NBA: The 10 Biggest Storylines Heading Into The 2016-17 Season

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Nov 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard /

The Dawning of a New Era

Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett, three stalwarts of the NBA from the late 90’s to the 2000’s all decided to call it quits and hang up the sneakers for good. In addition, Paul Pierce announced that the upcoming campaign for Paul Pierce will be his last.

Kobe Bryant, who embodied the Los Angeles Lakers spirit, helped rejuvenate the Los Angeles Lakers and during his stint; he accounted for an MVP award, two gold medals, 18 All-Star appearances, two Final MVP’s and five NBA championships, combined with a plethora of other accomplishments.

He also made his mark as one of the most influential players in NBA history, as he helped set the stage for new breeds of superstars at his position. He left behind a legacy as one of the game’s greatest competitors who had an unbreakable spirit for the sport, despite the numerous lingering injuries he suffered throughout his career.

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He ended his career as only Kobe could, in grandiose fashion. Dropping a league-high, 60 points in his final game stepping onto the Staples Center, it was the perfect storybook ending for one of the game’s greatest.

Timmy

Tim Duncan is widely regarded as the greatest power forward of all time, primarily due to his consistency. The San Antonio Spurs were upset by the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games, and many wondered, as Tim Duncan left the area for the final time if it would be the final game of his career.

As only Duncan, the soft-spoken giant could, announced his retirement, thereby ending his legacy with the San Antonio Spurs. Duncan himself also won five NBA Championships to add to his two MVP’s, three Finals MVP’s and a depository of other records. Despite his advancing age, his game didn’t seem to be affected greatly.

He adjusted accordingly with the numerous supporting casts he’s worked with throughout his career, but Duncan’s run with Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker culminating in them having the most combined wins for a trio goes to show the extent of the success Duncan enjoyed in Texas. Forever immortalized in NBA history as a one of a kind NBA giant, there is no doubt that Duncan left his mark in the NBA.

KG

Finally, Kevin Garnett recently announced his retirement as he completed a legendary NBA career spanning the course of 21 years. Garnett entered the league as a dominant player fresh out of high school and was handed the keys to being the future of the Minnesota Timberwolves. As the franchise leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, Garnett single handedly carried the Minnesota timberwolves into a force in the Western Conference.

Garnett reached his apex in the 2004 campaign by winning the MVP and carrying the Timberwolves to their first ever Conference Finals, before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. While Garnett wasn’t successful in bringing a championship to the city, he gained his own championship in 2008 by forming a trio with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen by beating the Lakers in six games.

In the final stages of his career, Garnett helped mentored the younger crop of stars on the Timberwolves, including the likes of Andrew Wiggins and reigning Rookie of the Year, Karl-Anthony Towns.

Garnett may be one of the game’s most underrated players, as his spirit for competition, incredible defensive prowess and dominance on both ends of the floor will surely lead him on his way to a future Hall of Fame enshrinement.

With these superstars retiring, one may begin to question when the likes of Vince Carter and Dirk Nowtizki will choose to call it quits as well.

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