Bring back the NBA - Part 1

Ever since Kevin Garnett signalled the end of the 2007/08 season when he screamed “anything is possible” in that post-game interview on July 17, we’ve been waiting.

We waited through the draft. We waited through the incredible free agency period which included the Brand/Davis drama and an increased threat to the NBA from abroad. We waited through the Redeem Team showing their dominance and taking gold at the Beijing Olympics.

The waiting is not over yet though, we’ve still got to sit through important games for Great Britain and then the NBA’s pre-season.

Problem is we can’t wait, the best off-season in recent memory has teased us, whetted our appetites. We want the NBA season to start, now.

As we’ve still got nearly two months to go before Garnett and Zydrunas Illgauskas tip-off the 2008/09 season on October 28, we’re going to count down the 25 reasons why we can’t wait for the new season to begin.

Reason no. 25: Watching Denver Nuggets pick-up games

Last season watching the Nuggets was fun (providing you weren’t from Denver). It was almost like watching an All Star game, little defence but some exciting moves and a lot of ball-hogging. However, this season could be even better.

The strange departure of Marcus Camby to the Clippers to clear cap room took away the Nugs last bit of D. So now we’ll get to see AI, Carmelo and JR Smith shooting lots and scoring lots but the Nuggets will have no-one to cover their back at the other end.

If last year was like watching an All Star game, this year may be like watching a pick-up game. A pick-up game, that is, with some of the world’s best scorers.

Don’t expect a lot of wins or a lot of coaching in Denver though.

Reason no. 24: New Uniforms

Any basketball geek loves seeing the superstars of the league strut around in their new uniforms, and I’m no different. It is hard to describe why seeing slightly adjusted designs can bring such excitement but it just does.

This year the best/worst new jersey is that of my Minnesota Timberwolves. Accusations the jerseys look like WNBA uniforms have not been helped by the fact they are modelled by the recently acquired Mike (or Michelle) Miller, who looks like a WNBA player himself – tall, long-haired and flat-chested.

New Orleans also have a cool, new kit and logo and theirs’ looks a lot more at home in the NBA.

The new kits symbolise the start of a new season and therefore the excitement that comes with it and I can’t wait to see the Hornets and the Wolves for the first time this season, as well as all those players who have switched teams in their new unis.

Why can’t you wait for the NBA to start? Let us know by posting below.