The start of the 2023-24 NBA regular season is fast approaching with basketball fans preparing for the start of the new campaign with a fascinating double header.
First up the Denver Nuggets will take on the Los Angeles Lakers while over in San Francisco the Golden State Warriors play host to the Phoenix Suns. There will be plenty of teams who will be battling it out for the famous Larry O’Brien trophy until April, but who will be the breakout players in the NBA this season?
There are plenty of players who could step up and make a big difference for their side this season. The Denver Nuggets will be looking to repeat their triumph next season as they are the odds-on favourites for the title once again after coming out on top last term with much of their success owed to Nikola Jovic.
With many describing him as the best basketball player in the world at the moment, Jovic took the league by storm averaging 24.5 points per game as well as 9.8 assists per game. If the Nuggets would like any chance of retaining the Championship, they will be relying on Jovic to come up with the goods.
The Nuggets won’t have it easy with the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks expected to push them all the way. The Bucks will flaunt Giannis Antetokounmpo as the forward averaged an astonishing 31.1 points per game last season, while the Celtics boast starman Jayson Tatum. Referred to as ‘The Problem’ by LeBron James, he was another player who averaged more than 30 points last season and both players will be assets to their sides if they are to challenge the Nuggets this year.
Runners up in 2023, Miami Heat find themselves as 7th favourites according to the bookies and they will be keen to make the NBA final once again. Tyler Herro will be a key player for the side averaging over 20 points per game for the second season in a row. If they are to have any chance of getting revenge on the Nuggets, he will have to be firing on all cylinders.
So what about the new players who have been picked in the draft? Thompson twins Amen and Ausar were the fourth and fifth picks, with the latter being scooped up by the Pistons while Amen will also begin playing professionally with the Rockets. They are also the first brothers in NBA draft history to be selected together in the top 5.
Third to be picked was Scoot Henderson by the Blazers. At only 19, Henderson promises to be a great prospect for the Portland side after impressing in the NBA G League over the last couple of seasons.
The Hornets were the second to pick as they selected Brandon Miller, who will make his debut in professional basketball playing in the NBA. An exciting but challenging task for the youngster, questions will be asked about whether he will be able to carry on his impressive form from his collegiate years, which included an Alabama Freshman-Record scoring 41 points in one game.
Finally, it was Victor Wembanyama who took the top spot as the first draft pick when the San Antonio Spurs snapped up the Frenchman who is widely considered one of the greatest basketball prospects of his generation. It was the first time a French player has ever been picked in the first overall draft pick and only the second time it has been a European player.
His breakthrough season last year playing for Metropolitans 92 gave NBA fans a real taste of what he will be like. He averaged an impressive 21.6 points per game across the season as well as 10.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks leading the Pro A League in each category. Can he be the standout player for the Spurs and guide them to the NBA playoffs?
A lot to ponder for any basketball fans ahead of a very exciting 2023-24 NBA season in store for us. Enquire today with Engage to experience the Brooklyn Nets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in premium hospitality at the Accor Arena in Paris this upcoming season.
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