After a weird 2022-23 National Basketball Association (NBA) season that involved complaints of players resting, two 70- point games, an analyst perpetuating racism in the MVP race, the Lakers going to the conference finals after a 2-10 start, the tankathon for Victor Wembanyama and antisemitism? Truly an unforgettable season, but that’s in the past and the NBA returns for tip-off on Tuesday, Oct. 24 and we got a bunch of new storylines and rosters to look at.
With the Damian Lillard trade happening, it shook the entire NBA and now we have even more juice for fans to happily consume and I’m here to entertain you while you sit back and enjoy your NBA drink. Here are three words or less for every NBA team heading into the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season.
Atlanta Hawks: Run it back?
The Atlanta Hawks are the very definition of mediocre and it is quite literal. With the franchise nearly having the same amount of wins and losses all time, always being in the middle for the last 15 years, and even doing the impossible of alternating wins and losses and ending the 2022-23 season 41-41.
You would think that despite having the high scoring back court of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, you would change something up right? Wrong, the Hawks chose to run it back, giving Quinn Snyder a full season to coach this roster.
They did put up a good fight against the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, pushing them to six, but how much success will this team actually have by running back the same squad from last year?
Boston Celtics: No more excuses
After trading away Marcus Smart and acquiring the seven-foot-three Kristaps Porzingis, there are no more excuses for this team. Now I am one of the few that recognize that this squad has been fairly successful, going to the conference finals or NBA Finals five out of the last seven years.
That’s a good stretch, but with this trade there are no more excuses for the Celtics, they have to go to the NBA Finals this season. With nearly coming back from 0-3 hole and then getting hammer smashed in Game 7, they can’t possibly lose in the second round this season or more changes might be coming.
Brooklyn Nets: Actually likable now
This team can go in so many different ways that it makes my head hurt. They could be a lengthy, versatile, difficult to contain team that could win 50+ games and make a run or they could struggle with egos clashing and not getting their style down.
The only thing that is for certain with this squad is that they are actually likable now, with the stench of Kyrie Irving gone and the dramatic breakup of Kevin Durant and James Harden, they have a new young charismatic star in Mikal Bridges and bunch of other pieces that will lead the Nets to have a fun season at the bare minimum.
Charlotte Hornets: What the hell
What happened to the Charlotte Hornets? This team has become an absolute joke, with so much bad publicity coming their way. I’m not entirely sure what I can talk about, but with players dealing with a suspension for domestic assault, gun charges, DWI’s, and a wrongful death lawsuit?
Along with their leader LaMelo Ball having the maturity of a TikTok prankster and Kai Jones getting pushed away from the team for his antics, this team is literally a frat house. This season will not be fun at all and will miss the playoffs. Petition to get this team in Seattle?
Chicago Bulls: Why? Just why?
What are the Chicago Bulls doing? What do they gain by running it back? I know the Bulls have been in a never ending rebuild, but what is the ceiling of this team? They could be at best maybe a sixth seed and at worst a play-in 10th seed.
I’d like to ask the Bulls front office, what do you gain by being painfully mediocre? Absolutely nothing in my opinion, they need to blow it up and I know DeMar Derozan thinks you don’t know anything if you think that, but in reality it’s the best move for this fledgling franchise.
Cleveland Cavaliers: All about Donovan
The Cleveland Cavaliers success is all dependent on Donovan Mitchell, I know the young pieces in Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, but the Cavs really need Mitchell to push himself in the upper echelon of superstars in the NBA
He’s fallen off in the playoffs the last two years, whereas prior he was known as a player that would step up in the playoffs. Now to be fair to Mitchell, the Cavs didn’t have any playoff experience last year and they got completely shut down by the Knicks, still this team has potential to be a title contender dark horse.
Dallas Mavericks: I’m so confused
I have no idea where the Dallas Mavericks will end up. If all goes well and Luka is able to play off the ball effectively, Kyrie Irving is able to keep his mouth shut and all the other players play to their maximum potential then they could maybe be a top four seed in the West.
Unfortunately, that is a big maybe and it could easily fall apart, so really I am confused as to where this team is going and we should be getting the “Luka is unhappy” train rolling soon.
Denver Nuggets: Boring, but contender
A slight dig but it’s really not, the Denver Nuggets will be playing only for the playoffs. It would be great if the Nuggets really went after it during the regular season and try to win over 60 games and add to the Nikola Jokic dynasty, but they will pace themselves and just make sure to get home court advantage.
Which sucks, I long for the days that teams cared about the regular season like in the past, but they will win between 50-55 games and be a contender to repeat as champions.
Detroit Pistons: Champions to me
I’m probably the only Pistons fan in the world that has a platform to write about them, so I’ll be honest that we are pretty jumbled right now. This is the season where we find out who we will build around. Where does Killian Hayes fit in? How will Cade improve? Who will break out from the front court log jam?
Still, I believe in my team and I think we have the chance to be a play-in team, but in my eyes they are champions in my heart.
Golden State Warriors: They got older
It’s exactly what the title says, I mean they got older, with Steph Curry being 35 years old, Draymond becoming more of an offensive liability, Klay Thompson’s expiring contract coming up, and the rest of the roster being a massive question mark. I can’t imagine why people are taking the Warriors seriously.
Well, it’s because it’s the Warriors. They’ve done it before and thus they can do it again, which is good and bad reasoning.
Houston Rockets: What’s the direction?
Hey congrats Rockets fans, you guys aren’t the joke anymore!! Now you guys are just a question mark because what is your guys direction? Are you trying to make the play-in? The playoffs? Win the title?
I understand why they brought in Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green, Jock Landale, and the world’s worst villain, Dillon Brooks, but they went from 22 wins to what? 28? 30? I just don’t know what they are trying to do, especially with all their young talent still needing reps.
Indiana Pacers: Being mid again
I applaud the Pacers for being that supporting character in the story where they are a super tough obstacle to go through yet the main character is able to get past them. That is what the Pacers have been since the 90’s.
Good enough to bring you hope, but not quite good enough to bring you results. They got their young star Tyrese Haliburton and a bunch of solid pieces that will definitely make them a league pass team, but with no real defensive structure and a lack of star talent, they will be a middling team once again.
Los Angeles Clippers: Injuries, injuries, injuries
What’s the first word you think of when you see the Los Angeles Clippers? Don’t worry I’ll tell you, it’s injuries. Their two stars, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, for the last four years have been dealing with nothing but injuries and consistently disappointing everyone and I refuse to allow this team to trick me again.
Especially if your starting point guard is Russell Westbrook, please don’t let me go off on a rant with this guy, someone stop me from doing it please.
Los Angeles Lakers: Ring number five
That’s all that matters this season, getting LeBron James his fifth ring. It helps when this is the best the Lakers have looked since winning the title in 2020 and look to be one of the best teams in the West.
Also, they have valuable assets and the right contract numbers to make a trade if they need to. Along with Anthony Davis having a great playoff run and looking to take it into this season, I predict nothing but good things for the Lakers this season, which sucks.
Memphis Grizzlies: Lots of questions
What’s gonna happen with no Ja Morant for the first 25 games? Who’s gonna play center with no Steven Adams? Is Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr ready to step up?
So many questions and no answers, this team quickly went from one of the most exciting to the most annoying to the most frustrating in a year, which is insane.
Miami Heat: I’m sorry, overrated
We need to stop acting like this team is talented. Yes, I understand they went to the NBA finals, but a lot of that was the team being on fire from 3-point range and Jimmy Butler going off. Is that gonna happen again with a weaker roster? Please.
Again, never count out the zombie Heat, but no I’m sorry they are getting overrated and I’m sick of it.
Milwaukee Bucks: Championship or bust
There really isn’t much more to say, this is a championship or bust season for the Bucks.
With the Dame trade happening, Giannis’s contract extension looming, and the team getting older, now is the time to get back to the finals and win.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards breakout
This is the year the fast rising star Anthony Edwards turns into a top ten player, he’s got the mentality, the talent, and the athleticism to take over the league and this will only help the Timberwolves.
Will they make the playoffs? I mean, yeah, but I don’t see them being any higher than a sixth seed, which means back to the play-in you go.
New Orleans Pelicans: All about Zion
Same thing with the Cavs earlier is that this season is all about Zion Williamson. Yes, this team has multiple questions as well, does Brandon Ingram actually fit on this team? How will the team play when Zion does get hurt? Is CJ McCollum done as a starter?
Who knows really, but the only thing we know for sure is that if the Pelicans are gonna be successful this season, it all depends on Zion Williamson.
New York Knicks: What’s the move?
The Knicks are interesting because for the first time in a loooooooong time, they feel stable as an organization. I mean they won a playoff series, they only did one move during the offseason and that was adding Donte Divincenzo, so that only helps the team and they are running it back.
The thing is, what is this team’s ceiling? They got lucky playing against the young Cavs and then got pummeled by the Miami Heat. So the big question is what is their next move because the Knicks actually seem like a viable destination for a future superstar.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Take the step
This is the year, I mean it has to be the year where OKC puts it together and goes to the playoffs. They have a treasure chest of picks, but they are already stocked with young talent and their star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is potentially a top ten player in the league, so please just finally win.
They need to take the next step and go to the playoffs or else what are we doing here? Just a constant rebuild?
Orlando Magic: Potential, but no
The Orlando Magic have been irrelevant since 2012 and they continue to be irrelevant. I mean I’ll be honest here, I completely forgot about this team and I had to really think and I realized “you know what… this team has potential”
Which is kind of funny, but I’m not the biggest believer in Paolo Banchero, but I do like Franz Wagner, so I expect them to make some noise, but to fail short once again.
Philadelphia 76ers: James Harden saga
Can we all agree that James Harden has got to be the biggest crybaby/quitter the NBA has seen since Vince Carter? The man doesn’t show up in the playoffs, complains and moans about not playing “his way,” yet his way has failed time and time again. I’m sick of it.
So what does this have to do with the Sixers? Well in spite of everything I said, they still need James Harden. Without him, they won’t be able to get out of the first round.
Phoenix Suns: Big three failure
I’m not a believer in Bradley Beal, I’m not a believer in Kevin Durant staying healthy, and I’m not a believer in the way this team has been constructed with no point guard or good centers on this team.
I am a believer in Devin Booker though, so I do think this team will be contenders, but I don’t see them beating the Lakers or the Nuggets in a playoff series.
Portland Trail Blazers: Rebuild time baby!
Finally, the Blazers pulled the trigger and traded Damian Lillard, though I think they did it two years too late, but hey better late than never!
This team is weird because they could easily win 30-35 games just because they do have talent, but if they were smart they’d get all their veteran guys to 65 games and let the young players take over after that. Not sure what to make of Scoot Henderson either, he could be really good or he might not be, so we’ll have to see.
Sacramento Kings: Light the beam
The Kings finally made the playoffs last year and I think they’ll do it again. They are keeping the core of this team together and they can only keep going up. Especially with Keegan Murray going up a level.
Now some teams will take this team more seriously, so it might be more difficult for them, but I still see them as a top six team in the west. Light the beam.
San Antonio Spurs: It’s Wemby time!
Round of applause for the team that won the Wemby sweepstakes!! It goes to the team with the most perfect organization, coach, and environment for a young star like Victor Wembanyama.
Also it helps that he looks like a mega star and the team should be pretty solid around him. With Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, and Devin Vassell as his teammates, the future is bright in the Alamo.
Toronto Raptors: In the middle
That’s kind of the problem with a lot of these teams is that they are pretty good, but not great so I just feel like there’s gonna be a lot of teams that are in the 30’s for wins and what does that do for anyone?
The Raptors have that problem, they have good talent, but nothing that would get them to the second round, so they just settle for being in the middle.
Utah Jazz: Same problem here
Again the same problem for the Utah Jazz, they have a lot of good players, but nothing too amazing, except Lauri Markannan is an intriguing player and when he played the Jazz we’re one of the better teams in the league.
This is another team that has a lot of assets, so they could make a big trade or stay patient. In the end, it doesn’t matter because this is another team that will be in the 30s for wins.
Washington Wizards: Poole party disaster
Jordan Poole is the biggest attraction for the Wizards, let that sink in. We are going to see the most disgusting shot chucking the NBA has seen since Kobe Bean Bryant.
I mean we’ve already seen it during preseason with players complaining about not getting the ball when Poole has it and him having concert dates as shooting attempts and makes. This is the WORST team in the league.
