We are getting closer to the start of the next NBA season and there is no doubt that professional basketball in the United States is becoming more globalized. As proof, there is the fact that five of the six favorite players to win the League MVP award are players born outside that country.
Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) and Joel Embiid (Cameroon, naturalized to represent the United States) are some of the top five stars, while another contender is Jayson Tatum (United States), who represents the current champions of the National Basketball Association.
And there are other very young figures who aim to be the next faces of the League in the coming years: there are many expectations about the American Anthony Edwards to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to their first title, while the San Antonio Spurs project seems to be on track. back to the top with a second year of maturity for Frenchman Victor Wembanyama. Special mention for Jaime Jáquez Jr., who can increase his prominence with the Miami Heat.
There is a lot to analyze in the NBA, which will undoubtedly be a season full of emotions.
The old guard
It seems like we’re seeing some of the last great moments from a trio that may be among the top 13 players of all time. LeBron James (39 years old), Stephen Curry (36 years old) and Kevin Durant (36 years old) remain among the current basketball elite, but they no longer have the youth they once had and they are having to see how this generational change takes place in a more globalized competition, with fewer and fewer Americans among the shortlist of super favorites.
The first ravages of time were seen in the last campaign: for the first time since 2005, the Conference Semifinals did not have the participation of any of the three players, which already speaks of a possible hangover in their careers… it cannot even be rule out the possibility that we will have a postseason in the future with them as the big absentees.
There are many doubts about LeBron’s Los Angeles Lakers: there were almost no changes to their squad, to the point that the big change came on the bench with JJ Reddick, who after his retirement from the court in 2021, has shown great knowledge of the game and strategy… although he will have his first experience on the bench on the recommendation of James. The Angelenos have James and Anthony Davis (31 years old) as their core, complemented by Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura in a possible starting quintet, with the arrival of rookie Dalton Knecht as a possible fresh air from the bench, In addition, the recruitment of Bronny James, more than in the sporting aspect, will help his father LeBron emotionally, who dreamed of having the first father and son duo in the NBA. Even with all this, the Lakers are the most difficult team to predict success, with the playoffs something that cannot be taken for granted.
KD’s Phoenix Suns hope to have landed the big signings in free agency. Injuries have affected Durant a lot in recent seasons, in addition to the fact that the Suns had a hard time competing by having three players in KD, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal who like to have the ball a lot, without forgetting the lack of depth in the bench They hope to put an end to that with the arrivals of Tyus Jones and Monte Morris to help make the team more solid in the rotation.
The most critical case is that of the Golden State Warriors, who for some years have shown that they cannot compete if Stephen Curry is not healthy. Klay Thompson, his colleague since 2011, left for Dallas, while Draymond Green was the protagonist of many controversies due to indiscipline and suspensions. Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga need to respond to the team’s needs, or the Warriors’ overdependence on Curry could affect the three-point shooter.
Other cases: Kawhi Leonard (33 years old) is another veteran who has been affected by injuries, while James Harden (35 years old) has also suffered a bit of discomfort in recent years. This duo is in its last opportunities to achieve success in the Los Angeles Clippers.
Current generation
The Europeans seem to be the new face of the NBA. Nikola Jokic (29 years old) is probably the most complete player today, someone with a very high game IQ and who turns out to be very effective for the Denver Nuggets; He may not be as fast, but he is strong, and he makes up for all that with his ability to score, rebound and assist his teammates. If Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. maintain consistency and Aaron Gordon stays healthy, the Nuggets will be dangerous to the rest of the NBA.
In Philadelphia, the 76ers are somewhat worried because Joel Embiid (30 years old), who is being discussed with Jokic for the position of best current center, seems that he will miss some games at the beginning of the season due to an injury to his left knee, something that did not seem so serious by only being absent in preseason. If we add to this the knee hyperextension that his free agent bomb Paul George (34 years old) suffered at the end of the preseason, the Sixers seem to face a difficult start with only their point guard Tyrese Maxey (23 years old) healthy.
Luka Doncic (25 years old) will have to show that the Mavericks are there to compete. The NBA’s leading scorer in 2023-24 led Dallas to the Finals, but they only got one game in their favor. There is no doubt that the Slovenian will be the one who moves the ball and sets the pace of the game, supported by two veterans who know what it is to be an NBA champion: it will be his second full year with Kyrie Irving (32), while Klay Thompson (34) left Golden State and hopes to contribute without having to be the second sword in the attack.
The Milwaukee Bucks hope to put the difficult season they had behind them. Giannis Antetokounmpo (29 years old) and Damian Lillard (34 years old) hope to be the ideal combination that gives them the Larry O’Brien trophy, although time is beginning to weigh on Lillard, Khris Middleton (33) and Brook Lopez (36).
Another foreigner who promises a lot is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26). Since being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Canadian has only grown, to the point that he is a favorite for MVP. The Thunder’s young core, with other elements such as Chet Holmgren (22 years old) and Jalen Williams (23), as well as the defense that the newcomer Alex Caruso (30) will provide, places a label of contenders on the Thunder. from Oklahoma City.
But the favorites are still Tatum’s Celtics (26 years old). Boston maintains the winning base that gave them the title in the summer, with Tatum and Jaylen Brown (27 years old) being the main references in attack, with the versatility of Derrick White (30) and the defense of Jrue Holiday (34) as great cards to play. their favor, plus they can get stronger once Kristaps Porzingis (29) recovers from his injury.
Other cases: You cannot lose sight of the great work the New York Knicks did in the offseason. Jalen Brunson (28 years old) is one of the best point guards today, in addition to the fact that the New Yorkers made good negotiations by acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns (28 years old) and Mikal Bridges (28), in addition to the proven talent of OG Anunoby (27 ), who will live his second season on the team.
Rising stars
Without a doubt, the list must be led by Anthony Edwards, first selection in the 2020 Draft and who has just led the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals at only 23 years old. They likely resent Towns’ departure for New York, but also his opportunity to carry the team and run the offense; Julius Randle (29) arrives to replace KAT, while Naz Reid (25) should increase his role in the team. As a great defender, but not as effective on offense, Rudy Gobert (32) still raises questions in Minneapolis.
The San Antonio Spurs project promises. Frenchman Victor Wembanyama already had his rookie season to learn, so now he threatens an emergence of talent that will help him establish himself as one of the best in the NBA: in a rebuilding campaign, he was Rookie of the Year and finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year. Gregg Popovich will continue to be the one to polish his talent and help other young players like Jeremy Sochan (21 years old). The arrival of point guard Chris Paul (39 years old) will be vital as a mentor and to exploit Wemby with alley oops and quite creative plays in the paint.
We continue with a player who, with a profile not as high as the two previous cases, can promise. Jaime Jáquez Jr. had a good rookie year, alternating starting games and coming off the bench, with good defense, attack at the rim and constant improvement from long distance, without flinching against any opponent, largely because he played all four of his university years and practically entered the League with the experience of a veteran. At 23 years old, he could see more prominence from his coach Erik Spoelstra, especially if one considers that Jimmy Butler (35) is entering the last year of his contract and it is not known what will happen to him, but Triple J will have to respond to the demands, especially by also being able to play in his teammate’s position. Bam Adebayo (27 years old) and Tyler Herro (24) are other clear examples of the Heat Culture that characterizes this franchise.
AVV
​
