What I learned on Day 1 of 124 of the 2012 NBA Season

[Q_FBE]

This is a fast paced thread of the daily recap of the ins and outs of NBA action. I can't watch the all the games, no one can. I would appreciate some help and fill ins and I will give TPs to those that volunteer their observations of what I am sure will be a compelling NBA season.

Besides "celebrating" our Christmas with Santa Joey I saw:

No reason to watch Miami absolutely crush Dallas while they spend their emotion on the celebration rather than the game. Must be that post title hangover effect or worse yet trading out Tyson Chandler (who gives the Nix defensive teeth as we saw early and late in our game) for Lamar Odom... I spent time golfing with the in-laws and getting fresh air and sunshine.

Chicago at Dallas - In watching the last 4 minutes, The Lakers simply choked under Chicago's grit and Derek Rose's clutch basket. Kobe, I think will finally look human this year and the Lakers could very will go as soft as Metta World Peace. Peace Out in the first round fellow Laker Fans.

Orlando at OKC - In the Old Friends basketball classic some things will never change. Perkins has Dwight Howards number and Baby is a selfish pig. I don't know if OKC can rise up and win the west but I doubt Orlando is going anywhere this year.

LAC at GS - WOW that was fairly intense game. New comer coach Mark Jackson is trying to sell Golden State on playing defense and they put up a very good basketball fight but Chris Paul went off in the end and the Clippers won by a comfortably decisive margin.

I expect a good fight in the Pacific Division between possibly four teams here for the division title. There will be four teams chasing playoff spots anyway. LAC may end up better than LAL which would be interesting indeed.

[thirstyboots18]

What I learned on day one was that two teams that lost are  a lot better than I thought.  The Celtics and Lakers both played shorthanded and played a lot closer than I thought they would, against good oponents.

Love that Rondo came through on a day when most of his teammates were off, and love the addition of Bass.  Wow!  While Carmelo was the star of the Knicks and played  great, he was overshadowed by his teammate, Crawford, who iced the game.

[nickagneta]

History can repeat itself....didn't the Miami Heat championship team get totally smoked at home in the opener the year after they when the title too?

That the Clippers did indeed get better and that Golden State still sucks.

That the Celtics can't win games when Sasha Pavlovic has to start and play defense against the elite SFs in the league.

That Joey Crawford is still Joey Crawford and that the lockout didn't change NBA officiating one bit.

That during the regular season, Lebron James is still far and away the best player in the world. During the regular season that is.

That Dwight Howard really appears to have given up on being a Magic player for life.

[Celtics18]

I learned that Rajon Rondo might be an MVP candidate.

And, that Dwight Howard is a whiny cry baby who is hurting his team with his incredible selfishness.  Basically, this is not a guy who I want to be a Celtic.

[nba is the worst]

I was surprised that the lakers' defense was that tough - haven't seen that from them under Jackson.

Nice to see that Rondo's ft practice helped.

Golden State's D was also better, but offensively they are very undisciplined.

Dwight has regressed to a point that is humorous indeed...