The NBA season has arrived! Soon, real basketball will be played, thus beginning your fake basketball seasons. A bizarre process, I know! But so much fun too!
And of course the NBA would lead off with three tantalizing match-ups, highlighting interesting match-ups and burgeoning rivalries.
First off is the Celtics and Pistons, both teams retooled by doing different things in different ways. The Celtics? Well, they only traded away their second best player for washed PG… but is he washed? There are some major question marks for this Celtics team, usually a regular season juggernaut no matter who’s on the floor, this year will present its own set of challenges. Even Tatum’s health is part of those factors… but ultimately this will be the first official look on how Boston will move forward with this new team.
On the flipside, Detroit did a bunch of things, but none of them really note worthy. Losing Al Horford generally isn’t a death knell, but it can be for a team where he was the third option. Technically second option if we’re including the play-offs, but I just assume what ailed Jalen Duran in the postseason should have little resonance in the upcoming regular season. I do like John Collins here, and of course any scorer not named Cade will have value just because the Pistons will be starving for it. (Hello Duncan Robinson!) The Pistons will still be tough, and will enjoy how these two teams and their new dynamics interact against each other.
Do I really need to say much about the World Champion Knicks that hasn’t already been aggregated to death? They are good, they mesh and reached a new level in the last 30 games of their Championship run. Does that continue? Despite the contract issues, and Robinson moving to the aforementioned Celtics, the Knicks should be fine and will certainly go deep into the playoffs if their health holds.
Really tonight’s match-up is a test for the new look Sixers. Will Embiid survive? Will LeBron save all? Is Tyrese Maxey and VJE okay corner-sitting? Is Jaylen Brown okay with half-usage? I actually think, despite all the offseason pontification by the industry, that this team, if marginally healthy, will be just fine. They are all professionals, have a plethora of vets and it just seems winning cures all ills. While everyone’s numbers may look a bit off from their historical norms, I think this team will function quite well, and while that might deflate the fantasy outlooks for someone like Jaylen Brown, I think value can still be derived. Dean Wade will probably be the only dude open a lot of times as well…
Last but certainly not least is the exciting Conference Finals re-match between the Thunder and Spurs. There’s not much to say here except this is probably the most hyped opening night for Basketball in a long time. Wemby versus SGA. Chet versus eating a sandwich.
Regardless, the NBA is back, Fantasy Basketball is here and the Kings are still the Kings.
All is right in the world…
Jay is a longtime Razzball everything who consumes an egregious amount of Makers Mark as a vehicle to gain wisdom and augment his natural glow. Living in the D.C. area, he also likes spending time visiting the local parks and feeding lettuce to any turtles he encounters, including Mitch McConnell.
Let’s Go!
12 teamer, 9 cats. I am punting FG% and boards. Turnovers may be an issue some weeks too. With that in mind, here’s the squad and the WW.
M Turner, Sarr (went blocks and threes)
Flagg, J Will, S Barnes, Ky George,
J Murray, Dej Murray, Suggs, C White, Rollins, D Peterson, Nembhard
One streamer.
WW Dray, Jrue, Time Lord, Kalk, Raynaud (could put on injured spot), Ajay, McCain
1. Thoughts on team? Seems like I have work to do.
2. WW swaps?
3. Advice welcomed