It’s here. The NBA Season has tipped off.
After an offseason of noteworthy moves and trades, and a summer that included some classic Olympic basketball, it is time to ponder and discuss some of the main storylines that could be in store for NBA fans this upcoming season.
Can the Celtics go back to back? Or will someone in the East stop them?
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Boston Celtics boasted arguably the deepest and most balanced roster in the league last year and finished the regular season with 64 wins, the best record in the NBA by a comfortable margin. More importantly, Boston convincingly silenced critics who expected them to fall short of claiming an 18th championship in franchise history by winning every playoff series in five games or less.
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla also isn’t fazed if his side has a target on their back as they look to defend their championship. “People’s going to say the target’s on our back, but I hope it’s right on our forehead, in between our eyes. I hope I can see the red dot,” he said during the offseason.
This year however, Eastern Conference contenders, both legit and hopeful, have reloaded and made big offseason moves with the intention of taking the Celtics off their porch.
The Philadelphia 76ers added nine-time All-Star Paul George to create a Big Three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
The New York Knicks bolstered the firepower of a team that had the second best record in the East last season, having pulled off a blockbuster deal to acquire highly skilled big man Karl Anthony Towns and trading for Mikal Bridges earlier in the offseason.
Not to mention that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will be in their second year as a duo at the Milwaukee Bucks, while young teams like the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic look to improve further on the progress they made a year ago. You also can never rule out a team with the pedigree and grit of the Miami Heat come playoff time.
The Celtics rightfully deserve to start the season as favourites. They have the team to go back to back and will be difficult to beat in a seven game series. However, with several challenging opponents looming in the Eastern conference horizon, the road back to the Finals will likely be much tougher than last year’s playoff run.
Can a legend in the West lead their team on one last playoff run?
Embed from Getty ImagesBasketball fans around the world were treated over the summer to an Olympic masterpiece worthy of enshrinement in the Louvre, as the three greatest players of this generation joined forces to deliver gold for Team USA. But if their teams don’t improve enough this season, those two weeks in France may have been the final few games of meaningful, high stakes basketball that Lebron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant will ever play in their careers.
Lebron and the Lakers
There was a lot of attention on the Lakers drafting Lebron’s son, but it is the hiring of unproven rookie head coach JJ Redick that will ultimately be the front office decision that makes or breaks their season.
If the Duke legend fails to drastically improve the team’s play, Los Angeles can expect another first round exit or even earlier. But if Redick successfully implements a system and style that elevates the role players and maximises the impact of their two stars, then the window for Lebron to capture a fifth title may not be shut just yet.
Curry and the Warriors
Klay Thompson has now left Golden State so if Steph Curry wants to lead the Warriors on another title run, he will have to do so without his ‘Splash Brother.’ Instead, Curry will hope that new and existing teammates will fill the void.
New Warrior Buddy Hield could have a large role to play this season as he looks to provide more impact and production than a Klay Thompson who was in his 13th year. It is also vital that second year guard Brandin Podziemski continues to improve and that Jonathan Kuminga takes the next step in his development, possibly even entering the borderline All Star tier. Draymond Green avoiding suspensions and Andrew Wiggins recapturing some of his 2022 playoffs form would also be a bonus.
Curry will likely put up numbers and have another amazing season, but ultimately the rest of the roster must step up if he is to have a realistic chance at a fifth ring.
Durant and the Suns
Durant and the Phoenix Suns were hugely disappointing in last year’s playoffs and the Suns were previously defeated in the 2021 NBA Finals by new head coach Mike Budenholzer. Despite this, Phoenix will hope that Budenholzer’s championship experience will help them achieve their title aspirations.
Budenholzer must get the best out of his star trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and increase the productivity and complementary impact of the role players. Adding veteran point guard Tyus Jones could be a key factor to ensuring they do this as it was clear in several instances and late game situations last season that Phoenix were missing the guidance of a true point guard. In Jones, Phoenix now have a facilitator who can get everyone involved and steer the offense in the right direction, a trait that was mostly absent from their team last year.
If Budenholzer proves to be the right hire for the Suns and if Jones can efficiently run the show, then Phoenix will give Durant and the team a much better chance than they had last year of going deep in the playoffs.
What will Wemby do in his second year?
Embed from Getty ImagesFrench phenom Victor Wembanyama was the unanimous winner for Rookie of the Year last season, receiving all 99 first place votes, and finished runner up for Defensive Player of the Year to Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert.
Having averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocked shots, and 1.2 steals per game, it is fair to say that ‘Wemby’ lived up to the astronomical hype.
Wembanyama produced moments and highlights that were truly spectacular and awe inspiring so it is frightening to think of what he could do in his second year especially considering he finished first amongst all rookies in scoring, rebounds, and blocks per game and was the first player in NBA history to have over 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 blocks, and 100 3-pointers in a single season.
There will likely be even more highlights from Wembanyama this season as the point god of our generation, Chris Paul, will have the pleasure of throwing lobs and dimes Wemby’s way.
However perhaps the scariest thing to fathom may be Wembanyama being motivated by the pain and heartbreak of only coming away with silver in the Paris Olympics and taking it out on the whole league.
