Here's hoping you had a ringside seat last night for the greatest show(time) in town as the Lake Show opened their 2010/2011 campaign and received their 2009/2010 championship rings. Nine remaining members of last season received rings. Ron Artest received his first and Farmar, Powell, Morrison and D.J. should check the post, or more aptly should have been here, good luck guys. The west wall of Staples was decorated with the Lakers 16Th banner while Bryant, Fisher, Phil Jackson and his wife Jeanie Buss equaled Magic and Kareem's ring total with a handful of five. As each player received their gold, they introduced the next and talked about their worth. It was a beautiful moment watching the transition between Queens natives Odom and Artest. As for the game the Lakers grounded Houston 112-110. Kobe had a real healthy 27, while Pau Gasol stepped it up with 29 points and 11 rebounds. When the Lakers where down 15 however, Shannon Brown saved them with a marriage of 3 pointers. Still it was newbie Steve Blake's, 18.8 seconds to go clutch 3 and preseason darling Lamar Odom's no love block on Aaron Brooks layup that sealed the game with a championship kiss. The defence already looks good.
BOSTON CELTICS 88-80 MIAMI HEAT
From the defenders of the throne to the pretenders of it. Hollywood may have been a big draw last night but the most tuned in opener of the NBA season was Miami's, championship hopeful big three debut against defending Eastern champion the Boston Celtics. It was last years Eastern royalty however that dethroned all the kings men. The Celtics cooled the Heat 88-80. James and Wade looked ok but weren't at their best while Bosh was dominated by his idol Kevin Garnett. LeBron admitted, "This is a work in progress." James knows this season isn't going to be perfect, but still Miami shouldn't be feeling the heat just yet, "We all know Rome wasn't built in one day, so it's going to take time and we understand that. We have to keep on making progress every day," James added. Don't read too much into this game, good times should still reign in South Beach. What should be taken from this game however is that the written off Boston Celtics are still in the hunt for more engraved titles. With K.G., Ray Allen, Shaq, the other O'Neal, Rondo and Pierce the Celts have a group of 'superfriends' themselves, and that's the truth.
Although all the hype and expectations this season have been placed on free agents and champions there was a draft this summer too and the second pick of this years great player selection was Philadelphia 76er Evan Turner. Sixer head coach has decided however that Evan will start his first NBA turn on the bench. Not only will this talented rookie have to put up with carrying the teams bags he will also have to put up with riding the pine for a full 82. That is unless he shows Philly and the L that he really deserved to be number one. The backcourt byline of Turner and Jrue Holiday will have to wait, as this talented young Philly team featuring, Brand, Igudola and Young look to mature. Turner will face the big three of Miami on Wednesday off the bench but as long as he's given playing time Turner can still show and prove. It's not the minutes you get it's what you do with them. Philadelphia know first hand that Robert Horry may have not started games but he sure finished them. Besides Evan knows he's got the right attitude, "It's not about me, it's about the team." TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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