The Most Anticipated NBA Debuts of 2012-13

There are a number of players, ranging from legitimate NBA stars to rookies, who are waiting to have their 2012-13 regular season debuts.

Whether it's due to injuries or offseason acquisitions, the hype surrounding these player's debuts is rising and it will continue to rise until they step foot on the court.

Ahead is a countdown of the top 12 most anticipated NBA debuts of the 2012-13 regular season. 

12. Eric Gordon Returning to the Court

The New Orleans Hornets' future is deeply rooted in the development of both Austin Rivers and Anthony Davis.

The speed of Rivers and Davis' transition and subsequent development at the NBA level is dependent on the return of Eric Gordon, because he is the true franchise player on the Hornets roster.

According to the Times Picayune, Gordon will be sitting out the remainder of the preseason to rest his knee for a regular season return. While the NBA's focus on Gordon's return in New Orleans won't last long, it will be a return that garners a lot of attention.

Eric Gordon's return, and subsequent health of his knee, means a lot to the Hornets.

11. Stephen Curry and His Ankle's Regular Season Debut

In a not-so-shocking turn of events, Stephen Curry is missing some time, thanks to his ankles. 

According to Marcus Thompson of Bay Area News Group, Curry is going to sit the rest of the preseason to prevent any further damage to his right ankle—which he rolled earlier in the preseason.

The Golden State Warriors' hopes for the 2012-13 season depend largely on Curry and the health of his oft-injured ankles. Without Curry, they have a gaping hole at the point guard position, even with Jarrett Jack backing him up.

The Warriors need Curry's explosive offensive production at this point. With him, they are a much more dangerous team on the offensive side of the ball. 

Spoiler Alert—there might be another member of the Golden State Warriors on this list, and his debut is even more valuable than Curry's regular season return. 

10. Dirk Nowitzki's Regular Season Debut

After going through arthroscopic knee surgery–as reported by ESPN.com—Dirk Nowitzki is going to be on the bench when the 2012-13 regular season starts.

That's not good news for the Mavs, but it does give other players like Elton Brand and Chris Kaman the chance to show what kind of players they are.

With that being said, the Mavericks and their fans are anticipating Nowitzki's return. Without him they are a very different team—and that's not a good thing.

Without Nowitzki the Mavs are very one-dimensional.

With him, they are one of the most difficult teams to defend because of his size and ability to spread the floor. Mavs fans will be counting down the time until Nowitzki returns, that's for sure. 

9. The New-Look New York Knicks: Featuring Amar'e Stoudemire

The New York Knicks have a brand new look this season. While the jury is still out on whether that's a good or bad thing, there's no doubt that they have the talent they need to succeed.

Amar'e Stoudemire missing the next two-to-three weeks—according to a report from ESPN.com—certainly hurts the Knicks when it comes to pure talent on the court.

More importantly, it hurts the Knicks when it comes to building chemistry amidst the depth on their roster.Stoudemire's return a week or two after the start of the regular season will be anticipated, because it's going to be a test of just how good the Knicks can be.

Stoudemire and his inability to be a true team player for the Knicks has always been in question. Once he returns to the court for the new-look Knicks, they'll have a better idea of where they are at as a team, and just how competitive they can be this season. 

8. Andrew Bogut's Much Anticipated Warriors' Debut

The Golden State Warriors are hoping that Andrew Bogut can bring a serious level of defensive intensity to the team. The unfortunate part is that he's not ready to bring that defense to the court just yet.

The Warriors are wise to be cautious with Bogut's return to the court, but they can't be the competitive team in the West that they want to be with him on the bench.

Seeing how Bogut fits into the Warriors' system will be exciting to watch this year because for the first time in a long while, the Warriors might have some resemblance of a defense.

Combine that with the high-powered offense they've been known for and the Warriors could be a good team, but it all depends on Bogut's health. 

7. Bradley Beal and John Wall's Tandem Debut

John Wall's "left knee injury"—as reported by ESPN.com—is a setback for himself, the Wizards and his young backcourt partner Bradley Beal.

When the Wizards drafted Beal, they certainly had dreams of him running alongside Wall in their offense. That dream unfortunately can't become a reality for some time though. 

The Wizards will be counting down the minutes to Wall's return so that they can see just how dominant their frontcourt tandem of the future can be.

They have a lot riding on Wall's success this season, from their playoff hopes to the development of their team chemistry.

Wall's return to the court will be highly anticipated for Wizards' fans and NBA fans alike, and will go a long way in deciding how good the Wizards will be this season.

6. Iman Shumpert Solidifiying the New York Knicks Backcourt

Iman Shumpert was a nice surprise for the Knicks last season. More important than his offensive production, was the defensive tenacity and physicality that he brought to the court.

The Knicks can certainly use the depth he brings at the point guard and shooting guard positions, and fans in the Big Apple will be anticipating a high level of performance.

Shumpert could be a real difference maker for the Knicks this season, especially seeing that his best-case scenario is a Dec. return—according to ESPN.com.

Depth is always an issue in the NBA, and Shumpert coming back will give that to the Knicks.

5. The New 'Kobe and Shaq' Duo

Comparisons between "Shaq and Kobe" and "Dwight Howard and Kobe?" No, that won't happen, right?

Well, the undeniable comparisons between the former Lakers tandem and the new foundation of the Lakers have taken shape and the regular season debut of both players is much anticipated to say the least.

It's going to be fun to watch how the Shaq/Kobe and D12/Kobe comparison continues to develop throughout the season. If D12 succeeds things will be great for the Lake Show.

If Howard struggles, the dynamics between D12 and Kobe are going to be interesting. 

4. Chauncey Billup Bringing His Talents to Lob City

Chauncey Billups still has some fuel left in his tank, and the Clippers are hoping that he's what they need to reach that next level in the Western Conference.

The Clippers have a decent range of talent on their roster, even without Billups. But what he brings to the court is a solid range with his jumper and veteran leadership both on the court and in the locker room.

Billups' leadership is going to be a real difference maker for the Clippers this year, and it's something that will set them apart from the younger teams in the West.

Watching Billups and Chris Paul hold down the Clippers' backcourt will be exciting to watch, and it will be difficult to defend. 

3. Andrew Bynum and His Afro's Return

There is a lot of talk about Andrew Bynum being "damaged goods." While that's not an unreasonable claim, once he returns to the court for the 76ers, that will quickly fade away.

The 76ers have lacked a legitimate threat at the center position for quite some time.

Having Bynum at the center position is exactly what the 76ers need to become a more competitive team in the Eastern Conference.

It will be interesting to watch Bynum continue to develop with the 76ers, and that starts with his regular season debut. If Bynum can stay healthy, the 76ers will shock some people this year. If he doesn't, trading Andre Iguodala for him could look like a huge mistake. 

2. Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love Teaming Up Once Again

Not having Ricky Rubio for the start of the 2012-13 regular season was bad enough for the Timberwolves. Now, not having Kevin Love as well complicates things quite a bit.

The good news though is that both of those players' debut this year will be exciting for Timberwolves fans. Without Love and Rubio, the Timberwolves are just a shell of their former selves and the start of their season will be much more difficult than previously expected.

If the Timberwolves can buy some time without Love and Rubio, they'll be in a great place once both players return.

The day when Rubio and Love are running down the court together again is a day that can't come soon enough for both Timberwolves fans and NBA fans alike.

1. Derrick Rose's Post-ACL Surgery Return

Derrick Rose's return for the Chicago Bulls is without a doubt the most highly anticipated debut of the 2012-13 season.

The entire city of Chicago is behind Rose and the moment he steps foot back on the court will be one of the greatest moments in Bulls' history.

Rose means more to the city than most players for their respective teams and cities because he embodies the grit and toughness of Chicago.

The Bulls can survive in the East without Rose, but the moment he steps foot back on the court is a day that Chicago fans are certainly looking forward to.