In just a few days the NBA season begins. The new look Golden State Warriors will face immediate tests, beginning with the home opener against Phoenix, widely regard as the team most likely to contend with Denver for the Western Division, and the return of Kevin Durant to SF for the first time in a different uniform. Then 7 of the next 8 games are on the road, where last year's team played so conspicuously poorly.
The preseason games give Warriors fans reasons to be optimistic, as the newer members of the team played with such tenacity in winning games late, which is when last year's subs often failed. Preseason doesn't indicate much more, but it does suggest that the Warriors could be, at the very least, a lot more fun to watch this year.
The Warriors have undoubtedly improved, but they are hardly the only team to upgrade, at least on paper, this off-season. In fact this looks like it may be a very, very competitive season, and an exciting one.
Making it especially exciting is the coming of Victor Wembanyama. In the Spurs pre-season game with the Warriors it was clear that they as well as the entire league are going to have to at least try to adjust to what this extraordinary player can do. It's also worth noting that he is not the only giant on the Spurs, and the team's height is likely to challenge the Warriors in their games. For as improved as the Warriors may be, they still are deficient in height.
The West looks very strong, and with the stunning preseason debut of Wembanyama, it seems likely that San Antonio is suddenly going to be in the mix. They are going to win some games and may make the playoffs. The difference right now between the Spurs and other young teams and the current elite is the lesser ability to finish games, but once they get the feel of how to win, every night is going to be hard-fought.
So let the games begin.
