HLBT Daily: It's Finally Here!

I have spent the past week doing all sorts of fantasy basketball prep - the draft for my league took place yesterday (Sunday) morning. I encourage you to ask me any fantasy basketball questions you may have. I would love to help you win your league (so long as you aren't in mine), and trust me, my advice will help you win your league.
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So... tonight is Opening Night of the NBA! Here are some game notes from the Heat - Bulls game, written at halftime:

When undrafted rookie Miami guard Chris Quinn checked in to the game, Steve Kerr quipped, "He looks like Jimmie Chitwood from Hoosiers!" That is the kind of thing that everybody notices subconsciously, but when Steve came out and said it, it was pretty funny. Kirk Hinrich isn't too far off, either. If skinny white guard with a nice shot is the only criterion, then I guess Steve himself fits the bill as well.

Dwyane Wade could lead the league in scoring this year. At this point, he makes 7/10 midrange jump-shots. He is one of the most acrobatic finishers in the league. He gets to the foul line, from where he will shoot over 80%. The guy averaged 27.2 ppg last year, and that was without any three point shot to speak of. On nbadraft.net's season preview, I chose Kobe to lead the league in scoring this year, and although Wade does not exactly have me regretting my pick, he certainly will give Kobe a run for his money (as will Lebron).
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Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich said about the addition of Ben Wallace: "It's like going to the park every day, and getting pushed around, and then your big brother comes to the park with you." I can not think of a better analogy, myself. The Bulls were relatively small last year - Andres Nocioni was their intimidator. However, Kirk Hinrich to Andres Nocioni is what Andres Nocioni is to Ben Wallace. A large net gain in the "protective big brother department" for the Bulls.
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The game is a blowout. The Heat just looks old. There is no interior defense. Shaquille O'Neal, despite his improved off-season diet, is not the well oiled machine (or factory) he was a few years ago. It appears that each time his size 22's hit the hardwood, something is wrong - like he tweaked a muscle.

I would not read too much into this game - other than Dwyane Wade, the Heat was not as focused as it should have been for the game. Perhaps it had something to do with the post-warm-up, pre-tip-off ring ceremony. As the Bulls sat on their bench and watched their opponents accept their championship rings, the Heat players were cheered on by the sea of white that is the Miami home crowd as they accepted their "championship ring trophies." Calling the rings trophies is fitting - they looked more like diamond-studded pool balls (in size and weight) than rings.
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I look forward to the upcoming NBA season & fantasy NBA seasons. I encourage you to ask my opinion on anything pertaining to fantasy basketball! Happy Halloween, and enjoy the games.