By Andrew Rovit ‘22, Sports Writer

The upcoming NBA season is one to keep an eye on. In recent years, the league has, for the most part, been a battle between two super teams, the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but this season things are changing. Due to free agent signings, there are sure to be other teams in contention this year. Here are some storylines to watch out for this season:

9 Things to Watch for in the 2018-19 NBA Season

1. The Western Conference: Last year, many NBA experts and fans demanded a conference realignment due to the uneven strength of the two conferences, Eastern and Western. The Los Angeles Lakers’ addition of Lebron James unbalanced the conferences even more. Now, the chase for Western Conference champion has become more competitive and the race for Eastern Conference is owned by the Boston Celtics.
2. Gordon Hayward: Looking back on opening night last season, it is hard to forget Gordon Hayward’s gruesome injury that prematurely ended his first season with the Celtics. Moving forward, he begins this season on a young and very talented Celtics team that should easily capture the Eastern Conference title and have a chance for their first NBA Championship since 2008.
3. Pre/Post Game Outfits: Last season, many players rocked very peculiar pregame and postgame outfits. Before the games, check out icons such as Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and shirtless J.R. Smith strutting in their pregame outfits. As fashion in 2018 changes and players receive big contract extensions this offseason, you can expect to see anything from matching suits to leopard skin coats.
4. Gregg Popovich: Gregg Popovich, longtime coach of the San Antonio Spurs, has made the playoffs 27 out of his last 28 seasons, an unheard-of statistic in comparison to other teams. This year, the fact that he has been given arguably his most challenging roster to work with thus far compounded by the new acquisitions in the Western Conference, it will be tough for him to get this team back in the playoffs.
5. Golden State Warriors: Every year it seems as if the Warriors just get better and better. After the Warriors acquired the all-star center, DeMarcus Cousins, this offseason, it will be interesting to see how he meshes with the already talented Warriors roster. In addition, two projected starters, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant, are in the last year of their contracts, so their futures with the super team are in question.
6. Officiating: At the conclusion of last season, a number of questions arose regarding officiating in NBA games, including a few key calls in playoff games. On a larger scale, throughout all of the professional sports so far this year, questionable decisions from refs and umpires have created heavy conflict. This is something to watch for as the season progresses.
7. Philadelphia 76ers: Over the past few years, this team has not been a title contender, but it is looking as if things could change. With Lebron out of their conference and all of their stars healthy, they have the potential, talent, and mentality to contend with the Celtics for a trip to the championship. They have trusted the process for a long time, and this could be their year for a run.
8. Rookies: Many NBA analysts have stated that the 2018 draft class is one of the most talented ever seen, and many NBA fans, coaches, and players are excited to see if that is true. Many of the first rounds picks will have play expanded roles in their new teams with some even being the face of their franchise. Some names to watch are Trae Young in Atlanta, Collin Sexton in Cleveland, and DeAndre Ayton in Phoenix.
9. Lebron James: This offseason, all eyes were on the King and his decision. It was presumed by many insiders and general managers that he would be leaving Cleveland after one championship in four years. He ended up signing in LA for the Lakers. It will be interesting to see how one of the best players of all time can adjust to playing on a non-playoff team that has such young, talented players. It will also be an adjustment for James to have to deal with the persistent LA media requests.