2023-10-24 03:01:00
In addition to the Victor Wembanyama attraction, the challenges of the new NBA season, which begins Tuesday, are numerous, between the strength of the holder Denver, the new star duo Damian Lillard/Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, or the creation of a mid-season tournament.
Tenant: a “target” on Denver
“We are moving from being hunters to being targets. I hope my guys understand the responsibility that comes with a championship title,” thundered Michael Malone, coach of the reigning champions.
“We have talent, but are we going to think too much regarding last season? Because in my mind, it’s already forgotten,” added the coach.
The Nuggets can still count on the MVP of the Finals, the Serbian Nikola Jokic, and on the entire Major 5 from last season but they lost their two main replacements, Bruce Brown (in Indiana) and Jeff Green (in Houston) .
“We must announce Denver as the favorites,” said Doc Rivers, coach fired by Philadelphia following the play-offs (elimination in the conference semi-finals) who has become a consultant once more, for ESPN.
Damian Lillard former #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers once morest Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets during the Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 2, 2014 in Portland, United States
Getty Images Sport Classic/Getty Images/AFP/Archives
“Last season they played the right way, the ball was moving a lot, they had improved defensively, they had the right players in the right positions, some of whom made necessary sacrifices. Behind them, for me, it’s wide-open”.
Favorites: Lillard strengthens the Bucks
Earthquake of the offseason, the transfer of leader Damian Lillard from Portland to Milwaukee gave birth to a new shock duo with the double Greek MVP (2019 and 2020) Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“They needed a finisher. Here’s one. If +Dame+ stays healthy, I don’t see who will be able to hinder their +pick-and-roll+ at the end of the match”, believes Rivers, between the address in the distance of Lillard and the power near the circle of Antetokounmpo.
The Greek, already crowned in 2021, was delighted to be able to count on “such a player in the team. We are made of the same wood, with this desire to win.”
The Bucks are favorites for several betting companies, often alongside the Boston Celtics, their Eastern Conference rivals.
The Western Conference promises to be particularly dense, between the holders Denver, the young teams in progress (Sacramento, Oklahoma City) and the franchises led by a superstar like the Suns of Kevin Durant, the Clippers of Kawhi Leonard, the Lakers of LeBron James or even Stephen Curry’s Warriors.
Other major transfers
Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics on October 17, 2023 in Boston, United States
GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
In Lillard’s shadow, a three-cushion pool shot landed All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday for the Celtics. Great architect of the Bucks title in 2021, Holiday (33 years old) brings his knowledge of defense to a team already successful in attack, led by the duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Big scorer in Washington, Bradley Beal has joined the Phoenix Suns and forms a scary attacking trio with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Aging but still cited among the favorites, the Golden State Warriors of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson attracted veteran leader Chris Paul (38 years old), still in search of a first NBA title.
In Philadelphia, the James Harden soap opera drags on. Angry with the president, the famous bearded man, who skipped training and did not play in pre-season, is demanding his departure at all costs, without success so far.
New: mid-season tournament
The NBA inaugurates its mid-season tournament held from November 7 to December 9, the matches of which, played on Tuesday and Friday, also count for the championship (apart from the final).
All franchises are divided into six groups of five, with four matches to be played per team. The first six and the two best runners-up reach the main draw, played in a dry match with quarters, then a “final four” with semis (December 7) and final (December 9) in Las Vegas.
The NBA has also tightened rules regarding rest for “star” players when they are not injured. To claim an individual trophy at the end of the season, a player must, for example, have played at least 65 of the 82 regular season matches.
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