NBA Preview by Hollywood: Eastern Conference
I thought it might be fun to compare this years teams to movies. The more successful the movie, the better chances the team will succeed.
1. Chicago: The Lego Movie
It was a fun film that made everyone feel good. There were a lot of solid working parts and if you removed one or two, the film would have still been successful. They took a bit of a risk using the Lego Franchise to launch a movie but there was enough meat in the script to get it through. Not the greatest film of all time but it stacks up. (See what I did there?) It has the potential to win awards but if the right movies come along, The Lego Movie will be forgotten. While its chances seem fragile at times but the supporting cast is amazing.
2. Cleveland: Remember the Titans
Titans was a great movie with a couple of big stars surrounded by other solid actors. You only had to see the preview to know you were going to love this movie. Like the Titans, this year’s Cavs have come together a little too easily; the announcement, followed by the Kevin Love deal, followed by a bunch of solid signings. There will be minor issues during the year but I can’t see this being anything but an inspirational situation. Add to that, Lebron seems to be in a coach Boon mood where he always has the right answers.
3. Toronto: Guardians of the Galaxy
It’s a fun movie that people were excited but skeptical to see. There were doubters who could not see how a movie with both Dave Batista and Vin Diesel had a lot of success but in the end it was great. It will not be the greatest movie of all time but it was solid. This year’s Raptors will be the same way, a lot of fun with tons of questions about their potential. In the end fans will sit back and enjoy the ride.
Maybe Hooked on a Feeling could be the introduction song of the Raptors this year?
4. Washington: Reservoir Dogs
We knew the talent and we knew the potential. We knew it was going to be good but we were unsure how good. We knew it would be entertaining and intelligent. We also knew there were better things to come. This season will not be the best the Wizards have to offer but they are getting there. This team is not short on talent but they could surprise a couple of good teams if the playoff bracket sets up right. By the way, Paul Pierce has the best chance to do the ear dance.
5. Charlotte: Chasing Amy
Charlotte has some great performers and they are heading in the right direction. They are chasing after a title they have no chance at winning but they will give it a try. They have some pretty big guns associated with the team and if they were promoted properly, a lot of people would watch. They will have their lulls and slumps, but in the end you will feel like you got your money’s worth.
6. Detroit: For the Love of the Game
Sam Raimi tried to create a sports-romantic picture with Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston. He wanted it to have heart and emotion but it fell flat. I feel the Pistons will bring their own fans on that type of ride this year. Stan Van Gundy is an over rated basketball guy and he is working with over rated parts. He will tinker with the pieces but I doubt they will ever fit together properly. Fans will get frustrated by the lack of production, ownership will get frustrated by the huge expenses and Stan will just get frustrated. If you believe the hype and hyperbole created by the trailer, make sure you get some popcorn so you can enjoy the fall.
7. Miami: Jaws 2
The Heat Big 3 was a great concept and they were very successful. Unfortunately, like Jaws 2, this year’s Heat relies on the least popular of the big three. Bosh is like Captain Brody. He is a solid character who we love, but he is not the guy the fans really wanted to see. Quinn, or James, was the real star and Hooper, or Wade, played off him well. Bosh was just there to help hold it together. Now he has to find the deadly cable all on his own.
8. Atlanta: Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The franchise has had a good run. They had an impressive playoff streak but it’s going to crash soon. Some maybe wish for success but deep down we all really know this is not going to work this year. By February, we will pine for the days of Raiders or Last Crusade.
9. New York: Sex and the City
It was okay but not great; it was a little too whiny and full of drama for my liking. The franchise is the favorite for many people but it was never really that great. I put it in the same category as Entourage; it’s fun and you look forward to it, but we all know what we are watching. When the awards are given out, the Knicks will be nowhere to be found.
10. Brooklyn: Last Vegas
The Nets are another example of too many old guys collecting checks. You cannot throw money at a project and hope it works out. They do not have solid direction and they will be forgotten soon after the season begins. It will have fun moments but you know it won’t live up to expectations. As injuries pile up, they will have to recast the project several times. In the end, the players may want to remember their better bodies of work in years past.
11. Indiana: Batman Begins
After Schumacher’s debacle and destruction of the franchise, many doubted this reboot. (I might of just compared Arnold to Lance.) The audience had to be patient and the movie was very eager. We knew the characters were in place but it could not be rushed. Indiana does not have the Joker on its roster yet and Batman is in rehab, but if you are patient, next year could be your Dark Knight.
12. Milwaukee: Batman and Robin
All the players are in place but it won’t work. They are still a film away from the Chris Nolan Universe. They may also be in a different city by the time they are successful. There will be many stumbles and falls during the season and Jason Kidd, like Joel Schumacher, will be questioned. Most know this should be a good product but right now it is not a good fit. People will give up on this team way before the end of the season and nothing will save it. Also, I might be surprised if you made it through the trailer.
13. Orlando: Superman Returns
It has potential. It will have its fun moments. You will want it to succeed. In the end, Orlando will just be forced to pick it up and throw it into space before it crashes back to Earth. They will have quality wins over solid teams and then they will lose to the 76ers. They will have many moral victories and fans will consider buying their jersey but they will decide to wait. If done right, this group could be good but we all have the feeling it will not be done right.
14. Boston: Gigli
They are the most storied franchise in the league and Rondo was one of the best players in the league before his injury. Brad Stevens is considered an exceptional coach but we can all see this one just flopping. They will start off one way and add in other part as the season progresses. They might move their best player or render him useless. In the end, the plot for the Cs might rival that of Gigli as well.
15. Philadelphia: Jaws IV: The Revenge
No one believed this movie had a chance. It looked bad and only got worse. It didn't really have a star and the actors who were there were not into it. You were sad you started watching and hoped for it to end. It was never personal because in order for it to be personal, it needed heart. Many, myself included, consider it the worst movie they have ever seen.
