On October 22nd, the craving basketball community is finally going to get its fix. Jerry’s back. West, that is. With the NBA about to tip-off its highly-anticipated 2019/20 campaign, the hoop heads at your friendly neighborhood dope dealer are at the ready.
Part I of our in-depth NBA preview gets you up to speed with everything you need to know about the upcoming season. For Part II, we’ve shaken the good old Magic 8 Ball [which in our case is a 270-pound dude who does little else besides watch basketball 24/7] for some bold predictions on Zion’s historic rookie season, the battle for L.A. and much more!
The NBA summer of 2019 has been whirlwind, to say the least. With an unprecedented amount of (star) player movement, we’re genuinely feeling for poor Chuck on “Who he play for?” this season! The player empowerment era is in full swing, and as a result, history books are about to be re-written. So if you have no idea who’s going to take home the ‘chip this year, don’t worry! Nobody does! What’s beyond question though is what has us amped up for the 2019/20 NBA season:
MARQUEE MATCHUPS
It might be a Euro-centric way of looking at it, but among eighty-two games over the course of seven months, not all matchups are created equal. Therefore, circling marquee games on the calendar is not only necessary but also a proven coping mechanism for pre-season anticipation. As is tradition, the pairings can be classified into groups:
- 22. October 2019
Pelicans @ Raptors& Battle For L.A. Part I
Opening night!All aboard the Zion hype-train! First stop: Toronto, Canada.With the health of PG (out) and AD (questionable) up in the air, the first matchup between the Lakers and the Clippers will not be overly significant but entertaining nonetheless.
- 27. November 2019 Nets @ Celtics & Lakers @ Pelicans
We see what you did there, NBA! In a smart pre-Thanksgiving hijinkery, the League stages a boo-off between Boston and N.O. crowds as two former franchise players return to their former teams before the NFL takes over television the next day.
- 23. October 2019 Nuggets @ Blazers // 10. January 2020 Warriors @ Clippers // 27. January 2020 Rockets @ Jazz
Play-Off matchups from 2019 are being replayed for the first time with revamped rosters all around (and in case of the Clips for the first time with a healthy Paul George)
- 24. October 2019 Bucks @ Rockets // 14. November 2019 Mavs @ Knicks
Revenge games: While James Harden gets a shot at Giannis (to whom he lost last season’s MVP race) early on, Kristaps returns to MSG for the first time in mid November.
- 25. December 2019 Celtics @ Raptors & Bucks @ Sixers & Rockets @ Warriors & Clippers @ Lakers & Pelicans @ Nuggets
From potential Conference Finals previews to star-studded rosters in every matchup, the 2019 Christmas Day schedule is loaded! Merry Christmas to all of us!
THE BELT VACANCY
There’s a case to be made that the NBA’s most prestigious belt is up for grabs for the first time since the mid-90s. No, not that one. The hypothetical yet not any less relevant belt for the best player in the league. The undisputed king of the mountain. The 2019/20 season offers both, a rare chance at alpha dog status and an unusual plethora of superstars with variably strong claims to the throne.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo (last season’s MVP) has delivered a campaign that might put him in the driver’s seed for this discussion, so has Kawhi Leonard (last year’s finals — and arguably post-season — MVP). However, the last time Steph Curry was the clear focal point of the Golden State Warriors, the babyfaced assassin went on a tear, unlike most in NBA history. Additionally, LeBron James (a former belt-holder himself) is all-in to chase down his fourth title, which means he could either put the pedal to the metal himself or force-feed the monobrowed 6’11 padawan of his. Meanwhile, at a free throw line not far away, James Harden is working on an offensive resume to fundamentally shake the NBA’s record books. And as if the 2019/20 race wasn’t loaded enough, let’s not forget that Kevin Durant’s claims are only postponed by a year.
IMPACT PLAYERS
Sparing you a deep-dive into analytics data sets and roster breakdowns, here are three names to casually drop around the water cooler when looking for that knowing nod of approval from NBA-savvy colleagues or to keep an eye out for on a given league pass night … or both.
Mike Conley, Jr.
With a heavily revamped roster, the Jazz might be the clearest dark horse pick to make noise in a shook-up Western Conference. That being said, the acquisition of Mike Conley Jr. might be the one taking Utah over the hump. The savvy floor general provides veteran leadership at both ends of the floor and should contribute substantially from day one.
Michael Porter, Jr.
While the Nuggets have stayed relatively quiet this off-season, last year’s No. 2 seed in the Western Conference might be getting their most impactful acquisition from within their own team. Porter, the 14th pick of the 2018 draft, appears to have fully recovered from a series of injuries that derailed both his lone college season as well as his rookie year in the NBA. If healthy, the 6’10 forward gives Denver versatility and loads of athleticism on the wing.
Ja Morant
The hype around No. 1 pick Zion Williamson is as overwhelming as it appears to be justified. (Don’t worry, we’ll get to it!) However, let’s not forget about Ja Morant! Hidden away in a similarly small media market and sparred from the hype train surrounding a record-setting pre-season, the Murray State product combines premium passing abilities with a remarkable basketball I.Q. and handles for days.
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!
At BSTN, we don’t consider ourselves betting men. But as passionate observers of the game of basketball, we certainly have formed some opinions over the NBA-deprived drought that is the offseason. To paraphrase the witty and nimble-witted Lord Tyrion of House Lannister, we beast, and we know things. So in a totally hypothetical scenario, we’d strongly consider the Sixers’ over as well as the Hornets’ under. And while the Greek Freak might be the odds-on favorite to repeat as MVP, a fully healthy Steph Curry at six-to-one odds certainly looks intriguing. Again, hypothetically.
