5 NBA storylines to know forward of Christmas Day

It is Christmas Day, that very particular time of the 12 months when the NBA is entrance and heart on our televisions. 

So, what higher time to debate the league’s largest storylines?

As we head right into a jam-packed day stuffed with the league’s premier expertise, together with Los Angeles Lakers famous person LeBron James making his NBA-record nineteenth Christmas Day look, and San Antonio Spurs phenomenon Victor Wembanyama making his vacation debut, let’s take inventory of what is going on on across the league. 

Listed below are the 5 largest story strains. 

1. What is going on on with LeBron James and the Lakers?

The face of the league turns 40 subsequent week. And there are two large questions surrounding him. How for much longer will he play? And earlier than he hangs up his jersey, will the Lakers be aggressive sufficient to compete for an additional championship? James not too long ago stated he is undecided whether or not he will play one or two extra seasons, however he is positive of 1 factor: “I am not going to play till the wheels fall off.” 

Thus far, he has had an up and down season, for his requirements. He is nonetheless able to being the perfect basketball participant on the court docket on any given night time, and is coming off of his eighth triple-double of the season in a loss to Detroit on Monday by which he had 28 factors, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. However the participant who has notched essentially the most minutes in NBA historical past has additionally struggled at occasions, together with final month going by a stretch by which he missed 20 straight 3-pointers over 5 video games. 

The excellent news is that Anthony Davis has been playing MVP-caliber basketball, which he not too long ago opened up about in an unique interview with FOX Sports activities. To not point out, the Lakers have additionally made large strides on the defensive finish as of late, which led to them profitable 4 of their final 5 video games earlier than falling to the Pistons. However with the commerce deadline quick approaching, the Lakers’ brass needs to be questioning whether or not this workforce is nice sufficient to go all the way in which, or whether or not they need to take an enormous swing to accumulate one other famous person to play alongside James and Davis. In any case, the sand is rapidly slipping by the hourglass on how lengthy James has left. 

2. Will Boston repeat as champions?

After making very sensible drafting choices (Jaylen Brown at No. 3 in 2016, Jayson Tatum at No. 3 in 2017) and trusting of their roster for years, the Celtics‘ persistence lastly paid off final season within the type of a championship. Brown and Tatum proved that they may thrive on the largest of levels, one thing they’d been hungry to indicate after reaching the Finals in 2022, however then falling to Golden State. Now that they’ve had a style of success in its highest kind, the query is whether or not they can repeat it. 

The Celtics just about stored their roster intact, however a lot of the remainder of the league made changes to try to knock off the reigning champs. The Celtics are presently ranked No. 3 in offense and No. 8 in protection, which is spectacular. However contemplating they completed final season No. 1 in offense and No. 2 in protection, it is truthful to wonder if their competitors has caught as much as them a bit. 

3. Are the Philadelphia 76ers whole flops?

When the 76ers acquired Paul George throughout the offseason to play alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, they had been immediately thought of title contenders. As an alternative, they’ve devolved into the cleaning soap opera of the NBA. 

They have been tormented by accidents (George has performed 16 video games, and Embiid has solely performed seven). There was drama (Embiid pushed a reporter after he wrote about his useless brother and son in a method that Embiid felt was out of bounds). And there has even been intra-squad squabbling (Maxey known as out Embiid for at all times being late in a workforce assembly). The 76ers are in twelfth place with a file of 10-17, removed from being aggressive. However they’re clearly gifted and have proven indicators of digging themselves out of their very deep gap, profitable seven of their final 10 video games. Can they flip issues round after their woeful begin?

4. Can up-and-coming groups resembling Oklahoma City and Cleveland truly go far within the playoffs?

For those who look on the standings, the groups to observe are Oklahoma Metropolis (No. 1 within the West) and Cleveland (No.1 within the East). They’re seemingly rolling over their competitors. However profitable within the common season is a really completely different beast than profitable within the playoffs. Do both of those groups have what it takes to essentially be a contender?

Let’s begin with the Thunder. They’re the youngest workforce within the league, with a median age of 24.14 years outdated. Final postseason, they turned the youngest workforce to win a playoff collection, sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans within the first spherical earlier than falling to the Dallas Mavericks, who reached the Finals. The Thunder have a really gifted core in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. And so they addressed points round playoff expertise and dimension by buying Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein throughout the offseason. This workforce has a excessive ceiling, however have they got what it takes to get previous groups that basically know methods to win?

Then there are the Cavaliers, who’ve surpassed expectations this season. They’re No. 1 in offense, with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley every averaging greater than 18 factors a recreation. They bolstered their roster over the offseason after which opened with a shocking 15-0 begin. They’ve proven that they’ve nice chemistry, sharp ball motion and a selfless roster. They’re hovering, however can they stick with it when the competitors heats up?

5. Apart from the Thunder, who’s the workforce to observe within the West?

As per regular, the West is overloaded with expertise, with 11 groups which are .500 or above. Let’s check out a number of of the storylines within the ultra-competitive convention. 

Anthony Edwards turned the darling of the playoffs final season en path to main his Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Convention Finals. However after the Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns, they’ve struggled. Edwards has known as out his workforce in no unsure phrases every time they’ve slipped, most not too long ago mentioning their offensive woes. Can he mild a hearth below them?

The Golden State Warriors are the league’s modern-day dynasty, profitable 4 championships in eight years. After they missed the playoffs final season and Klay Thompson left for Dallas over the summer season, questions arose over whether or not the dynasty had come to an finish. However Steph Curry opened the season Steph Curry-ing and Draymond Green is taking part in with a renewed sense of pleasure after struggling to be himself amid drama the previous few years. This workforce regarded good on the prime of the season. However they’ve misplaced 10 of their final 13 video games. Can they cease the free fall and be atop the league once more? 

What concerning the Memphis Grizzlies, who’re shining after Ja Morant performed solely 9 video games final season amid a 25-game suspension adopted by a season-ending shoulder harm. He is again and Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins not too long ago praised him for his elevated management talents. Will he be capable to information this workforce far?

The Rockets are taking part in top-notch basketball. Kevin Durant needs to show he can win a championship with out Curry and Inexperienced – can he take the Phoenix Suns all the way in which? Can Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Thompson take the Mavericks, who reached the Finals final season, over the hump?

Within the very crowded West, who you bought?

Melissa Rohlin is an NBA author for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand coated the league for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Occasions, the Bay Space Information Group and the San Antonio Specific-Information. Comply with her on Twitter @melissarohlin.

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