The six essential stories to follow in the new NBA season

• Memphis.

  The sacrifices of Santi Aldama and his great challenge

Daryl Morey ,

one of the great managers of the NBA, is a strong defender of the 5% theory: any team that has even a remote chance of winning the ring should go all out for it.

This season there are a good handful of franchises that could stick to that philosophy, because even in the unpredictability of recent years, one would have to look back to find a race that started so close.

LEBRON HUNT FOR KAREEM.

In a few months ,

will surpass

as the leading scorer in NBA history.

The Lakers star begins the season 1,325 points from the man who took the hook to the skies, and barring any surprises, he will storm the throne sometime between February and March.

By then it is estimated that he will also have surpassed

and

to be the fifth highest assistant of all time.

But whether these accomplishments are the soundtrack to a good Lakers season or the high point of another forgettable year remains to be seen.

The Lakers debut coach, rookie

, but with problems: how to find a place for

in a team where he doesn't fit in and take advantage of an unbalanced squad.

The health of James and Anthony Davis, key to plugging cracks.

THE CHEMISTRY OF WARRIORS.

The Warriors season dawns between convulsions.

A few days ago,

attacked his partner

in training .

He has avoided the sanction, but not the debate: if his contribution on the track compensates for the danger of controlling such a volatile character.

Meanwhile, this morning they begin the defense of the title, the fourth in eight years.

The Californians maintain the block, trust that Klay Thompson will take another step in his resurrection, and recover

, two from the 2020 draft. But above all, they ask that

, MVP of the Finals, not loosen the swing.

THE UNKNOWN OF THE CELTICS.

It was all cause for optimism in Boston until September rolled around.

The coach,

, has been suspended for harassing an employee;

the promising

needed another knee operation;

and

was injured in the Eurobasket.

Even so, the Celtics appeared among the firm candidates for the title.

The signing of

strengthens what was already one of the best defenses in the NBA and adds another alternative to an attack led by two of the best forwards in the league,

and

.

THE BROOKLYN VOLCANO.

Bad atmosphere in the Nets: Within days of learning that

had one foot out,

issued an ultimatum: either fire Steve Nash, the coach he asked for, and the general manager, or he's out.

All four remain at their posts.

And they are joined by

, who spent the season blank between back and psychological problems.

For talent they are one of the best squads in the league, but for chemistry everything hangs on pins.

THE DONCIC CHALLENGE.

The Dallas Mavericks reached the Western Finals thanks to

's great year and a very good defense, but also a clearer path than usual.

The Clippers and the Nuggets had very sensitive casualties.

The Lakers, despite the doubts, will not be so poor, and Minnesota has been reinforced with

, three times Defender of the Year.

Doncic, on the other hand, has lost his best squire.

Repeating the feat will demand even more from the Slovenian.

GIANNIS AND EMBIID, EASTERN ALTERNATIVES.

The Milwaukee Bucks, champions in 2021, and the Philadelphia 76ers are the two great rivals of the Celtics for the throne of the East.

's team

pushed the Celtics to the limit in the playoffs without one of their stars,

.

And the Sixers will have from day one one of the best duos in the NBA,

and

.

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