Spurs mentioned
The Brunswick News BA surviving tough economic times due to its star power
By ANDREW SMITH
Despite the economy that was flailing so badly the government had to give it swimmies, it appears all is well in the NBA.
While much of America is suffering, watching the stock market drop 30 to 40 percent, the NBA has only seen minimal losses and reported record profits on NBA.com for the month of December.
Even this weekend's All-Star spectacular was its typical huge and gaudy self in light of the issues, which may force the league to lower its salary cap next season and beyond.
On Saturday, NBA commissioner David Stern said that his league is holding steady and will continue to do so, even during a worldwide economic downturn that has put many big businesses, like the largest basketball organization there is, in jeopardy.
I think the league is able to keep its head above water because no other league understands star power better than the NBA.
The NBA did what it does best during All-Star weekend by using its stars in a variety of events, capped off by one of the best slam dunk contests in the event's history.
And they bring them all to celebrate in the festivities. Guys that aren't even all-stars get an invite to play in some ridiculous game or skills competition, and most importantly, get their face on TV.
One of the smartest of these endeavors, the Rookie Challenge, is a game pitting rookies and sophomores. Why not put your brightest young stars on the court at the same time? Nothing like spreading the love.
Yet, for all of the positive aspects of the NBA, it lacks one major factor -- parity. As of today, there are probably only six teams that can win the championship and even that might be a stretch.
There are definitely two bona fide contenders in the Eastern Conference (Boston, Cleveland) and one in the West (Los Angeles Lakers). Every other team is just too optimistic for me if they think that they can make a run at the finals with their current roster.
Orlando, owner of the third-best record in the East, isn't quite ready. At 38-13 the youthful Magic, led by Dwight Howard, win most of the games they should, but still can't pick up enough crucial wins against the elite teams in their conference.
In the West, San Antonio is what I'd call a bubble team. Although they have a "big three" in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, they haven't been healthy at the same time for much of the season.
And although I'd like to, I'm not willing to discount the Denver Nuggets just yet. They are sometimes impressive, but are mainly inconsistent. The only thing that saves them is their personnel. Point guard Chauncey Billups has rings to prove he can cut it in the playoffs, but Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the players still need to prove themselves in the postseason.
There are a lot of good basketball players in the league, but the most successful teams are the deepest clubs where every player knows his role.
The Celtics, Cavs and Lakers each fit the aforementioned parameter and thus have what it takes to hoist the finals trophy in June.
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are playing as well as the two best players on the planet should play, but this year they have more help from their teams.
James now has a point guard that can score in Mo Williams and a variety of players can step up on any given night. The Cavs could get into the finals, though I've still got the defending champion Celtics slightly ahead in the race.
Heading into the second half of the season, I'm giving the Lakers the edge anybody else.
Kobe is healthy, focused and aware that his chance at a title gets slimmer every season. The rest of the team has stepped up to fill the necessary roles of a championship team and is playing much more physical than it did last year.