NBA Opening Night

It's that time of year again. The air is getting cool, we see our first snows in the North East of the country, and were playing, err, trying to finish playing the Fall Classic in Philly. Let's forget all that and check out opening night in the NBA. With a limited schedule of only three games rolling out on this Tuesday evening, we got to sit front and center and take in some exciting basketball action.

Boston, Mass.

On Banner night, the Boston Celtics were presented with some nice jewelry before tip off. The championship rings, worth $3o,ooo, featured over 92 diamonds and emeralds set in 14k white gold with a shamrock in the center. Now to the game action. In a rematch of one of last seasons more exciting playoff series, we got to witness Lebron and company face off against the defending champs. For the first three quarters, The King was his usual spectacular self displaying a vast arsenal of highlight dunks and post moves. In the fourth, another story, when James starts to slip in the clutch already missing a crucial layup and his own put back attempt when the Cavs found themselves down by a triple with only 54 seconds to go. Anybody doubting the Celtics chances of repeating might want to have seen the second half when the shooters came to town picking the team up from an 11 point deficit at it's largest. Just look at the excitement on Paul Pierces' face when Leon "Laker killer" Powe slammed it home to put the game away. This guy is focused and wants another run at the title.

Los Angeles, Ca

Best wishes to sophomore rookie Greg Oden after getting hurt landing on Derek Fishers foot and rolling his ankle early in the contest of his much anticipated and much awaited NBA debut. Oden continued to play through pain for the first half and exited the game with zero points, 5 boards, 1 blocked shot and 2 fouls at the half. Preliminary x-rays came back inconclusive and he is scheduled for an MRI to follow. 

The NBA GM's might have been on to something when they overwhelmingly selected the Lakers to contend for the championship this season. The Lakers looked menacing, especially on defense with blocked shots and steals, four coming from Vladimir Radmonovic. As more evidence that the Zen masters plan of Lamar Odom coming off the bench will work, early in the first quarter Odom dishes the rock to a wide open and visibly stunned Sasha Vujacic standing in full warm ups in front of the Lakers bench. Just one bluster in a sloppy game that the Lakers lead from tip off to the final buzzer. Oh yeah, and that Kobe fella' looked his MVP self really awakening after a hard foul and stare down by Joel Pryzbilla early in the third cruising to an easy 23 point 11 rebound effort. Nice to hear Randy Newman singing "I love L.A." on opening night after losing last year's debut on a last second three.

Chicago, Illinois

NBA overall number one pick Derrick Rose didn't trip coming out of the tunnel and played a great game in his league debut putting up 11 points and, maybe more impressive, 3 steals showing his much needed defensive potential to help the Bulls to a 108-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Scott Skiles came to a familiar house but sat his team down in the visitors locker room after being fired as Bulls coach last season. His own Michael Redd felt at home on the court however, scoring 30 points in the loss. Tyrus Thomas, one of my picks for future NBA star finished with 15 and 10 for the Bulls as well. 

MLB World Series

Philadelphia, PA 

Well, commissioner Bud Selig wants the weather to go his way and says even if Tampa can win this suspended game there probably will be no travel day. Thursday game 6 will be played in Tampa, if necessary, trying to appease to all MLB fans.

NFL

San Diego, Ca

Ted Cottrell loses his third job as a defensive coordinator as the Chargers fire him after going 6-10 in one and a half seasons with the team. Ron Rivera, the team linebackers coach, will assume the position, no pun intended.

NHL

To the ice, it took Mike Grier for San Jose to win 2-1 in Pittsburgh Tuesday night.