2014 NBA Preseason: Top 3 Stories to Watch as Regular Season Approaches
With the 2014 NBA preseason scheduled to tip off on Saturday, some of the most intriguing storylines of season will begin to unfold as well.
A few star players are looking to bounce back from significant injuries to revitalize their careers, others are looking to make a name for themselves in new places and a new power group is looking to take the league by storm.
Here is a look at some of the top stories to pay attention to during the exhibition games.
How the Cavaliers Will Look Coming Out of the Gates
When it comes to LeBron James, his talents are not the only things he brings to table—he brings worldwide attention, too.
With him, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love now forming a new Big Three in Cleveland, the pressure to perform at a high level will be substantial. Oh, and it probably doesn’t help when Dion Waiters argues that he and Irving make up the “best backcourt” in the league either.
This is why it’s important for the Cavs and new head coach David Blatt to show everyone that they are capable of living up to the hype, starting with a solid preseason.
Remember when Miami went 3-4 during the preseason in LeBron’s first year there? Well, if Cleveland doesn’t do better than that, the scrutiny that surrounded the Heat will follow the Cavs as well, and that can be one huge distraction throughout the course of a season.
How Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose Will Respond After Injury Recoveries
It’s safe to say that the current Lakers squad leaves much to be desired when it comes to things to watch for this season. As such, Kobe Bryant’s recovery from a left knee fracture he suffered last season is vital to keeping the Lakers fanbase engaged with the team in 2014-15.
According to ESPNLosAngeles.com's Arash Markazi, Bryant addressed his health after his first team practice in nearly 10 months on Tuesday. "I felt normal. I felt like myself," Bryant said.
That puts him one step closer to finishing his legendary career on a high note.
As for Derrick Rose, his 2014 FIBA World Cup performance was an encouraging sign for both him and the Chicago Bulls—not because of his production, but simply because he played.
The 25-year-old has had operations on both knees over the past few years. However, he stressed to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune (subscription required) that his confidence level is “through the roof.” That’s exactly what the Bulls need with a revamped roster that may put them in title contention again.
How Well Can Derek Fisher Lead the Knicks?
The Knicks whiffed on Steve Kerr, who spurned New York for Golden State, so the next best option to serve as an extension to team president Phil Jackson became Derek Fisher.
So now, after signing a five-year, $25 million contract to become the new head coach for the Knicks, Fisher needs to prove that he—with the help of Jackson—can bring the Knicks back into title contention.
Can he earn the respect of the locker room as a first-year coach? Can he insert his own philosophies on top of the ones he learned from the Zen Master? Can he find a way to mesh all the personalities on that team to create some chemistry? These are the questions Fisher must find the answers to.
New York can be an unforgiving place when it comes to failure, so Fisher needs to win over not only the team, but the fans too.
The only way to do so is by making a good first impression and getting off to a quick start.
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