The hunt for Boston has already begun. In the East, the New York Knicks dream of tripping and aiming straight for the ring; Milwaukee wants to relaunch itself and Miami is leafing through the daisies waiting to understand what it will do with Butler. Phila focuses on Embiid and George. In the West, Dallas and Minnesota seem the most accredited. The Mavs promise battle after the arrival of Thompson who joins the Big Two Irving and Doncic. The Wolves dream big with Edwards-Towns-Gobert, Denver seeks redemption while the Lakers still seem to be too far from the glories of the past
The NBA has finally started again. The Boston Celtics, reigning champions, are still the favorites to win the ring. The green and whites make no secret of wanting to create a dynasty worthy of those so dear to Red Auerbach. To do this, they will have to be impeccable. Repeating yourself, even more so after an exhilarating season like the one that ended in the past, is never easy. In Boston they let it be known that they have rather broad shoulders and are not afraid of lapses in concentration. The Celtics have confirmed the protagonists of their eighteenth title. Jayson Tatum, the star among the stars of the roster, has signed a contract renewal worth over 300 million dollars. With Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis even more determined after putting the ring on their finger, the green and whites have very little to fear.
New York, New York. In the East there are two teams that can create some problems for the champions. The New York Knicks have shown that they are ready to make that leap in quality that has been missing in the Big Apple since the memorable times of Patrick Ewing. The franchise man, Jalen Brunson, has renewed his contract. The same fate befell OG Anunoby. They put the icing on the cake by signing Mikal Bridges who adds flexibility and good defensive skills. The arrival of veteran Markus Morris adds experience in managing some match moments. The recovery of Julius Randle and the arrival of Landry Shamet, who adds quality to the external department, allow coach Thibodeau to sleep soundly. If we really wanted to look for the classic nitpick, we should highlight the absence of a reliable center. The farewell to Isaiah Hartenstein and the precarious physical condition of Mitchell Robinson do not guarantee certainties in the painting. The Knicks are quite convinced that without Randle and Robinson’s injuries they would have made further progress in the last playoffs. A belief that Thibodeau wants to further strengthen by starting with great enthusiasm. The Knicks aim to make it clear who they are and where they want to go. The debut match against the Boston Celtics will represent a good test for both teams.
Giannis and company. The Milwaukee Bucks are the third wheel. The team so dear to the famous Arthur Fonzie Fonzarelli must redeem itself after the recent disappointments that have characterized recent years. At 28, Giannis Antetokounmpo has already become MVP twice. After the 2021 ring, exactly fifty years after the first triumph, the Bucks were unable to repeat themselves also due to excessive bad luck. First Khris Middleton’s injury in 2022, then Giannis’s in 2023, prevented Milwaukee from celebrating again. Last year was perhaps the most disappointing. Many were expecting the Bucks in the Eastern final against the Celtics, especially after having snatched Damian Lillard from the tight court of Pat Riley who wanted to take him to Florida to compose a dream team with Jimmy Butler. Lillard’s own injuries, the ordeal of three-time All-Star Khris Middleton, did not allow the Bucks to throw their hearts over the first obstacle called the Indiana Pacers.
The others. There’s a heavy air in Miami. The relations between the Heat management and franchise man Jimmy Butler no longer appear to be idyllic. Butler expected the renewal of the contract expiring in 2025. Riley considers the issue not a priority. Despite the option that would allow Butler to extend the contract for another season at $52 million, the feelings are not positive. From Los Angeles, the rumors of a courtship by the Lakers are increasingly insistent. Someone would be ready to swear that even Lebron James would have moved to bring Butler to the city of angels. The chosen one would like a third star on the roster for one last dance. We’ll see. With or without Butler, the Heat don’t seem to be able to worry, at least on paper, the Celtics and Knicks. Philadelphia hopes Joel Embiid doesn’t stumble into another unlucky season. With the center at full capacity and with the explosion of Tyrese Maxey and the arrival of Paul George from the Clippers, the Sixers could return to playing a season worthy of the ones that made fans dream when Allen Iverson was there.
Across the ocean. In the West, Dallas and Minnesota have the right numbers to reach the Finals. Much will depend on athletic fitness and any injuries but, spells aside, both rosters can count on top-level Big Three. In Dallas, Doncic and Irving are called to consecrate their talent. To do this, the Texan management has decided to support him with those, like Klay Thompson, who have broad shoulders and a rich trophy case. The four-time NBA champion, five-time All Star, two gold medals hanging around his neck, knows how to handle the pressure of the Finals. The Mavs still dream of a challenge with Boston or whoever, ready this time to do better than last season when they were overwhelmed and swept away by the fury of the Celtics. Minnesota hasn’t seen such a competitive roster since Kevin Garnett. The three musketeers Edwards, Towns and Gobert will begin the season of – hopefully for them – maturity against Lebron James’ Los Angeles Lakers.
Thunder young and strong. One step below Dallas and Wolves are Oklahoma and Clippers. The Thunder have completed the roster with Hartenstein and Caruso, while the Clippers, who will debut in the new arena, are increasingly dependent on the good days of Leonard and Barba Harden. In Denver they wonder if Nikola Jokic will be enough to still aim for the title. For many, the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, capable of taking the chestnuts out of the fire on several occasions, is a hard blow to absorb. Not even the arrival of Russell Westbrook, called to replace Caldwell-Pope, served to eradicate the concerns of Nuggets fans.
For the Lakers, few lights and many shadows. Closing with the Lakers, more and more Lebron James dependent despite the important age of the Chosen One. Jeanie Buss, in a recent interview with the LA Times, said that after winning the Olympic gold, Lebron could be the best ever. The rookie JJ Reddick on the bench will have a practically unchanged roster at his disposal. Christian Koloko adds centimeters under the basket in what, for the Lakers, is the constant problem of the center. There is curiosity around Bronny James, Lebron’s son. The Summer League was certainly not exciting for those who carry an important and cumbersome surname on their shoulders at the same time. We’ll see if he can handle the pressure or be diverted to the G League. The one who will have a lot of them after a season spent more in the infirmary than on the parquet is Gabe Vincent. The former Heat guard guarantees recoveries, outside shots and rock-solid defense. Let the curtain rise, welcome back NBA.
By Raffaele Garinella
Foto credit: Boston Celtics
