NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – They dominated the last regular season, putting the 18th Ring in their history on their finger, and although there is no shortage of competition the big favorites for the title remain them. The Boston Celtics have chosen the line of continuity and it will not be easy to stop them: Tatum, Brown, White, Porzingis and Holiday form a quintet ready to go down in history since the last team to hit back-to-back was Golden State in 2017-18. But, as mentioned, there is no shortage of challengers, already in the East. First and foremost, the New York Knicks, first stage rivals at TD Garden in the opening game of the new season: after already adding Anunoby to Brunson, two more pieces like Bridges and Towns arrived in the summer, with coach Thibodeau finding a contender roster on his hands. The arrival of Paul George also says a lot about Philadelphia’s ambitions but there remains the unknown of Embiid’s condition as far as roster depth the Sixers are well placed (see Lowry, Jackson, Drummond and Gordon). One step below are Milwaukee (Lillard’s redemption awaited) and Indiana, which has been trying to provide Haliburton with worthy supporting casting. There does not seem to be a team on Boston’s level in the West either, but everyone has been busy, starting with Dallas, which-after losing the finals-has paired Klay Thompson with Doncic and Irving. But the contenders, at least on paper, are others. Minnesota sacrificed Towns but gained Randle and DiVincenzo who can combine well with Gobert, Edwards and Conley, not to mention veteran Ingles. Already last season the Wolves showed they can aim for the title, as did OKC, which added Hartenstein and Caruso to the trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Williams, increasing the options available to coach Daigneault. Jokic is the calling card of the champion Denver Nuggets in 2023, but also keep an eye on Phoenix, which has entrusted Budenholzer, architect of the Bucks’ title three years ago, with the keys to a team with Durant, Booker, Jones and Beal. But the cues that the Nba season will offer are many, from a Wembanyama who has put on several pounds of muscle and is ready for the ultimate consecration, to the two Jameses, dad LeBron and son Bronny, who are making history in a Lakers jersey anyway. And Italy? While waiting for Danilo Gallinari to find a team, all we have left is Simone Fontecchio, on whom Detroit is betting big to finally try to revive itself.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
