By JOSHUA NATOLI
Sports Editor
Anybody who knows me has heard of my borderline obsession with NBA basketball. So, needless to say, when the season was underway October 29, I was ecstatic to see what storylines would unfold in this highly rejuvenated league. Here are my top ten things to be on the lookout for as the season progresses.
10. How Well The Bobcats Will Do This Season?
With the notorious, all-time worst .123 winning percentage from the 2012 season still haunting them, the Bobcats have jumped out to a 3-3 start at the time of me writing this piece. The soon-to-be Hornets have seemed to taken steps out of the NBA’s cellar, and locking the Celtics in for the foreseeable future. Point guard Kemba Walker seems to have made terrific strides in becoming this franchise’s cornerstone, as opposed to the newly acquired Al Jefferson. If they keep up on the defensive end (currently ranked fourth in points allowed per game) they just might have a shot to sneak into the eighth seed unless the Pistons or Wizards have a say in the matter.
9. How Bad Will The Knicks Be This Season?
Before I am burned at the stake, let me explain myself. The Knicks are bad, let’s all face it. Losing Tyson Chandler for four to six weeks certainly doesn’t help their cause, especially since they play no defense whatsoever. They have lost a lot of their three-point threat that made them so deadly last year, and they are still paying Amar’e Stoudemire over $18 million to be a non-factor off the bench. I guess as long as they have Carmelo Anthony there is still hope, but if their season continues to spiral downward don’t expect a playoff this year, or Melo in a Knicks’ uniform next year.
8. The Sixers Coming Down From The Highest Of Highs:
The 76ers are human after all. After becoming the talk of the sports world beating the Heat in their opener, the Sixers have lost to the Wizards and the Warriors. The 76ers were largely predicted to be the worst team in the league but spit in their critics’ faces by going 3-0 to start the year fueled by rookie sensation Michael-Carter Williams. The success seems short-lived for this group but you never know in this league.
7. What Will The Celtics Do?
The main story following the Celtics this year will not be how they play, which is pretty bad, I must admit, but rather what their front office will do with this rebuilding process. Will they trade Rajon Rondo midseason, and set sail for a full-scale tanking? Or, will they keep their top-tier point guard, and continue for a few years in mediocrity like the Phoenix Suns? This is definitely a story to keep an eye out for as the year progresses.
6. Which Team Will Emerge From The Western Conference?
We have an idea of who the powerhouses are in the East in Miami, Indiana, and Chicago, but the West is more of a puzzle. History points to the Spurs, who has taught everyone to never count them out ever. Kawhi Leonard has taken over the role of Manu Ginobili in the Spurs’ “Big Three” and looks to make “the leap” to star status this season. The Thunder seems like a solid choice as well with the return of Russell Westbrook occurring way before anyone previously had thought. The Rockets seem very solid as well minus the recent loss to the Lakers, which seems like a fluke to me. The Clippers finally look like contenders with J.J. Redick and Doc Rivers. The Warriors also appear defensively capable of making a run to the Finals. Speaking of which…
5. Two Words: Stephen Curry:
Stephen Curry is a maniac on the floor. Everyone loves watching the high-flying damage done by Lob City, but I’d rather watch the Curry long-range shooting display. I’ve never seen a player get so hot to the point where they can receive the ball anywhere on the floor and won’t hesitate to let it fly. If you want to see what I’m talking about take a look at Curry’s three-point percentage and three-point distance graphs compared to the rest of the league. A recent bruise on Curry’s often-ill left ankle worries me, though.
4. The Heat in Danger:
No matter how many analysts credit the Heat with being the undisputed kings of the league they’ll always be wrong as long as the Indiana Pacers are around. The words undisputed, to me at least, mean winning without a fight. WRONG. The Pacers have taken the Heat to a Game 6 in 2012 and a Game 7 in 2013, and probably would have been in the Finals if Frank Vogel had put Roy Hibbert in at the end of Game 1. This year it looks like the Pacers are it. Their bench, which was the weak point last year, has been completely rejuvenated. They also routed the Bulls, thought to be the East’s second best team, by 17 points. Which brings me to…
3. The Superstardom of Paul George:
Perhaps the NBA’s most rising talent is Pacers swingman Paul George. George, who’s been on my radar for some time now, made “the leap” last year to star. This year it’s time for him to become a superstar. George has all the components needed to be great: scoring, defense, instinct, and clutch. Not to mention he is an athletic freak, and currently the league’s second leading scorer.
2. When, and if Kobe Bryant Will Return:
The Lakers’ messiah said he would be ready for the start of the season after tearing his Achilles during last year’s playoffs. He has yet to appear, and shows no signs of coming back soon. Even though you never know with Kobe, this injury might be serious. I don’t think it will completely derail his season, but it will definitely shorten it quite a bit.
1. Who Will win the Wiggins Sweepstakes?
The most popular, and unfortunate, storyline this NBA season will be seeing which teams will tank the hardest for a shot at a spot in the top 5 of this year’s draft. The ultimate prize here is Andrew Wiggins, but other potential stars await as well in Julius Randle and Dante Exum. My money is on the Celtics, especially if they trade Rondo midway through. You also can’t count on the Jazz or the Kings to get out of the basement either.
