1 Down, 49 to go.
Well, the first game of the new NBA has been and gone and it looks like the fans have gotten over the six months off. The crowds to the exhibition games were often packed to the rafters, even though they were free, but the big games have been very busy as well.
It was always going to happen though, fans coming back to the games. We have all missed that many games so far, I didn't think people were going to stay away from the games when they actually had a choice.
The games so far have been entertaining, high scores, a lot of blocks, some good challenges. A replay of last years Finals series was up first, the rebuilding Chicago Bulls against the Utah Jazz. I hate to show my true colours, but the Jazz couldn't beat the Bulls convincingly when Jordan was there and they still can't, with all of their team back, and the whinging Malone happy with a new contract. The Jazz beat the Bulls 104 to 96. Eight points, that's all. Kukoc stepped up for a game high 32 points and a team high 5 rebounds, and Ron Harper had 18 points and 5 assists. Nice stepping up for a team who have lost their two main scorers and leading (and only real significant) rebounder, as well as most of their team from last year. Malone had a passable game with 21 points, and Stockton lived up to his reputation with 13 points and 12 assists.
Speaking of beating the Bulls, I have been reading articles which have players saying how much they are going to beat up on them to get them back for the beatings that they received during the Bulls Reign of Terror. But it will be the same thing as winning the Championship, it won't be very fulfilling, it won't be a proper win. Jordan won't be there. Pippen won't be there. Rodman won't be there. And Phil Jackson won't be there. All that will be left is the uniform and the championship banners hanging from the rafters. It's a shortened season against a shortened team. It's when a win won't really be a win.
There have been some really great performances in the first set of matches. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Clippers, with a great all round effort from it's big name stars. Kidd produced 18 points and 10 assists, while the newly acquired Tom Gugliotta had game highs of 24 points and 17 rebounds and Longley had a solid 10 points and 7 rebounds. Another ex-Bull had a solid game for a new team, Pippen had 10 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals in his first game for the Houston Rockets, a game where a revitalized Charles Barkley had 31 points and 15 rebounds, rocketing the Houston team to a top contender for the Championship.
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