By CHRIS AGBOLA
Columnist
The NFL and college football is pretty much settled in now. But hey! It’s that time of the year again. What am I taking about
Since I sound sort of ambiguous, it’s the fall season.
The NBA season returns in five days with thrill, vigor and captivation. Predictions, analysis, organizations and preparations are ongoing to commence the season.
Basketball is the most watched sports on prime time television. The newer contracts between the television stations and franchises that raised the salary cap for the NBA players justify my earlier assertion. Here are some talking points trending currently to the build up of the season: the Spurs excellence, the thunder threat, the king back to his domain, Doc Rivers and his critics and the dubnation statement.
Conversations about which team will win it all every season is not complete without the mention of San Antonio Spurs. Gregg Popovich has built a championship team of the years who pose a threat always. The trademark play of passing the basketball around well, creating spaces and shooting only when it matters makes the Spurs a unique team. Kawhi Leonard has developed a lot under the tutelage of Popovich. Leonard’s wining of the NBA’s defensive player of the year award last season sums up his hardwork both offensively and defensively. The hall of famer, Tim Duncan, also a lot of depth and experience to the team. The contributions of Tony Parker, Manuel Ginobili, Danny Green, Boris Diaw and others cannot be ignored when it comes to describing the holistic team, which their team is. Last season was a disappointment for the Spurs after losing out during the first round of the play-offs to the La-Clippers. With an addition of Lamarcus Aldridge, the Spurs will look to show why they should be revered in the NBA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder has a healthy roaster and we’ll know what that means. A healthy Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka are unstoppable. After missing the play-offs spot to the New Orleans Pelicans due to injuries despite Westbrook’s eleven triple double and winning the scoring champion award, the thunder will go all out this season. Coach Donovan will seek to replicate his college basketball success in the NBA. Ernest Kanter and some of the recent trade ins with the experience of Steven Adams and Dion Waiters will catalyze the champions bid for OKC. With free agency looming for Durant and then Westbrook, all urgency would be attached by the franchise to grab a ring in order to keep their stars.
LeBron James will seek a six consecutive final with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Losing the finals to the Warriors last season after his mind-blowing numbers was a really low point in his career.
Justifiably, the Cavaliers could be pardoned surrounding the situations in which they were plagued. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love’s injuries coupled with their inexperience took a toll on their entire performance even though Lebron and J. R Smith tried to salvage their sinking boat. The Warriors were the better team and won the championship at the expense of the Cavaliers. With a healthy roaster and the king James factor, another Finals target will not be an unachievable goal.
Coach Doc Rivers must prove his critics wrong about his Clippers’ team inability to never win a championship in spite of the talent they possess at their disposal. After surrendering a three game lead in the conference semi finals to the Houston Rockets, all eyes will be on them this season. The addition of Paul Pierce brings experience and their persuasion of Jordan to stay regardless of the interest from the Mavericks gives them no excuses as to why their team cannot be crowned champs this season.
Finally, the defending champions will be set to retain their title. The Splash brothers, Andre Igoudala, Draymond Green and others will be set to pay heed to coach Kerr’s instructions in order to replicate their last season success. On the whole, this season will be a crème de la crème one!