High Five

10.27.10 was a day that brought the smile back to the fan girl in me. The NBA's baaaack, and I don't mean summer trade movements or pre-season back, the regular season is ON. So yeah I cannot not have a top five list of things i'm looking forward to this season. 

5) See everyone take a shot at Miami

Miami's Big Three  (Photo: The Examiner)

Everyone's suddenly hating on Miami because of their version of "the big three" -well it's mostly because of Lebron James and all the drama he's built around the whole thing with THE decision- and there's good reason to hate this team. They will be good - better than three quarters of the teams in the NBA. People can talk all they want about chemistry issues and who will take the last shot etc etc, the bottomline is you have two of the most skilled players in the league playing together plus a somewhat solid bench, you're on your way to a 50+ win season - with or without haters.  Be honest here, tickets will be sold out in every arena this team will play in because fans would like to measure their teams up against the Heat. I for one would love to see my Lakers play against the Heat, which leads me to number 4.

4) Christmas Day Game

(Photo : The Lakers Nation)

Giving credence to Miami's sudden elevation to glorified status in the league, they get to play the Lakers on Christmas Day. As a Lakers fan I don't mind them suddenly being sidelined in the discussion of who the team to beat is, although they are the reigning champs - what I hate in fact is how all these analysts suddenly flock to the Lakers camp and peg them to win it all this season just so they can distance themselves from the Heat bandwagon. This game will hardly decide who's better or not, that is for the post-season to determine, but it sure is a good Christmas treat.

3) Rookies 

Make that Blake Griffin. I was also looking forward to John Wall and Gordon Hayward, but when your first points of the season comes your way via a one hand slam, the conversation on the rookie to watch pretty much ends there. Definitely worth the one year wait.

    

2) The OKC Thunder

Durant and Westbrook

Speaking of  young, fresh talents here is a team that's up and coming and just holds so much promise in the league. They gave my Lakers a good series in the first round of the playoffs and I expect them to continue to be that much of a presence this season. Plus watching Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant beating the hell out of old timers is just priceless.

1) My Lakers' quest for a three-peat

This is where it all comes down to - who gets to be called champs come June. Phil Jackson said this will be his last run, Fisher's still in but we all know he's seen better days, Kobe's close to getting to that point too so this season is probably now or never for this group to get another championship. I say, Lakers all the way.

PLUS: I just had to add this. Inside the NBA and Jeff Van Gundy's sideline comments are highly anticipated too. There. 

Tip-off week has commenced. Most of the teams have already seen action (Miami already lost, Boston's 1-1, Lakers has one game done with so far).  Exciting times for the fan girl.