100 Reasons to Watch the NBA This Season, Part 1

Reason #97: The Taco Bell NBA Big Box Commercial

We told you this would happen. To celebrate our first 100 posts, we're giving back. We've put together 100 reasons to watch this season. Consider these a mouthwash for this off-season of stink. Some can be considered predictions, some are sure things, and some may just be hopes that will fade before the schedule is even released. Whatever the case, read them all and get excited again. Remember, reasons #101 through infinity belong in the comments section. Don't know if you can tell, but we're excited to finally be able to watch some ball.

100. To Witness Second Chances.
Can underachieving talents like Michael Beasley and Greg Oden find a whole new NBA life in their respective change of scenery and relative health? Or will they continue to fall short of expectations?

99. Speaking of Second Chances, Gil.
Can our man use the beginning of the John Wall era to bring him back to some of his wild, unpredictable, unstoppable glory? It could be tough for him to give up the team, but if he's smart, he'll allow Wall to be his redeemer.

98. Barack Obama.
With his Bulls primed to make a real run in the East, expect to hear more of 44's thoughts on the NBA. And let's hope so, because dude needs something to take his mind off things for a minute.

97. The Taco Bell NBA Big Box Commercial.
We hope we get new versions of this commercial, but if it doesn't return, no worries. We're sure to get some ad that's just as harmlessly enjoyable and forever goofy in its place.

96. A Wesley Johnson Fashion Spread.

95. An Amar’e Stoudemire Barfight.

94. A Kevin Durant Rap Single.

93. A Matt Bonner Sandwich Revolution.

92. Killin’it Azubuike.
The man with our favorite made-up nickname just moved to our town. We’re very excited for our reference to be slightly less obscure.

91. EA Sports NBA Elite 2011
New name, new controls, Kevin Durant cover, option to import your fantasy team from NBA.com—you’re done 2K, follow Dreamcast into gaming oblivion.

90. Mohawks.
Not quite sure if buzzing the side of your head makes you better at basketball, but it sure makes you more fun to watch. Westbrook, Harden, Baby, and of course Artest have all recently donned the stripe. We could have an epidemic on our hands.

89. Hardwood Paroxysm's Matt Moore blogging full time for CBS.
While we are sad to think it might mean less contributing to HP, good, smart basketball writers getting hired by major media outlets is, at the end of the day, a great thing for all of us.

88. The New Old Jazz Logo.
This revised version of the classic Utah logo is a welcome return to form. Makes us wish we liked Deron Williams enough to buy an alternate jersey.

87. Lakers/Celtics rivalry.
To paraphrase Rondo's Twitter page, they're still the champs of the East and let's face it: Those two teams tearing into each other is just plain good television and brings out shit we never expected to see. Clap your hands if you believe in Babies.

86. Baron Davis' Band of Outsiders.
Their roster is filled with rookies (Al-Farouq Aminu Acid, Bledsoe, Griffin) and guys who've been bounced around too much (Baron, Foye, Gomes), steadied by Eric Gordon's jump shot and Kamen's rebounding. If Del Negro can remind them they all have something to prove, this could be a playoff team.

85. The Lopez Boys.
Our favorite celebrity twins since Ashley and Mary-Kate, Robin and Brook are almost as lovable as the "Full House" stars. On a sidenote, they're also monster bigs.

84. Rodrigue Beaubois.
Roddy Buckets brings new meaning to the word "scrappy." He's so quick we swear to God he could be on roller skates and we wouldn't know the difference.

83. Ron Artest Will Receive His Ring.
Read full thoughts on this subject here.

82. The Eastern Conference.
As it stands now, it looks like there are two spots up for grabs (safely assuming Boston, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Atlanta all make it). Potential candidates? New York, Charlotte, New Jersey, Cleveland, Washington. We're salivating picturing a first round Miami-Cleveland match-up.

81. The Western Conference.
There's talk that the power now lies in the East, but last time we checked, the West still had the defending champs, Dallas, Denver, Utah, San Antonio, Houston, Phoenix, Portland, and OK City. Old stalwarts taking a few steps back just means better looks for the young guys.

Come back tomorrow for reasons 80-61!