NBA 2013 : Year in review

Here are the top moments from 2013

12. Jason Collins open gay – In April 2013, Jason Collins became the 1st professional male athlete to officially come out. He did so through an article in Sports Illustrated. “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.” Jason met with huge support from the sports world but strangely he wasn’t signed by any team in the current season.

11. The year of injuries – The whole of 2012-13 season was marred by injuries. Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Rajon Rondo and Russel Westbrook were some of the big names who couldn’t play in the playoffs. The 2013 season also didn’t turn out that good with Rose, Kobe and Westbrook injured again. With still half the season left, it remains to be seen whether the players return or will the injury streak continue.

10. Dwight Howard – It seemed like a dream for the Laker fans when Dwight Howard and Steve Nash signed with them. Dwight, Nash, Kobe and Pau – 4 All-Stars together. Nash and Howard could finally get that 1st ring and Kobe could equal MJ. It seemed the perfect plan. But somehow it never materialized. Kobe and Dwight’s egos couldn’t co-exist together. Kobe wanted the offense to run through him and Dwight wanted more touches. Dwight left at the end of the season and joined up with James Harden and Jeremy Lin at the Houston Rockets.

9. Breaking the Boston Celtics – When the Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen came together in 2007, the Boston Celtics got revived. They went on to win the title that year and reached the finals again in 2010. Once Allen left for Miami, it was just a matter of time before the core of the Celtics was to broken up. After the 2012-13 season, Boston Manager Danny Ainge finally decided to break up and rebuild. Garnett and Pierce was sent to Brooklyn and the Big 3 of the Boston Celtics was a closed chapter.

8. Two great scorers retire – Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady announced their retirements last year. AI, a former MVP, 11 time All-star with multiple scoring championships dazzled us with his crossovers and never say die attitude. Few could forget his 48 points match against the L.A.Lakers in the 2001 finals which made us think for a second that the Kobe-Shaq duo could be defeated. T-Mac was a 7 time All star and a 2 time scoring champion. Compared with Kobe and MJ at certain times, his career was jeopardized by injuries which prevented the exploitation of his full talent.

7. Ray Allen the Shot – Down by 3 with 5 seconds left in the elimination game in the NBA Finals, Ray Allen delivered the clutch 3 that sent the game into overtime. The Heat went on to win the game and tie the series at 3-3. Like so many clutch shot throughout his career, Ray reminded us why he is the greatest 3 point shooter this league has ever seen.

6.  Coach Firing – There was a record 12 coach changes after the 2012-13 season ended. Suns fired Alvin Gentry, Memphis didn’t resign Lionel Hollins but nothing was more surprising than the firing on George Karl by the Denver Nuggets. The Coach of the Year led Denver to a franchise record 57 win season but lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 1st round of the playoffs. The firing showed the expectations of the team managers and the pressures of the coaches.

5.  Stephen Curry – Snubbed of an All-Star place, Steph Curry showed the world how good he is by making it rain from everywhere on the floor. He set a record for 3-pointers in a season when he hit his 270th in the second quarter of the Warriors’ game against the Trail Blazers. With fabulous ball handling, sweet passes and unbelievable shooting, Curry led the Golden State Warriors to the 2nd round of the playoffs where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs 4-2.

4. New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets – After all the hype, two of the most talented teams finished the 2013 year almost at the bottom of the eastern conference. Big names and coaching changes couldn’t help either team who just seem out of place and can’t get together as a team. Injuries and suspensions have also played spoilsport for 2 storied franchises of the last year.

3. Phoenix suns – The Suns have surprised everyone by finishing 2013 seeded 5th in the Western Conference and seem poised for a playoff spot and maybe a division title. A general Manager, a new Coach and a new mentality to play beautiful basketball with a “never-tank” attitude. The backcourt of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe have been scintillating and the Phoenix Suns have rebuild almost perfectly after their 2nd worst season.

2. Paul George and the Indiana Pacers – A rival finally emerged to challenge Lebron James and the Miami Heat in the eastern Conference. They pushed the Heat to the edge last year and are currently the top team in the east. Paul George has emerged as a superstar and he has delivered on both ends of the floor. The coaching staff led by Frank Vogel has found space for everyone on court including Danny Granger who has come back from injury. The budding rivalry with the Heat promises to get more entertaining with both teams on a collision course in the eastern conference finals (hopefully).

1. Lebron James – A buzzer beater lay up against the Pacers, a dominating game 7 performance against the San Antonio Spurs, Lebron James did it all. Regular season MVP, Playoff MVP and an NBA championship, 2013 was the year of Lebron. This season also he is playing at a high level and has had some highlight posterizing dunks. He is on course for his 5th regular season MVP and the Heat’s chance of 3 peat rests on his shoulders, as usual.