Jumping Off with Jordan Part One: The Most Interesting Man in the (NBA) World

Hello blogosphere. Welcome to the official launching (as opposed to the soft August opening) of The Dunk Face. I will write somewhat coherently about the NBA and its various goings-on with the hope of an eventual emergence of a more focused view of the league. But that probably won't happen. Focus is not one of my (otherwise numerous) strengths. The Dunk Face is sure to be updated throughout the next couple of weeks and after that…well, I make no promises (add motivation to list of non-strengths). But the intent is to keep this going for the foreseeable future because I have an abundance of free time that should be put to better use. You can only imagine how unproductive I currently am if blogging counts as a good use of time. Fortunately, the time is ripe for NBA blogging. The upcoming season should be the most interesting since Michael Jordan returned from his Birmingham Barons sabbatical fifteen years ago. The league has finally adjusted to the (over)expansion of the 1990s and all 30 teams have talent. Even the hapless New Jersey Nets trot out a starting lineup that includes Devin Harris, Brook Lopez and (maybe) Derrick Favors (or Carmelo Anthony?). In direct contrast to the college game (pre-NCAA tournament), nearly every game on the NBA schedule will be watchable and showcase elite talent. More importantly, a lot of that talent is gathered in a few places around the country and leaves the league with an upper echelon of teams that will draw in the casual fan and make for some excellent playoff basketball next spring. It’s a flashback to the “golden days” of the 1980s when Michael Jordan burst onto a scene that already featured loaded teams in Philadelphia, Boston and Los Angeles. Negative public reaction to “The Decision” aside, the interest in the 2010 free agency period only reinforced the good feeling brought on by this year's improved television ratings. Roger Goodell may not be worried quite yet, but the NBA is back (labor negotiations pending).