After a dramatic off season, the NBA returns tonight to begin season number 69. The San Antonio Spurs will receive their championship rings. Later that night, Kobe Bryant will begin his 19th season. Byron Scott will return to his former team as their head coach with butterflies in his stomach. Dwight Howard will return to Los Angeles and probably hear more boo’s. Jeremy Lin will face the team that gave him away. He will be the Lakers starting point guard.
Oct 7, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) palms a basketball during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA offseason was both predictable and crazy. Lebron James stiffed Pat Riley and returned home to Cleveland. Kevin Love forced his way out of Minnesota and joined him there. Andrew Wiggins, the #1 pick, was traded. Pau Gasol turned the page, left the Lakers, and joined Chicago. Carmelo Anthony stayed in New York. Lance Stephenson fled to Carolina and into the arms of Michael Jordan. Chris Bosh signed a max deal with the Miami Heat. The Houston Rockets struck out on all free agents in the western hemisphere and lost Chandler Parsons too. Paul Pierce is with the Wizards. Vince Carter is with the Grizzlies. Kevin Garnett did not retire and begins season number 20.
Steve Kerr is coaching the Warriors. Jason Kidd is coaching Milwaukee. Lionel Hollins, unemployed for one year, is with the Nets. George Karl is still without a job. So is Vinny Del Negro. Derek Fisher is attempting to bring the triangle to New York but it’s been a struggle. Stan Van Gundy is in Detroit. Mark Jackson is back on ABC.
Derrick Rose has returned from his multiple knee injuries hoping to regain his quickness. It is too early to say if it will be a triumphant return. Paul George won’t be back at all.
Donald Sterling is gone. It is the Steve Ballmer era for Los Angeles’ second team. But can the Clippers make it out of the second round of the playoffs? Can the Lakers even get into the playoffs?
Dante Exum, Julius Randle, Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins highlight the rookie class making their debuts.
Can the Oklahoma City Thunder keep their heads above water while Kevin Durant is out? What is going to happen to the Indiana Pacers? Will John Wall turn the corner and learn how to shoot? Is Charlotte actually capable of getting the #3 seed in the East? How will the Miami Heat maintain their excellence without Lebron? How healthy is Dwayne Wade?
How many games will separate seed #4 from seed #10 in the West? Three games? Four games? Six games?
How early will Philadelphia start to tank to get the number one pick only to not get the number one pick?
Can Anthony Davis make a run at the MVP? Can James Harden play defense? Will Blake Griffin really retaliate? Can the Cavs win the entire thing their first year together?
Stay tuned.