Finally, the NBA is worth watching again

I'm a basketball junkie.

Regardless of whether it's the NBA, NCAA, high school, or even the NBDL, if it is on, I'm tuned in.

Over the past few seasons though, the NBA has given me few reasons to watch and has sometimes caused me to shamefully switch over to one of the seemingly hundreds of reality shows currently on air.

Despite the occasional Shaq-Kobe war of words or a Mount Rasheed eruption, the league hasn't been generating enough excitement for my liking.

Let's not even talk about last season's truly mind-numbing final between the San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets.

This year has been a different though, as there have been a few stories that have piqued my interest. Here are a few of them.

The Over Achievers

I loved the movie "Hoosiers."

Why?

Like a lot of people I enjoy cheering for the underdog and there are two teams that have me rooting them on this season.

Both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Memphis Grizzlies were picked by most to finish near the bottom of their respective conferences, but have so far played better than .500 basketball.

When Jerry West, the legendary former Los Angeles Lakers GM, took over the Grizzlies last season I wondered whether it was possible for him to have the same success he had in Los Angeles.

After all, there was no Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy or Pat Riley, and after West hired geriatric coach Hubie Brown, I again wondered if West hadn't gone senile.

Well, I couldn't have been more wrong.

Hubie Brown has turned out to be exactly the type of coach the undisciplined Grizzlies needed.

The franchise has completely turned around and now finds itself vying for a post-season berth. They rank fifth in the NBA in scoring and play an exciting up-tempo style of basketball.

Their hustle, tenacity and overall scrappy nature have endured themselves to the Memphis fans and to me as well.

Playing in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks pursuit of the post-season will take them down a much easier road.

This squad has lost some big names in the past few years and had every reason to write this season off.

Trading away Ray Allen and Sam Cassell, and pinning your hopes on Michael Redd and Tim Thomas was risky move that so far has paid off for the Bucks.

A lot of credit goes to rookie coach Terry Porter.

He has his team playing with energy and heart, especially in their own building where they have one of the best home records in the East.

Redd is a deadeye shooter with one of the quickest releases in the league and Desmond Mason's high-flying act makes him one of the most exciting players in the NBA.

Like Memphis, this team has no real superstars but competes hard most nights and that's what playing basketball should be about.

It's what drives you when you lace them up at the local gym on the weekends.

It's the fact that you love the game and you love to compete.

Bron and Melo

It wouldn't surprise me if NBA commissioner David Stern has pictures of Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony on his nightstand.

If he doesn't, he should, in solid gold frames no less.

These two represent the future of league, and if their play through the first half of the season is any indication, they have taken the responsibility to heart.

At 18, James has already embraced the role of team leader.

Not only does he have an understanding of the game far beyond his age, but he also realizes that the NBA is entertainment and, therefore, plays with a flair and style that makes him one of the biggest draws in the league.

His phenomenal athleticism and especially his passing skills make him a treat to watch.

Carmelo Anthony loves to play basketball and his enthusiasm is contagious.

He has one of the smoothest looking jump shots in the game, but also possesses a deceptively quick first step and snakelike moves to the hoop, and he does it all with a smile.

Melo may not be as athletic as Lebron, but he is just as exciting, and his team is winning.

Darko Milicic may turn out to be a really good player, but right now it looks as though the Detroit Pistons made a big mistake by passing on Anthony in last summer's draft.

The type of attention Carmelo and Lebron have brought to the league as rookies hasn't been seen since Bird and Magic brought their college rivalry to the pros.

Time will only tell if these two teenagers will be the leaders of two dynasties in their respective cities, but you can bet that it will be fun to watch.

Beat LA! Beat LA!

After Gary Payton and Karl Malone signed on with the Lakers I knew that one thing would make this season especially gratifying for me... the Lakers not winning the title.

The fact that future Hall of Famers, who couldn't win with their former teams, found it necessary to jump onto the Lakers' bandwagon to win a championship doesn't sit well with me.

In creating a mini all-star team, Los Angeles has taken free agency to another level.

If certain teams can attract players on a short-term basis simply to win and then move on, when will it stop?

Will L.A. simply become a revolving door for top players who have failed to win with their previous teams?

My hope is that this does not become a popular trend and that marquee players will follow the lead of Reggie Miller, who resigned with the Pacers this off-season.

He stated that he did not want to be like some players who sign with teams simply to win a title.

Instead, he chose to remain with the team for which he has played his entire career and finish what he started.

I have a lot of respect Miller and his decision to remain with the Pacers.

I have less respect for Payton and Malone and I will be cheering for 28 other teams this season.