The Returns

Tonight, the NBA 2014-2015 season will tip off.  There is new hope in the league this year.  As with every sport, every team feels that they can win a championship.  Even the Hornets (who actually may be much improved) are winning fans by the boat loads with Michael Jordan taking of the Hornets twitter account calling it #MJtakover.  Hell, the guy even made me interested in the Hornets with some of the inside pictures he showed us.  The NBA is hyping up this year more than any year I've seen in a long time.  They are poised to have a big year ratings wise, and look to gain some ground on the NFL who has had a disastrous start to the season.

Picture of the Hornets locker room from #MJtakover

https://twitter.com/hornets/status/527167626586648577

One of the biggest assets the NBA has at the beginning of this season is the return of some major players.  Kobe and D-Rose are both back from injuries (hopefully) and Lebron James is returning home to Cleveland after spending the last several years in Miami.  Which star will have the greatest impact? Who will fans pay the most attention to?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the least historied fan base of the three, but it's Lebron James.  They are undoubtedly going to get the bulk of the media attention throughout the year, and deservedly so.  The king is back.  Can he bring Cleveland an NBA championship? Is there anyone in the east who can stop of the Cavs star-studded line up?  It's doubtful.  If anyone can, it's probably the Bulls.

Which brings me to the next to return, Derrick Rose.  Rose has been out the past two seasons with damage to his knee(s).  The once up-and-coming star may have seen his best playing days pass him by all too soon.  All of the talent in the world can be dismissed by the injury bug.  Nobody wanted to see that from Rose.  He was quickly becoming the best point guard in the league.  He can pass, score, and slash.  The trio that is rare in most point guards.  Most only have two out of three in the reservoir, but Rose had all three.  We're about to see if Rose still has all three.  He's still young enough to prove to fans that he's not done, but he has to stay healthy.

The final return we're going to see early in the NBA season, is Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant.  Kobe has accomplished so much in his career, it's difficult for the average fan to be as excited about his return over the other three.  The average fan sees Kobe as a washed up, has been.  A really good 'has been', but a 'has been' none the less. Can Kobe prove the average fan wrong? Lakers' fans have no doubt in their minds that he can, but has father time finally beat Kobe Bryant? We'll find out this year.  It's do or die time.  Kobe usually does, but as the days go by, the night time creeps in.  How much longer will Kobe Bryant's light burn?

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
@t_frisbeysports

Cal to Laker Land?

http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/03/11/730_20120311220413975_660_320.JPG

Right before the championship game started tonight, rumors began to swirl about John Calipari heading to the west coast to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season.  The Lakers have yet to announce if they are going to bring back head coach Mike D'antoni for the 2014/2015 season.  He's been a huge disappointment in LA and his relationship with Kobe Bryant is largely unknown.  From the Lakers standpoint, trading Cal for D'antoni would be a huge upgrade.

Coach Cal would bring an excitement and flexibility to the Lakers that they have been searching for since Phil left. The talent level is down, yes, but if Cal can get along with Kobe, next year could be a different story for the largely disappoint Lakers in 2013/2014.  The marriage would be the last of Kobe's career, as he looks for one final championship before he rides off into the sunset.

Why would Calipari leave Kentucky, though? He's currently participating (losing at the moment) in his second championship game there.  He received plenty of hate mail during the middle part of this season when the team was a becoming a huge disappointment, but he's back to the ship and he has the opportunity to continue his legacy.  One of the greatest legacies in college basketball history.  NCAA sanctions, maybe?  Is there something going on in Kentucky that we don't know about?  If Cal leaves for LA, don't be surprised if Kentucky gets the hammer from the NCAA and Cal leaves Lexington the way he left Memphis not too long ago.  He's like the hot girl friend everyone wants.  Once you get her, it's great.  Then she screws you over and you're left crying for the next 6 months.

Regardless of what happens tonight, coach Cal leaving for the LA Lakers would be a beautiful thing for the purple and gold.  Kentucky fans would rage.  Couches would be burning everywhere.  They would feel a feeling that they haven't felt since the Christian Laettner shot.  Alright I've convinced myself that I would love nothing more than to watch Coach John Calipari leave Kentucky for the Los Angeles Lakers.  Make it happen, Bus.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
4/7/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports