2021 NBA Season Mailbag
18 October 2021
The 75th NBA Season is set to tip-off its season, back to the 82 games per team format for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, will mark the opening day with the regular season set to conclude on Sunday, April 10, 2022.
Throughout the season, the league will feature NBA 75 Classic Matchups to pay tribute to the teams, players, coaches, and moments that have defined 75 years of the NBA. From Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant, to LeBron James, this season, like any other, poses the question: “Who’s Next?.”
The Milwaukee Bucks may be the reigning champs but once the ball tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET on October 19th, it’s a new season with the same goal. Here are the top storylines heading into the 75th anniversary of NBA basketball.
10. LeBron + Steph Milestones
If there’s anything that yells out “unique” it’s when record books are rewritten… certainly something that makes every NBA season different from the previous. This year two of the most revolutionary players the game has seen over the last two decades will push the needle furthermore in their respective records.
Lakers’ LeBron James enters his 19th NBA season, and with that, he looks to surpass Hall of Famer Karl Malone for No. 2 on the all-time scoring and field goals made list. James’ chances of passing Malone on the all-time scoring list seem to be favorable as he is just 1,561 points away from accomplishing the feat and has averaged 1,645 points over his last four seasons. In the same four-season span, James has averaged 620 made field goals a year but remains 625 field goals behind the former Jazz star.
Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images
Meanwhile, 384 miles up north resides the “Baby-Faced Assassin” in Stephen Curry. The future Hall of Famer has been regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history and to anyone still playing devil’s advocate to that, Curry stands a mere 141 threes away from passing Ray Allen for the all-time lead in 3-pointers made. Since the 2012-13 season, the life-long Warrior has made 212 or more 3-pointers in eight of those nine seasons. Additionally, Curry has hit 320 or more 3-pointers in three of those seasons (2015-16 with 402 3-pointers; 2016-17 with 324; 2020-21 with 337).
It’s worth noting that Curry is coming off a season where he led the league in scoring with a career-high 32 PPG alongside 3-pointers made (337) and attempted (801) through 63 games. With Klay Thompson set to miss the first half of the season will allow the fellow splash brother to pick up right where he left off and near the record if not break it by the time Thompson makes his return.
9. Ben Simmons Drama
The Ben Simmons situation in Philadelphia seems far from over, however, a move seems inevitable, especially after sources confirmed to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the 76ers All-Star will not report for the opening of training camp and intends to never play another game for the franchise. Both of those statements hold true as Simmons only reported to the team after being fined a chunk of his salary.
A day before the team’s season-opener, head coach Doc Rivers and Simmons exchanged a very awkward interaction as TheAthletic’s Shams Charania noted.
Doc Rivers asked Ben Simmons to join a defensive drill in practice. Simmons refused. Rivers asked again. Simmons said no again. Rivers then told Simmons he should go home, and Simmons dropped the ball and left.
Shortly after that, Simmons got hit with a one-game suspension knocking him out for the team’s season-opener in New Orleans
So far, Simmons appears to be willing to carry out a plan of forcing his way out of Philadelphia and it’s not a matter of if, but when a trade will go down. The only issue standing in the way of that happening? The 76ers have yet to find an offer they’re willing to accept for the versatile 25-year old as Simmons is still a valuable asset to Philly and the team won’t part ways with him for nothing.
Ben Simmons Stats
Philadelphia wants to win now and according to Tom Moore of The Bucks County Courier Times, the club has about 5-10 players in mind as suitable targets in a Simmons deal. Yet, most, if not all, of those players are likely unavailable. That list certainly includes Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal. Here’s a closer look at potential landing spots for the disgruntled guard.
Blazers: It seems unlikely that Portland will land Simmons in a deal that won’t send Lillard to the 76ers… a trade the Blazers would be reluctant to do.
Rockets: Rockets are working on a trade for John Wall and sending him back to the Eastern Conference makes sense if it means acquiring a player of Simmons’ caliber. To double down on that Evan Dammarell of Fear The Sword reported that Houston has a serious interest in Simmons, and trade between the two sides could involve John Wall heading to Philadelphia.
Timberwolves: Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are still seeking ways to acquire Simmons according to Jon Krawcynski of The Athletic, but the team has been reluctant to include Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell in any potential deal.
Cavaliers: Cleveland certainly looks like a dark horse team in the Simmons’ sweepstakes. Although Simmons would prefer a trade to either the Warriors or one of the Los Angeles teams, the 25-year-old would be open to playing for the Cavaliers.
Pacers: Indiana has been regarded as a ‘dark horse’ team in all this fiasco, with Caris LeVert and Malcolm Brogdon discussed in potential deals for Simmons. However, with Brogdon signing an extension in Indiana, we could borderline rule this team out unless the 76ers are willing to settle for less.
I will refrain from mentioning the Nets despite rumors around a Kyrie Irving-Ben Simmons swap, as it simply sounds more like a satirical trade offer compared to something a bit more substantive.
8. Hawks Fly, Suns Burn
Both these squads are coming off a more similar season than you’d think. No one could’ve seen the Suns coming out of the Western Conference while no one could’ve seen the Atlanta Hawks going on a deep playoff run all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. To put the cherry on top, both of these teams’ 2020-21 seasons ended just 17 days apart to none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo and the reigning NBA Champs Milwaukee Bucks.
Matt Slocum/Associated Press
It certainly makes for an interesting storyline to see which squad will bounce back and build upon last season’s success and without a doubt, it seems to be Atlanta. It all starts with Trae Young being the leader of his flock alongside sharpshooters Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter. Then the team has a strong big man duo in John Collins and Clint Capela. This team has it in them to make another strong playoff push and compete against some of the best eastern conference squads. With the way everything stacks up right now, it would still be eye-popping to see this team make a run for the conference finals as a second-round exit seems realistic.
Meanwhile, Phoenix’s Finals run may not have been a fluke, however, it sure as hell will be seen as easier compared to this year’s run. The western conference is far too stacked for Phoenix to legitimately compete down the stretch and the team’s reluctance to offer former No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton a contract extension is going to cause a distraction in the locker room. It’s simply tough to see Phoenix elevate themselves beyond what they accomplished last season as the team seems to have reached their ceiling. I say Phoenix fails to make it past the second, potentially even the first round. It’s going to be an ugly Finals’ loss hangover.
7. Miami Miracles
The eastern conference is better when the Miami Heat are legitimate contenders, especially with Kyle Lowry on the roster. The 6-foot point guard is 35 years old, but he has aged like fine wine, playing better in the backend of his career than his first decade in the league.
Kyle Lowry Stats
This team has the potential to make a deep playoff run simply because of how well-balanced they are on all fronts. They have strong leadership and veteran presence in Lowry, Jimmy Butler, and P.J. Tucker. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson have proven to be some of the most unselfish and coachable players in the league which is what makes Miami deadly. The biggest question mark with this team remains Victor Oladipo’s health and if the addition of Markieff Morris will help as the season progresses.
6. Windy City WINS
The Chicago Bulls are back with a revamped roster after having arguably the best offseason in the league. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević will remain the core duo that this team will turn to, however, the acquisition of Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso has most certainly shifted the landscape of the NBA.
On paper this team looks like a top-5 seed in the East, however, a slow start seems realistic for a group that seems to be trying to find its identity. The roster has a lot of talent, but it could go to nothing if head coach Billy Donovan doesn’t work to everyone’s strengths while taking into account their weaknesses.
Allowing Lonzo Ball to be the ball handler and having LaVine play off the ball alongside DeRozan may be the safest approach at first. Finding ways to utilize Caruso and while considering how good Coby White can be for this team is going to be a key thing to watch for. White is the better shooter, however, Caruso offers an edge on both sides of the ball and certainly has more experience/basketball IQ given the fact that he has played with LeBron James for a majority of his NBA career. It’d be foolish to underestimate what this team can do down the stretch
5. Klay Thompson’s Return
The much-anticipated return of Klay Thompson is something not only Warrior fans are looking forward to, but NBA fans everywhere. The moment Thompson suits up in the blue and gold, it’s truly a privilege to be able to watch someone of Thompson’s caliber.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
When the Warriors season tips off on the opening night, it will have been 859 days since Thompson last saw the court after suffering a torn ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. But after suffering a torn Achilles nearly a year after tearing his ACL, Thompson got knocked out of his second consecutive season last year. Fortunately, the future Hall of Famer could be cleared for full practice within the next month, setting up for a return in the late December-early January window.
If Thompson is just half the player he once was, then Golden State should consider themselves lucky. His fellow Splash Brother, Stephen Curry, is immeasurably excited for the long-awaited return of No. 11.
"There's a lot of excitement about what's ahead in terms of his journey over the past two-plus years, the fact that he has been grinding all summer long or this past year since the Achilles to prepare his body and his mind for the difficult task of getting close to 100 percent as possible," Curry told NBC Sports Bay Area's Kerith Burke at Warriors Media Day. "Just keeping his mentals, to steal Marshawn (Lynch)'s line, keeping that right because that's a long time for anybody to worry about one thing. Especially when the joy of actually playing the game is taken away. I just love the fact that he has found balance in life, basketball and things outside of it, to keep him energized and positive. This last stretch of his road to get back to playing, it's going to be difficult, and I think he is aware of that and preparing himself for that and then that first game back is going to be unreal."
Thompson’s return to the court should make the NBA have a comeback player of the year award designated just for him. But until that time of the year rolls around, our attention shifts to second-year player Jordan Poole who could be in for a huge breakout season in Thompson’s absence. Curry and Wiggins will likely be the primary scorers but Poole should see the ball a handful of times and start more than a mere 7 games as he did in his rookie season. On top of that, even following the return of Thompson, Poole should still see favorable minutes as Steve Kerr would be cautious and want to ease his shooting specialist back into the lineup…
4. The One Where Lillard Leaves…
The storyline in Portland still remains one to keep an eye on. Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported in June that Lillard might request a trade after the backlash he received over Portland’s hiring of new head coach Chauncey Billups, plus the team’s inability to build a contender around him. But clearly with the season upon us, Lillard himself has shut down several reports and says Portland is his home… for now.
However, one could argue that barring another failed season in Portland, the 6x All-Star could be having a different conversation next offseason as Billups won’t be the one standing in his way…
“I came here to coach you, but it’s your career, it’s your life, and it’s your family. I’ve been there before, and I’m not going to be the guy preaching, ‘Stay here, go there, do this.’ I got a job to do; I want to do it with you, obviously. But if at some point you deem ‘Hey, another place is another place for me,’ that’s not going to be an indictment on myself. That’s going to be you making a decision for you and your family.” - Blazers’ HC Chauncey Billups on Damian Lillard
It seems fair on both ends that Lillard is giving Billups and the Blazers project a chance and if he doesn’t feel like it’s a good fit, perhaps his days in Portland could be numbered.
3. Russ Needs to Take a Backseat.
The Lakers had one of the wildest offseason in recent history and their biggest move came in the acquisition of point guard Russell Westbrook. The former UCLA Bruin will suit up for the purple and gold in his hometown alongside LeBron James & Anthony Davis. The Lakers will be Westbrook’s third team in the past three seasons after spending the first 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since his trade to Houston, the 9x All-Star has had trouble being the number two option behind the likes of James Harden and Bradley Beal over the last two seasons respectively. However, on the Lakers, he will need to take a step back the easy way or the hard way. It’s worth noting that over the course of Westbrook's career, he has played for Scott Brooks a majority of his early career, including most recently last year with the Wizards.
Russ with HC Scott Brooks
Playing with LeBron James is likely no walk in the park (in a good way) as the 4x champ has seen and been through it all. Westbrook is still chasing what would be his first ring and playing with James is going to help elevate his game by taking smarter shots and just making the extra pass. It’s easy to forget that Westbrook, despite his questionable shot selection, is still one of the game’s most electrifying and versatile players. He’s going to help Los Angeles in more ways than one and be a pivotal part of the franchise’s title run this season, but it all starts with listening to head coach Frank Vogel and James.
2. Kyrie Irving: An Afterthought?
Kyrie Irving remains a beautiful mystery in Brooklyn. The former No. 1 overall pick is refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine which complicates things for his team more due to their location in Brooklyn.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Although NBA players will not be mandated to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the league informed teams in early September that new laws in both New York and San Francisco regarding vaccine requirements will be enforced for members of the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Golden State Warriors — including for their teams’ players — unless there is an approved medical or religious exemption, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.
The league has outlined a set of strict protocols for unvaccinated players. These protocols include having lockers far from vaccinated teammates and having to eat, fly and ride buses in different areas.
This complicates things for Brooklyn as replacing a talent like Irving is borderline impossible, however, it could come down to him being an afterthought for this franchise. Although it sounds far-fetched, keep in mind the Nets have two MVP caliber players in Kevin Durant and James Harden as well. Durant is indubitably going to be the team’s best player but Harden won’t be far. Especially with Irving out of the picture, one could argue the former Rockets star could return to being a more ball-dominant player as it’s one less guy to pass to. Here’s a look at his numbers with Houston and his lone season with the Nets (2020).
James Harden Stats
Harden averaged the least amount of PPG in his career last season since his final year with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2011-12). Seeing him return to an even more ball-dominant player with Durant as his running mate is certainly a scary enough sight to temporarily forget about Irving’s role on this team. That is no discredit to the 2016 NBA champion, but until he is vaccinated, this could be the KD and Harden show under Steve Nash for the foreseeable future.
1. The BEAST in the East.
The top storyline every season tends to be, “who’s the best?”
Quite frankly, I wholeheartedly believe no one matches Kevin Durant’s caliber. The 7-foot forward continues to defy all odds with his drive to the basket, shooting ability, and defensive presence. Meanwhile, there’s Giannis Antetokounmpo who is just as good if not better than Durant in all those things, but shooting. The one thing that should hold anyone back from dubbing the “Greek Freak” as the best player in the league should be because of his shooting.
However, there’s no denying that the only person standing in the way of Antetokounmpo is himself. The Bucks star has clearly been putting in the work on his shot and it has paid off in his preseason play. The league should be on alert because if the future Hall of Famer becomes comfortable with his shot selection and can consistently shoot, he will indubitably be the NBA’s best player in recent history and it won’t be close.
Barry Gossage/Getty Images
The fact that he’s averaged at least 26.9 PPG since the 2017-18 season is ridiculous given the fact that a majority of his points come in the paint. Opposing defenses will give Antetkounmpo the space he respectively deserves when dribbling the ball up from the half-court line as nine out of 10 times, you would be expecting the 7-foot, 242 lb forward to bully his way to the rim. Granted he has more of a shooter stroke now, it will allow him to take time and pull up from anywhere on the court, even beyond the arc more often.
Saying Antetkounmpo has reached his ceiling is premature. He has won 1 Most Improved Player award, 1 Defensive Player of the Year award, 2 MVP awards, and is coming off his first NBA championship alongside winning the Finals MVP award. If there’s anything we have learned from him, is that there’s always room for improvement in his career. Perhaps a third MVP shouldn’t be out of the question just yet…
