Now that NBA Media Day is officially in the books, we explore three big headlines to follow as training camps get underway.
The NBA media day is always an exciting time for fans. The media interviews every team, letting fans know what’s happening around the league, the big headlines, how is everyone’s health and so on.
We are always in for a surprise, and with the league so stacked this season, any news will get fans hoping for basketball to begin now. Let’s explore three of the bigger storylines to come out of media day 2022.
Kevin Durant has a lot to prove
All offseason, Kevin Durant was the entire NBA news cycle. Fans and the NBA media were desperate to hear where he was going because he requested a trade. In the end, the Nets weren’t receiving offers they thought were worth KD and instead kept him.
"Kevin Durant came in hot on media day, saying, “I know I’m that good that you’re not just going to give me away.”…Durant stated, “I don’t think I’ve got to prove anything to Nets fans… I’m committed to moving forward with this team.”"
Even though Durant requested a trade, it seems he wants to prove to the league that he and the Nets mean business and that this year is different.
After all the offseason insanity about Durant wanting to be gone, he must step up big this season and be the leader the Nets need. The team has all the potential in the world, having KD alongside Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, but can they keep their team in check all season and prove the doubters wrong?
The continued mystery surrounding Lonzo Ball’s injury
Chicago Bulls fans have been eager to see a healthy team, but it looks like they will have to wait even longer. Lonzo Ball injured himself on Jan. 14th against the Golden State Warriors with pain in his left knee. Doctors diagnosed him with a torn meniscus and gave him a 6-8 week timetable for recovery. Ball missed the rest of the season, and things looked even worse on media day.
The Chicago Bulls announced Ball would undergo an arthroscopic debridement of his left knee and that they will re-evaluate him in 4-6 weeks. The news has Bulls fans scared that their guard will miss the entire season.
"Ball said, “I still can’t play basketball. I can’t run or jump.”The head coach of the Bulls, Billy Donovan, was asked if he has to prepare for Lonzo Ball to potentially miss the entire campaign and told reporters, “I think you have to.”"
The Bulls have been one of the biggest question marks because of their injuries last season. If Ball returns, the team can be one of the best in the East, but what can the Bulls achieve if he doesn’t?
Zion Williamson appears to be in great shape
Zion Williamson shut the door on the doubters, who thought he wouldn’t ever lose weight and would continue to play at a weight that would destroy his body. Williamson came to the media day and looked like he was an entirely new player.
Williamson is now slim and has the rest of the league on notice. Now that he lost weight and seems mentally ready to dominate again, fans will be eager to see him on the floor. The last time we saw him average 27 points per game while earning himself a spot in the All-Star game was in the 2020-21 season; a long time ago. After missing an entire year of play, Williamson looks to have made the most of his recovery, coming into this season in his best shape yet.
If Williamson can stay healthy, we will see something special unfold. The first overall pick in 2019 has yet to scratch the surface of who he can become in the league, and this season, he will look to take over the NBA and lead the New Orleans Pelicans into a deep playoff run.