The NBA is For Real
Last season was a bit of a fairy tale for the NBA. To those business minded individual (or anyone that realizes that the NBA is a business) there is a conspiracy theory out there about how last season was scripted. Think about it. The Golden State Warriors set the record for regular season wins but the Cleveland Cavaliers end up winning the NBA championship as a "Coming Home Party" for Lebron James by beating the Warriors thus beginning the debate of if last season's Warriors is the best team ever and if Lebron James should have been the season MVP. Tell me that this set of circumstances is not the optimum way to boost ratings and ticket sales.
I'm not saying that I think it was scripted but what I will say is that with these storylines now already conquered, it is time for basketball to be played....for real.
In the offseason there were enough interesting moves and conversations that make the beginning of this season interesting. Kevin Durant is now on the seemingly invincible Warriors. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah move to the Big Apple with the Knicks. Rose is replaced in Chicago by Dwyane Wade. Tim Duncan retired leaving the Spurs team ultimately in the hands of MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard. There are the fringe players that threaten to regain former glory, namely, Blake Griffin, James Harden, and Anthony Davis. And let's not forget the stockpile of young talent being hoarded by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Notice that these storylines span both the Western and Eastern Conferences and do not circulate around just one or two teams.
This means GAME ON!
The NBA season starts on Tuesday and this time it is business as usual...but in the right way. It is not the Steph and Lebron show. It won't be the KD show. I believe that this season will be competitive. Young players will begin to replace the old. New teams will emerge powerful. There will be no dominant "super team".
Young Players Replace The Old
First I want to say that Steph, Lebron, and even CP3 are not old players. When I think of "old players" I am looking more in the direction of Dwyane Wade (34 yrs old and injury prone) and Pau Gasol (36 yrs old and in the league more than 15 yrs). Not to render these players irrelevant but this season will prove that youth and development matters. The sophomore class should break out: Karl-Anthony Towns, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Devin Booker among many others.The rookie class should add some excitement in the forms of Buddy Heild, Brandon Ingram, and Thon Maker.
Young Teams Emerge
Along with young players, also look for new and young teams to emerge. Timberwolves. Lakers. Suns. Magic. Bucks. One of these teams will surprise a lot of people this year. The Timberwolves seem to be the pick of the analysts. Though I don't disagree, I feel like there are a number of options for breakout teams. Even the Jazz, who always seem to be under the radar, are looking poised for a proper season.
No Super Team
The Warriors will not be a super team. The new-look Knicks will not be a super team. The Cavs will not be a super team. All could be good and all could win the NBA championship. The difference is the level of competition. Whether it is higher or lower than in season past is arguable from either side but the fact remains that it should be more level. I don't expect playoff blowouts to be in abundance.
There is certainly a lot to look forward to as this eight month marathon begins this week but let's remember this.....it goes for eight months. Anything and everything can change. I admit that I am often wrong but for the NBA as a business and as a professional sports league, I hope I am not wrong. Another season like last season would brand the league as boring.
Here's to an exciting 2016-2017 NBA Season!!!
I'm not saying that I think it was scripted but what I will say is that with these storylines now already conquered, it is time for basketball to be played....for real.
In the offseason there were enough interesting moves and conversations that make the beginning of this season interesting. Kevin Durant is now on the seemingly invincible Warriors. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah move to the Big Apple with the Knicks. Rose is replaced in Chicago by Dwyane Wade. Tim Duncan retired leaving the Spurs team ultimately in the hands of MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard. There are the fringe players that threaten to regain former glory, namely, Blake Griffin, James Harden, and Anthony Davis. And let's not forget the stockpile of young talent being hoarded by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Notice that these storylines span both the Western and Eastern Conferences and do not circulate around just one or two teams.
This means GAME ON!
The NBA season starts on Tuesday and this time it is business as usual...but in the right way. It is not the Steph and Lebron show. It won't be the KD show. I believe that this season will be competitive. Young players will begin to replace the old. New teams will emerge powerful. There will be no dominant "super team".
Young Players Replace The Old
First I want to say that Steph, Lebron, and even CP3 are not old players. When I think of "old players" I am looking more in the direction of Dwyane Wade (34 yrs old and injury prone) and Pau Gasol (36 yrs old and in the league more than 15 yrs). Not to render these players irrelevant but this season will prove that youth and development matters. The sophomore class should break out: Karl-Anthony Towns, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Devin Booker among many others.The rookie class should add some excitement in the forms of Buddy Heild, Brandon Ingram, and Thon Maker.
Young Teams Emerge
Along with young players, also look for new and young teams to emerge. Timberwolves. Lakers. Suns. Magic. Bucks. One of these teams will surprise a lot of people this year. The Timberwolves seem to be the pick of the analysts. Though I don't disagree, I feel like there are a number of options for breakout teams. Even the Jazz, who always seem to be under the radar, are looking poised for a proper season.
No Super Team
The Warriors will not be a super team. The new-look Knicks will not be a super team. The Cavs will not be a super team. All could be good and all could win the NBA championship. The difference is the level of competition. Whether it is higher or lower than in season past is arguable from either side but the fact remains that it should be more level. I don't expect playoff blowouts to be in abundance.
There is certainly a lot to look forward to as this eight month marathon begins this week but let's remember this.....it goes for eight months. Anything and everything can change. I admit that I am often wrong but for the NBA as a business and as a professional sports league, I hope I am not wrong. Another season like last season would brand the league as boring.
Here's to an exciting 2016-2017 NBA Season!!!
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