1. The Wemby era begins
Victor Wembanyama has arrived as the most hyped prospect since, well, ever (LeBron James might have been the last, but in 2003 the iPhone hadn’t been invented — nor had Twitter, er, X arrived). He has delivered hints already of the strange package of talent his 7-4 frame possesses but how he handles the rigors of the regular season for San Antonio is worth watching.
2. Player empowerment arrives … and ends?
Damian Lillard and James Harden set a disturbing tone this summer by publicly demanding trades. Lillard eventually got his way, kind of, after Portland general manager Joe Cronin resisted the calls to send him to his preferred destination of Miami, instead moving him to Milwaukee where he can contend for a title. Harden remains in limbo.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard tosses some balls as he poses for a picture during the team’s media day in Milwaukee on Oct. 2.
Credit: AP/Morry Gash
3. LeBron’s last stand?
Now in his 21st season and turning 39 in December, James is still doing things that players his age just shouldn’t be able to do. But how much longer does he have with 1,421 games logged already — along with 282 postseason games? He has talked of wanting to play with his son, Bronny, who is a freshman at USC.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James smiles during the team’s media day on Oct. 2 in El Segundo, Calif.
Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
4. The Ja and Zion question
Zion Williamson and Ja Morant were the easy picks for the top two spots in the 2019 NBA Draft, but they are approaching crossroads in their careers in strange ways. The potential remains, but Williamson has been dogged by injuries and weight issues. Morant was already reaching the status of the next face of the NBA — until his face began appearing with guns on social media last season. He will start the season on a 25-game suspension.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, left, and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant.
Credit:…
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