Storylines to watch for in the 2014-2015 NBA Season
The wait is almost over. Once again, the time has come for hoop junkies to lock hands in counting down the days to the beginning of the new NBA season. In a little over a month, the association will be nearing the end of its hiatus. Fans from all over will once more be treated to the scintillating brand of basketball found exclusively in the world’s premier basketball league.
Hot on the heels of an exciting offseason, the landscape of the NBA has changed dramatically over the past few months. With all the movement and activity over the summer break, the new season is shaping up to be one of the more anticipated ones in recent memory. With burning questions yet to be answered, players and fans alike eagerly await opening day with hopes and dreams hanging in the balance.
Without further ado, here are several storylines to watch for in the coming season.
1. The 2014 Rookie Class – boom or bust?
Before playing even a single minute on court, the 2014 draft class has already put the league on notice. As the most heralded group of incoming players in years, all eyes will be on them to instantly make a splash. With big names such as Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Joel Embiid all poised to live up to the lofty expectations set for them since their high school playing days, it is no secret that they will be relied on heavily to lead a resurgence in their respective squads. Will they live up to the billing, or fold under the limelight? Only time will tell.
2. #theReturn
When then-MVP Derrick Rose tore his ACL in the 2012 playoffs, the entire basketball world collectively held its breath. No one enjoyed seeing a player get injured, and the fact that he’d captured the hearts of the masses with his down-to-earth personality and exhilarating style of play made it all the more devastating. This feeling of anguish was furthered when, after a year of intense rehabilitation (under the heading #theReturn), he fell victim to the injury bug once again after playing all but a few games.
This season, he seeks to make his presence known once again. With a remarkable showing for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) over the summer, all signs point to his return to pre-injury form. Be sure to watch Rose (and other stars returning from injury, such as Kobe Bryant) closely as the season goes on, to see if #theReturn truly is upon us.
When Lebron James chose to take his talents back to his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, he single-handedly changed the outlook of the NBA. It was more than the return of a prodigal son; in joining forces with all stars Kyrie Irving (and subsequently, Kevin Love), he brought legitimacy to the young team and instantly transformed the Cavs into title contenders. However, questions loom in regards to the team’s ability to come together. Can the three stars coexist? Can both Irving and Love do more than put up good numbers on bad teams? We have yet to find out.
4. Who wins the championship?
In addition to the Cavs, other championship-caliber teams are waiting in the wings the chance to claim their stake atop the NBA’s pecking order. Though another year older, the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs have taught us time and time again that the biggest mistake one can make is to count them out. The Oklahoma City Thunder, home to the inhuman scoring duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, remain as dangerous as ever. Challengers from both the old guard (the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat) and the new (the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers) all vie for the chance to hoist up the Larry O’Brien trophy. With parity in the league being at an all-time high, things are bound to be exciting on the path towards the championship.
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