With the olympics now behind us, we wait in anticipation of the NBA season, intended to tip off on October 22. Lead insider Shams Charania confirmed a slate of the retooled Knicks facing off at Boston on ring night followed by the night cap of the Timberwolves at Lakers.
The Lakers finished off the previous campaign being handed the gentleman’s sweep by the familiar foe the Denver Nuggets, yet here we are entering the new season with Adam Silver accommodating them with media attention they did not earn. Sure they produce ratings, but the league should prioritize giving shine to new faces and reward the teams that made deep runs the year before. I’m sure Anthony Edwards would’ve loved the chance to get back at the Dallas Mavericks who made him look out of his element, to say the least, in the conference finals the previous year. And it would’ve made for great TV too, but instead we get the opportunity for the Lakers to remind us once more of how sorrowful their defense has been these past few seasons.
Despite my outpoor of negativity for the night cap, I am impressed Adam Silvers decision to send the Knicks out to TD Garden to watch the Celtics bask in the heights they intend to reach. I expect this matchup to give the hard nosed, down and dirty feel of the classic matchups of the past. The Knicks may very well be the reigning champs toughest matchup in the conference given the wing versatility they have created by acquiring Mikal bridges. It also shouldn’t be understated the impact Julius Randle may have after missing the playoffs with injury last season, whether it will be on the court or as a potential asset to bolster the squads depth. With that said, given the Celtics star power 1-5, there is little reason to suggest that they can’t go back to back, especially with the lack of winning experience in winning time, now out the back window.
However, things never go as they so say, not since the Kevin Durant Warriors era anyway.
