Been a long time coming…

It’s more than fair to say that COVID-19 has thrown a spanner in the sporting world, shutting down leagues all across the world and forcing events into cessation as countless sporting lovers have been left without a proper fix. Now that things are starting to get slightly better (touch wood) and leagues are beginning to adapt to the state of sport in 2020, we’re finally getting sporting events back. And they’re coming back with a bloody vengeance. You can just feel untameable energy of fans around the planet, as we’re finally being treated to the delicious elixir of competition in all of it’s glory. With everything from Rugby League to UFC, we’re literally having trouble keeping up with it all. But there’s one thing we know for sure, the NBA restart is today, and fans by the millions will be tuning in to watch their favourite players hit the court for the first time in far too long.

Like us, you guys are probably super stretched for time between work and just trying to survive in 2020. So, we thought, why not have all the info you need for today in one place, as well as give you the low down on what to expect and what we’re keen for.

General overview

The first game will be the Pelicans vs the Jazz, followed by the Lakers vs the Clips. There’ll be six more games on the Friday, and the season will be off & away.

Once we’re off, each of the returning teams will play eight “seeding” games, with the top seven playoff seeds in each conference being locked in. Once playoffs start, there’ll be four rounds and a seven-game series. Fingers crossed it all goes according to plan hey?

How many teams are playing?

A total of 22 teams will be gracing the court.

Where are the games being held?

World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. Games will be held inside the Arena, Field House and Visa Athletic Centre. Expect a cheeky Micky Mouse to be taking the occasional free throw.

Will there be an audience?

That is a solid negatory.

When are the playoffs?

First round begins August 17. The conference semifinals begin August 31. The conference finals begin September 15 and the NBA Finals begin September 30.

When is the NBA draft?

October 16.

What to expect

We can expect the Lakers’ own Lebron James to be coming close to bagging his fourth ring, with the NBA GOAT kicking serious ass and essentially carrying the Lakers this far. I mean, when the season came to a halt, Bon had played a whopping 60 out of 63 games, averaging 34.9 minutes a night. So who knows, but with his right hand man Anthony Davis on his side, the fourth ring for Lebron could definitely be a possibility.

Alright, can we just take a moment to acknowledge the straight up beast that Kawhi Leonard is? I mean he literally helped the Raptors take their first championship in history, he could very easily help the Clippers do the same. He’s a crazy defender, and definitely one of the hottest players in the league right now.

Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks is definitely one to watch when the season restarts. Together with Kristaps Porzingis, Doncic has well and truly been grinding his heart out on the court. And their chemistry is growing stronger & stronger, bolster by Dorian Finney-Smith on defence and Seth Curry having a mad shooting rate, averaging almost 40 points per game together with Tim Hardaway Jr. Don’t sleep on the Mavs I tells ya, don’t bloody do it!

Although Lonzo Ball is no longer on the Lakers like his father Lavar always wanted, he’s still making serious waves in the league. Right when the season stopped, Lonzo was one of the New Orleans Pelicans’ best scorers with a crazy 39 percent from beyond the Arc. He’s always had an interested technique to say the least, but now it’s properly starting to pay off. If he continues that streak of craziness once the league restarts, the Pelicans are gonna be in a pretty sweet spot for the remainder of the season.

The Aussies

Now, turning our attention to the Aussies, Newy’s own Ben Simmons is expected to tear up some serious shit now that he’s been moved to power forward on the 76ers. However, whether this fixes the overall shooting problems Philadelphia’s been having lately remains to be seen. But he’ll have a little help from fellow Aussie Ryan Broekhoff, who’s a recent edition to Philadelphia.

Aron Baynes is finally joining the Phoenix Suns in the Orlando bubble, and he even brought his own bloody brisket with him! The 33-year-old Queenslander is a proper veteran of the sport, and he’ll no doubt be able to lead the Suns toward some much needed glory, much like his efforts for the Celtics in 2018.

Although Matthew Dellavedova is in the last year of his four-year contract with the Cleveland Cavs, it seems like he’s pretty keen to stay with his team. As he has proven over his entire career the scrappy little Victorian will do whatever it takes for his team.