Hey guys - this is a "feature" article, if you will, that I just wrote. If you get a chance, let me know what you think even if you hate the NBA.

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I know, I know...the league has been just about awful since Jordan left. For the last decade, we have seen the NBA fall apart. The numbers of "thugs" increased, more players were getting in trouble with the their team and the law, and then the league hit rock bottom when a fan threw his beer at Ron Artest. You all know should know what happened next.

David Stern responded to these problems by enforcing new policies like the dress code. And as pointless as I thought it was at the time, the leagues image has drastically improved. I'm not saying it is a direct effect from the dress code policy, but you can't help but wonder if that played a part. Players now look like they have some class when they are out with an injury on the bench, rather than wearing the an outfit that you'd see in a T-Pain video. They are professionals at work, and they should dress like it. I am now very much for this policy.

Of course there has been a new generation of players entering the league, which also has greatly helped the leagues image. LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudamire, Chris Paul, and more young players are the future of the league, and they make the future much brighter than its looked recently. These guys aren't "thugs" like every rookie we saw come in for a few years. These guys seem like good people. People who won't get arrested for beating their wife or "making it rain" at a strip club. (Once again, you know what happens next.) Finally, these guys go out and give it their all each and every night.

The trade deadline was just a few days ago - and we haven't seen a better year for trades in a long time. We saw big names go to big places. Pau Gasol going to L.A. means Kobe no longer is unhappy - they now have a legitimate chance at a title. Many believe they are the top team in the West, especially once Bynum returns. Shaquille O'Neal headed back to the Western Conference for what may or may not have been a good deal for Phoenix. Dallas made a similar deal, acquiring Jason Kidd from New Jersey. But that's the beauty of the NBA this year - it's no longer the "No Balls Association". GM's aren't afraid to take risks in order to make their team happen. And who do we have to thank for it? Kevin Garnett. If KG hadn't gone to Boston this summer - Boston would still be looking for a big man, and once Memphis starting shopping Pau Gasol, the Celtics would have most likely made an offer. And, assuming the KG trade hadn't happened, Boston would have a lot more to offer to Memphis than L.A. did. Had Gasol ended up in Boston, the Lakers wouldn't have an inside force like they do now. Phoenix wouldn't feel the pressure to add size down low, and probably wouldn't have brought the Big Diesel to Arizona. And without these big-name trades, Dallas and Cleveland might not have felt the pressure to make deals and would have just sat back and done nothing like in previous years.

So, I don't know if anyone else here is an NBA fan or used to be an NBA fan (I don't even know if anyone is reading this), but once again there is a lot to look forward to in this league. The second half of this season is going to be exciting. The eastern conference is still weak, but can still be exciting with teams like Detroit, Boston, Orlando, and Cleveland, especially after the 11-player deal they made with Seattle and Chicago. Cleveland might even be the eastern conference favorite now, even as good as Boston is and as good as Detroit is in the playoffs. The western conference is more exciting than ever, with all eight playoff spots being within four games of each other. The last 40 games, and I mean every single one of them, are extremely important for any team trying to make a run for a title.

Lastly, it is very possible that we could see the Lakers and Celtics in the NBA Finals. And that's my best and final point - The NBA is back.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: hbp0819,

H. Great Points, Great article. By the way, Chris Paul is ridiculous as is Dwight Howard. Right now they are the face of the NBA as well as, in my opinion, the two best players. Too bad the Hornets aren't in Charlotte anymore! Check out Washingtonpost.com this week, there is a great article about Caron Butler's life and how he has turned from being a crack dealer to one of the best players in the NBA.

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Originally posted by pfunks:
H. Great Points, Great article.

Thanks!

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Originally posted by pfunks:
Too bad the Hornets aren't in Charlotte anymore!

Tell me about it! Of course as soon as they leave they just become awesome. It was good stuff in Charlotte though when Baron Davis was playing for us.

And I agree - Chris Paul and Dwight are definitely some of the best in the league, and will be for a long time.

Going to read the Caron article now...

I don't know much about b-ball, but still, I enjoyed reading your article, very well-written, A+ haha

Oh, and this part made me lol:

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Players now look like they have some class when they are out with an injury on the bench, rather than wearing the an outfit that you'd see in a T-Pain video.

Agreed. As a hip-hop/rap snob, I HATE T-PAIN.

The #one song on the radio is him and some donkey named Flo Rida. WORST RAP NAME EVER

hahaha i heard about Flo Rida. hilarious.

glad yall liked the t-pain call out. i dont even know a t-pain song (don't listen to rap much) but i knew he was popular, so i thought i'd throw him in there.

thanks candice!