The start of the 75th NBA season is upon us and for Mike Budenholzer and the Milwaukee Bucks, it is all about defending their crown. There are of course plenty of other teams looking to knock the Bucks off their perch and claim the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy.
If for some unknown reason, you’re yet to get caught up in the excitement of the new NBA season then read on. We’ve compiled a list of 5 things to look forward to from the season ahead to get your basketball juices flowing!
#1 Title Talk
The Milwaukee Bucks became the bad guys last season when they ended Monty Williams and the Phoenix Suns hopes of a historic NBA Finals victory. Still, a first NBA Championship win since 1971 was something to savour for Milwaukee.
If Bucks fans thought that winning their first Championship trophy in 50 years was impressive, defending it this time around would be something else. Last season’s runners-up the Phoenix Suns will back stronger and then there will be the challenge of the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets to fend off.
In fact, the Nets have been heavily tipped by both the betting market and the majority of basketball pundits to win the NBA Championship. If you are looking to make your own NBA predictions today by placing a wager, 888 Sport is the place to do it.
(Can the Bucks recreate last season’s heroics or will another team scoop the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy?)
#2 Simmons Talk
Australian point guard Ben Simmons moved to the States in 2013 and 3 years later found himself representing the Philadelphia 76ers. In the 2018-2019 season he received his first All-Star selection, an honour he has received every season since.
Now, after 5 years in Philadelphia Simmons is ready to move on to pastures new but unsurprisingly, his employers aren’t so keen on his decision. That has led to a massive stand-off between Simmons and the Sixers that at the time of writing is still to reach its conclusion.
Most recently Simmons was banned from opening night of the NBA after refusing to participate in a defensive drill. The Australian claims that he isn’t mentally ready to play for the Sixers so the drama could well continue deep into the season and be something to look out for.
#3 Bulls Renaissance
The release of ‘The Last Dance’ on Netflix last year during lockdown served as a painful reminder of the stagnation that the Chicago Bulls have gone through since their last NBA Finals victory in 1998. Every year since then journalists from Chicago and former Bulls players have been keen to tell us that their team is on the up once again.
Time and time again those claims have fallen flat, but 2021-2022 could actually be the year that sees the Chicago Bulls return as a force in the NBA. The franchise overturned the majority of their roster and have gone from one of the most inexperienced teams in the league to perhaps the most experienced.
They are jam-packed with veterans and have Zach LaVine in top form, making them a real threat in the East. Whilst they may not go on to win the NBA Finals, do expect them to be in the reckoning for the postseason.
(It has been 23 years of hurt for Bulls’ fans since their last NBA Championship win in 1998.)
#4 LaMelo Ball
It was a season to remember for 20-year-old point guard LaMelo Ball last time out as he took to the NBA with aplomb in his rookie season. There was building hype around Ball when he joined the Charlotte Hornets but no-one could have predicted just how well the youngster would perform in his debut season.
The relentless Ball will be aiming to put his Rookie of the Year heroics behind him this season and prove that last year wasn’t a flash in the pan. He has the ability to establish himself as a real star in the NBA this season and should go on to grace the All-Star game with his delightful creative passing.
If you’re a Hornets fan, you’ll also be delighted at the news that Ball plans to stay in Charlotte for the long-haul in a bid to fire the franchise to future NBA Finals.
#5 The Rise of Jalen Green
Discussion of LaMelo Ball’s breakout season with the Charlotte Hornets naturally brings us on to the NBA’s next big talent, Jalen Green. The 19-year-old shooting guard was a first round pick for the Houston Rockets and looks more than capable of justifying that decision.
In the Summer League the 6 foot 6 Green looked like an NBA veteran and was streets ahead of anyone else on the court. He’ll get ample opportunities in Houston to play too which means we’ll get to see plenty of him in action.
In three years’ time, Green could well go on to become one of the best scorers in the NBA. For now though, we can sit back and enjoy watching him develop with an albeit ropey Houston team!
(Jalen Green looked every ounce an NBA veteran in his recent Summer League appearances.)
What are you looking forward to seeing this season? Let us know in the comments section below.
