A look back on the NBA Season
As we take a look back on the 2014-2015 NBA Season it came with a lot of great moments and a lot of new storylines.
As LeBron James returned to Cleveland in an attempt to chase an old goal but with a new team he had faced some trials and tribulations. With LeBron sitting down for two weeks early in the NBA Season came as a shock for a lot of NBA Fans. Over a 10-plus year career he has never been slowed down by injury but as he grows older we may need to come to recognize that he may not be Superman for much longer. But I don't think LeBron knows that.
Because after he came back from injury he led the Cavaliers to the No. 2 Seed in the Eastern Conference and to the 2014 NBA Finals. Eventhough the Cleveland Cavaliers lost in 6 games to the Golden State Warriors LeBron has shown time and time again that he is still the best player in the world and that the NBA still has to be on notice about his greatness and the 2015 Cleveland Cavaliers.
With every man that has been the face of the NBA he had to deal with new upcoming players and players in their prime. That's what Lebron James has to face now with the rise of a Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Paul George, John Wall, and a host of others. With the end of the 2014 NBA season we can take a step back and look at Russell Westbrook's endless triple-doubles, Steph Curry crazy threes, James Harden carrying the Rockets on his back, Anthony Davis rising to Superstardom with the Pelecans, and say that the League is filled with the most amazing and dazzling stars that will raise the bar.
There is a new face and a new team of the NBA that has the worlds attention and his name is Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. As I have said earlier the Golden State Warrior have won the 2014 NBA Champions beating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. This year was a historic year for the Golden State Warriors by winning 67 games a Franchise Record, Steph Curry winning the 2014 NBA MVP, and winning the 2014 NBA Finals for the first time in 40 years. But it was only a 3 years ago with the NBA fans really didn't know what greatness layed inside of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes and others.
Stephen Curry is the role model that parents want their children to look at as a representative of what a "Good Man" looks like on and off the floor. As a family man I believe that I keeps Steph Curry level headed, becasue even though he sets new NBA records and wows NBA fans on a regular basis he still has to take out the trash, change diapers, and take care of husband and father responsibilities. On the floor Steph Curry is a product of the new NBA Point Guard but he is still a selfless leader. As I paraphrase what "Jarrett Jack" has said on ESPN First Take "Steph has taken responsibilities of taking his teammates out for movies and to dinners" which helps bring a team together and builds a bond like friends do. But dating back 3 years ago many would see them as just sharp shooters or just good role players, but as they have discovered this year if you put your talents all together and put your trust into one another and one common goal there is nothing is impossible.
Now with youth and experience on their side they have turned from the hunters into the hunted and will get everyones best shot next season because when your'e on the mountain top everyone wants to steal your spot.
The NBA is in good hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. With all the good things that former NBA Commissioner David Stern has done I believe that Adam Silver will carry the torch and be more innovative to better the game for the players and the fans. His first true test cam from former L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling who left a temporary stain on the NBA and a current reminder about how there are people who discriminate against minorities. But thankfully the "Donald Sterling Problem" was resolved and Steve Balmer is the new Owner of the L.A. Clippers.
To make the image of Adam Silver even better is when last year in the 2014 NBA Draft when Isaiah Austin was Drafted to the NBA. For many who don't know the story of Isaiah Austin is that he had to end his playing career. According to Johnette Howard of ESPN.com "Isaiah Austin has Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that could've killed him had he overexerted himself or even taken a sharp blow to the chest." It was a very emotional night and it was a good look for the NBA.
Also according to SBNation.com "The NBA Salary Caps expected to balloon to $108 million for the 2017-18 season. The jump follows a projected $22 million increase -- from $67.1 million to $89 million -- between the 2015-16 and 2016-17 salary caps." This new salary cap will result in more money for players and for future players to come and the ones to thank for this are the N.B.A.P.A.(National. Basketball. Association. Player. Association) the NBA Owners, and Adam Silver. As this is a new age in the NBA is upon us Adam Silver is living up to his potential and will lift the NBA to a level it has never seen before.
As we await a new NBA Season we can't wait for the new stars and storylines that await us and I am filled with great excitement and expectation of every dribble of the ball, every game winner, the player that will hold the MVP Award, and the team that will hold the Larry Obrien Trophy.
