA title this season, and there's really no argument to be made for anyone else. In the NBA this year, as is often the case, there are a finite number of teams with the star power and depth that it takes to win the title, which is why we see so many teams stay at the top for extended periods while the rest of the league toils away in the "everyone else" column. Last year, the Celts and Lakers (after the Pau Gasol trade) were the clear favorites, while the Pistons, Cavs, Spurs and Hornets, and to a lesser extent Jazz, were the "if we can get all the right breaks and play our very best in the playoffs, we might have a shot" teams. In other words, they were the contenders, and everyone else was just along for the ride. This year, the Cavs made the jump to that top echelon, while it looks like the Nuggets and Rockets have moved up to the contender level, and the Pistons officially declared they're looking to tear down that roster.

2. The Knicks should change their name to the "New York Summer of 2010s." Mike D'antoni was given a huge contract to lead the Knicks back to relevance, but this turnaround will not happen overnight, and they know it. While the Knicks have been surprisingly competitive this year, their recent roster moves (trading Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford, two of their only long-term contract players) clearly signal that the building process has begun, and it's all supposed to come together in the fabled "summer of 2010." In case you haven't been following the league lately, that summer marks the free agency of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Steve Nash (you know the star Canadian guard would love to get back together with the Suns old coach), among many others. Currently the Knicks have 0 contracts on their payroll that don't expire within the next two years. Heck, they may even have enough cap flexibility to sign 3 superstars, with room left over for the customary flock of veterans willing to take a discount to play for a title (see Celtics, Boston, 2007-08).

3. Trades have started early this year. Headlined by the Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson trade, which has turned out to be very one-sided in favor of the Nuggets save the fact that Iverson is a much-coveted expiring contract, this year has already seen a handful of meaningful trades. Now that December 15th has passed, players that signed with new teams this offseason have also become available for trade. So the next few weeks and months leading up to the trade deadline should be quite fascinating, although as outlined above, every trade will be performed with an eye on 2010. The question is, as the Western conference appears tighter and tighter at the top, which team is going to make that desperate move to try to move from an also-ran to a contender? And will it have the same damaging effects as the Shaq and Jason Kidd trades did last year, effectively closing the Suns and Mavs windows for a title.

4. The Thunder may be historically bad. For those of you rooting for the Detroit Lions to "run the table backwards," I present to you the 2008-09 Oklahoma City Thunder! They are, after all, on pace to set the NBA record for losses in a season. Are they really that bad? No... probably not. Could they pull it off anyway? Absolutely.

5. Coaches are dropping like flies. Six head coaches have already bitten the dust and I have no doubt more will inevitably follow. And we haven't even reached the new year yet. Just crazy. But this begs the question, back to my first point, if it's so clear who is in contention, is there really any reason to get rid of the coach when the team's ceiling is a first-round playoff loss?

Next up, and quick glance at the MLB Hot Stove League and how the tanking economy has played a big role.

Chris