NBA 2009-10 Season Preview

The NBA season tips off later today, and I couldn't be happier. Panther's are garbage, I'm not into regular season hockey, and the Yankee's winning is a foregone conclusion. I need something to root for right about now. While there are more than a few great storylines to take not of this year, there are some that's I'm really interested in seeing play out over the course of the season.

Proving Grounds
Gilbert Arenas and Allen Iverson have just about fallen off the face of the Earth. One complained about the lack of minutes he was given in Detroit last season, and the other was literally missing in action for most of the 08-09 season. Neither lived up to the moniker of superstar.If Gilbert Arenas manages to stay healthy, do more than his a few last second shots in games that don't matter, and actually talks to the media instead of taking fines, he has a chance earn most of his clout back.

While Allen Iverson may be on a mission to prove naysayers wrong, whether everybody/ll take notice of his on court exploits is still up in the air. He chose to play for the Memphis Grizzlies. It was rumored that he was going to Charlotte to meet up with Larry Brown again. Iverson picked Memphis, and that franchise is still irrelevant when it comes to the title picture.

New Faces.
Orlando is my favorite to make it out of the East this season.Dwight Howard isn't going to regress at all, and Vince Carter still has moments where he looks like a man amongst boys. The Only thing that can mess this up is if Stan Van Gundy pulls a Van Gundy again. There will be questionable substitutions, bad play calls, and a blatant lack of respect for his star plays. Whether it'll hold them back from winning remains to be seen.

Shaq moving to Cleveland is only good in a NBA video game. He'll get exposed in the playoffs, and become more of a detriment than an asset. Rasheed Wallas going to Boston is sheer comedy. That guy is a loose cannon, it'll be interesting to see if Garnett can keep him in check for at least the first 50 games or so. Ron Artest might be the only guy to rival Sheed in Technicals this year.

Rookie hazing.
After his treatment at the NBA draft a few months ago, it'll be interesting to see how Tyler Hansbrough answers back at everybody who doubts his talents.We all know by how that he works hard. That become somewhat of a running gag when he was in UNC. Of course he worked hard, the fast that he broke a few records in college shows that.

Blake Griffin is already injured, and on the brink of being just another #1 draft bust. The Los Angeles Clippers are cursed. Somebody has to say it. That little microphone incident at his first press conference was an ominous warning. I feel bad for the kid. Judging by his summer league stats, he could be something special...if the summer league actually meant anything(which it doesn't.)