Winds of Change (or why trading for Jason Kidd might not matter)

Something pretty exciting in happening in the NBA. Once again, the young folks are taking over. It was about ten years ago that Sheed first started doggin Karl Malone, somewhere around the same time AI broke Michael's ankles, and Shaq started clowning Hakeem, Patrick and the Admiral.

The Shaq-Duncan Decade appears to be on the wane. The aforementioned principals as well as luminaries like Kobe, AI, Kidd, KG, Sheed, CWebb, Dirk, and johnny-come-lately Steve Nash have dominated the post-Jordan era. But just as fried ice cream is a reality, so too is age. All of these cats are in relative states of decay, and the youth is about to serve themselves.

New Orleans DESTROYED San Antonio last week to grab the best record in the West. Chris Paul and the young Hornets are crushing folks at a record pace over the past 8 or 9 games. We all know the Brandon Roy/Trailblazers story. Tens times more so with LeBron. Dwight Howard is straight beasting on the entire League. Chris Bosh is unguardable. Throw in DWade, Melo, and Al Jefferson and we begin to the outline of the next NBA era.

All is not lost for the aged ones, especially as far as team success. The Celts are lead by three thirty somethings, and the own the League's best record. Right behind them in the East are the veteran laden Pistons. Though their regular season struggles are alarming, the Spurs are still a favorite to defend their crown. Phoenix and Dallas both still merit a mention in the Championship mix.

But perhaps more so than it has been since His Airness left the building for the second time, there is room at the top of the NBA for the bold and brazen. The HEAT are clearly done. The Spurs may well repeat this year, but how good will they be next year with an older Duncan? Same for Nashy's Suns, Dirk's Mavs, the Celts and the Pistons.

I have throughly enjoyed the crew of top NBA ballers of the Shaq-Duncan Decade. Guys that didn't even get a mention above -- Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Chauncey Billups, Antoine Walker, Marcus Camby, Vinsanity, Jermaine O'Neal -- all have been spectacular to watch. Ever in Jordan's shadow, these cats played serious ball. And this crew is not done yet. I am just saying that the time to pass the torch will soon be upon us.