By Aidan Mastandrea, Joseph Caruso, Eddie Young, Tyler Morello
Signal Sports Staff
With the National Basketball Association season right around the corner and players reporting for the first week of practice, fans around the league still have hope that maybe this is their year to be crowned champions. Year after year the association is chalk filled with storylines, and this season is no different. Here is what The Signal’s Sports staff are looking forward to seeing as the season tips off in just a few weeks.
Tyler: Healthy Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies come into the season as one of the most intriguing teams in the league. After finishing 13th in the West last year, fans may forget how great this team was just two seasons ago. Ja Morant only played in 9 games last year due to a suspension and a shoulder injury. His backcourt-mate Desmond Bane only played in 42 games but averaged career highs in both points and assists. Because of all of Memphis’ injuries, they were able to see a lot of potential in their younger players who they hope can contribute to winning this season. G.G. Jackson was the youngest player in the NBA and showed a lot of talent in his opportunities, while Vince Williams Jr. looks like a steal of a second-round pick for them back in the 2022 draft.
The Grizzlies also finally have the veteran presence that they lacked as they are expecting a full season from Marcus Smart, who like forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is a former Defensive Player of the Year. To top it all off, the Grizzlies snagged 7’4” Zach Edey in this year's draft, who was the collegiate national player of the year for the past two years. With their two top scorers finally being back from injuries and an intimidating front-court duo, Memphis looks poised for a great finish in a loaded Western Conference.
Eddie: The Rockets with a another full offseason of preparation
The Houston Rockets have put themselves in a position to take a massive leap this season. Last year after a slow start, a late season push helped them finish 41-41 as they narrowly missed out on a play-in berth in the stacked Western Conference.
The Rockets had a young team last season, and everything seemed to click for them down the stretch during their playoff push. An extra year of experience for these youthful players should go a long way from the team as they look to compete for a top playoff spot this season.
In their first year under head coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets won 41 games, which was 19 more than the 22 they had won in the previous year. Udoka’s defense, led by the villainous veteran Dillon Brooks, should be able to hold opposing teams to limited offensive outputs.
Last season’s breakout star for the Rockets was Alperen Sengun, who in his third season saw a seven point increase in his points per game as he led the team with 21.1, along with 9.3 rebounds per game. The Turkish center will only improve as he enters his age 22 season, and will be a big offensive piece as he helps the Rockets this upcoming season.
The Rockets also made a big addition this offseason, as they took Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard with the 3rd overall pick in this summer’s draft. While he may not be a starter immediately, Sheppard brings a great jump shot and ball handling ability to a team that could use those skills off the bench. His summer league performances made him look like an NBA star, and his decision making could help the Rockets in making an immediate leap.
With former champion Fred Van Vleet running the offense, the Rockets’ mix of veterans and young athletes should help them in securing a top four seed in the Western Conference as they surprise many fans this season.
Joe: The New-Look Knicks
A long-time laughing stock of basketball, the Knicks have steadily improved under the direction of President Leon Rose. After another second-round exit last year, New York acquired both Karl Anthony-Towns and Mikal Bridges, dealing a plethora of picks along with All-Nba Forward Julius Randle and sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo.
Superstar Jalen Brunson now has one of the most lethal supporting casts in the league, and with Towns’ floor stretching ability, the Knicks have the potential to be one of if not the most dangerous offenses in all of basketball this season. Going all in, the Knicks now rank third in championship odds, and there are plenty of reasons to believe that this is the New York team that finally breaks the five-decade-plus drought for their first championship since 1973.
Aidan: JJ Redick at the helm for the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers come into the 2024 season with only two new additions to the roster, but are hoping the coaching change will be what can take them over the top. JJ Redick, longtime player, who most recently worked as a media personality for ESPN, was hired this past summer to replace former coach Darvin Ham. The hire has been criticized by many because of Reddicks lack of experience, but the roster seems to be buying in to the message. This Lakers team now under Reddick plans to pay a lot of attention to detail, something that it seemed like they lacked under Hamm. Any team that has Anthony Davis and Lebron James will have a chance to make noise, but last season there was something just a bit off and that is what ultimately led to the firing of Hamm.
Redick was a peer to many of these guys up until his retirement and is not even a full year older than the on court leader James. The dynamic will certainly be interesting and will be something to monitor as the year progresses. Redick knows his experience is slim and brought on experienced coaches to be his assistants in Nate Mcmillan and Scott Brooks. Everything that happens in Laker town is looked at under a microscope and Redick certainly knows that he must perform, and with the help of his assistants and the most experienced player of all time in James, it will be fun to watch.
