The National Basketball Association (NBA) season is officially underway, bringing with it a fresh slate of thrilling teams and new storylines to watch. As the season unfolds, key questions hover over the league. How have offseason moves reshaped team dynamics? How will these revamped squads perform under heightened expectations? And can these teams transform their rosters into championship-caliber units?
Starting with the blockbuster deal of the offseason: the Milwaukee Bucks traded for superstar Damian Lillard, sending back Jrue Holiday and draft capital to the Portland Trailblazers. This is a whole new look for Milwaukee, pairing two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with an offensive ally considered to be one of the greatest shooters ever. Lillard’s ability to score from virtually anywhere changes the geometry of the court. His gravity opens up the floor for Antetokounmpo, giving him more room to maneuver and dominate inside, where he is most effective.
For all the offensive firepower, however, the Bucks have to be able to get stops come playoff time. The loss of Holiday is a gut punch to the Bucks’s defensive identity. He is a perimeter hawk whose absence leaves a void Lillard is not equipped to fill. Unless some changes occur to the roster, the Bucks will struggle on this side of the ball all season. Echoing this statement, Boston Latin School varsity basketball player Aaron Tran (I) draws parallels to past teams, noting, “We’ve learned from other recent superteams that the all-offense, no-defense system doesn’t work.” Tran believes this current pairing will not work.
In the opening weeks, the Bucks have been both versions. In their season opener, Lillard left a favorable impression on Bucks fans, scoring 39 points, including all 11 of the team’s final points. They beat the Philadelphia 76ers, a formidable team, showcasing their ceiling when the shots are falling. In only the next game, however, the Bucks were handed a reality check courtesy of the Atlanta Hawks, getting blown out 127-100. Lillard scored only six points in this loss, shooting a dismal 16.7 percent from the field.
As of November 18, the Bucks rank 22nd out of 30 teams in defensive rating, according to NBA.com. The Bucks look vulnerable, and if they are going to make a deep run in the playoffs, they will have to give something. The Bucks may possibly eye the market for a defensive wing who can compensate for Damian Lillard’s flaws. Come February, versatile wings like Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Johnson will likely see their names tied to rumors concerning the Bucks organization.
The Bucks’s dealings might have unwittingly created a monster in Boston. After receiving Jrue Holiday from Milwaukee, the Trailblazers quickly rerouted him to the Boston Celtics for Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon. In Beantown, Jrue Holiday’s arrival is like adding another layer of steel to an already fortified backcourt. Pair him with Derrick White, and suddenly you have a duo that gives opposing guards nightmares. Both have All-Defensive nods to their name, and the backcourt is already causing havoc. As of November 18, Holiday and White are first and second, respectively, for most blocks per game by guards this season. Through the early weeks of the season, the Celtics are first in defensive rating, much in part due to the efforts of their incredibly versatile guards.
Adding Jrue Holiday was not the only deal Brad Stevens made this offseason, who parted ways with fan-favorite Marcus Smart. The return package featured seven-foot-three Kristaps Porzingis, a player with an extremely unique skill set. Last season with the Washington Wizards, Porzingis averaged over 23 points a game, blending outside shooting with post-play prowess. For Boston, Porzingis is the third scoring option, behind co-starts Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, which should allow him to capitalize on softer defensive matchups. Porzingis didn’t waste time making his mark. On opening night, he set a Celtics debut record, pouring in 30 points on five-of-nine from deep.
These offseason acquisitions have significantly elevated Boston’s capabilities. BLS boys’ varsity basketball captain John D’Amico (I) believes Porzingis and Holiday are “great additions,” highlighting their impact by stating that they “both add more defense and [a] different style of play.” D’Amico also emphasizes the offensive versatility that these players bring to the Celtics, pointing out their ability to be consistent scoring options: “They are threats offensively and are able to get a bucket whenever from wherever.”
Along with Jayson Tatum playing at an MVP level, the Celtics have the number one net rating and are first in the Eastern Conference. Jay King from the Athletic notes that the starting lineup “has looked like a juggernaut on both ends of the court.” Should they maintain a healthy roster — fingers crossed, knock on wood — Boston is the frontrunner in the championship conversation.
Looking forward to the rest of the NBA season, one truth stands out: nothing in this league is certain. Injuries, trades and personal dramas (yes, looking at you, James Harden) can radically alter the trajectory of a team. The reality is that six months down the line, the NBA landscape could look dramatically different. Some teams that shine now may crash and burn, while others may rise from the ashes of low expectations.