Anyone who knows me knows that basketball is not just a sport, but it is a way of life. That is why with the NBA season just around the corner (two weeks!), I am nearly jumping out of my seat with excitement. Although I identify myself as a Golden State Warriors fan, I know that on October 25 I will be watching the reigning NBA Finals champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers, start the season and take on the New York Knicks on their home court at 8:00 PM following their ring ceremony and raising of the Championship banner, as much as it pains me. Despite the fan base that I am a part of, I like to think of myself as more of a fan of individual players, so while I had some bitter feelings regarding the Cavaliers’ comeback in June, and several weeks following, I cannot deny the slight warmth in my heart seeing LeBron stick to his promise bring a Championship home to Cleveland.
While I try to contain my excitement for the first tip off, there are so many things I am looking forward to seeing this upcoming season. Will the Warriors be able to beat their own winning record from last year with the addition of Kevin Durant? Will they be able to exceed expectations or will it take a while for the big names to adjust to playing together? How will Dwyane Wade do in Chicago and will the Knicks be better with the addition of Derrick Rose? How will the Sixers do with their number one draft pick, Ben Simmons? Is he, and the team’s other draft picks, enough for the Sixers to finally be considered a good competition in the East? Also, what does the future hold for the former teams of the now retired Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett? And one of the most important, what will the season be like for rookies, and members of the Cuse fam, Malachi Richardson and Michael Gbinije? Did Malachi really leave too soon? Too many questions and too much time to wait for them to be answered.
With all of this anticipation of what is to come, it is hard to believe that there could be more to look forward to, but trust me, the list never ends. I am looking forward to Christmas. I know that sounds dumb, everyone is looking forward to Christmas, but I don’t mean for the presents. Just as people associate Thanksgiving with the football and the NFL, when I think of Christmas Day, I think of basketball and the NBA. What could be more perfect than a whole day of doing nothing except watching your favorite sport? I know, I can’t think of anything either. Like all NBA Christmases, the league has gifted us with a rematch of last season’s Finals. What will happen when the Warriors travel to Cleveland for their first matchup with the Cavs since the Finals? Again, will the addition of Kevin Durant make this team unstoppable?
It is impossible to talk about anticipated games without talking about February 11, 2017. On this day Kevin Durant will play in Oklahoma City once again, but with a new name across his chest. Although this will be the second time the two teams match up, it will be the first time Durant will be back in OKC, and I think it’s not hard to predict that there will not be a Welcome Home party for him. While there will be other returns, such as Dwyane Wade going back to Miami in a Chicago Bull’s uniform, this will by far be the biggest. A highly anticipated game against a highly anticipated team. It will be interesting to see how Durant’s talents will be added to the mix that the Warriors already have from the likes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, and how he will fit in with a team that already has great chemistry. Will there be too many big-named players? Will they be able to win the Finals after Kevin’s first season in the Bay Area? I think it is hard to predict; LeBron did not win a championship after his first year in Miami, but it is impossible to deny that the Dubs will be tough competition, as always, and I cannot wait to see the final product what the team is capable of this season.
Like many people say, it is the little things that count. With all the big, anticipated matchups, there are the little things to look forward to, such as Stephen Curry’s ritual pregame “Lock In! #DubNation” tweets, his unexplainable shots that somehow always go in, including his shot from the tunnel he takes before he goes back to the locker room after every, or his dances on the court or bench, LeBron throwing powder in the air, or seeing Drake be the biggest fan courtside at Raptors or Warriors games and his love for Steph Curry and his family (join the club).
There are so many things, big and small, that make the NBA so great, and writing about it is only making me more eager and less patient for October 25. However, one thing keeping me going is that I know that by the time you are reading this, we are days, hours, minutes and seconds closer to the 2016-2017 NBA season starting.
