The NBA's New Problem

This isn't another LeBron hating post. He and his team out-played the Thunder. Were they the best team this season? Probably not, I'd argue that the Spurs were the most complete squad. But the Heat were able to put it all together at the right time, and that's why their champions.

The problem is, now that Heat are champions, and James and Bosh finally have their gold, the NBA is without it's most interesting plot. The animosity Miami created made them the most interesting team in the league. For two years now, even non-basketball fans had very strong opinions on the Heat. Another year would have created better drama. Another year of failure and criticism would have made for another interesting season. And Miami could have have won it in their third year, which would have been more poetic. Third time's a charm, right? Now that story line is done, and I'm left wondering, is the NBA looking to a boring 2012-2013 season?

Besides the end of the Heat's run as the league's villains, there are numerous other reasons next season is looking a little soft. The West is looking vulnerable. Dallas is done. The Lakers have more questions than answers. The Clippers aren't there yet. The Spurs? Maybe. But it takes a lot of faith to trust in them again. The Thunder definately are the team of the future, but they need to get there fast. Perhaps a Finals lost will speed things up.

The draft didn't help things either. The best prospect is going to a team in trouble, which is fair. But the league's biggest icon, Michael Jordan, is left in the same dire situation as last year. I'm not saying this is the leagues fault, they'd have no say in a completely ramdon lottery. I'm just saying.

Things aren't much better in the East. The Bulls will be starting the season without their two best players, Rose and Deng. The Celtics are done. The Knicks will continue to try to make the wrong pieces work. The Pacers, Hawks, and 76ers are interesting, but don't have the means to take the next step. The Nets will debut a new look in a new stadium, so, I guess that's cool. And the Magic... do I even have to say anything?

In other words, we can probably expect a Heat, Thunder rematch, and that's okay. Just wake me when the playoffs start.

Wait...

It's an olympic year.

International basketball!