NBA Opening night thoughts

Last night the NBA regular season got underway with three games that included two key rookies on display. One had a successful first game, the other couldn't even finish the game.

The Celtics raised their 17th championship banner and held off the Cavs to win their game. The Bulls and rookie Derrick Rose faced the Bucks and came away with a win. Reigning MVP Kobe Bryant was in action against Portland and Greg Oden. The Lakers played sharp as expected but the story was Oden leaving the game with a foot injury.

Of course to his dismay, the next day critics had plenty to say. He's too big, hasn't played a full season, injury prone, on and on. Look injuries happen, yeah it was his first game, but injuries happen and there is nothing you can do about it. The guy will be back soon.

I just wanted to share my thoughts on a few of the statements that were left in the recent comments.

So the Cavs and Celtics played last night and the Celtics won by 5 points. The Cavs had 20 plus turnovers and the Celtics only won by 5 points. I know a win is a win, but if you are truly great and the Cavs aren't, you shouldn't win by 5 points when the other team has 20 plus turnovers.

Yeah it was opening night and emotions were high with the ring ceremony and whatever, but the Cavs led the whole way until the third quarter and the Celtics never lead by more than ten points. The Cavs played poorly the whole game on the offensive side, especially in the second half, yet they still had a shot to win the game.

And that is what I am saying. Come May when the Cavs and Celtics are playing in the playoffs, with a guy like Lebron James on the Cavs, he will give them a shot to win in those close games come playoff time.

I don't think the Celtics played very good defense last night, it was mostly the Cavs having poor execution on the offensive side, which will get corrected as the season goes on. So picking the Cavs to make it to the conference finals with the best player in the league on that team, who is hungry for a championship, is not an outrageous pick.

Love for the Pacers? Love to win 40 games? Sure they might win 40 games and maybe get the last seed in the East, but I really doubt it. All they have is Dunleavy and Granger, both are good players but they have no inside game and if they think they can be a running team, they better get some more employees to join their team.

Yeah the Heat have something to prove and they will prove it and make the playoffs, but they aren't a championship team this year. They too need an inside presence and with just Haslem and Beasley won't get the job done.

The Raptors will be a playoff team, but I don't see them being a championship team. Bosh will have a career year, just because he is a talented player. But the Raptors will fall short in the playoffs.

The Pistons, not make the playoffs? You think there are seven teams in the East better than them. No way. The Pistons will win the Central division, over Cleveland and Chicago. The Pistons haven't lost anyone and their young players off the bench will carry them all season long. What about Kwame Brown? This is his new beginning. And Rodney Stuckey is going to quickly turn into a star. Pistons will be a top four seed again, but their age will catch them come playoff time.

Sixers are the dark horse in the East. They might be the team other than Cleveland to make it to the conference finals. Some people think they will be good and make a run and some think they are over hyped and won't have success in the playoffs. I do think they will be a tough team and cause havoc in the East all season long.

Of course Superman and the Magic will be good. Some are even saying with the addition of Michael Petius, they could make a run at the East title, but I think they are still too young to go that far. But you never know.

It's hard to disagree with my picks in the West, because the Lakers and Hornets are easy championship teams.

I understand that most think the Rockets are injury prone, but I think this is their year to get over the hump and win a playoff series. They are a talented team that could cause some trouble for the top teams in the West.

Lakers and Hornets out West.