Basketball from a fans perspective

Once a Laker, it’s for life (usually) 
I informed you earlier an acquaintance of mine has been giving me the blues over LeBron James.  He claims as much static as I once gave LeBron I don’t have permission to root for him now just because he’s a Laker.  John doesn’t realize I now have a connection to LeBron James, once you wear purple and gold if you are an exceptional player you are a Laker for life with me with rare exception.  The rare exception is the Dennis Rodman experiment occurring in 1999, I believed beforehand Rodman had become a cartoon character. 

Despite my concern I cheered every rebound and every field goal Rodman made that season.  After Rodman was released at the end of the season I returned to my dislike of Rodman, part of it was easy since he only played the one season, he becomes the exception.  Norm Nixon, Anthony Peeler, Shaq, Pau Gasol and more recently Julius Randle will always remain Lakers for life.  There are several names missing but just wanted to provide my thought, when I’m cut I bleed purple and gold.    

They are primed and ready
I’m unsure if we covered the Celtics previously if so we’ll do it again.  The Celtics look primed and ready for the season.  Gordon Hayward is healed and ready to demonstrate the talent we witnessed in Utah.  Kyrie Irving has nothing to prove, until he went down with an injury Celtic Nation was likely pleased in what they saw.  Kobe Bryant created a degree of controversy when he suggested the Lakers should have drafted Jason Tatum rather than the other guy.  Clearly Kobe is impressed with Tatum. 

Al Horford and Jalen Brown were both steady last season, the team finished with a 55-27 regular season record.  3^rd year man Terry Rozier stepped up in the playoffs attempting to fill the void left by the injured Irvin.  The Celtics looked outstanding at every position plus the bench looks formidable.  With LeBron now wearing purple and gold barring injury there is no reason to expect the Celtics compete for the Eastern Conference championship.  If they manage to play for the NBA championship that would be icing on the cake. 

International talent
We’ve covered the increase in international talent in the NBA previously.  With few exceptions the bulk of talent arriving on our shores is often unknown.  The time difference between the U.S. and Europe plus limited television coverage we in the U.S. have incomplete knowledge on most Euro talent.  Sure, we knew Luka Doncic (or we thought we did) however this was based on a vast amount of media coverage.  As for the balance of the 2018 draft class most are mysteries.  In addition to the talent mystery we are unsure if they plan on appearing in NBA training camps or remaining in Europe.  In any event just to remind you we have the numbered pick, the NBA team the prospect and their home country.  

1^st round
29^th pick by the Nets-Dzanan Musa-Bosina 
31^st pick by the Suns Elie Okobo-France 
2^nd round
39^th pick by the Sixers & traded to the Lakers Isaac Bonga-Germany
40^th pick by the Nuggets Rodions Kurucs-Lativa  
44^th pick by the Wizards Issuf Sanon-Ukraine  
47^th pick by the Lakers Svi Mykhailiuk-Ukraine  
55^th pick by the Hornets Arnoldas Kulboka-Lithuania

Should have done this yesterday
Provided you the times and networks of the Christmas Day games:

Bucks @ Knicks 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN
Thunder @ Rockets 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time ABC
Sixers @ Celtics 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time ABC
Lakers @ Warriors 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time ABC
Blazers @ Jazz 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time ESPN