“Basketball is my favorite sport,
I like the way they dribble up and down the court,
Just like I'm the King on the microphone, so is Dr. J and Moses Malone,
I like Slam-dunks, take me to the hoop,
My favorite play is the alley-oop,
I like the pick-and-roll, I like the give-and-go,
Cause it's Basketball, uh, Mister Kurtis Blow” – Kurtis Blow, a piece from “Basketball"

YES! Basketball time is now. There are 32 teams going at it and racing for the chance to compete for the golden trophy, but only one team can be declared the winner. Who will it be? Will it be the Cavs, Warriors, Raptors, Thunder, Knicks, Spurs, or somebody else? As a die-hard Lakers fan, I am hoping for us to make the play-offs. The Lakers have a solid, young team with players that are determined to meet the success of former Lakers. There is no doubt that the Lakers can be a serious threat to other teams if D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram are able to develop better team chemistry and enhance their basketball skills to superstar levels. Speaking for all Lakers fans, we are waiting for that moment.

In bigger news, the NBA season began on October 25^th. It is too early to pick playoffs teams, but there are teams already undefeated. There are teams who have not won a game yet. The number of wins and loses is a stat fans, players, teams, coaches, managers, and owners are hoping to keep on a positive balance. This season will be a thrilling season. What am I looking for to the most during the 2016-17 NBA season?

12. The NBA’s Response to the Players’ Response to Social Injustice

Colin Kaepernick took the NFL by a surprise tropical storm when he decided to take a knee during the National Anthem. The NFL fans, critics, and other players voiced their opinions and were stuck with making a decision. Will they be for Kaepernick, against Kaepernick, or neutral? However, Kaepernick was not the first (and won’t be the last) athlete to stand up against social injustice and call for a better change in our nation. NBA is not a stranger to players’ protest. The 2014-15 NBA season was filled with players wearing “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirts. At the 2016 ESPYS Awards, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Dwayne Wade called fellow athletes to do better and be more socially active. I can expect Anthony and company to continue using effective methods attempting to better our social issue. How will the NBA respond the players’ methods of speaking out? Will they support the players or be against the players, or will they stay neutral?

11. The Philadelphia 76ers Winning More Than 20 Games.

As a 90’s baby, I think of Allen Iverson, who was recently inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, when I hear about the Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson’s time with the 76ers is long gone, but his impact is everlasting. The 76ers’ success has been on a decline in recent years. In 2011, the team won 41 games. In 2012, the 76ers won 35 games. In 2013, they won 34 games. In 2014, they won 19 games. In 2015, the 76ers won 18 games. Last season, the 76ers finished off with 10 wins. Having losing season gets frustrating and tiring after a while. Athletes do not want to begin the game expecting to lose. However, it is up to the players to prove how bad they want to win. I believe this is the season the 76ers will step up their game and win at least 20 games.

10. The Timberwolves’ Triple Threat

Similar to Iverson and the 76ers, basketball fans think of Kevin Garnett when they think of the Timberwolves. Last season, nostalgia was at its finest. The world witness Kevin Garnett returning to the Timberwolves, and he retired at the end of the season. The Timberwolves train does not stop there. The team has a big three that consist of Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins, and Karl Anthony-Towns. With the three, the Timberwolves are on a rise to playoff contention. This year, the Wolves will prove to the NBA and the world that they have the talent to spice things up in the western conference. They are not ready to beat a more experienced team for a spot in the NBA Finals, yet. The Wolves can be something very serious within the next five years. Anthony-Towns, Parker, and LaVine have the talent (and hopefully growing team chemistry) to help the Timberwolves become playoff contenders.

9. Post-Kobe Lakers

For 20 years, Kobe Bryant has been wearing a Lakers jersey and has been the heart and soul of the team since Shaquille O’Neil left the team in 2004. Last season, the Lakers and NBA decided to celebrate Bryant’s last year. Kobe Bryant scored 60 points in very last basketball game. With Kobe Bryant retiring, the Lakers can move on to a new and possibly different direction. The team will not revolve around a great captain and his four horsemen playing style. The Lakers have Luke Walton as head coach, and the best players consist of D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle. Timofey Mozgov, who won a championship with the Cavaliers last season, and Luol Deng, who is most noticeable for his time with the Bulls, decided to join the Lakers. Also, the Lakers drafted Brandon Ingram, who was an inspiring and impactful player at Duke University. Coming off the bench, there is Metta World Peace, Lou Williams, Nick Young, and Larry Nance Jr to supply efficient back up. I have been a Lakers fan since I was a kid, so it is hard to imagine a post-Kobe Lakers teams. I am looking for to seeing what the Lakers can do without Bryant. Will they be successful? How will they perform and run plays? Stepping out of the Black Mamba’s shadow will be a hard task for the Lakers, but it will be interesting to witness the newly designed Los Angeles Lakers.

8. The Return of Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons was a phenomenal player at LSU. I enjoyed watching Simmons play as a Tiger, and I had the opportunity to go a LSU game to see him play. Ben Simmons was the number one overall draft pick, and he was drafted by the 76ers. Earlier, I mentioned looking forward to seeing the 76ers win more than 20 games, and Ben Simmons is the sole reason. Unfortunately yes, Ben Simmons is injured. But, he returns in January. When Simmons returns, the goal for 20 wins will be easier to obtain. I am not expecting Ben Simmons to be the next Iverson. Stepping into Iverson’s shoes is a large task to fulfill, but Ben Simmons can be the next big thing. Simmons's anticipated debut game will be worth watching.

7. Kevin Durant’s Return to OKC

Since Kobe Bryant has retired, Kevin Durant moved to my number one spot for active NBA players. As a Thunder, Kevin Durant revolutionized the team. Remember when the Thunder went to the NBA Finals to play against the Miami Heat? Remember when Kevin Durant won MVP of the Year, and his mom became known as the real MVP? It was a bitter sweet moment when Durant decided to leave Oklahoma City and join Golden State. Remember when Shaq left the Lakers? The first ever Shaq vs Kobe game was the most important and interesting game to watch, and everyone looked forward to seeing them go against each other. On November 3^rd, the Warriors play against the Thunder for the first team, but the game is in Golden State. Their first matchup will definitely be a must–watch game. More captivating, the game that you should not miss is when the Warriors go to Oklahoma City on February 11^th. Kevin Durant will come back to play in Oklahoma City but against Oklahoma City. It will be one the best games of the season.

6. The Rise of the Bulls and Knicks

Once upon a time, the Bulls and Knicks were constant championship contenders. The Bulls have been trying their best to bring a championship to the team during the post-Jordan era. Being the next Jordan is a large shoe to walk in. When the Bulls drafted Derrick Rose, the Bulls rose to success and became a threat in the eastern conference. The success of the Bulls has been put on a setback with constant injuries with Rose, Joakim Noah, and other key players. However, the Bulls are about to get back on track. Dewayne Wade and Raja Rondo, who are both not a stranger to playing in the NBA Finals, are with the Bulls. Bulls have a solid triple threat with Rondo, Wade, & Jimmy Butler. A question Bulls fans are asking is will Rondo be able to do what Rose couldn’t do? Speaking of Derrick Rose, he, along with Joakim Noah decided to take their talents to the New York Knicks and join Carmelo Anthony. Carmelo Anthony needs more help than what he has been given in recent years. Rose and Noah may be the answers to the Knicks problems. It will take time for the Knicks to get back to the level that they were at. It is no doubt that this team will be a difference maker if everyone is able to remain helpful. While the Bulls and Knicks are on a surprisingly rise to shaking things up in the east, be on the lookout for the Knicks vs Bulls games.

5. Westbrook Leading the Thunder

With Durant out of the picture, Russell Westbrook is, now, the man. Westbrook is not alone. He still has a solid team behind him. During the off-season, the Thunder were able to acquire Victor Oladipo. Of course, Oladipo is not a replacement for Kevin Durant, but he is the starting point. It shows the Thunder putting in effort to move on without Durant. I do not see the Thunder dropping out of the playoffs picture. Westbrook has the will and desire to keep his team moving forward. Seeing what the Thunder are capable of without Kevin Durant will be intriguing.

4. The Playoffs

The post-season games are always some of the most important things to watch during the season. Anything can happen in the NBA Playoffs. Last year, the Playoffs were filled with surprising comebacks and LeBron James's attempts to solidifying his throne and his dominance. We saw a Warriors vs. Cavaliers rematch, and the Cavaliers were able to win their first NBA championship. This year, we can expect to see the Cavaliers and Warriors in the playoffs again. Will both teams make it to the Finals? A part of me wants to see a third matchup against the Warriors and Cavaliers. The Warriors won in 2015, and the Cavs won in 2016. There needs to be a tie-breaker to see who the more dominant team is. A part of me wants to see who will dethrone the Cavs and the Warriors. The Raptors, Spurs, and Thunder are not out of the picture. With the Bulls, Knicks, and Timberwolves making attempts to step into the light, I would love to see them in the playoffs. Also, we can’t forget about the Trail Blazers, Pacers, and Hawks. The NBA Playoffs will be very worth watching if all those teams can make it. If not, it will still be worth watching because anything can happen in the Playoffs.

3. Anthony Davis’s Future with the Pelicans

The Pelicans’ journey to capturing a championship is on the decline, but Anthony Davis’s journey to take over the big mans’ division is on the rise. In the opening game, Davis accumulated 50 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, five steals, and four blocks. In the second games, David played well again and gain 45 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals. It is okay for fans to say Davis is not the problem for why the Pelicans cannot win as many games as they should and for why the Pelicans are slowly but surely declining. As a Louisiana native, I hope Davis does not leave the Pelicans. It was devastating when Chris Paul left. To prevent the departure of Davis, the Pelicans need to surround Davis with players that are willing, trying, and capable of putting up high numbers like Anthony Davis. Davis can’t win by himself. It has to be a team effort. The Pelicans can not afford to lose another blockbuster player.

2. Cleveland Repeating/LeBron James Chasing His 7th Straight NBA Finals Appearance

There has not be a player to consistently reach the NBA Finals as much as LeBron James has been able to since Bill Russell’s days with the Boston Celtics. LeBron James is the best player in the NBA right now. In 2010, James left Cleveland to take his talents to South Beach. With the help of Chris Bosh and Dewayne Wade, LeBron was able to bring the Heat to four consecutive NBA championships, but they only won two of them. In 2014, LeBron James left the Heat to return to the Cavs. James, with the help of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, as brought the Cavs to the two consecutive NBA championships, and they won only one of them. It is hard to picture a non-Lebron NBA Finals. I do not think King James is ready to give up his throne.

1. Kevin Durant and the Warriors

As a Thunder, Kevin Durant was the backbone and one of the go-to-guys. As a Warrior, Kevin Durant is the not the face of the team and has to humble himself a little bit. The Warriors are like the Avengers. They brought various superpowers together. It took the Avengers a while to build team chemistry, but they got the job done. Before Durant, the Warriors team chemistry was one of the best in the league. They managed to make history and end the season with 73 wins and nine losses, but they failed to win the championship. Now, they have to figure out how to effectively add Durant into the chemistry. Along with maintaining positive team chemistry, rebounding is a major flaw in the Warriors chances of winning. Will Kevin Durant be the missing puzzle piece to complete the Warriors?