Serious Addiction

I don't know if you're like me but I love everything about basketball.  The game is so fascinating to me in every way.  The rhythmic pounding of the leather against the hardwood, the frantic squeaking of the rubber soles, it's a symphony of sounds that transcends the boundaries of culture, race, gender, and even language.  It's therapeutic to watch the elegant flow of an offense or the dominant stopping power of a dedicated defense.  From the playground to the gym, from high school to NBA, the game is all the same.  The game is just simple, systematic, sequential, and superb.  What can I say, I love it.  I have to say though, I am a Duke fan first and foremost.  I live and breath Duke basketball.  I keep up with everything, from recruiting to team injuries.  My wife said I have a problem.  I even named my dog Duke.  She wants to get another dog and I already want to name her Cameron.  This year's team has a LOT of holes though.  We (yep, I said we) don't have a clear leader on the team.  The perimeter defense is almost non existent.  We don't even have a clearly defined point guard at this point in the season.  Despite all this, the greatest coach in sports today is still finding ways to win at a high level.  I love the NBA most of all though.  I usually follow individual players but I have recently claimed the Bulls as my team.  Two reasons, the first reason is because Derrick Rose is the most dominant point guard in the league.  His combination of speed, power and control is something that almost impossible to stop.  The second reason is because their starting lineup consists of two former Duke players.  I feel obligated to say that I am VERY disappointed in the way Carlos Boozers played last year.  He did not earn his contract but is making a strong case for it this year.  Luol Deng is probably the most underrated small forward in the game.  He is the best defense stopper on the team, an excellent slasher, and the second best midrange shooter on the team behind Rip Hamilton.  I think he'll get strong consideration for the All Star team this year.  Of course, Lebron, and Melo will probably start at the forward spots in the east, but I his value to his team is equal to or greater than any other forward in the east.  Hopefully, his recent injury won't hold him out long so he can help the team in their championship chase.