The Coming of Brandon Jennings

This Milwaukee Bucks point guard, standing 6'1 and weighing at 169, has just come in from Europe and the 10th overall draft pick has wasted no time in playing some of the best basketball of his career in his rookie season by dropping 55 points on the Golden State Warriors on November 14, 2009. When the NBA lists MVP candidates for this candidate among them, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, don't forget to include Jennings to this list as well. He may be in the running for NBA Rookie of the Year as well. This is a star-studded athlete that the Bucks have chosen and with Jennings and Michael Redd in the fold, you can't miss with Jennings' penetration to the basket and Redd's perimeter shooting. The only thing that can stop Jennings' progress is whether Bucks management can keep him in Milwaukee for the duration of his career and time in the NBA. Jennings' quickness and fearless penetration has what made NBA fans notice him as the NBA Store now are selling Brandon's number 3 jerseys. If fans are noticing the Bucks, look out for Brandon Jennings and the quick start he is having in his rookie season.

The Shaq-Lebron Relationship

The only way this relationship between Shaquille O'Neal and Lebron James can succeed if they can manage to put their egos aside for the team for 82 games. Shaq has to know that he must defer to King James, because this is his team. O'Neal must learn that that he must be a consummate teammate and defender, because Cleveland will need his muscle and strength against Dwight Howard's Orlando Magic and offensive skills against the mighty Boston Celtics and the underrated, athletic Atlanta Hawks.

This is Lebron's year. This is win or bust. After this season, James is eligible for free agency and can sign with another team not named Cleveland. Shaquille O'Neal must learn that this is Lebron's final year of winning a championship while with the Cavaliers. Whatever happens, O'Neal and James must not bicker. As we've seen in the pre-season, these two have gotten along quite well.

If fans must learn to watch these two in Cleveland bring an NBA title to the Cavs, one must watch carefully how Lebron feeds the ball to Shaq in the post in order for O'Neal to be effective. Even at his declining age, Shaq is wiser. He knows from experience how to get around his defenders. There is no denying that O'Neal has had that experience of winning 4 NBA titles during his luminous career, 3 with the LA Lakers teaming with Kobe Bryant and one with the Miami Heat with Dwyane Wade. If O'Neal is to get his fifth ring, he must be able to defer to Lebron James without complaint.

Rejuvenated, Resurrected Phoenix Suns

Look out, here comes the Phoenix Suns. With their 7-1 record so far, they've been looking to bounce back from last season for not making the playoffs. This year, they've opened up their offense a bit more and winning games with confidence with their brilliant rebounding and three-point shooting. As Steve Nash leads the Suns offense, he is still the engine that runs this basketball team. His ball handling and passing skills are what makes this Suns team so dominant. With front court players to pass the ball to such as Grant Hill and Amare Stoudemire, they are a force to be reckoned with. They cannot miss with Jason Richardson's shooting skills or with the bench play guys of Leandro Barbosa who is still the Brazilian Blur, along with Channing Frye, Jared Dudley, and Goran Dragic, the performances put on by these players just cannot be matched by the opposing team. They are just too brilliant and smart to be matched up with. With a victory over the defensive powerhouse and perennial championship contender Boston Celtics, they proved that they can hang with the elite teams. I am surprised by the Phoenix Suns surge into the beginning of this NBA season in November. Can they keep this offensive spurt up as the season wears on? Or will they break down?