NBA is Back

I'm really, really trying hard to get into the NBA this season. The potential for a great season is there and there's plenty of talent to go around. But, three things are holding me back.

No. 1, and most importantly, the Sixers are going nowhere. The Raptors, Nets and Celtics are all too good for this team to flourish in the Atlantic Division, and even the Knicks, yes the lowly, Isiah Thomas run Knicks, have more potential than the Sixers. I don't care what anyone says, not having the real A.I. in the line-up will hurt my interest in the Sixers for longer than I care to think about. (I'm also not thrilled about passing on Al Thornton for Thad Young in the lottery, but that has a lot of time to play out before I rush to judgment.)

No. 2 is Greg Oden's injury. I know Kevin Durant is special. Mike Conley and Acie Law are both future all-stars and the likes of Corey Brewer, Al Horford, Thornton and Jeff Green will all be solid pros, but I wanted to see the big man play NOW. Not to mention I get the sinking feeling that this could be the summary of career, plenty of talent and potential, but can't stay healthy. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

No 3 is the Kobe drama. I'm sick of it. Seriously, I thought the whole Pats-Colts coverage was going to be overkill, but Kobe (and the two Joe's-Girardi and Torre) are still hogging headlines. Kobe's great. Kobe is a franchise player. Kobe's also a baby and extremely annoying. He's a joy to watch play, but brutal off the court. This dude should be thrown in a house with T.O. and A-Rod and be watched by those nannies from the old FOX show. Or maybe by Irv Gotti who can tell them to "Man up," every time they start to pout.

Regardless, I'm going to try hard to enjoy this season. Maybe A.I. can take the Nuggets deep in the playoffs and the Sixers' A.I. will further blossom. And maybe a competent opponent will come through the East to provide a decent NBA Finals. But most likely, the NBA will remain in the backseat during the NFL season and then lose any steam it gains from me once baseball starts again. Oh well, at least Stephen Jackson is the Warriors' captain and Ricky Davis is in South Beach. Something entertaining is guaranteed to happen. If only Pacman Jones would pull a Master P. and try to make a run at an NBA career. Now that would get my attention.