Christmas Heat Wave

Ask yourself a question....
Self....Yessum....
Do you love Christmas time?....No not really, I spend a lot of money I don't have for no apparent reason to please a few other people and get some emotional boost from seeing them happy.
Self, you are rambling again......Ok. Sorry short answer is yes, Christmas is cool.
What if I told you the Miami Heat play LA Lakers, Orlando Magic plays the Boston Celtics on Christmas?.....I would tell you my wife and kids will not be too happy with me.
What if I told you that action actually starts off with the newlook New York Knicks vs the Baby Bulls followed up with Dookie Durant vs Denver Nuggets.....Do you know a good divorce lawyer...I might need one?

Following subplots
Miami Heat, media conglomerate and summertime news makers, ride their 12 game winning streak and possibly 14 game winning streak into Kobe Bryant and the two-time defending Champs LA Lakers in Los Angeles. This game has been circled on both team's calendars. For Miami, this is the ultimate litmus test, can you beat the champs in a big game? For LA, this is the statement game of I don't care who signed this summer, the title goes through LA. The best player in the game goes against the next 2 best players. The best big man in the West vs the worst frontline assembled since Vietnam.

Orlando fired more people this week than Washington Redskins. Look at these salaries and tell me which team is Orlando:
Team A

Player 1 - $18.8 mill

Player 2 - $13.5 mill

Player 3 - $11.8 mill

Player 4 - $8.4 mill

Team B

Player 1 - $17.7 mill
Player 2 - $14.4 mill
Player 3 - $10.2 mill
Player 4 - $16.6 mill

You guessed it, team B is Orlando with Arenas, JRich, Turkoglu, and Howard respectively. Can you name Team A? Does it look like Miami didn't spend their money wisely this summer? They got LeBron, Wade, Bost for $14.5/each.  I'm just saying. You can't cry foul and claim you thought guys were more "competitive" or whatever and then go out and follow the mold. Meanwhile Boston is riding a 13 game streak of their own, and you bets believe they want to prove that they are still the best Big 3 and 1 in the league.

Team A - San Antonio Spurs - Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Richard Jefferson.

NFL Quick note: DeSean Jackson just reached Primetime level of do not kick the ball to him at any point in the game status.

NBA SEASON KICKS OFF TONIGHT

Yeah, I stole their picture. Thats on ESPN right now. Above, you are looking at the ideal NBA Eastern Conference Finals. You have the former Big 3 vs Team John Dillinger. Shaq and Rondo vs Pat Riley's hair. South Beach vs Noreasters. There is only one problem with this scenario, it has to play 82 games and make it through the season.

I believe this matchup takes place in May unless the following things happen:

1. Carmelo and Chris Paul/Tony Parker are traded to the Knicks. This does not put them in the driver's seat either, but a Run and Gun Knick team lead by LaLa's man and Amare would pose some severe health issues to everyone on the Celtics sans Rondo. Shout out to LaLa. I see you ma.

2. Stan Van Gundy - Can Stan be the man that Riley thought he would be? Can he edit Dwight Howard's post scoring and offensive awareness ratings on NBA Elite to boost him to top 5 in the game? Does Vince Carter pull a Vince Carter? Better yet, can he get out of the way and let JJ and French Connection UK step into the lineup for good?

3. What about Utah Midwest - Is DRose an upgrade or downgrade of Deron Williams for this same supporting cast? Is Tom Thibodeaux exposed as a new coach or prove that he was the architect of the most recent Boston glory days? Do you get rid of Joakim Noah for Melo and is that a good move to begin with? I say no. 

4. Realignment - Seeing that you could probably win 33 games and make the playoffs in the East, how do you stay focused night in and night out to get better when you playing the Nets, Pacers, or Pistons?

5. Injuries. Not ones caused by helmet to helmet contact, but just natural injuries. Carlos Boozer fell walking up the stairs last month. Mike Miller messed up his hand throwing money at King of Diamonds last Wednesday night after a night on the town with Rick Ross. Injuries happen. I think Miami would be able to withstand some injuries due to Wade and LeBron used to playing by themselves anyway. Boston on the other hand, they are a Rondo ankle roll away from being swept in first round. 

I'll tell you one thing, loved the new LeBron commercial. Especially when he eats the cupcake and gives a shout out.