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NBA Season Preview 2017-18: 5 things to watch for on Opening Night

By Dre Elder

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Gordon Hayward #20 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics are seen during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Gordon Hayward #20 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics are seen during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The 2017-18 NBA season will begin with a sizzling doubleheader on Oct. 17. Here are five things to watch for on opening night.

Opening night of the NBA regular season is here and anticipation is boiling over after another seismic offseason. Seven All-Star players will tip things off in new uniforms. The Western Conference gained two more All-Stars, as teams work diligently to catch the Golden State Warriors. We have new high-powered duos and trios and perhaps even a worthy challenger for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.

The shock of the summer was the Kyrie Irving trade to the Boston Celtics. But the real shock lies in the fact Irving wanted to break up with LeBron James. So, as the basketball gods would have it, these former teammates will oppose each other to officially start this season. Surely, the NBA schedule makers did not envision these new elements. The Houston Rockets will test their All-Star pairing of James Harden and Chris Paul against the defending champion Warriors to conclude a meaty doubleheader. This night will be everything, which is why you need to pay attention.

Here are five things to watch for on opening night.

5. The Cavs’ starting backcourt of Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade

Well, Cavaliers’ coach Tyronn Lue is doing it. Lue announced Dwyane Wade will indeed start alongside Derrick Rose, for now. Yep, this means incumbent starter J.R. Smith will join the bench mob with another exiled starter in Tristan Thompson. Before you laugh hysterically, let’s consider what we can expect to see.

Both Wade and Rose enter this season with something to prove. Wade will soon be 36 years old. He averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season with the Chicago Bulls. But many believe the 2006 Finals MVP is washed up. Wade’s days of being “Flash” are probably over. However, on this Cavaliers team, he may only need flashes of his former persona. He’s back alongside LeBron James who will once again make the game easier for him.

One could surmise Rose didn’t expect to be playing for the veteran’s minimum this season. The 2011 MVP is coming off a respectable season. He showed some vintage explosion while averaging 18 points per game for the New York Knicks in 2016-17. But another knee injury ended his season, which certainly scared teams away over the summer. Still, Rose will get a chance to start for a contending team and make his case on the national stage.

So how does this combo work? Neither player is adept at the long ball — this will arguably be the league’s worst 3-point shooting backcourt. Plus, Rose is among the worst defensive point guards in the league and Wade is a couple steps slower these days. Cavaliers’ fans can find solace in the offense going through LeBron and Kevin Love. The better news is if it doesn’t work, Isaiah Thomas will return in a couple months.

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