The best basketball league in the world will kick off its new season tomorrow.
The favorite
First of all the Boston Celtics, reigning champions, with their stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. In the East, the revamped New York Knicks are also a strong contender. In the west, the Dallas Mavericks, last year’s runners-up, and the young and promising Oklahoma City Thunder are among the main contenders for the final.
Although the Denver Nuggets have the best player in the world in their ranks, Serbian Nikola Jokic, they lack depth behind them. Two of the most dominant teams of the last ten years no longer have anything to do with the title fight: Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors and LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers are still looking for an identity.
The MVP
Once again he may not be a North American born professional and it would be the sixth time in a row. Not bad, considering that, until recently, it had only happened twice since the first award in 1956: Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994 and Dirk Nowitzki in 2007.
After Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019, 2020), Nikola Jokic (2021, 2022 and 2024) and Joel Embiid (2023), who is now eligible to play internationally for the USA, this time it could be the turn of Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks . North America, however, focuses on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the star of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who is Canadian. Also watch out for Victor Wembanyama: the French phenomenon is entering his second year and, although he has not yet won any major title either at level or with the San Antonio Spurs, he has already been in the spotlight for some time.
The James saga
The story could have been written by a Hollywood screenwriter: LeBron James, arguably the greatest basketball player since Michael Jordan, turns 40 in December, is entering his 22nd NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers and will play on a team with his son Bronny.
A story from a book Heart! The only thing the experts agree on, with the exception of dad James, is that the young man has the level necessary to play in the NBA. It is very likely that Bronny will be called up to the Lakers team at the beginning of the season, but what will happen then is difficult to say
The format
The 30 teams – 15 in the Eastern Conference and 15 in the Western Conference – will play 82 games each between now and April 13. After that, the top six teams in the East and West will directly advance to the play-offs, while the seventh to tenth place teams will determine the other two play-off participants in a play-in tournament. Future champions must win four knockout rounds in a best-of-seven format. The final series begins on June 5. The in-season tournament for the NBA Cup will begin on November 12th and conclude on December 17th with the final. The All-Star Game will instead take place on February 16th
The NBA on TV
In Italy, the rights belong to Sky Sport, which also broadcasts the matches on the NOW TV platform. To follow all the games in streaming you can also subscribe to NBA League Pass.
