The NBA It starts its 2023-2024 season this Tuesday with a great Dominican accent. That Al Horford entering what may be his last campaign in the league is an ingredient, but the participation of Karl-Anthony Towns In the World Cup with an extraordinary performance, he has gained followers and good vibes.
Between Horford and Towns, who represent the best historical representation with Duartian DNA in the league, comes Chris Duarte with a new challenge in Sacramento and they join Lester Quinones y Justin Minayawho start the campaign with two-way contracts in Golden State and Portland, respectively.
Horford, 37, begins his 17th year with a relegated role in the Celtics who reinforced the front of the court with the arrival of the Latvian Kristaps Porzingis. Boston tied up Jaylen Brown long-term and boosted his options with the trade that brought him Jrue Holiday.
The Puerto Plata native needs 395 points to reach 14,000, eight steals and 56 three-pointers to reach 800 in a career that already exceeds 8,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists.
Towns, about to turn 28, is going into his ninth season, always with the Timberwolves, this time in the best physical condition of the last 24 months. The giant was only able to play 29 games last season, after undergoing two stem cell interventions on both knees, the left ankle, the left wrist and the right finger.
What Towns exhibited in the Philippines with the Dominican national team was a great example of his recovery after what was his worst season in the last seven measures in points, rebounds and percentages in three-point shots.
The challenge
Duarte arrives at the Kings with the need to recover credit in what will be his third season in the NBA. Sacramento, led by De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes, returned to the playoffs last year for the first time since 2006 and put the Warriors on the ropes.
That core remains and the Dominican seems to have impressed since the Californians activated the option for the fourth year (2024-2025) for US$5.8 million on Sunday. Duarte, 26, has just played 46 games with the Pacers, affected by a grade two sprain in his left ankle.
Up and down
Quiñones has a two-way contract with the Warriors, which indicates he can spend the campaign between the branch in the Development League (G-League) and the big team, along with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Minaya has a similar scenario in the Trail Blazers. Both can earn a maximum of US$559,782.
Graduated in Social Communication from O&M University. He has been a sports journalist since 2001.
2023-10-24 12:30:14
#NBA #opens #season #Dominicans #rosters
