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The NBA season is set to begin on Tuesday night. With so many unanswered questions from the pre-season, the league has plenty of stories to follow before tipoff Tuesday night.
The two marquee matchups that will start the season on Tuesday night will be between the Nets-Bucks and Warriors-Lakers start the action.
Here are five storylines to watch as the season begins.
5. Can The Bucks Be A Dynasty?
The long wait is over…the Milwaukee Bucks are CHAMPIONS!!
🗓 Ring Night Is TOMORROW!! | PIN-IT USA pic.twitter.com/c9Yyy4Gl29
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 18, 2021
The Milwaukee Bucks will hang their first championship banner since 1971 on Tuesday night. In what was an exciting 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Bucks finally got over the hump defeating the Phoenix Suns in six games to take home the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Milwaukee looks to be the first team to win back-to-back titles since the 17-18 Golden State Warriors.
4. Will Ben Simmons Finish The Season As A 76er?
three days 'til tip off. pic.twitter.com/V42cP8xlmO
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 17, 2021
The 76ers and Ben Simmons have been at odds since the disappointing end to last season. Simmons returned to the team last week in preparation for the new season. The odds that Simmons ends the season as a member of the 76ers is slim. His status for the opener with the team is unknown. Only time will tell how this story ends. For now, Simmons will be gearing up with his team in Philadelphia. This story has a “get your popcorn ready” type of feel to it.
3. The Phoenix Suns Shouldn’t Take A Backseat
Give us a reason to be proud.
Give us something to rally around.This is what a winning culture feels like. #ValleyProud pic.twitter.com/kcw1vE4Ii3
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 6, 2021
The Suns’ magical run to the NBA Finals last season ended in crushing defeat. If you ask those around the organization, last season wasn’t magical; it was expected. The Suns finished the regular season second in the West and defeated the likes of the Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers on their way to the NBA Finals. With teams like the Warriors, Jazz, Nuggets, and Lakers being healthy to start the season, many folks are forgetting about the reigning Western Conference Champions. Just the way the Phoenix Suns want it to be.
2. A New (Older) Look Lakers
Our new jersey patch partner, known for cooking up Korean cuisine, is cooking up some content with us today for the 2021-22 season.
Get ready for #LakersMediaDay, brought to you by @bibigousa 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zwWK49gVLZ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 28, 2021
The Los Angeles Lakers dealt with injuries all of last season. The injuries the Lakers dealt with led to the team limping into the playoffs as a seventh seed in the West with a first-round exit against the Suns. The Lakers have welcomed Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook to L.A., hoping that the veterans can help take the Lakers back to the NBA Finals. Lebron and the 2020 NBA Champions want to show the league that age is just a number.
1. Kyrie Irving And The Curse Of Knowledge
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Kyrie Irving has done his research before. The former NBA All-Star once believed the Earth was flat. Now he believes in taking a stance against Covid-19 vaccinations without being anti-vaccine. With his current perspective on not getting vaccinated, the Brooklyn Nets will be without Irving until he decides that the Covid vaccine is in his best interest. The Nets are still a loaded team, with former MVPs Kevin Duran and James Harden being the first two options on the team. If Kyrie comes back to be the third option, it’s safe to say that a healthy Nets team could be popping champagne to end this season.
