What's going on in the NBA's free agency period is raising goosebumps down the arms of NBA fans everywhere. And it's not even 2010.A year before the most hyped offseason in the history of the league, the 2009 offseason is turing into a serious boosting stage for a bunch of already talented teams.
I'm no Los Angeles Lakers fan, but I was a huge fan of Ron Artest (left) joining the NBA Champions.
It's extremely exciting to see teams play for the present and a title run. I loved what Artest said on ESPN's "Sportscenter" on July 2 about taking a pay cut to play for the Lakers.
"I'm playing to win," he said. "I'm not playing for the money no more."
Too many times are we seeing free-agents head off to shaky franchises for some extra dough. After Kevin Garnett set aside his ego to move to Boston, I think players started to realize that legacies are made when you win; not how much money you make.
With Shaquille O'Neal in Cleveland, Vince Carter in Orlando and Artest in L.A., the NBA is going to experience a suspenseful season.
I can't remember the last time when five teams own a legitimate shot to take the title in the 2009-10 season. Boston, Orlando, Cleveland, San Antonio and L.A. should all collide when next seasons playoffs roll around.
