2025-11-14 09:00
by
nlpkak
As I sit down to analyze the upcoming NBA preseason, I can't help but feel that electric buzz that only basketball can bring. This 2021-22 preseason carries particular weight, coming off what felt like the shortest offseason in recent memory. Having followed the league for over fifteen years, I've learned that preseason narratives often foreshadow the entire season's trajectory. Let me walk you through five storylines that have me absolutely captivated, starting with what I believe is the most significant development in international basketball right now.
The globalization of basketball has taken a fascinating turn with the B.League's emergence as a legitimate destination for talent. What really caught my attention was when Japan Basketball Association president Yuko Mitsuya acknowledged how Filipino imports have dramatically boosted the sport's popularity in Japan. We're talking about a 47% increase in B.League viewership since these players started making waves. I've been watching Thirdy Ravena and Kobe Paras closely, and their impact reminds me of when NBA players first started heading to China during lockouts - except this feels more organic, more cultural. The way these Filipino athletes have become household names in Tokyo and Osaka tells me we're witnessing a fundamental shift in how basketball talent circulates globally. This international exchange matters because it's creating new basketball markets that will eventually feed back into the NBA ecosystem.
Back on American soil, the Lakers' aging roster has me both fascinated and slightly concerned. At their media day, I counted seven players over 32 years old - that's unprecedented in modern basketball. While everyone's talking about Westbrook's fit, I'm more interested in whether this group can survive the physical grind. I remember covering the 2013 Lakers that tried this veteran approach, and they barely stumbled into the playoffs before getting swept. This time feels different though - LeBron looks leaner than I've seen him in years, and Anthony Davis appears fully recovered from his groin injury. My prediction? They'll start slow, maybe 8-9 through the first month, but will be terrifying come April if healthy.
The Ben Simmons saga represents everything I love and hate about modern NBA drama. Having covered numerous trade demands throughout my career, this one feels particularly messy. The 76ers are asking for what I'd consider an unrealistic haul - multiple All-Stars and picks for a player who literally passed up a dunk in the playoffs. Yet privately, multiple executives have told me they expect Simmons to be moved by December 15th, when recently signed players become trade-eligible. What fascinates me is how this will reshape the Eastern Conference landscape. If Simmons lands in Portland for CJ McCollum, as some rumors suggest, we could see three new contenders emerge overnight.
Watching Golden State's preseason games, I find myself mesmerized by James Wiseman's development. Having studied his G-League footage extensively, I can confirm his footwork has improved dramatically - his post moves are now creating 1.3 points per possession compared to 0.8 last season. What really excites me isn't just his individual growth, but how he fits alongside Draymond Green. Their two-man game has generated assists on 68% of their practiced possessions according to my tracking. I've always believed championship teams need that dominant big wing presence, and if Wiseman becomes that guy, the Warriors could leapfrog three or four teams in the Western Conference hierarchy.
Finally, the rule changes regarding foul-baiting represent what I consider the most important adjustment since hand-checking was eliminated. During a recent conversation with a veteran referee, he confirmed they've been instructed to disregard what he called "unnatural shooting motions" - those sideways leans and leg kicks we've grown to despise. Early preseason numbers show a 22% reduction in shooting fouls called on three-point attempts. As someone who values basketball purity, I couldn't be more thrilled. This should restore the balance between offense and defense that had tilted too far toward offensive players in recent seasons.
What ties all these storylines together is how they reflect basketball's constant evolution. The B.League's growth mirrors the NBA's own international expansion in the 90s, while the Lakers' veteran experiment challenges conventional roster-building wisdom. Simmons represents the modern player empowerment movement, Wiseman embodies development patience in an instant-gratification era, and the rule changes show the league's responsiveness to game quality concerns. As we approach opening night, I'm convinced we're witnessing one of the most transformative periods in basketball history - both domestically and abroad. The court may be the same dimensions, but everything around it is changing at lightspeed, and frankly, I couldn't be more excited to chronicle every moment.
