Top 9 NBA Moments of 2009
The Year of the Rematch, until it wasn’t, proved to be full of many storylines. Here are the top 9 of 2009.
9. Portland Trailblazers make the playoffs.
After missing the playoffs for six years in a row, the Portland Blazers finally made it back. This wouldn’t be such a big story if it wasn’t a team that had made the playoffs 21 years in a row before this dry stretch.
8. The Oklahoma City Thunder are actually competitive.
One season removed from being the footstool of the league, the Thunder thus far have a winning record; which is excellent if you are Clay Bennett, and demoralizing if you are a Sonics fan.
7. Greg Oden gets injured. Again.
Out for the season. Again. Don’t worry, Blazers fans, it’s not entirely bad! Plus you still have Joel Pryzbilla …. scratch that, out for season too. Wow.
6. Brandon Jennings returns to America, drops 55.
Brandon Jennings, who was average playing overseas, awards the Milwaukee Bucks with stellar play and this fantastic box score.
5. Replacement referees used for exhibition games.
The NBA and the referee’s union couldn’t reach a deal before the exhibition games started, so replacement refs were used. Just days before the regular season started, the regular referees were back. And in two years, we get to do it all over again.
4. The penny-pinching owners.
From Okafor-for-Chandler to Maynor-for-some German guy, NBA owners are looking for all kinds of way to save. Good news, owners: David Stern may bail you out yet again!
3. Nobody wants Allen Iverson.
Allen Iverson, former MVP and career 27 ppg scorer, could barely find a gig when he signed with Memphis. Then his previous problems of riding the pine returned. Finally, he returns to Philly. And despite only playing only 10 games thus far, he is a leader in All-Star votes. Amazing.
2. LeBron misses the finals.
LeBron James finally had a supporting cast fit for a king, and an MVP award to boot. But en route to the championship parade, a little bully named Dwight Howard knocked him off his pedestal. Poor LeBron!
1. Kobe wins without The Big Diesel.
Ahh, a sigh of relief heard by Kobe fans everywhere. After last year’s miss against the Celtics, Kobe Bryant took it to the Orlando Magic and finally won an NBA title without Shaq. Crazy thing is that it might not be his last either.
Nothing yet!
