Matt Bonner is sinking 3-pointers and the Spurs are back on top of the Western Conference. Some things haven't changed. Some have. The Nets moved to Brooklyn and won their first game of the season. The Lakers added Dwight Howard and Steve Nash yet they're off to slow start. The veteran Spurs won their first four games as the Red Rocket hit four of six 3-pointer attempts.

Sunday News: What did you think of the first week of the NBA season?

Matt Bonner: It's hard to get an accurate gauge. It's a long season. There's a lot more that can and will happen.

SN: Wait a minute! You have to be a little more excited. You have to give us something. Remember when we all loved the NBA?

MB: OK, it's been a very exciting first week of the NBA. There are so many story lines right now. The Lakers are off to a slow start and Steve Nash is out for about a month. You look at the Knicks and how well they've played. You've got Brooklyn (Nets) back on the scene. Tony Parker has been making big play after big play for us. It's been exciting.

SN: Parker's buzzer-beater to take down Oklahoma City (86-84) had to be an incredible finish to the home opener.

MB: They knocked us out of the playoffs last year, so the game had a little extra meaning, and it was the home opener. It looked like we might lose the game until Tony hit a huge three to tie the game. Then he comes down and hits the game winner over Serge Ibaka.

SN: The Celtics and Lakers are having a tough time forming positive team chemistry. How does chemistry develop and why does it take so long?

MB: I think chemistry develops two ways. Number one, you need a natural chemistry out there based on guys' strengths and weaknesses on the court and how they complement each other. Obviously, that's more of a product of the (general manager) and the players that get signed. The second thing is just experience playing together. The more you play with each other and learn everyone's tendencies and how to connect, that creates chemistry as well.

SN: What did it mean to the Spurs when Tim Duncan drop-step dunked on Ibaka? Was that a statement from the old guys to the young guys?

MB: It definitely gets us fired up. He's already dunked on people multiple times this year. Obviously, to see that in his 16th year, it gets everyone fired up and brings the team a lot of energy.

SN: It's great to see how sports has been a form of healing in New York after all the devastation from the hurricane. The Giants and Steelers game was pretty emotional.

MB: Yeah, sports is a diversion. It's a form of entertainment that can lift people's spirits. I think it's great how New York and its teams have gone out and played for the city they represent.

SN: The Clippers are ranked as a top-five team in power rankings.

MB: I'm not sure as far as power rankings. I know within our team, we have a lot of respect for them. I think they got better this off-season by adding some veteran supplements, and they have a youthful core. It's week one. Give them some time to develop that team chemistry.

SN: Can anyone beat Alabama in college football?

MB: I'd really like to see Alabama lose one game. (Note: this was written before the Crimson Tide's loss to Texas A&M on Saturday). We'd have all these schools in the SEC and top 10 with one loss. What happens? Do they all get snubbed from the championship game? Schools that play in the toughest conference beat up on each other and don't get rewarded for it. For that reason alone, I hope Alabama slips up.

SN: Was giving David Ortiz a two-year contract a good move for the Red Sox?

MB: Tough one. I think they were right to keep him. The question becomes if they had to pay him that much ($26 million). At least it's only a two-year contract if something happens, and he gets hurt. It's not like they are trapped for four or five years. The question becomes did they Red Sox overpay to keep David Ortiz? He's the face of the franchise. He's been there for the championships and is the last big gun from those years. That is worth something.

Bonner discusses The NBA Life each week with radio broadcaster Chris Ryan and New Hampshire Union Leader reporter Kevin Gray, and the interview appears weekly in the N.H. Sunday News.