By: Joe Cardoso
And just like that, the 2020-21 NBA season starts today. I’m sure for teams who didn’t make the bubble, it seems like forever, and for others, they still haven’t unpacked. This time with a few changes, the biggest ones being a 72 game season and limited/no fans. You can get a full rundown on what’s new here. With so much free agent movement and shorted preseason, tons of questions are swirling. Throughout the season, answers will come.
Here are my 20 questions for the upcoming basketball campaign:
1. New coach, new additions, what will the Clippers look like after last season’s collapse?
2. The return of Steph Curry, the greatest shooter in NBA history. He has heard the talk, how many jaw-dropping performances can we expect, and can the Warriors make the playoffs?
3. The great experiment known as the Brooklyn Nets. From the bench to the court, it is can’t miss TV. We all know it’s Kevin Durant’s team but does Kyrie?
4. Is the addition of Chris Paul enough to get the Phoenix Suns back in the playoffs?
5. The defending champion Los Angles Lakers improved more than any other returning champion that I’ve ever seen. All that being said, how does Frank Vogel manage the LeBron and AD workload?
6. How long will James Harden wear a Rockets uniform?
7. Will we get a full season of Doc Rivers leading the current 76ers roster, or is one of their stars on the move?
8. What impact will COVID-19 have on the season? I hope none at all but with the current climate in other leagues, it seems like a matter of time. How does the NBA adapt to it?
9. Which members of this year’s rookie class will have a major impact?
10. The duo of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook looks exciting on paper. On the floor, how does it work, and how do the rest of the Wizards fit in?
11. Can we get a healthy year from Zion Williamson? The training wheels are off. Can he lead the Pelicans to the postseason?
12. With improved bench depth and the return of Carmelo Anthony, how far can the Portland Trailblazers go?
13. Is this the year that more people will have eyes on the Denver Nuggets?
14. Do the Chicago Bulls know something about this team that the rest of us don’t?
15. Who’s revenge tour tee shirt besides KD are you buying? John Wall? Victor Oladipo? Blake Griffin?
16. What do we get from year two of Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat?
17. What do the Dallas Mavericks do this year?
18. Now that Giannis is locked in, do the Bucks reach the finals or suffer another heartbreak?
19. Are the Atlanta Hawks a playoff team?
20. Is it just me, or is anyone else ready to pay top dollar to see Ja Morant play? The kid is a dynamic force on the floor.
From off the court drama to the “did he just do that” highlights, the NBA is the league that never sleeps. I wouldn’t dare forget about teams like the Boston Celtics, who have high expectations. Can the New York Knicks slowly start to climb out of the hole that they have been in for 20 plus years? Somewhere right now Greg Popovich is planning a return to the postseason for the Spurs, and what will the Utah Jazz bring? The Western Conference is unbelievably tough. If there was ever a time to get league pass, this is it.
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Merry Christmas to all, and enjoy the return of the NBA!!