Challenges to Warriors west to east will be followed
The NBA season tips off Tuesday with Gordon Hayward’s return to the Celtics after missing all but one game with an ankle injury and Golden State celebrating another title with a bannerraising and ring ceremony.
Here are the top story lines as the 2018-19 season begins.
Warriors chase three-peat
Golden State has five All-Stars (Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins) and a great coach (Steve Kerr). Not only are the Warriors going for their third consecutive title, they are trying for their fourth in five seasons. While at times past title chases have seemed like an unpleasant chore for the Warriors, Kerr is encouraging this season’s team to have fun and enjoy the moment — and win another title.
Who will represent East in Finals?
It won’t be a LeBron James team for the first time since the 2011 Finals. Boston (with a healthy Kyrie Irving and Hayward) and Toronto (with recently acquired Kawhi Leonard) are the favorites, but don’t discount Philadelphia, Indiana or Milwaukee. The Celtics took Cleveland to seven games in the Eastern Conference finals without two of their best players, and the Raptors had the best record in the East last season but just couldn’t get past Cleveland.
Challengers in the West
Houston pushed Golden State to seven games in the Western Conference fi- nals, but the Rockets also lost Trevor Ariza and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in free agency. Don’t underestimate the loss of associate head coach and defensive wizard Jeff Bzdelik, who retired in the offseason. Yes, Houston acquired Carmelo Anthony, but it remains to be seen how he can help. Is Utah ready to make the next step? The Jazz have a quality coach in Quin Snyder and a roster full of talent (Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Favors, Dante Exum, Joe Ingles).
How far can LeBron take Lakers?
The Lakers won 35 games last season and added LeBron James, who should be worth about 12 victories, putting Los Angeles in the playoff mix. The playoffs would be great, especially for the younger players (Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart) because this season is about future seasons and the Lakers’ ability to put a championship quality team on the court during James’ time as a Laker, sooner rather than later in the eyes of president Magic Johnson.
Loaded MVP race
Any of these five previous MVP winners could win it: James, Houston’s James Harden, Golden State’s Curry and Durant and Oklahoma’s Russell Westbrook. NBA general managers picked James ahead of Durant. Oddsmaker Bovada gives James the best chance. But could this be the year a player wins the award for the first time? New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Toronto’s Leonard, Boston’s Irving or Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid?
Spurs’ playoff streak in jeopardy
San Antonio has made the playoffs 21 consecutive seasons, starting in 1998. In that span, the Spurs have won five titles and played in the Western finals 10 times. But Manu Ginobili retired, Tony Parker decided to switch teams in free agency and the Spurs traded Leonard. On top of that, they start the season with injuries to guards Dejounte Murray and Derrick White and rookie Lonnie Walker IV. Of course, they have coach Gregg Popovich and All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan.
Never too early to think ahead
The subtext of the 2018-19 season will be free agency in the summer of 2019 when more than 200 players, possibly even as many as 250, will be free agents or restricted free agents.