The Little NBA Season That Could

BEN MENZIES / January 18

With all the mind-blowing shit that’s already gone down this year it’s hard to imagine that there was a lockout and a very real threat of no season in 2012. Basketball stopped for a little while (contrary to Nike’s ad campaign) but our faith in the game didn’t, and on the 26th of November last year our frustrations were rewarded with an organizational reconciliation, a blockbuster Christmas Day miracle series and most importantly, a season.

Fueled by pure motivational restraint and an itch that no minor league competition can scratch, the NBA’s upper echelon have returned to the limelight with a fervor rarely seen so early in a season, resulting in a highlight reel that would historically take two or three regular seasons to compile. If these guys are still finding their feet after an extended post-season, I’m scared of what’s going to happen come playoff time.

Below is a small example of the developments, I wanted to post more but I’m sure you guys have more important stuff to do aside from watch NBA highlights all day, which is a shame:

Chris Paul and the new Clippers:

Chris Paul relocates to to LA, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan lose court time. Not in the sense of less minutes of course, more-so due to the fact that they now spend large portions of the game suspended in mid-air. Having Billups patrolling the perimeter will never be a bad thing either.

Kevin Durant going archival on the Mavs:

Need to silence a premature celebration from the current champions? An off inbound fade-away triple with 1.4 seconds to go will generally do the trick. Cold. Blooded.

Hack-a-low-percentage-free-throw-shooter:

Golden State’s Bully Busters initiative backfired when they put Dwight in the record books and gave him a season high.

Ricky Rubio serving Timberwolves tapas:

Looks about 13 years old but displays a court awareness and lightning quick bounce pass well ahead of his years. Minnesota’s favourite imported son is known to receive standing ovations for bringing the ball up court and his ability to see into the future.

Blake Griffin:

I love that thing where he catches the ball and dunks on whoever is guarding him.

T-Mac and VC still being relevant:

Their legs might be gone and their Hall of Fame hopes shattered, but seeing these two display greatness at their own convenience is almost as rewarding to watch.

Kobe Bryant’s selective wrist injury giving him super powers (sometimes):

Love or hate him, the Black Mamba is still dropping some frightening numbers, sometimes it just takes an equally frightening amount of shots to get them.

Lebron James being Lebron James:

Love or hate him, King James is still dropping some frightening numbers, sometimes it just takes a 4th quarter to get them.