Bring back the NBA - Part 3

As the season edges closer we look at further reasons why we can’t wait for it to begin. Today we look at home court announcing and checking out the rookies.

Reason no. 20: Home court advantage from an announcing perspective

League Pass was reason no. 21 on my list and one of the glories of League Pass which we sometimes get with our television coverage too is commentators who can’t help but cheer on their side.

Tommy Heinsohn, who commentates on Boston Celtics games, is the best example. The former Celtics player not only awards Tommy Points throughout the game but watches the game through green-tinted glasses. He berates referees if a call goes against the Celts, no matter if it is the right call or not, and opposition players are the bad guys taking on the noble Celtics.

Tommy isn’t the only one though and watching League Pass you grow to love all the incredibly bias colour commentators and hearing some of their crazy rants is another reason why I just can’t wait.

Reason no. 19: Checking out the rookies

It is the same each year; you watch young talented ballers go through college and want to see how they progress when they make the giant step up to the NBA. Sometimes the rookies are brilliant – see Dwyane Wade 2003/04, sometimes they are useless – see Marvin Williams 2005/06. Sometimes you get it right – I thought Rashard McCants would be a very average NBA player for my Wolves, sometimes you get it wrong – I thought Corey Brewer would be a very useful NBA player for my Wolves.

Whatever happens though it is interesting to watch these men mature. Most of them have been the star players on their teams all their lives but only a select few will maintain that superstar role. For the rest they have to adapt their attitude and their game or they’ll be out of the league quicker than you can say Zarko Cabarkapa.

My brief predictions this year (we may do more on this nearer the start of the season):- Oden will have a stellar year, Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley will be effective but OJ Mayo will steal the show. Brook Lopez may be the highly touted lottery pick that struggles.

Reason no. 18: Rookie hazing

Those same rookies who will have to re-evaluate their role on the court will also have to put up with some rookie hazing. Last year we got to see Taureen Green Crank That and Louis Scola and co. sing the US national anthem very badly. In the past Rodney Carney beautifully led his 6ers teammates singing Lean On Me and Patrick O’Bryant had his car filled with popcorn. Sometimes the veterans just have to get involved as Al Harrington proved. They just can’t resist the attention.

So what can we expect this year, maybe some Kevin Love break-dancing? Some singing from Danilo Gallinari? Or Beasley doing the YMCA?

To view Part 2 click here.

To view Part 1 click here.

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