The NBA regular season opens on the night of Tuesday October 22 to Wednesday October 23. With it, its flood of uncertainties which surrounds the different franchises across the Atlantic. Frédéric Weis, consultant BeIN Sportsbroadcaster of the North American championship, gave his thoughts on the main questions surrounding this new exercise. From Victor Wembanyama to LeBron James, including the returning Ja Morant.
LeBron James will begin the 22nd season of his NBA career. How far can he go?
As long as his body allows him… And for now, it’s not too bad. When we see what he was able to do at the Olympic Games, the season that has just passed and on top of that, the motivation to play with his son, I think he can play for a few more years. And, what’s more, be dominant.
What makes it different from the others?
There are several factors in its success: there is genetics. He is out of the norm. And he has taken care of himself since the start of his career. He likes gambling, he’s not too into private matters. We never know what is happening in a couple’s life, but we have the impression that he is peaceful in his life, with his wife, his children. His passion is basketball and he gives everything for it.
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He embodies a golden generation in the NBA, alongside Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. Who are the next faces of the Great League?
The transition is going to be difficult. The three best players on Team USA are LeBron, Durant and Curry. It’s still a possibility that they will do extraordinary things even if there are young people like Doncic. Ja Morant also returns, he was supposed to be the face of the NBA before his extra-sporting problems. There is also Anthony Edwards, one of the absolute faces of the NBA. When we talk about that, we forget Tatum who is still young (26 years old). There are plenty of players capable of taking over but there are still these three monsters ahead.
Ja Morant is eagerly awaited
How do you become the face of the NBA?
You have to be knighted. It’s an achievement to achieve that. Doncic is the face of the NBA in fact, he made the final, he almost was MVP. Anthony Edwards is starting to be so with his performances. It’s the performance and the extra-sporting life that makes the NBA love you. Again, it should have been Ja Morant.
Ja Morant was sidelined after showing up with guns and then getting injured. What to really expect from him?
He can come back to the forefront. In the NBA, we like to give second chances. We like it storytelling. And if the bad boy comes back, hits the nail on the head and does extraordinary things, I think he might like it. Is he the strongest of his generation? Hard to say. Potentially one of the strongest. But potential is not enough.
The Celtics will try to win a second title in a row. In the 21st century, only three franchises have achieved this feat. There have been six different champions in recent years. Why is it so difficult?
Every year, teams make a lot of moves. Things are moving a lot more than at the time. Superstars move. When I see Dallas getting Klay Thompson after making an NBA Finals, I tell myself that everyone can go. Now we are able to bet money on three players. Or we do like the Celtics where there is a 5 or even a 6 of high level while the rest is DIY. Everyone arms themselves.
OKC ahead of the Nuggets?
The Celtics could be challenged in the East, as this Conference is increasingly dense…
If I have to say who is top 1 or top 2, I think it’s Boston. Behind, the Knicks would be a very good second. There are the Sixers, the Bucks… There is a density that there was not before. It was said that the West was wild, the East is starting to be wild. Some stars are starting to play in the East now. The NBA is cyclical. New York for example, they recovered the best player from the Nets (Mikal Bridges), the second best from Minnesota (Karl-Anthony Towns). They’re doing crazy recruiting. The projects are of interest to players now. Jalen Brunson cut his salary, he’s a true superstar. he could have taken a big ticket but he reduced his salary to have more flexibility around him. They are title contenders.
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OKC is gaining momentum, with a project centered around young players. Can they dominate in the West, especially the Nuggets?
I put Oklahoma ahead of Denver. I don’t feel like this team is progressing. Some who will have to raise their level of play. There may be a feeling of a glass ceiling. You know Jokic will do his stats. But there are more doubts among the others, among Murray, among Gordon… This year, I think they will fall into line.
Do you see any surprises emerging during the season?
The Warriors. Because it’s not going too badly, it’s moved. Kevin Anderson is a good signing. I also like Washington, with Brogdon, Valenciunas… They have Coulibaly and Sarr. The latter will defend a little bit because the Wizards took a lot of points last season.
Not the Spurs?
Honestly, it’s going to be tough because there are a lot of matches to win, even just for the play-in. There have been some interesting arrivals, we talk a lot about Chris Paul, but that may not be enough. They matured last year. They will be able to play Wemby in his position. It’s a 5 that can rule out. We talked a lot about the 4 who separated before. There are only two players in the NBA capable of doing that, him and Chet Holmgren. These are players who can play 5, with their backs to the basket, grab rebounds and get out of the way.
