FanHouse walks through the Valley of the Most Likely; we shall fear no topic.
Is it me, or did it seem like every piece of NBA news this summer was either related to Tim Donaghy or the craziness that reigned at Madison Square Garden? Sure, the odd Kobe Bryant rumor popped up now and again, but by and large it was a crooked ref, a shady GM and an egotistical owner who dominated the headlines.
For over a month, lawsuits, depositions, and all the sordid details you never wanted to know about Stephon Marbury's sex life (get it straight: "truck, not trunk") were all the rage. And why not? It provided endless humor, complete with YouTube videos, conspiracy theories and even dueling popcorn companies.
But you know what? None of it really matters. Oh sure, it matters plenty to Anucha Browne Sanders, who was not only vindicated but also made an instant millionaire. But to the average NBA fan? As soon as the first preseason game tipped off, our attention shifted from the courtroom to the hardwood. Hell, as soon as Allan Houston said he wanted to return, our attention shifted, which may have been partly be design.
My point? We just don't care. All of the MSG craziness that was part of the everyday conversation of hardcore NBA fans in the summer has been all but completely replaced by new, more important topics, like, "will this be the year the Hawks turn the corner?", "will Kobe finally be traded?", "will the Bobcats be better off without Adam Morrison?" And just imagine when the games start counting! All of that MSG hoopla will be a distant memory in our rear view mirror, a storyline that served its summertime purpose and is quickly forgotten.
View all of our "Most Likely" previews.
Also Most Likely to Be Forgotten: 2006 Draft Class
