Now that the Anaheim Angels have proved their worth in a competitive series, it's time we see a new reign begin in a winter sport of choice.
Tonight is opening night for the National Basketball Association, and the Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites to win it all -- again. There's about as much doubt about that prediction as at this time last year, and the 14-time champs had no trouble toying with the New Jersey Nets to sweep the NBA Finals.
So where's the drama?
Among the dynasty's challengers are several teams who each have at least one veteran superstar and some young talent. The best rivalry last season came from just across the valley, between the champs and the Sacramento Kings, whom I've previously praised for their wealth of international talent. If you watched the Western Conference Finals between these two rivals, through many stages it proved as uncertain as this year's World Series. Thus, it's no surprise that the Kings are the No. 1 threat to the throne, with their weight on the shoulders of MVP candidate Chris Webber.
If we look east, we see several intense rivalries but, with roster changes, as much uncertainty as ACC basketball. Anyone remember Grant Hill? Always popular among the fans and one of the favorite to be "the next Mike," the would-be perennial All-Star returns from injury this season, hopefully.
Hill's presence would mean great tidings for Orlando, also the home of Tracy McGrady -- now the Magic's main man after an explosive season that probably turned him into the best all-around player in the league, besides the Lakers' very own Kobe Bryant. No problem, because if anybody's going to be unselfish enough to complement the versatile T-Mac, it's Hill, Mr. Triple-Double himself.
Also among Eastern favorites are fellow Atlantic Division powers Boston and New Jersey, who met in last year's Conference finals. I must say I was in awe of the way the Celtics battled in the fourth quarters of several games before falling in seven. It almost looked like the Virginia football team earlier this month, but the Celts need to find a reliable quarterback now that point guard Kenny Anderson was traded away for underachieving forward Vin Baker. Still, if Baker produces like he did in his early days in Milwaukee and Seattle, and Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker continue to run their show, then newly acquired Nets center Dikembe Mutombo won't be enough to stop the green offense.
For the Nets, point guard Jason Kidd will conduct the offense, with youth a factor because forwards Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin still are realizing their potential. Martin proved a leader with a wild streak that could either benefit his team or send it into chaos. An early trip to the Finals makes maturity so much easier.
I've previously touched on the nearby Washington Wizards , several of whose games I'll have the privilege of attending this winter, and I'll once again say youth and new additions are just as likely determinants of success as the Michael Jordan factor. It's time for Washington to move beyond being the most exciting bad team of the decade.
Let's skip the New York Knicks, my other favorite team, for now, while forward Antonio McDyess takes a season to recover from a knee injury. Right now I see scrappy chaos -- next year will be different.
New Orleans, where the Charlotte Hornets relocated over the summer, is a nice place to play basketball and has a squad as deep as any contender this side of the Mississippi.
The only legitimate contender where old guys still reign is Utah, and the pick-and-roll should run just as it has the past 10 years, no surprises there.
Move a little east from California, and the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks contest each other for the state of Texas, but it's more a matter of which one can get to and beyond the Lakers.
All said, we are in a time of dynasty in the NBA, characterized by consistency in the West and unpredictability in the East.
Taking into account adjustments from last year, I give the Hornets, Celtics and Nets an equal shot at coming out of the East. More experience should prove enough to boost the Kings over the Lakers.
The question is, this year or 2008? Your guess is as good as Charles Barkley's.
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