Fansided

The Whiteboard: BUCKLE UP FOLKS, THE NBA IS FINALLY BACK

By Ti Windisch

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 10: LeBron James #23 and Lance Stephenson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after James made a shot against the Golden State Warriors and was fouled during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 123-113. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 10: LeBron James #23 and Lance Stephenson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after James made a shot against the Golden State Warriors and was fouled during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 123-113. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

NBA action is back and hopefully better than ever for another season, and there are plenty of reasons to be all-caps excited about it.

Don’t worry, this whole article isn’t going to be made up of capitalized letters. This next sentence will, though. THE NBA IS BACK AGAIN AND IT’S GOING TO BE FREAKING AWESOME!

The Golden State Warriors’ dominance is often used as a negative when discussing a new NBA season, but in some ways, it’s actually not. Think about it: this season, either the Warriors cement themselves as one of the best teams in all of NBA history with a third straight title, and four in five years, or some new challenger is able to knock them off in what would also be a historic moment.

The Western Conference will be thrilling for that reason, among others, including LeBron James leading the Los Angeles Lakers back to relevance. The Lake Show isn’t going to be the best team in the NBA, but with LeBron in town the Lakers will be must-watch basketball, that’s unquestionable.

For a must-watch news cycle, the Minnesota Timberwolves will fit the bill until they trade Jimmy Butler — if they ever do it. The reports from that saga have been incredible thus far, and throwing some regular drama in the mix can only make things saucier.

Back out East, about five teams are energized now that LeBron finally took his talents to the other conference. The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors might be the favorites to win the East now, but the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers all will feel like their path to the Finals is simpler without LeBron in the way. Hell, the Washington Wizards might feel that way too.

The NBA’s young talent determines the future of the league and based on what the rookies did last season that future is in good hands. The young players with some time under their belts will have a chance to improve, and a new rookie class will surely present some performers who seem poised to run the league at some point too.

For all of those reasons, and many more we don’t even really know about yet, the NBA being back is a wonderful thing. Happy regular season everybody.

#Content you can’t miss

The worst part about the start of last season; Jared Weiss recounts the time immediately after Gordon Hayward’s gruesome injury last season

Learn something; Jeff Siegel announces the addition of scouting pages to his Early Bird Rights website, which is a must for NBA connoisseurs 

The man in, and holding, the mirror; Micah Wimmer believes Jimmy Butler is showing the Timberwolves who and what they really are

Nothing like a non-square table; The Thunderous Intentions staff share the OKC player they’re most looking forward to watching and their x-factors for the coming season

Daddies are always happy; Candace Buckner talks to several fathers on the Wizards about their experiences with their children

Our condolences to the Allen family; Shawn P. O’Connor mourns the loss of Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen and notes his importance to the Blazers community and beyond

Home/NBA