The Sound of the Suburbs

Christmas Day in the NBA. And they're ... OFF!!!

Well, that was a beatdown.

For a team like LA, two time-defending champs, three rings in four years, you can't read too much in to this loss to the Heat.

What you can discern, however, is that the off-season additions of Steve Blake and Matt Barnes may not mean much when it comes to a faceoff against the likes of Miami, Dallas, Boston or San Antonio. Blake laid a few bricks, Barnes blew an easy lay-up by trying to dunk on Chris Bosh and Miami simply pummelled LA into submission by dominance (and Merry Xmas to Blue Oyster Cult).

Z came out in Q3 firing and drained three jumpers, Mario Chalmers made more than he missed, LeBron was LeBron, Wade was breathtaking and Bosh looked the equal of his two touted teammates.

Quite a performance.

This on the heels of Orlando somehow coming from behind to best Boston thanks to two clutch threes by Jameer Nelson and a rim-rattler by JJ Redick that went down at the right time. Dwight Howard, despite an inept offensive effort, showed why D rules with one key swat after another despite drawing his fourth foul early in Q3.

The NBA suddenly looks wide open, and that's great for fans. Boston is already clicking on all cylinders, but missing its MVP Rondo who is indeed the straw that stirs the drink at the Garden and on the road.

Orlando hasn't even practiced after blowing up its team yet just snapped long winning streaks by two premier clubs, Dallas and Boston.

Miami, well, it will just keep getting better. And if the Heat can somehow win it all this year, Pat Riley will patent four-peat.

The Knicks are also showing their stuff, which is great to see. Amare Stoudemire is the clear frontrunner for MVP. Who thought he would be this good in NYC. I mean, six blocks against the Bulls! SIX!!! Wow.

Meanwhile San Antonio just keeps winning, but if uber-NBA scribe Peter Vecsey is right and Rip Hamilton lands in Dallas, watch out for the Mavs. We could have another Dallas-Miami final.

And then there's Larry Brown. He's coached in nine NBA cities. I wonder if his shrink has been on retainer town-to-town all these years. If you saw him play backcourt with Doug Moe in the ABA, you know what he's about. Billy Martin without the booze. Best Coach Ever. Hire him and see a +Ten in the win column within one year. Phil Jackson can't hold a candle. But Larry wears out his welcome faster than fish in the fridge. And now at his age he may not work again.

Where he belongs is Minnesota. Kurt Rambis is horrible, a coaching moron who should play Kevin Love 48 minutes a night but had to see the guy pull 20/20 to give him minutes. Apparently the T-Wolves owner wears blinders otherwise he'd be buying Larry a condo right now.

Then again it would be good to see LB back in LA running the Clippers. You think Baron Davis doesn't like The Donald heckling him courtside? One practice with Larry and he'd retire his fat ass.

Yeah, Larry in Clipperland again. That sounds good. A good young team who could deal a number one to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince and make a run.

Go, Larry.

Thank God the season is underway.