We know it seems like just yesterday that we wrapped up last season and you’re right – it was. While the players had the shortest off-season ever, we’re excited they’re back. Here’s what you can look forward to.
1. The NBA (National Basketball Association) season may start today but the league has only released half of the season schedule. They did this to leave flexibility for cancelled and rescheduled games but we do know that the season has been shortened from 82 to 72 games. The NBA All-Star Game was scheduled to be in Indianapolis but it has been cancelled with those dates serving as a possibility to make up missed/cancelled games. (Indianapolis will instead get the big game in 2024). BEST LAID PLANS
2. The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship on October 11 in the “bubble.” which makes for the shortest offseason ever (71 days) between seasons. There will be no bubble this year but the league has put in strict rules to keep players, coaches and personnel healthy including fining or suspending players for breaking the rules. Teams could also lose draft picks if they violate the rules. KICK ‘EM WHERE IT COUNTS
3. “Load management” has become a hot topic in the NBA. That means resting a healthy player (usually a star player) for a game with eyes on the postseason vs the game at hand. The league approved fines of up to $100,000 for resting a player during a nationally televised game. Why? Well, the league puts together these blockbuster matchups that are made for TV and if the big named players don’t play, viewer numbers fall. This will be more challenging for some teams vs. others with the Lakers playing 16 nationally televised games and seven teams have none on the schedule. DON’T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU
4. Like many people during the cold winters, the Toronto Raptors have become snowbirds, moving to Tampa to play this season. The team relocated because of the travel restrictions between Canada and the U.S. but escaping cold weather sounds like a good idea too. Coming from the other side of the continent, the Golden State Warriors are scheduled to travel the most miles during the first half of the season – 20,871 flight miles. GOLD STATUS HERE WE COME
5. As strict as the league is being with the team personnel, there is no directive from the NBA on fans in the stands. Like the NFL (National Football League), they have left the decision on fans to individual teams and medical personnel. For now, five teams will be hosting fans - Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors (by way of Tampa). SOLD OUT CROWDS NO MORE
