NBA news 2023: NBA finals prediction, Australians in NBA

The NBA season is back again – and the era of dynasties are over according to a seven-time All-Star.

San Antonio Spurs legend LaMarcus Aldridge believes the world’s best league is set to buck the trend of dominance to become even more unpredictable.

Stretching right back to 1980, the NBA has experienced periods of ascendancy for individual teams.

The Celtics and Lakers controlled the 80s, the Bulls, Pistons and Rockets in the 90s, the Lakers and the Spurs in the early to mid-2000s before the Heat, Warriors and Cavaliers held reign.

In the past five seasons, five different clubs have won the championship, including Toronto in 2019 (first title) and Milwaukee in 2021 (50-year wait).

Aldridge, who played 1,148 NBA games for three clubs, can see the Nuggets creating a precedent for other teams to break their title droughts.

“I feel like that has been the goal for the NBA over the last 10 years to make it where it’s harder to pick who is going to win,” said Aldridge, who recently toured Australia and attended the NBL season opener and the AFL and NRL grand finals.

“It’s more exciting for the fans when you have people asking, ‘who is going to win it?

“The NBA is going to keep trying to make it more like that, where teams are continuing to get better.

“Denver, for example, drafted and built that team, and those guys have just grown and got better over the years.

“I think as these teams continue to build and get more experience and the more teams the NBA will have playing at a higher level.”

AUSSIE WATCH:

Twelve Australians look set to feature prominently this NBA season, including a host of Boomers aiming for big seasons leading into the 2024 Paris Olympics.

PATTY MILLS (ATLANTA HAWKS): Mills is coming off an underwhelming NBA season with Brooklyn, where he only played 40 games on an average of 14.2 minutes court time. Throw in a disappointing World Cup campaign with the Boomers and the veteran guard needs a strong season at his new club, Atlanta.

BEN SIMMONS (BROOKLYN NETS): Simmons is fit and ready fire for Brooklyn, vowing to rediscover the form that helped him become a three-time NBA All-Star. The Melbourne-born guard has an opportunity to lead at the Nets following the departures of stars like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

JOSH GIDDEY (OKC THUNDER): Giddey is expected to continue his rapid rate of improvement heading into this third NBA season. The gifted guard’s shooting continues to make strides while he’ll also benefit from playing in one of the NBA’s most promising – and talented young teams – in the Thunder. A future All-Star.

JOCK LANDALE (HOUSTON ROCKETS): Landale is coming off a career-best NBA season with the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 6.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in a personal high 69 games. The former Melbourne United champion will also be extra locked in after an ankle injury ruled him out of Australia’s World Cup campaign.

JOE INGLES (ORLANDO MAGIC): Showcased admirable resilience to fight back from an ACL knee injury to impress for Milwaukee last season. Ingles played a vital role off the bench for Bucks, averaging 6.9 points across 46 games. Has been traded to a young Orlando side and needs to a big season as a veteran presence heading into the 2024 Paris Olympics.

JOSH GREEN (DALLAS MAVERICKS): Green is poised to take another step after producing a career-best NBA season in 2022/2023. The Sydney-born guard averaged 9.1 points, 3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 60 games for the Mavericks.

Green showed why he is a crucial piece for the Boomers at the World Cup – and he’ll be keen to build on this momentum heading into the Paris Games.

XAVIER COOKS (WASHINGTON WIZARDS): Cooks is primed for a big NBA season following his first full off-season. The former NBL MVP joined the Wizards late season after guiding the Sydney Kings to consecutive championships. Cooks proved he belonged for the Boomers at the World Cup – a perfect launch pad for the 2023/24 NBA season.

DANTE EXUM (DALLAS MAVERICKS): Finally back in the NBA following a two-year hiatus via a successful European stint, Exum is fired up to make an impact.

Time in Spain and Serbia has significantly improved his game, especially on the offensive end, and the Mavericks will benefit. Another player who excelled for the Boomers at the World Cup and has his sights set on Paris.

JACK WHITE (OKC THUNDER): White is coming off a championship-winning season with Denver, although he only played 17 regular season games. However, the experience will prove invaluable for the former Melbourne United forward as he looks to make his mark at the Thunder alongside fellow Aussie Josh Giddey.

DUOP REATH (PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS): Reath finally gets his NBA shot after proving his worth during stints in the NBL, Serbia and Lebanon.

The Australian Boomer secured his deal with the Trail Blazers after starring at this year’s NBA Summer League, averaging 13 points and 7.4 rebounds.

DYSON DANIELS (NEW ORLEANS PELICANS): Daniels produced a solid debut NBA season, averaging 3.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 59 games.

The boy from Bendigo will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Global Academy product, Josh Giddey, and make advancements to his game in year 2.

MATISSE THYBULLE (PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS): Thybulle had a quiet World Cup campaign compared to the high standards he set during Australia’s historic bronze medal run at the Tokyo Olympics. He’ll be out for a bumper NBA season with the Trail Blazers to build his confidence heading into the Paris Games.

CHAMPIONSHIP FAVOURITES?

The Milwaukee Bucks. If the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, didn’t get injured during the first-round playoff series against Miami, I believe the Bucks would’ve progressed. Add in one of the NBA’s purest scorers – Damian Lillard – alongside an already formidable roster and Milwaukee are the early favourites.

The reloaded Boston Celtics, the Phoenix Suns and defending champions the Denver Nuggets will also be serious contenders for the title.

WHO WILL SURPRISE?

I’m tipping Josh Giddey’s youthful yet hugely talented OKC Thunder side to take another step forward this season. The Thunder shocked last season to make the play-in tournament with a 40 win and 42 loss record, but I’m expecting the Thunder to win more games than they lose in 2023/24.

WHO WILL WIN MVP?

It’s hard to go past Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, who should have won last season but was robbed with the award going to Joel Embiid.

If Jokic plays anywhere near his best again this season, he’ll be in a prime position to claim a third MVP.