Nets vs. Heat
Two new-look teams that are looking to return to playoff respectability in the East will tip off their 2008-09 campaigns against each other at the 02 Arena in London on Oct. 12. The Nets will debut Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons (acquired in the Richard Jefferson trade), Brook Lopez and Chris Douglas-Roberts (picked up on Draft night) and Eduardo Najera and Jarvis Hayes (free agent signees). Meanwhile, the Heat will trot out newbies in No. 2 selection Michael Beasley and second-round steal Mario Chalmers, as well as shooter James Jones who is back in South Beach after spending his college days as a Hurricane. It will also mark the first game manning the sidelines for new Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra who was promoted to the position when Pat Riley stepped down from the perch.
It won’t be all new faces, however. Miami welcomes back former Finals MVP Dwyane Wade who is healthy (albeit worn down after a summer playing in the Beijing Olympics). New Jersey has one third of its Big Three still around. Vince Carter is sure to carry the load on offense with Jefferson and Jason Kidd having been traded away.
A couple of X-factors who could determine which team comes out on top are the Heat’s Shawn Marion and the Nets’ Sean Williams. Both give their squad a dynamic, game-changer on defense but it will be interesting to see how Marion will fit into Miami’s offense with Wade and Beasley dominating the ball.
Wizards vs. Hornets
Gilbert Arenas dubbed his 2006-07 campaign, “The Takeover,” but his season was cut short because of a knee injury. Last year was “The Takeover: Part II,” but the knee troubles lingered and limited Arenas to just 13 games. Agent Zero is back with the Wizards, owner of a brand new five-year deal to keep him in D.C., and would sure like to get “The Takeover: Part III” off to a good start against good friend Chris Paul and the Hornets.
New Orleans was one of the league’s surprise team’s last season and feature a balanced roster highlighted by Paul, All-Star David West, big man Tyson Chandler and shooter extraordinaire Peja Stojakovic. They should be even stronger with the addition of two-time NBA champion James Posey and the maturation of 2007 first rounder Julian Wright.
The expectations surrounding the Wizards are tempered. Gilbert’s health is the main concern, followed by the need for development from Washington’s young core of talent (Nick Young, Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee, etc). Still, Caron Butler is coming off of back-to-back All-Star selections and really seems to be hitting his stride and the Wiz were able to retain the services of Antawn Jamison who was one of only four players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game last year.
It will be the first basketball game ever played at the new O2 World in Berlin.
