NBA 2010-2011 Season

I love watching 3-on-3 basketball. They're fast, action packed, and high scoring and best of all, fun! Now, in the NBA, big three setups seems to be the trend nowadays. There are at least two MJ's and a couple of washed-up superstars griping about the latest triumvirate Miami Heat Superfriends. But, check this out:

The word "Big Three" came into play when Paul Pierce was joined by Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to form the 2008 Celtics NBA Champions team. Boston's big three has been upgraded too with the rise of All-Star point-guard Rajon Rondo.

The 2010 NBA Finals Champion Los Angeles Lakers have a 'big three' of their own in 2010 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Ron Artest. Oh, and instead of Ron, you could put Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom in there... heck, put them all together and they have a big five!

The Orlando Magic also form their triumverite in Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, and Rashard Lewis (or Jameer Nelson) that is capable of winning, but fell short of, an NBA Finals ring.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili guided the San Antonio Spurs to 4 NBA titles and rival Phoenix Suns had Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire, Shawn Marion and for multiple postseason runs before the last two bolted for the Knicks and Mavericks respectively.

Of course, the Miami Heat have the latest 'Big Three' right now when they signed the hottest 2010 free agents in Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Lebron James. But will/can they be an NBA championship caliber team or should they win an NBA Finals title, can they win multiple titles?

Oh, I dunno where the critisicm from Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson are coming from? I mean, big three's in the NBA are pretty common. Heck, even the best player in world had Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman with him and Magic Johnson had Kareem Abdul Jabar and James Worthy.

It could be, that, although 'His Airness' Michael Jordan was arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, he isn't the greatest basketball executive. Aside from all the great basketball plays and championships, he will also be remembered for picking Kwame Brown as the No. 1 draft pick of the 2001 over, oh, just the best Power Forward today in Pau Gasol, then there was Tyson Chandler, Jason Richardson, Tony Parker, Joe Johnson and other current impact players. Jealousy perhaps? Pat Riley pulled out all the stops to make what the Miami Heat is today. Michael Jordan and his Charlotte Bobcats? Well they lost their starting point guard and signed Shaun Livingston. 'Nuff said.

The New York Knicks wanted either one or two of Miami's triumvirate, but only got A'mare Stoudamire. Fortunately for them, Chris Paul wants to join them. He's already declared that he wants out of the New Orleans Hornetts and he wants Carmelo Anthony to form another big three in the Mecca of Basketball.

Why the 'big three' trend? It's all about the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy. As great as Lebron could ever be in Cleveland or Paul in New Orleans, they came to realize that they could be a John Stockton or a Charles Barkley--great, but not that great because they never had that elusive NBA Championship ring to show it for.

Who's going to win the 2011 NBA Finals? I'm rooting for Dwayne Wade and his pals, but that basketball is round. Anything could happen. One thing's for sure though, it's going to fun!