The NBA was a league in transition last season. Apparently, NBC wasn’t paying attention.
On Opening Night this October, the NBA’s new broadcast partner is giving us… well, the same thing we got the last time we invited the peacock into our home to watch some basketball: the Olympics. We get Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and LeBron James. Only a year older.
If only NBC could have thrown in the Celtics, just so seeing Jayson Tatum on the bench could complete the Paris grand slam.
I get it. You have to show the defending champ’s ring ceremony, and throwing in Durant’s first game as a Rocket adds a second attractive element to the season’s curtain-raiser between Houston and Oklahoma City.
And Curry vs. James just doesn’t get old, even if they will be meeting for the 56th time. Seriously, the Joe DiMaggio Commemorative for the California rival Warriors and Lakers.
But let’s be honest. The NBA has a new look, even if we have to wait until Day 2 on ESPN to witness it.
Here are the 10 regular-season matchups to which I’m most looking forward to watching:
Oct. 22: Spurs at Mavericks
Cooper Flagg draws Victor Wembanyama for his NBA debut in what could be the most highly anticipated matchup of the entire season. A day late, but surely not a dollar short. What’s more: Spurs coach Mitch Johnson’s first bright-lights opportunity to show us he’s not going to be the next Jerod Mayo.
Nov. 3: Bucks at Pacers
Among the biggest head-scratchers of the offseason was Myles Turner’s decision to leave a team with a future (Pacers) for a team with a past (Bucks). In this homecoming, some will let him know what they think about the choice. But most will applaud the decade that went into putting Indiana basketball back on the map… only to see Caitlin Clark ride into town and steal it away. Hmm, maybe THAT’S why he left.
Nov. 24: Jazz at Warriors
Just a guess here that the suddenly twitchy Danny Ainge is the one who lands Jonathan Kuminga at the 11th hour. Wherever the polarizing young prospect hangs his baggage, rest assured Warriors fans won’t be “Ku”-ing in his first game back in San Francisco. Here’s hoping new Valkyries mascot Violet The Raven doesn’t get the wrong message and swoop down from the rafters.
Nov. 25: Clippers at Lakers
Somewhere outside the arena, Gavin Newsom will have a photo shoot in front of a sign that reads: “First LA, then the world.” Hey, Gov, it was referring to this suddenly rejuvenated rivalry.
Nov. 26: Rockets at Warriors
Every Durant return to San Francisco is a spectacle. What makes this one special is that he’ll be trying to prove he can be the difference-maker for Houston in a potential postseason rematch of Golden State’s 7-over-2 upset last spring.
Dec. 23: Thunder at Spurs
By this point, Wembanyama will have waited more than a year for a rematch with fellow beanpole Chet Holmgren after a humiliating head-to-head last October. Although just one-third of the way into the new season, the chances of one or the other already being hurt are far greater than snowy holidays in Texas.
Jan. 19: Thunder at Cavaliers
Who would have guessed Thunder-Pacers in the Finals would turn into great theater? I suggest we give this matchup of preseason conference favorites a look-see before concluding that we’d rather see the Knicks and Nuggets in June.
Jan. 24: Lakers at Mavericks
Will Dallas fans recognize a trimmed-down Luka Doncic? That said, having already had a shot at both the Thanksgiving and Christmas buffet tables, will Doncic even be trimmed-down anymore? And if that weren’t enough, you’ve got the first-ever duel of the most popular rookies of the last two seasons: Flagg vs. Bronny James.
Feb. 1: Thunder at Nuggets
All summer long we heard an echoing through the Rockies. The sound of home runs by the opposition at Coors Field? No. Rather: “SGA no MVP!” It’s time to duke it out.
April 12: Magic at Celtics
A potential tune-up for Tatum as he prepares — in his mind — to return from his blown Achilles and save the season for the Celtics in the upcoming playoffs. I can already hear Mark Jones proclaim: “This is not a team you want to see in the postseason.” And given the relative weakness of the East, he just might be right.
–Dave Del Grande, Field Level Media
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