The NBA Dribbled Out

Links because there is so much being written and we’re only 3 games in!

-Sports Illustrated’s, Ian Thomsen, on the Heat’s opening night victory.

-David Aldridge with a sober take on the Harden trade; Bill Simmons with an impassioned mockery of the same deal.

-Speaking of Simmons, here are some Grantland links after the NBA tipped-off last night:

• Zach Lowe on why Serge Ibaka is the most important player in the league. 
• Jay Kaspian Kang was at the Lakers opening game loss (to a Dirk-less Mavericks team).
• The estimable profile writer, Jonathan Abrams, goes inside the huddle with the Memphis Grizzlies for a week.
• Brett Koremenos, who writes for ESPN’s blog network and Hardwood Paroxysm, with the 5 signature plays of the 5 NBA title-contenders. 
• Jalen Rose steals Patrick Ewing’s TV.
• NBA season predictions from Grantland writers.

-Steve McPherson with a piece on the OKC trade entitled: “The Harden the come.” Bonus points if you the name of the Wallace Stevens poem he quotes at the beginning. Hint, it’s a numbered poem involving the subject of the opening. 

-Bruce Arthur at The National, writing that the Raptors finally have the pieces that make sense, and his “NBA Preview: League of kings and peasants.” The NBA is, and has always been, formatted in the feudal structure of the Middle Ages.

-The Warriors and Stephen Curry have agreed to a 4-year $44 million contract extension. 

-The Times-Picayune’s, Jimmy Smith, reports that the Hornets’ star off-guard, Eric Gordon, is out indefinitely. And he declined to speak with reporters. Ruh roh. 

-Dave Hyde of the Sun-Sentinel, says Kevin Garnett was right to snub Ray Allen last night.

-Here are all of Ball Don’t Lie’s season previews in one place.  

-The Classical has a couple good NBA articles up under the tag: why we watch. One is about Kobe Bryant, the other is about Zach Randolph. Both are good and punk.

I’ve got a few more articles attempting to pass judgement on that Lakers squad after a single game, but that’s gonna be a separate post. The NBA is back, AHHHHHHHH!!!

[Photo: LeBron championship ring via KingJames Instagram]