The beginning of this NBA season looked an awfully lot like the end of last season. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers still looked like the second-best team in the Eastern Conference. Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks still looked like a waste of Mark Cuban's money. And Kobe Bryant? Well, he still looked like the Kobe Bryant that we all know and, er, love.

Unfortunately, if you wait much longer to start paying attention to the NBA, you're gonna end up missing a lot. So with that in mind, StreetLevel decided to compile a list of ten things that should get you excited about at the start of the 2009-2010 NBA season. Get your mind off fantasy football for a minute, forget about the World Series and hit the hardwood with us. We love this game--and, deep down, we know you do, too.

10. Because LeBron James can actually, you know, play basketball . . .

Jay-Z's best friend isn't a businessman--he's a business, man. And, frankly, that can get annoying. Whether it's because one of his friends gets knocked the $&%^ out by NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards (*insert "If only Braylon could catch a pass as well as he catches a charge" joke here*) or because he finds a growth above his jaw and fears he could have cancer, LBJ stays in the news for everything but basketball during the off-season. Luckily, the season's back on and we can expect to see more stuff like this again soon:


9. Because this should probably hopefully be the last year the New York Knicks stink.

Speaking of LeBron James, something tells us the Knicks will be keeping a close eye on him this season. Same goes for Dwayne Wade. And Joe Johnson. And pretty much anyone that can help bring this team back to the playoffs. Cue next offseason's theme song, Donnie Walsh. Summer 2010 is right around the corner.

8. Because Gilbert Arenas is finally ready to walk the walk.

He's already talked the talk. But as much as we've enjoyed hearing about Gil's completely insane antics off the court, the Washington Wizards have DeShawn Stevenson (and that sweet tatt of Honest Abe he recently got across his neck) to keep us entertained this season. That leaves Arenas, who's played in just 15 games over the last two seasons, to do what he does best: Entertain the hell out of us on the court.

7. Because Baron Davis's beard is incredible.

He's got you beat Mr. Kimbo Slice and Mr. Rick Ross.

6. Because no one (and we do mean no one) taunts a referee like Rasheed Wallace.

Sure, Sheed is with the Boston Celtics now. They're a mature team, a veteran group of guys intent on making it back to the NBA Finals. But, yo, anything you've ever wanted to say and do to a referee? We guarantee this guy has already done it-and we're willing to lay odds that say he'll do it again.

5. Because Charles Barkley > Your Favorite Sports Analyst.

When we have an extra three hours to spare, we like to sit around watch his bloopers on YouTube. Hey, are you laughing with us or at us?

4. Because NBA League Pass always throws the perfect assist . . .

Let's face it: Your life sucks during the winter. It's cold out. Football comes and goes in the dead of the season. Then suddenly, there's nothing left on TV. For just a little more than a $100, you can get access to every NBA game, all season long, on either your computer or TV with NBA League Pass. It's easily the best all-access pass of any of the four major sports (and, yes, we're still counting hockey here for some reason) and pretty much the only way you're gonna be able to see a budding superstar like the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant catch fire when it's brick outside.

3. Because Superman is still alive . . .

You can't front on Dwight Howard. Throw it down Dwight! Do it again! One more time at the All-Star Game in February? Let's goooo!

2. Because Ron Artest is going to do something that everyone will be talking about . . .

He might punch Kobe in the face during the middle of a game. Or show up to practice in his underwear. Or marry one of the other Kardashian sisters. Whatever it is, though, you're gonna be pissed when it happens while you're off watching another DVR'd episode of Heroes. We can promise you that.

1. Because Jack Nicholson, Spike Lee and Jay-Z have had nothing better to do with their time.

Did the writers on ESPN's Around the Horn really debate whether sports agent Scott Boras or "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak was the bigger star sitting behind home plate at a New York Yankees/Los Angeles Angels playoff game a few weeks ago?!? C'mon, son! The celebrities love this game. And when we can do a whole post about the NBA and we're not able to fit guys like Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Steve Nash and a whole lot more, why wouldn't they?


StreetLevel readers know that on top of all of these reasons we get also get to see our favorite players rock the latest basketball shoes. WIN! See you on the sidelines. It's time to ball.