ESPN

Lakers fans are understandably excited about the new season, and the defending champs are a popular choice to repeat among bloggers in the ESPN.com community.

"I've never been more excited for the opening of any season, any sport," blogs kurtnaphansen. "The combination of being on the heels of the Lakers winning the NBA championship, of all the trash talk from Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Spurs and even Blazers fans, and of a very new interesting development with the addition of Sheed to Boston, Shaq to Cleveland and Artest to LA."

Below are fan blogs and predictions about the season, which tipped off this week. Click through to respond. If you don't already have an ESPN profile, create one now and start blogging.

More fan blogs

Fan pictures

• Vote: What's your take on the season's opening night?
• Beyond the Nation: Cleveland Plain Dealer on Shaq's assesment.
• Chats: NBA Insider David Thorpe, 12 ET | Chad Ford's Tuesday wrap

Posting his NBA predictions minutes before the season's opening tip, SportsNation blogger Dukeyanks1515 pegged the Cavaliers as the best of the Eastern Conference, two spots ahead of the Celtics. Oops. (We'll cut him some slack; he also had the Wizards No. 5 in the East and the Mavericks No. 7 in the West, predictions which look downright prescient after Gilbert Arenas torched Mark Cuban's team in a 102-91 win).

As Tuesday debuts go, Shaquille O'Neal's was rather less successful than, say, the new Michael Jackson movie. Actually, it was less successful than Randy Foye's first game with the Wizards. O'Neal put up 10 points, 10 rebounds and one block in 29 minutes, and the Cavaliers dropped a 95-89 decision to the Celtics. But whether Shaq actually improves the Cavaliers is just one question we've got after the first night of games. Also on the agenda:

• Is Gilbert Arenas one the five best players in the league when healthy? Vote
• Would you rather have Andrew Bynum or Greg Oden for the next decade? Vote
• Did Ron Artest or Rasheed Wallace look like a better fit in victory? Vote

“

C's have the better bench now, which is why it was a relatively easy win tonight. When is Cleveland going to bring in a real PG for Lebron? Mo Williams is garbage; an undersized SG pretending to play PG. He can't set up his teammates, he gets exposed defensively, and if his shot isn't going down, then what's his value?

” -- dinosaurworld

“

It's one game and according to Celtic's fans they have already won the NBA championship. They fail to realize that two of our starters are new to the system and it will take them awhile to get acquainted. There was some sloppy play by the Cavs that will be corrected as time goes on.

” -- eatthegator

• Vote: Are the Clippers cursed? | Power Rankings: Are the Clippers your No. 30?
• Chat: NBA Insider Chad Ford previews the season, 1 ET

Fate has apparently lost its subtle touch when it comes to derailing the Clippers, going right for a Gillooly-style kneecap job on Clippers No. 1 pick Blake Griffin. The broken kneecap, suffered in a preseason game against the Hornets, could sideline him for six weeks, or roughly the time of season the Clippers are usually eliminated from playoff contention.

Griffin missed out on summer games after suffering a shoulder strain in July, but at the time, 69 percent of SportsNation thought it was just wear and tear -- not the curse of the Clippers gearing up to take down Griffin the way it sank Danny Manning two decades ago.

That was about the same time voters rated Griffin well ahead of fellow No. 1 picks Matthew Stafford, Stephen Strasburg and John Tavares. Now? Hey, Tavares has three goals and four assists in 10 games. And as far as we know, Bill Simmons never wrote him a letter advising him to run away from a cursed franchise.

“

This basically hands the R.O.Y trophy to Tyreke Evans

” -- az1atic187

“

You know....I wish that for Griffins sake he would have got drafted by any other franchise then the Clippers. Maybe if they went back to San Diego the curse would go away

” -- RushKG44

• Vote: Take the Quentin Richardson tour of the country.

Apparently Quentin Richardson comes with a warning that if you do not forward him to a friend within 30 days, great misfortune will befall you. Although considering the Clippers, Grizzlies, Knicks and Timberwolves are among the teams he's been "employed" by since last playing an NBA game, maybe the curse is more of a retroactive deal.

Richardson is not a star player. His impact on the upcoming season probably ranks somewhere in the vicinity of Glen Davis remaining in Boston or Leon Powe heading to Cleveland. But we can't help ourselves; Richardson's tour, paper tour though it may be, of NBA cities is worthy of a blind Greek poet (preferably of the deceased variety).

Let's run through this. On April 15, Richardson scored nine points in 11 minutes as the Knicks closed the regular season with a win against the Nets. On draft night, the Knicks dealt him to the Grizzlies (for Darko Milicic of all people). Then the Grizzlies traded him to the Clippers, who traded him to the Timberwolves, who just traded him to the Heat.

Considering Richardson shot 39 percent from the field last season, we're starting to wonder if Washington, D.C., really has the most popular "Cash for Clunkers" program.

• Voters don't think Dwyane Wade is sticking around beyond this season.
• Groups: Real Miami Heat Fans | Minnesota Sports Fans | Memphis Grizzlies fans

“

Ok, Q must be filming a reality show.

” -- ZEEKERINI

“

I feel bad for Q now. He's no where near as bad as Mark Blount. The Heat might as well throw a parade just for getting rid of that guy

” -- Dwayne_Johnson23

“

Q must have some serious frequent flyer miles. He's gonna be a good bench warmer for the heat.

” -- laranadepaz

It seems safe to say Allen Iverson will someday find his way to Springfield and the Basketball Hall of Fame. He's already No. 16 all time in points in the NBA, and he's about one good season away from passing Patrick Ewing, Jerry West, Reggie Miller and Amazing Grace Smith. Heck, it was just a year ago that SportsNation ranked him on the cusp of its own Redeem Team (Joe Dumars begs to differ).

Now if only we could figure out what city will come before the not-so-gem of Massachusetts on his career itinerary.

Iverson is hardly alone in NBA circles in his current quest for employment, but with each Andre Miller and Lamar Odom signing, he's starting to stand out more and more. It's one thing for Jamaal Tinsley to need work; it's another for a Hall of Famer who is younger than Steve Nash.

A month ago, SportsNation thought the Heat would be the best fit of the teams rumored to be in the mix. Now the Knicks are in play and rumors have extended all the way to Greece (hey, at least SportsNation thinks he'd be as good an ambassador for basketball as David Beckham has been for soccer in the United States). Surely some team will give Iverson the mid-level exception and 18 shots a game, right?

• 62 percent of SportsNation believes Iverson can still contribute for a contender.
• Beyond the Nation: Bill Simmons makes a case (No. 50) for an Iverson comeback.
• Beyond the Nation: Iverson talks about his image and the nature of celebrity.

“

AI/Mayo/Gay/Rando lph/Gasol. Not a bad starting 5 that can definitely run and put up some points. They would be a better team with this move. Warrick could still be good off the bench for them though. They need D with that lineup from somewhere.

” -- XmanY

“

Iverson fans need to give it up. We're not saying he's not great. He's great. But you have to have a pretty bad team if he can do it more good than harm. And while this is something he could fix if he wanted to, it's getting very late for that dog to learn any new tricks. I'd love to see him do it. But even then, he wouldn't be proving the "haters" wrong - he'd be proving that he should have been listening to them all along.

” -- The Pragmaticist

There is a post about a trade between the Clippers and Timberwolves in which Mark Madsen figures semi-prominently and which lacks a clear winner? Yep, it's late July in the sports world. It's pretty much this or T.O.'s latest television escapades (or the obligatory Brett Favre update on when he plans to update his status).

And there is something of interest about the trade sending Quentin Richardson to the Timberwolves for Sebastian Telfair, Craig Smith and Madsen, if only because Richardson is becoming the human re-gift in the NBA.

The former DePaul star (that was a division's worth of cities ago) is on his fourth NBA team ... of the summer. He finished the season with the Knicks and subsequently bounced from the Big Apple to the Grizzlies, Clippers and now Timberwolves. He also has the dubious distinction of being traded for Telfair, Zach Randolph and Darko Milicic, three of the more cringe-worthy names in recent NBA memory. Randolph is a 20-10 guy, yet SportsNation still said his absence would almost be preferable. But really, we're sure you'll be pleased with your purchase, Minnesota. Just don't forget where you put the box he came in.

• Telfair's gone, but voters say Ricky Rubio still isn't coming to the backcourt.
• 'Nation thinks Allen Iverson would serve the Clippers better than Telfair.
• Rankings: Which NBA teams have made the most of the offseason?

“

I love the implications of this for my Wolves. After watching Corey Brewer and Bobby Brown look god awful in summer league, I love Q as a SG option and the fact that Kahn is in Spain, and Rubio's spanish team just signed a new PG may signal a Spanish invasion in the Northwoods.

” -- TajMccall

“

Don't you think the chances of Quentin getting a full no-trade clause in his next contract are pretty good right now?

” -- fc72284

"SportsNation" TV's performance today won't determine home field for any playoff series, but Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd will run out every grounder and play as hard as they can, anyway.

Share your thoughts, vote on the biggest stories of the day and chat during the show on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET.

Whom did Jessica Simpson distract more?
Cowboys QB Tony Romo reportedly split with Simpson, with whom he vacationed in Mexico, during the bye week before the playoffs in January 2008.

Was Blake Griffin's Vegas performance a big deal?
The top draft pick, and latest Clippers chosen one, scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his summer league debut Monday.

Would you throw a strike on a ceremonial first pitch?
President Obama, like Presidents Bush and Nixon before him, will toss out the first pitch at the All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Would Allen Iverson help or hurt the Clippers?
A.I. could be playing in Los Angeles next season, but first the team wants to know whether he'd be willing to come off the bench.

Would you watch more than one Home Run Derby event per year?
Prince Fielder won this year's Derby, but a one-night contest hardly settles who is the best home run hitter in baseball.

And our final question ...
Alex Rodriguez, slowed this season by a hip injury and various off-field scandals, is hitting only .256 with 17 home runs at the All-Star break.

What is "SportsNation" TV and how do you make your voice heard on the broadcast? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

• From the defending champs to the defending lottery winner, rank all 30 teams.

NBA Insider David Thorpe breaks down the NBA's summer leagues in the video above, including a very un-Olowokandi debut for No. 1 pick Blake Griffin. (Did you know Griffin has a low waist? Neither did we.) But as much or as little as we gain from summer league numbers -- Roy Hibbert has looked downright adequate, for crying out loud -- the real summer league comes with general managers and agents dueling over draft picks, luxury tax implications and free-agent offers.

The most recent news came Monday with the Magic matching the Mavericks' hefty offer to Marcin Gortat. Yes, we live in a world where Marcin Gortat's whereabouts for the next five years are a big deal. Get used to it. More than 90 percent of SportsNation feels like $34 million over five years might be a tad excessive for Gortat, but that's not really the question. When it comes to whether the Magic needed to pay it, voters are entirely divided.

So with many of the offseason's major addition and subtractions in the books, what do your NBA Power Rankings look like?

• Rumors of Iverson to the Clippers? Voters prefer Baron Davis and Eric Gordon.
• Keeping Grant Hill and adding Channing Frye doesn't make Suns a contender.
• The Warriors lost Jamal Crawford but Stephen Curry in the draft, and SportsNation blogger -- and pained Warriors fan -- connorcuc thinks it's time for a coach interested in defense and a new mentality for a franchise stuck in neutral.
• Although they aren't among Allen Iverson's rumored potential landing places, SportsNation blogger allikskat wonders why teams like the Timberwolves and Knicks haven't shown any interest in the veteran.
• Groups: Orlando Magic Hoops | Warrior Hoops Nation | Dirk's Posse | Phoenix Suns fans

“

That premise might work if AI practiced with the team and could help Griffin in any way. He won't help or practice. Spending that kind of money for even 1yr. is a waste. They have enough wasted salaries as it is. They should get someone with a little character or desire who has enough talent to help. Not lead. AI will not lead. He is beyond that at this pt. in his career. When you practice with your team it is more about the act and not the effort.

” -- paulc1955

“

LOL! Cuban and the Mavs went all in with 3 kings (casting aside a very good and young foward in Bass) and the Magic waited until the last second to play 4 aces. Now the Mavs only legit big man is Dampier. Better get to work Cuban and find a quality big if you hope to secure a shot at the 8th seed in the playoffs.

” -- the_real_kman

• Rank: Put your own spin on the draft by ranking the classes

SportsNation is not impressed with Rodrique Beaubois or Ahmad Nivins. The former is a French point guard and the latter a 6-foot-9 forward from Saint Joseph's who averaged better than 19 points a game as a senior. They're also the only members of the Mavericks' draft class that SportsNation voters ranked behind that of the Magic. The only problem? The Magic didn't make any picks Thursday night. Now that's a tough crowd.

• Draft Winners: Wolves and Spurs. Voters decisively shouted down concerns about the Wolves taking back-to-back point guards, ranking the team's effort behind only that of the Clippers. The Spurs didn't pick until the second round, but landing DeJuan Blair moved them all the way to fourth in SportsNation's rankings.
• The Nation thinks both Rubio and Flynn start; Minnesota not so sure.
• Draft Losers: Nets and Raptors. Fans panned the Nets for taking Terrence Williams. The No. 11 pick netted the team a ranking of No. 20 on the night. That was still better than the Raptors, who turned No. 9 pick DeMar DeRozan into a No. 22 ranking from De-voters. Curiously, neither was viewed as the biggest lottery reach.
• The good news is there may be a team worse than the Nets next season.

“

Rubio is exactly what is wrong with the nba. If a player comes out of the nba with the fancy dribbles and no jump shot, they would diss him as a street baller. I have Yet to see a shooting highlight from mr. rubio. not one jump shot.

” -- doodieoutlaw

“

I guess I'm not as smart as I thought I was. This Blair thing has me puzzled. I remember thinking that the Dorsey kid from Memphis was a stud also. I haven't seen him play in a game yet.

” -- adeeblack

NO. 1: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Bill Simmons thinks Blake Griffin should run away as fast as he can. Even after watching his favorite coach head to New York and Shaquille O'Neal come and go, Steve Nash still has it easier than Griffin, according to SportsNation. And did we mention the traffic? Welcome to the NBA, kid.

• More than half of voters think Griffin would have gone third or lower last year.
• Clippers jokes aside, 43 percent expect them in the playoffs within two seasons.
• Oklahoma one of only states that expects Griffin to be an NBA star.

“

I feel bad for Clipper fans. The organization sucks, not the team. They manage to MISmanage every star player they have had. I used to think it was all Elgin Baylor but he his gone and they still suck. Oh well Griffin will get paid and do his time. When his rookie contract is up he will jet.

” -- BigVilFromWestPhil

NO. 2: MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Good barbeque and bad basketball. Since Robert Traylor's no longer in the mix, the former isn't enough of a selling point to convince current prospects to fix the latter. Ricky Rubio supposedly won't go there. Hasheem Thabeet canceled a workout. How are they supposed to draft someone they can later give away in a trade?

• SportsNation thinks Hasheem Thabeet a better fit for Grizzlies than Ricky Rubio.

“

Memphis is tailor made for Rubio, you need 2 solid PGs to succeed in this league, sometimes 3.

” -- walnutkid07

NO. 3: OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
It appears a Red River tandem of Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin isn't in the works, but Taylor Griffin is still available. Hey, it worked for Harvey Grant.

• SportsNation and Chad Ford concur; it's Ricky Rubio to the Thunder.

“

Blake Griffin is obviously the best talent, but I believe a defensive minded, rebounding center like Hasheem Thabeet would be a great fit for the talent currently on the roster. He would essentially knock Krstic down to the four, Green to the 3, and Durant to the 2 guard slot while his body fills out. Only if Griffin isn't available, though.

” -- dustemoff151