An Epic Clash of the Aces, and NBA Opening Night Musings

Dare I say it's the greatest World Series pitching matchup ever? Tonight in beautiful San Francisco, the Fall Classic commences with two spectacular pitchers taking the mound. On the one side, you have Cliff Lee, the overpowering lefty who has to be considered one of the most outstanding postseason pitchers in MLB history. On the other side (the good side, of course), you have Tim Lincecum, the dazzling, dominant, long-haired flamethrower we call The Freak. The likes of Josh Hamilton, Aubrey Huff, Ian Kinsler, Buster Posey, Nelson Cruz, and Cody Ross are likely to appear completely flummoxed at times tonight. Lee and Lincecum can make the best sluggers look absolutely helpless at the plate. This should be fun. Gooooooooooooo Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The world's greatest sports league made its' 2010-2011 debut on Tuesday night, and it did not disappoint. After last night, I am thoroughly convinced that this NBA season will be one for the ages. I am downright giddy. My thoughts on opening night:

---The supposedly mighty Miami Heat looked completely out of sorts last night in Boston. LeBron was dominant in the third quarter, but his eight turnovers showed that he is not a natural point guard, no matter how hard the Heat want him to adapt that role. Dwayne Wade, coming off an injury that sidelined him for most of the preseason, struggled all night long, and Chris Bosh did not have enough size down low to hold his own against Shaq. Granted, it is just one game, but for a team that wants to be historically great, the Miami Heat left an enormously underwhelming first impression. And that put a giant smile on my face.

---That was a statement win by the Celtics. Boston came out with fiery passion last night. Paul Pierce was terrific, Ray Allen showed that he still has that silky-smooth shot, Rajon Rondo was brilliant, Kevin Garnett played with renewed energy, and new fan-favorite Shaquille O'Neal showed flashes of his old self. Make no mistake: The Celtics have every intention of making it back to the Finals.

---Great crowd last night in Boston. They booed LeBron every time he touched the ball. Gotta love it. Celtics fans are amongst the best fans in the NBA.

---Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the Lakers edged the Rockets in a thrilling game on ring night at the Staples Center.

---The Rockets-Lakers game was tremendously compelling. I've long been a critic of Steve Blake, but I have to give him credit: That was a clutch shot to win the game for the Lakers.

---Despite the loss, I was impressed by the Houston Rockets last night. Yao Ming is not yet in pristine shape, but he gave a very encouraging performance last night. Kudos to the Rockets for holding Yao to a strict playing time limit of 24 minutes. It must have been tempting for Rick Adelman to keep Yao in the game late in the fourth quarter against the Lakers, but Yao's health is far more important than one game. In order for the Rockets to make some noise in the West this season, they need a fully healthy Yao.

---I was also delighted by the play of Brad Miller and Aaron Brooks. Miller brings an Artest-like toughness to the Rockets, while Brooks is an absolute joy to watch.

---Nice win by the Blazers last night. Brandon Roy took over in the fourth quarter, and Portland outlasted Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. Roy is Mr. Clutch, and it is a shame he doesn't get the credit he deserves for being one of the game's best players.

---Nate McMillan had to be encouraged by the play of Wes Matthews. Matthews will never live up to his ridiculously gargantuan contract, but if he gives the Blazers 22 points a night, as he did in the season-opener against the Suns, he will be a major asset.

---The rest of the league starts playing tonight. There are plenty of outstanding games, most notably a potential Finals preview in Oklahoma City between the Bulls and Thunder.