The wait is over. During the night the NBA show starts again which after the appetizer, more or less indigestible, between Cleveland and Washington, immediately offers its main dishes, with the reigning champions Heat from Miami who, led by Lebron James, challenge the old Celtics of Pierce and Garnett, in the re-edition of last Eastern conference finals. To add spice to the story, as if there were no need, the presence, in the ranks of Miami, of Ray Allen, who until a few months ago wore the Boston shirt.
Following the highly anticipated new Lakers (Kobe Bryant, however, is in doubt due to some physical problem) host the Dallas Mavericks without Nowitzki.
The favourite. It can only be Miami, which he won last year at the end of a ride full of pitfalls, driven by a Lebron James who has never been so strong and decisive. In addition to the big three, and a core that has remained essentially unchanged, Coach Spoelstra has added new arrows to his bow: the fairy hand of Ray Allen, above all, but also that Rashard Lewis, who after remaining on the sidelines of the League for a couple of years, seems to be made with the tailor to carve out a space as a luxury supporting actor starting from the bench.
The contenders. It seems mandatory to start with last year's finalists: the Ocklahoma City Thunder. Until two days ago it seemed obvious to predict them again in the final, to fight again with the Miami Heat for the coveted ring. But then came the sale of "Beard" James Harden to the Rockets (where he will find Jeremy Lin). A painful choice, logical from many points of view (especially salary and management), but which certainly takes away more than something immediately from the Thunder, despite the return of the excellent backup point guard Maynor after a long injury, and the further growth at high levels of Westbrook and Durant, after the experience accumulated last year.
Behind them they snap the Lakers renewed with the arrival of the evergreen (and always extraordinary) Steve Nash and "Superman" Dwight Howard who join Bryant, Gasol and Metta World Peace (also known as Ron Artest, for the nostalgic) to compose a quintet to make your wrists flutter. The only doubts about the Los Angeles players are a team chemistry that doesn't seem easy to find and a bench that isn't up to par.
Behind the leading group, then, one must never make the mistake of underestimating the big old ones, like the Boston Celtics, who replaced Allen with Jet Jason Terry and added the returning Green (out all last season with a heart problem) to the roster, or like the San Antonio Spurs of Duncan, Ginobili and Parker, who are given up for dead every year, but then, punctually, you find them there, between May and June, fighting for the title.
The Outsiders. To find out more about the ambitions of Chicago Bulls, instead, we will have to wait for the return to the field of Derrick Rose (MVP two seasons ago), to fully assess his condition after his knee injury. Also intriguing Paul and Griffin's Clippers and the two (after the Nets' relocation to Brooklyn) New Yorkers, looking for a relaunch after disappointing seasons. Also keep an eye on the projects of Minnesota, a young and very talented team, of Philadelphia, which took center forward Andrew Bynum from the Lakers, expected to make the definitive leap in quality, and of Denver, which in an exchange with the 76ers got Iguodala , and which can also count on the our Danilo Gallinari, held back last year by too many injuries and also looking for a consecration. The New Orleans Hornets, owned by Antonhy Davis, first overall pick of the last draft and presumed heir to Kevin Garnett, are also intriguing.
Italians. Said of Gallinari, it remains to talk about the other two standard-bearers. For both of them this season he has all the stigmata, seen from here, of a real crossroads. The Beli, who wears the heavy Bulls shirt, is in the contract year (the last year of the contract) and, in addition to a fair share of his future earnings, a credibility is at stake, the one that marks the difference between being a solid man of NBA rotation or a journeyman, a homeless backup.
Similar speech, but at a higher level, applies to Bargnani. This year his Raptors can finally fight for a place in the playoffs, thanks to the additions of Lowry and Valanciunas. The Magician must demonstrate that he is something more than the splendid attacker he has always been, and take that step forward which leads him to be a more complete player (defense and, above all, rebounds are not up to a big name) and finally a leader, also to deny a criticism that overseas has never been tender towards him. We'll see, starting tonight.
