Players to watch
LeBron James (Lakers)
The King turns 36 next week and is playing as well as ever. Not quite as nimble as in his younger days, but no-one plays the game more intelligently and or can beat you in so many ways.
Luka Doncic (Mavericks)
Not dissimilar to James, the Slovenian prodigy has a complete scoring and passing game, combined with a high basketball IQ. He is only 21, but do not be surprised if he walks away with the most valuable player award come season’s end.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Long and athletic, the two-time reigning MVP took a knock after crashing out of last year’s playoffs. He remains one of the toughest in the league to guard at the hoop and is equally capable on the defensive end.
Teams to watch
Los Angeles Lakers
The defending champions have overhauled their roster, although the star duo of James and Anthony Davis remain intact. Talent-wise this season is an upgrade on last, although how that talent combines will be the big question.
Los Angeles Clippers
Many considered them the favourites before they choked away a 3-1 lead in the conference semifinals last season. Still have a top duo in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and enough firepower to be capable of winning it all.
Miami Heat
Made an unlikely run to last year’s finals as a handful of stars came through. Bam Adebayo emerged as a genuine all-round threat, while Jimmy Butler showed his ability to put a team on his back as injuries ravaged the roster. It does things a bit differently, too, so do not write off the impact of coach Erik Spoelstra.
Golden State Warriors
Is the dynasty over or did it just take a one-year hiatus? Klay Thompson has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury. But Stephen Curry is back and alongside Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and star rookie James Wiseman, there is plenty of talent on this team.
Sleeper teams
Dallas Mavericks
Last year they had one of the highest-rated offences in history. Doncic is another year older and better. If Kristaps Porzingis is healthy this team could be very dangerous.
Phoenix Suns
They did not lose after the bubble restart and were unlucky to not make the playoffs. Chris Paul has since joined star guard Devin Booker and big man DeAndre Ayton to give this team the firepower to make some noise.
Storylines
LeBron’s bid for greatness
The chase is officially on. The main argument remaining for Jordan being ahead of James is his six titles. James returns fresh off winning his fourth ring and is playing as well as he ever has. It is very feasible the Lakers could repeat this season and then he is only one away.
KD’s return
Kevin Durant returns on a new team, the Brooklyn Nets, after a full year off with a ruptured achilles. Before his injury he was as good a scorer as the game has ever seen. But will he be the same?
Adams’ big move
New Zealand now has a new favourite team as Steven Adams makes the move to the New Orleans Pelicans. There will be plenty of interest in how he slots in next to a pair of stars in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.
