Every Night a Reason to Watch

The World Series is over, The Vikings season is essentially over, and the College Football season is winding down before the long lay-off until the meaningful bowl games start (if there is such a thing as meaningful bowl games, plural). This means it is NBA time. I didn't do an NBA season preview, because it is too easy to just say "it will be either the Lakers vs the Heat or Celtics in the finals". No kidding. Instead I waited a couple weeks, watched some NBA league pass and have come up with a few reasons why to watch each and every NBA team this season.

Atlanta Hawks -
The two Crawfords (Jamal and Jordan) can score in bunches and in different kinds of ways.
Mike Bibby is still starting, until Jeff Teague blossoms at least, and he is still weird looking.
Josh Smith on a break away.
Al Horford is extremely underrated.
Joe Johnson is still underrated, but his paycheck doesn't say so.

Boston Celtics -
The Big 3 are all healthy.
Jermaine O'Neal and Shaq together. Ahh, if it was only 2001.
Perhaps the largest team in NBA history.
Ray Allen's clutch shots. (Still not better than Reggie. No way, no how).
KG might tell someone they have AIDS, Lou Gehrig's Disease or West Nile. Some incurable disease.

Charlotte Bobcats -
Michael Jordan actually showing up to a game (work).
They were 31-10 at home last year. Not too shabby.
The all-bust team: Tyrus Thomas, Gerald Henderson, Shaun Livingston, and the MVP Kwame Brown.
Always the off chance Stephen Jackson punches an opposing player, or teammate, or fan.

Chicago Bulls -
Derrick Rose is a highlight reel in waiting.
Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah are on pace for the ugliest front court of all time. Move over Ilgauskas and Varejao!
Kyle Korver's smooth shot.
One word: Scalabrine.

Cleveland Cavaliers -
Lebro...ohhhh sorry.
The crowd chanting "Boobie" for Daniel Gibson.
J.J. Hickson could have a break out year.
Mo Williams is the best player on the team. Like a car wreck you can't look away from.
When LeBron comes to town. Madness.
Dan Gilbert and his Comic Sans font.

Dallas Mavericks -
Mark Cuban.
Jason Kidd throwing alley-oops to Tyson Chandler.
Dirk is a 7-footer who drives and hits 3's, in case you forgot.
Brian Cardinal and Brendan Haywood. They make a funny couple.

Denver Nuggets -
The impending Carmelo trade.
If Carmelo doesn't get traded, how this team plays together.
Birdman.
A sneaky good front court led by Nene, Al Harrington and Kenyon Martin.
If Chauncey finally defers and acts like a 34 year old point guard.

Detroit Pistons -
Rip Hamilton's constant movement is still entertaining.
Charlie Villanueva's tweets.
Tracy McGrady riding the bench.
The off-chance the fans start a fight with an opposing team and Joe Dumars blame it all on the opposing team. That would never happen though right?

Golden State Warriors -
Their awesome new uniforms.
Stephen Curry is really smart and really good.
Monta Ellis may shot 30 times a game, but he will put up points.
The crowd.

Houston Rockets -
For my money, the most overrated team in the NBA. Hey people still watch the Cowboys, might as well watch the Rockets too. Not saying "bad" but the finals? Really Van Gundy?
Luis Scola is crafty. He also looks like Russell Brand.
Shane Battier's hustle.
YAOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

(My) Indiana Pacers -
Roy Hibbert is greatly improving.
Larry Bird's grumpy face.
Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts - The White Hopes.
Rookie Paul George has some serious potential.
Danny Granger is carrying a chip on his shoulder from his lack of play on team USA.
Mike Dunleavy, T.J. Ford and Jim O'Brien and their chances of being assassinated by a disgruntled Pacers fan.
Darren Collison getting a team to lead.
The inevitable strip club incident involving Lance Stephenson and Brandon Rush.

Los Angeles Clippers -
Blake Griffin.
Chris Kaman's hair.
Baron Davis taking shots away from Eric Gordon.
Eric Bledsoe maturing into a real point guard.
Blake Griffin.

Los Angeles Lakers -
Watching the best player in the NBA at this moment - Kobe Bryant.
Seeing is Phil Jackson can add another ring to his resume, which already includes the trophy for "Most Overrated Figure in Sports History" (See earlier article).
Ron Artest interviews.
Pau Gasol's moves around the basket.
Steve Blake trying to claim the starting job from Derek Fisher.

Memphis Grizzlies -
The Gay-Mayo duo.
First round pick Xavier Henry.
Watching Mike Conley, surprisingly the best prospect that came from that OSU NCAA finals team.
To see if Hasheem Thabeet gets literally ripped in half.

Miami Heat -
The star-studded second unit of Eddie House, Juwan Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Carlos Arroyo!

Milwaukee Bucks -
Brandon Jennings in his 2nd year.
Magette and Gooden co-existing.
Michael Redd, to see if he reappears. Ever.
Andrew Bogut's fan section.

Minnesota Timberwolves -
Michael Beasley in the party mecca that is Minneapolis in the Winter.
The point guard trio of Flynn, Ridnour and Telfair. Way better than Curry and Rubio.
Kevin Love. When he plays.
KAHN!

New Jersey Nets -
The growth of rookie Derrick Favors.
Jay-Z
Brook Lopez has quietly became a very good big man.
Troy Murphy taking his crazy 3's out of Indiana.
The Russian.

New Orleans Hornets -
Did everybody forget how incredibly good Chris Paul is?
How bad the other players look when Chris Paul is off the floor.
Tervor Ariza on another new team.
Chris Paul. Chris Paul. Chris Paul.

New York Knicks -
The reemergence of the Knicks.
The inevitable signing of Carmelo.
To see how Amare plays without Steve Nash.
The chance Eddy Curry blows up from eating too much.
The Garden crowd.

Oklahoma City Thunder -
The youngest, most exciting team in the NBA.
Kevin Durant. One of the most likable superstars ever.
Russell Westbrook's quick pull up.
James Harden's beard.
The OKC crowd.

Orlando Magic -
Is Jameer Nelson really a championship PG?
Dwight Howard's emerging offensive game. Still not great.
J.J. Redick's jump shot.
Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis looking bored.
Stan Van Gundy sweating a lot.

Philadelphia 76ers -
2nd Round pick Evan Turner and his lack of fitting in right now.
Anre Iguodala trade rumors.
Lou Williams scores in bunches.
Doug Collins. Will he last the whole year or be back on TNT by February?

Phoenix Suns -
The modern physical marvel known as Steve Nash.
One of the good guys in the NBA: Grant Hill.
Josh Childress and Hedo Turkoglu returning to the USA.
Good team chemistry.

Portland Trailblazers -
Brandon Roy becoming a leader.
A reenergized Marcus Camby.
LaMarcus Aldridge continuing to fly under the NBA radar.
The Curious Case of Greg Oden's penis.

Sacramento Kings -
Rookie Demarcus Cousins. Next Derrick Coleman or Chris Webber?
The second year of Tyreke Evans.
Pooh Jeter. Don't know who he is, but awesome name.
7-footer from Marshall Hassan Whiteside. Diamond in the rough or bust?

San Antonio Spurs -
A rested Spurs team after an early exit in 2010. Dangerous.
A finally healthy Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Last year: George Hill. This year: ?
Tim Duncan on his (close to) last leg.
The best coach in the NBA.
Eva Longoria.

Toronto Raptors -
The race with Minnesota for the 1st pick.
When Chris Bosh comes to town and likely fakes an injury.
Ed Davis too weak to play in the NBA?
Reggie Evans too dumb to play in the NBA?

Utah Jazz -
Deron Williams is really good. A hair better than over-hyper college teammate Dee Brown.
Rookie Gordon Hayward brings his partying ways to Utah.
Al Jefferson on a good team for the first time in his career.
The second best coach in the NBA.
The old logo is new again.

Washington Wizards -
John Wall's blinding speed.
John Wall's dance.
Gilbert Arenas. He is hilarious, and likely to be traded.
Yi Jianlian is due for a breakout year!
John Wall's chances to lead the league in steals.