As a new season approaches in the NBA, we look at the key storylines, new faces and more from the summer that was.
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Bling Remains The Thing
They might soon run out of fingers, but for now, the Golden State Warriors will gladly accept their new, glittery championship rings. Shaun Powell talks to the jewelry designer to find out what goes into the rings, how much they cost, how long they take to create and much more.
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In His Own Words: Steve Kerr
As a player, Steve Kerr amassed five NBA titles as a member of the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. As coach of the Golden State Warriors, he has two in hand (and will receive a third in the season-opener on Oct. 16). So, what does a coach with all those championship rings do with them all? And how does he look back on each title run? The coach shared his thoughts on that topic with our Shaun Powell.
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Take Five?
Since 2015, the Golden State Warriors have been pushed to the brink in the Western Conference playoffs only twice. However, as they aim for an NBA-record fifth straight West crown, can anyone knock them from their lofty perch in 2018-19? Shaun Powell takes a look at the Warriors’ half-decade run of dominance in the conference.
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A Recipe For Success
For decades, the Golden State Warriors were one of the most downtrodden franchises in NBA lore. Then came a string of moves — via the Draft, free agency, trades and other means — that sparked a hoops revival for a loyal NBA fanbase. How, exactly, did the Warriors go from fringe playoff team to its current state of a dynasty? We take a deeper look …
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Don’t Forget About Us …
There’s no tanking in the West. Every single team in the conference is trying to win in 2018-19. No, really. Here’s a quick breakdown on all 15 teams, showing how they’re built to win more this season than they won last season.
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‘Lake Show’ 2.0
The pairing of Magic Johnson and LeBron James is a match made in basketball and Hollywood heaven. Now, the Lakers are banking on James to unify a disparate roster of promising youth and established veterans with questions into a true contender in the Western Conference, writes Sekou Smith.
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A Fully Fueled-Up King?
From MVPs to NBA titles, LeBron James has accomplished much in his NBA career to date. But now, at 33, does he still have enough in the tank to carry the Lakers to new heights in 2018-19? Sekou Smith digs into the challenges facing “the King” as a season like no other approaches for him.
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Stars In Their Eyes
The Lakers got their man this summer in signing LeBron James. But there’s little thought he will be the only star to land in Hollywood going forward. Who might the Lakers have on their radar in the coming years? Sekou Smith has four names to keep tabs on as the season and into next summer.
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Officially Speaking …
The evolution of the NBA game never stops, and the 2018-19 season will prove no different in that regard. Three new rules, a new official and a new emphasis on how defense is played are just some of the differences fans will notice from the 2017-18 season to the new one afoot.
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Fresh Looks For 2018-19
The Lakers, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Hornets, Wolves, Hawks, Magic and Jazz head into 2018-19 with slight to drastic changes to their respective rosters. Regardless of how busy each team was in the offseason, though, they’ve all undergone a makeover in the uniform department in one way or another. Here’s a quick look at each team’s new uniforms for the season ahead.
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Milwaukee’s Best (New Arena)
After spending the last 30 years at the Bradley Center, the Milwaukee Bucks will open the doors on the state-of-the-art Fiserv Forum this season. The venue features bright concourses, comfortable seats, a dedicated team store and more as Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks look to rise in the Eastern Conference. Take a look inside the arena that will serve as the Bucks home for many seasons to come.
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Quite A Change At Home
While the Bucks are the only team in the NBA debuting a new arena this season, teams around the league have plans to improve the game-day experience for their fans. Here’s a look at the changes at several stadiums for the 2018-19 season.
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Familiar Faces, New Places
LeBron James and DeMarcus Cousins moved West. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green got shipped North. Carmelo Anthony headed to Houston, while Trevor Ariza went to Phoenix. Dennis Schroder will run with Russell Westbrook in OKC, and Lance Stephenson will share a locker room with LeBron. Here’s a look at some of the more prominent (and interesting) moves of the offseason.
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Rookies Ready To Rise Up
The 2018 Draft provided a steady crop of capable youngsters who could soon make their mark in the NBA. Drew Packham takes a look at the 10 rookies who could have a big impact on their team’s record as soon as 2018-19 tips off.
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Here They Come …
As one generation of NBA stars fades away, the next generation rises up. From Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to Donovan Mitchell and Nikola Jokic (and many more), Sekou Smith has a quick look at the 10 best players under 25 years old.
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Welcome To The Sidelines
Nine NBA teams will have new coaches this season (counting Phoenix and Memphis, whose interim coaches were hired fulltime this summer). Some should look familiar (Mike Budenholzer, Dwane Casey and Steve Clifford, who all coached different teams last season), some might seem familiar (David Fizdale, James Borrego) and some need a full introduction (Nick Nurse, Igor Kokoskov and Lloyd Pierce). Here’s a quick look at these new hires.
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