Sadly, many people you talk to are pretty much indifferent about whether or not the NBA plays basketball this year. Me, not so much. With the possibility of the entire season being wiped out, here’s one thing I’ll miss about each team, and one thing I won’t.
Atlanta Hawks
What I will miss: Joe Johnson and Al Horford showing enough flashes throughout the year to make me believe that maybe, just maybe, they could be a legitimate title contender.
What I won’t miss: The Hawks once again proving that for the foreseeable future they’ve resigned themselves to a little better than mediocre with the Joe Johnson contract.
Boston Celtics
What I will miss: Potentially, the last hurrah for the KG-era Celtics, also known as the original “Big 3″
What I won’t miss: Quickly realizing that Rajon Rondo still hasn’t developed the ability to make anybody respect his jumpshot. DON’T YOU REALIZE HOW LETHAL YOU COULD BE?!?!?!?
Charlotte Bobcats
What I will miss: The start of the Kemba Walker-Bismack Biyombo era. Can they finally bring the Bobcats franchise to some sort of relevancy? We must wait.
What I won’t miss: If he had re-upped with Bobcats, watching Kwame Brown try to play basketball.
Chicago Bulls
What I will miss: Watching them potentially play with an actual #2 guard. And oh yeah, Derrick Rose.
What I won’t miss: Brian Scalabrine’s cheer-leading abilities.
Cleveland Cavaliers
What I will miss: Those Cavalier-Heat games. As bad as the Cavs were in ’10-11, those fans and that team were ready for the Miami Heat.
What I won’t miss: Michigan fans bragging to me about the “achievements” of Manny Harris.
Dallas Mavericks
What I will miss: Deshawn Stevenson taunting after every made three pointer.
What I won’t miss: Shawn Marion’s jump shot. Young basketball players at home, look away.
Denver Nuggets
What I will miss: Finding out if Kenneth Faried really is the next Ben Wallace.
What I won’t miss: Watching the team likely fade into irrelevancy with the departures of Nene and J.R. Smith. It was a fun few months without Carmelo.
Detroit Pistons
What I will miss: As a Pistons fan, watching Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe in their first year together. Do we have the foundation for another great era of Pistons basketball?
What I won’t miss: Watching Charlie Villanueva try to be the tallest #2 guard in the NBA.
Golden State Warriors
What I will miss: Provided they didn’t idiotically trade him this summer, watching Monta Ellis. One of the most underrated players in the NBA.
What I won‘t miss: Much to my dismay, watching the Warriors somehow fade into that 9th or 10th spot in the Western Conference.
Houston Rockets
What I will miss: Seeing if Kelvin Sampson has put his scandal-ridden IU days behind him.
What I won’t miss: Watching him likely fail with a roster that resembles a college all star team.
Indiana Pacers
What I will miss: The group of Darren Collison, Paul George, Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert is one that’s actually pretty intriguing. Add in veteran George Hill and you may have the makings of a team that could compete for one of those 4/5 spots in the Eastern Conference.
What I won’t miss: Announcers going crazy over Tyler Hansbrough open 15 footers. I didn’t think Dickie V announced NBA games.
Los Angeles Clippers
What I will miss: Year 2 of the Blake Griffin era. Will guys like Eric Bledsoe, Eric Gordon, and DeAndre Jordan be able to provide enough of a compliment to Griffin to make way for a Clippers playoff push?
What I won’t miss: Hearing fellow Central Michigan students continue to milk this whole Chris Kaman thing.
Los Angeles Lakers
What I will miss: Watching Shannon Brown continue to be a solid contributor for an elite team. Also, seeing if Darius Morris can assume the role of starting point guard.
What I won’t miss: Watching Joe Smith and Theo Ratliff try to still play in the NBA. It isn’t 1999.
Memphis Grizzlies
What I will miss: Finding out if we can now place the Grizzlies among the NBA’s elite or if their 2011 playoff run was just them getting hot at the right time. I think Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph would probably make it the former.
What I won’t miss: There is literally nothing I dislike about the Memphis Grizzlies. We move on.
Miami Heat
What I will miss: When they were playing well, Heat basketball was usually great basketball.
What I won’t miss: Lebron James winning his first NBA Title. Chris Bosh screaming awkwardly.
Milwaukee Bucks
What I will miss: Could the Bucks “Big Three” of Brandon Jennings, Stephen Jackson, and Andrew Bogut put them in contention for a playoff spot? At times, could be a fun team to watch. Use Michael Redd as a sharpshooter, get something out of Drew Gooden, there could be some hope.
What I won’t miss: At the end of the day, they’re the Milwaukee Bucks. Most NBA fans probably forget they exist until their team happens to be playing them.
Minnesota Timberwolves
What I will miss: Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams, Kevin Love, Wesley Johnson. Could the T-Wolves finally be relevant for the first time since the trio of Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell, and Kevin Garnett?
What I won’t miss: Watching Darko Milicic continue to be just a successful role player.
New Jersey Nets
What I will miss: Seeing if Deron Williams is in it for the long haul in New Jersey/Brooklyn.
What I won’t miss: Watching one of the worst teams in basketball.
New Orleans Hornets
What I will miss: Chris Paul eventually being traded to a team that gives him a chance to win something.
What I won’t miss: Let’s face it, once Chris Paul is dealt, the city of New Orleans will officially be in jeopardy of losing their basketball team. No one wants to see that happen to any city.
New York Knicks
What I will miss: Finding out if Carmelo Anthony can be the guy on an elite team, or if he’s just another T-Mac.
What I won’t miss: The Knicks being the most talked about 46 win team in NBA history.
Oklahoma City Thunder
What I will miss: Watching the Thunder make another deep playoff run. The atmosphere at the Chesapeake Energy Arena the last two spring’s reminds me of the Palace during the mid 2000’s. If there was a season, I’d predict a Heat-Thunder NBA Finals.
What I won’t miss: Russell Westbrook trade talks. You really want to get rid of this guy, seriously? Here’s an idea, send him to Detroit. We’ll give you our entire roster.
Orlando Magic
What I will miss: Watching J.J. Redick become more of a sharpshooter at the NBA level.
What I won’t miss: Seeing the Rashard Lewis trade continue to be the downfall of this team.
Philadelphia 76ers
What I will miss: Arguably the best jerseys in basketball. And Jrue Holiday.
What I won’t miss: Watching such an uninteresting team.
Phoenix Suns
What I will miss: Even on a mediocre team, watching Steve Nash continue to make dazzling plays.
What I won’t miss: Watching the Suns and thinking about how unfair it is that Steve Nash never got to win an NBA Title.
Portland Trail Blazers
What I will miss: Watching the most complete big man in the NBA, Lamarcus Aldridge.
What I won’t miss: Camera shots of Greg Oden on the bench in a suit.
Sacramento Kings
What I will miss: Say what you want, but a starting lineup that includes Tyreke Evans, Jimmer Fredette, as well as Demarcus Cousins would be something to watch.
What I won’t miss: Jimmer trying to transition from playing defense in the Mountain West to playing defense in the NBA.
San Antonio Spurs
What I will miss: I’ve always felt bad for Antonio Mcdyess not being able to win a title with the Pistons. Had he decided to play as expected, it’d be fun to try and watch him help get one for the Spurs.
What I won’t miss: Manu Ginobli flopping. Seriously, Emmanuel, if you happen to be reading this, it’s time to stop. You don’t play for Bo Ryan.
Toronto Raptors
What I will miss: Do the Raptors strive to have the biggest foreign influence on purpose? Also, Jose Calderon can be fun to watch.
What I won’t miss: It’s the Toronto Raptors. They’ll likely have zero games nationally televised. Same amount that I’m watching now.
Utah Jazz
What I will miss: The Jazz may be short on a superstar, but certainly not on talent or depth. Whenever they resume play, it’ll be on either Al Jefferson or Derrick Favors to be that big time player.
What I won’t miss: Watching the Jazz and reminiscing about Mehmet Okur’s time in Detroit.
Washington Wizards
What I will miss: John Wall’s dance, as well as his play. Now what will Troop 41 rap about?
What I won’t miss: JaVale Mcgee being more focused on his dunks than rebounding.
If there was to be an NBA Season:
Western Conference Finals
Oklahoma City Thunder over the Los Angeles Lakers in 5
Eastern Conference Finals
Miami Heat over the Chicago Bulls in 7
NBA Finals
Miami Heat over the Oklahoma City Thunder in 7
For now, enjoy college hoops. And congratulations to Justin Verlander on earning the AL Cy Young and MVP.