The 2022-23 NBA season is upon us, it is a new beginning for everyone. It is a fresh start for some teams who really needed it, while other teams will look to carry the momentum from last season into this season. The 2022 offseason and preseason has brought up questions for some teams.
Can the Phoenix Suns Settle Their Differences?
The Phoenix Suns have had quite the past two years. They came off of an NBA Finals appearance in 2021. The Suns had the league’s best record in 2022 with 64 wins. The suns ended their season with a 33-point blowout loss against the Dallas Mavericks in the conference semi-finals. If the loss wasn’t bad enough, head coach Monty Williams benched center Deandre Ayton. The young star entered restricted free agency and signed an offer sheet of four years, $133 million to join the Indiana Pacers. The Suns matched the deal to bring him back.
Not only did Ayton show he was ready and willing to leave, it was revealed on media day that he had not spoken with coach Monty Williams since the blowout. In the preseason, the Suns starters were outplayed by the NBL’s Adelaide 36ers and lost the game. They had a record of 1-3 and do not look as good as they did last season. Ayton claims him and Williams talked it out, but that has to show on the court.
Will Draymond Be a Distraction?
Typically, the big storyline entering the season for the NBA champions is about their chances of repeating. Everything changed when TMZ released a video of Draymond Green punching his teammate, Jordan Poole. There were different reports of what the problem was, and the belief is it was about the money. Poole has been recently signed an extension, but, that was after the punch. Green is eligible for an extension and is very vocal about wanting max money. The Warriors organization has claimed from top to bottom they have put this behind them. Green is very expressive, time will tell if any more situations will arise.
What Will the Heat Do at Power Forward?
The Miami Heat ended their season one win away from an NBA Finals trip. The Heat had an offseason to improve their roster to get to the finals and win. They did not sign any key free agents to help them. The Heat watched starting Power Forward PJ Tucker sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. It seems like the Heat plan to start Caleb Martin at power forward this season. It is quite unconventional for a contender to go into a season with an obvious hole in the starting lineup. Martin can shoot well, but, he does not have the defense and rebounding Tucker possesses. Teams will go at Martin on defense, he is up for a challenge this upcoming season as the new starter.
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