Last year we saw the Golden State Warriors push through the NBA playoffs with an impressive record of 16 wins and one loss on the way to an NBA title. With the Warriors seemingly manhandling the competition last season. Some devoted NBA fans were concerned that this season may be a repeat of last year's. But, I for one am excited for the remainder of the season to come.
1. All the off-season moves different teams made.
Jimmy Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Paul George and Carmelo Anthony were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets. Gordon Hayward joined the Boston Celtics via free agency and Kyrie Irving joined the Celtics via demanding a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dwayne Wade, Isiah Thomas and Derrick Rose all joined LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, to just name a few.
With all these changes, the NBA's western conference has become even more of a powerhouse. That does not mean that the eastern conference will be boring either. Kyrie Irving as the face of this Boston Celtics will be an interesting approach. Even though Isiah Thomas had a career season last year.
2. The young, up and coming players who are now soon-to-be MVP candidates are dominating.
Especially Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. He is averaging 35 points per game, ten rebounds per game with five assist per game. Those numbers have never been done with least then ten games to begin a season. He is a huge favorite to win the MVP this season and I do not see why he couldn't.
Other players who we need to watch for not only career seasons but MVP-worthy seasons, starts with Karl Anthony-Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season he averaged 25.1 points per game and averaged 12.3 rebounds per game. Those kinds of numbers have not been seen in a player so young in about a decade. Oh, I'm not if I mentioned, but Towns is only 21 years old. Being so young in the league and being called a superstar already is a huge accomplishment.
One more young player to look at has to be Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. First off, he has to stay healthy throughout a season. He has yet to play an entire 82 game season within his five-year career. His career stats are impressive with averaging 22.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. He is a double-double machine and if he can he stay healthy and led his team to the playoffs. He should be considered an MVP candidate with his already stellar performance early in the season.
3. This past draft class is impressive and one of the best in recent years.
With the Lonzo Ball leading the charge of great rookies, we are sure in for an interesting season with them. Many are excited to see Ben Simmons participate in a full season after injuring himself before his rookie season began last year. Simmons is currently averaging 16.4 points, 10 rebounds and 7.4 assists. These numbers are good for the rookie and his potential has yet to be reached. Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, DeAaron Fox, Markelle Fultz and Dennis Smith, Jr. are all rookies that we have to watch for Rookie of the Year.
Many of these rookies like Ball, Tatum and Simmons will have to carry the pressure of a city, a franchise on the weight of their shoulders. Now, I know many are saying that is too much for a 19, 20 or 21-year-old, but these rookies are NBA ready and will soar high for seasons to come.
4. Superteams will reign supreme for a long time.
Now I know a lot of you are saying that superteams are bad for the league, but I would disagree. With a growing number of superteams trying to form, all the lower tier teams like the Philadelphia 76ers will become more fierce and hungry for a chance. I am excited to see how teams that have gone under the radar will respond to teams like the Warriors and the Cavs. Because these two teams will not always be the Goliaths they are today. A David will come with a slingshot to dethrone them sooner than some think.
There are four teams that come to mind when thinking about a David-Goliath match up. The OKC Thunder, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets are all primed for a future chance of dethroning the heavyweights in the Cavaliers and Warriors. Within the next two or three years, it is my belief we will see a shift in power in the NBA.