Two weeks. Just two damn weeks.
That’s how long we have to wait for the NBA season to start, and here’s the Top 10 reasons as to why we can barely contain our excitement:
DERRICK ROSE IS 100% READY & HEALTHY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypCGdhGxNjk
Rose has been injured for almost two years, but the lord has resurrected, baby! Rose took out MVP honours back in 2011, which is even more impressive considering the league was stacked with thriving athletes like Lebron James and Kevin Durant. We can only assume that he’s hungry to go hard in the paint, and with the addition of Pau Gasol to the Bulls, they could be a favourite to take out the East – maybe even to take it all out! By the way, remember when Rose got a shout out from Kanye West? Oh yeah, what a legend.
LEBRON IS BACK IN CLEVELAND
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdkRQCdvD_g
Cue Puff Daddy track: I’m coming home, coming home… After snatching consecutive championship rings over at Miami, LeBron James has come home to the Cavaliers. Miami aren’t happy – fans have defaced murals and even burned their jerseys after the news was announced. He’s returning to his longtime professional home in Cleveland, and he’ll be in good company – Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love will also be donning the burgundy.
KOBE BRYANT WANTS TO MAKE ANOTHER STATEMENT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDxD_y0P6Uk
Like Rose, Kobe Bryant has had a nightmare year after tearing his achilles, and at the ripe age of 36, many are telling him to hang up the jersey once and for all. However, Bryant is out to prove that age ain’t nothing but but a number – and he’ll be looking to lead the LA Lakers to a return to form. The Lakers drafted a good prospect in Julius Randle, and they also added the Oriental wonder Jeremy Lin.
ANTHONY DAVIS IS ON THE RISE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlavtSDsAhU
Despite being barely of drinking age, Anthony Davis is the real deal. He was one of the NBA’s most improved players last season, and if he keeps up this sort of form, it’s more than likely that he’ll rise to become to the third best player in the world.
WHAT’S PHIL JACKSON GOING TO GET OUT OF CARMELO ANTHONY & THE KNICKS?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nHO__5AmWA
Phil Jackson has had an illustrious coaching history – he’s the man who once presided over the G.O.A.T Michael Jordan at the Bulls and the aforementioned Kobe Bryant at the Lakers. Come 2014, he’s signed on to resurrect things over at the New York Knicks as President. He’s employed Derrick Fisher to be head coach, someone who’s held plenty of championship rings to boot. Carmelo Anthony has never won a ring, over even got close (sad face). Now, it will be interesting to see what this blockbuster team and bucketloads of experience brings to the Big Apple.
WILL KEVIN DURANT WIN A TITLE?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTP2aRt65Ho
Kevin Durant won the MVP last year, and is widely considered the second best player in the work after King James. It’s clear that he has all the accolades, but he’s yet to taste championship glory. He has a team to win with guys like Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka at Oklahamo CIty Thunder, but injuries have plagued the team for the past few years. History repeats come 2014, with Durant sidelined with a foot injury to start the season. Still, the $285 million he got from Nike should help soften the blow.
ARE THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS FINALLY TOO OLD?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4YG1g4VP20
Everyone continues to say the Spurs are too weathered, but they keep on proving they can stay on game. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Kawaii Leonard and coach Greg Poppavich always find a way to win, and we can’t wait to see what tricks they have up their sleeve this season.
WILL DANTE EXUM MATCH THE HYPE?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSlJk-bM8pA
Flying the green and gold in the NBA this seasokn is Dante Exum. Besides having the best name in the whole world, the 19-year-old Aussie hopeful got drafted Number 5 by the Utah Jazz. Although he looked pretty ‘meh’ at the World Championships in Spain, he’s still tipped as one of the NBA’s most exciting prospects – and we’re hoping that he’ll slay the competition in his debut professional season.
THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RACE WILL BE A BEAUTY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eA2ipYC3nk
Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker are just two of the names leading a talented young pack. Expect some of this year’s rookies to reach immortal status in a couple of years time, while it will be interesting to see who takes out the award in 2014-2015.
WHO WILL BE THE NEW MIAMI HEAT?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4nj6i6blU0
Now that LeBron has left Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, what’s going to become of the Miami heat? Will they be able to replicate their championship heights? They have got some new personal is Luol Deng, Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts, but the loss of LeBron has still gotta sting.
Image via Complex
