What else to pay attention to this NBA season 2021-22
This the last part of a 3 part series where we explore some of the best reasons to watch the NBA this season. Today we’re moving beyond the Raptors and the exciting new rookies to focus on some points of interest this season. Now most people know that I believe the Nets have the most talent and a very good if somewhat unproven head coach in Steve Nash, however, the question that will plague the Nets throughout the season again this year will be injuries. More specifically, all 3 of their super stars – Harden, Durant and Irving all suffered injuries requiring considerable time away from the game and more importantly, came up hobbled for the playoffs conceding to the Bucks in the Eastern conference finals.
This year the Nets will likely spend more time on top of the power rankings than any other team in the league, but will have it’s destiny firmly affixed to the health of those 3 players. Without a doubt pseudo intellectual Kyrie will find a way to miss the playoffs again so fantasy players be warned: this team doesn’t have what it takes to win the championship because injured talent is really no talent at all. If you want to fill up your stat sheets with Nets players, have a look at the players who will inevitably have to fill in and play more minutes than would otherwise be expected. Joe Harris, Patty Mills and Bruce Brown might well pay off.
The other team likely to spend more time at the top of the power rankings than deserve to will be the Lakers. Burdened by the over zealous expectations of a tunnel visioned talking heads, the Lakers are in the same injury situation as the Nets with core pieces James and Davis likely to miss more games than they play. The biggest hope for the Lakers is if they have their injuries early and get the stars back for the playoffs. You will recall the Lakers were handling the Suns easily until Davis went down and then didn’t win another game. Sure Lebron seems to some to be an ageless wonder but he’s no Tom Brady. He is definitely not what he once was and while there are those who say but he’s as good once as he ever was, to them I say: but the season is 82 games and even just the playoffs require 16, not 1 victories. Heck, even a single series needs 4 wins. If it was a one game take all, I wouldn’t bet against Lebron, but it’s not. 16 wins to win the playoffs and earn the Larry O’Brien.
The next team that will be interesting to watch is one that Jim believes is going to do better than league expectations this year – The Chicago Bulls. To be sure, they have rolled over their lineup and now boast a starting lineup of DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Zach Levine, Lonzo Ball and Derrick Jones. In my mind, that’s a lot of pieces that have never been successful and I haven’t yet seen any signs that Chicago knows how to create a cohesive group nor develop players. So I’m saying Chicago will struggle but Jim thinks they’ll do well.
Some fast notes:
How does Lillard make out without CJ?
While we expect Utah to do well again in the regular season, will they stall out again in the playoffs?
Will Kawhi Leonard ever make a good contract decision? How many millions has he given away so already? Can he stay healthy enough for a deep playoff run? Is he really a force anymore?
Whatever happened to Boston’s embarrassment of riches and what should we expect this year from an under achieving squad now that Brad is no longer coach? Will Jason Tatum ever become a real boy? Will Jaylen Brown ever really make a name for himself by living up to his vaunted potential?
Will Kyle Lowry finally be what Jimmy Butler and the Heat need to get over the hump and win a championship?
Will this be the year Sacramento finally does something productive?
Is Orlando becoming the Sacmo of the East?
Tampa Bay seems to be good at everything. Are they finally going to get an NBA team?
Will the Knicks be able to follow up last year with another trip to the playoffs and how big a part will the good Canadian boy RJ Barrett be?
What of Golden State with the return of Clay Thompson? Can they earn back some of their glory days or has the sand in their hourglass already run out?
Will Milwaukee have what it takes to make another run? Or were they just lucky to get by a limping Nets team?
How will the Ben Simmons saga end for Philly and can they actually earn a return on their reluctant superstar?
The interesting questions for this year go on and on but Jim and I will be focused on those listed above.