The New-Look NBA

Courtesy+of+Flickr

Courtesy of Flickr

Alex Wolz, Contributing Writer

Another October means another new NBA season, only this time with more anticipation. Players have moved, expectations have changed and there is incredible unpredictability, unlike the past few seasons when it seemed as if the Warriors were destined to be NBA champions. There are no guarantees anymore, and anyone who says otherwise is likely more arrogant than honest.

With the first week of preseason underway, we have received a first glimpse at the new landscape of the NBA. The rookie Zion Williamson has been flying around the court, Stephen Curry delivered a 40-point performance and LeBron James and Anthony Davis have looked as if they have been playing together for years. If the preseason is any indication, this NBA season will have a lot in store over these next few months. While there is so much up in the air, here is a look at some of the key aspects of the upcoming NBA season.

A return to form for the forgotten greats: Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard, to name a few, have become the MVPs and the top players in the league, and rightfully so. However, two names have been forgotten: Stephen Curry and LeBron James. The two-time MVP and one of the greatest players in the history of the game, respectively, have taken back seat these past few years with Curry allowing Durant to shine in Golden State and James accepting the rebuilding task with the Lakers.

Things have changed, however, as Durant has left for Brooklyn and Curry has a taller task than ever before, while James has been joined by fellow superstar Anthony Davis and built a championship-caliber squad in Los Angeles. James should have another prosperous individual season and similar success for his team—possibly even a Finals trophy. As for Curry, expect a level of aggression hidden these past few seasons and for him to take over the game as only he can. The preseason is just the first sign he may very well be on his way to another MVP award.

Looking beyond Los Angeles, while the Lakers and Clippers are the favorites this upcoming season, the Western Conference is far deeper than just these two teams. The Jazz made key acquisitions with Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanović, James Harden and Russell Westbrook are united once again in Houston, the always-unpredictable yet talented Hassan Whiteside has moved to Portland and who knows what the Warriors will bring to the table. And that is just the competition out West. Milwaukee is still a contender in the East, along with Ben Simmons making major strides in his game and the addition of Al Horford for the Sixers, Kemba Walker’s Celtics and Jimmy Butler leading the charge for Miami.

The 2019–2020 NBA season will be the first of hopefully many contentious ones to come, and while very few things are certain, one thing is for sure: there is tremendous anticipation for tip-off on Oct. 22 and all that will come after.