NBA Preview
Ryan Cassidy '23 Staff Writer
The NBA’s 75th season tipped off October 19 with two exciting matchups, an Eastern Conference semifinals rematch of the Nets and defending champs Bucks. The Bucks ended up winning the game 127-104. The other game is the Lakers against the Warriors, who won 121-114. Other headlining opening week games include the Celtics going to New York, the 76ers going to New Orleans and Denver versus Phoenix.
The Eastern Conference improved in the offseason with teams like the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards. The Bulls got the most additions as they added guards Lonzo Ball and Demar Derozan, and still have core players like Zach Lavine and Nikola Vucevic. The Celtics reformed their roster from ball heavy players to complimentary players when they lost Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, who both went to the Knicks. Fortunately, they added Dennis Schroder, Josh Richardson, Al Horford and other key players. Junior die hard Washington Wizards fan, Nicolas Miller stated, “the Wizards became a team with a lot of depth, I see a bright future from them.” In addition, Junior Chris Herzog predicts the Wizards winning it all this year “I think the Wizards will win the championship this year because we have a better team than last year and new coach, Wizards in 7.” The top dogs in the East remain, though. The Nets still have their big 3 players and the Milwaukee Bucks bring the same championship team back from last year. The Philadelphia 76ers bring back the same team who had the East's best record last year, but Ben Simmons has an unsure future.The bottom feeders in the East haven't gotten much better, as many of them are still in a rebuild, like Detroit, who has interesting young stars like Killian Hayes, Isaih Stewart and number one overall pick Cade Cunningham. Orlando and Cleveland will also likely not win many games this year as they continue to build draft capital and develop young players. Sleeper teams in the East include the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets. They don’t have the flashiest rosters but definitely have groups of solid players who could make some noise. The Miami Heat are looking to get back to the conference finals this year, as they have made some changes in their roster. They swapped Goran Dragic for Kyle Lowry, joining stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Atlanta continues year five of what was once a rebuild but has now transformed into four legitimate superstars: Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish. That being said, expect this conference to be a real two team race between the Bucks and Nets.
The Western Conference is an open race as about 8 teams have a real shot at winning. The Western Conference defending champion, Phoenix Suns bring the same team back. Keep an eye out for star center Deandre Ayton and his contract situation. The Lakers have a roster full of random washed up stars. Obviously Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook are still in their primes, but they added Rajon Rondo, and Dwight Howard, Malik Monk, Carmelo Anthony and Kent Bazemore, a random addition of co-stars, but still a top dog in the West. The Denver Nuggets should be able to make a playoff run, but outside of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, they really lack scoring and star power, so don’t expect a deep playoff run from them. Damian Lillard starts his 10th season in Portland this year, with a lackluster supporting cast, some may wonder if Lillard is going to be traded at some point this season for a big rebuild haul. The Jazz brings back their very balanced team while they have added role players Hassan Whiteside and Eric Paschall. The Jazz is a team that has fallen short in the past and they may need one more star to get them over the hump this year. The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the favorites in the West this year. They have a real shot at winning it all, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading. The Clippers have a surplus of quality players, like Marcus Morris, Terrence Mann, Nic Batum, Luke Kennard and Reggie Jackson. The worst teams from the west won’t get any better this year. Expect the Sacramento Kings to continue their 20 year playoff drought, the Thunder to keep rebuilding and the Rockets to not win many games.
An ongoing hiccup in the NBA season is the Covid-19 situation. Most players are vaccinated, but star Brooklyn Nets point guard, Kyrie Irving has remained firm in his decision not to get vaccinated, which will cost him. In the state of New York, you have to be vaccinated to go to a Nets game, that rule is the same for Irving, who won't be able to play home games or even practice at home with the team. Warriors guard Andrew Wiggins was firm about not getting vaccinated until he also found out he wouldn't be able to play home games and he wouldn't be paid. Shortly after that he got vaccinated.
With the rebuilding of many NBA teams and the uncertainty of some players regarding the vaccine, the 75th season of the NBA should be an interesting one.
The Eastern Conference improved in the offseason with teams like the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards. The Bulls got the most additions as they added guards Lonzo Ball and Demar Derozan, and still have core players like Zach Lavine and Nikola Vucevic. The Celtics reformed their roster from ball heavy players to complimentary players when they lost Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, who both went to the Knicks. Fortunately, they added Dennis Schroder, Josh Richardson, Al Horford and other key players. Junior die hard Washington Wizards fan, Nicolas Miller stated, “the Wizards became a team with a lot of depth, I see a bright future from them.” In addition, Junior Chris Herzog predicts the Wizards winning it all this year “I think the Wizards will win the championship this year because we have a better team than last year and new coach, Wizards in 7.” The top dogs in the East remain, though. The Nets still have their big 3 players and the Milwaukee Bucks bring the same championship team back from last year. The Philadelphia 76ers bring back the same team who had the East's best record last year, but Ben Simmons has an unsure future.The bottom feeders in the East haven't gotten much better, as many of them are still in a rebuild, like Detroit, who has interesting young stars like Killian Hayes, Isaih Stewart and number one overall pick Cade Cunningham. Orlando and Cleveland will also likely not win many games this year as they continue to build draft capital and develop young players. Sleeper teams in the East include the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets. They don’t have the flashiest rosters but definitely have groups of solid players who could make some noise. The Miami Heat are looking to get back to the conference finals this year, as they have made some changes in their roster. They swapped Goran Dragic for Kyle Lowry, joining stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Atlanta continues year five of what was once a rebuild but has now transformed into four legitimate superstars: Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish. That being said, expect this conference to be a real two team race between the Bucks and Nets.
The Western Conference is an open race as about 8 teams have a real shot at winning. The Western Conference defending champion, Phoenix Suns bring the same team back. Keep an eye out for star center Deandre Ayton and his contract situation. The Lakers have a roster full of random washed up stars. Obviously Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook are still in their primes, but they added Rajon Rondo, and Dwight Howard, Malik Monk, Carmelo Anthony and Kent Bazemore, a random addition of co-stars, but still a top dog in the West. The Denver Nuggets should be able to make a playoff run, but outside of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, they really lack scoring and star power, so don’t expect a deep playoff run from them. Damian Lillard starts his 10th season in Portland this year, with a lackluster supporting cast, some may wonder if Lillard is going to be traded at some point this season for a big rebuild haul. The Jazz brings back their very balanced team while they have added role players Hassan Whiteside and Eric Paschall. The Jazz is a team that has fallen short in the past and they may need one more star to get them over the hump this year. The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the favorites in the West this year. They have a real shot at winning it all, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading. The Clippers have a surplus of quality players, like Marcus Morris, Terrence Mann, Nic Batum, Luke Kennard and Reggie Jackson. The worst teams from the west won’t get any better this year. Expect the Sacramento Kings to continue their 20 year playoff drought, the Thunder to keep rebuilding and the Rockets to not win many games.
An ongoing hiccup in the NBA season is the Covid-19 situation. Most players are vaccinated, but star Brooklyn Nets point guard, Kyrie Irving has remained firm in his decision not to get vaccinated, which will cost him. In the state of New York, you have to be vaccinated to go to a Nets game, that rule is the same for Irving, who won't be able to play home games or even practice at home with the team. Warriors guard Andrew Wiggins was firm about not getting vaccinated until he also found out he wouldn't be able to play home games and he wouldn't be paid. Shortly after that he got vaccinated.
With the rebuilding of many NBA teams and the uncertainty of some players regarding the vaccine, the 75th season of the NBA should be an interesting one.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 19, 2021 - Lakers’ Russell Westbrook and Warriors’ Stephen Curry at the season-opener for the Lakers. A. SCHABEN/LOS ANGELES TIMES