With the NBA season kicking off on Tuesday, The Post’s main writers Stephen Bondy, Brian Lewis, and Mike Vaccaro delve into some pressing questions about the season ahead.
1. The biggest storyline of the NBA season is ______
Bondy: The future of Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the Bucks don’t perform well, which seems likely, attention will be on Giannis until the trade deadline on February 5. Should he stick around with the Bucks, he might just reset his timeline for the summer.
Lewis: Giannis Antetokounmpo again. I know, right? He’ll start the season in Milwaukee, but if they falter—especially in a rather weak Eastern Conference—things could change quickly. This is a recurring theme, and unless LeBron James steps aside, it’ll be the major storyline just before the deadline or come summer.
Vaccaro: The Lakers’ shift from LeBron’s leadership to Luka’s influence.
2. This team will be better than expected
Bondy: Spurs. With Victor Wenbanyama ready to shine and De’Aaron Fox likely recovering from a hamstring issue, the Spurs could surprise everyone by making the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Lewis: The Golden State Warriors are poised to perform well, boasting win totals over/under 47.5 at FanDuel and 45.5 at BetMGM. However, few seem to recognize just how effective Jimmy Butler was last season, winning a staggering 76.7% of the games he played in—think 63 to 19.
Vaccaro: Celtics. They may not be elite without Jayson Tatum, but there are aspects of their game that could be more impressive than many expect.
3. This team is going to be worse than expected.
Bondy: Rockets. Despite the hype, they weren’t title contenders before Fred VanVleet’s injury. With no point guard, they will miss Dillon Brooks’ defensive skills. Plus, Kevin Durant, now 37, has managed only two playoff series wins since leaving the Warriors.
Lewis: 76ers. The Kings may underachieve, but the 76ers could completely falter. Some GMs have them finishing fourth in the East, and BetMGM’s over/under win total sits at 42.5, but that feels shaky given Joel Embiid’s limited play—just 19 games last season and 39 the previous one.
Vaccaro: Rockets. Losing VanVleet is a tough hit, but at some point, Durant’s performance has to dip. Maybe this is the season.
4. This player will rise this season
Bondy: Zion Williamson. He’s finally looking slim, and at just 25, he has immense potential. Although the Pelicans aren’t great, he has the makings of becoming an outstanding player this year.
Lewis: Amen Thompson. The Rockets are feeling the loss of VanVleet, but Thompson might be a candidate for Most Improved Player, with backing from GMs across the league.
Vaccaro: Author Thompson from the Pistons. What we saw in last year’s playoffs was intriguing; it’ll be interesting to see if he can elevate his game for Detroit.
5. If I were this coach, I would worry about job security.
Bondy: A few coaches are on the chopping block—like Doc Rivers in Milwaukee, Nick Nurse in Philadelphia, and others—but I’d say Jamal Mosley in Orlando really has high expectations on an untested team.
Lewis: Doc Rivers has very little room for error in Milwaukee. They need to turn things around quickly with Damian Lillard on board to keep both the team and Antetokounmpo happy.
Vaccaro: Nick Nurse from the 76ers. He seemed unhappy last year, and a slow start could make his position even more precarious.
6. The big names to move before the trade deadline are ______
Bondy: Giannis Antetokounmpo is the obvious name, but I doubt he’ll be traded this season. Instead, I’d look at Lauri Markkanen from Utah, who might find himself on the move.
Lewis: Lauri Markkanen. Utah passed on an opportunity to trade him for a better deal, but if they reconsider, he’s going to be sought after.
Vaccaro: Lauri Markkanen, because I doubt his timeline aligns with what Utah is aiming for.
7. Words to describe these players this season — One word for each of what you think this player’s season will be like:
lebron james
Bondy: elderly; Lewis: king; Vaccaro: stubborn
Victor Wenbanyama
Bondy: Unparalleled. Lewis: problem; Vaccaro: glittering
kevin durant
Bondy: unfortunate. Lewis: great value(?); Vaccaro: sad
Luka Doncic
Bondy: bucket; Lewis: motivated; Vaccaro: ascendant
cooper flag
Bondy: justified. Lewis: consistent; Vaccaro: wonderful
8. This season’s MVP is ______
Bondy: Nikola Jokic. He’s still the best player, and the Nuggets should improve this season, setting him up for a fourth MVP.
Lewis: Nikola Jokic. He reclaimed the top spot from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Vaccaro: Nikola Jokic. He has a solid team around him and will likely shine in every game.
9. The NBA Finals matchup and winner will be ______
Bondy: Oklahoma City versus Cleveland. While it’s possible to replicate last season’s best records, both teams look like they’re just getting started.
Lewis: Oklahoma City against Orlando. I think the strong Thunder will not only reach the finals but also defend their title, possibly starting a dynasty reminiscent of the Bulls in the ’90s.
Vaccaro: Nuggets vs. Knicks. I can’t see the Knicks keeping up with Jokic after six games, marking a peak in one of the league’s great careers.
10. My bold prediction for this season is ______.
Bondy: The Warriors will not make the playoffs. Father Time doesn’t spare anyone, and it’s catching up to the likes of Curry, Butler, and Green.
Lewis: This will be the year the Magic make significant strides and capture the Eastern Conference title. While the Knicks have their own challenges with a new coach and the Cavs face injuries, the Magic’s dominant defense and sufficient offense will lead them through.
Vaccaro: Joel Embiid will perform well enough to clinch the Comeback Player of the Year award.
