The NBA is back: An opinionated guide to the 2021-2022 season

By Declan Fee,

BlueDevilHUB.com Editor–

Oct. 19 marked the tip-off of the NBA’s 75th season, after COVID-19 put a delay on the 2020 season, forcing  it to move to a “bubble” in Orlando as well as shortening the 2021 season. This will be the first normal season in two years. A lot has changed since the Milwaukee Bucks won the championship last season, and this is shaping up to be one of the most interesting seasons in quite some time. Many teams around the league seem poised to make a run for the championship. 

Western Conference

2020 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers added even more to their already powerful lineup, acquiring All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook to play alongside their star duo of Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Having won the 2020 championship, but failing to make the finals in 2021, they are looking for redemption this year. Averaging a triple-double last year, Westbrook will add firepower to the LA offense, but that is not what they need right now. The hallmark of the team’s success in the last few seasons has been its defense, but the loss of key defensive players has left a gap. After going 0-6 in the preseason, allowing an average of 118.5 points per game, well above the league average, a lot is left to be answered. 

As the Lakers look for another shot at the championship, many other teams out West are making their case for why they deserve to be in the conversation. 

The return of All-Star Klay Thompson, alongside 2021’s leading scorer, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green, will assist the Golden State Warriors in making a playoff run this year. After winning three championships from 2015-2019, the Warriors missed the playoffs in 2020 and 2021 with many players out for injuries. Having the core trio of Thompson, Curry, and Green back for this year may give them what they need to battle for a high seed.

Gone are the days of a certain few teams running the West though, young players have emerged as competitors and are looking to compete with the veterans. Four of last season’s top five teams in the West were led by players 27 or younger. 

Nikola Jokic, the 27-year-old center for the Denver Nuggets, dominated  last year. He averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, earning him the league MVP award. The absence of his co-star, Jamal Murray, due to injury, may hinder the team’s success this year though, with much of the weight being put on the shoulders of Jokic.

Eastern Conference

Bonafide stars have emerged out of almost every team in the Eastern Conference. Two teams in the East have big question marks surrounding their seasons though: the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Last year, the Nets were able to bring together three of the hottest players in the league in Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving. They showed moments of greatness, but due to injuries, they did not finish the season where most people expected, losing in the second round of the playoffs. With everyone back to full health,

It looked like this was going to be their season to win it all. Due to unforeseen circumstances, things may not be as simple as that. All-Star point guard, Irving, will not be allowed to participate in games or practices until he is fully vaccinated. Durant and Harden will still be able to lead the team to many victories, but without the on-ball presence of Irving, they may struggle in crucial times.

As for the 76ers, their whole season will be up in the air until the issue surrounding their All-Star point guard, Ben Simmons is solved. After an embarrassingly poor performance in last year’s playoffs, speculation filled the air about potential trades involving Simmons. Denying all rumors, the 76ers stuck with him, hoping to move on from that conversation. Later though, Simmons himself, clearly frustrated with the team, requested a trade. With no discourse from the team, Simmons did not show up for the teams media day, or training camp. He finally returned to Philadelphia on Oct. 11, but after only a few practices, in which he displayed extreme discontent with the team and coaching staff, he was suspended for the season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. Until this situation is figured out, the team will have an extremely hard time focusing on winning games.

With all the drama surrounding the rest of the Eastern Conference teams, it looks like last year’s champion Milwaukee Bucks are ready to make their way back into the finals. Two time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated last year’s finals, averaging 35.2 points and 13.2 rebounds, closing out the series in six games. Having seemed to refine his shooting this offseason, he is even more of a force to be reckoned with around the league. The same solid core of players surrounds him, giving the team what they need to go back-to-back as NBA champions.

My finals pick

The Milwaukee Bucks will return to the finals to face the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry will be able to win the Warriors two games, but the Buck’s defense will help them take the series in six games.