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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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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Kevin Durant
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Kevin Durant /

3. Will Warriors make an early statement?

The ring ceremony on opening night can be tricky. The reigning champion watches the banner lift into the rafters then receives diamond rings worth the GDP of a small country. It’s a feel-good celebration, although there’s a game to be played immediately afterward. Two years ago, the Warriors won by 16 points against the Pelicans on “ring night.” This time they will face a stiffer opponent.

The Rockets added star power with Chris Paul and now believe they have something up their sleeve to threaten the Warriors. Steve Kerr believes his team will be even better this season. Additionally, Kerr recently stated his belief that Steph Curry is “at his absolute peak right now.” Not to mention, Kevin Durant now has a full season in Golden State’s system coupled with his first NBA championship and Finals MVP.

While many other teams grabbed headlines with splashy acquisitions, the Warriors quietly improved their roster. First, they return every key contributor from a team that went 16-1 in the 2017 playoffs. Additionally, they bolstered their bench by signing Nick Young and Omri Casspi. Young shot 40.4 percent on 3s with the Lakers last season. Casspi is a 6-foot-9 versatile wing who once hit nine 3s in a game against the Warriors as a member of the Sacramento Kings.

Golden State can comfortably go 13 players deep this season. Nonetheless, Draymond Green finds it adorable how teams are scrambling to try and catch them. We can expect Green and his teammates will want to keep the Rockets in their place. The Warriors have a unique opportunity to prove why the basketball world belongs to them, again.

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