Photo via NBA.com

By Zoria McClerkin, Sports Producer 

With the formation of new “super teams” and the introduction of the in-season tournament, the 2023-2024 NBA Season is officially underway. 

Last season, the Denver Nuggets etched their name in NBA history by clinching their first NBA Championship with a 4-1 run over the Miami Heat. In response, many teams quickly shifted to revamp their rosters with buzzing free agency signings and trades. 

Notably, the Phoenix Suns, already boasting the talents of two-time NBA Champion Kevin Durant and All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, shocked NBA fans in a multi-team deal that sent Chris Paul to the Washington Wizards for Bradley Beal. 

This was all before the eventual deal that would send Chris Paul to the Warriors for Jordan Poole. 

However, perhaps the most anticipated move this summer was seven-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard finally receiving a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Throughout his career, Lillard remained true to his stance on “team basketball.” Although Lillard and the Blazers could never triumph past the Western Conference Finals, he has been highly critical of NBA superstars “running from the grind,” to team up with other star players. 

Yet, this summer Lillard’s stance reached an end as numerous trade reports of his desire to play for the Miami Heat sent many NBA fans into a frenzy on social media. 

While his request didn’t result in a move to the Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s reluctance to sign an extension placed pressure on the Milwaukee Bucks to make a move and they delivered.

“I’m excited to have Dame. He gives us a chance to win a championship. I’m excited to play with the caliber of player that he is,” Antetokounmpo said. 

With Andre Iguodala announcing his retirement from the NBA, LeBron James becomes the league’s oldest player. Entering his 21st season with the NBA, “The King” from Akron, Ohio enters this season 1,348 points shy of the 40,000 marks for his regular-season career. 

Keeping most of their core players, the Lakers are hoping the re-signings of D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, and addition of Christian Wood will alleviate some of the pressure off of James and Anthony Davis. 

Unfortunately for Philadelphia 76er’s fans, this may be the end for the Harden-Embiid duo. A disgruntled James Harden skipped the entire preseason schedule, which for some due to his past antics with the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets, comes as no surprise. 

At a promotional shoe event on August 14th, Harden called out Daryl Morey, the president of basketball operations for the 76ers and longtime friend of Harden.

“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said, “Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”

To date, the Sixers have not found a suitable trade partner for Harden and may have to begin their season without him as they are set to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. 

With so many off-season changes, members of the Maroon Tiger shared their predictions for the upcoming season. When asking about an NBA Finals matchup, the two recurring teams members responded with were the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. 

This potential NBA Finals matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, two teams with the most championships in the league, would be star-studded and historic.

When asked about season awards, the students responded, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum most likely for the MVP award. Responses for the Rookie of the Year award all began and ended with one name, Victor Wembanyama. 

NBA fans around the AUC and the world are in for a treat as there will be a rematch of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets, followed by the Phoenix Suns facing off against Curry and Golden State Warriors Tuesday night at 7:30 ET on TNT.

Copy Edited by: Kobe Scales, Sports Editor