Speaking of dynamic duos, will Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving be able to elevate the Dallas Mavericks to the playoffs this year? Durant and Irving’s former team, the Brooklyn Nets, will also be looking to return to the playoffs (and relevancy) off the grit and grind of stars like Mikal Bridges and Spencer Dinwiddie. Of course, Victor Wembenyama enters the NBA as one an instant Rookie of the Year contender and will ensure plenty of eyeballs on the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference, while plenty of attention will be on the Phoenix Suns’ pairing of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, too. Of course, one can never truly rule out Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and the Los Angeles Lakers, who seek their record 18th title.
However, the Nuggets should expect steep competition from Jayson Tatum ’s Boston Celtics, Giannis Antetokounmpo’ s Milwaukee Bucks, and Stephen Curry ‘s Golden State Warriors, all of whom have reached the Finals in recent years. Welcome back to the hardwood for the 2023-24 NBA season! Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets take the court vying to earn the Larry O’Brien Trophy once again.
